Family and Faith

O. T. #883  "Family and Faith"
Dec. 8, 2016
1 Chronicles 2


LET IT GLOW

Do you have any information about a line of faith in your family? I know that my grandparents on Dad's side were Christians. My Dad and some of his siblings sang gospel songs on the radio as Grandma played the guitar, and my uncle by marriage preached. Throughout the years, my generation and younger ones have attended the same local Baptist Church which my grandparents did. We have been a family of faith.

I don't know about you, but it is difficult for me to keep straight the name in my lineage once we pass my great grandparent, much less David's. It was of most importance for the Jews to know through which line their family came.  Are you ready? Let's dive in...

We looked at a long genealogy list that takes us down through the ages, from Adam to Noah, and Abraham to Isaac.

The twelve sons of Ishmael developed Twelve Tribes and settled the great northern desert of Arabia and became Arab peoples. (MacArthur)

Unfortunately, I focused on the families' names and who was born next, leading us down to the Isaac.
After reading comments of J. Vernon McGee, I become aware of these things:

1. Adam's sin led his children to sin, which leads to death. 1 Corinthians 15:22 NIV tells us For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. It is through belief in Christ as Savior that we have eternal life. He became the propitiation for our sins and the sins of the whole world. (1 John 2:2) Propitiation means atonement, which means to be covered. Romans3:25 states Jesus Christ is Whom God hath set forth to be  propitiation through faith in His blood to declare His righteousness for the remissions of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God.
2. Since we have all sinned, being a descendant of Adam, we need God's mercy, which Adam found as an animal shed it's blood to provide a covering for Adam and Eve to wear. We receive mercy when believing in Jesus Christ as our propitiation, covering of sin.
3. Enoch was saved through faith.
4. Noah was a good man, but was not saved because of that. It was by faith that Noah prepared an ark to the saving of his house.
5. Abraham believed God and that was counted unto him for righteousness.

Have you received that mercy from God yet? What about your loved ones?
What a great opportunity we have at Christmas time to share the gospel and the true meaning of Christmas-a Savior has come to save the souls of mankind. It is not who we are, who our family is, nor of works, but through faith that we obtain grace and mercy.

LET IT GO

Now we are brought up to the family of Jacob (Israel) and the 12 sons he had.whose sons became the 12 tribes of Israel, a chosen nation of God. It was to them the Promised Land and covenant with God, the Law and sacrificial system were given. God dwelt among them and blessed them while they worshiped Him alone, not idols. (Read Genesis 29-50 for the story of this chosen family.)

It was through Judah's line that David was born, the great king of Israel. Let's take a look at verses 3-15 in comparison to Matthew 1, Jesus' lineage through Joseph:

• Judah
• Perez (Pharez)
• Hezron (Esrom)
• Aram (Ram)
• Aminadab
• Naasson (Nahshon)
• Salmon (Salma)
• Boaz
• Obed
• Jesse
• David.

There we have King David's family going back to Judah, so of Israel (Jacob), going back to Abraham, Noah, and Adam. Judah was the  kingly line while Levi was the priestly line. Whew!
The tribes of Judah and Levi remained more faithful to God than any of the others.

Our faith being passed down to our grandchildren? Are they being taught the true meaning of Christmas? Mine is, friends. How about yours?

LET IT GO

Be faithful to God as my ancestors were.

Teach my descendants about faith in Jesus as Savior.

Tell of  the blessings He has given to us as we have remained faithful to serving God.