WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:09.800 But this morning, as we think about Christmas, and we think about Advent, and we think about all of those things that go along with this time of the year, 00:00:09.800 --> 00:00:15.359 We're going to do something a little bit different this year as we work our way through Scripture. 00:00:15.359 --> 00:00:29.760 For the past few years, we've basically taken Matthew and Luke's Gospel accounts, and we've kind of ping-ponged back and forth a little bit as we've worked our way through these Christmas stories, these Christmas passages, 00:00:29.760 --> 00:00:43.160 that we oftentimes think of, and much of what we've done is kind of like skipping a rock across a pond, where you're going pretty fast in a great distance, but not going very deep into the passages. 00:00:43.160 --> 00:00:53.799 And I think there's benefit to that. I think there's something to be said because you get to see the overarching picture, the big picture of what is going on in the passage, 00:00:53.799 --> 00:01:03.280 But I believe there's also some benefit of slowing down and taking our time and going through some of these passages in greater depth. 00:01:03.319 --> 00:01:05.539 And that's what we're going to be doing today. 00:01:05.539 --> 00:01:19.519 We're going to, over the next four weeks, be looking at Matthew's account specifically in the birth narrative and taking those passages in smaller bite-sized chunks and working our way through it. 00:01:19.519 --> 00:01:25.379 And today, we're going to be focusing on the genealogy section of Matthew 1. 00:01:25.899 --> 00:01:34.259 Now, how many in, well, we won't make you raise your hand for that, but many of you in here have started Bible reading plans and have worked your way through reading through Scripture. 00:01:34.500 --> 00:01:39.579 And if you've ever done that, when you get to a genealogy section, what do you typically do? 00:01:39.579 --> 00:01:44.780 By your laughter, it kind of tells me what you typically do. 00:01:44.879 --> 00:01:50.719 You skim through it as quick as you possibly can just so you can check off that box and say, all right, I read today's passage. 00:01:50.920 --> 00:01:53.439 Or you get to that section, you're like, oh, my goodness. 00:01:54.060 --> 00:01:55.659 Here we go. All of these names. 00:01:55.819 --> 00:01:57.819 This person had this son. This person had this son. 00:01:57.859 --> 00:02:01.019 You just go over and over and over again as you read through it. 00:02:01.420 --> 00:02:07.900 But today, I want us to look at this passage because this passage is in here for a reason. 00:02:07.900 --> 00:02:15.520 This passage tells us something incredible about who Christ is and what he came to do. 00:02:15.900 --> 00:02:23.379 And so if you have a copy of God's word, I want to invite you to open with me this morning to Matthew chapter 1. 00:02:23.680 --> 00:02:26.819 And we're going to be reading verses 1 through 17. 00:02:27.620 --> 00:02:29.080 And this is what the word of the Lord says. 00:02:29.140 --> 00:02:29.960 It says this. 00:02:30.460 --> 00:02:36.500 The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. 00:02:36.500 --> 00:02:43.960 Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers. 00:02:44.900 --> 00:02:51.939 And Judah the father of Perez, and Zerah by Tamar, and Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram, 00:02:52.039 --> 00:02:58.420 and Ram the father of Aminadab, and Aminadab the father of Nashon, and Nashon the father of Salmon, 00:02:58.719 --> 00:03:04.120 and Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, 00:03:04.120 --> 00:03:09.319 and Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of David the king. 00:03:10.120 --> 00:03:16.960 And David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uriah, and Solomon the father of Rehoboam, 00:03:17.180 --> 00:03:21.580 and Rehoboam the father of Abijah, and Abijah the father of Asaph, 00:03:21.780 --> 00:03:26.819 and Asaph the father of Jehoshaphat, and Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, 00:03:26.819 --> 00:03:29.419 and Joram the father of Uzziah. 00:03:30.099 --> 00:03:34.759 And Uzziah was the father of Jotham, and Jotham the father of Ahaz, 00:03:34.819 --> 00:03:39.319 and Ahaz the father of Hezekiah, and Hezekiah the father of Manasseh, 00:03:39.459 --> 00:03:43.579 Manasseh the father of Amos, and Amos the father of Josiah, 00:03:43.699 --> 00:03:45.560 and Josiah the father of Jeconiah, 00:03:45.780 --> 00:03:49.939 and his brothers at the time of the deportation to Babylon. 00:03:49.939 --> 00:03:54.939 And after the deportation to Babylon, Jeconiah was the father of Shealtiel, 00:03:55.599 --> 00:03:56.939 and Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel, 00:03:57.780 --> 00:03:59.419 and Zerubbabel the father of Abiod, 00:03:59.639 --> 00:04:00.939 and Abiod the father of Eliakim, 00:04:01.979 --> 00:04:03.680 and Eliakim the father of Azor, 00:04:03.740 --> 00:04:05.180 and Azor the father of Zadok, 00:04:05.259 --> 00:04:06.939 and Zadok the father of Akim, 00:04:07.579 --> 00:04:08.939 and Akim the father of Eliud. 00:04:09.979 --> 00:04:11.879 Eliud the father of Eleazar, 00:04:12.139 --> 00:04:14.379 and Eleazar the father of Matin, 00:04:14.460 --> 00:04:15.900 and Matin the father of Jacob, 00:04:15.900 --> 00:04:18.100 and Jacob the father of Joseph, 00:04:18.480 --> 00:04:19.600 the husband of Mary, 00:04:19.939 --> 00:04:21.399 of whom Jesus was born, 00:04:21.519 --> 00:04:23.240 who is called Christ. 00:04:24.019 --> 00:04:24.899 And so all the generations, 00:04:25.660 --> 00:04:26.899 from Abraham to David, 00:04:26.980 --> 00:04:28.620 were 14 generations, 00:04:28.860 --> 00:04:31.620 and from David to the deportation to Babylon, 00:04:31.879 --> 00:04:33.120 14 generations, 00:04:33.620 --> 00:04:36.899 and from the deportation to Babylon to the Christ, 00:04:37.220 --> 00:04:38.860 14 generations. 00:04:39.960 --> 00:04:40.340 Whew! 00:04:41.259 --> 00:04:43.920 And so when you get to a passage like this, 00:04:44.280 --> 00:04:45.360 many of you are probably thinking, 00:04:45.360 --> 00:04:46.939 I'm glad we didn't have a prayer prompt, 00:04:47.000 --> 00:04:49.600 where somebody had to read all of these this morning, 00:04:49.860 --> 00:04:51.259 but when you get to a passage like this, 00:04:51.280 --> 00:04:54.819 it's oftentimes really easy to just skip over it. 00:04:55.139 --> 00:04:56.400 And again, you may be thinking, 00:04:56.540 --> 00:04:57.280 what in the world? 00:04:57.379 --> 00:05:00.879 This just sounds like a big list of names. 00:05:01.040 --> 00:05:04.480 Why are we focusing on this passage today? 00:05:05.199 --> 00:05:06.000 Well, for one, 00:05:06.180 --> 00:05:09.580 there is a reason that these names were included in Scripture. 00:05:10.180 --> 00:05:11.920 It wasn't just a filler. 00:05:11.920 --> 00:05:15.920 In fact, it helps us see one of the dominant themes 00:05:15.920 --> 00:05:17.520 throughout the book of Matthew, 00:05:17.879 --> 00:05:19.699 and that one of those dominant themes 00:05:19.699 --> 00:05:23.060 said that Jesus is the long-awaited, 00:05:23.520 --> 00:05:27.040 much-anticipated King who was coming. 00:05:27.819 --> 00:05:31.580 Several have simplified the different gospel themes 00:05:31.580 --> 00:05:33.100 of Matthew, Martin, Luke, and John, 00:05:33.139 --> 00:05:35.840 and simplified those down to some basic themes, 00:05:35.900 --> 00:05:38.580 and sometimes probably a little oversimplification. 00:05:38.579 --> 00:05:41.159 But when you look at the different gospel accounts, 00:05:41.219 --> 00:05:44.120 you'll see these themes begin to play out. 00:05:44.180 --> 00:05:46.139 For example, the gospel according to Mark, 00:05:46.599 --> 00:05:50.259 the theme of this is Jesus is the suffering servant. 00:05:51.019 --> 00:05:52.579 You know, Mark doesn't include a genealogy 00:05:53.219 --> 00:05:54.539 or a birth narrative, 00:05:54.539 --> 00:05:58.099 but goes right into Jesus ministering to people, 00:05:58.599 --> 00:06:01.000 goes right into him serving people 00:06:01.000 --> 00:06:04.620 and loving people in some really powerful ways. 00:06:04.620 --> 00:06:09.120 Then you get to the gospel according to Luke, 00:06:09.199 --> 00:06:12.840 and Dr. Luke, he emphasizes the humanity of Jesus, 00:06:13.019 --> 00:06:14.360 and there's a large emphasis 00:06:14.360 --> 00:06:18.660 on the humanity of Jesus in Luke. 00:06:19.060 --> 00:06:20.360 The gospel according to John, 00:06:20.459 --> 00:06:21.899 Jesus is the Son of God. 00:06:22.000 --> 00:06:23.959 It starts, in the beginning was the Word, 00:06:24.040 --> 00:06:25.500 and the Word was with God, 00:06:25.540 --> 00:06:27.259 and the Word was God. 00:06:27.459 --> 00:06:29.639 And so you have this big emphasis 00:06:29.639 --> 00:06:31.660 on Jesus being the Son of God, 00:06:31.660 --> 00:06:34.740 and then you get to Matthew's account here, 00:06:34.820 --> 00:06:36.160 which we're looking at this morning, 00:06:36.240 --> 00:06:39.000 and we clearly see what is going to be 00:06:39.000 --> 00:06:42.460 the first evidence of hope in this passage, 00:06:42.880 --> 00:06:44.420 and that is this. 00:06:44.440 --> 00:06:46.660 And this is one of the dominant themes 00:06:46.660 --> 00:06:48.500 throughout the book of Matthew, 00:06:48.620 --> 00:06:49.460 and it is this. 00:06:49.960 --> 00:06:52.320 The King has come. 00:06:53.360 --> 00:06:55.900 The King has come. 00:06:55.899 --> 00:06:57.199 It says, 00:06:57.379 --> 00:06:58.379 So all the generations, 00:06:58.599 --> 00:06:59.819 from Abraham to David, 00:07:00.159 --> 00:07:01.599 were 14 generations. 00:07:02.379 --> 00:07:04.779 And from David to the deportation to Babylon, 00:07:05.139 --> 00:07:06.479 14 generations. 00:07:07.339 --> 00:07:10.679 And from the deportation to Babylon to the Christ, 00:07:11.139 --> 00:07:12.959 14 generations. 00:07:14.060 --> 00:07:16.099 Now, other than making it difficult 00:07:16.099 --> 00:07:19.120 for future pastors to read this portion of Scripture, 00:07:19.799 --> 00:07:22.699 Matthew has a reason for including these names 00:07:22.699 --> 00:07:23.859 in his gospel. 00:07:23.860 --> 00:07:26.480 And before you get too bent out of shape, 00:07:26.480 --> 00:07:28.439 if you've been reading the Old Testament 00:07:28.439 --> 00:07:29.920 or an Old Testament scholar, 00:07:30.040 --> 00:07:31.620 yes, this does not include 00:07:31.620 --> 00:07:34.720 every single person in those lineages. 00:07:34.900 --> 00:07:36.960 There's names that are omitted here, 00:07:37.139 --> 00:07:39.860 and I think Matthew does this for a reason. 00:07:40.020 --> 00:07:42.199 And so you look at these 14 generations 00:07:42.199 --> 00:07:43.879 through each of these sections 00:07:43.879 --> 00:07:45.040 that he breaks it down to, 00:07:45.080 --> 00:07:46.680 and he does this for a reason. 00:07:47.280 --> 00:07:51.680 He does this to clearly put an emphasis on Jesus, 00:07:51.680 --> 00:07:54.780 to clearly draw a circle around Jesus 00:07:54.780 --> 00:07:55.079 and say, 00:07:55.300 --> 00:07:57.879 This is the long-awaited King. 00:07:58.060 --> 00:08:00.379 This is the one that we've been waiting for. 00:08:00.819 --> 00:08:02.780 And many scholars have different opinions 00:08:02.780 --> 00:08:06.500 on why it is that he included 14 generations. 00:08:07.439 --> 00:08:09.680 Several have noted that it could be 00:08:09.680 --> 00:08:12.319 because of King David's name. 00:08:12.579 --> 00:08:14.720 A lot of times in Hebrew culture, 00:08:14.819 --> 00:08:15.439 in Jewish culture, 00:08:15.439 --> 00:08:18.860 they would assign numbers to go along with letters. 00:08:18.860 --> 00:08:22.139 And so that when those numbers were associated 00:08:22.139 --> 00:08:23.120 with the alphabet, 00:08:23.300 --> 00:08:24.420 you could add up those. 00:08:24.819 --> 00:08:26.080 And so David's name, 00:08:26.639 --> 00:08:27.360 King David's name, 00:08:27.400 --> 00:08:28.040 it would have been, 00:08:28.280 --> 00:08:29.800 if you added up the numeric value 00:08:29.800 --> 00:08:30.620 of all of those letters, 00:08:30.720 --> 00:08:31.699 it would be 14. 00:08:32.080 --> 00:08:32.740 And so people are, 00:08:33.100 --> 00:08:34.740 some people really emphasize that. 00:08:35.039 --> 00:08:38.360 He's showing that Jesus is from the royal lineage, 00:08:38.720 --> 00:08:40.039 the king's lineage. 00:08:40.200 --> 00:08:40.879 He is from, 00:08:41.159 --> 00:08:42.279 he is the king. 00:08:42.800 --> 00:08:43.159 Others, 00:08:43.320 --> 00:08:44.980 and I think probably more accurately, 00:08:45.220 --> 00:08:46.300 have stated the fact that 00:08:46.299 --> 00:08:49.799 14 would be a sign of double perfection, 00:08:49.959 --> 00:08:51.000 of double completion, 00:08:51.199 --> 00:08:53.579 where seven would be the complete number, 00:08:53.779 --> 00:08:55.079 seven days in creation, 00:08:55.319 --> 00:08:56.899 and many other examples 00:08:56.899 --> 00:09:00.059 of seven being this perfect complete number. 00:09:00.539 --> 00:09:01.839 And so what they're showing is 00:09:01.839 --> 00:09:03.819 with two sevens that you see this, 00:09:03.899 --> 00:09:05.599 this complete completion 00:09:05.599 --> 00:09:07.859 or perfect perfection, 00:09:08.179 --> 00:09:10.919 or maybe even like this complete perfection 00:09:10.919 --> 00:09:12.859 that is placed in Jesus. 00:09:13.039 --> 00:09:14.639 And so whatever the case may be, 00:09:14.639 --> 00:09:17.439 Matthew is clearly showing us 00:09:17.439 --> 00:09:21.720 that all of this is focused on Jesus 00:09:21.720 --> 00:09:23.399 as the coming king. 00:09:23.720 --> 00:09:25.980 Matthew is clearly showing us 00:09:25.980 --> 00:09:29.600 that Jesus is the focus of all history. 00:09:30.379 --> 00:09:33.240 And it is vital to our satisfaction in life, 00:09:33.580 --> 00:09:34.720 to our purpose, 00:09:34.819 --> 00:09:35.620 to our salvation, 00:09:35.819 --> 00:09:38.439 to the way that we interact with our families, 00:09:38.620 --> 00:09:41.480 that we set our eyes on him 00:09:41.480 --> 00:09:45.060 to make sure that he is the hope 00:09:45.060 --> 00:09:46.920 that we cling to in this life. 00:09:47.440 --> 00:09:49.899 He is the one that we build our lives on, 00:09:49.980 --> 00:09:51.320 just like Matthew is showing 00:09:51.320 --> 00:09:54.840 that everything revolves around Jesus here. 00:09:55.240 --> 00:09:56.820 We too must make sure 00:09:56.820 --> 00:09:58.659 that is evident in our lives. 00:09:59.320 --> 00:10:01.000 See, Paul in Colossians, 00:10:01.080 --> 00:10:03.539 after telling us who Christ is, 00:10:04.000 --> 00:10:06.680 telling us what Christ has done for us, 00:10:06.679 --> 00:10:09.779 he makes this emphasis in Colossians 3 00:10:09.779 --> 00:10:13.099 to make sure that we focus on the things of God. 00:10:13.659 --> 00:10:14.059 He says, 00:10:14.459 --> 00:10:16.679 if then you've been raised with Christ, 00:10:17.219 --> 00:10:19.299 seek the things that are above, 00:10:19.579 --> 00:10:21.179 where Christ is, 00:10:21.439 --> 00:10:23.099 seated at the right hand of God. 00:10:23.459 --> 00:10:25.739 Set your minds on things that are above, 00:10:26.059 --> 00:10:28.799 not on things that are on earth. 00:10:29.559 --> 00:10:31.639 Paul is making sure that we know 00:10:31.639 --> 00:10:34.379 that what we set our minds on, 00:10:34.379 --> 00:10:36.500 that what we give our attention to, 00:10:36.639 --> 00:10:38.799 what our gaze is fixed on, 00:10:39.139 --> 00:10:42.100 will be the direction that we go with our lives. 00:10:42.840 --> 00:10:44.639 He's letting us know very clearly, 00:10:44.779 --> 00:10:47.700 whatever it is that we focus our attention on 00:10:47.700 --> 00:10:51.000 is the direction that we will go with our lives. 00:10:51.039 --> 00:10:53.299 If we set our minds on the things of God, 00:10:53.360 --> 00:10:57.159 then our lives will be spent living for him. 00:10:57.700 --> 00:11:00.019 If he becomes the focus of our lives, 00:11:00.120 --> 00:11:02.240 then our lives will be spent, 00:11:02.240 --> 00:11:05.220 will be given living for him. 00:11:05.680 --> 00:11:08.039 If we set our minds on the things of this world 00:11:08.039 --> 00:11:09.320 and what it values, 00:11:09.980 --> 00:11:12.480 then our lives will be spent elsewhere. 00:11:13.639 --> 00:11:15.840 And if you've ever had the opportunity 00:11:15.840 --> 00:11:18.399 to teach a child how to ride a bicycle, 00:11:18.399 --> 00:11:22.200 then you will probably understand this idea very well. 00:11:22.279 --> 00:11:24.019 What you set your focus on, 00:11:24.080 --> 00:11:25.820 what you set your mind on, 00:11:25.860 --> 00:11:27.700 where you focus your attention on, 00:11:27.860 --> 00:11:29.500 will be the direction that you go. 00:11:29.500 --> 00:11:32.580 I'm convinced that one of the hardest things to do 00:11:32.580 --> 00:11:34.899 with teaching a kid to ride a bike 00:11:34.899 --> 00:11:38.659 is telling them to look where they're going. 00:11:39.320 --> 00:11:40.399 You know, to begin with, 00:11:40.539 --> 00:11:42.320 they're trying to get this whole concept 00:11:42.320 --> 00:11:44.600 of pedaling the bicycle. 00:11:45.059 --> 00:11:45.960 And so to begin with, 00:11:45.980 --> 00:11:47.840 their eyes are fixed downward, 00:11:48.039 --> 00:11:49.580 where they're just looking at their legs. 00:11:49.940 --> 00:11:51.200 It's kind of hard to illustrate 00:11:51.200 --> 00:11:52.700 pedaling a bicycle standing, 00:11:52.820 --> 00:11:55.019 but they're looking down at their legs, 00:11:55.340 --> 00:11:57.080 trying to pedal this bicycle, 00:11:57.080 --> 00:11:59.540 trying to keep up with the spinning gears 00:11:59.540 --> 00:12:00.280 and all of those things. 00:12:00.500 --> 00:12:03.020 And so all of their attention is focused down 00:12:03.020 --> 00:12:04.340 and you keep telling them, 00:12:04.660 --> 00:12:06.139 look up, look up, 00:12:06.400 --> 00:12:07.440 look where you're going, 00:12:07.740 --> 00:12:08.440 see where you're going. 00:12:08.520 --> 00:12:09.120 And then all of a sudden, 00:12:09.200 --> 00:12:11.300 they get this pedaling down, 00:12:11.720 --> 00:12:12.920 they figure this out, 00:12:13.460 --> 00:12:14.840 and then they start looking up. 00:12:15.420 --> 00:12:17.400 But as most kids do, 00:12:17.480 --> 00:12:19.100 their attention goes all over the place. 00:12:19.200 --> 00:12:21.560 Whatever shiny thing or moving thing 00:12:21.560 --> 00:12:22.480 gets their attention, 00:12:22.600 --> 00:12:23.140 and all of a sudden, 00:12:23.240 --> 00:12:25.160 they're pedaling and looking at something, 00:12:25.159 --> 00:12:26.339 and guess what happens? 00:12:26.819 --> 00:12:28.699 They start going wherever it is 00:12:28.699 --> 00:12:29.339 that they're looking. 00:12:29.699 --> 00:12:31.259 And what makes it really dangerous 00:12:31.259 --> 00:12:32.360 when you have other kids 00:12:32.360 --> 00:12:33.620 who are riding bicycles out there 00:12:33.620 --> 00:12:35.139 because they're wanting to look at them 00:12:35.139 --> 00:12:35.980 and let's say there's some 00:12:35.980 --> 00:12:38.439 really close encounters that happen 00:12:38.439 --> 00:12:40.980 when you're learning to ride a bicycle 00:12:40.980 --> 00:12:44.480 because you always go where you're looking. 00:12:45.259 --> 00:12:47.559 And like kids riding bikes, 00:12:48.139 --> 00:12:50.899 we as adults often find ourselves 00:12:50.899 --> 00:12:53.759 going in the direction of our focus. 00:12:53.759 --> 00:12:56.519 We oftentimes find ourselves 00:12:56.519 --> 00:12:58.419 going in the direction 00:12:58.419 --> 00:13:00.419 of whatever our attention is on, 00:13:00.580 --> 00:13:02.340 whatever we see is most important, 00:13:02.679 --> 00:13:04.299 whatever we see is most valuable. 00:13:04.600 --> 00:13:05.460 All of a sudden, 00:13:05.559 --> 00:13:06.980 where our focus is, 00:13:07.600 --> 00:13:10.439 that's where our lives begin to go. 00:13:11.179 --> 00:13:11.980 And Matthew, 00:13:12.159 --> 00:13:14.439 by giving us the genealogy, 00:13:14.879 --> 00:13:16.759 is making sure we know 00:13:16.759 --> 00:13:19.740 that Jesus is the right focus 00:13:19.740 --> 00:13:21.360 to set our eyes on. 00:13:21.360 --> 00:13:25.220 Beyond the numerical or mnemonic value, 00:13:25.440 --> 00:13:26.539 Matthew's structure 00:13:26.539 --> 00:13:29.620 has a theological value with it. 00:13:29.960 --> 00:13:32.300 He has intentionally selected names, 00:13:32.620 --> 00:13:34.240 real historical people 00:13:34.240 --> 00:13:36.200 who are really part of Joseph 00:13:36.200 --> 00:13:37.500 and Mary's line, 00:13:37.899 --> 00:13:39.300 and arranged them 00:13:39.300 --> 00:13:41.960 to make the same theological point 00:13:41.960 --> 00:13:43.519 that Paul made in Galatians, 00:13:43.560 --> 00:13:45.620 which is honestly one of my favorite 00:13:45.620 --> 00:13:46.639 Christmas passages, 00:13:46.639 --> 00:13:47.819 where he says, 00:13:47.919 --> 00:13:49.480 but when the fullness of time 00:13:49.480 --> 00:13:50.179 had come, 00:13:50.659 --> 00:13:52.740 God sent forth his son. 00:13:53.480 --> 00:13:54.319 In other words, 00:13:54.679 --> 00:13:56.939 God has designed all of history 00:13:56.939 --> 00:13:59.299 around the birth of Jesus. 00:14:00.379 --> 00:14:01.539 All of history 00:14:01.539 --> 00:14:03.699 is focused on the coming 00:14:03.699 --> 00:14:04.960 of the king. 00:14:05.080 --> 00:14:05.360 You see, 00:14:05.460 --> 00:14:06.340 God was designing 00:14:06.340 --> 00:14:07.539 all of history 00:14:07.539 --> 00:14:08.480 for this moment 00:14:08.480 --> 00:14:10.679 when he would most fully display 00:14:10.679 --> 00:14:11.639 his love for humanity 00:14:11.639 --> 00:14:14.139 by sending his son 00:14:14.139 --> 00:14:15.699 to ultimately die 00:14:15.699 --> 00:14:17.199 to give us the greatest gift 00:14:17.199 --> 00:14:17.720 of all, 00:14:18.220 --> 00:14:18.720 salvation. 00:14:19.559 --> 00:14:20.840 So as we anticipate 00:14:20.840 --> 00:14:22.740 with great excitement 00:14:22.740 --> 00:14:23.699 Christmas Day, 00:14:23.860 --> 00:14:24.779 let it be because 00:14:24.779 --> 00:14:26.100 of what a baby born 00:14:26.100 --> 00:14:27.679 2,000 years ago 00:14:27.679 --> 00:14:28.819 did for us 00:14:28.819 --> 00:14:29.939 on a cross 00:14:29.939 --> 00:14:32.139 because he loves us. 00:14:32.500 --> 00:14:34.179 This message of Jesus 00:14:34.179 --> 00:14:35.860 being the focus 00:14:35.860 --> 00:14:36.939 of our lives 00:14:36.939 --> 00:14:38.039 and the focus 00:14:38.039 --> 00:14:39.100 of all of history 00:14:39.100 --> 00:14:41.019 is for the believer, 00:14:41.159 --> 00:14:42.720 is for us to praise God, 00:14:43.120 --> 00:14:44.360 is to set our aim, 00:14:44.440 --> 00:14:45.440 to set our eyes, 00:14:45.519 --> 00:14:46.840 to set our focus 00:14:46.840 --> 00:14:48.720 on following Jesus. 00:14:49.720 --> 00:14:51.420 And so if you came here today 00:14:51.420 --> 00:14:54.220 unsure or skeptical 00:14:54.220 --> 00:14:56.540 of your faith in Christ, 00:14:57.080 --> 00:14:57.960 then I want to encourage you 00:14:57.960 --> 00:14:59.279 to give your life to him. 00:15:00.360 --> 00:15:01.060 You may think, 00:15:01.139 --> 00:15:01.240 Brad, 00:15:01.279 --> 00:15:02.420 you don't know the sins 00:15:02.420 --> 00:15:03.500 that I've committed. 00:15:04.200 --> 00:15:05.060 You don't know 00:15:05.060 --> 00:15:05.940 how far 00:15:05.940 --> 00:15:07.200 and how long 00:15:07.200 --> 00:15:08.360 I have been running 00:15:08.360 --> 00:15:08.920 from God. 00:15:08.919 --> 00:15:09.559 You don't know 00:15:09.559 --> 00:15:10.779 what I have done 00:15:10.779 --> 00:15:11.839 with my life. 00:15:12.519 --> 00:15:13.459 And you're right. 00:15:13.899 --> 00:15:14.759 I don't know 00:15:14.759 --> 00:15:15.360 all the things 00:15:15.360 --> 00:15:16.000 that you've done 00:15:16.000 --> 00:15:17.079 just like you don't know 00:15:17.079 --> 00:15:17.819 all the things 00:15:17.819 --> 00:15:19.019 that I've done. 00:15:19.439 --> 00:15:20.839 But I do know 00:15:20.839 --> 00:15:22.719 that this king, 00:15:23.120 --> 00:15:25.120 the one true king, 00:15:25.679 --> 00:15:27.559 came for all of us. 00:15:28.120 --> 00:15:29.139 And that's what I want us 00:15:29.139 --> 00:15:29.799 to see next 00:15:29.799 --> 00:15:30.599 in this passage. 00:15:31.399 --> 00:15:33.059 The next example of hope 00:15:33.059 --> 00:15:34.519 I want us to clearly see 00:15:34.519 --> 00:15:35.759 in this passage 00:15:35.759 --> 00:15:36.480 is this, 00:15:36.480 --> 00:15:37.879 that the king 00:15:37.879 --> 00:15:38.980 that has come 00:15:38.980 --> 00:15:40.420 is a king 00:15:40.420 --> 00:15:41.539 who restores. 00:15:42.320 --> 00:15:42.920 The king 00:15:42.920 --> 00:15:43.960 that has come 00:15:43.960 --> 00:15:45.060 is a king 00:15:45.060 --> 00:15:46.200 who restores. 00:15:46.800 --> 00:15:47.420 And so I want to 00:15:47.420 --> 00:15:47.920 encourage you, 00:15:47.940 --> 00:15:48.440 let me encourage you 00:15:48.440 --> 00:15:50.320 to take a closer look 00:15:50.320 --> 00:15:51.980 at some of these characters 00:15:51.980 --> 00:15:53.279 in this lineage, 00:15:53.279 --> 00:15:54.720 in this story 00:15:54.720 --> 00:15:55.440 that Matthew 00:15:55.440 --> 00:15:57.720 chooses to highlight. 00:15:57.720 --> 00:15:58.920 what you will find 00:15:58.920 --> 00:15:59.680 is some very 00:15:59.680 --> 00:16:00.759 interesting characters 00:16:00.759 --> 00:16:02.180 that God 00:16:02.180 --> 00:16:04.500 in his infinite wisdom 00:16:04.500 --> 00:16:06.580 inspired Matthew 00:16:06.580 --> 00:16:07.660 to include. 00:16:08.460 --> 00:16:09.480 To begin with, 00:16:09.540 --> 00:16:10.340 you have Abraham, 00:16:10.660 --> 00:16:10.960 Isaac, 00:16:10.960 --> 00:16:11.580 and Jacob. 00:16:12.279 --> 00:16:14.580 Men who in many ways 00:16:14.580 --> 00:16:16.000 show great faith, 00:16:16.320 --> 00:16:18.139 but the Bible also 00:16:18.139 --> 00:16:19.259 doesn't sugarcoat 00:16:19.259 --> 00:16:19.960 their moments 00:16:19.960 --> 00:16:20.920 of weakness either. 00:16:21.379 --> 00:16:22.300 We can go back 00:16:22.300 --> 00:16:23.300 and look at their stories 00:16:23.300 --> 00:16:23.820 and realize, 00:16:23.940 --> 00:16:24.080 yes, 00:16:24.139 --> 00:16:24.840 they were men 00:16:24.840 --> 00:16:25.440 of great faith, 00:16:25.500 --> 00:16:26.220 but they were also men 00:16:26.220 --> 00:16:27.279 who struggled in some 00:16:27.279 --> 00:16:29.120 incredible ways as well. 00:16:30.060 --> 00:16:30.519 Then, 00:16:31.120 --> 00:16:32.480 we see Judah and Tamar 00:16:32.480 --> 00:16:33.660 included in this story. 00:16:35.120 --> 00:16:36.840 Evan briefly mentioned 00:16:36.840 --> 00:16:37.759 the significance 00:16:37.759 --> 00:16:38.920 of this last week, 00:16:38.980 --> 00:16:40.460 but in Genesis 38, 00:16:40.580 --> 00:16:41.500 there seems to be 00:16:41.500 --> 00:16:43.060 this random story 00:16:43.060 --> 00:16:43.700 that's included 00:16:43.700 --> 00:16:44.300 in the middle 00:16:44.300 --> 00:16:45.340 of Joseph's story. 00:16:45.540 --> 00:16:46.759 You have this story 00:16:46.759 --> 00:16:47.259 of Joseph 00:16:47.259 --> 00:16:48.620 where they're following 00:16:48.620 --> 00:16:49.660 what God is doing 00:16:49.660 --> 00:16:51.420 in Joseph's life, 00:16:51.440 --> 00:16:52.600 and then in the middle 00:16:52.600 --> 00:16:53.460 of this story, 00:16:53.779 --> 00:16:54.700 in chapter 38 00:16:54.700 --> 00:16:55.139 of Genesis, 00:16:55.259 --> 00:16:56.200 you have this story 00:16:56.200 --> 00:16:57.540 of Judah and Tamar, 00:16:57.620 --> 00:16:58.780 and it almost seems 00:16:58.780 --> 00:16:59.420 out of place 00:16:59.420 --> 00:17:00.020 as you're reading 00:17:00.020 --> 00:17:00.400 through it. 00:17:00.480 --> 00:17:01.220 You're reading 00:17:01.220 --> 00:17:01.700 through this, 00:17:01.740 --> 00:17:02.220 and all of a sudden, 00:17:02.540 --> 00:17:03.020 wow, 00:17:03.320 --> 00:17:04.940 this is a pretty 00:17:04.940 --> 00:17:06.680 graphic and interesting 00:17:06.680 --> 00:17:07.940 story that we've chosen 00:17:07.940 --> 00:17:09.039 to place right here 00:17:09.039 --> 00:17:10.200 in the midst of this, 00:17:10.580 --> 00:17:11.720 and it's a story 00:17:11.720 --> 00:17:13.380 of incest, 00:17:13.460 --> 00:17:14.580 of Judah having 00:17:14.580 --> 00:17:15.880 an incestuous relationship 00:17:15.880 --> 00:17:16.920 with his daughter-in-law, 00:17:17.080 --> 00:17:17.660 Tamar, 00:17:18.080 --> 00:17:20.140 and so Matthew 00:17:20.140 --> 00:17:21.500 decides to include 00:17:21.500 --> 00:17:23.200 this in the lineage 00:17:23.200 --> 00:17:23.940 of Jesus. 00:17:23.940 --> 00:17:24.240 Jesus. 00:17:24.600 --> 00:17:25.640 It's pretty remarkable 00:17:25.640 --> 00:17:26.740 that this is included, 00:17:26.740 --> 00:17:28.080 and then just skipping 00:17:28.080 --> 00:17:28.660 over a few, 00:17:28.820 --> 00:17:29.500 you have Rahab, 00:17:29.559 --> 00:17:30.299 the prostitute, 00:17:30.380 --> 00:17:30.759 as mentioned. 00:17:31.460 --> 00:17:32.460 You have Ruth, 00:17:32.519 --> 00:17:33.180 the Moabite, 00:17:33.240 --> 00:17:33.799 as mentioned, 00:17:34.380 --> 00:17:35.460 and Bathsheba, 00:17:35.539 --> 00:17:36.940 in a roundabout way, 00:17:37.000 --> 00:17:37.460 as mentioned. 00:17:37.559 --> 00:17:38.559 You notice how it says, 00:17:38.779 --> 00:17:39.980 how it mentions Bathsheba, 00:17:40.080 --> 00:17:42.080 the wife of Uriah? 00:17:42.620 --> 00:17:43.340 It's showing, 00:17:43.460 --> 00:17:44.220 it's highlighting 00:17:44.220 --> 00:17:46.000 a pretty dark time 00:17:46.000 --> 00:17:47.360 in King David's life. 00:17:47.720 --> 00:17:48.400 It would be easy 00:17:48.400 --> 00:17:49.340 just to skip through this 00:17:49.340 --> 00:17:49.580 and say, 00:17:49.640 --> 00:17:49.820 all right, 00:17:49.819 --> 00:17:49.980 well, 00:17:50.159 --> 00:17:50.980 this is a part 00:17:50.980 --> 00:17:52.639 of King David's lineage 00:17:52.639 --> 00:17:53.299 as well. 00:17:53.740 --> 00:17:55.519 But what you see 00:17:55.519 --> 00:17:56.919 is a highlight 00:17:56.919 --> 00:17:58.500 to a difficult time 00:17:58.500 --> 00:17:59.679 in King David's life, 00:17:59.980 --> 00:18:00.980 a time where he 00:18:00.980 --> 00:18:02.259 had an adulterous 00:18:02.259 --> 00:18:03.039 relationship 00:18:03.039 --> 00:18:04.539 with Bathsheba, 00:18:04.619 --> 00:18:05.759 the wife of Uriah, 00:18:05.980 --> 00:18:07.659 and then he essentially 00:18:07.659 --> 00:18:08.480 committed murder 00:18:08.480 --> 00:18:09.659 by having Uriah 00:18:09.659 --> 00:18:10.679 sent to the front 00:18:10.679 --> 00:18:11.399 battle line 00:18:11.399 --> 00:18:12.259 so that they could 00:18:12.259 --> 00:18:13.619 then marry Bathsheba 00:18:13.619 --> 00:18:14.399 and cover up 00:18:14.399 --> 00:18:15.339 this whole incident 00:18:15.339 --> 00:18:16.619 that had taken place. 00:18:16.619 --> 00:18:17.979 And so he chooses 00:18:17.979 --> 00:18:19.319 to include this 00:18:19.319 --> 00:18:20.259 in this story. 00:18:20.559 --> 00:18:21.779 We could go on 00:18:21.779 --> 00:18:22.779 and on and on, 00:18:22.859 --> 00:18:24.019 but what you will find 00:18:24.019 --> 00:18:25.459 is adulterers, 00:18:25.619 --> 00:18:26.099 murderers, 00:18:26.279 --> 00:18:27.079 prostitutes, 00:18:27.559 --> 00:18:28.319 those involved 00:18:28.319 --> 00:18:29.159 in incest, 00:18:29.319 --> 00:18:30.439 Jews and Gentiles, 00:18:30.639 --> 00:18:31.559 men and women, 00:18:32.019 --> 00:18:32.619 those who were 00:18:32.619 --> 00:18:33.719 well thought of 00:18:33.719 --> 00:18:34.579 and those that 00:18:34.579 --> 00:18:35.799 would surprise you. 00:18:36.059 --> 00:18:36.779 In other words, 00:18:36.839 --> 00:18:37.399 when you look 00:18:37.399 --> 00:18:38.519 at this list, 00:18:39.079 --> 00:18:39.719 you will find 00:18:39.719 --> 00:18:40.799 a list that is 00:18:40.799 --> 00:18:42.339 chock full of sinners, 00:18:43.139 --> 00:18:44.379 chock full of people 00:18:44.380 --> 00:18:45.740 who have some 00:18:45.740 --> 00:18:47.060 interesting past. 00:18:47.560 --> 00:18:48.440 And so what this 00:18:48.440 --> 00:18:49.340 reminds us of 00:18:49.340 --> 00:18:50.920 is your past 00:18:50.920 --> 00:18:52.420 does not have 00:18:52.420 --> 00:18:53.380 to define you. 00:18:54.340 --> 00:18:55.420 Your sin 00:18:55.420 --> 00:18:56.900 does not have 00:18:56.900 --> 00:18:57.460 to become 00:18:57.460 --> 00:18:58.260 your identity. 00:18:59.720 --> 00:19:01.160 We see clearly 00:19:01.160 --> 00:19:02.440 that Jesus came 00:19:02.440 --> 00:19:03.460 to seek 00:19:03.460 --> 00:19:04.360 and save 00:19:04.360 --> 00:19:05.380 the lost. 00:19:06.020 --> 00:19:07.200 And this is good news 00:19:07.200 --> 00:19:08.140 for all of us 00:19:08.140 --> 00:19:09.900 because apart from Christ, 00:19:10.000 --> 00:19:11.160 we are all lost. 00:19:12.140 --> 00:19:13.260 James Montgomery Boyce 00:19:13.259 --> 00:19:14.079 also mentions 00:19:14.079 --> 00:19:15.019 the significance 00:19:15.019 --> 00:19:15.779 of this 00:19:15.779 --> 00:19:16.980 when he says, 00:19:17.259 --> 00:19:17.599 he says, 00:19:17.839 --> 00:19:18.640 since Matthew's 00:19:18.640 --> 00:19:19.420 genealogy 00:19:19.420 --> 00:19:20.879 contains the names 00:19:20.879 --> 00:19:21.440 of women, 00:19:21.859 --> 00:19:22.379 Gentiles, 00:19:22.480 --> 00:19:23.759 and even noted sinners, 00:19:24.099 --> 00:19:25.079 the book shows us 00:19:25.079 --> 00:19:26.000 that the barriers 00:19:26.000 --> 00:19:27.680 between men and women, 00:19:28.160 --> 00:19:29.180 Jews and Gentiles, 00:19:29.619 --> 00:19:30.599 saints and sinners 00:19:30.599 --> 00:19:32.240 were falling through 00:19:32.240 --> 00:19:32.879 the work 00:19:32.879 --> 00:19:34.079 of Jesus Christ. 00:19:34.839 --> 00:19:36.220 Jesus' ancestry 00:19:36.220 --> 00:19:37.500 also provides 00:19:37.500 --> 00:19:38.140 a clue 00:19:38.140 --> 00:19:38.920 on this matter, 00:19:39.359 --> 00:19:40.400 showing that God 00:19:40.400 --> 00:19:41.799 chooses his servants 00:19:41.799 --> 00:19:43.740 from a wide spectrum 00:19:43.740 --> 00:19:44.339 of those 00:19:44.339 --> 00:19:45.279 from who the 00:19:45.279 --> 00:19:46.819 respectively orthodox 00:19:46.819 --> 00:19:48.519 would turn away 00:19:48.519 --> 00:19:49.559 in horror. 00:19:50.279 --> 00:19:51.619 Isn't this wonderful 00:19:51.619 --> 00:19:52.799 news for us today? 00:19:53.720 --> 00:19:54.799 This means 00:19:54.799 --> 00:19:55.859 that Jesus 00:19:55.859 --> 00:19:56.700 came 00:19:56.700 --> 00:19:57.980 for all of us. 00:19:58.639 --> 00:19:59.720 There's no one 00:19:59.720 --> 00:20:00.700 that's too far gone. 00:20:01.200 --> 00:20:02.159 There's no one 00:20:02.159 --> 00:20:02.980 that has sinned 00:20:02.980 --> 00:20:03.539 too much 00:20:03.539 --> 00:20:05.019 or run for too long 00:20:05.019 --> 00:20:05.680 that Jesus 00:20:05.680 --> 00:20:06.700 isn't willing 00:20:06.700 --> 00:20:08.319 to bring them back. 00:20:08.759 --> 00:20:09.460 Isn't it wonderful 00:20:09.460 --> 00:20:09.920 to know 00:20:09.920 --> 00:20:11.140 that our past, 00:20:11.480 --> 00:20:12.920 that our weakest moments, 00:20:13.160 --> 00:20:15.319 don't have to define us. 00:20:15.980 --> 00:20:16.840 Those parts 00:20:16.840 --> 00:20:18.180 that we're most ashamed of 00:20:18.180 --> 00:20:19.539 don't have to become 00:20:19.539 --> 00:20:21.220 who we are. 00:20:22.079 --> 00:20:24.140 And that as believers, 00:20:24.799 --> 00:20:25.700 as those who've placed 00:20:25.700 --> 00:20:26.220 their faith 00:20:26.220 --> 00:20:27.680 and our trust in Christ, 00:20:28.100 --> 00:20:29.920 God can still use us 00:20:29.920 --> 00:20:31.180 in powerful ways. 00:20:31.880 --> 00:20:32.400 Now yes, 00:20:32.480 --> 00:20:33.500 there are consequences 00:20:33.500 --> 00:20:34.500 to past sin. 00:20:34.860 --> 00:20:35.579 There are things 00:20:35.579 --> 00:20:36.819 that we've done 00:20:36.819 --> 00:20:37.720 that may prevent us 00:20:37.720 --> 00:20:38.440 from doing things 00:20:38.440 --> 00:20:38.880 in the present, 00:20:38.940 --> 00:20:39.980 but that doesn't mean 00:20:39.980 --> 00:20:41.339 that God can't use us 00:20:41.339 --> 00:20:42.079 in different 00:20:42.079 --> 00:20:43.380 and powerful ways. 00:20:43.539 --> 00:20:44.279 It doesn't mean 00:20:44.279 --> 00:20:45.140 that our lives 00:20:45.140 --> 00:20:45.759 are shot. 00:20:46.000 --> 00:20:46.539 It doesn't mean 00:20:46.539 --> 00:20:47.259 that our lives 00:20:47.259 --> 00:20:48.079 are gone, 00:20:48.180 --> 00:20:49.039 that we can still 00:20:49.039 --> 00:20:50.700 be used by God 00:20:50.700 --> 00:20:51.559 in powerful ways. 00:20:51.640 --> 00:20:52.759 And so if you're here today 00:20:52.759 --> 00:20:55.059 and you've been letting 00:20:55.059 --> 00:20:56.759 a past sin 00:20:56.759 --> 00:20:58.299 become your identity, 00:20:58.480 --> 00:21:00.100 become what defines you, 00:21:00.140 --> 00:21:01.319 then let me encourage you, 00:21:01.559 --> 00:21:02.420 turn to Jesus. 00:21:03.380 --> 00:21:04.400 Turn to Him. 00:21:04.620 --> 00:21:05.519 Let Him be 00:21:05.519 --> 00:21:07.139 what becomes our identity, 00:21:07.599 --> 00:21:08.299 following Him. 00:21:08.359 --> 00:21:09.940 And also let me encourage you, 00:21:11.079 --> 00:21:13.700 if somebody has wronged you 00:21:13.700 --> 00:21:15.240 or you've seen something 00:21:15.240 --> 00:21:16.220 that somebody's done 00:21:16.220 --> 00:21:17.799 and you're letting that 00:21:17.799 --> 00:21:19.000 take control 00:21:19.000 --> 00:21:20.519 of how you see them 00:21:20.519 --> 00:21:22.619 and how you view them, 00:21:23.039 --> 00:21:23.859 then let me encourage you 00:21:23.859 --> 00:21:24.779 to turn to Jesus. 00:21:25.920 --> 00:21:26.779 Let me encourage you 00:21:26.779 --> 00:21:28.079 to keep your eyes 00:21:28.079 --> 00:21:29.059 fixed on Jesus, 00:21:30.059 --> 00:21:32.299 to encourage those around us, 00:21:32.400 --> 00:21:33.559 no matter what it is 00:21:33.559 --> 00:21:34.399 that we're going through, 00:21:34.559 --> 00:21:36.519 that God can still use us 00:21:36.519 --> 00:21:37.679 in powerful ways. 00:21:38.240 --> 00:21:39.940 Yes, there are consequences 00:21:39.940 --> 00:21:40.599 to sin. 00:21:41.079 --> 00:21:42.139 Yes, it can prevent us 00:21:42.139 --> 00:21:43.279 from doing certain things 00:21:43.279 --> 00:21:44.179 in this life 00:21:44.179 --> 00:21:45.179 that we will have 00:21:45.179 --> 00:21:46.099 to live with. 00:21:46.440 --> 00:21:47.720 But that doesn't mean 00:21:47.720 --> 00:21:48.980 that God doesn't want 00:21:48.980 --> 00:21:50.559 to continue to use us 00:21:50.559 --> 00:21:52.079 in powerful ways. 00:21:53.039 --> 00:21:54.799 I remember from my days 00:21:54.799 --> 00:21:55.619 as a youth pastor, 00:21:55.799 --> 00:21:56.119 walking, 00:21:56.339 --> 00:21:58.019 I can vividly remember 00:21:58.019 --> 00:21:59.119 walking around 00:21:59.119 --> 00:22:00.099 in the yard, 00:22:00.200 --> 00:22:01.720 talking with a former student 00:22:01.720 --> 00:22:02.519 on the phone, 00:22:02.960 --> 00:22:03.779 who had been away 00:22:03.779 --> 00:22:05.440 from church for a long time 00:22:05.440 --> 00:22:06.360 and had gotten involved 00:22:06.360 --> 00:22:07.559 with a lot of things 00:22:07.559 --> 00:22:08.839 that he shouldn't 00:22:08.839 --> 00:22:09.640 have been doing. 00:22:10.339 --> 00:22:12.019 And I remember telling him, 00:22:12.680 --> 00:22:13.839 I remember him telling me 00:22:13.839 --> 00:22:15.039 that he wanted to come back 00:22:15.039 --> 00:22:15.720 and get involved 00:22:15.720 --> 00:22:16.339 in church again, 00:22:16.400 --> 00:22:16.839 but he said, 00:22:16.900 --> 00:22:17.200 he says, 00:22:17.400 --> 00:22:18.920 but I've got to get my life 00:22:18.920 --> 00:22:19.759 in order first. 00:22:20.380 --> 00:22:22.759 I've got to fix some things 00:22:22.759 --> 00:22:23.480 in my life 00:22:23.480 --> 00:22:25.140 before I can come back 00:22:25.140 --> 00:22:26.180 and I can remember 00:22:26.180 --> 00:22:27.960 just wanting to scream 00:22:27.960 --> 00:22:28.579 through the phone, 00:22:28.579 --> 00:22:30.279 no you don't. 00:22:31.019 --> 00:22:32.000 That's the point 00:22:32.000 --> 00:22:32.699 of the gospel. 00:22:33.039 --> 00:22:33.720 That's what makes 00:22:33.720 --> 00:22:34.379 the good news 00:22:34.379 --> 00:22:35.699 of the gospel so good 00:22:35.699 --> 00:22:36.939 is that we can't 00:22:36.939 --> 00:22:37.779 save ourselves. 00:22:38.139 --> 00:22:39.359 We can't do this 00:22:39.359 --> 00:22:39.879 on our own. 00:22:40.119 --> 00:22:40.799 There's nothing 00:22:40.799 --> 00:22:41.500 that we can do 00:22:41.500 --> 00:22:43.019 to get our lives right. 00:22:43.119 --> 00:22:43.960 It's impossible 00:22:43.960 --> 00:22:45.779 and that is quite literally 00:22:45.779 --> 00:22:47.659 why Jesus came. 00:22:48.119 --> 00:22:49.539 Because we can't do this 00:22:49.539 --> 00:22:50.159 on our own. 00:22:50.879 --> 00:22:52.359 We must turn to him, 00:22:52.699 --> 00:22:54.199 let Christ be what changes 00:22:54.199 --> 00:22:55.019 us from the inside 00:22:55.019 --> 00:22:56.220 and let Christ be 00:22:56.220 --> 00:22:57.639 what continues to mold us 00:22:57.640 --> 00:22:58.920 and make us more 00:22:58.920 --> 00:23:00.680 and more into his image. 00:23:01.400 --> 00:23:02.580 There is hope 00:23:02.580 --> 00:23:03.660 for all of us. 00:23:04.700 --> 00:23:05.720 Being the first week 00:23:05.720 --> 00:23:06.140 of that, 00:23:06.640 --> 00:23:09.020 we have lit the candle 00:23:09.020 --> 00:23:11.000 of hope to remind us 00:23:11.000 --> 00:23:12.060 of the hope 00:23:12.060 --> 00:23:13.040 that can only be found 00:23:13.040 --> 00:23:13.620 in Jesus. 00:23:14.620 --> 00:23:15.480 Not a hope 00:23:15.480 --> 00:23:16.220 of a good grade, 00:23:16.440 --> 00:23:17.720 a new job 00:23:17.720 --> 00:23:18.720 or a better car, 00:23:19.320 --> 00:23:20.140 but the hope 00:23:20.140 --> 00:23:21.700 that the great rescuer 00:23:21.700 --> 00:23:23.200 has come to seek 00:23:23.200 --> 00:23:24.759 and save those 00:23:24.759 --> 00:23:25.520 who are created 00:23:25.520 --> 00:23:26.380 in his image. 00:23:26.380 --> 00:23:28.280 And here in this passage, 00:23:28.460 --> 00:23:30.280 Matthew has masterfully 00:23:30.280 --> 00:23:31.060 shown us 00:23:31.060 --> 00:23:32.340 where to look 00:23:32.340 --> 00:23:33.620 for hope in this life. 00:23:34.400 --> 00:23:35.700 He has clearly shown us 00:23:35.700 --> 00:23:36.420 that Jesus 00:23:36.420 --> 00:23:38.180 is the focal point 00:23:38.180 --> 00:23:39.120 of all history. 00:23:39.580 --> 00:23:40.320 That history 00:23:40.320 --> 00:23:42.000 is his story. 00:23:42.540 --> 00:23:43.580 That all of history 00:23:43.580 --> 00:23:44.780 is centered around 00:23:44.780 --> 00:23:47.120 the coming of Christ. 00:23:47.620 --> 00:23:48.620 For us to be able 00:23:48.620 --> 00:23:49.840 to experience 00:23:49.840 --> 00:23:50.560 hope, 00:23:50.760 --> 00:23:51.040 peace, 00:23:51.200 --> 00:23:51.520 joy, 00:23:51.519 --> 00:23:51.579 joy, 00:23:51.639 --> 00:23:52.200 and love, 00:23:52.700 --> 00:23:53.980 Jesus must be 00:23:53.980 --> 00:23:55.019 what we focus 00:23:55.019 --> 00:23:56.319 our lives on 00:23:56.319 --> 00:23:57.099 as well. 00:23:57.740 --> 00:23:58.319 It must be 00:23:58.319 --> 00:23:58.960 what we give 00:23:58.960 --> 00:23:59.420 our lives. 00:23:59.500 --> 00:24:00.500 Matthew is clearly 00:24:00.500 --> 00:24:01.220 showing us 00:24:01.220 --> 00:24:02.339 that Jesus 00:24:02.339 --> 00:24:04.099 is the king. 00:24:04.639 --> 00:24:05.879 That he is the king 00:24:05.879 --> 00:24:06.720 that has come 00:24:06.720 --> 00:24:07.819 for us. 00:24:08.200 --> 00:24:09.379 For those who place 00:24:09.379 --> 00:24:09.980 their faith 00:24:09.980 --> 00:24:10.639 and their trust 00:24:10.639 --> 00:24:11.160 in him, 00:24:11.619 --> 00:24:12.779 Jesus is 00:24:12.779 --> 00:24:13.639 the king. 00:24:13.640 --> 00:24:15.580 So the question 00:24:15.580 --> 00:24:16.200 we must ask, 00:24:16.280 --> 00:24:16.720 are you 00:24:16.720 --> 00:24:18.540 following him today? 00:24:19.540 --> 00:24:20.480 Have you given 00:24:20.480 --> 00:24:21.700 your life to the king? 00:24:21.960 --> 00:24:22.740 To the one 00:24:22.740 --> 00:24:23.800 true king? 00:24:24.300 --> 00:24:24.780 Have you, 00:24:24.920 --> 00:24:25.920 as Paul clearly 00:24:25.920 --> 00:24:26.360 states, 00:24:26.500 --> 00:24:27.340 set your mind 00:24:27.340 --> 00:24:27.960 on the things 00:24:27.960 --> 00:24:28.680 that are above 00:24:28.680 --> 00:24:30.480 and not on the things 00:24:30.480 --> 00:24:31.860 that are below? 00:24:33.000 --> 00:24:34.060 What we must remember 00:24:34.060 --> 00:24:34.720 is that 00:24:34.720 --> 00:24:36.140 your direction 00:24:36.140 --> 00:24:38.340 leads to a destination. 00:24:39.340 --> 00:24:40.520 Your direction 00:24:40.520 --> 00:24:42.320 leads to a destination. 00:24:42.460 --> 00:24:43.280 It always does. 00:24:43.640 --> 00:24:44.580 It always does. 00:24:44.660 --> 00:24:45.259 What you set 00:24:45.259 --> 00:24:46.400 your focus on 00:24:46.400 --> 00:24:47.540 will determine 00:24:47.540 --> 00:24:48.960 where you go. 00:24:49.580 --> 00:24:50.340 In other words, 00:24:50.440 --> 00:24:51.200 your direction, 00:24:51.400 --> 00:24:52.620 not your intention, 00:24:53.380 --> 00:24:53.780 determines 00:24:53.780 --> 00:24:55.480 your destination. 00:24:56.700 --> 00:24:57.480 Much of this 00:24:57.480 --> 00:24:58.020 comes down 00:24:58.020 --> 00:24:58.500 to the fact 00:24:58.500 --> 00:24:59.500 that if you don't 00:24:59.500 --> 00:25:00.400 head in the right 00:25:00.400 --> 00:25:00.940 direction, 00:25:01.259 --> 00:25:02.420 you'll never get 00:25:02.420 --> 00:25:03.220 to where you want 00:25:03.220 --> 00:25:03.640 to go. 00:25:04.820 --> 00:25:05.500 You may say, 00:25:05.560 --> 00:25:05.700 Brett, 00:25:05.740 --> 00:25:07.000 I want to give 00:25:07.000 --> 00:25:07.840 my life to Christ. 00:25:07.920 --> 00:25:08.520 I want to live 00:25:08.520 --> 00:25:09.980 a life that points 00:25:09.980 --> 00:25:10.840 people to faith 00:25:10.840 --> 00:25:11.259 in Christ. 00:25:11.360 --> 00:25:12.620 I want to raise 00:25:12.620 --> 00:25:13.560 my family 00:25:13.559 --> 00:25:14.419 in a way 00:25:14.419 --> 00:25:15.139 that shows 00:25:15.139 --> 00:25:15.759 my children 00:25:15.759 --> 00:25:16.480 that Christ 00:25:16.480 --> 00:25:17.079 is the most 00:25:17.079 --> 00:25:17.659 important thing 00:25:17.659 --> 00:25:18.279 in my life. 00:25:18.279 --> 00:25:19.960 I want to live 00:25:19.960 --> 00:25:20.720 a life where 00:25:20.720 --> 00:25:21.419 I'm following 00:25:21.419 --> 00:25:22.220 God's will 00:25:22.220 --> 00:25:22.740 and everything 00:25:22.740 --> 00:25:23.599 that I say 00:25:23.599 --> 00:25:24.259 and do. 00:25:24.460 --> 00:25:25.379 And that's all 00:25:25.379 --> 00:25:26.440 well and good. 00:25:27.019 --> 00:25:28.000 And I'm thankful 00:25:28.000 --> 00:25:28.799 that that's your 00:25:28.799 --> 00:25:29.460 intention, 00:25:29.579 --> 00:25:30.879 that's your desire. 00:25:31.619 --> 00:25:32.940 But your direction 00:25:32.940 --> 00:25:34.379 is going to have 00:25:34.379 --> 00:25:35.279 a lot more 00:25:35.279 --> 00:25:36.039 to do with 00:25:36.039 --> 00:25:37.339 where you end up 00:25:37.339 --> 00:25:38.799 than your intention 00:25:38.799 --> 00:25:39.539 ever does. 00:25:39.539 --> 00:25:40.720 I've said it 00:25:40.720 --> 00:25:41.220 this way 00:25:41.220 --> 00:25:42.000 before, 00:25:42.599 --> 00:25:43.420 but I think 00:25:43.420 --> 00:25:44.379 it bears repeating. 00:25:44.519 --> 00:25:45.319 If you're wanting 00:25:45.319 --> 00:25:45.940 to go to 00:25:45.940 --> 00:25:46.399 Greenville, 00:25:46.519 --> 00:25:47.180 South Carolina 00:25:47.180 --> 00:25:47.599 today, 00:25:48.079 --> 00:25:48.899 and you head 00:25:48.899 --> 00:25:49.700 down to 00:25:49.700 --> 00:25:50.859 Livonia, 00:25:50.980 --> 00:25:51.259 and you get 00:25:51.259 --> 00:25:51.839 ready to get 00:25:51.839 --> 00:25:52.440 on I-85, 00:25:52.740 --> 00:25:53.019 and you're 00:25:53.019 --> 00:25:53.539 wanting to go 00:25:53.539 --> 00:25:54.079 to Greenville, 00:25:54.220 --> 00:25:54.940 but you get 00:25:54.940 --> 00:25:56.279 on I-85 South, 00:25:56.680 --> 00:25:57.139 guess where 00:25:57.139 --> 00:25:57.700 you're never 00:25:57.700 --> 00:25:58.680 going to end up? 00:25:59.440 --> 00:26:00.079 You're never 00:26:00.079 --> 00:26:00.659 going to end up 00:26:00.659 --> 00:26:01.039 in Greenville, 00:26:01.119 --> 00:26:01.700 South Carolina 00:26:01.700 --> 00:26:02.899 because you're 00:26:02.899 --> 00:26:03.500 going in the 00:26:03.500 --> 00:26:04.779 wrong direction. 00:26:05.460 --> 00:26:05.680 Now, 00:26:05.779 --> 00:26:06.440 you may think 00:26:06.440 --> 00:26:07.039 in your heart, 00:26:07.039 --> 00:26:07.379 oh, 00:26:07.579 --> 00:26:08.279 this is taking 00:26:08.279 --> 00:26:08.920 me to Greenville. 00:26:09.059 --> 00:26:09.720 I'm going to 00:26:09.720 --> 00:26:10.059 Greenville. 00:26:10.220 --> 00:26:11.000 I've got warm, 00:26:11.119 --> 00:26:11.639 fuzzy feelings 00:26:11.639 --> 00:26:12.220 about Greenville. 00:26:12.259 --> 00:26:12.799 I can't wait 00:26:12.799 --> 00:26:13.220 to get to 00:26:13.220 --> 00:26:13.639 Greenville. 00:26:14.079 --> 00:26:14.599 But if you're 00:26:14.599 --> 00:26:15.180 headed in the 00:26:15.180 --> 00:26:15.920 wrong direction, 00:26:16.500 --> 00:26:17.079 you're never 00:26:17.079 --> 00:26:18.460 going to reach 00:26:18.460 --> 00:26:18.960 your desired 00:26:18.960 --> 00:26:19.639 destination. 00:26:20.819 --> 00:26:21.299 And so I want 00:26:21.299 --> 00:26:22.019 to encourage you 00:26:22.019 --> 00:26:23.659 today to think 00:26:23.659 --> 00:26:24.519 about your life. 00:26:25.460 --> 00:26:26.099 Think about what 00:26:26.099 --> 00:26:26.680 it is that you're 00:26:26.680 --> 00:26:27.599 giving your life 00:26:27.599 --> 00:26:27.879 to. 00:26:28.460 --> 00:26:29.619 Matthew clearly 00:26:29.619 --> 00:26:30.440 shows us in 00:26:30.440 --> 00:26:31.720 this passage that 00:26:31.720 --> 00:26:32.700 Jesus is the 00:26:32.700 --> 00:26:34.200 focal point of 00:26:34.200 --> 00:26:35.000 all history, 00:26:35.359 --> 00:26:36.399 that Jesus is the 00:26:36.399 --> 00:26:36.859 focus, 00:26:37.039 --> 00:26:37.819 of all of 00:26:37.819 --> 00:26:38.240 history, 00:26:38.460 --> 00:26:39.200 that it all 00:26:39.200 --> 00:26:40.379 revolves around 00:26:40.379 --> 00:26:40.920 him. 00:26:42.299 --> 00:26:43.240 But does it all 00:26:43.240 --> 00:26:43.819 revolve around 00:26:43.819 --> 00:26:44.339 him in your 00:26:44.339 --> 00:26:44.720 life? 00:26:45.779 --> 00:26:46.759 Are you giving 00:26:46.759 --> 00:26:47.500 your life to 00:26:47.500 --> 00:26:48.539 him and saying 00:26:48.539 --> 00:26:49.319 my focus, 00:26:49.460 --> 00:26:50.019 my desire, 00:26:50.159 --> 00:26:50.720 everything I 00:26:50.720 --> 00:26:51.099 have, 00:26:51.319 --> 00:26:52.240 I want to 00:26:52.240 --> 00:26:52.819 give to Jesus. 00:26:53.819 --> 00:26:54.559 I want him to 00:26:54.559 --> 00:26:55.319 be everything. 00:26:56.319 --> 00:26:57.200 I want to 00:26:57.200 --> 00:26:58.000 give my life to 00:26:58.000 --> 00:26:58.079 him. 00:26:58.240 --> 00:26:59.279 I genuinely 00:26:59.279 --> 00:27:00.379 want to follow 00:27:00.379 --> 00:27:01.420 his plan for 00:27:01.420 --> 00:27:02.000 my life. 00:27:02.480 --> 00:27:03.379 I genuinely 00:27:03.379 --> 00:27:04.980 want to raise 00:27:04.980 --> 00:27:05.799 my children in a 00:27:05.799 --> 00:27:06.240 way where they 00:27:06.240 --> 00:27:06.980 look at my 00:27:06.980 --> 00:27:08.200 life and they 00:27:08.200 --> 00:27:09.200 see that Jesus 00:27:09.200 --> 00:27:10.059 is the most 00:27:10.059 --> 00:27:10.660 important thing 00:27:10.660 --> 00:27:10.960 to me. 00:27:11.120 --> 00:27:12.180 I want to go 00:27:12.180 --> 00:27:13.039 in that direction. 00:27:13.640 --> 00:27:14.599 I want that to 00:27:14.599 --> 00:27:15.559 be where I am 00:27:15.559 --> 00:27:15.880 headed. 00:27:16.839 --> 00:27:17.500 So I want to 00:27:17.500 --> 00:27:18.860 ask you this 00:27:18.860 --> 00:27:19.120 morning, 00:27:19.519 --> 00:27:20.440 are you giving 00:27:20.440 --> 00:27:20.940 your life to 00:27:20.940 --> 00:27:21.019 Jesus? 00:27:21.079 --> 00:27:21.860 Have you given 00:27:21.860 --> 00:27:22.480 your life to 00:27:22.480 --> 00:27:22.860 the king? 00:27:23.380 --> 00:27:24.380 Are you following 00:27:24.380 --> 00:27:25.559 him in everything 00:27:25.559 --> 00:27:26.480 in your life? 00:27:26.539 --> 00:27:27.019 I want you to 00:27:27.019 --> 00:27:28.440 seriously consider 00:27:28.440 --> 00:27:29.660 this morning what 00:27:29.660 --> 00:27:30.400 it is that you're 00:27:30.400 --> 00:27:31.200 giving your life 00:27:31.200 --> 00:27:31.519 to. 00:27:31.900 --> 00:27:33.160 Is the focus of 00:27:33.160 --> 00:27:34.319 your life Jesus 00:27:34.319 --> 00:27:34.879 Christ? 00:27:35.339 --> 00:27:36.220 Or are you giving 00:27:36.220 --> 00:27:37.119 your life to the 00:27:37.119 --> 00:27:37.939 things of this 00:27:37.939 --> 00:27:38.339 world? 00:27:38.879 --> 00:27:39.759 Things that will 00:27:39.759 --> 00:27:40.819 perish, things that 00:27:40.819 --> 00:27:42.579 have no eternal 00:27:42.579 --> 00:27:43.579 significance. 00:27:44.539 --> 00:27:45.939 What is it that 00:27:45.939 --> 00:27:47.000 you're giving your 00:27:47.000 --> 00:27:47.899 life to? 00:27:47.900 --> 00:27:49.880 Father, thank you so 00:27:49.880 --> 00:27:52.200 very much for your 00:27:52.200 --> 00:27:53.080 word, for what it 00:27:53.080 --> 00:27:53.920 teaches us about 00:27:53.920 --> 00:27:54.240 you. 00:27:54.860 --> 00:27:55.820 Lord, I thank you 00:27:55.820 --> 00:27:56.740 that you've included 00:27:56.740 --> 00:27:58.400 this genealogy in 00:27:58.400 --> 00:27:59.360 Matthew's account 00:27:59.360 --> 00:28:00.580 here, where it 00:28:00.580 --> 00:28:01.980 clearly shows us 00:28:01.980 --> 00:28:03.220 that you are the 00:28:03.220 --> 00:28:04.480 focal point of all 00:28:04.480 --> 00:28:05.700 of history, where 00:28:05.700 --> 00:28:07.060 it clearly shows us 00:28:07.060 --> 00:28:07.900 that you are the 00:28:07.900 --> 00:28:09.680 one true king. 00:28:10.420 --> 00:28:11.280 And Lord, I thank 00:28:11.280 --> 00:28:11.960 you for the names 00:28:11.960 --> 00:28:12.560 that were included 00:28:12.560 --> 00:28:13.400 on this list. 00:28:13.400 --> 00:28:15.200 names of people 00:28:15.200 --> 00:28:16.180 who struggled in 00:28:16.180 --> 00:28:17.380 some pretty 00:28:17.380 --> 00:28:19.940 disastrous ways. 00:28:20.620 --> 00:28:21.200 People who have 00:28:21.200 --> 00:28:22.700 struggled with sin 00:28:22.700 --> 00:28:23.320 and corruption, 00:28:23.560 --> 00:28:25.280 Lord, but that 00:28:25.280 --> 00:28:26.900 you, as the one 00:28:26.900 --> 00:28:28.220 true king, can 00:28:28.220 --> 00:28:28.880 redeem those 00:28:28.880 --> 00:28:29.280 things. 00:28:30.019 --> 00:28:30.820 And so, Lord, I 00:28:30.820 --> 00:28:32.120 pray that if 00:28:32.120 --> 00:28:32.840 there's someone here 00:28:32.840 --> 00:28:34.960 today that maybe 00:28:34.960 --> 00:28:35.620 has never given 00:28:35.620 --> 00:28:36.560 their life to you, 00:28:37.620 --> 00:28:38.140 that you would 00:28:38.140 --> 00:28:39.160 reveal yourself to 00:28:39.160 --> 00:28:39.960 them in a powerful 00:28:39.960 --> 00:28:40.400 way. 00:28:41.640 --> 00:28:42.400 Lord, that you 00:28:42.400 --> 00:28:43.240 would help them to 00:28:43.240 --> 00:28:44.299 see their sin 00:28:44.299 --> 00:28:45.960 clearly, that their 00:28:45.960 --> 00:28:48.720 sin is real, that 00:28:48.720 --> 00:28:50.200 their sin separates 00:28:50.200 --> 00:28:52.839 them from you, that 00:28:52.839 --> 00:28:53.799 there's nothing that 00:28:53.799 --> 00:28:55.160 we can do about that 00:28:55.160 --> 00:28:55.880 on our own. 00:28:56.500 --> 00:28:58.099 But that is why you 00:28:58.099 --> 00:28:59.980 came, because we 00:28:59.980 --> 00:29:00.859 couldn't do anything 00:29:00.859 --> 00:29:01.480 about it. 00:29:02.620 --> 00:29:03.859 And so, Lord, I pray 00:29:03.859 --> 00:29:04.819 that as they see 00:29:04.819 --> 00:29:06.839 their sin in a clear 00:29:06.839 --> 00:29:07.799 and powerful way, 00:29:08.120 --> 00:29:09.259 that they'll see your 00:29:09.259 --> 00:29:10.559 grace in an even 00:29:10.559 --> 00:29:11.700 clearer and an even 00:29:11.700 --> 00:29:12.680 more powerful way. 00:29:13.240 --> 00:29:14.200 and give their 00:29:14.200 --> 00:29:14.940 life to you. 00:29:16.900 --> 00:29:17.940 And, Lord, I pray 00:29:17.940 --> 00:29:18.799 that there's someone 00:29:18.799 --> 00:29:20.920 here today that is 00:29:20.920 --> 00:29:22.099 struggling to give 00:29:22.099 --> 00:29:22.980 their life to you 00:29:22.980 --> 00:29:24.000 because they see 00:29:24.000 --> 00:29:24.819 their sin is too 00:29:24.819 --> 00:29:26.079 great, that they 00:29:26.079 --> 00:29:26.940 see that they've 00:29:26.940 --> 00:29:28.660 gone too far down a 00:29:28.660 --> 00:29:29.859 direction away from 00:29:29.859 --> 00:29:30.640 you, that for too 00:29:30.640 --> 00:29:31.339 long they've been 00:29:31.339 --> 00:29:32.720 following the ways of 00:29:32.720 --> 00:29:33.299 this world, that for 00:29:33.299 --> 00:29:34.180 too long they have 00:29:34.180 --> 00:29:35.519 turned their back on 00:29:35.519 --> 00:29:36.279 you, Lord, that you 00:29:36.279 --> 00:29:36.940 would help them to 00:29:36.940 --> 00:29:38.960 clearly see that 00:29:38.960 --> 00:29:39.859 because of what you 00:29:39.859 --> 00:29:40.559 accomplished on the 00:29:40.559 --> 00:29:42.319 cross, none of us are 00:29:42.319 --> 00:29:44.139 too far gone, that we 00:29:44.139 --> 00:29:45.299 can give our life to 00:29:45.299 --> 00:29:45.599 you. 00:29:46.439 --> 00:29:47.419 And so, Lord, I pray 00:29:47.419 --> 00:29:48.359 that you be with all 00:29:48.359 --> 00:29:48.859 of us. 00:29:50.179 --> 00:29:51.439 Help us to clearly see 00:29:51.439 --> 00:29:52.539 you for who you are. 00:29:53.279 --> 00:29:54.439 Help us to clearly see 00:29:54.439 --> 00:29:56.480 that you are worthy of 00:29:56.480 --> 00:29:58.319 giving our lives to in 00:29:58.319 --> 00:29:59.319 everything that we say 00:29:59.319 --> 00:29:59.799 and do. 00:30:00.659 --> 00:30:01.480 And so, God, thank you 00:30:01.480 --> 00:30:02.419 so much for Jesus. 00:30:03.419 --> 00:30:04.720 Thank you that he is, 00:30:04.859 --> 00:30:06.939 Emmanuel, God, with us. 00:30:06.940 --> 00:30:08.960 And so, help us to 00:30:08.960 --> 00:30:10.320 honor you with our 00:30:10.320 --> 00:30:10.799 lives. 00:30:11.400 --> 00:30:12.259 We ask all this in 00:30:12.259 --> 00:30:13.000 Jesus' name. 00:30:13.320 --> 00:30:13.640 Amen. 00:30:14.660 --> 00:30:15.460 I'm going to invite you 00:30:15.460 --> 00:30:15.960 to stand. 00:30:16.039 --> 00:30:16.740 We're going to sing a 00:30:16.740 --> 00:30:17.640 song of invitation. 00:30:17.799 --> 00:30:18.880 If God is speaking to 00:30:18.880 --> 00:30:20.140 you this morning, won't 00:30:20.140 --> 00:30:21.180 you respond as we stand 00:30:21.180 --> 00:30:22.320 together and sing?