"In The Beginning God"

A. "IN THE BEGINNING GOD"

GENESIS 1:1

1. The most conclusive word; and the most misunderstood word:

a. It is all-inclusive -

(1) The Bible begins with, "In the beginning God" - Gen. 1:1

(2) The last book of the Bible closes with these words; "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen." - Rev. 22:21

b. Paul summarizes his instructions to Timothy with these words, "All scripture is given by inspiration of God." - 2 Tim. 3:16, 17

2. "The fool hath said in his heart, there is no God": Ps. 14:1

a. The atheist says, "There is no God".

b. The agnostic says, "I do not know that there is a God".

c. The materialist says, "I need no God".

d. The Christian says, "There is a God, and I need Him".

B. WHY THIS SUBJECT

1. To know God and Jesus Christ is "everlasting life": John 17:3

2. God wants us to know Him:

a. He wants His enemies to know Him - Ex. 7:5; 8:22; 14:4

b. God wants all men to know Him; that is why He sent His Son into this world; and that is why He gave us the Bible - John 1:18; Matt. 11:39; John 5:39

3. Revelation of God:

a. A Pagan philosopher asks the Christian, "Where is your God?"; and the Christian asked the Pagan, "Where is He not?" - Ps. 139:1-9

b. The works of God prove that He is -

(1) "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth His handy work" - Ps. 19:1

(2) "For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and godhead" - Rom. 1:20

c. Christ is proof that God is -

(1) "He that hath seen me hath seen the Father" - John 14:9

(2) "For in Him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily" - Col. 2:9; Heb. 1:3; 2 Cor. 4:4

d. The Bible is witness that God is. Read it; believe it; live it; and you will know that God is - 2 Tim. 3:15-17; John 7:17

C. GOD IS

1. The reason for the universe, because He created it: Ps. 19:1-6; Rom. 1:20

2. He is the reason for life in the universe: Acts 17:28; John 1:1-10

3. He is the reason for our hope: Ps. 78:7; 146:5

a. He is the hope of my future; if there is no God, there can be no future; if God is not, who shall raise me from the dead?

b. Paul speaks of that hope - Acts 24:15

4. What would and could I do without God?

a. When sickness strikes! Ex. 16:26; Ps. 103:1-3

b. When death comes? John 11:1-44; 1 Cor. 15:26; Hos. 12:13

c. When I think of eternity? 5. God is:

a. Everywhere - Ps. 139:7

b. Love - 1 John 4:8. What would life be without love? - Matt. 24:12

c. Just - Mi. 6:8

d. Truth - John 14:16

e. Light - 1 Tim. 6:16; Rev. 22:1-6

f. God is the Giver of all perfect gifts; let us thank Him for them - Jas. 1:17

g. God is, and that is why you and I are. Nothing could exist without God.