Laughter of Longing
Rev. Scott Mitchell

God intends to change you by His Word. How is He at work in you to do that?  Read the following passage and consider these questions.

Hebrews 11:23–28 (ESV)

[23] By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw that the child was beautiful, and they were not afraid of the king's edict. [24] By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, [25] choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. [26] He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward. [27] By faith he left Egypt, not being afraid of the anger of the king, for he endured as seeing him who is invisible. [28] By faith he kept the Passover and sprinkled the blood, so that the Destroyer of the firstborn might not touch them. (ESV)

SERMON NOTES

I.  The Laughter of Pain

II. The Laughter of Longing

III. The Laughter of Faithfulness Fulfilled

DISCUSS

1. We can laugh at things in moments of humor and in moments of irony and sadness.  Like Sarah, have you every laughed at a moment of irony of sadness?  Share part of that the story.

2. After God told Sarah she would conceive, she laughed from a heart that said, "Ah, God, you're not that good!"  Pastor Scott gave examples of times he's tempted to doubt God's goodness.  How have you "laughed" at God in the midst of doubting His goodness?

3. Sarah may have doubted God's goodness, but Hebrews 11:11-12 teaches us that she still believed him faithful.  How does God's faithfulness allow us to take refuge in him even in those moments we believe his promises are too good to be true?