Creation To The Cross

I’ve entitled our message this morning, “Creation to the Cross.” I want to share with you some basic points that I sometimes rely on when helping someone comprehend why we need salvation in Christ. In presenting the gospel we need to help a person understand and acknowledge that we’re sinners and that we need to have our sins forgiven; however, on a few occasions I’ve met people who want more detail on why we’re sinners, or they want to know what sin really is.

For those who want more answers I present them with a brief summary of the Bible, from creation, to the fall of mankind, to our separation from God, right down to Jesus’ atonement for our sins on the cross; and I’ve actually seen this presentation result in people getting saved. Therefore, this morning, I’m going to share the basic salvation message all the way from Genesis to Jesus. I must add that when I actually use the following points in witnessing that I make it less detailed and more concise.

Point # 1: God Made Mankind to Walk with Him (Genesis 2:8-9, 15-17)

8 The Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden, and there He put the man whom He had formed. 9 And out of the ground the Lord God made every tree grow that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil . . . 15 Then the Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it. 16 And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; 17 but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”

The Bible tells us that all human life began with one man and one woman who were both created by God in His image. In our society many people have a difficult time accepting this claim to be true. I’m not seeking to prove anything here today. I’m simply asking that we examine this passage through the eyes of faith, and that we seek to understand the spiritual insights contained within.

This passage says that after God created the first man that He placed him in a luscious garden to take care of it. Since the trees grew and bore fruit all by themselves, the man didn’t have to do a whole lot of work. Mankind was placed in a paradise, so to speak. He was given life, put in a beautiful spot, and had all the food he could ever want within the fruit trees. He was given provision and all of his basic needs were met. Life was perfect, especially after God created the woman as a helper for the man.

So, why did God create mankind? Well, in Genesis 3:8 we’re told, “And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day.” You see, while the man and woman were in the garden, God was right there with them. Mankind was created to walk with God. In Genesis 5:22 and 24 we read about Enoch who “walked with God,” and in Genesis 6:9 we read about how Noah “walked with God.” In all the passages that speak of walking with God, this expression refers to people who are “perfect,” “just,” and “faithful,” and who are full of “peace,” equity,” and “truth” (see Genesis 6:9, Hosea 11:12, Malachi 2:6). To summarize this, people who walk with God walk in righteousness.

The Lord created mankind as perfect and righteous, and able to walk with a perfect, righteous, and holy God. God created us to worship and fellowship with Him. We were made for an intimate love relationship with the Creator; however, true love can’t be forced. Genuine love provides the freedom to choose, and the Lord gave mankind an opportunity to choose whether or not to love and obey Him. That’s why God set out the choice of the two trees: “tree of the knowledge of good and evil,” and the “tree of life.” In addition to given them two options, He also gave them “free will” to choose.

Point # 2: The Devil Tempted Mankind to Sin (Genesis 3:1-7a)

1 Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, “Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden’?” 2 And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden; 3 but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die’.” 4 Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. 5 For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” 6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate. 7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened . . .