Christmas: The Back Story

Pericope: Matthew 1:17

Sermon Text: Matthew 1: 17 17 So all the generations from Abraham to David were fourteen generations, and from David to the deportation to Babylon fourteen generations, and from the deportation to Babylon to the Christ fourteen generations.

Sermon Title: Christmas: The Back Story!

Gen 3:15 15 I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.”

Point 1:  God is always working behind the scenes. Vs 17 17 So all the generations from Abraham to David were fourteen generations, and from David to the deportation to Babylon fourteen generations, and from the deportation to Babylon to the Christ fourteen generations.

a.  God always works backwards forward. Isiah 46:10 10 declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose,’.

b.      b. God always has a purpose in mind. Proverbs 19:21 21 Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.

c.       c. To carry out the purpose God shows up when we least expect it. Genesis 15:17 When the sun had set and darkness had fallen, a smoking firepot with a blazing torch appeared and passed between the pieces.  Romans 8:28 28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 

Point 2: God broke the rules and made exceptions in order to get Jesus to us.  Vs.3, 5, 6, 16 3 and Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar… 5 and Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth…6 and Jesse the father of David the king. And David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uriah. 16 and Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ.

        a. The only one allowed to break the law is the one who makes the law. Ephesians 2: 8-9 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Point 3: God will move heaven and earth to get you what you need.   Phil 4: 6 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. Vs 19 19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

        a. Nothing is impossible with God. Luke 1:37 37 For nothing will be impossible with God.”

        b. God will work against the odds. 2 Kings 6:16 16 He said, “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”

        c. God’s timing is perfect. Galatians 4:4-5 4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman..