LOOK TO JESUS Evangelism Series Worship Evening March 3rd, 10th, 17th 8:45 am Worship Evening March 15th (TBC) 7:15 pm LOOK TO JESUS

Year Theme and sermon series Hebrews 11 & 12 1. Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

From Ha to Hahaha in 3 easy steps

Sarah Hmm… Sarah sounds like a hero of faith! Hebrews 11:11-12 11 By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised (12 Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born as many as the stars of the sky in multitude - innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore.) Hmm… Sarah sounds like a hero of faith!

Flashback! Gen 18:10-15 And He said, "I will certainly return to you according to the time of life, and behold, Sarah your wife shall have a son." (Sarah was listening in the tent door which was behind him.) Now Abraham and Sarah were old, well advanced in age; and Sarah had passed the age of childbearing. Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, "After I have grown old, shall I have pleasure, my lord (husband) being old also?“ And the LORD said to Abraham, "Why did Sarah laugh, saying, 'Shall I surely bear a child, since I am old?’ Is anything too hard for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.“ But Sarah denied it, saying, "I did not laugh," for she was afraid. And He said, "No, but you did laugh!” How did it really happen? Let’s look back. Abe is visited by God (3 men) and after lunch God makes a promise that made the 90 year old Sarah laugh (see Gen 17:17 for ages).

3 steps to get on the hahaha list! HA! I am old! Gen 18:12-13 Is anything too hard for the Lord? 18:14 Hahaha. God has made me laugh. 21:5-6 Now Abraham was 100 years old when his son Isaac was born to him. And Sarah said, "God has made me laugh, and all who hear will laugh with me.” She also said, "Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? For I have borne him a son in his old age." No mention of how Sarah moved through this process but we know she doubted and had tried her own way before (Ishmael). The Bible does not record the mental process of deciding to believe God was faithful!

STEP 1: What’s your excuse? Too old (or too young) Too busy Too tired Too afraid Too comfortable Unskilled Undervalued Too sinful Too many mistakes My husband’s mistakes (or wife’s)

STEP 2: What’s God’s answer? NO Is anything too hard for the Lord? Genesis 18:14 Is anything too hard for the Lord? Genesis 18:14 Is anything too hard for the Lord? Genesis 18:14 Is anything too hard for the Lord? Genesis 18:14 Is anything too hard for the Lord? Genesis 18:14

…do more for Him than I thought possible STEP 3: God has made me… ____________ (Fill in the blank) …do more for Him than I thought possible

Making the List (Getting on the Hebrews 11 list) …33 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, …stopped the mouths of lions. … They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, … 38 (Of whom the world was not worthy:) … 39 And these all, … obtained a good report through faith… What great thing got Sarah a good report? Having one son in 127 years! She was able to hang on in faith (over 25 years) because she (finally) judged that God would be faithful to his promise. SO, HANG ON ! Faithful in daily life (love Jesus and others) Faithful in fulfilling God’s plan – whether ‘big’ or ‘small’.

This Year’s Theme - Looking to Jesus Heb 12:1-2 …let us run with endurance (patience KJV) the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus,

CONCLUSION - looking to Jesus: Identify the excuse HAVE YOU? 2. Kill the excuse– God is able! Will YOU? 3. Run the race - Let Him enable you to do the great things He wants you to do! Will YOU Faith is just hanging in there. Faith without perseverance just gives up. Faith needs works to stay alive!

… for enabling to fulfill your life purpose? Question of the year: Are you … Looking to Jesus … for enabling to fulfill your life purpose?