FALL QUARTER SUNDAY SCHOOL 2013
Unit One: First Days
THEME: FIRST THINGS
Unit Two: First Nation Unit Three: First Freedom
“GOD HAS THE LAST LAUGH WITH HIS CHILDREN”
Sunday School Lesson No. VII – October 13, 2013
Presented by Rev. Frank A. Davis, III, Pastor-Teacher
Lesson Text:
Genesis 17:15-17; 18:9-15; 21:1-7
Required Reading:
Genesis Chapters 17 – 21
Motto Text:
Genesis 18:14, “Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto
thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.”
Psalm 2:4a, “He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh.”
Reliable Resources:
Logos Bible Software; Union Gospel Press Expositor and Illuminator; Precepts for Living
(UMI); Standard Commentary; Word Search 10 Electronic Library; Genesis by D. G.
Barnhouse; H. L. Wilmington’s Guide to the Bible; Learning to Live by Faith…The Life of
Abraham by Dr. David Jeremiah
Introduction
I am amazed at the wild imagination of the human mind. Some of the things we believe and attempt to accomplish just seem to be
incredible. But when it comes to trusting in God for things that seem impossible, we laugh in unbelief and sometimes total dismay.
Our lesson this week reflects on the humanly impossible in the lives of the progenitors of the Hebrew nation, Abraham and Sarah.
They had been promised a seed that would be like “the sand of the sea” and “the stars in the sky” (Genesis 22:17). Sarah, in her
earlier life, had literally been barren, unable to bare children. But God said these two would bring forth the Promised son that
would bring forth the Promised Nation. Now they have been through years of waiting and trying naturally and received no child.
They had even sought to help the Lord by societal tradition, and a son was born from Abraham’s seed, but not through Sarah’s
womb. (Read Genesis 16:1-16). That only called mass confusion, but we will learn this week that God is true and faithful to His
word, and doubt on the part of His best children will only prove that there is nothing too hard for God. He will have the Last
Laugh with His children!
Anticipated Power Points:

Abraham Laughs…WHEE!!! Genesis 17:15-17

Sarah Laughs…What??? Genesis 18:9-15

God Laughs…WOW!!! Genesis 21:1-7
LESSON OUTLINE
I. Abraham Laughs with Worship…WHEE!!! Genesis 17:15-17
After 25 years of walking, waiting, and working for the Lord, the great promise of Jehovah is now ready to be fulfilled.
Abraham knew that God had resurrected his body which was as good as dead, because there was a teenager walking around
with his DNA named Ishmael. But the promise of an heir was between Abraham and his legal wife Sarai. Genesis chapter 16
tells us of their efforts to assist the work of God, using their flesh without faith. But now God has the Last Laugh with His
Children.
A. Abraham laughs with worship. vss. 15-16
His reverence for God’s presence and pronouncement caused him to prostrate on the ground giving God honor! God will
bless him and his wife with the promised son soon. God verifies it with the changing of his wife’s name after 9 years; from
Sarai (“contentious”) to Sarah meaning “a princess.”
B. Abraham laughs with a WHEE! vs. 17
God is about to fulfill His promise at such a season in their lives. It caused Abraham to laugh and rejoice with a WHEE!
“an interjection used to express joy or delight.” Surely there were no words to describe his utter delight…a child of his
and his wife’s own body at 100 and 90 years old respectively. God has the Last Laugh with His Children!
II. Sarah Laughs with a Big Question…WHAT??? Genesis 18:9-15
The scene now shifts to three mysterious visitors who come to visit Abraham in the wilderness. According to most
commentators, one of these visitors is the “pre-incarnate Christ” and the other two were His angels. Abraham offers them the
best of Middle East hospitality as he invites them to sit under his tent and partake of a home-cooked meal. While the meal was
being prepared, it appears that Sarah was “eavesdropping on a conversation between her husband and the Lord.” The
conversation declared that by the same time next year, she would have a son who would be called Isaac, whose name means
“Laughter.” Now notice Sarah’s response…She laughed in her mind a laugh of unbelief! (Read verses 11-12)
Dr. David Jeremiah frames Sarah’s thoughts in this way: “Sarah Listens to God (18:9-10); Sarah Laughs at God (18:11-12);
Sarah Learns from God (18:13-14) and Sarah Lies to God (18:15).” All of this revolves around her unbelief at such a
seemingly impossible feat. Can you hear her saying…“WHAT???” But the Lord, who heard the cynical thoughts of her mind,
asked her an open question that should be asked by all believers when we are challenged by what seems impossible. “Is there
any thing too hard for the Lord?” Our answer to that question will determine the outcome of our walk with God.
III. God’s Laugh Brings a Great WOW! Genesis 21:1-7
According to Dr. David Jeremiah, “The first thing we notice as we read from Genesis Chapter 21 is the power of God’s
Word…
The Power of God’s Word (21:1-2)
The Performance of God’s Word (21:3-8)
1. The christening of Isaac (21:3)
2. The circumcision of Isaac (21:4)
3. The celebration of Isaac (21:5-8)”
In other words, when God laughs it brings a great WOW!
CLOSING
So let us remember Genesis 18:14 as we approach our life’s circumstances… Is there any thing too hard for the Lord?...”
Beloved, God has the Last Laugh! Let us then “Trust and obey, for there is no other way to be happy in Jesus…Than to trust and
obey.”
GOD HAS THE LAST LAUGH!
Bibleway Missionary Baptist Church, New Orleans, LA & Little Bethel Baptist Church, Amite, LA
Mailing Address: Post Office Box 19768, New Orleans, LA 70179 - Phone: (504) 486-7876
Website: www.thestudyhour.com (See and hear lesson taught via Video)
Radio Broadcasts: WLNO AM 1060, Saturday 8:30 a.m.; Sunday 5:30 a.m.
WHNO TV-Channel 20, Sunday, 6:30 a.m.
LOOKING AHEAD: October 20, 2013
Genesis 21:13-14, 17-21; 26:2-5, 12-13
Pastor Davis invites you to hear him teach the Sunday School lesson at Bibleway on Wednesday at noon.