Grace and Hope for Fractured Families

 

Summary

In our ongoing series, "Faith for Fractured Families," we explore the profound truth that Christian marriage is a union of two sinners in recovery. This reality extends to our children, who are born into a world of temptation and spiritual battles. The Bible is replete with stories of fractured families who experience God's grace, reminding us that no family is perfect. Today, we focus on Sarah, the perplexed wife, as we delve into Genesis 18.

Sarah, a model of godly womanhood, is commended in the New Testament for her faith. Yet, even she struggled with doubt and manipulation, bringing pain to those around her. Her story illustrates that even the most faithful need God's grace. The good news is that God perseveres with fractured families, demonstrating that grace means God does not give up when people mess up.

Genesis 18 is a story of hospitality, Sarah, and God. Abraham, unaware of his divine visitors, welcomes them into his home. This act of hospitality, despite the family's tensions, brings blessings. It reminds us that God ministers to us in our life's realities, not waiting for us to sort ourselves out. The New Testament encourages us to show hospitality, as it can bring God's blessings through others.

Sarah's story reveals how unbelief can creep into even the most godly lives. Despite being a model of faith, Sarah struggled with unbelief, partly due to Abraham's failure to share God's promise with her. This highlights the importance of spiritual leadership within families. Sarah's manipulation to achieve her desires led to a web of conflicting loyalties and hidden resentments, illustrating how using power to get what we want can dishonor God and bring pain.

Ultimately, this story is about God, who comes near to Sarah despite her manipulation and unbelief. God exposes her unbelief to restore her faith, demonstrating that He knows us at our worst and loves us still. Our faith is restored by looking to God, the Sovereign Creator, and listening to His promises. God's purpose for our lives will be fulfilled despite our failures and disappointments. This story of Sarah becomes a story of hope for every believer and broken family, reminding us of God's wonderful grace.

Key Takeaways:

- God's Grace for Fractured Families: The Bible is filled with stories of imperfect families who experience God's grace. This reminds us that God does not give up on us when we mess up, and His grace is available to all, regardless of our imperfections. [03:40]

- The Power of Hospitality: Abraham's hospitality, despite his family's tensions, brought blessings. This teaches us that God ministers to us in our life's realities, and opening our homes and lives to others can bring unexpected blessings. [12:27]

- Unbelief in the Godly: Even the most godly individuals, like Sarah, can struggle with unbelief. This highlights the importance of spiritual leadership within families and the need to confront unbelief rather than ignore it. [15:12]

- The Dangers of Manipulation: Sarah's manipulation to achieve her desires led to pain and conflict. This serves as a warning against using power to get what we want in ways that dishonor God and harm others. [26:35]

- Restoring Faith through God's Promises: God exposed Sarah's unbelief to restore her faith. Our faith is restored by looking to God, the Sovereign Creator, and listening to His promises, trusting that His purposes for our lives will be fulfilled. [36:17]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:14] - Introduction to Series
- [01:01] - Fractured Families in the Bible
- [02:06] - Focus on Sarah
- [03:40] - God's Grace for Imperfect Families
- [04:33] - Story of Hospitality
- [06:06] - God Appears to Abraham
- [09:47] - Domestic Tension and Hospitality
- [12:27] - Blessings of Hospitality
- [14:56] - Story of Sarah
- [15:12] - Unbelief in the Godly
- [19:25] - Abraham's Responsibility
- [22:11] - Sarah's Manipulation
- [30:40] - Story about God
- [36:17] - Restoring Faith through God's Promises
- [42:16] - God's Purpose Fulfilled
- [45:29] - Closing Prayer

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Genesis 18:1-15
- Hebrews 11:11
- 1 Peter 3:5-6

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Observation Questions:

1. What was Abraham's initial reaction when he saw the three visitors, and what does this reveal about his character? ([05:11])

2. How does the story of Sarah in Genesis 18 illustrate the theme of unbelief creeping into the lives of even the most godly individuals? ([15:12])

3. What specific promise did God make to Abraham and Sarah, and how did Sarah initially respond to this promise? ([16:27])

4. How does the New Testament commend Sarah, and what does this tell us about her overall faith journey? ([02:23])

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does Abraham's act of hospitality, despite the tensions in his family, demonstrate the importance of welcoming others into our lives? ([12:27])

2. In what ways does Sarah's story highlight the dangers of manipulation and the consequences it can have on family dynamics? ([26:35])

3. How does God's response to Sarah's unbelief and manipulation reflect His grace and desire to restore faith in His promises? ([34:53])

4. What role does spiritual leadership play in a family, as seen in Abraham's failure to share God's promise with Sarah? ([19:05])

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's grace despite your own failures. How did that experience shape your understanding of His love and forgiveness? ([03:40])

2. How can you practice hospitality in your own life, even when circumstances are not ideal? What steps can you take to open your home and heart to others? ([12:27])

3. Identify an area in your life where unbelief might be creeping in. How can you confront this unbelief and strengthen your faith in God's promises? ([15:12])

4. Consider a situation where you might be using manipulation to achieve your desires. How can you address this behavior and seek to honor God in your actions? ([26:35])

5. How can you improve spiritual leadership within your family or community? What practical steps can you take to share God's promises and cultivate faith in those around you? ([19:05])

6. Think about a promise from God that you find difficult to believe. What can you do to shift your focus from your limitations to God's sovereignty and faithfulness? ([37:12])

7. How can you apply the lesson of God's grace in your interactions with others, especially when they have made mistakes or let you down? ([03:40])

Devotional

Day 1: God's Grace in Our Imperfections
God's grace is a constant presence in the lives of imperfect families, as seen throughout the Bible. The stories of fractured families remind us that God does not abandon us when we falter. Instead, His grace is available to all, regardless of our shortcomings. This truth is a source of hope and encouragement, showing that God's love and mercy are not contingent on our perfection. In the story of Sarah, we see a woman of faith who struggled with doubt and manipulation, yet God's grace was still at work in her life. This serves as a powerful reminder that God's grace is sufficient for us, even in our weakest moments. [03:40]

"For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you." (Isaiah 54:10, ESV)

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you feel imperfect or inadequate? How can you invite God's grace into these areas today?


Day 2: The Blessings of Hospitality
Hospitality is a powerful act that can bring unexpected blessings, as demonstrated by Abraham's welcoming of divine visitors. Despite the tensions within his family, Abraham's act of hospitality opened the door for God's blessings to enter his home. This story teaches us that God meets us in the realities of our lives, not waiting for us to have everything sorted out. By opening our homes and lives to others, we create opportunities for God to work through us and bless us in ways we may not anticipate. The New Testament encourages us to practice hospitality, reminding us that it can be a conduit for God's grace and blessings. [12:27]

"Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares." (Hebrews 13:2, ESV)

Reflection: How can you practice hospitality in your life this week? Who is someone you can invite into your home or life to share God's love with them?


Day 3: Confronting Unbelief in Our Lives
Even the most godly individuals can struggle with unbelief, as seen in Sarah's story. Despite being a model of faith, Sarah's unbelief was partly due to a lack of spiritual leadership within her family. This highlights the importance of addressing unbelief rather than ignoring it. By confronting our doubts and seeking God's truth, we can strengthen our faith and grow closer to Him. Sarah's story serves as a reminder that God is patient with us, even when we struggle to believe His promises. [15:12]

"Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, 'I believe; help my unbelief!'" (Mark 9:24, ESV)

Reflection: What are some areas of unbelief in your life? How can you seek God's truth and guidance to confront these doubts today?


Day 4: The Dangers of Manipulation
Sarah's attempt to manipulate circumstances to achieve her desires led to pain and conflict within her family. This serves as a warning against using power to get what we want in ways that dishonor God and harm others. Manipulation can create a web of conflicting loyalties and hidden resentments, ultimately leading to more harm than good. Instead, we are called to trust in God's timing and His plans for our lives, knowing that His ways are higher than ours. By surrendering our desires to God, we can avoid the pitfalls of manipulation and experience His peace. [26:35]

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6, ESV)

Reflection: Are there areas in your life where you are tempted to manipulate situations to get what you want? How can you surrender these desires to God and trust in His plans?


Day 5: Restoring Faith through God's Promises
God exposed Sarah's unbelief to restore her faith, demonstrating that He knows us at our worst and loves us still. Our faith is restored by looking to God, the Sovereign Creator, and listening to His promises. Despite our failures and disappointments, God's purposes for our lives will be fulfilled. Sarah's story becomes a story of hope for every believer and broken family, reminding us of God's wonderful grace. By focusing on God's promises, we can find strength and hope in the midst of our struggles. [36:17]

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." (Jeremiah 29:11, ESV)

Reflection: What promises of God do you need to hold onto today? How can you remind yourself of these promises and allow them to restore your faith?

Quotes


The good news of the Gospel the good news of Grace is Grace means that God does not give up when people mess up, that is good news isn't it that's what Grace is God does not give up when people mess up and that's why we've said in this series that faith is for fractured people and it is indeed for fractured families. [00:04:00]

God does not wait until you've sorted yourself out he ministers to us in the realities of life where we find ourselves that's what Grace is and it's very significant that the book of Hebrews in the New Testament uses this story to encourage Christians with regards to the Ministry of hospitality. [00:13:08]

Do not neglect to show Hospitality to strangers why for thereby some have entertained angels unawares um now of course that is a reference to Abraham and Sarah in the story here which is an example and he says Angels because Christians should not expect a theophany but what we can anticipate is that God will bless us as we open our lives to Other Brothers and Sisters in Christ. [00:13:32]

Unbelief crept up on this most Godly of women and she's a believer in fact she's a model believer she is outstanding and known for her faith but even for this woman uh unbelief crept up on her in a way that was hardly noticed until in this story it comes out something important for us to learn there isn't there. [00:15:07]

Sarah believed in God she's a woman of Faith but she did not exercise faith in regards to This Promise unbelief crept up on her I do think that Abraham had some responsibility here and let me tell you why and here's some something important for all of us guys if you turn back just one page to Genesis in chapter 17. [00:17:07]

Here is a Godly woman here is a believing woman and she wants a child nothing surprising about that she is prepared to go to any lengths to get what she wants and there is absolutely no doubt in the biblical record about who is driving this look at what it says go to my servant it may be that I shall obtain children from her. [00:22:56]

This story The Sarah story let me put it this way so that you can think about it and so that can apply it it is the story of a believing woman a believing woman who uses her power to get what she wants in a way that dishonors God and it brings pain to everyone around her. [00:26:20]

God comes near near to Sarah this woman has been using power to get what she wants in ways that dishonor God and are bringing pain to people all around her God comes near to this woman the conversation of course had initially been with Abraham but the purpose of the visit is quite clearly the promise to Sarah. [00:30:54]

God knows how threadbare your faith really is nothing is hidden from him he knows your worst thoughts nothing about you comes as a surprise to him he has set his love on you knowing you at your lowest and knowing you at your worst and he does not give up when his people mess up that's Grace. [00:32:01]

The Lord comes to this woman what does he do he exposes her unbelief this is what the Lord will do in your life as he draws near to you Sarah laughed to herself verse 12 no noticed that she did not laugh out loud it wasn't that the visitors heard her laughing she just laughed inside she laughed to herself. [00:33:58]

Sarah struggled with unbelief why because her eyes were fixed on Old Abraham and on herself and she's rightly thinking this guy's no use he's 100 years old it can't ever happen and as for me I'm not much better I'm only 10 years lagging behind him and 90 it ceased to be with me as it is in the way of women. [00:36:49]

The point of this promise to Sarah and it comes directly to us here is very simple Sarah God's purpose for your life will be fulfilled despite all the twistings all the turnings all the disappointments all the failures all the sins God's purpose for your life Sarah will be fulfilled everything that God has planned for you Sarah will be accomplished. [00:40:00]

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Transcript
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