1. Tamar

2. Rahab

3. Ruth

4. her

Three out of 4 were directly involved in sexual sin and 1 was a descendant of the enemies of Israel.

1. Tamar slept with her father-in-law as Judah did not know she was his daughter-in-law but thought she was a prostitute. Tamar got pregnant and gave birth to Perez and Zerah, descendants of David. (Genesis 38)

2. Rahab was a prostitute. (Joshua 2)

3. her, refers to Bathsheba who committed adultery with David when she was married to Uriah. It is very interesting that she was only referred to as ‘her’ for only in her instance murder was directly involved to cover up a sexual sin. This must be the reason why she was not even mentioned by name but I am not sure. (1st Samuel 11)

4. Ruth, was a descendant of the Moabites, the enemies of Israel (Judges 3:28-30 & Ruth 1:22)

Two of the 4 men involved in the genealogy of Joseph, the descendant of David had a history of murder running through their family.

Judah’s brothers were involved in mass murder when their sister, Dinah was raped (Genesis 34) and  Judah subjected himself to someone he thought was a prostitute. (Genesis 38)

David was responsible for the murder of Uriah after David committed adultery with Bathsheba and found her to be pregnant (2 Samuel 11). The sword did not leave David’s house as murder and rape became part of it.

Through the sexual sin and sin of murder from which line Joseph was part of, God still decides to go to the woman pledged to be married to him. Mary is told that the Lord is with her.

This shows me not only of the grace of the Lord but He shows favor to whom He desires and is full of mercy.

Joseph's genealogy did not stop God's blessings and grace to be accomplished! It is accomplished so the world can be blessed through Jesus Christ as we reflect on the Advent season. It is Joseph who raises Jesus with Mary. It's implications for our own lives are so profound.

IMPLICATIONS:
The purpose of today's study was for me to understand that a bad genealogy does not have to reflect where we will stay or who we will become when we are shown the favor and blessings of the Lord.

God is the initiator and can choose to show favor to whom He desires even if they come from a family line that was involved with sexual sin or murder. God’s favor is not limited to family lines involved in those 2 sins alone.

HOW GOSPEL GIVES ME TESTIMONY REGARDING G.E.N.E.A.L.O.G.Y:
God still chose the Virgin Mary to be married to Joseph, even though Joseph's family ancestry is marred with sexual sin, uncleanliness, and murder specifically involving 4 women. That just shows me God's favor and blessings are not dependent on the genealogy we are part of. If genealogy could determine God's favor and blessings in people's lives then Joseph never would have had the opportunity to marry the Virgin Mary and raise Jesus but he was given that opportunity and privilege of raising Jesus Christ no matter what genealogy he came from.

Anything mentioned in Scripture has significance so mentioning Tamar, the prostitute, Rahab, the prostitute, Ruth, the Moabite, and her [Bathsheba] is to show us no matter how flawed a genealogy can be, in God's favor anything is possible such as Joseph being chosen to be married to the Virgin Mary to raise Jesus Christ or our own lives reflecting the favor and grace of the Lord regardless of our genealogy.

Let me share a personal example with you. From what I can recall and know I come from a genealogy of beloved relatives who are idol worshippers. God commands us not to have or worship any idols but that’s exactly what my beloved relatives do. They have their temples and houses permeated with idols and worship them.

I cannot understand God’s ways but when my mom and dad were in the states, she was pregnant again with my third brother. During that time she was exposed a lot to the Billy Graham Crusades at home and Christian literature in the hospital she was at. Eventually, one day after many seeds were sown she prayed to the Lord Jesus and gave her life to Jesus. Jesus Christ chose her to be His very own child. No matter who her beloved family members were worshipping, Jesus saved my mommy and introduced Himself to her in a special way. Thank you Jesus. She found the grace and favor of the Lord.

Then many years later, the Lord chose me to become the 1st son in our family to give my life to the Lord Jesus Christ. There have been many times I wondered if I should become a pastor and dedicate my life to full time ministry since being the 1st son in our family genealogy to become a follower of Christ. Just as Jacob was chosen by the Lord, I was chosen to be His very own even though I was second-born. By God's calling and grace, I had the awesome opportunity to do full time ministry with college kids for many years pastoring in their lives as I worked with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship-USA. Little did I know at the time but God chose me to be His very own on Valentine's Day and the booklet that I found was called 'Leading Inductive Bible Studies'. A decade later, I would use that same booklet to lead inductive Bible studies with college kids.

My mommy became the first female to become a Christian and I became the first male to become a Christian in our family genealogy. Later, my brothers and dad followed. I thank the Lord Jesus Christ for His favor and how He works in our lives.

When I became a follower of Christ, I wanted to marry a born-again Indian girl who loved the Lord Jesus Christ more than me and was of the same native language as my beloved relatives so we can both do ministry for the Lord sharing the love of Christ with our relatives and the children God would give us in His timing.

Through lots of pain, suffering, and prayer, by God's favor and grace, Lord Jesus helped me to find Chandraleela who became my beloved wife who loves the Lord Jesus very much. We are of the same native language and she too has relatives who need to experience the Lordship of Christ in their lives too. Now, the Lord has blessed us with Esther, who just turned two months yesterday to whom we read God's Word everyday sharing Christ with her.

My mom became the first child to become a Christian in her genealogy and I became her first son to become a Christian. Later, my brothers and dad followed. I thank the Lord Jesus Christ for His favor and how He works in our lives.

I share this to encourage you that no matter what badness maybe in your genealogy, by the Lord's grace and mercy you do not have to be succumbed to the fate of that badness when you turn to the Lord Jesus Christ and ask Him to be your Lord and Personal Savior. He wants to be your Lord and Personal Savior for He loves you very much and has so much in store for you. Yes, He does my friend.

He loves you and me very much and for this reason He came into this world to give us abundant life. Christmas is just the beginning sharing the birth of the Savior, Immanuel-God with us.

The Lord is the One that intervened in our lives to save us. I believe He can do the same to you no matter what you are facing.

I ask you now dear friend, what does God do with  your G.E.N.E.A.L.O.G.Y in life?
Dear friend, you may know your genealogy or you may not. You may come from a genealogy involved in sexual sin, divorce, physical abuse, crime, idol worship, racism, caste prejudice, etc. We may not know everything our genealogy has committed except that we were all  born in sin because of Adam and Eve.

If you know your genealogy and it is not good, there is still encouraging news my friend. As you live your life for the Lord, regardless of what is happening in your family and genealogy, you will find the Lord’s favor.  Scripture has examples throughout of those that found God's favor regardless of their family genealogy because God can change anything around in His grace.

If there has been alcoholism running through your family, the Lord can help you through that and you can find favor in the Lord as you depend on Him. If abuse has run through your family, you can find favor in the Lord as you depend on Him. If idol worship has run through your family, you can find favor in the Lord as you depend on Him. If looking to blame others/short temper, etc has run in your family, our Lord can change that too! Whatever the issues, whether it is depression or anything, I believe, in the Lord we can find favor and grace and He will give us the strength to come through.

The key becomes turning to the Lord and having Him become part of your life and letting Him work in you and through you. Now you will be governed by His Holy Spirit working in you and not the flesh.

No matter what your earthly genealogy reveals to you, you do not have to be captivated by that. You do not have to be a prisoner to your genealogy for you can be focused on a new genealogy that is spiritual in nature and it starts with Jesus Christ.

Yes, friend when you come to Jesus Christ, you belong to Him and all His children become your brothers and sisters, with Him as your Heavenly Father who is perfect in every way. He will give you a life of righteousness that can be attributed to Him and Him alone.

This righteousness starts with Jesus Christ and continues with Jesus Christ. In Him you will find your hope and righteousness by His grace revealed to you. No matter what the devil sends your way and reminds you where you came from and how your life is, remember when you give your life to Jesus, He will give you a new beginning that starts with Him. This is not a prosperity Gospel where everything will turn peachy when you come to Jesus. Jesus never promised that but what He promised is that you will find faith, hope, and love in Him to get you through because He will never leave you nor forsake you.

"He who had no sin became sin for us so that we can experience the righteousness of God"

When God sees us now, He sees the righteousness of Christ covering over us and because of Christ's blood shed on the cross of Calvary that we take upon us, God's judgment will Passover us because of the precious cleansing blood covering in our lives.

It is available for you and me by His grace. Jesus offers His Salvation to you no matter what genealogy you have come from. He loves you so much that He died on the cross for you that you can receive His Eternal Life and favor all through His grace. Now it is this same grace that not only justifies you but sanctifies you to live a Holy life in Him.

You will never be out of His love and never out of His reach for He reaches you where you are right now. Yes, He does friend! No matter what you have done, where you have been, or who you are, you can be a child of God when you accept the free gift of grace He  offers you.

As we await Christmas during this Advent season, come as you are to Christ who wants to transform your life His way. He wants to give you peace, purpose, and pardon. Yes, He does friend. You will always feel loved by the One who loves you so deeply. Yes, friend come as you are to the throne of grace and find help in time of need no matter what your genealogy and family looks like. 

For the Word of the Lord says, "You will keep in perfect peace whose mind is turned on thee." (Isaiah 26:3)

Never give up but hold on to Jesus and you will be holding on to hope. May you know this Christmas season that Jesus Christ wants to be part of your life and He will make you part of His family filling you with His Holy Spirit.

When you have been called to be the Lord's very own, don't keep it to yourself but you be the love to reach your loved ones with the love of Christ for that is what Jesus would want you to do. I know He does. (Read Mark 5 about how Jesus sent a man healed back to his family to share what the Lord did in his life)

"God’s Emancipation Now Encourages All Lovingly Offering Gracious Yeshua!" (G.E.N.E.A.L.O.G.Y)/”What does God do about your G.E.N.E.A.L.O.G.Y in life?”

PRAYER:
Dear Jesus, I want to thank you so much for being born and for saving me. Lord, I thank you regardless of what genealogy we come from and what our genealogy has been involved in, as we turn to you and depend on you, we can find favor with you. I thank you Lord that you choose to show favor to whom you desire though we cannot understand it but we know you are Holy and do what is best and right. Thank you for choosing to save humanity by dying on the cross where you shed your precious blood while we were yet sinners. Lord, you do not force yourself upon us but give us the opportunity to choose you. Thank you so much Lord for all those you have saved and all those you will save as they come to you. Lord, you know the generations people have been part of and are part of. You know the sins that are involved whether it be alcoholism, abuse, idol worship, murder, divorce, racism, etc. We thank you that you can deliver us and we need not continue to be part of that trend. Help us to seek you for those that are lost and please Lord intervene on their behalf and rescue them. I thank you so much that you save! I know you can! You are the Lord and our Good Shepherd. Thank you Father God for sending the angel Gabriel to Mary to let her know she would bear a son in her virginity and that she should call Him Jesus, who saves us from our sins. Hear our prayer and answer us Oh Lord. Be part of our lives. Thank you that you have heard us and answered us. 

Lord Jesus, You are my all in all. You are my Prince of Peace, Rock, Savior, and Friend. You are my Holy Father guiding me through to live a life of righteousness, holy righteousness. Oh God, I need you more than ever. I need to feel your hands around me holding me tight. I need your love to surround me so that you can glow in my life. Help me please Jesus. I desire in your presence. Thank you for guiding me to live a life of righteousness. Oh God you love me more than ever. You hear my voice when I cry out to you. When I seek your face, you fill me up. You are my all in all. Thank you Jesus so much for your help no matter what I face, your grace is available and you take my case. Thank you for hearing us and answering us. In Your Name I Pray Jesus! AMEN! (Most of the prayer is from a vineyard song called “All in All”)

If you would like to invite Jesus Christ into your heart and make Him a daily part of your life, you can this very moment. You will never be alone. You can claim God's promises for you in the Bible and see them come true, before your eyes, in His wonderful timing. You don't have to wait for a special time to come to the Lord. You can come right now as you pray the prayer below, meaning it in your heart.

Prayer:
God I am a sinner. I am invaded by this deadliest virus. Many times I feel so guilty and yucky inside. I need forgiveness. I am so sorry for my sins. I have not obeyed you with my whole heart! I have gone my own way and done my own things. I  struggle with sin. I need you Jesus in my life so I can receive forgiveness and a new beginning. In the process, I can forgive others as you help me to. Thank you so much Jesus. I accept the antidote you have sent me. I believe Jesus you died for me and your cleansing blood will cleanse me from all my sins. You came back to life to save me. Thank you God I am set free, free from the bondage of sin. Hear my cry Oh Lord. I accept you Jesus into my heart. I make you my Lord and Personal Savior of my life. Thank you Father God for giving me Salvation. Thank you Jesus for coming into my heart and making my heart your home. Thank you for living in me Jesus and I will live for you and serve you the rest of the days of my life. Thank you for being my Lord and personal Savior! I can live a life of peace with you on my side. Thank you that you have heard my prayer and answered me! In your Name I Pray Jesus! AMEN!

No matter what you feel in your heart, know that Jesus has come in and resides with you! You are not alone! To make your walk strong with the Lord, spend time in prayer talking to Him as you would to a friend. You don’t need special words to talk to the Lord. Spend time in His Word reading Psalms and turning them into prayer. Next allow God to heal you and speak to you through the Gospel of John or Gospel of Mark before moving on to other Books of the Bible! Slowly, let the Lord show you to which Scriptures He wants you to go to next. It is also important to be part of a body of believers to help you grow in the faith. Find a Bible believing church that preaches the Word of God from Genesis to Revelation proclaiming Jesus Christ our crucified and risen Lord who brings us hope, healing, and help!

No matter who you are, it is not ever too late to join a Bible-believing church or a college fellowship. I highly encourage each of you to come to Transformers Small Group on Friday nights at 7:00 p.m. and Oakland International Fellowship on Sunday mornings at 9:30 a.m. for prayer, 11:30 a.m. for worship, 10:30 a.m. for Sunday School, and 12:30 p.m. for fellowship lunch.

May the Lord's presence and peace fill you with His love now and forever! Amen!

Friend, if you have prayed this prayer and meant it in your heart, you are a new creation in Christ and all old things are passed away and everything has become new! You may feel something or may not but don’t base it on feelings but base your new life in Christ on the promises of our Savior who will never leave you nor forsake you! Amen!