GOD THE FATHER ALMIGHTY
Text: Gen. 1:1-4
Introduction
1. Oh, I've heard a thousand stories of what they think you’re like
But I've heard the tender whisper of love in the dead of night
And You tell me that You're pleased and that I'm never alone
2. You're a good, good Father
It's who You are,
And I'm loved by You
It's who I am,
3. Every week, Christians around the world stand and confess words that have been spoken for centuries: “I believe in God the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.” These are not empty words. They are a declaration of faith, a statement of identity, and a foundation for how we understand God, ourselves, and the world we live in.
4. This single line of the Apostles’ Creed tells us who God is, how God relates to us, and why the world exists.
5. Read Gen. 1:1-4
Transition: Let’s take a look at what we believe about…
I. God the Father and the Beginning of Time
A. The first thing the Apostle’s Creed tells us is “God the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth.”
1. What does it mean when it refers to God as “Father?” It’s talking about relationship.
2. In the ancient world, gods were seen as looking down on the world without any involvement or concern for creation.
3. However, in Christianity, God is seen as relatable. God is seen as a Father figure that cares and provides for His children.
4. “So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” 16 For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children.” (Rom 8:15-16).
5. The word “Abba” means “Daddy,” and it’s a term of endearment. (Another reason we should lift our hands in worship – just saying).
6. When we say that God is Father, we are saying that we are not abandoned or orphaned, but rather we have a Father who loves us, cares about, and meets our needs.
7. It also tells us that we are not accidents; we have a purpose and a reason for being.
8. Most importantly, it tells us that we are not alone. Our Father is with us and is looking out for us.
B. It also tells us that our Father is Almighty.
1. “When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, “I am El-Shaddai—‘God Almighty.’ Serve me faithfully and live a blameless life.” (Gen 17:1).
2. When we think of the term “almighty,” we tend to think of power and control.
3. However, when we talk about the Father as almighty, we are not looking at ourselves as being subject to a ruler, but as a God who is able to take care of us.
4. We see God the Father as being “transcendent,” which means which means over and above range of normal or merely physical human experience.
5. So, when we say God is almighty, we are saying that He is over and above any power on earth.
6. Furthermore, it means that God’s abilities are limitless. God has no limits! Therefore, we can trust and rely on Him no matter what the circumstance.
7. He is able to meet our needs because He is limitless and because He cares for us as His children.
C. Then the creed tells us that God created heaven and earth. In Gen 1:1 it says, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”
1. The verse starts with “in the beginning God.” This tells us that God is eternal. He always is, always was, and always will be. Before anything existed, God was there.
2. Then it tells us that “God created the heavens and the earth.” Everything that exists begins and ends with God.
3. The history of the world begins with God. The Hebrew word for “created,” is always used of God’s divine creative activity, never of human beings.
4. He did not need anything to start with except Himself. There was no “primordial soup,” or a “big bang” that caused the world to be, only God.
D. Then in v. 2 it says, “The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters.”
1. When it says, “the earth was formless and empty,” it’s saying that God laid the foundation and put up the frame, but He wasn’t done yet.
2. When you’re building a house, you don’t put up a frame and say, “Okay, let’s move in!” No, you’ve got to have a roof, walls, floors, lights, and so on.
3. The same is true for the earth. God wasn’t done yet. You’ll notice throughout the rest of the creation text, when God created something like light, land, and sky, God said, “it’s good!”
4. However, after creating the heavens and the earth, He didn’t say that because it wasn’t done yet. God’s intention all along was to create something inhabitable and pleasant for His greatest creation - human beings.
5. God was going to create the earth in such a way that we could sustain ourselves based on what God had created.
E. Then in vv. 3-4 it says, “Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. 4 And God saw that the light was good. Then he separated the light from the darkness.”
1. First, God had to remedy the fact that everything was dark. So, He had to create light.
2. Now, pay very close attention to this first phrase, “Then God said…” God’s divine word shattered the darkness and signals the birth of a new world.
3. God did this by merely speaking it into existence. As I have mentioned previously, God created the world out of nothing simply by speaking it into existence. He said, “Let there be light,” and there it was, light!
4. Also pay attention to what it says in v. 4, “And God said it was good.” God had created the next step in creating a world for human beings, light.
5. Without it we couldn’t exist, so, God created it. God also knew that it couldn’t be light all the time, that we would need a break and have time to rest.
6. So, he separated the light from the darkness. He called one day and the other night. Isn’t God good!
Transition: Now, let’s look at..
II. How This Apply to Us
A. We have a Heavenly Father who loves us.
1. “See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are! But the people who belong to this world don’t recognize that we are God’s children because they don’t know him.” (1 Jn. 3:1).
2. There are people today who have an issue with relating to God as Father. Maybe your earthly father was abusive, critical, or unavailable.
3. But remember, your heavenly Father is always there and calls us to spend time with Him.
4. Whenever we are hurt, discouraged, or confused He is there to comfort, encourage, and heal us.
5. He is a provider. He has blessed us with food, clothing, and a place to live.
6. Furthermore, He created a beautiful world for you to enjoy.
7. Most importantly, He loved us enough to send His only Son Jesus to come to our world and take our place on the cross for us.
B. We have a heavenly Father who is all-powerful.
1. “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” (2 Tim. 1:7).
2. The phrase “don’t be afraid,” appears around 53 times in the NLT.
3. God tells us not to be afraid because He is on our side, and no force in the universe can compare to His power or might.
4. He created the universe by speaking it into existence, so, he can take care of you.
5. “And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. 39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Rom. 8:38-39).
C. You are the pinnacle of your heavenly Father’s creation.
1. “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” (Eph. 2:10).
2. In Genesis 1 it says that God created the heavens and the earth, but it also says it was formless and empty. He didn’t say it was good.
3. But as He added all of the things He said, “It is good.” He didn’t say this in the beginning because it wasn’t enough for us.
4. It wasn’t until after He had created humans that He said, “It is very good!”
5. We are His masterpiece! When someone tells you that you are not good enough, remember that God says you are more than good enough!
6. You are good enough because you are God’s child!
7. You are His masterpiece!
Conclusion
What’s the point preacher? Your heavenly Father created the entire world out of nothing. He will protect you, provide for you, and care for you because you are His masterpeiece.
