An Unlikely Candidate
SUMMARY
This sermon explores the genealogy of Jesus found in Matthew 1:1-3, focusing on the story of Judah and Tamar. Pastor Raigan emphasizes that Jesus' family tree includes broken, flawed people rather than perfect ones, demonstrating that God works through our messiness rather than around it. The story of Judah - who sold his brother Joseph into slavery and later had a scandalous encounter with his daughter-in-law Tamar - shows that God's grace doesn't wait for us to be perfect. Instead, God meets us in our brokenness and works through it. The message challenges the idea that we must earn our way to God through righteousness, instead showing that our relationship with God is based on what He has done for us, not what we have done for Him.
INTRO PRAYER
Gracious God, as we gather together today, we ask that you open our hearts and minds to what you want to teach us. Help us to be vulnerable and honest with one another as we discuss your Word. We know that you work through broken people and messy situations, so we invite you to work through us today. Give us the courage to share our struggles and the wisdom to encourage one another. May your Holy Spirit guide our conversation and help us grow closer to you and to each other. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.
ICE BREAKER
What's one family tradition (good or quirky) that your family has during the holidays that might seem unusual to others?
KEY VERSES
QUESTIONS
Why do you think Matthew chose to include scandalous stories like Judah and Tamar's in Jesus' genealogy instead of highlighting only the 'good' ancestors?
How does Judah's character development throughout his story (from selling Joseph to eventually being forgiven by him) reflect God's grace in our own lives?
Pastor Raigan mentioned that 'God doesn't wait for pristine conditions to bring forth holy things.' How have you seen God work through difficult or messy circumstances in your life or the lives of others?
What does it mean to you that Jesus' family tree includes broken people? How does this change your perspective on your own worthiness before God?
Judah was described as an 'influencer' who could have changed Joseph's destiny but chose not to. How do we sometimes use our influence in ways that harm others, and how can we use it redemptively instead?
The sermon compared broken pottery repaired with gold (kintsugi) to how God works through our brokenness. What are some 'cracks' in your life that God might want to highlight with His gold rather than hide?
How does understanding that our relationship with God is based on what He has done for us (rather than what we do for Him) change the way we approach faith and daily living?
KEY TAKEAWAYS
God works through broken people, not perfect ones - Jesus' genealogy includes scandalous and flawed individuals
Our relationship with God is based on what He has done for us, not on our own righteousness or achievements
God's grace moves first - He doesn't wait for us to get our lives perfect before showing up
There is no story too messy for God to redeem and no person too broken for God to use
What we call scandals, God calls soil - He grows salvation from the most surprising places
ENDING PRAYER
Heavenly Father, thank you for the reminder that you don't require perfection from us before you work in and through our lives. Thank you for including broken people like Judah and Tamar in Jesus' family tree, showing us that there is room for people like us. Help us to remember that our worth comes not from what we do, but from what you have done for us through Jesus. As we go from this place, give us the courage to extend the same grace to others that you have shown to us. Help us to see our brokenness not as disqualification, but as an opportunity for your gold to shine through the cracks. May we live this week knowing that you are Emmanuel - God with us - even in our mess. In Jesus' name, Amen.
