Discovering Genesis, Part 1
Various Scriptures (Rev 4:11)
- Thankful to have the Gideon’s and their ministry to present to us today
-- If you wish to donate please see Bro Bob for more information today
- Praying for a new visitation program for our church
-- 1) Faithful Volunteers
-- 2) Effectiveness to reach our community
-- 3) Oct 19 will be our beginning of this outreach
Introduction
- Last Sunday, we completed a thorough look at the Creation and God’s history
- The huge take-away is that we have a Creator, His name is God, and there is no dispute in the account of His plans and actions to create all we see/experience
- This morning, we begin our discovery of several key events in Genesis
- My plan this morning is to outline the entire series; unpacking only a bit today
- Take your Bible, go to Genesis Chapter 2, and let’s join together in prayer
Point 1 – Interacting with a Righteous and Holy God
- In the shadow of creation; we look ahead to understand God’s plan
- In the beginning of this let me say, YOU and I were NEVER the “it”
-- That is, we were (and never will be) the reason everything was created
-- Creation was done to respond to, in WORSHIP, a Holy and Righteous God
- At our core, at our very molecular level, we were created to worship God
- APP: Worship is not just our praise but also our obedience (critical point here)
-- We must obey the God we serve; in everything; else we are not worshiping
-- It’s more than singing a few songs and listening to a sermon and giving
-- It’s more than showing up once a week and calling ourselves Christians
- Rev 4:11 says, “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.”
- I want to be the first to say that this series may cause you to examine your faith
- It is NOT to cause you to doubt your salvation (unless you don’t know Jesus …)
- But when we come into contact with God’s Word it MUST cause us to change
- If we can have an encounter with God and not be changed we are faking it
-- It means that we consider ourselves on the same level as God; which is sin
-- It is the sin of pride … and something that we will work a lifetime to restrain
- 1 John 1 gives us clear instruction that Christ causes the change in us
-- When we encounter God, if we say there is no sin we lie and make him a liar
-- It is not a change which is vice-verse; God does not change – we must
-- Hebrews 13:8, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
-- So, since Jesus is always the same, 1 John 1:9 tells us that only He cleanses
- When we take a look at Genesis, one thing becomes abundantly clear:
-- Life existed long before we were born; but God has always existed
-- It has always been God’s plan to reveal to us who He is; which is His glory
-- Prov 25:2, “It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings.”
-- APP: We act as kings (as heirs with Christ; Rom 8:17) when we search Him out
- TRANS: So, let’s look just at the topics we will cover (just general) and perhaps even now the Lord will begin to work on our hearts to change for Him
Point 2 – Outline of Genesis Chapters 2-11
- Very little time on each section; but just a brief preview of the text before us
- Genesis 2; Adam and Eve
-- Man was given responsibility to not only rule; but to tend the garden
-- Given complete dominion over naming the creations
-- God’s wisdom also provides man with a partner; one to accompany him
-- God’s condition that is placed on mankind in a form of probation; don’t eat
- Genesis 3; The Fall
-- 2 chapters of “good behavior; that is all we get before we blow it completely
-- The fall is not just about a sin of eating a fruit; nor about a talking snake
-- Man’s fall sent him into a life of peril when (Ch 2) was perfection
- Genesis 4; Cain and Abel
-- Pride and jealousy and all that goes with it
-- First real examination of the results of man’s rebellion to God’s decree
-- From the time of the garden to Ch 4, we see the real “death” that God spoke of
- Genesis 6; The Flood
-- During the days of Noah God’s Spirit was striving to reach man; return him
-- 1 Pet 3:18-20, “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. After being made alive, he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits— to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water”
-- The rebellion of mankind led to its complete annihilation; save those in the ark
-- The facts are not up for debate; God’s Word says it and that settles it
- Genesis 9; God’s Covenant with Noah / Sons of Noah
-- God gives us clear; new instructions for life and for service to Him
-- However, there is still sin in this world; and we begin to see the need for Jesus
-- All of creation points to the Christ; and it is the ultimate redemption of man
- Genesis 11; Babel
-- Babel brings about an identification of man’s rebellion to God
-- What we see is “Let US make US a name …” (Gen 11:4)
Conclusion
- Throughout all of Genesis we begin to identify with the need for Christ
- Is in this study that we can see our own need for a Savior; and grow closer to Him
- Rev 4:11 says, “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.”
- APP: Worship is not just our praise but also our obedience (critical point here)
-- We must obey the God we serve; in everything; else we are not worshiping
- Pray
