THEME: It Is Written
Series: God’s Gift of Christmas
TITLE: What the Birth Tells Us
Scripture: Matthew 1:1-17
I. THE GOSPEL IS GOOD NEWS, NOT GOOD ADVICE
Matthew begins with the words “This is the genealogy of Jesus Christ.” He is grounding what Jesus is and does in history. He is not a metaphor. He is real.
Christianity is not about (self-improvement). It is not just a place to get some inspiration and guidance for life. It is a message you need to be saved, and you are not saved by what you can do but by (what has been done).
II. THE GOSPEL TURNS THE WORLD’S VALUES UPSIDE DOWN
Matthew did not start with “Once upon a time.” The genealogy is saying, “This is who Jesus is.”
Five women are included in Jesus’ resume:
1) Tamar, a Canaanite and a trickster
2) Rahab, a Gentile and a harlot
3) Ruth, a Moabitess (Gentile)
4) Bathsheba, an adulteress
5) Mary, a virgin who conceives out of wedlock.
III. GOD MAY TAKE HIS TIME, BUT HE KEEPS HIS WORD
You cannot judge God by (our calendar).
“Thought the mills of God grind slowly…they grind exceedingly fine.”
THEME: 2017 theme: “I Am Fifth”
SERIES: I Am Fifth
NEXT WEEK: “I Am Fifth. Say What? Acts 17:22-34
