TEXT: Genesis 1:1-3a
TITLE: ORDER OUT OF CHAOS
Chaos – (Web.) (1) The disorder of formless matter and infinite space, supposed to have existed before the ordered universe. (2) Extreme confusion or disorder. A state of utter confusion.
Verse 2 could be translated that the earth was waste. TLB – “The earth was a shapeless, chaotic mass, with the Spirit of God brooding over the dark vapors”. It was shapeless; it was useless in its present condition. This represents our lives and some of the situations of our lives.
I want us to take a trip through the Bible and see that God is a God who can bring order, peace and glory out of chaotic, confused and hopeless situations. The devil has been trying to bring disorder and chaos to our lives since creation.
To begin with I want you to see that Israel is a good representation of the Church today.
Exodus 15:22ff. – This took place right after they saw Pharaoh and the Egyptian army destroyed in the Red Sea. Israel was experiencing some confusion and disorder. They complained because the water was bitter at Marah. But God brought order and peace when He showed Moses a tree that he was to cast into the waters. The waters became sweet.
Notice verse 24 – “And the people complained against Moses, saying, ‘What shall we drink?’” In this situation it was their own doing that brought about the confusion they were experiencing. It was their complaining that brought about their confusion.
The cross will always bring about order if we let it.
Exodus 17 – Israel was in a state of confusion and disorder. At Rephidim there was no water. The people contended with Moses to give them water. Moses again cried out to the Lord. Moses was instructed to strike the rock & water gushed forth.
Notice verse 5 – “And the LORD said…” Every time the Lord speaks He brings order out of chaos.
In Joshua 7 (This comes right after their victory at Jericho.) Israel was in a state of chaos when they suffered a defeat at Ai. In order for order to be restored God revealed the sin that was in the camp. When it was dealt with Israel experienced peace and order once again.
Sin brought about the chaotic state that Israel was in. Sin will always bring about chaos in one’s life. The only way to have any order is to ask God to forgive you. Most of the time it was their evil that brought the chaotic situation.
Notice verse 10 – “So the LORD said to Joshua…”
It’s not always life’s circumstances or the devil that causes chaos. Sometimes the chaos in our lives is caused by the sin that is in our lives. That sin may have to be revealed and dealt with before the chaos will be done away in our lives.
During the time of the Judges Israel experienced a lot of chaos. But God used an Othniel, Ehud, a Deborah and others to bring about peace and order once again.
God used individuals during the time of the Judges to bring about order to Israel. He may be going to use you or someone else to help get us out of the chaotic state.
Throughout the time of the Kings God used Prophets as well as Kings to bring order and peace to chaotic situations.
In 2 Kings 4 the Shunammite’s son which God gave died. All of a sudden she was plunged into a chaotic situation; a situation of confusion and disorder. She went to Elisha the man of God and through the power of God Elisha raised this boy back to life. Order was again restored.
I don’t care how bad the situation is or how chaotic it is if you will bring it to the Lord He can manifest resurrection power to bring order out of chaos.
In 2 Kings 6 when the ax head fell off the ax of a son of the prophets which was borrowed, this man was in a state of confusion. But the prophet Elisha threw a stick into the water and the ax head floated. Order and peace was again restored.
In 2 Kings 18, 19 Jerusalem was under siege. They were in a state of chaos or confusion and disorder. Hezekiah took his case to the Lord and the Lord delivered them out of this chaotic state.
Notice 19:6 – “…Thus says the LORD…”
Israel was faced with annihilation. They were faced with the possibility of being completely destroyed. What a chaotic situation but God had a person for such a time who could help restore peace and order – He had Esther.
The world was once again in a state of confusion and disorder. And God in the fullness of time sent His son into this chaotic world to bring about peace and order once again.
Galatians 4:4 – “But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law.”
In Matthew 8 there was a leper in a chaotic state. Jesus told him He was willing for him to be cleansed and immediately he was cleansed.
Verse 3 – “Then Jesus put out His hand and touched him, saying, ‘I am willing; be cleansed.’ Immediately his leprosy was cleansed.”
In the same chapter of Matthew we find Peter’s mother-in-law sick with a fever. That brought confusion. Beginning with verse 14 it says, “(14) Now when Jesus had come into Peter’s house, He say his wife’s mother lying sick with a fever. (15) So He touched her hand, and the fever left her. And she arose and served them.”
We also find in that same chapter that they got into a boat and the wind and the waves almost capsized the boat. Jesus rebuked the wind and the sea and it calmed down. He brought calmness and peace and order to that chaotic situation.
Verse 26 says: “But He said to them, ‘Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?’ Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.”
In Mark 8 the disciples found themselves in a state of confusion when Jesus wanted them to feed a great multitude of people who had been listening to him teach. “What will we do? We can’t feed them.” But Jesus was there and He had the answer. He performed a miracle and 4,000 people were fed.
In Luke 19 we meet a publican (Zacchaeus) who nobody liked. His life was one of confusion and disorder. But when he met Jesus his confusion and disorder disappeared.
Verse 5 – “And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him, and said to him, Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house.’”
Verse 8 – “Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, ‘Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold.”
Verse 9 – “And Jesus said to him, ‘Today salvation has come to this house…”
In Acts 6 we find the church faced with a chaotic situation. The Hellenists were complaining because their widows were being neglected. The Holy Spirit gave the disciples the wisdom they needed to handle the situation. “It pleased everyone and the Word of God spread and the disciples multiplied.”
You may find yourself in a state of chaos or we as a church may be in a chaotic situation. But don’t give up. God majors in taking care of chaotic situations. He can bring peace and order where confusion and disorder reign.
You may need to look to the cross or the Lord may send manna from heaven or water from a rock or cause an ax head to float or ask an individual or He may have to reveal some hidden sin or He may have to take a little and multiply it but whatever has to be done He is ready to speak peace and bring order if you will receive it.
The Question is: Are you ready? Are you ready for whatever it takes to get you out of this chaotic state? It may be as easy as Him speaking a word or as difficult as Him revealing hidden sin but let Him do what He needs to do to get you out of that chaotic state.
