Beginnings - Pt. 4 - Gardens Grow Pansies Series

Beginnings

Part 4 – Gardens Grow Pansies!

I. Introduction

I have asked some tough and challenging questions during this series. Questions like “What is the indicator to those around you that God is at the beginning of your entire life?” In week two, I asked you if you have a Word? Then last week I asked you if you were caught up in the blame game?

So, let’s continue our examination of the beginning and see what it will teach us.

II. Text

Genesis 1:26-31

26-28God spoke: "Let us make human beings in our image, make them reflecting our nature so they can be responsible for the fish in the sea, the birds in the air, the cattle, and, yes, Earth itself, and every animal that moves on the face of Earth." God created human beings; he created them godlike, reflecting God’s nature. He created them male and female. God blessed them: "Prosper! Reproduce! Fill Earth! Take charge! Be responsible for fish in the sea and birds in the air, for every living thing that moves on the face of Earth." 29-30Then God said, "I’ve given you every sort of seed-bearing plant on Earth and every kind of fruit-bearing tree, given them to you for food. To all animals and all birds, everything that moves and breathes, I give whatever grows out of the ground for food." And there it was. 31God looked over everything he had made; it was so good, so very good!

III. The Utopia Experience

God is constantly evaluating His own handy work. We are told on at least 7 occasions that when God examines His creation that He awards Himself an A+ for creativity. He determines that what He has done is good and then even goes one step further on Day 6 and says it is very good. Take a moment if you will and think about God’s accomplishment. He had created paradise on earth. There is no harsh weather. No fear of earthquake, tornados, or tidal waves. There was no strife in the animal kingdom. No death. No sickness. No tears. No stickers. Perfection at its most perfect. Unrivaled in beauty. Everything in perfect condition. Pristine. No pollution. No wars. No politics. No poverty. It was heaven on earth. Utopia is an understatement.

And so it was that on Day 6, surrounded by this postcard like environment, that God creates man and as His masterpiece takes shape and form God speaks. The first sound Adam ever hears is God Almighty speaking destiny over his life. The first words that cause the ear drum to vibrate and send nerve signals for the brain to translate from sound to thought was God giving him marching orders. God has issued Adam’s call. The dossier for his life has been delivered. In a simple statement, God puts Adam and consequently Eve on the path to purpose. “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” This was the job description. This was the vision statement. This was the mandate of their lives! And this word came in utopia.

But as you know from Genesis Chapter 3 that I read to you when we were together last . . . Bad invades the good. Utopia is interrupted and order is shattered by chaos. Their conscious decision to make bad choices drags them kicking and screaming out of the paradise into an environment where there is now strife, hardship, sweat, blood, tears, and even death.

It is as you read the rest of the story in Genesis 4 and beyond that you discover the Beginning lessons for today.

IV. Utopia Lost

A. Bad choices changed environment, but did not change the call.

Adam and Eve made a choice. They chose to disobey and justify their clear disobedience. They know the will of God and yet they willing go against it! Their choice changed their environment. Utopia is lost. Paradise is forfeited. However, for all of the bad choices and the disobedience tehir call didn’t change!

Another element of this is that the consequences didn’t change the call. The call is consistent!

There were definite, severe and painful consequences brought about by the choices they made, but even the consequences didn’t change the call.

Many of you think because you have made some bad choices that you have also forfeited the call that God placed on your life. However, just because the environment has changed doesn’t mean the mandate on your life has changed. The call of God is without repentance. You can’t get away from it. You can’t outrun it. You can’t change God’s mind about you even if you have changed your mind about God. God won’t change His mind about you even if others have changed their minds about you. The call is there. The call is secure. The call is alive.