“Generational Challenges Equal Futuristic Blessings”
Matthew 2:13-23 (KJV)
Deuteronomy 11:26-28 (KJV)
31 December 2006
U.S. Army Chaplain (MAJ) Ken Harris
Presidio of Monterey (ORD Military Chapel)
Monterey California, 93940
BIG IDEA: BELIEVERS need to empathize with Jesus’ life journey. For by Jesus’ Egyptian journey, God saved the Holy family from Herod’s aggression.
References: Matthew 2:13-23 (KJV); Isaiah 63:7-9 (KJV) I will mention the lovingkindnesses of the LORD, and the praises of the LORD, according to all that the LORD hath bestowed on us, and the great goodness toward the house of Israel, which he hath bestowed on them according to his mercies, and according to the multitude of his lovingkindnesses. 8 For he said, Surely they are my people, children that will not lie: so he was their Saviour. 9 In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old; Hebrew 2:10-18 (KJV) For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. 11 For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren, 12 Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee …; Psalm 148 (KJV); Romans 8:1-2 (There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death);
Isaiah 53:5-6,8 (KJV) 5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all…
I. ANNOUNCE THE PERICOPE: Matthew 2:13-23 (KJV)
II. READ THE PERICOPE: Matthew 2:13-23 (KJV)
III. READ THE TEXT: Matthew 2:14 (KJV) When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt.
IV. PURPOSE: To motivate the hearers to look forward to affirming to others that Jesus, like His ancestors, also descended into Egypt.
V. INTRODUCTION:
It’s always great and wonderful to look out over the congregation and see so many familiar faces. It’s even greater to see you all gathered here - on December 31, 2006 - at our last worship service before the new year. This morning we would like to momentarily reflect on the WORD, Egypt, which is found in our text today.
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MOVE 1: Now, my brothers and sisters, I’m not sure what comes to your mind, when you think of Egypt. But, usually, when I think of EGYPT, I think of OPPRESSION and ENSLAVEMENT.
a. I think of anguish.
b. When I think of EGYPT, I think of a place that is ruled by kings that are called Pharaohs. I think of a place that is subject to plagues, and is sometime visited by famine.
c. When I think of Egpyt, I think of wisemen, sorcerers, and magicians. I think of baby boys being slained while baby girls are celebrated.
d. When I think of Egypt, I think of Noah son HAM. I think of scholastic education first beginning. When I think of Egypt, I think of people of color. I think of people being in bondage for 430 years.
e. I rarely associate EGYPT with FREEDOM and PROSPERITY for all nations, AND ALL PEOPLE.
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MOVE 2: Yet a closer observation of the Bible tells us (in Genesis 47:11,27) that Jacob and his family migrated to Egypt, and they became property owners.
a. Property owners in Egypt?
b. God can bless us through whatever means He deems valid.
c. He can cause the very people who oppress us and belittle us to bless us.
d. Yes, God can even use the Egypt in our lives to rescue us from the evil that has always prevailed!
e. God can use the place where so many children of God had experienced pain, misery, and enslavement.
f. For who would have ever thought that God would have led Joseph and Mary to go to the very country that they had grown-up to be guarded against – EGYPT?
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MOVE 3: Who would have ever thought that God would have sent the Baby Jesus to Egypt?
a. EGYPT was the place where the people of God had been enslaved for 430 years.
b. Yet, my brothers and sisters, God did it.
c. God is so awesome that He planned to stay steps ahead of the devil and the devil’s demonic agenda for the believers life.
d. To God Be The Glory!
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MOVE 4: If the devil had known that the Baby Jesus was going to escape to EGYPT, he would have slained the Baby Jesus in EGYPT.
a. I am so grateful that God plans for us good and not evil. I am grateful that God sees our future and He knows his purpose for our life.
b. And He is always steps ahead of the devil and his demonic schemes!
c. Josesph and Mary had a choice to be obedient to the WORD of GOD.
d. They were facing some GENERATIONAL CHALLENGES.
e. Challenges that had been proven to be painful to the Hebrews In the past.
f. Yet, they also had a responsibility to God’s WORD through His angelic messenger.
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MOVE 5: My brothers and sisters, many of us have been facing what amount to GENERATIONAL CHALLENGES in 2006.
a. We may come from families that have been victimized by alcohol addictions.
b. We may come from families that have strong propensities to homosexuality and lesbianism.
c. We may come from homes where our fathers (or mothers) were liars and adulterers and aultereses.
d. Yet, the Bible teaches us that when we accept Jesus Christ into our lives, we start afresh.
e. We break what had become Generational Challenges for us through the Blood of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
f. Like, Jesus, We don’t have to fall prey to the enemy plans for our lives. For the Bible says in Romans 8:1-2 (There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death);
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MOVE 6: Still, Like Joseph and Mary, you and I also have a responsibility to the ANGEL MESSENGER or SENIOR PASTOR that God has sent us.
a. For example, as Pastor Minjares is the Senior Pastor and Messenger at Fort Ord Chapel, we have a Godly responsibility to adhere to his leadership and Godly guidance.
b. As the messenger has a responsibility to God and to us; we have a responsibility to the MESSENGER and God. Can I get a witness in the building?
c. For don’t you remember, Moses was a baby in Egypt?
d. Pharoah, one of the Old Testament demonic prototypes, had given a decree to kill all of the Hebrew Baby Boys, so Moses mother was led of God to place MOSES in a basket and into the water in hopes that someone of prominence would find and rescue her child;
e. and someone did. Pharoah’s daughter.
f. Not only did God’s plan stay ahead of the devil, but God caused the very one who had issued the decree to feed, raise, and educate the Baby Deliverer.
g. God can do whatever God wants, because he knows His plans for us.
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MOVE 7: Likewise, in our text, we find that just as God had led Joseph, Mary, and the Baby Jesus to EGYPT, God also led them NOT to return to Bethlemhem, but to Nazareth instead.
a. Even though Herod was dead, God knew Herod’s son would have also killed the Baby Jesus.
b. My brothers and sisters, Generational Challenges don’t have to equate to Generational Curses for us.
c. We can through the Blood of Jesus Christ turn those challenges into blessings for us and others too.
d. In fact, The phrase Generational Curse comes from the “law of generations” in which God revealed to Moses in Exodus 34:6-7: And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, 7 Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children’s children, unto the third and to the fourth generation.
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MOVE 8: It has been said that “Generational Curses” are judgments that are passed on to individuals because of sins perpecuated in a family in a number of generations!
a. Generational curses are similar to original sin curses because they can be passed down on a generation basis.
b. However they differ in that generational curses do not impose eternal judgment.
c. According to Don Rodgers, a theologian, Generational Curses bring judgment or bondage during an individual’s life, which ultimately reduces the quality of life UNTIL THAT PARTICULAR INDIVIDUAL ADDRSSES THE SIN ISSUES THAT PUT THE CURSES IN PLACE.
d. Now, the cure of Generational Curses is SALVATION THROUGH JESUS CHRIST.
e. For the Bible declares (in 2 Cor 5:17 KJV) … “ if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
f. Generational Challenges CAN EQUAL Futuristic Blessings for believers.
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CELEBRATION: Isaiah 53:5-6,8 (KJV) 5 For the scriptures say that … he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all…
