Marvel at Provision: Sarah
Marvel Pt. 2 Week 2
Gary Moritz
Part of Marvel Pt. 2—Bible Characters that Left an Impact
July 11, 2021

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Introduction:

God uses all types of people in marvelous ways. Not all the people God used were educated, sophisticated, wealthy, or powerful. But every single one of them was available for God to use. I like to call them the “League of the Least Likely.”

In this collection, we will look at a few ordinary people from the Bible who God decided to use in an extraordinary way. God took their lives and caused others to MARVEL at the results. Their lives changed the lives of others and serve as an example for us today.

“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his possession, so that you may proclaim the praises of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” —1 Peter 2:9


Text: Hebrews 11:11-12 (New Testament, CSB)

Marvel at Sarah because of her

faith.

Faith is confident obedience to the Word of God regardless of circumstances or consequences. —Pastor Steve Reynolds

Today’s Takeaway: Trust God even when you don’t understand.


MARVEL Pt. 2 WEEK #2: Provision - Sarah

I. WAITING FAITH IS (11:11a)

“He took him outside and said, “Look at the sky and count the stars, if you are able to count
them.” Then he said to him, “Your offspring will be that numerous.” —Genesis 15:5

“Abram’s wife, Sarai, had not borne any children for him, but she owned an Egyptian slave
named Hagar.  2  Sarai said to Abram, “Since the Lord has prevented me from bearing
children, go to my slave; perhaps through her I can build a family.” And Abram agreed to
what Sarai said.  3  So Abram’s wife, Sarai, took Hagar, her Egyptian slave, and gave her to her
husband, Abram, as a wife for him. This happened after Abram had lived in the land of
Canaan ten years.  4  … she became pregnant.” —Genesis 16:1-4b

15  God said to Abraham, “As for your wife Sarai, do not call her Sarai, for Sarah will be her
name.  16  I will bless her; indeed, I will give you a son by her. I will bless her, and she will
produce nations; kings of peoples will come from her.” 17  Abraham fell facedown. Then he
laughed and said to himself, “Can a child be born to a hundred-year-old man? Can Sarah, a
ninety-year-old woman, give birth?”  18  So Abraham said to God, “If only Ishmael were
acceptable to you!” 19  But God said, “No. Your wife Sarah will bear you a son, and you will
name him Isaac. I will confirm my covenant with him as a permanent covenant for his
future offspring. —Genesis 17:15-19

“because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance.  4  And let endurance
have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.” —James 1:3-4

II. WAITING FAITH IS (11:11b)

“The Lord came to Sarah as he had said, and the Lord did for Sarah what he had
promised.  2  Sarah became pregnant and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the
appointed time God had told him.  3  Abraham named his son who was born to him—the one
Sarah bore to him—Isaac.” —Genesis 21:1-3

“Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart be courageous. Wait for the Lord.” —Psalms 27:14

“Now if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with patience.” —Romans 8:25

III. WAITING FAITH IS (11:11c)

“Where is your wife Sarah?” they asked him. “There, in the tent,” he answered.
10  The Lord said, “I will certainly come back to you in about a year’s time, and your wife
Sarah will have a son!” Now Sarah was listening at the entrance of the tent behind him.
11  Abraham and Sarah were old and getting on in years. [a]  Sarah had passed the age of
childbearing.  12  So she laughed to herself: “After I am worn out and my lord is old, will I have
delight?” 13  But the Lord asked Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh, saying, ‘Can I really have a
baby when I’m old?’  14  Is anything impossible for the Lord? At the appointed time I will come
back to you, and in about a year she will have a son.” 15  Sarah denied it. “I did not laugh,”
she said, because she was afraid. But he replied, “No, you did laugh.” —Genesis 18:9-15

“Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are
possible.” —Matthew 19:26

“He who calls you is faithful; he will do it.” —1 Thessalonians 5:24

IV. WAITING FAITH IS (11:12)

“He believed, hoping against hope, so that he became the father of many nations according
to what had been spoken: So will your descendants be.  19  He did not weaken in faith when he
considered his own body to be already dead (since he was about a hundred years old) and
also the deadness of Sarah’s womb.  20  He did not waver in unbelief at God’s promise but was
strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God,  21  because he was fully convinced that what
God had promised, he was also able to do.” —Romans 4:18-21

“Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act.” Psalm 37:5 —Romans 4:18-21

“Now to him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think according to the
power that works in us—  21  to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all
generations, forever and ever. Amen.” —Ephesians 3:20-21

CONCLUSION: Are you waiting in faith like Sarah even when you don’t understand?

DEEP DIVE QUESTIONS:

  1. God showed His faithfulness and patience during Abraham and Sarah’s doubt and fear. In what areas of your life is God being patient with your lack of faith?

  2. Read Romans 8:25 again. Note the paradox between eagerness and patience. What prayer or hope are you excitedly but patiently waiting for?

  3. 1 Thessalonians 5:24 says that when God calls us, He is faithful to “do it.” What do you believe God is going to do?

  4. What can you learn from the life of Sarah?


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