God's rules: prevailing principles by which He works
a. natural law- the way God created the universe
b. spiritual law- what you do comes back to you in this life and in eternity (3:25, Gal. 6:7-8)

This principle works in the area of:
1. Our Personal Life (18-21)

These commandments are not given to oppress us, but to free us and make our lives better.

Our relationships should be defined by two things:
a. We should act with integrity toward others.
b. We should treat others with respect.


2. Our Work Life (22-24)
Work hard, with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord.

If you have people working for you, treat them with honor.
Pay them well.


3. Our Spiritual Life (3:25-4:1)

You cannot sin and get away with it.
This is not God's way of getting even. It is simply the way the world works.

Depending on the way you live, you may consider this principle a promise, or a threat.

Critical truths about the gospel are embedded within the context of this one genealogy.

1. The Gospel is not good advice, it is good news.
Christianity depends on a set of events that actually took place in history.
The core of Christianity is not what Jesus taught us to do, but rather what He would do for us.


2. Jesus is the center of history.
It was prophesied that from this family started by Abraham there would be a king named David, and through the line of David, a Messiah would come.
Matthew's target audience was the Jews, and his focus was on the truth that Jesus was a true king.
Luke's target audience was the Greeks, and his focus was on the fact that Jesus was human, as well as God.


3. Gospel theology is completely systematic and consistent.

Each of these divisions of 14 represents a different era in the history of the Jewish nation.

It was God's plan that the royal line was preserved, and out of obscurity, a human being would be born who would establish the throne of David forever.


4. The Gospel is for the outsider.
Jesus' genealogy is filled with outsiders of every kind, Morally, ethnically and gender-wise. That is to specifically show that the gospel is for everyone.

Like a sapling place by the river, we have been transplanted into a new spiritual environment.


1. A fixed thing (Jer. 17:7-8; Eph. 3:16-17)
A person changed by God is able to withstand the winds of change and the heat of opposition. He is able
to resist the pressure of temptation and find nourishment even in isolation and spiritual coldness.


2. A living thing (Eph. 2:1; John 15:5-6)
Its leaf does not wither.
Christians are alive because we are attached to Jesus.


3. A growing thing
If we dwell by the stream of Scripture, and keep close to the river of prayer, we will be growing things.


4. A beautiful thing (Eph. 4:15)
Whatever it does prospers.
The prosperity of the Christian life is the result of the life-changing power of God, not the basis of it.


5. A fruitful thing
It yields its fruit in season.
All you are expected to do is to bear the fruit God has created you to bear.

1. Separation without Persecution
II Timothy 3:12 “Everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.”
II Corinthians 6:14 “Come out from them and be separate.”
James 4:4 “friendship with the world is hatred toward God.”
(I John 2:15; Romans 12:2)

2. Revival without Sacrifice (II Chronicles 7:14)
things we need to do
a. humble ourselves
b. pray
c. seek God's face
d. turn from our wicked ways

things God will do
a. hear from heaven
b. forgive their sins
c. heal their land

3. Evangelism without Compassion (Matthew 9:35-36)
Compassion is a terrible feeling.
Psalms 126:5 “those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy.”

4. Discipleship without Discipline (Luke 9:57-62)
Barriers to discipleship
a. following Jesus out of impulse (57-58)
b. conflicting priorities (59-60)
c. divided mind (61-62)

5. Salvation without Repentance (Luke 11:3-5)
“unless you repent, you too, will all perish.
(Luke 5:32; Acts 20:21; II Peter 3:9)