1 Jan 13: The Genealogy of Jesus and The Good News About Jesus Christ

(1 Jan 13) The Genealogy of Jesus and The Good News About Jesus Christ

Prayer:  Father God, as we start this new year, we proclaim that we our a new creation in Christ, Jesus.  May you bless us and continue to provide for us.  Guide us through your Holy Spirit and provide us the way to be your follower.  Forgive our sins and cleanse our souls.  In Jesus Name, Amen.

 **Read Matthew 1:1-17 and Romans 1:1-7

I. The Geneology of Jesus
- Matthew 1:1-17 lists the ancestors of Jesus naming 46 people who lived in a lifespan of 2000 years.  From Abraham to King David, Josiah to Jacob, and Joseph to Jesus Christ.  Many probably skipped this chapter because they think it is "useless" or "boring" but we have to see what is written here.  Matthew wrote Jesus' descendants as a proof of Jesus' fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies below:

A. Jeremiah 23:5
⁽⁵“ Behold, the days are coming,” says the LORD,
“ That I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness;
A King shall reign and prosper,
And execute judgment and righteousness in the earth. )

- The messiah would be a descendant of King David

B. Genesis 49:10
(¹⁰ The scepter shall not depart from Judah,
Nor a lawgiver from between his feet,
Until Shiloh comes;
And to Him shall be the obedience of the people.

- Jacob told his son, Judah, that his descendants would be rulers and that one of his descendants will be an ultimate ruler.  This is a reference to Jesus Christ who is King of all Kings and Lord of all Lords.

II.  The Good News About Jesus Christ
Romans 1:1-7 is the salutation of a letter from the apostle Paul to the Romans.  In 1:1, Paul talks about him being a bondservant, apostle, and separated to the gospel of God.  He did this to show his  devotion and commitment to Jesus Christ and God.  Paul also mentioned himself as an "apostle" to clarify his position written in Galatians 1:1 (¹ "Paul, an apostle (not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead),").  Apostles are chosen by God and was given a gift to share the gospel, minister; and together formed the foundation of the church with Christ himself as the chief cornerstone (Eph 2:20).   1:2-6 speaks of the promise of God to send his son Jesus Christ who will die for our sins and rise again and will give all nations grace and salvation.  Finally, 1:7 shows who this letter is for (God's people of Rome and all the saints-all Christians were called Saints in the New Testament) and his prayer for grace for them from God and Jesus Christ. The grace signifies all blessings and gifts that Jesus has purchased by dying on the cross.

III. Proverbs for Today/1:1-6

1 The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel:
2 To know wisdom and instruction,
To perceive the words of understanding,
3 To receive the instruction of wisdom,
Justice, judgment, and equity;
4 To give prudence to the simple,
To the young man knowledge and discretion—
5 A wise man will hear and increase learning,
And a man of understanding will attain wise counsel,
6 To understand a proverb and an enigma,
The words of the wise and their riddles.

IV. Old Testament Reading:
Genesis 1-2 and Psalm 1:1-6

Prayer: Father God, you are truly The Almighty God, the creator of heaven and earth.  We thank you for this new year, this new day, and new life.  We honor you, praise you, and worship you.  We pray for blessings and forgiveness of our sins.  Open our eyes, ears, and hearts so we can see, hear, and feel your promises and love.  In Jesus' Name.  Amen.
Amen.

Knowing God and Salvation

Christianity is not a religion, it is a direct relationship with God.  There is a wrong misconception in the world that as long as we are good citizens and we do good things to other people that we will be saved and will inherit the kingdom of God but it is actually only by the grace of God through faith that we are saved  ("8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast." - Ephesians 2:8-9).

God loved us even though we were sinners and we were unworthy of his love and mercy ("For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God-Rom 3:23 ); that he sent Jesus Christ to save us from our sins ("16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." - John 3;16)

Jesus died for you and you can be saved just by asking Him for forgiveness from your sins and accepting him as your savior.  It does not matter what you have done in the past, just repent and He will forgive you.  (“17Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance." -Mark 2:17)

You can start by saying this prayer:
"Jesus, I know that I have sinned against you. I know the truth is that I have sinned by my own choice, and I am the one responsible for it. I know that I have earned punishment from You, and that the fair punishment would be death. Jesus, I believe that You died in my place. Forgive me for my sin. I cannot cover or take my sin away, I am relying totally and only on You. You are the only one who can save me. I reject my sin, I turn away from it, I repent. Come into my life, take away my sin, and show me how to live my life in a way that is right and pleasing to You." (http://www.calvaryaurora.org/how-to-know-god/)