HE’S STILL AROUND
Genesis 1
INTRODUCTION:
1. At some time during the 1960’s, I think it was, a group of skeptics attempted to popularize the idea that God was dead. Bumper stickers declared allegiance to the campaign all across America. The movement died out but God is still around.
2. The book of Genesis starts out recording the activities of God in Creation. Some have called the Biblical account of creation a myth. I call it truth. Anything that might substitute for it, i.e., truth, can itself be considered myth. Skeptics and scoffers come an go. Myths come and go. . . but God is still around.
3. Lessons from the past are helpful for the present and future.
PROP: GOD WILL ALWAYS BE HERE.
TRANS: God was here before the beginning. As we look at Genesis one, we can observe three lessons we need to learn about our never ending God.
I. A LESSON ABOUT THE INVOLVEMENT OF GOD.
A. Genesis 1:1 says with simple words that God is responsible for Creation. In the beginning He made all that is.
B. By looking at the order of creation we learn something about God’s involvement. For one thing we detect evidence of intelligence in creation. We also know that He decided to involve Himself in creation from the very beginning. All who look are without excuses (Romans 1:19-21).
C. None of us was involved in creation in the active way God was. Only God could bring something out of nothing. By His choice and by His design (intelligence and decision) He was involved in creation. Where were you when God laid the foundations of the earth? (Job 38:4).
D. In intellect and will God was involved. But He also discloses His emotion in creation. Before the “beginning” God’s heart was involved in what He was about to do:
1. John 17:24 - The Father loved the Son before . . .
2. John 17:5 - The Son had glory before . . .
3. Ephesians 1:4 - God chose us before . . .
4. II Peter 1:20 - Christ’s death was ordained before . . .
5. Titus 1:2 - God promised eternal life before . . .
It is impossible to dwell on this fully and not sense God’s emotional involvement at creation. He is still around. God is still involved!
II. A LESSON ABOUT THE PURPOSE OF MAN:
A. In Genesis 1:26-28 we note that a “divine counsel precedes the creation of man.” (Barrens). When God says “Let us” we can understand, though not conclusively based on this text, the full involvement of the trinity in creation. The Father created (1:1), the Spirit moved (1:2), and the Word (1:3) was spoke.
B. With the interest of the Trinity, Man is crowned with a special purpose and enthroned on a unique position among all of God’s handiwork. We are the King of Creation. We praise God first because He created us (Psalm 148:5).
1. Man was created in the image and likeness of God. Something in us is like God an unlike animals. We were created to portray Him in creation with intellect, emotion, and will that are distinct from all other beings. We were given regal office as bearers of the image of God.
2. Man was created to have dominion. The care and use of all of the rest of creation was given to us.
3. Mankind was created male and female. The two complement or complete each other. Together men and women share the image of God and are meant to display it together. God created Adam and Eve not Adam and Steve.
4. Man was created with responsibility. We have been given orders from our maker. This means we have a charge to obey.
C. What are you? You are a bearer of the image of God. You have a purpose. Man still has a purpose! With the execution of it comes blessing. God is still around and man’s purpose still matters.
III. A LESSON ABOUT THE DISTORTION OF GOODNESS:
A. In Genesis 1:12, 18, 25, and 31 God says creation is “good.” We know that things have changed since then. In this original environment there was no need for medicines or healthcare. There was no misuse of hallucinogens. There were no environmental protection statements.
B. Things were good in those days but now goodness has been distorted. Today we sometimes make heroes out of wrongdoers. Goodness came, goodness left, but goodness will be restored.
C. In this “book of beginnings” we find the very seeds of all the great doctrines that are developed in the Word of God. -Paul Van Gouder #19-23
In the beginning God was here. This simple truth gives us the seed of hope for the future. In the beginning the Holy Spirit moved upon the waters. This simple protective act gives us the seed of hope for the future (the word for moved in 1:2 is used in Deuteronomy 32 of a mother eagle “hovering” protectively over her nest). In the beginning the Word was spoken. This simple truth gives us the seed of hope for the future (see John 1:1-3).
D. The distortion of goodness has come and it will go . . . because God is still around!
CONCLUSION:
1. Is God relevant? You had better believe He is. He is not dead and He’s still around. That makes all the difference in the world when we think about His involvement, our purpose, and the storation of goodness.
2. Jesus is the beginning and the end (Revelation 1:8; 21:6; 22:12-13).
3. In the beginning things started with God (Genesis 1:1). In the end things will start anew with God (Revelation 22:20-21). Between now and then God is still around. Will you come to Jesus today? See Hebrews 1:10; Colossians 1:16-17; I Corinthians 8:6; Ephesians 3:9
NOTE: See Barrens (222.111/Ba) on the tohu wahovu statement of Genesis 1:2. Also consult S. Lewis Johnson tapes T701 and T702.
