God’s Grace In A Scandalous Story
When Grace Outshines Scandal: Finding God’s Redemption in Unlikely Places
Have you ever felt like your past mistakes disqualify you from God’s love? Or wondered how a holy God could possibly use someone as flawed as you? If so, you’re not alone. The Bible is full of stories that might make us uncomfortable – tales of deceit, sexual immorality, and shocking family drama. But it’s in these very stories that we often see God’s grace shine the brightest.
Today, I want to take you on a journey through one of the most scandalous chapters in the Bible – Genesis 38. It’s a story that many preachers skip over, but I believe it reveals some incredible truths about God’s character and His ability to redeem even the messiest of situations.
The Scandalous Story
Genesis 38 tells the tale of Judah, one of the twelve sons of Jacob. It’s a chapter filled with compromise, wickedness, broken promises, and sexual immorality. We see Judah making one bad decision after another:
- He marries a Canaanite woman, compromising his spiritual heritage.
- His sons Er and Onan are so wicked that God puts them to death.
- He breaks his promise to his daughter-in-law Tamar.
- He sleeps with a woman he believes to be a prostitute (who turns out to be Tamar in disguise).
- When he discovers Tamar is pregnant, he hypocritically condemns her to death – until she reveals that he is the father.
It’s a mess, to say the least. As I read this chapter, I’m reminded of the old song: “It’s me, it’s me, O Lord, standing in the need of prayer.” We’re all capable of making terrible choices when we follow our sinful nature instead of God’s guidance.
God’s Grace Shining Through
But here’s where it gets interesting. Even in this sordid tale, we see five incredible attributes of God shining through:
1. God’s Holiness and Justice
“God sees sin, knows sin, and will judge sin,” as we see in the deaths of Er and Onan. This reminds us of our need for Jesus and His righteousness. As Romans 6:23 tells us, “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
2. God’s Sovereignty
Even through sinful choices, God is working out His plan. Just as He used the crucifixion – the greatest injustice – to bring about our salvation, He can use our mistakes for His glory. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him” (Romans 8:28).
3. God’s Mercy
God exposed Judah’s sin to bring him to repentance. Verse 26 shows us Judah’s turning point: “She is more righteous than I.” God’s exposure of our sin is an act of mercy, giving us the opportunity to change.
4. God’s Patience
Romans 2:4 reminds us that “God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance.” Even when Judah had gone off the rails, God was patiently working to bring him back.
5. God’s Grace
Here’s the most amazing part: God used this messy situation in His plan of redemption. Perez, the son born from this scandal, is listed in the genealogy of Jesus Christ in Matthew 1. As I like to say, “God can draw a straight line with a crooked stick.”
Putting It Into Practice
So what does this mean for us today? Here are some ways we can apply these truths to our lives:
- Take sin seriously. Remember, even if no one else sees, God does.
- Trust God’s sovereignty, even in messy situations.
- Be willing to admit your failures. Humility opens the door to God’s grace.
- Extend grace to others. Don’t write people off because of their past.
- Allow God to change you. His grace is bigger than your failures.
Remember, the gospel redeems the past and changes lives. No matter what you’ve done or where you’ve been, God can use you for His glory. Just as a diamond shines brightest against a dark background, God’s grace shines most brilliantly against the backdrop of our sin.
So take heart, friends. If God could use Judah and Tamar in His redemptive plan, He can certainly use you and me. Let’s humble ourselves, confess our sins, and allow His transforming grace to work in our lives.
Betrayed But Not Forgotten
The Evils of Envy, Resentment, and Hatred
Living With Integrity
Genesis in Focus: God’s Sovereign Plan
The Successful Man Who Failed Miserably
Doing God’s Will
We hope you enjoyed the sermon and would love to see you in person. Plan your visit to Community Baptist Church in Spring Hill, Tennessee today!