Go! And Behold the Beginning: The Creator and the Word
Introduction: Why the Beginning Matters
How we begin shapes everything that follows. Think about it—if you start a journey in the wrong direction, every step, no matter how fast or determined, only takes you further from where you’re meant to be. Today, we go right back to the very first words of the Bible, and the very first words of the Gospel of John. Two beginnings—one at creation, one before creation—and both point us to Jesus.
Genesis 1:1 (NLT) says: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”
John 1:1 (NLT) declares: “In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
The question for us today is this: Do you live as if Jesus is just part of your story—or as if He is the Author of it all?
1. Go! And See the God Who Creates (Genesis 1:1)
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1, NLT)
The word for God here is Elohim—a majestic plural form, revealing the fullness and power of God. The verb “created” (bara) is used exclusively for God’s creative activity. It means creating out of nothing—ex nihilo.
This verse was written by Moses, likely during Israel’s wilderness journey, to a people surrounded by pagan nations worshipping the sun, moon, animals, and idols. Genesis 1:1 declared a radical truth—one God, before all things, above all things, Creator of all.
Colossians 1:16 (NLT): “For through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see… Everything was created through him and for him.”
Paul shows that Jesus Himself is the Creator. Everything exists for Him—not for our pleasure or success, but for His glory.
R.T. Kendall wrote, “If God is the Creator, then everything you have—your life, your breath, your opportunities—are on loan. Ownership belongs to Him; stewardship belongs to you.”
This means your career, your health, your relationships—they are not yours to control, they are gifts to steward for His purpose.
Today people often say “my truth,” “my rights,” “my body,” Genesis 1:1 cuts through the noise: it’s all His.
How do you spend your time?
How do you use your resources?
Is your life arranged around your Creator—or have you made Him an accessory to your plans?
A watchmaker crafts a fine watch. If the watch begins to believe it made itself, or exists only to decorate a wrist, it misses its purpose—to keep time faithfully. Likewise, we were made by God and for God, yet many live as if they are self-made.
2. Go! And Know the Word Who Was (John 1:1)
“In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John 1:1, NLT)
John uses Logos (Word)—a term familiar to both Jews and Greeks. To Jews, it meant God’s creative and revealing Word; to Greeks, it meant the rational principle that orders the universe. John says: that Logos is a Person—Jesus Christ.
“The Word already existed”—the Greek is en (imperfect tense), meaning continuous existence. Jesus did not come into being at Bethlehem; He always was.
Hebrews 13:8 (NLT): “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”
The eternal Word does not change. The same Jesus who created the world is the one who can create a new heart in you today.
John Piper writes, “The Jesus who walked the dusty roads of Galilee is the same infinite God who spoke galaxies into being. The shock is not that He is great, but that He came low for us.”
We often try to shape Jesus into our image: a wise teacher, a kind helper, a distant religious figure. John won’t let us do that. He says: He is God. He made you. He sustains you. One day you will stand before Him.
3. Go! And Receive the Life He Gives
John continues later: “The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone.” (John 1:4, NLT)
Genesis begins with creation; John begins with new creation. The same Jesus who said, “Let there be light,” says, “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12).
2 Corinthians 5:17 (NLT): “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”
Romans 10:9 (NLT): “If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
Imagine a derelict house, windows broken, roof leaking, rooms full of mould. The owner has long abandoned it. Then a master craftsman buys it, not to demolish but to restore—piece by piece, turning it into a place of beauty. That is what Jesus does when you surrender to Him.
Charles Stanley once said, “God takes full responsibility for the life wholly surrendered to Him.”
Have you surrendered your life—or are you still holding the keys?
4. Go! And Respond to the Gospel
Here is the heart of it all: the Creator stepped into His creation. The Word became flesh (John 1:14). He lived the life we could never live, died the death we deserved, was buried, and rose again to give us eternal life.
His death on the cross paid the penalty for your sin.
His resurrection proves He is Lord over life and death.
His invitation is open: repent (turn from your sin) and believe in Him.
This is not just theology—it is urgent reality. Hebrews 9:27 says, “Each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment.”
5. Go! And Live for His Glory
If He made you, redeemed you, and now dwells within you, how should you live?
With humility—acknowledging He is God, you are not.
With holiness—choosing His way over the world’s way.
With hope—knowing the Creator who began the story will finish it.
Philippians 1:6 (NLT): “And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.”
The Gospel Invitation:
Friend, are you living as if you are the author of your own life? Or will you today bow before the One who wrote the first line and the last?
Repent—turn from self-rule. Trust in Jesus—receive His forgiveness. Confess Him as Lord.
Pray: “Lord Jesus, I believe You are the Creator and the Saviour. I turn from my sin, I trust in Your death and resurrection, I give You my life. Be my Lord.”
Benediction:
May the God who spoke light into the darkness shine in your hearts this week. May you live knowing you are created by Him, redeemed through Him, and sustained for His glory. Go, and be a living testimony that in the beginning was the Word—and the Word is still with us.
