Sermons on Genesis 21:1-8:

Laughing Away The Burdens

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Dec 4, 2000

Abraham laughed in the cynicism of old age; Sarah laughed in the denial that defends against what is inevitable; but beyond both of them God laughed in joy at the triumph of His purposes, fulfilled in two aged followers.

You have heard it said, “He who laughs last, laughs best.” Let me expand on that: I may laugh, you may laugh, but God will have the last and best laugh, for God’s purposes will be served. Laughter. There are all sorts of reasons to laugh. Some will laugh out of frustration; unable to do what ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 17:15-17, Genesis 18:10-15, Genesis 21:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

The Average Ones: God Uses "Seconds."

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Dec 12, 2000

Does God only care about those in the limelight, the Sarahs? Or does he also care about the "second bests," the Hagars?

The Average One: God Uses "Seconds" (Gen.21:1-21) 1. I love bargains.... 2. Alden’s Christmas tree (1972)--$10; HobbyLobby--$30 (1998) 7.5ft 3. Other bargains are seconds...our first kitchen table... 4. Sometimes people feel like "seconds" (unfavorite child, single, after a divorce, child ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 21:1-21

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Laughter & Tears

Contributed by Leslie Trombly on Jun 16, 2001

God Laughs and has a sense of Humor and God Cries Too!

Laughter comes in many forms, but the "Laughter of Sadness" is no laughing matter as we will see today. There are Tears of Joy and Tears of utter sadness as well. I. GOD’S SENSE OF HUMOR ======================= God has a great sense of humor and He laughs too! As we can see when the Lord God told ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 59:8, Genesis 21:6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Birth Of A Promise

Contributed by John Hamby on Jan 8, 2001

How God had prepared Abraham for the birth of Isaac.

“The Birth of A Promise” Genesis 21:1-23 It took God twenty-five years to shape that man to whom He could entrust Isaac. After twenty-five years, in the fullness of God’s time, God gave Abraham and Sarah the promised son. God is never late!! I. THE COMPLETION OF ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 21:1-23, Genesis 21:24-34

Denomination: Baptist

Old Testament Dates

Contributed by Frank Gallagher on Jan 12, 2001

Here is a list of the dates covered by the books of the Old Testament, as well as a chronology of OT events.

Old Testament Dates [HTML formatted version of this outline is located at http://members.aol.com/abidingitw/otdates.html] BOOKS OF THE BIBLE - the periods they span: Genesis - Eternity to 1805 B.C. (death of Joseph) Exodus - 1876 B.C. to 1445 B.C. Leviticus - No chronology. Numbers - 1445 B.C. ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 21:5

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Last And Best Laugh Series

Contributed by Dan Buis on Feb 24, 2001

Sarah’s laughter at being promised a son in her old age.

They say, “Laughter is the best medicine.” When was the last time you had a good laugh? I’ve had a little more time to think about this question, so I’ll share my answer. Earlier in the week we had a little evening picnic with some friends and at times laughed our heads off. I don’t even ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 21:1-7

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Hot Sand, No Water Just Grace

Contributed by Duane Brown on Oct 26, 2003

Hagar was lost from herself, but never from God

Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, had borne him no children. But she had an Egyptian maidservant named Hagar; 2 so she said to Abram, "The LORD has kept me from having children. Go, sleep with my maidservant; perhaps I can build a family through her." Abram agreed to what Sarai said. 3 So after Abram had ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 16:1-11, Genesis 21:8-19

Denomination: Holiness

Dear Dad

Contributed by Antonio Torrence on Jun 7, 2003

The focus of this sermon is the important of young boys and men having positive male roles such as fathers, and uncles actively participating in their lives.

"Dear Dad" Genesis 21:8-21 By Reverend A. LaMar Torrence, Cross of Life Lutheran Church When I read the story of Ishmael, I wonder what he would say to his father Abraham after being cast out of his home. I imaged him as young man who may have one day, sat down and wrote his father a “Dear Dad” ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 21:8-21

Denomination: Lutheran

Only The Lonely

Contributed by Pat Cook on Jun 28, 2003

A look at what happens when we step outside of God’s plans (Abraham), and when our lives get messed up by others (Hagar).

Genesis 16:1-16 – Only the Lonely We see Abraham wanting to have a God-promised child, but taking the matter into his own hands to make sure it happened. At his wife’s advice, Abraham slept with his wife’s maidservant, Hagar. She got pregnant and created some problems for herself. Abraham let ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 21:8-13, Genesis 16:1-16

Denomination: Baptist

And She Laughed

Contributed by Joe Harding on May 12, 2003

A MOTHER’S LAUGHTER IS PRAISE TO GOD!

AND SHE LAUGHED GENESIS 18: 1-15/ 21: 1-7 (17: 15-19) MOTHER’S DAY MAY 11, 2003 INTRODUCTION: WHAT MY MOTHER TAUGHT ME My mother taught me RELIGION: When I spilled grape juice on the carpet, she instructed, "You better pray the stain will come out of the carpet." My mother taught me LOGIC: From ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 18:1-15, Genesis 21:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

Abraham: A True Model Of Worship

Contributed by Steven Dow on Aug 24, 2002

Many Christians have never truly worshiped God because they don’t know how. Abraham models for us the essence of true, biblical worship.

ABRAHAM: A MODEL OF TRUE WORSHIP Genesis 22:1-19 August 18, 2002 INTRODUCTION: It seems that very few Christians know much about true worship. Charles Stanely once said that he believed that most Christians in most churches have never worshiped God. We go to church, but we don’t worship. We ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 22:1-19, Genesis 21:8

From Pain To Power Battered, Beaten And Rejected But Not Abandoned

Contributed by Simone Williams on Jan 26, 2004

Women’s Conference message

Pain – A feeling of being hurt, suffering to have a bad effect on do damage or harm to Power – great ability to do or act, authority, influence, control, strength or force over something or someone Abandoned – Give-up entirely leave without intending to return Rejected – Throw away as useless or ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 16:1-16, Genesis 21:8-20

Denomination: Pentecostal

Born Free Series

Contributed by Guy Caley on Jun 16, 2002

The story of Hagar and Sarah illustrutes the shortcomings trying to do God’s Work man’s way.

Introduction Radio personality Paul Harvey tells the story of how an Eskimo kills a wolf: "First, the Eskimo coats his knife blade with animal blood and allows it to freeze. Then he adds another layer of blood, and another, until the blade is completely concealed by frozen blood. "Next, the hunter ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 4:21-31, Genesis 21:1-12

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Trusting God

Contributed by Matthew Oliver on Jun 24, 2002

The experience of Abraham and Ishmael and Christ’s words tell us that we are to trust God, even to death.

5th Sunday after Pentecost Trusting God. Preached at Saint John the Evangelist, Cold Lake, Holy Eucharist 23 June 2002 Genesis 21:8-21; Romans 6:1-11; Psalm 86:1-10, 16-17; Matthew 10:24-39 O Lord, we pray, speak in this place, in the calming of our minds and in the longing of our hearts, by ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 21:8-21, Matthew 10:24-39

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

"Choosing Our King"

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Jul 10, 2002

On Palm Sunday Jesus entered as the King, but the crowd was expecting a political revolutionary

Choosing our King...a Palm Sunday message Pastor Bob Leroe, Cliftondale Congregational Church, Saugus, Massachusetts What kind of deliverer did the people of Jerusalem want? On Palm Sunday the crowds were ecstatic with joy at the coming of the Messiah, but why did they so soon afterwards call ...read more

Scripture: John 12:12-16, Genesis 21:8

Denomination: Congregational