A FEW OF MY FAVORITE PEOPLE

A Few of my Favorite Things #1

Pastor Dennis Clanton

Woodland Church

Sunday, December 3, 2023

(Matthew 1:5–6, NLT) “This is a record of the ancestors of Jesus the Messiah, a descendant of David and of Abraham … Judah was the father of Perez and Zerah (whose mother was Tamar). Perez was the father of Hezron. Hezron was the father of Ram. … Salmon was the father of Boaz (whose mother was Rahab). Boaz was the father of Obed (whose mother was Ruth). Obed was the father of Jesse. Jesse was the father of King David. David was the father of Solomon (whose mother was Bathsheba, the widow of Uriah).”

1. JESUS IS NOT ASHAMED OF MY FAILURES.

(Hebrews 2:11, GN) “He purifies people from their sins, and both he and those who are made pure all have the same Father. That is why Jesus is not ashamed to call them his family.”

2. JESUS MAKES THE PERSON I WAS CREATED TO BE.

(Romans 5:17b,21, GN) “All who receive God’s abundant grace and are freely put right with him will rule in life through Christ. … So then, just as sin ruled by means of death, so also God’s grace rules by means of righteousness, leading us to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

a. Tamar was victim of injustice.

b. Rahab was bound by a destructive lifestyle.

c. Ruth was an immigrant from a despised tribe.

d. Bathsheba was victimized.

e. David was a victimizer.

3. GOD SHOWS ME THE POSSIBILITIES THAT ARE MINE IN JESUS CHRIST.

(Luke 12:32, NIV) “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.”

(Psalm 96:2, 11, NLT) “Sing to the Lord; praise his name. Each day proclaim the good news that he saves. … Let the heavens be glad, and the earth rejoice! Let the sea and everything in it shout his praise!”

GROWTHWORK

1. Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.

2. Whatever has broken you, God is not ashamed of you.

3. Accept your invitation into the family of God.