Intro:
1.John Klu-ge, once listed as the wealthiest man in America, who built an investment in a radio station into a broadcasting empire that was the forerunner to Fox Television, has died. He was 95.
In 1989, 1990 and 1991 Klu-ge was labeled the wealthiest man in America, with a net worth of more than $5 billion. Microsoft’s Bill Gates knocked him off the top spot in 1992, but Klu-ge was still listed by Forbes as the 35th richest American in 2009 with an estimated net worth of $6.5 billion.
In 2001, Kluge gave his 7,400-acre estate, including historic Morven Farm, 10 working farms and more than two dozen houses and modernized farm buildings, to the University of Virginia. The estate was valued at more than $45 million.
University President Teresa Sullivan said in a statement. "He was one of the most charming and engaging individuals I have ever met. I was struck by his keen mind, his inquisitive nature and his extraordinary commitment to higher education...John Klu-ge was a rare visionary whose interests spanned the arts, aid for minority students and innovative health care and who used his many gifts to help make the world a better place."
2. Funny here is a generous man who is said to have made the world a better place, gave away many homes...and yet, the One who made this entire planet - and that for a home for mankind, is rarely, if ever even mention today!
3. Special Existence of planet earth.
Trans: Gen. 1:2
I. FIRST, IT’S PROMINENCE.
"Note that the focus now centers upon the earth. The earth is to be the primary concern of man, for the earth is man’s primary home, and man is responsible for caring and looking after the earth, for subduing it (Genesis 1:28). Therefore, the Scripture now focuses upon the earth, the primary dwelling place of man, the primary place for which man is responsible." [Preacher’s Outline and Sermon Bible - Commentary - The Preacher’s Outline & Sermon Bible]
II. FURTHERMORE, ITS PURPOSE OF A HOME FOR MANKIND.
"God wanted and planned the creation of human beings upon whom He could shower His goodness and grace, a creature who could freely choose to love, worship, serve, and fellowship with Him.
Man would naturally be the last thing that God would create. Why? Because man would need a number of things to sustain his life, and these would need to exist before man was created.
God knew that man would need light, he could not survive in total darkness, and that is why God created light...
Man needed air, a space to live, ground to walk on, he could not live on a planet covered with water - so God made an expanse and put the water in to certain places so land could appear...
Man would need food to eat, so vegatation, fruit trees were provided...
God knew that man would need lights upon earth (sun, moon, and stars) to govern their lives and their seasons, their days and their years, and to give variety and beauty to the universe.
God knew that man would need warmth and beauty and yes, even animal to serve him as he exercised dominion...
Dr. Seth Shostak, an astronomer with the SETI Institute, points out in his course "The Search for Intelligent Life in Space" what conditions favor the development of life in the universe:
"The system’s star ("sun") must not be a giant star, because these burn out too quickly before life can fully develop.
The system’s star must not be a dwarf star, because such a star locks in the close planets, meaning "one side of the planet forever faces its sun, resulting in horrific weather and unlikely venues for life."
The system’s star cannot be a double star, because the unusual gravitational forces created by a double-star sun might not allow stable planetary systems.
The system’s star must not be a young star, because stars less than 1 billion years old have not had enough time, so astronomers think, for life to develop.
Ideally, the planet would have a large moon, which creates active tides.
The planet should have tectonic activity, which causes metals to be pushed up to the surface, since metals are valuable to technological civilization.
The planet should have a large planet farther out in its solar system, which by its great gravitational pull cleans the inner solar system of deadly asteroids and comets.
The planet should not have a highly elliptical orbit, which is unsuitable for incubating life.
For life to live on the surface, the planet must have an atmosphere. "Very small planets lose their air, and very large planets tend to sport poisonous atmosphere. Earth-sized planets are ideal."
And it just so happens that all these conditions fit our earth!" This is the only planet which is specifically designed for human life!
"If the earth were as small as the moon, the power of gravity would be too weak to retain sufficient atmosphere for man’s needs; but if it were as large as Jupiter, Saturn, or Uranus, extreme gravitation would make human movement almost impossible.
If we were as near to the sun as Venus, the heat would be unbearable; if we were as far away as Mars, we would experience snow and ice every night even in the warmest regions. If the oceans were half their present dimensions, we would receive only one-fourth the rainfall we do now. If they were one-eighth larger, our annual precipitation would increase fourfold, and this earth would become a vast, uninhabitable swamp!
Water solidifies at 32 degrees above zero. It would be disastrous if the oceans were subject to that law, however, for then the amount of thawing in the polar regions would not balance out, and ice would accumulate throughout the centuries! To prevent such a catastrophe, the Lord put salt in the sea to alter its freezing point! (Psalm 104:24)" —Our Daily Bread
The earth spins on its axis, like a top, at the speed of one-third mile per second or 1,000 miles per hour. If it were 100 miles per hour, the earth would alternately freeze and burn.
Since I only get to preach a couple hours this morning, I will not give any more examples...but there are many more that could be cited!
"The heavens are the heavens of the LORD, But the earth He has given to the sons of men." Psalm 115:16 (NASB)
"For thus says the LORD, who created the heavens (he is God!), who formed the earth and made it (he established it; he did not create it empty, he formed it to be inhabited!): "I am the LORD, and there is no other." Isaiah 45:18 (ESV)
III. FINALLY, ITS PREPARATION FOR MANKIND.
A. Earth was Devoid of people.
The earth was formless and void - it was unfashioned and uninhabited. Tohu [toe-who] Bohu [boo-who]. Tohu is translated some 10 different ways and has a broad meaning which must be determined by the context.
Note: "The Hebrew tohu wa bohu...the first element, tohu occurs twenty times in the Old Testament, while bohu is found only three times, and in each of these it is linked with tohu. Bohu therefore is not an independent word." [Handbook on Genesis]
It does NOT have to mean something sinful or ravashed by sin!
"He stretches out the north over empty space [tohu] And hangs the earth on nothing. Job 26:7 (NASB)
"For thus says the LORD, who created the heavens (He is the God who formed the earth and made it, He established it and did not create it a waste place [tohu], but formed it to be inhabited), "I am the LORD, and there is none else." Isaiah 45:18 (NASB)
This means He did nto create it with the intension that it remain uninhabited. He created it with the purpose of placing mankind on it.
ILLSTRA: Think of a person leaving boards, nails, roofing, etc. Everything need to build a house. He is going to fashion that material and build a house, so that it can be lived in.
B. Earth enveloped in Darkness.
...and darkness... - the absence of light, everything was completely dark. While later darkness will be used as an illustration for sin, and is often given in a negative light, there is no indication that there is anything sinful about this darkness.
Darkness is also associated with God’s presence.
"Clouds and thick darkness surround Him; Righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne." Psalm 97:2 (NASB)
"Then Solomon said, "The LORD has said that he would dwell in thick darkness." 1 Kings 8:12 (ESV)
C. Earth was in the Deep.
...was over the surface of the deep - the deep here is obviously water, the earth was covered with water. Which had to be changed because man cannot live in water.
Leupold, "That mere "waters" are meant here by tehom is also apparent from the next clause, where the term "waters" is actually substituted for it."
Trans:The point being made is that God created and rearranged everything for one main purpose - to make a place for mankind to live.
Sailhamer, "Nothing is here by chance; everything must be considered carefully, deliberately, and precisely...The sense of the phrase "formless and empty" must be gained from the context alone. The immediate context suggests that the land was described as "formless and empty" because "darkness" was upon the land and because the land was covered with water. The general context of chapter 1 suggests that they author means "formless and empty" to describe the condition of the land before God make it "good."...Thus the expression "formless and empty" refers ultimately to the conditon of the land in its "not yet" state - in it’s state before God made it good [i.e., good for man to inhabit]...The land as a place not yet humanly inhabitable. Having described the land as uninhabitable, the author uses the remainder of the account to portray God’s preparing the land as the place in human dwelling.
Again it just show what love and care that God has for us that he would make us such a home!
"Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully." 1 Peter 5:7 (AMP)
All He asks of us is too trust Him! He created our Home, He created us, and He is in Control of all of our circumstances - if we could only appropriate verses like Prov. 3:5-6!
The Department of Transportation has set aside 200 million dollars for research and testing of an Automated Highway System. This system would purportedly relieve traffic woes with "super cruise control" in heavily congested cities.
Special magnets imbedded in the asphalt every four feet would transfer signals between vehicle and main computer system. Steering, acceleration, and braking would be controlled by sensors, computer navigation systems, and cameras along the side of the road. Control would be returned to drivers at their specified exit.
Researchers and government officials claim they have the technological capability to address any potential problem. The one challenge they have yet to address? Getting people to trust them!
Mike Doble, Buick’s technology manager, "The only thing we can’t do yet is get people to comfortably trust the system. It’s not a technology issue. Would you drive, closely spaced, at high speeds, through San Diego?"
Con:
1. Imagine Kluge the University of Virginia, receiving that 45 million dollar estate, and then going to the property and huging every tree with praise! Bowing down before the house and thanking it for its being!
2. Since April 22, 1970, we celebrate Earth day! This past April 22, 2010 was its 40th anniversary.
One wrote, "Earth Day 2010 can be a turning point to advance climate policy, energy efficiency, renewable energy and green jobs. Earth Day Network is galvanizing millions who make personal commitments to su-stain-ability. Earth Day 2010 is a pivotal opportunity for individuals, corporations and governments to join together and create a global green economy. Join the more than one billion people in 190 countries that are taking action for Earth Day."
And yet those same people, have no regard or appreciation for the One who not only created and sustains it, but gave it to them as a free underserved gift! How sad!
Johnny Palmer Jr
www.StrugglingThruScriptures.ning.com
