Sermon preached at Our Savior for the 10th Sunday after Pentecost on Sunday, August 1, 2010. Sermon text: Genesis 18:1-14
They say laughter is the best medicine. Do you think that's true? Laughter can definitely be a good. It's hard to think of many sounds better than the laughter of children. When you laugh, it just makes you feel better. The troubles and worries pressing on your mind seem a little bit lighter. Everything seems little bit better, a little more joyful, when you're laughing.
The Bible mentions that laughing will be a common occurrence in our lives. In Ecclesiastes it says there's a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance. (Ecc. 3:4) Even though there aren't any Bible verses that mention Jesus laughing, I'm sure he did. I like it when you see paintings of Jesus laughing; it's nice to see him with joy and a smile on his face and not always looking extra serious.
But I'm sure you all know that it's not always the right time for laughing. Kids, if you're being disciplined by a parent or teacher, do not start laughing. They will get very angry. Everyone else, if you're in court, and the prosecuting attorney is asking you very serious questions about where you were when a crime occurred, don't start laughing. It won't look good. And when God makes you a promise, when he comes to you with all his undeserved love for you, don't laugh it off. Don't treat it like it's not important. Don't refuse to believe it.
You might be thinking, "No! It wouldn't happen; I would never laugh in God's face!" But it happens. It happened in our text from Genesis today when Sarah laughed at God. And it could happen in your life, too. God has so many gifts of his grace that he constantly wants to give us. And when we don't think those gifts are important, or when we don't believe God could really give them to us, we might as well be laughing in his face. But God's grace is real! It's for you! He has done everything you need! You can always count on that. Because of that, God's grace is no laughing matter. He comes to visit us, and he keeps his promises.