2. “It’s Christmas Eve and we’re going to talk about a genealogy in Church!”

3. The story of Christmas is…
the story of God’s grace!

4. Four

5. Summary
The fourth son of Jacob
The first three have trouble
Marries a Canaanite
First two sons act wickedly and die
Judah becomes superstitious
Tamar acts immorally to have a child
Self-righteous Judah, “burn her”
Twins born; Perez and Zerah
Ruth 4:11-12; Gen. 49:10; Rev. 5:5
Gen. 38
Judah and Tamar

6. Our beginnings don’t have to be our ends!
Our family background doesn’t determine what we become.
Our beginnings don’t have to be our ends!
Gen. 38
Judah and Tamar

7. Salmon and Rahab the Harlot
Summary
When Israel entered the Promise Land, Joshua sends our spies to Jericho
They are welcomed and helped by Rahab the harlot
So, the spies promised Rahab neither she nor her loved ones would be harmed
After Jericho is destroyed, Rahab is taken as a wife by Salmon, son of the leader of Judah, Israel’s largest tribe
Rahab becomes the great-great- grandmother of King David
Josh. 2; 6
Salmon and Rahab the Harlot

8. Our beginnings don’t have to be our ends!
In God’s hands, our past doesn’t need to determine our future.
Our beginnings don’t have to be our ends!
Book of Ruth
Boaz and Ruth

9. Summary
Ruth had a Gentile past, out of the covenant family
Her husband dies, but she stays loyal to her mother-in-law
She is loyal, hard-working, respectful, humble, and beautiful
She marries the Kinsman redeemer
She becomes the grandmother of King David
Book of Ruth
Boaz and Ruth

10. Our beginnings don’t have to be our ends!
Our ethnic and racial backgrounds don’t determine who we are in God’s eyes, nor how He can use us.
Our beginnings don’t have to be our ends!
Book of Ruth
Boaz and Ruth

11. Summary
David is not where he is supposed to be, gets tempted, and has an affair with Bathsheba, who then becomes pregnant
Uriah will not be disloyal, in spite David’s efforts
David has Uriah murdered
God disciplines and they lose their child
Jedidiah (“beloved of the Lord”), later named Solomon (“peace”), is born
Solomon becomes the heir of David
2 Sam
David and Bathsheba

12. Our beginnings don’t have to be our ends!
God can turn even serious failure into lives used for His glory.
Our beginnings don’t have to be our ends!
2 Sam
David and Bathsheba

13. Let’s talk about how we can do that.
So, what’s your story?
Are you grateful for grace this Christmas?
Are you making sure others are aware that they can be objects of God’s grace, as well?
Let’s talk about how we can do that.

14. Plan and pray
Expect answers
Act on your plan
Care about the person, not just the plan
Explain the story

15. In this way, you can help them to have peace with God!
Plan and pray
Expect answers
Act on your plan
Care about the person, not just the plan
Explain the story

17. Our beginnings don’t have to be our ends!
Wouldn’t it be great if everyone knew that?