Message by Larry Thacker Jr. from January 12: A Laughing Matter
God gave both Abram and his wife new names. These are the ones we all recognize, Abraham and Sarah. Then He told Abraham that he would have a son by Sarah. By this time Abraham is 100 and Sarah 90 years old. Abraham’s response was to fall down laughing! When Sarah was of child bearing age they didn’t have any children, and now they are old. Not only does the thing seem impossible, They are now expected to begin calling each other “Father of a multitude” and “Noble woman, or Princess!” This was too much for Abraham, but God was serious. Yet I think He also shows evidence of a humorous side here, because he tells Abraham to name his son Isaac. That name means, “he laughs.” Our text is Genesis 17:15-19.
I believe God has also given us a big promise that seems laughable when viewed through human eyes. Church attendance is down all over. A typical church, sadly much like most organizations, has about 20% of the people doing most of the work. Our mission is to engage people with disabilities, so we’re reaching out to a population that has limitations making it even harder for us to participate in the life of the church. How can we expect to have a vibrant, growing, healthy church under these conditions? We can expect it because God is faithful. I believe He wants to use us to show the church and the world that He values every life, and that every life has a purpose. Our fulfillment comes in doing what God made us to do.
