A King is Born—In a Dysfunctional Family
Isaiah 9:6 ESV
6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Introduction:
Good morning! I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving. While we don’t need a special day to show gratitude, Thanksgiving is something I absolutely love.
It’s a time to reflect on all we’re thankful for—and to enjoy some of my favorite things: family, friends, and food!
But let’s be honest—the Holidays can be tough.
They’re not always picture-perfect, especially when you’re a sincere believer surrounded by family and friends who may not share your faith.
Have you ever felt like your family was… complicated?
Maybe even a little dysfunctional?
After Thanksgiving, how many of you would say, “Yep, my family is definitely dysfunctional”?
For those not raising your hands… maybe it’s because you’re the reason your family is dysfunctional!
But seriously, family tension, politics, misunderstandings, and broken relationships are all too common.
And the truth is, no family is perfect—including the family Jesus was born into!
As we step into this Christmas season, I am starting a new series titled “A King is Born.”
Looking at the the world and surroundings Jesus stepped into.
This week, we’ll take a closer look at the story of Jesus’ birth—not the sanitized, Hallmark version we often see this time of year, but the raw, real, and messy version.
When we look at Jesus’ genealogy, we don’t find a lineup of saints and heroes.
Instead, we see liars, outsiders, adulterers, and even murderers.
And yet, through this dysfunctional family, God brought forth the Savior of the world.
If you’ve ever felt like your family situation disqualifies you, or that your past makes you unworthy, I have good news: God specializes in turning dysfunction into destiny.
Jesus’ family tree is proof that He can redeem and use anyone for His purpose.
Look at Matthew 1… and no we are not going to read it all, but lets look at the first six verses.
Matthew 1:1–6 NLT
1 This is a record of the ancestors of Jesus the Messiah, a descendant of David and of Abraham:
2 Abraham was the father of Isaac. Isaac was the father of Jacob. Jacob was the father of Judah and his brothers.
3 Judah was the father of Perez and Zerah (whose mother was Tamar). Perez was the father of Hezron. Hezron was the father of Ram.
4 Ram was the father of Amminadab. Amminadab was the father of Nahshon. Nahshon was the father of Salmon.
5 Salmon was the father of Boaz (whose mother was Rahab). Boaz was the father of Obed (whose mother was Ruth). Obed was the father of Jesse.
6 Jesse was the father of King David. David was the father of Solomon (whose mother was Bathsheba, the widow of Uriah).
I encourage you to read the whole genealogy and study the names of the people—find out about their lives.
In doing so, you will see that this genealogy of Jesus is not a list of perfect people.
Rather, it is a tapestry of broken lives and messed-up people woven together by God’s grace.
Today we are briefly going to look at the stories of Rahab, Ruth, and David.
Showing us that God’s plan is for everyone—dysfunctional families, broken people, and even outsiders.
Jesus’ family tree shows that God can redeem and use anyone, no matter how broken their past.
God Redeems Broken Stories
1. God redeems the broken stories of people and gives them a position in His eternal plan.
a. Let’s start with Rahab.
Matthew 1:5 NLT
5 Salmon was the father of Boaz (whose mother was Rahab).
Boaz was the father of Obed (whose mother was Ruth).
Obed was the father of Jesse.
a. Her inclusion reminds us that our worst mistakes don’t define us—God’s grace does.
b. Rahab was a woman who lived in Jericho who was a prostitute.
c. When you consider what manner of woman she was, one may determine that her life choices are far from the example of what we may expect in the lineage of a King, much less… Jesus, the King of Kings.
d. Rahab’s actions of faith, though unconventional, were honored by God.
e. Her story is one of redemption.
f. When the Israelite spies in Joshua 2 came to Jericho, with intentions to attack it, their paths crossed with this woman, whose occupation was a sex worker.
g. Worse than that, she was a GENTILE sex worker.
Joshua 2:1 NLT
1 Then Joshua secretly sent out two spies from the Israelite camp at Acacia Grove. He instructed them, “Scout out the land on the other side of the Jordan River, especially around Jericho.” So the two men set out and came to the house of a prostitute named Rahab and stayed there that night.
a. How many of you have ever told the story of Christ and included “Rahab the Prostitute”?
b. Lets be honest, it truly doesn't seem to fit!
c. Even in our own families, there is that “one” individual that you would rather “Not” admit they are related to you.
d. I think every family is blessed with a “Cousin Eddy”
e. Here is what I LOVE about the Bible… when you read it… you always have to be ready to encounter something you did not expect!
i. You will be reading… “Oh God, this is good stuff!, thanks for the revelation!”
ii. Then you will hit one of these unexpected parts and be like...“Ok, I was following you, but what is this about God?”
f. Maybe this is all new to you, but the God of the Bible, the real true God… does not fit into a box called tradition or religion!
g. He will actually violate all the traditions and theologies that we attempt to use to define him!
i. The one true God, actually prefers broken people.
ii. He actually prefers broken stories.
iii. and many times in scripture he takes those who would be considered “Terrible” people and does something amazing through them!
h. Here we have this Gentile prostitute, Joshua 2 reports that a couple of Israelite men (Israel = God’s chosen people) showed up to scope out the city of Jericho, which God told them to overtake in an upcoming battle.
i. They go near the entrance to the city and meet Rahab.
ii. She helps the men who come to her door, by lying about their whereabouts to the king, hiding and protecting them, and then sending them off safely.
i. And God honored her by saving her and her family during the battle.
i. She then married into the nation of Israel, and was placed in the lineage of the Savior of the World.
ii. She will become Davids great grandmother.
iii. She gets mentioned in Hebrews 11, the Hall of Fame of Faith.
iv. She is mentioned in the book of James, as an example of Faith.
j. This speaks of how God can take anything, or anyone, and bring life to it!
k. No past is beyond God’s grace!
i. Rahab was a lying, Gentile prostitute, that found favor in the eyes of God!
l. God doesn’t see brokenness as the end of the story; He sees it as the beginning of redemption.
i. God will take the most unexpected circumstances and turn them into redemption stories.
m. Every single on of us has a story of brokenness.
n. Every single one of us knows someone who has brokenness.
i. Everyone has moments of pain, failure, or mistakes—stories that might seem shattered or insignificant.
o. There are so many things we struggle with that create this story of unworthiness.
i. Some struggle with mental health, broken relationships, financial hardships, career set backs.
p. However, I want to encourage you, God sees beyond the mess!
i. He sees the potential in your life.
ii. He sees you in your brokenness, in your failures and in your mistakes, and he sees potential.
iii. He is not surprised by your problems, and it will not stop Him from reaching into your mess and pulling you out!
q. Rahab’s story is proof that He can use even the most difficult moments to work something beautiful.
r. He will take your shame, he will take your failures, he will take your sin, and He will give you His righteousness and give you back your destiny!
s. The Bible is full of people who experienced significant failures but were redeemed by God.
i. Peter denied Jesus.
ii. Paul persecuted and murdered Christians.
iii. Matthew was a tax-collector.
iv. Abraham was insecure, doubtful, and a liar.
v. David was a womanizer, lying, cheating murderer.
vi. Rahab was a gentile sex-worker.
t. When you feel like your story is shattered, God sees a masterpiece in the making.
u. God didn’t look for perfection in Rahab… he simply saw her potential!
John 3:16–17 NLT
16 “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. 17 God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.
a. Just for the record, prostitution and lying definitely oppose God’s holiness.
b. This is not advocating for us to just live carelessly, but instead to recognize that God can and will use any of us.
c. The God of the Bible isn’t just about rewarding morality or punishing evil—He is the God of redemption!
i. Let’s be honest: we often want people who don’t fit our mold—whether they’re prostitutes, criminals, those with differing political views, or anyone who challenges our idea of religion—to “pay for” their sin.
ii. We can even struggle with God when His mercy doesn’t align with our expectations of justice.
iii. So do not be too quick to write off cousin eddy in your family.
iv. But don’t be so quick to write off that family member who seems hopeless or dismiss those who cross your path because they don’t fit your idea of someone God could use.
v. God’s specialty is taking broken stories and transforming them for His glory.
vi. He redeems what seems irredeemable and weaves it into His eternal plan.
d. The God of the Bible is moved to love and reward when he sees real faith.
e. He is moved when He is recognized as God.
i. Rahab recognized and believed that the real God was the God of Israel. She said “…for the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below.”
ii. She didn’t know Him very well, but what she knew she truly believed. Step one.
f. He is moved when we are willing to risk something on Him!
i. Rahab risked her city and her life on this God.
ii. With her lies and help, she threw-in with Him!
g. He is moved when we act in faith.
i. Rahab seized the opportunity to act.
ii. It wasn’t enough to just believe it.
iii. She had to act on her belief when those men showed up on her doorstep.
h. No matter where we’ve come from or what we’ve done, God has the power to redeem our stories and make us part of His eternal plan.
Rahab’s story reminds us that God redeems even the most broken lives.
Next let’s look at how God turns outsiders into His children.
God Turns Outsiders into Children
1. God welcomes those who feel like outsiders and adopts them as His children.
a. In Matthew 1:5, we see an incredible example: Rahab, the mother of Boaz, who married Ruth.
b. Ruth’s story is a powerful reminder that no one is beyond the reach of God’s love.
Matthew 1:5 NLT
5 Salmon was the father of Boaz (whose mother was Rahab).
Boaz was the father of Obed (whose mother was Ruth).
Obed was the father of Jesse.
a. To the Israelites, Ruth was the ultimate outsider—she was a foreigner, poor, and without hope for a future.
b. She came from Moab, a nation considered enemies of Israel.
c. Ruth lived during the time of the judges, a period marked by lawlessness and idolatry.
d. God’s people often turned to worship the Canaanite god Baal and followed their own desires.
e. Ruth, a Moabite woman, became part of an Israelite family when she married into it.
i. Her father-in-law, Elimelech, had moved his family to Moab during a famine in Israel.
ii. Tragically, Elimelech and his two sons died, leaving behind three widows: Naomi, Ruth, and Orpah.
f. Facing hopelessness, Naomi decided to return to Israel, urging Ruth and Orpah to go back to their families in Moab.
g. Orpah eventually agreed, but Ruth refused. Her loyalty to Naomi was unshakable.
h. Ruth made a powerful declaration of loyalty, saying, Ruth 1:16
Ruth 1:16 NLT
16 But Ruth replied, “Don’t ask me to leave you and turn back. Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God.
a. Then Ruth takes it a step further… Ruth 1:17
Ruth 1:17 NLT
17 Wherever you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD punish me severely if I allow anything but death to separate us!”
a. Talk about commitment!
b. Most people tolerate their in-laws—but can you imagine binding yourself to them so completely that you’d invoke a curse upon yourself if you broke that commitment?
i. Just for fun (don’t answer), how many of you would’ve still married your spouse if that had been part of your wedding vows?
c. Let’s be honest— our lives are challenging enough… but when we get married we invite a brand-new challenge!
d. I’ll admit, there was a time I thought I was enemy number one to Bridgette’s dad.
i. It wasn’t until I had daughters of my own, that I realized, I was never His enemy.
ii. He just loved His baby so much that he wanted to be certain she was in good hands.
e. Over time, I came to see the wisdom he carried.
f. When I humbled myself and became open to his guidance, he poured out so much knowledge and care. I learned to value his wisdom and positioned myself to receive it.
g. In many ways, faith works like that.
i. Faith is a gift from God, but it’s also something that can be passed down through others.
ii. I often wonder what compelled Ruth to bind herself to Naomi when she had every reason to pursue her own happiness and a normal life.
iii. Then it dawned on me, Naomi was a woman of faith and that faith was passed onto Ruth.
iv. Then it hit me—Naomi was a woman of faith.
v. That faith was contagious, and Ruth saw in her something she didn’t have.
vi. Naomi’s faith instilled hope and trust in Ruth, and she bound herself to Naomi because she recognized the value of her mother-in-law and the God she served.
h. Ruth didn’t just follow Naomi back to Israel—she committed herself to honor Naomi by providing for her.
i. As a foreigner and a woman, Ruth faced a society where she was both an outsider and vulnerable.
ii. Yet she worked tirelessly, gleaning in the fields to ensure they had food.
i. It wasn’t a coincidence that her path crossed with Boaz, who turned out to be Naomi’s kinsman-redeemer.
i. In ancient Israel, a kinsman-redeemer was a close family member who could restore a family’s legacy by redeeming their property, marrying a widow, and continuing the family name.
ii. And you thought your family was interesting!
j. Ruth’s inclusion in the genealogy of Jesus is a powerful testament that no one is too far from God’s love.
k. Her story reminds us that God takes those who feel like outsiders and makes them vital parts of His family.
l. Ruth’s story is also our story.
i. In God’s kingdom, there are no outsiders—only children.
ii. No matter our past, background, or where we come from, God welcomes us into His family.
m. God welcomes those who feel like outsiders and adopts them as His children.
n. Today, many people feel like outsiders.
i. Whether it’s due to race, social status, past mistakes, or even differing beliefs, they struggle to find their place in society.
ii. But deep down, they’re searching for something real and genuine.
o. Loving others may require vulnerability, humility, and stepping out of our comfort zones.
p. But when we choose to love like Jesus, we reflect His heart to a world desperate for hope and belonging.
i. Sometimes loving those who are different from us means going beyond what’s comfortable—it requires us to go the extra mile.
Matthew 5:41 ESV
41 And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.
i. This teaching calls us to do more than what’s expected, to love in a way that surpasses social norms and stretches beyond our personal comfort zones.
q. Let’s be honest—it’s not always easy to love those who seem different or difficult.
i. But Jesus modeled this perfectly. He spent time with people who were labeled as outcasts: tax collectors, sinners, Samaritans, and others who didn’t fit the mold of religious or social acceptance.
ii. Jesus made it clear—the gospel is for everyone. It’s not reserved for those who look, think, or act like us.
iii. His love knows no boundaries.
r. When we love the unlovable, we reflect the heart of God.
s. No matter how far someone has wandered, God welcomes them home.
i. Outsiders are only outsiders until they meet Jesus.
ii. In God’s family, there is always a place for the unlikely.
Galatians 3:26 NLT
26 For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus.
Galatians 3:27–29 NLT
27 And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes.
28 There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus.
29 And now that you belong to Christ, you are the true children of Abraham. You are his heirs, and God’s promise to Abraham belongs to you.
a. Ruth’s story reminds us that God’s grace extends far beyond ethnic, social, and cultural boundaries.
b. His love is not limited to those who “belong” by society’s standards. Instead, He welcomes anyone who comes to Him with faith and humility.
So far, we’ve seen how God redeems broken stories and turns outsiders into His children.
But what about those who come from families that are messy and broken?
Let’s look at how God writes redemption stories through dysfunction.
God Writes Redemption Stories
1. God can take a mess and turn it into a miracle.
a. Finally, let’s focus on David and Bathsheba.
b. When we think of David, we often picture the brave young shepherd defeating Goliath, the king who unified Israel, or the poetic psalmist who penned worship songs still sung today.
c. Acts 13:22 (NLT) even describes him as: "‘A man after my own heart. He will do everything I want him to do.’”
Acts 13:22 (NLT)
22 ...‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart. He will do everything I want him to do.’
a. That description is powerful—yet it’s essential to remember that David’s life was far from flawless.
i. If David's story were being reported today, he wouldn’t be celebrated as a hero; he would be scrutinized as a flawed and broken figure.
ii. In fact, if he lived today, the media would report on what a bad and terrible guy he was.
iii. The headlines would focus on his sins, his failures, and the darker parts of his life.
iv. They would tell of how his felony convictions, assault convictions, His adulterous womanizing lifestyle, and they would tear him down piece by piece.
v. He would be remembered for more than just his victories; he would be scrutinized for his adultery, the manipulation of power, and even the devastating consequences that resulted from his sin.
b. The story of David and Bathsheba is a painful reminder that even those God chooses and anoints are not immune to sin.
i. His story is one of betrayal, sin, and tragedy.
c. David, the ‘man after God’s own heart,’ fell into adultery with Bathsheba...
d. 2 Samuel 11 tells us how David, who should have been leading his troops into battle, stayed behind in Jerusalem and saw Bathsheba bathing.
i. Instead of averting his eyes, he allowed temptation to take hold.
ii. He summoned Bathsheba, and their relationship led to adultery, which resulted in her pregnancy.
iii. To cover up his wrongdoing, David orchestrated a series of sinful actions that included deceit, betrayal, and the eventual murder of Bathsheba’s husband, Uriah.
iv. David’s sin cast a long shadow over his legacy and led to consequences that rippled throughout his kingdom and family.
e. Again, when you consider that it was through David, that our Lord and Savior is born, it is almost inconceivable to think that God would choose such a man to not only lead His people but to bring forth the Savior of the world.
f. Despite the depth of David’s sin, God didn’t abandon him.
g. The path to redemption is woven throughout the narrative of David’s life.
h. When confronted by the prophet Nathan, David repented with heartfelt sincerity,2 Samuel 12:13
2 Samuel 12:13 NLT
13 Then David confessed to Nathan, “I have sinned against the LORD.” Nathan replied, “Yes, but the LORD has forgiven you, and you won’t die for this sin.
a. This moment of repentance was crucial because it showed that while David was deeply flawed, he recognized his need for forgiveness and sought it.
i. How many of us, when we get caught in something terrible have the integrity and the humility to do what David did?
ii. How often do we seek out excuses, shift blame, or try to justify our actions.
iii. James 4:10 says
James 4:10 NLT
10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.
i. See, most of us, would never even consider David after the terrible things he did.
b. David repented, and when he did, all charges were dropped.
c. Imagine what it would be like if we truly lived as if we believed the gospel.
i. If Jesus has dropped all charges against us, then why do we continue to hold things against others?
ii. Why do we hesitate to seek out reconciliation?
iii. Many people experience what can be called false repentance.
d. It looks right on the surface: they say and do the things the Bible instructs us to do, and it may even make them feel less guilty.
e. But when it comes to reconciling with those they've wronged, they are far from the heart of God.
f. Because they refuse to truly drop all charges.
g. The Bible says that out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks, and our actions reveal what’s inside us.
h. True forgiveness means letting go of past offenses completely, just as Christ did for us.
i. If we’re truly forgiving someone, we must drop all charges—not just in words, but in our hearts.
j. Only then are we living out the kind of forgiveness that reflects God’s heart.
k. David messed up and he messed up big time!
l. However, God can turn any mess into a miracle!
m. God can take the most unexpected circumstances and turn them into redemption stories.
i. Even if your story feels chaotic or you think your past disqualifies you, trust that God is still writing.
ii. He specializes in creating beauty from ashes
n. There is no family who is too messy for God to use!
i. God didn’t abandon David and Bathsheba after their failure.
ii. Solomon, their son, became one of the greatest kings in Israel’s history and part of the lineage of Jesus.
o. God’s grace isn’t just about forgiveness—it’s about restoring broken lives and using them for His glory.
p. No matter what your past holds, God can take even your worst moments and weave them into His redemptive plan.
q. This story speaks directly to those who feel trapped by their past mistakes or think that they’ve ruined their chance for a meaningful life.
r. It’s a reminder that no one is beyond the reach of God’s love and redemption.
s. Even when we think we’ve lost everything, God can write a new chapter.
t. His story for your life isn’t over—because your story isn’t finished until God says it’s finished!
u. I believe someone here today needs to hear this: You are not defined by your past, your failures, or what’s been lost.
v. God’s power to redeem goes beyond forgiveness—it’s about restoration, renewal, and rewriting your story with His grace and purpose.
i. Where we see an ending, God sees the opportunity for a new beginning.
ii. Where we see brokenness, He sees the foundation for something greater.
iii. The same God who redeemed Rahab’s life…
iv. The same God who gave Naomi a new family line through Ruth...
v. The same God and who wrote a redemption story in David’s life after his failure—He is the same God working in your life today.
vi. Trust Him to hold the pen. He’s not done with you yet.
w. Your story isn’t over until God says it’s over.
x. No matter what your past holds—failures, heartbreaks, or shattered dreams—God is still writing.
y. He is the Master Potter, shaping the broken pieces of your life into something beautiful for His glory.
z. God specializes in turning endings into beginnings!
aa. If God can transform death into life and despair into hope, He can certainly take the shattered pieces of your life and build something beautiful.
ab. What feels like the last page is often just the end of a chapter, not the book.
ac. God doesn’t just repair; He rebuilds better.
ad. He can surely take the broken pieces of your life and create a masterpiece.
Conclusion
Rahab, Ruth, and David remind us of a profound truth: God doesn’t reject brokenness; He redeems it.
Their lives show us that no one is beyond His grace, no past mistake too big for His forgiveness, and no outsider too far to be welcomed into His family.
Through their stories, He shows us His heart: to include, restore, and empower the unlikely.
If God could use a lying prostitute, a foreign widow and a womanizing, power hungry adultery in the lineage of Jesus, what could He do with your story?
Let this truth sink in: God doesn’t see your failures or your flaws—He sees His child, filled with potential, waiting to be redeemed for His glory.
You need to trust the author and the finisher of your story!
Hebrews 12:2 NKJV
2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
a. He knows the beginning and the end.
b. He knows every plot twist, every setback, and every triumph.
c. Trusting Him to hold the pen means releasing control of your story and allowing Him to weave His purpose into every part of your life—even the parts that don’t make sense right now.
d. No matter what chapter of life you’re in—whether it feels like a dark valley or an empty desert—remember that God is not finished.
e. He is still writing, still redeeming, and still fulfilling His promises. Isaiah 43:19
Isaiah 43:19 NLT
19 For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.
God’s redemption is bigger than our dysfunction. The King of Kings chose to come into a world filled with imperfect people to bring perfect salvation.
Where do you see yourself in this story?
Are you carrying brokenness, feeling like an outsider, or weighed down by failure?
God is inviting you to bring it all to Him today.
He is ready to redeem, restore, and give you a new story."
• If your life feels like it’s marked by mistakes, brokenness, or regret, God is ready to redeem your story just as He redeemed theirs.
• If you feel like an outsider or unworthy, God invites you to step into His family through faith.
• And if you’ve experienced failures like David, God’s grace can restore and use you again.
As we close, I want to invite you to respond to what God is speaking to your heart today.
To the Broken:
“If you’ve been struggling with shame or feeling unworthy of God’s love, remember Rahab.
God didn’t see her past; He saw her faith.
Bring your brokenness to Him today—He is ready to redeem it.”
To the Outsider:
“If you’ve felt overlooked or out of place, like Ruth, know that God welcomes you into His family.
He has a place and a purpose for you. Surrender your heart to Him and let Him write you into His story.”
To the Fallen:
“If you’ve failed like David, take heart.
God’s grace is greater than your mistakes.
Ask Him for forgiveness, and let Him restore you to His purpose.”
