[et_pb_section bb_built=”1″][et_pb_row][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”“Creation Convinces Us of Gods Compassion” Genesis 1: 1-31 Sermon Notes July 2 2017″ _builder_version=”3.15″]
It is the book of beginnings, the book of origins, the book of the story of God’s dealings with man. It has an interest and an importance to which no other document of antiquity can pretend. When we turn to the study of Genesis as a whole, the first thing we notice is the unity of plan in the book. Though forming part of a greater whole it also is a complete work. It was written to show how Israel, in answer to the call, and in accordance with the purpose of God, gradually emerged from among many other tribes and peoples, into a separate and distinct existence as the people of Jehovah.
- Genesis emphasizes the Divine sovereignty and supremacy. Its opening words are as emphatic a testimony to this as can be found in the whole Bible. The Bible makes no attempt to prove the existence of God, nor does it strive to prove the supremacy of God. But look on the book before us. In it everything is traced up to God. God is sovereign, God is supreme, God is first. Therefore Genesis evidences itself to be a true revelation from God. But what is true of the book is true also of life. Our lives are meant to be revelations of God. This cannot be until by utter consecration of ourselves to Him we have in our lives made God first.
- Genesis emphasizes the Divine grace and love. The revelation of the Bible is essentially a revelation of redemption, and the redemption note is sounded from the first. The whole record of Genesis is a record of the grace of God combating man’s sin. The whole story is a story of Divine love, the story of One with whom judgment is a strange work. And this love throughout all this book is seen working with a purpose.
III. Genesis emphasizes the Divine holiness. It represents God as approachable to men, and yet as unapproachable by men. This book teaches us what subsequent revelation confirms, that if the sinner is to approach God so as to be accepted by Him, he must approach God in the way of God’s appointment. But this is a lesson which, in our day, we need specially to learn. We dwell so much on the Divine love and the riches of the Divine grace that we are apt to forget that the grace is only bestowed upon us in the Beloved. In our joy at the revelation which Christ made to us of the love of God, we are in danger of forgetting that that love of God reaches men so as to save them only through Jesus Christ.
—H. C. Macgregor, Messages of the Old Testament, p. 8.
God created everything good
- In Gen 1: 1-5 On the first day God created light and separated the light from the darkness. God saw that the light was good.
- In Gen 1: 7-10 On the second day God gathered together the seas and land He called the dry land Earth. And God saw that it was good.
- In Gen 1: 11-13 On the third day God created vegetation / plants / trees, yielding seed according to their own kinds, and bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.
- In Gen 1: 14-19 On the fourth day God made two great lights— (light-bearers, light bearing luminaries, the sun & moon are lamps that store and reflect light from another source)
The greater to rule the day and the lesser to rule the night—and the stars. 17And God set them in the expanse of the heavens to give light on the earth, 18to … separate the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good.
- In Gen 1: 20-23 On the fifth day God created sea creatures – every living thing that the waters swarm, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind.
And God saw that it was good.
22And God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.”
- In Gen 1: 26-31 On the sixth day 26God said “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”
27So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.
28And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”
God blessed living creatures and man
Starting in Gen 1: 22-23 God began blessing living things that swim, walk and fly 22… saying, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.”
If we’re baffled by the beginning we’ll be lost in our living
Let’s do an open book test on Gen 1 and Psalm 8.
- God create everything with man in mind. t / f
- God create everything for man’s benefit t / f
- God gave man dominion over everything that benefits man’s existence on earth. t / f
God made man in His image. Just as God has dominion over creation, He’s given man dominion over earth.
Psalm 8: 1 – 3
Man is the beneficiary of God’s Majestic mathematical precision
1O LORD, our Lord, how Majestic (glorious, magnificent, majestic, mighty, noble, powerful, stately) is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. 2Out of the mouth of babies and infants, you have established strength because of your foes, to still the enemy and the avenger. 3When I look at your heavens, the work (accomplished chainwork – decorative handiwork, in which parts are looped or woven together, like the links of a chain.) of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place (established, ordained)
God made Everything to multiply with seed designed to spread in creative ways: – Helicopter and parachute seeds travel away from the shade of the trees they fall from so they land in sunny places where there is fresh soil and room to grow. Pricker seeds stick to those who transport them over great distances, where their irritated carries pick them off and drop them. Other seeds are carried to distant places by bugs, and even bears and other animals that drop them in their feces. All this is good. Chuck Smith says flies with their sept back wing design are an example of God’s good creation. They fly in all directions, and then flip to land and walk on the ceiling.
Psalm 8: 4- 8 God Is Mindful of Man
4what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him? (Mindful = take thought of, remember, for God remembers His love, our sin and His forgiveness through the blood of his Son – a plan established before the foundation of the world: Matt 25:34, Eph 1:4 1Pet 1:20, Rev 13:8).
5Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. 6You have given him dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under his feet, 7all sheep and oxen, and also the beasts of the field, 8the birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea, whatever passes along the paths of the seas. 9O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!
- Genesis emphasizes the Divine sovereignty and supremacy. Its opening words are as emphatic a testimony to this as can be found in the whole Bible. The Bible makes no attempt to prove the existence of God, nor does it strive to prove the supremacy of God. But look on the book before us. In it everything is traced up to God. God is sovereign, God is supreme, God is first. Therefore Genesis evidences itself to be a true revelation from God. But what is true of the book is true also of life. Our lives are meant to be revelations of God. This cannot be until by utter consecration of ourselves to Him we have in our lives made God first.
- Genesis emphasizes the Divine grace and love. The revelation of the Bible is essentially a revelation of redemption, and the redemption note is sounded from the first. The whole record of Genesis is a record of the grace of God combating man’s sin. The whole story is a story of Divine love, the story of One with whom judgment is a strange work. And this love throughout all this book is seen working with a purpose.
III. Genesis emphasizes the Divine holiness. It represents God as approachable to men, and yet as unapproachable by men. This book teaches us what subsequent revelation confirms, that if the sinner is to approach God so as to be accepted by Him, he must approach God in the way of God’s appointment. But this is a lesson which, in our day, we need specially to learn. We dwell so much on the Divine love and the riches of the Divine grace that we are apt to forget that the grace is only bestowed upon us in the Beloved. In our joy at the revelation which Christ made to us of the love of God, we are in danger of forgetting that that love of God reaches men so as to save them only through Jesus Christ.
—H. C. Macgregor, Messages of the Old Testament, p. 8.
[bctt tweet=”The Bible tell us to start with God and mediate on Him, which gives us insight and wisdom. Psalm 119: 99 I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Prov 9:10, 14:27,) Prov 2:5 Then you will understand what it means to fear the LORD, and you will gain knowledge of God.” username=”LibertyCF3″]
Why Mindfulness Is Messed Up (1 of 2)
Mindfulness is messed up because it indicates that man can start with himself to be centered in the universe. Mindfulness is supposed to put one in a state …
- between being and thinking
- This statement is dangerous because it compels one into an empty void that Satan can fill.
- The concept is in contrast to Isaiah 1:18 18“Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD:)
- Of a celebration of the simple, the solitary and the physical over the complex (empty words that sound good, but say nothing- except “what I’m physically and sensually feeling is truth,” when God’s Word is Truth!)
Why Mindfulness Is Messed Up (2 of 2)
Mindfulness is messed up because it indicates that man can start with himself to be centered in the universe. Mindfulness’ four follies are supposed to put one in a state
- Being in the present without judgement.
- So one avoids conviction, confession and forgiveness, and is left in sin. John 16:8 says, The Holy Spirit will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment.
- Stepping back from thought and dwelling in awareness leads to bliss and peace
- Awareness of what? The emptiness and sinfulness of self does not lead to bliss and peace!
Hindu, Buddhist, yoga, zen and reincarnation is Satan’s scam to keep us focused on the present, so we never address God’s ultimate purpose and will be dissipated after a tragically limited, finite life-span, following which there is no consciousness, only nothingness, with no hope beyond the grave .
Meditating on God matters most
The Bible instructs us to meditate (complain on – let God’s Word be the perspective frame of our complaints) consider meditate, muse over, sigh, sing, speak, talk) on God’s word, precepts, decrees, promises.
The Bible tell us to start with God and mediate on Him, which gives us insight and wisdom. Psalm 119: 99 I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Prov 9:10, 14:27,) Prov 2:5 Then you will understand what it means to fear the LORD, and you will gain knowledge of God.
Joshua 1:8 Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it.
The benefits of meditating on God
The benefits of meditating on the Lord include:
Psalm 22: 3 KJV But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel. (ESV, NAS, NIV & NLT = enthroned on/upon)
Psalm 16: 11 In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever. (= ESV, NAS, KJV)
1John 4:16 God is love x
John 14:27, Jesus says “…my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you.’ Also John 16:33 Jesus says, “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
The Bible guide to what makes the earth great
God giving man dominion (rule over, prevail over, subdue) is what makes the earth Great!
28And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”
Loving God Most Means Helping Others See His Creative Love
We honor God by …
- believing His Word that He Created in 6 Days.
- trusting in God’s light of Salvation despite our past performance.
- asking God to work in us to overcome our insecurities about representing Him as The Loving Creator.
- letting God position our hearts, minds and lives so He can shine through us to others.
- trusting that He who began a good work in us will complete it. (Phil 1:6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.) [email-download-link namefield=”YES” id=”314″]
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