The Last Laugh
Faith of Our Fathers
July 31, 2022
Rev. Ross Jelgerhuis
Genesis 18 teaches that God meets human doubt with relational presence, radical grace, and tangible fulfillment—turning Sarah and Abraham's laughter of unbelief into a sign of God's faithful promise in the birth of Isaac.
Summary
Using Genesis 18 (and illustrated by Francis Schaeffer’s honest wrestling with belief), the sermon shows how God engages our doubts in three ways: relationally (He draws near and deepens relationship, as seen in Abraham’s hospitality and the visitors who are both angels and the Lord), radically (He extends grace despite their unbelief, meeting Sarah’s ridicule and failure with favor), and tangibly (He fulfills His promise when Sarah conceives Isaac). The message calls us to trust God with our weaknesses and barren seasons, expecting that what looks least likely in human terms can become the place where God brings abundant fruit and the assurance that He will make all things new.
Key Points
- Text and setting: Genesis 18 — an elderly, barren Abraham and Sarah receive messengers (two angels and the Lord) and a promise of a son.
- Honest doubt: Even strong believers (and influential thinkers like Francis Schaeffer) can wrestle with whether Christianity is true; doubt is part of faith’s journey.
- Three ways God meets doubt: relationally (He draws near and deepens relationship), radically (He shows grace despite unbelief), and tangibly (He fulfills promises in real, visible ways).
- Abraham’s hospitality models how relationship with God is deepened by faithful, extravagant welcome and service.
- Sarah’s laughter: initial unbelief and ridicule are met not with condemnation but with favor—grace prevails over unbelief.
- God chooses the low and uses weakness: barren seasons can become the most fruitful in God’s economy; surrender your weaknesses to God.
- Fulfillment and assurance: Sarah conceives Isaac—her laugh of doubt becomes a laugh of faith, a tangible sign that God keeps His promises and will make all things new.
- Application: Trust God in doubts, cultivate wonder and prayer, and let God work through your weaknesses to produce fruit.
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