Matthew 1:1-16 - The Story of Jesus
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· 12 viewsA listener should understand that Jesus came to die for all kinds of people and determine if He believes Jesus as Savior and Lord. -
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Introduction
Introduction
Christmas traditions. Whether it’s opening your stockings on Christmas Eve, your children sleeping in late to allow you a restful morning on Christmas day, or even gathering at church for a Christmas Eve service. We all have our favorite Christmas traditions.
One Christmas tradition my wife and I had when we first got married was we would The Grinch That Stole Christmas. [Slide - 2] I mean come on, who doesn’t like the story of The Grinch. He’s a modern Scrooge from Charles Dicken’s famous play The Christmas Care, he’s green and kind of looks like Wally the Boston Red Sox mascot and his grumpy attitude reflects our own attitude at least one time each Christmas season.
Yet, over the years there has been a desire to remove the story of Christ's birth from the celebration of Christmas. You might not have noticed some of the subtle changes that have taken place over the years - Christmas parties are not Holiday parties, Christmas cards are not holiday cards.
mean come on, who doesn’t like the story of The Grinch.
This year, however, instead of watching the original Dr. Seuss version of the Grinch you and I grew up on or the Jim Carey version, my son David and I went to see the new version of the Grinch in theaters this past Saturday. [Slide - 3] In this version of the story, much like the original, the Grinch lived outside Whoville up on snowy Mount Crumpit all alone with his dog Max. We meet the Grinch just about the time he runs out of food. He has to travel down to Whoville during his most hated time of the year, Christmas, to buy supplies. As he adventures down into town he meets a group of people that their presence in the movie kind of surprised me. [Slide - 4] Christmas carolers, the Grinch meets Christmas carolers. What surprised me more than the Grinch meeting Christmas carolers, was the words they were singing:
Now, these subtle changes to the celebration of Christmas are not big deals in and of themselves if Christmas is simply like any other holiday with the giving of gifts, parties and various types of traditions/celebrations. But if that's the case, what do we do with the story of Jesus birth? What role should that story play in our celebration of the holiday? Those questions can all be answered in the answering of another question,
[Slide - 4] Christmas carolers, the Grinch meets Christmas carolers and they were singing these familiar words:
“God rest ye merry gentlemen let nothing you dismay,
Remember Christ our Savior was born on Christmas Day,
To save us all from Satan's pow'r when we were gone astray
Oh tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy,
Oh tidings of comfort and joy.
God rest ye merry gentlemen
Let nothing you dismay
Remember Christ our Savior
Was born on Christmas Day
To save us all from Satan's pow'r
When we were gone astray
Oh tidings of comfort and joy
Comfort and joy
Oh tidings of comfort and joy
W
Forgive me but here was my reaction, What role do Christmas carolers have in the Grinch movie about Christmas? I mean really, was Jesus a Who? What role does Jesus play in the Whoville’s Christmas story. [Slide - 5 - KEEP UP] For that matter...
[Slide - 5]
Question: What role does Jesus play in your Christmas story?
Question: What role does Jesus play in your Christmas story?
Transition: Like the 50’s style we displayed for you this evening, are not those songs we sing about Jesus simply a holiday tradition of years past? Is not the truth it sings about, specifically Jesus’, an antiquated, outdated and unfortunate “tradition” of the Christmas season? That would depend. It would depend on whether or not Jesus’ story was still applicable, beneficial and necessary for us today, just as necessary for us as it was for the authors of those Christmas carols.
For that reason, join with me tonight as we look at the story of Jesus, the story. Specifically, I want to focus our attention on the beginning of Jesus’ story. And as we do, I hope you see that your story is not much different than His,
That would depend on whether or not Jesus’ story was still applicable,
story of Jesus doesn’t start with Jesus’ birth b/c Matthew recognizes that Jesus’ story really
[Slide - 5] That’s because...
I thought it would benefit us to lets take a few moments and the Christmas story, Jesus’ story. And we are going to start our look at this story by starting at the beginning.
ou ponder that question, I thought it would benefit us to lets take a few moments and the Christmas story, Jesus’ story. And we are going to start our look at this story by starting at the beginning.
Christmas story, Jesus’ story. And we are going to start our look at this story by starting at the beginning.
I. Each Of You Have A Story To Tell
I. Each Of You Have A Story To Tell
see how Jesus story starts as written by the Apostle Matthew. Before we begin, realize with me that, though we often think of a person’s story starting at one’s birth Matthew would have to disagree. He saw Jesus’ story starting long before any manger scene in Bethlehem, long before any Angelic message given from Mary or the Shepherds. He know that one’s story starts long before one’s birth. That’s why...
Now, you may think that Jesus’ story and our own story, begins at birth but as we are going to see, Jesus’ story starts long before any manger scene in Bethlehem, long before any Angelic message given from Mary or the Shepherds. For one’s story starts long before one’s birth. [Slide - 5] That’s because...
For that reason, to help us answer the question of what role Jesus’ plays in our Christmas story, I would like us to look at
the story of Jesus. Specifically, I want to focus our attention on the beginning of Jesus’ story. And as we do, I hope you see that your story is not much different than His, [Slide - 5]...
[TAKE DOWN 5; PUT UP Slide - 6]. for your story begins just like Jesus’ story....
This is the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah the son of David, the son of Abraham:
Matthew doesn’t start out with a list of accomplishments or acts of Jesus. No, he begins by telling us the family tree of Jesus.
To us a genealogy may seem a very tedious way to begin a book and a waste of space.
A genealogy. To us a genealogy may seem a very tedious way to begin a book and a waste of space.
Matthew doesn’t start out with a list of accomplishments or acts of Jesus. No, he begins by telling us the family tree of Jesus.
To the Jewish world in which Matthew belonged, a person’s genealogy was a matter of importance
To the Jewish world in which Matthew belonged, it was a matter of importance.
A person’s family history proved one’s identity as a Jew, a participant in the promises God had made for his people.
They could participate in all the aspects of Jewish life and culture
It showed where one was to live and if they could receive an inheritance
Genealogies also emphasized the importance of family units in Jewish culture.
God’s people took seriously their responsibility to continue the line that would bring honor to the family name.
For a person to inherit land in a particular tribal area required evidence that he was descended from that particular tribe.
Matthew chooses to include Jesus’ genealogy to do just that. To place Him fully in line with the people of Israel and with the ancient stories of old.
Family history was also important due to where one lived. Each of the Jewish tribes had received a land inheritance in Israel. For a person to inherit land in a particular tribal area required evidence that he was descended from that particular tribe.
It was a part of Jesus’ story
We learned in school about the Kings of England, the Pharoahs of Egypt and the
This emphasis on genealogy is not a foreign concept to us. Though, in our culture, there is not an emphasis of who are relatives are,
Jesus’ genealogy was a part of His story. It tells us a lot about his ancestors and family. His story is unique. Yes, it’s unique in the face that He is the Son of God but it’s unique in the fact that He was also the son of Abraham and the Son of David.
Genealogies were essential to proving whether a Jewish male could serve in the Levitical priesthood. Priests could only be from the tribe of Levi and descendants of Aaron, the brother of Moses. If a man could not prove this connection, he was unable to serve as a priest.
We know that even today, the next King of England will not be just any citizen from Great Britain but specifically someone from the royal line.
This emphasis on genealogy is not a foreign concept to us. Though, in our culture, there is not an emphasis of who are relatives are,
Though in our culture we do not empha
Transition: Jesus’ genealogy was a part of His story. It tells us a lot about his ancestors and family. His story is unique. Yes, it’s unique in the face that He is the Son of God but it’s unique in the fact that He was also the son of Abraham and the Son of David.
My wife and I, for example, both can trace our family trees back to some of the earliest inhabitants of York, Maine.
Transition: Likewise, though you family history doesn’t define you, it does tell you a lot about where you came from. For example, my wife and I are both Mainers. Both of our family trees trace their roots back to some of the earliest inhabitants of the town of York, Maine. The other side of my family tree goes back to the old brick Week’s Home in Greenland, just a few miles from our Greenland Campus (how’s that for coming full circle). These are our stories to tell and just like us, you too have a story unique to you. What’s cool is that...
Royal Lineage - In our culture we don't care if you are a "somebody" or not, what we care about is if you are genuine, if you are the real deal! Jesus royal lineage proved that He genuine, it proved that He was who He claimed to be. End with - who do you believe Jesus is?
Genealogies emphasized the importance of the family unit in Jewish culture. Traditional Jewish culture emphasized marriage between a man and a woman who were responsible for raising children and continuing the legacy of their family with the next generation. The Jews took seriously their responsibility to continue the line that would bring honor to the family name.
Matthew: An Introduction and Commentary i. The Genealogy of Jesus the Messiah (1:1–17)
To us, a genealogy may seem a very tedious way to begin a book, and a waste of space. To the Jewish world in which Matthew belonged it was a matter of importance, as a glance at the numerous genealogies of the Old Testament makes clear. But Matthew is not merely conforming to Jewish literary convention. The way he presents his genealogy shows that it introduces several important strands into his presentation of Jesus as the Messiah. 1. It places Jesus fully in line with the history of Old Testament Israel, as one famous name after another reminds the reader of the forward movement of God’s saving purpose. 2. By organizing that history into a regular scheme of three groups of fourteen generations (see on 1:17), it indicates that the time of preparation is now complete, and that in Jesus the time of fulfilment has arrived. 3. By tracing Jesus’ descent through the royal line of Judah, it stakes his claim to the title ‘King of the Jews’ (see p. 45). 4. It establishes his status as ‘son of David’, not only by emphasizing David’s place in the genealogy (see on 1:6), but, perhaps, by a play on the name of David in the use of the number fourteen (see on 1:17). 5. The mention of certain ‘irregularities’ in the ancestry of the royal line of Judah serves to counter objections to the manner of Jesus’ birth (see on 1:3–6). The genealogy is thus a vital part of the conception of Matthew’s introductory section. It is ‘a résumé of salvation history, of God’s way with Israel’.
I. Your Story Begins Before It Began
I. Your Story Begins Before It Began
A. That’s Why Tracing Your Roots Can Help You To Tell Your Story
A. That’s Why Tracing Your Roots Can Help You To Tell Your Story
Let’s take a moment and see how Jesus story starts as written by the Apostle Matthew
[Slide - 7]
This is the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah the son of David, the son of Abraham:
A genealogy.
Matthew doesn’t start out with a list of accomplishments or acts of Jesus. No, he begins by telling us the family tree of Jesus.
This is the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah the son of David, the son of Abraham:
A genealogy
A genealogy.
Matthew doesn’t start out with a list of accomplishments or acts of Jesus. No, he begins by telling us the family tree of Jesus.
To us a genealogy may seem a very tedious way to begin a book and a waste of space.
To us a genealogy may seem a very tedious way to begin a book and a waste of space.
But to the Jewish world in which Matthew belonged, a person’s genealogy was very important.
A person’s family history proved one’s identity as a Jew, a participant in the promises God had made for his people.
To the Jewish world in which Matthew belonged, a person’s genealogy was a matter of importance
They could participate in all the aspects of Jewish life and culture
It showed where one was to live and if they could receive an inheritance
Genealogies also emphasized the importance of family units in Jewish culture.
A person’s family history proved one’s identity as a Jew, a participant in the promises God had made for his people.
God’s people took seriously their responsibility to continue the line that would bring honor to the family name.
Matthew chooses to include Jesus’ genealogy to do just that and more.
He also wanted to place Jesus fully in line with the ancient stories of old.
You see, Jesus’ genealogy was a part of His story. It tells us a lot about his ancestors and family.
They could participate in all the aspects of Jewish life and culture
Connection: Likewise, your own personal genealogy, though it doesn’t define you, tells you a bit about yourself. For example, my wife and I are both Mainers. Both of our family trees trace their roots back to some of the earliest inhabitants of the town of York, Maine. The other side of my family tree goes back to the old brick Week’s Home in Greenland, just a few miles from our Greenland Campus (how’s that for coming full circle).
I think you would agree that, like my story...
It showed where one was to live and if they could receive an inheritance
B. Your Story Has Parts That You Are Proud Of
B. Your Story Has Parts That You Are Proud Of
Genealogies also emphasized the importance of family units in Jewish culture.
God’s people took seriously their responsibility to continue the line that would bring honor to the family name.
Matthew chooses to include Jesus’ genealogy to do just that. To place Him fully in line with the people of Israel and with the ancient stories of old.
Transition: Jesus’ genealogy was a part of His story. Though it does not define him, it does tell us a lot about his ancestors and family. Likewise, though you family history doesn’t define you, it does tell you a lot about where you came from. For example, my wife and I are both Mainers. Both of our family trees trace their roots back to some of the earliest inhabitants of York, Maine.
B. Your Story Has Portions You Are Proud Of
B. Your Story Has Portions You Are Proud Of
Today, people find delight in finding proof that their ancestors are famous people, such as Paul Revere or Abraham Lincoln.
In the same way, a Jewish descended from someone like Moses or Gideon, was considered to possess a significant blessing; [Slide - 7] Jesus’ story was no different.
This is the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah the son of David, the son of Abraham:
Jesus’ story was no different
King David - “Son of David”
Jesus was of the lineage of King David (cf. vs. 2-16); He was of royal blood.
Illustration: Though we in America have never had a King or Monarch over us, this concept of royal lineage or “blood” is not foreign to us. We learned in school about the Kings of England and the Pharoahs of Egypt. We know that even today, the next King of England will not be just any citizen from Great Britain but specifically someone from the royal line of Queen Elizabeth.
A family’s history could also show an affiliation with people of significance. Today, people delight in finding proof that their ancestors are famous people, such as John Adams or Wyatt Earp. In the same way, a Jew descended from someone like Moses or Gideon was considered to possess a significant blessing.
Son of David - Messiah with a royal lineage who would reestablish the throne in Jerusalem and the kingdom of Israel.
This is the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah the son of David, the son of Abraham:
Illustration: Though we in America have never had a King or Monarch over us, this concept of royal lineage or “blood” is not foreign to us. We learned in school about the Kings of England and the Pharoahs of Egypt. We know that even today, the next King of England will not be just any citizen from Great Britain but specifically someone from the royal line of Queen Elizabeth.
This emphasis on genealogy is not a foreign concept to us.
We learned in school about the Kings of England, the Pharoahs of Egypt and the
We know that even today, the next King of England will not be just any citizen from Great Britain but specifically someone from the royal line.
Matthew records for us Jesus’ genealogy to prove to the Jewish people that Jesus’ had every right to be King of Israel and to reestablish God’s Kingdom here on earth
This meant that Jesus had a legal claim to the throne of David. He could rightly reestablish God’s Kingdom here on earth
‘Father’ Abraham - “Son of Abraham”
God had promised Abraham that, through one of his descendants, the entire world would be blessed
This lineage proves that Jesus was one of Abraham’s descendants and that the promises God made to Abraham were really all about Him
Son of Abraham - Fulfillment of that the Abrahamic Covenant centered around, Israel was God's chosen people and the whole world would be blessed through Abraham's line.
Through Jesus all the world would be blessed
There are so many others, like Ruth (woman of great faith) or many of the great kings of Israel, like King Hezekiah, deemed by many as the greatest King that ever lived.
Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse,
Matthwe 1:
Connection: I think we can all relate to some degree. Whether it be parents, grandparents or your third cousin twice removed, I would say the majority of your stories are filled with people that you proudly claim as your own. But, like all stories,
you all have people in But, like all familes,
C. Your Story Also Has Parts You May Not Be So Proud Of
C. Your Story Also Has Parts You May Not Be So Proud Of
[Slide - 7] Again, Jesus’ story was no different. Let’s take King David for example:
This is the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah the son of David, the son of Abraham:
David was the King of Israel, known also as “man after God’s own heart”
Yet, David had his own dark side, if you will
He was an adulterer and an accomplice to murder
also an accomplis to murder
Transition: That’s not the only person in Jesus’ lineage with a past. [Slide - 8] Read with me a portion of Jesus genealogy found in .
Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse,
and Jesse the father of King David. David was the father of Solomon, whose mother had been Uriah’s wife,
Matthew 1:
“Rahab” - Rabab the Harlot (commonly known)
Many readers of this lineage are even more surprised when Rahab shows upon the list b/c:
Harlot - The two spies that Joshua sent to check-out the city of Jericho (), hid in her home b/c people would have been accustomed to seeing strangers visit her home regularly.
The two spies that Joshua sent to check-out the city of Jericho (), hid in her home b/c people would have been accustomed to seeing strangers visit her home regularly.
Canaanite - Hated enemy of Israel
Liar - Her most exemplary deed was telling a lie ( + 6)
King “Solomon”
and Jesse the father of King David. David was the father of Solomon, whose mother had been Uriah’s wife,
Woman of Faith ()
Son of the famous King David + responsible for one of the most important building projects in Israel's history: the building and dedication of the Temple
King Solomon
Only problem, he was hardly a model of family values; he had a harem of 700 wives and 300 concubines ()
Makes sense that he was the ancestor of Jesus since he was the son of the famous King David + responsible for one of the most important building projects in Israel's history: the building and dedication of the TempleOnly problem, he had a harem of 700 wives and 300 concubines (); he was hardly a model of family valuesSolomon's career began in glory but ended in great moral disappointment. Yet, there he is as one of the great-grandfathers of the Son of God
He had a harem of 700 wives and 300 concubines ()
Solomon's career as king began in glory but ended in great moral disappointment.
[Slide - 9] King “Manessah”
Hezekiah the father of Manasseh, Manasseh the father of Amon, Amon the father of Josiah,
King Manessah
This is the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah the son of David, the son of Abraham:
One of the most remarkable members of Jesus' family tree
Matthew 1:
Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse,
King Manasseh the Pagan One of the most remarkable members of Jesus' family tree Did evil in the eyes of the Lord ()Encouraged pagan worship amongst Israel. He sank to even greater moral depth: he sacrificed his own son in pagan worship. Yet this reviled king was also one of Jesus' ancestors, which Matthew's gospel exposes for all the world to see.
King Manasseh a king that didn’t believe in the One True God
and Jesse the father of King David. David was the father of Solomon, whose mother had been Uriah’s wife,
Consequently, throughout his life he did what was evil in the eyes of the Lord (), even encouraging pagan worship amongst Israel.
Matthew
Hezekiah the father of Manasseh, Manasseh the father of Amon, Amon the father of Josiah,
Encouraged pagan worship amongst Israel.
Yet this reviled king was also one of Jesus' ancestors, which Matthew's gospel exposes for all the world to see.
Connection: I bet if we went digging we would all find such individuals within our own family tree. Or maybe for some of you, the parts of your story that you are ashamed of have nothing to do with genealogy or heritage, it has to do with the parts of your story that you have written, parts of your story that you were the main author of.
Maybe for you, the parts of your story that you are ashamed of have nothing to do with genealogy or heritage, it has to do with the parts of your story that you have written. That you were the great author of...
What’s so exciting about Christmas, it’s for those not-proud-of parts of your story that we celebrate this holiday at all. We celebrate Christmas each year to commemorate the moment when God sent His Son Jesus to be born in the flesh to make something out of our story. [Slide - 10] For...
II. Jesus Came To Make Your Story Beautiful
II. Jesus Came To Make Your Story Beautiful
[Slide - 11] Think about that as we look at the end of Jesus’ genealogy:
and Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, and Mary was the mother of Jesus who is called the Messiah.
“Jesus who is called the Messiah (Christ)”
Jesus’ rough lineage didn’t define him.
Through David and Abraham, He was the rightful heir to the throne of Israel and recipient of all of God’s promises to Abraham.
One of those promises was that God would send an “Anointed One” (Christ/Messiah) to speak and act for Him, to provide salvation for His people and to lead his people.
Now, to announce and bring about this Messiah, you would think God would have brought Jesus through a godly lineage but he didn’t.
Yet, Jesus didn’t walk around allowing Himself to be defined by those “rough” parts of His story nor did He desire to cover-up that part of His story; Jesus’ rough lineage didn’t define him.
On the contrary, rather that discrediting Jesus, his broken story makes Jesus the perfect candidate to identify with our own broken story. That's the good news about Jesus: He was one of us.
Now how do we remember Rahab or David but as relatives of Jesus the King
Rather that discrediting Jesus, his broken family tree makes Jesus the perfect candidate to identify with our own sin, brokenness and rebellion. That's the good news about Jesus: he was one of us. He lived our life, experiencing the same everyday joys and frustrations that we do. He heard tales of prostitution, polygamy, paganism, adultery and murder in his family tree, and he knew the ghastly and long-lasting effects of all that family sin. Jesus was a real, live person (cf. ; ). He lived our life, he experienced all that life can throw at us - including messy family trees, slander and accusation, and even temptation. Jesus experienced life's full spectrum and can sympathize with our weakness and with all the messy bits of our lives. Genealogy is in the Bible to let us know that he had a background a lot like yours and mine. He called himself "the friend of sinners," and he said he didn't come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. He said, "The Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which is lost." ()
That's the good news about Jesus: he was one of us.
That's the good news about Jesus: he was one of us.
He lived our life, experiencing the same everyday joys and frustrations that we do. He heard tales of prostitution, polygamy, paganism, adultery and murder in his family tree, and he knew the ghastly and long-lasting effects of all that family sin.
with our own sin, brokenness and rebellion. That's the good news about Jesus: he was one of us. He lived our life, experiencing the same everyday joys and frustrations that we do. He heard tales of prostitution, polygamy, paganism, adultery and murder in his family tree, and he knew the ghastly and long-lasting effects of all that family sin. Jesus was a real, live person (cf. ; ). He lived our life, he experienced all that life can throw at us - including messy family trees, slander and accusation, and even temptation. Jesus experienced life's full spectrum and can sympathize with our weakness and with all the messy bits of our lives. Genealogy is in the Bible to let us know that he had a background a lot like yours and mine. He called himself "the friend of sinners," and he said he didn't come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. He said, "The Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which is lost." ()
Remarkably, the Bible doesn't cover up all the broken, sinful people in Jesus' family tree. Rather that discrediting Jesus, his broken family tree makes Jesus the perfect candidate to identify with our own sin, brokenness and rebellion. That's the good news about Jesus: he was one of us. He lived our life, experiencing the same everyday joys and frustrations that we do. He heard tales of prostitution, polygamy, paganism, adultery and murder in his family tree, and he knew the ghastly and long-lasting effects of all that family sin. Jesus was a real, live person (cf. ; ). He lived our life, he experienced all that life can throw at us - including messy family trees, slander and accusation, and even temptation. Jesus experienced life's full spectrum and can sympathize with our weakness and with all the messy bits of our lives. Genealogy is in the Bible to let us know that he had a background a lot like yours and mine. He called himself "the friend of sinners," and he said he didn't come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. He said, "The Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which is lost." ()
He lived our life, experiencing the same everyday joys and frustrations that we do. He heard tales of prostitution, polygamy, paganism, adultery and murder in his family tree, and he knew the ghastly and long-lasting effects of all that family sin.
Jesus was a real, live person (cf. ; ). He lived our life, he experienced all that life can throw at us - including slander and accusation, and even temptation. Jesus experienced life's full spectrum and can sympathize with our weakness and with all the messy bits of our lives.
Jesus was a real, live person (cf. ; ). He lived our life, he experienced all that life can throw at us - including messy family trees, slander and accusation, and even temptation. Jesus experienced life's full spectrum and can sympathize with our weakness and with all the messy bits of our lives. Genealogy is in the Bible to let us know that he had a background a lot like yours and mine. He called himself "the friend of sinners," and he said he didn't come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. He said, "The Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which is lost." ()
He heard tales of prostitution, polygamy, paganism, adultery and murder in his family tree, and he knew the ghastly and long-lasting effects of all that family sin. Jesus was a real, live person (cf. ; ). He lived our life, he experienced all that life can throw at us - including messy family trees, slander and accusation, and even temptation. Jesus experienced life's full spectrum and can sympathize with our weakness and with all the messy bits of our lives. Genealogy is in the Bible to let us know that he had a background a lot like yours and mine. He called himself "the friend of sinners," and he said he didn't come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. He said, "The Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which is lost." ()
Genealogy is in the Bible to let us know that he had a background a lot like yours and mine. He called himself "the friend of sinners," and He said he didn't come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
Royal Lineage - In our culture we don't care if you are a "somebody" or not, what we care about is if you are genuine, if you are
He said, "The Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which is lost." ()
Conclusion
Conclusion
Jesus was the Messiah, “Anointed One” (Christ/Messiah) to speak and act for Him, to provide salvation for His people and to lead his people.
As we can see, Jesus identifies those “questionable individuals” as a part of His story. He desires the same for you as well. He desires not to wipe away your story but to make His story a part of your story, with all of your brokenness and struggles. He wants to make you one of His own.
Throughout Jesus life He claimed to be the Christ, the Son of God and for generations He has been that to people the world over. As we depart in a few minutes to continue our holiday traditions and as we celebrate Christmas tomorrow, think about this. The Bible seems to be pretty clear who Jesus is.
has made it possible for you to be a part of His family, to have this be your lineage
Who is He to you?
[Slide - 12] The question I leave you with tonight is simply, Who is this Jesus to you?
Jesus is who He claimed to be. Who is He to you?