Reflections on "surprises along the Way" Genesis 20: 1-7; Genesis 21:1-

the surprises along the way became challenges and surprises along the way as I reread the Genesis 20 text I had chosen previously.  Abraham was facing a challenge more than a surprise.  I also realized that Sarah should not have been surprised at the birth of Isaac, but she still seemed surprised.

I was trying to keep the sermon short because we had a baptism/new member piece at the 11:00 service, and we had greetings from the Moderator of the Presbytery of the North Coast (our sister presbytery in Barranquilla, Colombia) at both services.  The chapel sermon seemed tight and focused, but then someone told me they had really gotten a lot out of the sermon. As sometimes happens, when I decide the sermon went well at the chapel service, my timing was a bit off the second time I preached it (not sure what that's about, but probably something to do with too much anticipating of the congregation's reaction).  

But, I did add at the Sanctuary service the bit about the baptismal vows and the commitment to nurturing the kids whose parents joined the church.  I think that was an effective tool for the sermon, and also set the stage for the congregation to remember their responsibility as they saw the kids standing before them later in the service.

If I preached the Genesis 21 text again, I would like to focus on the laughter, and Sarah's comments that "everyone who hears will laugh with me."  The image of people laughing together at the crazy way God is at work caught my attention. 

If I preached the Genesis 20 text again, I would like to focus on why Abraham and Sarah felt the need to cry and how God is at work through this non-believer Canaanite king.  

“Surprises Along the Way” Lenten faith journey series, 2012; March 18, 2012; Genesis 20: 1-7; Genesis 21: 1-7

Introduction: What surprises or challenges have you encountered while traveling your faith journey?

Move 1: Abraham and Sarah seem to run into issues continually.

a. Surprises come in all shapes and sizes.

1. Death touches us unexpectedly.
2. We are chosen for a special opportunity we had not expected.
3. Job loss surprises us.
4. A long-lost relative leaves us an inheritance
5. Some surprises and challenges are good; some not so good.
   b. Abraham and Sarah have several surprises along the way and handle them differently.
   c. In the first instance, Abraham and Sarah find themselves among strangers as aliens in a foreign land.
   1. Abraham and Sarah respond to this challenge by lying and saying that Sarah is Abraham's sister, rather than his wife.
   2. not clear why they do this, but it contemplates the situation when the king takes Sarah to be with him.

b. In the second instance, Sarah finally gives birth to her son.

1. perhaps it should not be a surprise since God has been promising that she would bear a child, but it seems to catch her by surprise.
2. She remembers her laughter when told this would happen and jovially names her son Isaac, which means “laughter.”
   When dealing with one surprise, Abraham lies; when dealing with another surprise, Sarah laughs.
   
   Move 2: How do you respond to challenges and surprises??

a. Lying did not work so well for Abraham.

1. Sarah is now vulnerable.
2. Abraham has lost credibility.

b. Laughter seemed to work well for Sarah. I could commend that based on some of my experiences.

c. Our response ought to grow out of our faithfulness.

1. I have often told my children that how they responds defines who they are.
2. More than ethical or moral, faithful.
3. It is not about how ingeniously we can resolve the issue or take advantage of the opportunity; but how our response reflects our commitment to following Christ.

100. We take vows this morning for a newly baptized infant and also commit to caring for Allie, Kiley and Cameron (their parents are joining too, but I'm thinking about the kids right now).

1. we will be the community of faith that will help these kids through surprises and challenges in their lives.
2. They also will learn how to handle those surprises and challenges by watching you.
3. 3. What will they learn from us? How can we teach them about our commitment to Christ through our responses to challenges and surprises?

Move 3: In the midst of our responses to challenges and surprises, we discover God at work being faithful to us.

a. In the first story, Abraham and Sarah are saved, despite their lying, when God appears in a dream King Abimelech has.

1. Not a believer.
2. But, he responds to God's words in the dream by giving Sarah back to Abraham.
   b. When Sarah gives birth to Isaac, the God's promise to Abraham to provide descendants as part of the covenant is fulfilled.
   1. God providing a means for the Israelites to to continue into the next generation.

God is faithful, working to save us.

Conclusion: Fred Craddock, the folksy Southern preacher tells a wonderful story. Craddock is Southern by his birth and by his style.

A young Yankee who, on a business trip, had to drive through the South for the first time in his life. By the time he arrived in South Carolina, he was hungry and stopped at a roadside diner. He ordered scrambled eggs and sausage, and so was taken by surprise when his breakfast came and there was a large white blob on the plate.

"What's that?" he asked the waitress.

"Them's grits, suh," she replied.

"But I didn't order grits," he said.

"You don't order grits," she responded. "They just come with the meal."

And that, Craddock says, is like God's grace. You don't order it. It just comes.

In the midst of our surprises and challenges, God comes to save.