A sermon on the genealogy of Jesus
God’s Faithfulness to His Covenant Promises (Abraham, David, Exile, Christ)
God’s Mercy triumphs over judgment… dark chapter headings are not the end of the book
God weaves our messes in… there’s room for Gentiles and sinners in God’s family (the women in the list)
Nothing is wasted… it’s all been being written to arrive at the birth of a Savior that is available to everyone… God numbers the generations… and they culminate in Christ’s arrival!
Focus: God’s Word, Promise, Faithfulness, Sovereignty

Our biggest problem is our guilt
Salvation is salvation from our sins
The shock of a plan that doesn’t necessarily make sense right away… what is going on?
Natural questions can lead to supernatural life-change.
A righteous man doing his best with the information he has.
Not just anyone can save us from our sins… only God… the incarnation.
God With Us To Save Us From Our Sin
The power of ordinary faithfulness to extraordinary commands… receiving God’s word, and ordering your household around it. Hear it, take it, obey it.
The Divine Plan is carried out through Ordinary Obedience
Joseph knew the voice of the Lord… obeyed the angel in a dream… Christmas is charismatic ;-)
Focus: Jesus’s Name, Joseph’s Obedience

Moving from Matthew to Luke… from the legal heir and Joseph’s obedience to the Virgin’s perspective and Mary’s obedience… 
Matthew answered Joseph’s fear. Luke answers Mary’s question.
Matthew emphasizes the prophecy, promise and name.
Luke emphasizes the throne and the power of the Most High.
We are beholding the child Joseph is commanded to name, and the child Mary is told will reign.
Placing Jesus in Mary’s womb, was the Spirit putting the Son on David’s throne.
The advent child is not a seasonal king. 
Role of Nazareth… ordinary places. And Mary… ordinary people. Submissive servants who receive and believe God’s word.
Focus: God’s Spirit/Power, Mary’s Faith/Obedience

No longer prophecies, promises, and predictions… we’ve come to an arrival, an announcement.
Shocking Humility… a baby, in a manger
Immanuel, Son of David, Son of the Most High… in a feeding trough.
Unrecognized by the elite, recognized by the humble
Glory in humility… Treasure in a trough
Great joy - heavenly joy, not seasonal joy
Peace… not nostalgia, profound peace of a King with a kingdom without end
A Story too Good not to Tell
Go Tell It On the Mountains
Focus: The Shepherds (Us)