Roots of Redemption: The Power of Family Heritage

Call to Worship

Psalm 43 NKJV

Vindicate me, O God, And plead my cause against an ungodly nation; Oh, deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man! For You are the God of my strength; Why do You cast me off? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy? Oh, send out Your light and Your truth! Let them lead me; Let them bring me to Your holy hill And to Your tabernacle. Then I will go to the altar of God, To God my exceeding joy; And on the harp I will praise You, O God, my God. Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; For I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God.

First Reading

Galatians 3:23–29 NKJV

But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed. Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Second Reading

Luke 8:26–39 NKJV

Then they sailed to the country of the Gadarenes, which is opposite Galilee. And when He stepped out on the land, there met Him a certain man from the city who had demons for a long time. And he wore no clothes, nor did he live in a house but in the tombs. When he saw Jesus, he cried out, fell down before Him, and with a loud voice said, “What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg You, do not torment me!” For He had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For it had often seized him, and he was kept under guard, bound with chains and shackles; and he broke the bonds and was driven by the demon into the wilderness. Jesus asked him, saying, “What is your name?” And he said, “Legion,” because many demons had entered him. And they begged Him that He would not command them to go out into the abyss. Now a herd of many swine was feeding there on the mountain. So they begged Him that He would permit them to enter them. And He permitted them. Then the demons went out of the man and entered the swine, and the herd ran violently down the steep place into the lake and drowned. When those who fed them saw what had happened, they fled and told it in the city and in the country. Then they went out to see what had happened, and came to Jesus, and found the man from whom the demons had departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid. They also who had seen it told them by what means he who had been demon-possessed was healed. Then the whole multitude of the surrounding region of the Gadarenes asked Him to depart from them, for they were seized with great fear. And He got into the boat and returned. Now the man from whom the demons had departed begged Him that he might be with Him. But Jesus sent him away, saying, “Return to your own house, and tell what great things God has done for you.” And he went his way and proclaimed throughout the whole city what great things Jesus had done for him.

Bible Passage:

Exodus 6:14–7:7 NKJV

These are the heads of their fathers’ houses: The sons of Reuben, the firstborn of Israel, were Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi. These are the families of Reuben. And the sons of Simeon were Jemuel, Jamin, Ohad, Jachin, Zohar, and Shaul the son of a Canaanite woman. These are the families of Simeon. These are the names of the sons of Levi according to their generations: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. And the years of the life of Levi were one hundred and thirty-seven. The sons of Gershon were Libni and Shimi according to their families. And the sons of Kohath were Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel. And the years of the life of Kohath were one hundred and thirty-three. The sons of Merari were Mahli and Mushi. These are the families of Levi according to their generations. Now Amram took for himself Jochebed, his father’s sister, as wife; and she bore him Aaron and Moses. And the years of the life of Amram were one hundred and thirty-seven. The sons of Izhar were Korah, Nepheg, and Zichri. And the sons of Uzziel were Mishael, Elzaphan, and Zithri. Aaron took to himself Elisheba, daughter of Amminadab, sister of Nahshon, as wife; and she bore him Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. And the sons of Korah were Assir, Elkanah, and Abiasaph. These are the families of the Korahites. Eleazar, Aaron’s son, took for himself one of the daughters of Putiel as wife; and she bore him Phinehas. These are the heads of the fathers’ houses of the Levites according to their families. These are the same Aaron and Moses to whom the Lord said, “Bring out the children of Israel from the land of Egypt according to their armies.” These are the ones who spoke to Pharaoh king of Egypt, to bring out the children of Israel from Egypt. These are the same Moses and Aaron. And it came to pass, on the day the Lord spoke to Moses in the land of Egypt, that the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “I am the Lord. Speak to Pharaoh king of Egypt all that I say to you.” But Moses said before the Lord, “Behold, I am of uncircumcised lips, and how shall Pharaoh heed me?” So the Lord said to Moses: “See, I have made you as God to Pharaoh, and Aaron your brother shall be your prophet. You shall speak all that I command you. And Aaron your brother shall tell Pharaoh to send the children of Israel out of his land. And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and multiply My signs and My wonders in the land of Egypt. But Pharaoh will not heed you, so that I may lay My hand on Egypt and bring My armies and My people, the children of Israel, out of the land of Egypt by great judgments. And the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord, when I stretch out My hand on Egypt and bring out the children of Israel from among them.” Then Moses and Aaron did so; just as the Lord commanded them, so they did. And Moses was eighty years old and Aaron eighty-three years old when they spoke to Pharaoh.

Intro:

Summary: This passage presents the genealogy of Moses and Aaron, highlighting God's sovereign choice of leaders and emphasizing the significance of family lineage in the unfolding plan of salvation.

Application: Understanding our spiritual heritage can deepen our identity in Christ and encourage us to trust in God’s plan. This sermon can help Christians appreciate how God works through generations to fulfill His purposes, often calling us to be part of ongoing stories of faith.

Teaching: This sermon teaches that God prepares leaders through their families and contexts, reminding us of the importance of our own backgrounds in shaping our faith journey. It calls us to embrace God’s choices in our lives and see His hand in our heritage.

How this passage could point to Christ: In the broader biblical narrative, Moses and Aaron foreshadow Christ in their roles as deliverers of God's people. Just as they were appointed to lead Israel out of bondage, Christ is the ultimate deliverer who frees us from sin and death.

Big Idea: God uses our family histories to prepare us for His mission; understanding our spiritual heritage empowers us to follow God's call with confidence.

Recommended Study: As you prepare this sermon, consider exploring the sociological implications of genealogy in ancient Israel and its significance in God's covenantal promises. Use your Logos library to examine texts that discuss the role of Moses as a type of Christ and how genealogies in Scripture emphasize God's faithfulness across generations.

1. Sovereign Selections

Exodus 6:14–19 NKJV

These are the heads of their fathers’ houses: The sons of Reuben, the firstborn of Israel, were Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi. These are the families of Reuben. And the sons of Simeon were Jemuel, Jamin, Ohad, Jachin, Zohar, and Shaul the son of a Canaanite woman. These are the families of Simeon. These are the names of the sons of Levi according to their generations: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. And the years of the life of Levi were one hundred and thirty-seven. The sons of Gershon were Libni and Shimi according to their families. And the sons of Kohath were Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel. And the years of the life of Kohath were one hundred and thirty-three. The sons of Merari were Mahli and Mushi. These are the families of Levi according to their generations.

EX: God’s Chosen Family

God intentionally includes specific tribes in the genealogy, emphasizing His sovereign plan through ordinary and sometimes flawed families.

Their lineage was far from perfect as seen in this representative genealogy.

This genealogy identifies Moses and Aaron as descendants of Levi, the third son of Jacob by Leah.

It also listed Aaron’s son, Eleazar, and grandson, Phinehas, both of whom would become Israel’s High-Priests.

Mention of Levi in company with Reuben and Simeon recalled, perhaps, the unsavory background belonging to these three tribal fathers (Ge 49:3–7) and emphasized that the choice of Moses and Aaron was not due to an exemplary lineage.

They had all 3 gone along with selling Joseph into slavery

At Israel’s blessing before he died, he said this:

Genesis 49:3–7 NKJV

“Reuben, you are my firstborn, My might and the beginning of my strength, The excellency of dignity and the excellency of power. Unstable as water, you shall not excel, Because you went up to your father’s bed; Then you defiled it— He went up to my couch. “Simeon and Levi are brothers; Instruments of cruelty are in their dwelling place. Let not my soul enter their council; Let not my honor be united to their assembly; For in their anger they slew a man, And in their self-will they hamstrung an ox. Cursed be their anger, for it is fierce; And their wrath, for it is cruel! I will divide them in Jacob And scatter them in Israel.

AP: God still works through families

The family is the primary unit of society.

The family is the most basic unit of government. As the first community to which a person is attached and the first authority under which a person learns to live, the family establishes society’s most basic values.

Charles Colson; Charles W. Colson

It is in our families that we an make a great difference for the Lord

Deuteronomy 6:5–9 NKJV

You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

It is our first mission field

Sharing the gospel in families is vital

It is our first “Sunday School”

We are teach the word through our actions and discussions.

God uses the family to illustrate many important principles:

Father and children

He is our Father and we are His children

Bride and Groom

The church is the bride of Christ

We must display faithfulness and courage in our roles within God's story of redemption.

2. Purposeful Preservation

Exodus 6:20–25 NKJV

Now Amram took for himself Jochebed, his father’s sister, as wife; and she bore him Aaron and Moses. And the years of the life of Amram were one hundred and thirty-seven. The sons of Izhar were Korah, Nepheg, and Zichri. And the sons of Uzziel were Mishael, Elzaphan, and Zithri. Aaron took to himself Elisheba, daughter of Amminadab, sister of Nahshon, as wife; and she bore him Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. And the sons of Korah were Assir, Elkanah, and Abiasaph. These are the families of the Korahites. Eleazar, Aaron’s son, took for himself one of the daughters of Putiel as wife; and she bore him Phinehas. These are the heads of the fathers’ houses of the Levites according to their families.

EX: Levitical Line

God preserved the Levitical line as a key instrument in His redemptive plan.

Some had been faithful and others unfaithful.

In spite of our faults, God works through people.

The whole story of Israel was one of God preserving the family and making them into a nation.

The individual’s stories aren’t all included, but we know they were men, so they were NOT perfect.

All people rebel against God.

We all sin

All people of capable of good things and evil things.

In spite of that, God had chosen a people and grew them to be a nation.

The nation of Israel was the line through which He would take on flesh and bless the world.

AP: God’s Equips through families

Each person's unique background plays a role in God's broader purpose.

Value your individual family stories and see yourself as part of God’s divine narrative,

Ungodly background-

what a story of redemption you have to share!

Even if you come from a long line of criminals, God has redeemed you and hanged your family tree.

You do not have to repeat the sins of the past. Instead, let them warn you and inform you of what not to do

Godly background

Rejoice in the faithfulness to God you have as an example

Follow their leadership and obey God in your life.

Ultimately, whether your family history is full of saints or sinners, trust His direction and calling for you.

3. Chosen Champions

Exodus 6:26–7:7 NKJV

These are the same Aaron and Moses to whom the Lord said, “Bring out the children of Israel from the land of Egypt according to their armies.” These are the ones who spoke to Pharaoh king of Egypt, to bring out the children of Israel from Egypt. These are the same Moses and Aaron. And it came to pass, on the day the Lord spoke to Moses in the land of Egypt, that the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “I am the Lord. Speak to Pharaoh king of Egypt all that I say to you.” But Moses said before the Lord, “Behold, I am of uncircumcised lips, and how shall Pharaoh heed me?” So the Lord said to Moses: “See, I have made you as God to Pharaoh, and Aaron your brother shall be your prophet. You shall speak all that I command you. And Aaron your brother shall tell Pharaoh to send the children of Israel out of his land. And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and multiply My signs and My wonders in the land of Egypt. But Pharaoh will not heed you, so that I may lay My hand on Egypt and bring My armies and My people, the children of Israel, out of the land of Egypt by great judgments. And the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord, when I stretch out My hand on Egypt and bring out the children of Israel from among them.” Then Moses and Aaron did so; just as the Lord commanded them, so they did. And Moses was eighty years old and Aaron eighty-three years old when they spoke to Pharaoh.

EX: Back on Mission

The appointment of Moses and Aaron as God's chosen deliverers, was intricately tied to their lineage.

The tribe of Levi, the Levites, were to be the line of priests and those who served at the Temple.

God sends Moses as His spokesperson and Ambassdor.

He addresses Pharoah, king of Egypt and represents God, sovereign of the universe.

Moses and Aaron would speak with the authority of God.

God would speak with Moses and Aaron serve as prophet to speak to Pharoah

7:4 My Army, My people

My army- The nation with its tribes are organized as an army with different divisions

My people- They were GOD’s possession, not Pharaoh’s

V. 5 Know that I am the Lord

God is teaching Egypt that he is Yahweh

He is the all powerful sovereign over all all other powers and principalities. He rules in the spiritual realm as well as on Earth.

Some did come to understand that

responded appropriately to the warning of the 7th plague Ex 9:20

Exodus 9:20 NKJV

He who feared the word of the Lord among the servants of Pharaoh made his servants and his livestock flee to the houses.

Accompanied Israel in the Exodus Ex 12:38

Exodus 12:38 NKJV

A mixed multitude went up with them also, and flocks and herds—a great deal of livestock.

Egypt would be unable to deny the direct involvement of God of Israel in their rescue from bondage and the destruction of Egypt’s army.

This narrative is often used to show how they prefigure Christ as ultimate deliverer.

Israel was in physical bondage and they were sent to call them out and bring them to the promised land

Can you see the parallels to Christ?

Bondage to sin and death

AP: We all have a mission

God has significant roles for everyone in His kingdom, linked to their spiritual heritage.

He created you for a purpose and has a plan for you in His work

In the NT, there are several places where the gifts of the Spirit are discussed.

We all have at least 1 and they equip us in our role in the service of God and His people.

I will read just 1 reference, because it includes the purpose:

Ephesians 4:11–12 NKJV

And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,

Teach, preach, witness, serve others, organize, lead.… there are so many!

Each of us has a function in the body and the body needs us!

Embrace your spiritual roots and see the potential God has woven into their past for future purposes in His kingdom work.

Conclusion:

God chose a people to make a nation.

Within that nation, He chose a tribe, Levi and from Levi He chose a deliverer and spokesperson, Moses and Aaron.

God still uses us in His work.

Submit to His plan and be faithful in serving the King.