Creation, Part 2 Series

Creation Series, Part 2

Genesis 1:6-8

Introduction

- Picking up from last week …

- As a building requires a builder, creation must have a creator

- Even the energy in the universe requires a source, it requires a creator

- There is an irrational logic proving that something popped up from nothing

- We have a Creator, and the Creator has given us a clear account of His story

- APP: What we find ourselves in is a situation what separates all of us

-- If you do not believe this account, you fall into one of these two categories:

1. Theistic Evolutionist: Believes that God is real, yet He used evolution to evolve all things in this world to include the creation of mankind

2. Naturalistic Evolutionist (which most non-believers are): Believes that everything evolved by accident, and that there is no God nor Creator

-- Claims to use the formula: “Nobody times Nothing equals Everything!”

-- This is absolutely the wrong angle for us and is at the heart of our beliefs

- There is no middle ground on this issue and it is here we must answer for ourselves

- Before we can even see the Redeemer who is Jesus, we must see the workmanship

- We must see the Glory of a Creator who specifically put each thing into place

- APP: If we cannot see the work of the Creator; can we see the work of a Messiah?

- As a believer, we have to be willing to refute the commentaries of today

- Scientists, teachers, and pundits from all walks of life wish to denounce Creation

- It is critical that we are able to demonstrate a clear logic in our thinking

-- But, not only clear logic … but a Biblically based explanation to the Creation account

- APP: It is not our place to speak for God; but we use God’s Word to demonstrate truth

- Last Sunday night we answered the ancient question, “How old is the Earth?”

-- Gen 5 gives us the dates of the Patriarchs, and through OT we have 4,000 years

-- From the arrival to the Messiah to today we have approx. 2,000 years

-- Thus, the Earth is approximately 6,000 years old … period!!

- The creation and formation of the Earth took 6 days, and last week we viewed Day 1

- Today, we will look at Day 2 and 3 (tonight) and see His marvelous workmanship

- Let’s read up to our text so we have the complete view of where we are

- Stand and read Genesis 1:1-8 (KJV)

- Pray

Point 1 – The Dawning of Day 2

- This message will be a teaching message; plenty of space to take notes on bulletin

- At the beginning of Day 2, we see that the Earth is covered in water (the deep)

- Then God said (again, notice how things happen – He speaks and it is so) …

- Firmament is the Hebrew word, “raqiya”; means something that is spread out

- APP: When God speaks, a space is created between the water and outer space

- IMP: Remember from last week the root foundation is water (read Genesis 1:2)

- Simply stated, there is a protective layer that is created between two things:

-- 1. The seas below

-- 2. The water above (which refers to atmospheric clouds, water vapor, etc.)

- This includes the Earth’s breathable atmosphere – or the SPACE that we live now

- God says let there be a separation (firmament), between the below and the above

- But, then, He also refers to this area (or expanse / raqiya) also as heaven (verse 8)

- This is the atmospheric heaven that when we look up, we see with our eyes

- Better stated: Consider it the ozone; the blue sky; the protection from space

- No one can survive in outer space; it’s a proven fact because it is a total vacuum

- There is no air, there is only space (hence its name); loaded with celestial bodies

- Now, remember we saw in Genesis 1:1 that God created the “Heaven” (this is space)

- So, consider this; first He created THE heaven and THE Earth (let’s explore this)

-- Question: What was there before there was a Heaven and an Earth?

-- Answer: John 1:1 says clearly, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

-- Therefore, in the beginning there was God; He is eternal and nothing created Him!

- APP: If you cannot stand on this fact; you’ve missed the purpose of Jesus Christ

-- Jesus did not simply die to save you from your sins; but to redeem God’s creation