The Genealogy of Jesus | Home For Christmas | Week 1

by | Dec 10, 2023 | Digging Deeper

SERMON NOTES

Reno: The Genealogy of Jesus
Pastor Greg Carr
Matthew 1:1-17 NIV

Matthew 1:1; 1 Chronicles 17:11-13; Genesis 12:1-3; Matthew 1:2-17; Isaiah 9:6 

  1. God chooses to use imperfect people to accomplish his perfect plans. 
    • Jesus did not let his family line define him.
    • Abraham, Jacob, Judah, Rahab, Ruth, David, Solomon, Rehoboam, Jehoram, Manasseh
    • Jesus was defined by God’s plan and purpose. 
  2. You are not defined by your past. 
    • 2 Corinthians 5:17
  3. Your heritage is not as important as your legacy. 

Carson: Family is everything
Pastor Dave Pretlove
Matthew 1:1-17 NIV

Matthew 1:1-17   

  1. Jesus came from a real family because he was a real person.
  2. Jesus came at the perfect time because God keeps his promises
  3. Jesus came from an imperfect family, so we could all be part of his perfect family.

GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

LifeGroup Leaders: Choose a few that would be best for your unique group!

  1. Have you been tempted to skim through Matthew 1:1-17? How did the message bring this passage alive for you?
  2. Why do you think it was important to Matthew to connect Jesus with David and Abraham?
  3. It was unusual during this time to mention women in the genealogies.  What do you think the significance of mentioning five different women in the passage was?
  4. Jesus’ genealogy shows us that God can use all of us, regardless of our past. What is something from your past that you need to surrender to God?
  5. How have you seen God’s faithfulness in your family’s story?
  6. Christ’s genealogy and the season of Advent remind us to hope in the Lord. What is your most vulnerable hope or area of hurt you’re carrying this season?

PERSONAL REFLECTION QUESTIONS

  1. Jesus came at the right moment and in God’s perfect timing, but in a very unexpected way for the Jewish people.  When has God’s plan for your life not turned out as you expected?
  2. Jesus’ earthly heritage is very imperfect, but God used this imperfection to bring the Messiah.   How is God redeeming your heritage through your life and your legacy?
  3. Are there areas of your life where you feel overlooked, rejected, ashamed, or wounded? Bring those areas before the Lord and ask the Holy Spirit to speak truth into your life.
  4. How do you hope to see God move in your family’s story? Write out a short prayer describing how you want to see God’s work and redemption in your family’s story.
  5. Philippians 3:13-14 says “…Forgetting what is behind and pressing forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Jesus Christ”. Keeping in mind the genealogy of Jesus and also the legacy He provided for generations to come, How can you examine your own history and begin to let go of past regrets or shame as you look forward towards all that God is calling you to?

SCRIPTURES TO MEDITATE ON

  • 2 Corinthians 5:17– ‘Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 
  • Romans 8:15 – ‘The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “ Abba, Father.”  
  • John 14:27 “’Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
  • Galatians 3:26 “’So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith,”

RESOURCES

ARTICLE | JON BLOOM | Christmas Bloodline: Notorious Women in Jesus’s Family
PODCAST | Curt Thomas | Family and Generational Trauma
GENERATIONAL HEALING | JOHN MARK COMER | PRACTICING THE WAY
ADVENT | CHRISTMAS PLAYLIST
WORSHIP SONG | TIFFANY HUDSON | NAMES

SPIRITUAL PRACTICE TO TRY

This month, try the spiritual practice of The Gratitude Journal. 

A Gratitude Journal

Take time this Thanksgiving holiday weekend to begin a gratitude journal. As you sit and reflect on the Graces God has given you. Whether people, places, experiences, or new freedom, list them out then write out next to them what it means to have a God who is present with you, interacts with you, or restores you through each of these good graces. Notice if there are any that you did not deserve? What do you want to say to God about these things? 

Discipline to incorporate throughout the week: End each day with a short prayer of thankfulness. Pick one thing or person where you saw God move and thank Him for what he did.

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT

As December arrives, I often sit and ponder Christmas and holidays gone by. Fond memories of of multi-generational family gatherings. Maybe you do as well. One of my favorite memories is when the “kids” started playing a game at the formal family dinner table by picking up a side dish and just started passing it. We wanted to see how many laps around the table it made before someone realized what was happening. The generations around the table all responded differently to the joke, which was the best part. It is moments like this that help create family culture, legacy, and stories to share for many years to come.   But sometimes the legacies look more like a skeleton in the closet. The word ‘family’ may bring up, shame, fear, embarrassment, or traumas, instead of fond memories around the table. 

This week we heard about the family line of Jesus. Both sides of the family legacy coin are represented in Jesus’ family tree. This is one of the core reasons we know Jesus understands our imperfect family trees. He understands, has compassion, and he ushers in peace and hope. Jesus family tree brought clarity to who he was but did not hold him back from living out the unique call and purpose of His life. 

The truth of the season is that you have the same opportunity to no longer live defined by your families past, but can step into a greater calling. Jesus offers adoption into His perfect family. Galatians 3:26 tells us “So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith”. Who we were or where we came from does not hinder who we can become.

This week in Advent carries the theme of Peace. The word Peace is “shalom” which carries the meaning of completeness or well being. Because of God’s divine intervention through Jesus, you can be well and live in completeness in relationship with Christ. My prayer for you this week is you find and walk in Christ’s peace.

Tis’ the season for Peace,

Rob Hans | Adult Ministies Pastor