TITLE: Beget, Begat, Begot

TEXT: Matthew 1; John 1:14; John 3:16

PROPOSITION: There are 23 genealogies in the Bible for some purpose.

QUESTION: Why?

KEY WORD: Reasons

Introduction:

1. Let's be honest – We skip those long passages, don't we?

2. There are 23 of these lists from Genesis 5 and 11 – Matthew 1 and Luke 3

3. What is their purpose? Are they important?

Some common explanations

1. Long life = generations skipped

2. Just historical facts for the genealogy buffs

3. Matthew and Luke – different = Bible not inspired of God

What is their purpose?

1. Evidence of the historical authenticity of the Scriptures

   1. Important to know the beginning – why many research their family tree today – learn their origin

   2. These are REAL people – lived, made mistakes, served God, died

   3. Sets the stage for the coming of Christ – Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Judah, David, Solomon

2. Help to establish an accurate chronology of events

   1. All the figures match -

   2. 2,000 years from Abraham to Christ

   3. Luke – 55 generations (40 years each)

   4. Genesis gives generations with how long they lived

3. Were necessary for keeping the Law of Moses

   1. Tribe of kings – Judah

   2. Tribe of priests – Levi

   3. Each tribe inherited specific land areas

   4. High Priest from house of Aaron

4. Not as important in the New Covenant

   1. Jesus is our king

   2. Jesus is our High Priest

   3. We are the priests of God

5. Read Genesis 5

   1. Not just this man lived 900+ years

   2. Notice “and he died”

   3. Exception is Enoch (verse 21)

   4. If you live to be 100 or 900 - “and he died”

Sources used – www.truthmagazine.com); www.metrobibleblog.wordpress.com