Advent Midweek 1

Advent Midweek 1 (6 Dec 2023)

Sermon

Jesus’ Genealogy: Perez
Sermon Text: Genesis 38:6-30

Jesus was born of the Holy Spirit conceiving a child within Mary’s womb. This is wholesome. Jesus’ ancestor, Perez, was conceived when his mother’s (Tamar’s) husbands died for their sinfulness so she tricked her father-in-law (Judah) into conceiving him, thus both of them committing adultery. The story is horrific and very different from Jesus’ own birth. However, this shows the greatness of Jesus’ forgiveness and the need for it. All of us are sinners regardless of how drastic our sins are. We need Christ, which is why he came to save us. He came to forgive all sins that we might do better. That was why Perez was conceived: in order to call his parents away from selfish sins into lives of godly service to one another. This is true for all children, even unwanted children. Everyone needs the righteousness of Christ. We should serve others and Christ helps us to do this. He makes us better by forgiving our sins, making us into saints, then he makes us better by transforming our thoughts and actions according to the righteousness he is working within us by his grace.