Creation or Chance
Selected Passages
February 15, 2009
Morning Service
Introduction
Tomorrow our nation will celebrate President’s Day as a celebration of two of the greatest Presidents of our nation, George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. However, another birthday seeks to overshadow these men. A boy was born to a pastoral family by the name of Darwin. February 12, 2009 marked the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Darwin.
Charles Darwin is most noted for his theories on the subject of evolution. Sadly, a number of churches and whole denominations are participating in Evolution Day across the United States.
I want to be clear. The teachings of the Bible and the teachings of Charles Darwin do not and cannot ever mix. Why is this the case?
1.) Evolution denies the existence of God
2.) Evolution denies the unique existence of humanity in creation
3.) Evolution is a theory based in speculation and conjecture that has never been proven
Here are a few examples of what I mean:
Evolution teaches that we exist be nothing more than chance. Creation teaches that we exist by the choice of God.
Evolution teaches that we nothing more than talking apes. Creation teaches that we are made in the image of God.
Evolution teaches survival of the fittest. Creation teaches to care for the weak and the hurting.
Evolution teaches that humanity is no more valuable than anything else. Creation teaches that we have value given by God.
Evolution seeks to answer two of the most significant questions that we face as human beings.
1.) Where did we come from?
2.) Why are we here?
The Bible answers the question of origin in the very first verse
1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Genesis 1:1
All things have their origin with God
Everything that exists started with God. When I say everything, I mean everything. That means every star in the sky, every planet in existence, every plant that covers the earth, every mineral in the earth, every creature that walks the earth and every person. Everything has a common creator. We all come from the common source of God’s creative nature. Everything that we see and all we cannot see is the work of God. There was no accident in the cosmos that brought us into existence. Creation is the intentional act of God.
All things have their organization from God
There organization of nature started with the intentional act of God and His creative ability. Everything in creation is organized because that is the way God designed it to be.
Look at the rest of Genesis 1. The days of creation are detailed for us and exactly what God did.
First Day (3-5): Light Light and warmth stimulate growth
Second Day (6-8): Atmosphere and Water Air and water sustain life
Third Day (9-13): Dry land and vegetation Provides a place to live and food
Fourth Day (14-19): Lights (sun, moon, stars) Gives seasons, days and years
Fifth Day (20-23): Water animals and birds Populate the seas and sky and starts the food chain
Sixth Day (24-31): Land animals and humanity populate the earth and provide fellowship with God
Seventh Day (2:1-3): Sabbath Day of worship and fellowship with God
All things have their order from God
Notice all of the things that God sets into place in these first two chapters of Genesis.
Humanity: God made humanity in His own image. We are made like Him three in one. We are body, soul and spirit. God is the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. This is not an accident but a planned reality.
Food Chain: God sets the food chain in place. Look at how He created everything. Lower rungs are created first so that everything is in place for the needs of life.
Marriage: God ordains marriage with Adam and Eve. Make no mistake that is part of God’s plan.
The psalmist describes it this way: 1 The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. 2 Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. 3 There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. Psalm 19:1-3
Creation demonstrates the power of God to do what seems impossible. The word created is bara. It appears in this passage three times describing the manner in which God created heavens and the earth, sea and winged creature and humanity. Bara is used only for God and only when God makes something for the first time. It means to make something out of nothing. When God started the creative process He started with nothing. God needs nothing to created with because He is the master maker of all things.
What does this mean for us?
You are the creation of a loving God
Instead of believing that humanity descended from apes, we believe that humanity has been created by God.
You are the made in the image of God Himself
You have value that nothing can ever take away
