Lessons From The Family Tree: The Gift of a Proud Heritage
Notes
Transcript
C. Eric Lincoln, one of the most respected and renowned scholars and sociologists of a past generation, once argued that African American Black life in this land has been supported and sustained by five entities: the Black church, Black businesses and banks, Black journalism and the press, Black colleges and universities, and most importantly, the Black family.
Lincoln would go on to argue that Black life was able to endure the harsh realities of racism in the United States of America because of the power of the Black family. Beloved, I believe that there are very few things in life that can shape who you are and more than your family.
Now, my wife Michelle she knows her family history like the back of her hand, tracing it all the way back to that first enslaved African who landed on Virginia's shores. Can you imagine that? To know the name, the story, the very person who began your family's journey in this land? It's a powerful thing, a testament to the importance of oral history in our community.
Michelle's family story, passed down through generations, is a vivid reminder of the strength and perseverance that has sustained Black life in America.
And it has encouraged and challenged me some years ago to begin piecing together the branches of our family tree. It's been a journey of discovery, and as I've been clicking through over 200 years of records and connecting dots, I can't help but marvel at the resilience and strength that runs through our bloodlines. It is a reminder that we gather here today not just as individuals, but as threads in a grand tapestry woven by the Master’s hand. We’re reminded that our story doesn’t begin with us, and it certainly won’t end with us. We're part of a legacy that stretches back through generations.
And it is from that context that I want to invite you to hear the reading of a word of God that we're very used to during the Christmas season and we've limited to Advent, but in actuality, it speaks volumes to family. I want you to listen to the genealogy of Jesus Christ as is recorded in the Gospel of Matthew, chapter one...
The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.
Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, and Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, and Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram, and Ram the father of Amminadab, and Amminadab the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon the father of Salmon, and Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of David the king.
And David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uriah, and Solomon the father of Rehoboam, and Rehoboam the father of Abijah, and Abijah the father of Asaph, and Asaph the father of Jehoshaphat, and Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, and Joram the father of Uzziah, and Uzziah the father of Jotham, and Jotham the father of Ahaz, and Ahaz the father of Hezekiah, and Hezekiah the father of Manasseh, and Manasseh the father of Amos, and Amos the father of Josiah, and Josiah the father of Jechoniah and his brothers, at the time of the deportation to Babylon.
And after the deportation to Babylon: Jechoniah was the father of Shealtiel, and Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel, and Zerubbabel the father of Abiud, and Abiud the father of Eliakim, and Eliakim the father of Azor, and Azor the father of Zadok, and Zadok the father of Achim, and Achim the father of Eliud, and Eliud the father of Eleazar, and Eleazar the father of Matthan, and Matthan the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ.
Now, I know what some of you might be thinking. "Pastor, why are we starting with a bunch of hard-to-pronounce names?" But let me tell you, this list is more than just a roll call of the past. It's a testament to God's faithfulness, a mirror reflecting our own complex family histories, and a roadmap to our redemption.
Matthew begins his gospel with these words: "This is the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah the son of David, the son of Abraham." Right from the start, he's making a bold claim. He's saying, "Listen up! This Jesus isn't just some random preacher. He's the fulfillment of God's promises to our ancestors."
Let me park right there, and keep the engine running.
What an awesome thought that we are sitting here today as an answer to an ancestor’s prayer.
That you and I are the walking, talking, breathing, fulfillment of generations of prayers….
the manifestation of our ancestors' deepest hopes and dreams! Can I get a witness?
Our foremothers and forefathers, bent over in cotton fields, backs scarred by the overseer's whip, lifted their eyes to heaven and cried out, "How long, Lord? How long?" And God heard their cries!
Those who came before us, sitting in the back of the bus, drinking from separate water fountains, being told they weren't good enough because of the color of their skin – they prayed for a day when their children and their children's children would walk in freedom. And here we are!
You see, our ancestors didn't just pray for their own deliverance. They prayed for us! They looked down the corridors of time and saw us standing here today. They endured the lash, some suffered in silence, others marched in the streets - not just for themselves, but for us!
Now, family, as we celebrate this incredible legacy, we must also embrace our entire story. Because just like Jesus' genealogy, our family histories aren't always picture-perfect. They're messy, complicated, and sometimes painful. But that's exactly why we need to embrace them fully.
## Point 1: Embracing Our Whole Story
Family, let's take a closer look at this genealogy in Matthew. It's not your typical family tree. If this were a Hollywood movie, some of these characters wouldn't make the cut. But God, in His infinite wisdom, chose to include them all. Why? Because He wants us to embrace our whole story – the good, the bad, and the ugly.
Look at verse 3: "Judah the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar." Now, if you know the story of Judah and Tamar from Genesis 38, you know it's not exactly family-friendly material. It's a tale of deception, prostitution, and a father-in-law sleeping with his daughter-in-law. Not the kind of story you'd typically bring up at a family reunion, right?
But God includes it. He doesn't shy away from the messy parts of our history. And neither should we.
Then we've got Rahab in verse 5. Scripture doesn't try to sugarcoat her past. She's described plainly as a prostitute in the book of Joshua. Yet here she is, listed in the lineage of the Messiah. God took her story of shame and turned it into a story of redemption.
And let's not forget about David and Bathsheba. Matthew could have glossed over this part, but instead, he specifically mentions "Uriah's wife" in verse 6. He's reminding us of David's great sin – adultery and murder. The man after God's own heart had some serious flaws.
Family, do you see what God is doing here? He's showing us that He can use anybody. He's reminding us that our past doesn't disqualify us from His purpose. He's teaching us to embrace our whole story.
Now, I know some of us have parts of our family history we'd rather forget. Maybe it's the uncle who's been in and out of prison. Or the cousin struggling with addiction. Perhaps it's our own past mistakes that haunt us. But God is saying, "I can use that. I can redeem that. I can turn that mess into a message."
Remember, every family has its secrets. Every lineage has its black sheep. But when we try to hide these parts of our story, we rob ourselves and future generations of the opportunity to see God's redemptive power at work.
So, I challenge you today: Embrace your whole story. Don't sweep the uncomfortable parts under the rug. Bring them into the light. Because it's often in our deepest wounds that God does His greatest work.
Family, when we embrace our whole story, we open ourselves up to God's healing and redemption. We give Him permission to use every part of our lives for His glory. And we create space for others to do the same.
## Point 2: Breaking Generational Cycles
Now, family, let's dig a little deeper into this genealogy. Matthew does something interesting here. He organizes Jesus' family tree into three sets of fourteen generations. But when you count, that last set only has thirteen names. What's going on here?
I'll tell you what's happening – Matthew is showing us that with Jesus, something new is breaking in. The old patterns are being disrupted. And that's a powerful message for us today.
You see, throughout this genealogy, we see cycles repeating. We see patterns of sin and dysfunction passed down from generation to generation. But with Jesus, that cycle is broken. He doesn't just continue the family line – He transforms it.
Family, this is our call too. We can be the generation that breaks negative cycles. Addiction stops with us. Violence stops with us. Unforgiveness stops with us. We're writing a new chapter in our family story!
Look at verse 11: "and Josiah the father of Jeconiah and his brothers at the time of the exile to Babylon." This verse marks a low point in Israel's history. The people had turned away from God, and as a result, they were carried off into exile. It seemed like the end of the line for God's promises.
But God wasn't done. Even in exile, He was working. Even in their lowest moment, He was preparing the way for the Messiah. And that's a word for somebody here today. Maybe you feel like you're in exile. Maybe you think your family's mistakes have disqualified you from God's blessings. But I'm here to tell you – God's not done with you yet!
Now, breaking generational cycles isn't easy. It requires courage. It demands that we face hard truths about ourselves and our families. But it's worth it. Because when we break these cycles, we're not just changing our own lives – we're altering the course of future generations.
Think about Joseph, Mary's husband. He could have followed the cultural norm and divorced Mary when he found out she was pregnant. But he chose a different path. He listened to God and broke the cycle of shame and abandonment that so often surrounded unwed mothers in his time.
Or consider Mary herself. As a young woman in a patriarchal society, she could have shrunk back from the enormous task God gave her. But instead, she said yes to God's plan, breaking the cycle of fear and doubt that might have held her back.
Family, what cycles need to be broken in your life? What patterns have been passed down that need to stop with you?
Whatever it is, I want you to know – you have the power to break it. Not in your own strength, but through the power of Christ working in you.
Breaking cycles often starts with acknowledgment. We need to be honest about the patterns we see in our families. Then, we need to make a conscious decision to do things differently. It might mean seeking counseling. It might mean having some difficult conversations. It might mean setting boundaries that have never been set before.
But here's the beautiful thing – when we break these negative cycles, we create space for new, positive patterns to emerge. We open the door for God's blessings to flow not just in our lives, but in the lives of our children and our children's children.
So, I challenge you today – be a cycle breaker. Be the one who says, "It stops here." Be the Joseph or the Mary in your family line who chooses to follow God's way even when it's difficult. Because when you do, you're not just changing your story – you're changing your family's legacy.
## Point 3: Celebrating the Unsung Heroes
Family, as we continue to unpack this genealogy, I want us to pay special attention to something revolutionary that Matthew does here. In a time when women were often overlooked and undervalued, Matthew includes five women in Jesus' family tree: Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba (referred to as "Uriah's wife"), and Mary.
Now, in those days, it was almost unheard of to include women in a genealogy. But Matthew doesn't just include them – he highlights them. He's saying, "These women matter. Their stories are crucial to understanding God's plan of salvation."
And let me tell you, these weren't just any women. They were outsiders, scandal-makers, people that society often looked down upon. But God used them in mighty ways. They were unsung heroes, playing pivotal roles in the lineage of the Messiah.
Family, this speaks volumes to us today. It reminds us to celebrate the unsung heroes in our own lineage. The grandmothers who held us together with prayer. The aunties who sacrificed so we could succeed. The mothers who fought for our futures. Our story isn't complete without honoring them.
Think about Tamar. She was widowed, childless, and vulnerable. But she refused to be forgotten. She took bold action to secure her place in the family line. Was her method controversial? Absolutely. But God used her determination to continue the lineage that would eventually lead to Jesus.
Or consider Rahab. A Canaanite prostitute who became an Israelite hero. She risked everything to protect the spies and align herself with God's people. Her faith and courage changed not just her own destiny, but the destiny of a nation.
Then there's Ruth, a Moabite widow who chose loyalty to her mother-in-law and to the God of Israel over returning to her own people. Her faithfulness led her to become the great-grandmother of King David.
Bathsheba, referred to here only as "Uriah's wife," reminds us of the painful reality of abuse of power. Yet God, in His redemptive plan, brought Solomon – the wisest king Israel ever knew – from this union.
And of course, there's Mary. A young woman who said yes to God's outrageous plan, knowing it would subject her to scandal and shame. Her obedience brought the Savior into the world.
Family, these women teach us that God uses the unlikely, the overlooked, and the underestimated to accomplish His purposes. They remind us that every person in our family tree – regardless of their status or reputation – has value and potential in God's eyes.
So today, I want us to take a moment to celebrate the unsung heroes in our own families. Who are the Tamars in your family, who refused to be sidelined? Who are the Rahabs? Who are the Ruths, Who are the Bathshebas, ? Who are the Marys?
Maybe it's the grandmother who worked three jobs to put her kids through school. Or the aunt who took in her sister's children when no one else would. Perhaps it's the cousin who broke the cycle of addiction and is now helping others do the same. Or the uncle whose quiet acts of kindness have touched countless lives.
These are our unsung heroes. It's time we bring them center stage. It's time we tell their stories, honor their sacrifices, and celebrate their contributions. Because when we do, we're not just honoring them – we're acknowledging the hand of God working through them.
And here's something else to consider: You might be an unsung hero in the making. Your acts of faith, your choices to love, your decisions to forgive – they might seem small now, but they could be shaping the destiny of future generations. Just like these five women, your story matters. Your role in God's plan is significant.
So, family, let's make a commitment today. Let's commit to celebrating the unsung heroes among us. Let's share their stories. Let's honor their legacies. And let's be inspired by their examples to live lives of faith, courage, and love.
Let's tell their stories. Let's thank them while we still can. And let's ask God to help us carry on their legacy of faith and perseverance.
## Closing: Our Living Legacy
Family, as we come to the close of our time together, let us remember that Jesus' family tree wasn't perfect, but it was purposeful. Ours is no different. We may not be the Huxtables, but we're something better – we're real. We're resilient. We're redeemed.
Remember, this family tree reminds us that God can use anyone, regardless of their background or past mistakes, to accomplish His purposes. It challenges us to embrace our whole story, to break negative cycles, and to celebrate the unsung heroes in our midst.
Hebrews 12:1 “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,”
Cooke family, no matter how messy our family tree might be, our legacy is that we are still surrounded bya great cloud of witnesses. I may not be able to trace it back to the ones who survived the middle passage, but I can go back as far as 1805 to a woman named Nancy Brewer Cook, who had a son in 1847 by the name of Daniel, who meet a Lucinda Kelly
and together they a Columbus Benjamin Cooke, who eventually married a Lula McDonald, and they had some some sons of thunder/some jokers named Elobie and Alexander, and James, and Annie Bell, and Vernon, and Lucinda, and a Cole, and a Myrtis, and teh baby boy named Iradell
and Iredell met a lovely lady named Charlotte, and they had a Harold, a Cheryl and a Diane
and Vernon met a firecracker named Carrie Geiger, who had a James Earl, a Benjamin, a Edward, a Cohen, a Vernell and a Margie
and that Cole Blease Lewis, who married an angel named Bernice McCants, who had a Lubern, a Bill, a Calvin, a Coley Jr., A Barbara Jean, a Shirley a Wayne, Patricia, a Donald, an Inda, and a Cynthia (and can’t forget a George Samuel
- our ancestors, our elders, some who've gone before us - some who are still with us today. they're cheering us on as we run this race.
Can you hear them? Those who endured the Middle Passage, who survived the horrors of slavery, who fought for freedom in a land that denied their humanity. They're cheering us on. Those who marched for civil rights, who integrated schools and lunch counters, who faced fire hoses and police dogs so we could have a better tomorrow. They're in that cloud of witnesses.
And at the center of it all is Jesus, who took all of that - all the shame, all the scandal, all the sin - and He nailed it to the cross! You see, when Jesus hung on that cross, He wasn't just dying for individuals. He was dying for families! He was breaking generational curses! He was healing family wounds that went back for generations
And now, we're called to run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.
We are living, breathing testimonies to the power of faith and perseverance. We are walking, talking proof that God keeps His promises! So hold your head high, family. Square your shoulders. Stand tall. Because you're not just standing on your own two feet - you're standing on the shoulders of giants!
And just as we are the answer to their prayers, so too will our children and grandchildren be the answer to ours. So let's live in a way that honors our past and paves the way for our future. Let's be the ancestors that future generations will be proud to claim!
amen somebody? hallelujah Because we're not just reading history - we're making it! We're not just inheriting a legacy - we're building one! And with God's help, we're going to keep on climbing, keep on striving, keep on rising until every promise is fulfilled, every dream is realized, and every prayer is answered!
god bless you, god keep you, and may heaven smile upon you!