Matthew 1:1-17

Joy comes despite our past

• Matthew includes four women
  • Tamar
  • Rahab
  • Ruth
  • Bathsheba
• Scandalous pasts
• Social outsiders

Joy Thieves

• We lose our joy when we give into shame

Joy comes despite our circumstances

• Geneaology transitions from following one family to following kings
  • Mixed bag of good and bad
• Rest of Israel lives with their results
• Same for much of our lives

Joy Thieves

• We lose our joy when we give into fear

Matthew 6:25-34

1 Peter 5:6-7

Isaiah 41:10

Joy comes despite our timeline

• Abraham received the promise at 75. Isaac born when he was 99
• Matthew lists 42 generations (about 1800 years)
  • Many without any reaffirming word from God
• Paul: "But when the fullness of time had come" (Gal 4:4)

2 Peter 3:9

Galatians 4:4-7

Joy Thieves

• We lose our joy when we give into impatience

Growing in Joy

• Believe God will use your life
• Make yourself available to participate in his work
• Invite others to find joy in the fulfilled promise of a savior