Scripture: Proverbs 31:10, 27-31

C.I.: The Remarkable Women in the Family of Jesus!

Last week… - Today is Mother’s Day! – And in honor of that and of the mothers here today –
we will be studying the women mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus – and learning why God mentions them!

I. Faith Lessons from the Mothers in the Lineage of Our Lord

A. Tamar: God Can Bless You in Spite of Your In-Laws, (Matt. 1:3)

1. Tamar’s story is not often told – but it is a story – of a woman who rose above a bad situation!
a. Judah had 3 sons: Er, Onan, Shelah
1) (Gen. 38:6-7), “Now Judah took a wife for Er, his 1st-born, - and her name was Tamar. – But Er, Judah’s 1st-born, - was evil in the sight of the Lord, - so the Lord took his life.”
2) (Gen. 38:10), “What he did was displeasing in the sight of the Lord; - so He took his life also.
3) (Gen. 38:11), “Then Judah said to Tamar, ‘Remain a widow in your father’s house – until my son Shelah grows up’; for he thought, ‘I am afraid that he too will die like his brothers.’”
b. Here’s Tamar: the widow of an evil husband – a wicked brother-in-law - a lying father-in-law!
c. Relate the story of what then happened – (Gen. 38:26), “When Judah recognized them, he said, ‘She is more righteous than I, - inasmuch as I did not give her to my son Shelah.’”
d. Judah had seen her death as a “way out” for Shelah – But she chose to obey God’s Levirate Law.

2. So how are things going with your in-laws (out-laws?!)
a. Instead of lashing out against their treatment– Tamar chose to trust God – (I Pt. 2:21, 23).
1) Through Tamar – God fulfilled the promise given to Judah…
2) (Gen. 49:10), “The scepter shall not depart from Judah, - nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, - until Shiloh (the Messiah) comes.”
b. Are you living in such as way – that God can bless you too?!

B. Rahab: Where you Start is Not Nearly as Important as Where you Finish, (Matt. 1:5a)

1. Rahab was a woman with 3 strikes against her: her profession – her religion (Gentile) – her gender.
1) But she had the 1 thing going for her – God desires above all else… Faith in Obedient Action!
2) Relate the story of the spies & Jericho.
3) (Jms. 2:25; Heb. 11:31), “…was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works, - when she received the messengers – and sent them out another way?” – “By faith, Rahab the harlot did not perish with those who were disobedient – after she welcomed the spies in peace.”

2. How about you? – Where did you start out? (teenage pregnancy? – runaway? – criminal history? Etc.)
a. “Your past may explain you … but it doesn’t lock you in!!”
1) The message of the life of Rahab – is that it isn’t where you start – its where you finish!!
2) Today you may be standing at a crossroads – you can keep going in the direction you are currently heading (away from God) – or today you can begin walking a new path!
b. Because of her faith - Rahab is named in the genealogy of our Lord!!!

C. Ruth: Adversity Doesn’t Create Our Character … It Reveals It, (Matt. 1:5b)

1. Ruth was a woman who was acquainted with adversity – (relate her story, cf. Ruth 1).
a. Though encouraged by her mother-in-law to return home – which would have been easier – Ruth’s character is revealed – by the commitments she makes to Naomi…
b. (Ruth 1:16), “Do not urge me to leave you – or turn back from following you…”
1) Ruth’s character is shown - by her perseverance!
c. “…for where you go, I will go, - and where you lodge, I will lodge.
1) Ruth’s character shown - by her presence!
d. “Your people shall be my people – and your God shall be my God!”
1) Ruth’s character is shown – by her promise!!!

2. What does adversity reveal about you???!
a. When situations in your marriage get tough – do you run from the problems – or run to God?!
b. When others are going through trials – do you let them “fend for themselves” – or stand w/them?
c. Ruth rose above her adversity – and is worthy to be named among - the great women of the Bible!

D. Mary: God Can Use Unusual Circumstances to Bless You and Others, (Matt. 1:18f)

1. For those who say, “The Bible is out of touch,” – Mary’s situation is as current as today!
a. (Matt. 1:18-19), “Now the birth of Jesus was as follows. – When His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, - before they came together she was found to be with Child by the Holy Spirit. – And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man, - and not wanting to disgrace her, - desired to put her away privately.”
1) Here we have an unwed, teenage mother – and the only man in her life wants to leave!!!
2) Jesus life was probably characterized by - knowing people’s thought of Him & His mother.

2. Yet in spite of what anyone else thought – Mary knew what God thought – (Lk. 1:26, 30-32), “…the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee, called Nazareth. – And the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God. – Behold, you will conceive in your womb, - and you shall bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus. – He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.’”
a. Mothers – today you know, without anyone (angel) needing to tell you – your child/children – are a gift to you from God (Psa. 127:3), “Behold, children are a gift of the Lord.”
b. You, therefore are favored of God – and we honor you.

CONCLUSION: Today we have heard several lessons from the mothers in the lineage of Jesus!

1. Tamar teaches us - that God can bless us – in spite of any in-law problems we may have!

2. Rahab teaches us - that where we start out in life – is not nearly as important as where we end up!

3. Ruth teaches us – that it is the character of the woman – which God can bless!

4. Mary teaches us – that God can use unusual circumstances to accomplish His will in our lives.

5. Whether or not you are a mother – these lessons are for each of us. – Today if you would like for God to make you a member of His family… (Gal. 3:26-27).