Discovering Genesis, Part 3
Genesis 3:1-5
Introduction
- At our core, at our very molecular level, we were created to worship God
- APP: Worship is not just our praise but also our obedience to a Holy God
-- We must obey the God we serve; in everything; else we are not worshiping
-- It’s more than singing a few songs and listening to a sermon and giving
-- It’s more than showing up once a week and calling ourselves Christians
- Why do we worship? Rev 4:11 says, “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.”
- Last week, we examined Chapter 2 and revealed God’s plan for mankind
- It covered mankind’s creation; where he is placed; his occupation (tend garden)
- The conditions (probation) of living there; his need for a companion/helper
- Lastly, God’s creation of woman out of the existing creation of man
-- She was not a new creation; but a creation from something already existing
-- Thus, she is equal to mankind (not above, below, or under – but equal)
- Today, we are going to tackle The Fall in two parts, so come back tonight
- This morning, we begin with the “what” (cause); tonight is the “so what” (effect)
- Read Genesis 3:1-5
- Pray
Point 1 – The Serpent Causes Doubt (1-3)
- One of the most important things to remember is that man was created innocent
- He was given life by the breath of God; given dominion over everything he sees
- This is critical in our understanding today; must know who we are in this text
-- Innocence is different than righteousness;
-- Righteousness is innocence maintained through temptation
- This is why Jesus can be called righteous; because He maintained His innocence
- We failed at this temptation, and it is the reason why we must look to Jesus
- Temptation has the ability to strengthen us; or the ability to tear us apart
- Working through temptation is where we develop our character and our strength
- This is the critical point to grasp here; when tempted, we usually fail … but why?
-- APP: It is because of the war of the flesh that rages within us day and night
- APP: Jesus was tempted, but He remained faithful to the Word of the Lord
- We choose to sin; God does not make us sin; nor does the devil
-- Don’t give the devil this much credit; especially as a believer
-- Flip Wilson used to say “The Devil made me do it” … Flip was a liar
-- The devil simply put the idea out there; and the choice to take it is yours/mine
- Gen 2:17 God gives man very clear instructions (probation/condition) on living
-- We can eat anything in the Garden; but must avoid this one particular tree
- Satan is revealed here for us, and his ability to utilize a creature is revealed
- IMP: The fact that we have a talking snake here is NOT the important issue
-- We must get past this fact else we will get hung up on what doesn’t matter
- Satan has the capability to change his appearance; appearing to appeal to us
--- 2 Cor 11:14, “angel of light”
--- Rev 12:9, “great dragon … old serpent …
Point 2 – The Serpent Denies the Word of God (4-5)
- Key Question: Why does Satan decide to approach the woman and not the man?
-- I believe it is b/c she got her information second hand; not from God but Adam
-- Man heard God’s voice and God’s instruction; and I’m sure he relayed it to her
-- So, Satan went after the one who didn’t have direct instruction from God
- Do we have any evidence that she did not receive direct instruction from God?
-- When God gave Adam instruction (2:16), he didn’t say not to touch it (v3)
-- So, right off the bat we have a change to God’s instruction (whispering game)
- What Satan does here is very crafty … he doesn’t tear God down; make fun; etc.
- All that he does is cast doubt, and then leave the interpretation up to you and I
- APP: This plays right into our pride, our selfishness, and leads to our destruction
-- When we assume that we know better than God it becomes VERY dangerous
- Now watch what Satan does with this information (read v4-5)
-- Meaning: “If God is so good, why would He give you this restriction?”
- Then, what he does is say that we too shall be gods if we eat it; pride = sin
- Eve added to the Word and she changed its meaning; which Satan pounced on
-- Again, “Who is this God who would try to restrain you from …”
- So, Satan takes the opportunity to twist it a bit; and hey, it sounds good now!
-- IMP: This is all the opportunity that Satan needs to attack God’s people
- Let me ask if you’ve ever heard some of this stuff before in your Spirit:
-- “You don’t have to listen to this, you and God are a-ok and he doesn’t know”
-- “You know the Bible, and God loves you, so don’t worry about repenting of sin”
-- * “This scripture doesn’t apply to you, your sins aren’t bad compared to theirs”
- Eve added, and the warning is that the Word clearly teaches against this:
-- Rev 22:18-19, “I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this scroll. And if anyone takes words away from this scroll of prophecy, God will take away from that person any share in the tree of life and in the Holy City, which are described in this scroll.”
- But more importantly, the Word teaches that our faith is by hearing the Word
-- Romans 10:17, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
Conclusion
- At the very beginning, we see where we are already given a choice to obey
- He gives you and I that very same choice at this very minute in your life
- What you do with the choice is really what makes or breaks you
- It is in our response to God that we show how much He is valued to us
- At our core, at our very molecular level, we were created to worship God
- APP: Worship is not just our praise but also our obedience
- With every head bowed and every eye closed …
- God has called us to a place in our lives of choosing who we will serve
- Joshua 24:15, “But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.””
- Pray
