Against All Odds: The Miraculous Birth of Isaac to a Barren Woman

Hebrews 11:11 “It was by faith that even Sarah was able to have a child, though she was barren and was too old. She believed that God would keep his promise.”

God is everything the Word says He is. We need to get acquainted with Him through the Word.

The Greek word for "promise" in the context of Hebrews 11:11 is "epaggelia" or "epangelia." These words relate to the idea of making a promise. Interestingly, they contain the root word "angel," which might suggest a message or declaration being given

Sarah's faith is a powerful inspiration for us to trust in God's promises and have unwavering confidence in His faithfulness. By looking to her example, we can apply her unwavering faith to our own lives. Here's how:

Background :

Sarah laughed in disbelief when she first heard God's promise that she would bear a son in her old age. The news seemed too good to be true! Yet God specializes in doing the impossible. When we face seemingly hopeless situations, we must remember - with God all things are possible! As Jeremiah 32:27 tells us "Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?"

Sarah's Story

To understand the power of Sarah's faith, we first need to understand her story. Sarah was the wife of Abraham, the father of the Jewish nation. For many years, she was unable to have children, yet God promised that Abraham would be the father of a great nation.

When Sarah was around 90 years old, God again promised that within a year, she would bear a son. After years of unfulfilled longing, this seemed impossible. Yet, as Hebrews 11:11 tells us, "By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised."

(Exegesis) The author of Hebrews tells us that because of her faith in God's promise, Sarah miraculously conceived and bore a son, Isaac. Despite her old age, she trusted God. This verse shows that her faith itself gave her the power to conceive.

“FAITH is just the open door through which the Lord comes. Do not say, ‘I was saved by FAITH’ or ‘I was healed by FAITH.’ FAITH does not save and heal. God saves and heals through that open door. You BELIEVE, and the power of Christ comes.”

1. Trusting in God's timing:

Psalm 27:14 “Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.”

Ecclesiastes 3:1 “For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven.”

"In due season, at the appointed time, that which God has spoken shall come to pass."

"When the Holy Spirit comes, He ALWAYS brings a rich revelation of CHRIST."

A. Just as Sarah had to wait for many years before conceiving, we can learn to trust that God's timing is perfect, even if it seems delayed or different from our own plans.

B.(Hook) One act of faith altered the course of history. Through Sarah, God built the nation of Israel. Her faith paved the way for kings, prophets, and eventually - the Messiah.

C.(Exegesis) Hebrews 11 praises the heroes of faith who trusted God's promises. Sarah is included in this "Hall of Faith" because her belief in God's word led to Isaac's birth. Her faith was a catalyst for God's redemptive work.

Your belief system will determine your behavior."

The problem is that many times people begin in FAITH and end in UNBELIEF when they do not see the manifestations of what they BELIEVE for. Even Jesus in his own hometown could not help them because of their UNBELIEF.

2. Believing in the impossible:

Sarah's faith allowed her to believe in the possibility of conceiving a child despite her advanced age. We can also have faith in God's power to accomplish what seems impossible in our lives, knowing that nothing is too difficult for Him.

In the realm of impossibilities, courage becomes our compass. Anchored to God's Word, we embark on a journey of trust, expecting the fulfillment of His promises. Surrendering our hearts, hope and restoration flow into every aspect of our lives.

without faith in the impossible to please God ,

No matter how bleak a situation looks, faith unlocks the door of hope and moves us forward. It enables us to continue trusting in God's plan despite circumstances that try to shake our foundation. We can stand firm on His promises, knowing that He will provide for all our needs according to His riches and glory (Philippians 4:19

Philippians 4:19 NLT

And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.

Every day holds a world of possibilities, and what may appear impossible to us is never beyond God's reach.

A. The Power of Our Faith

B. Like Sarah, when we place our faith in God, He can do amazing things. Our faith activates God's power.

God has unlimited resources. Do not DOUBT it. Hear with the ear of FAITH.

C. (Hook) Just as Sarah's faith enabled the conception of Isaac, our faith can bring God's purposes to fruition. When we trust Him for the impossible, we unleash His power.

D. (Exegesis) Hebrews 11:11 illustrates that faith is the avenue through which God accomplishes His will. When we believe Him for miraculous things, He moves in mighty ways. Like Sarah, we can set things in motion through our faith.

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

For by it the elders obtained a good testimony. By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible. —Hebrews 11:1–3 Faith is the substance, and it is a reality. God wants to bring us to the fact of it.

He wants us to know that we have something greater than we can see or handle, because everything we can see and handle is going to pass away. The heavens are going to be wrapped up, the earth will melt with fervent heat, but the Word of the Lord will abide forever.

“By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.” God spoke the Word and made the world, and I want to impress upon you this wonderful Word that made the world. I am saved by the incorruptible Word, the Word that made the world, and so my position by faith is to lay hold of the things that cannot be seen and believe the things that cannot be understood.

Smith Wigglesworth, Smith Wigglesworth on Faith (New Kensington, PA: Whitaker House, 1998), 19–20.

3. Sarah partnered with God's promise. What would your life look like if you just partnered with God’s promise over your life .

The promise itself came directly from God, who told them they would bear a son named Isaac. Sarah had to decide whether to partner with this promise or not.

The Fruit of the Promise

A. Because Sarah partnered with God's promise, an extraordinary thing happened - she gave birth to Isaac in her old age.

B.Isaac became the father of the Jewish nation. Through him came Abraham's descendants, the people of Israel.

C. (Hook) One promise believed led to the birth of a people. Sarah's choice to partner with God's word altered history forever.

“The power of God is beyond all our conception. The trouble is that we do not have the power of God in a full manifestation because of our finite thoughts, but as we go on and let God have His way, there is no limit to what our limitless God will do in response to a limitless FAITH. But you will never get anywhere except you are in constant pursuit of all the life of God.” 

Being obedient to God:

Sarah's faith was not just about belief, but it also led her to take action. We can follow her example by being obedient to God's instructions and faithfully walking in His ways.