“Creation”
Series: A Journey through the Old Testament [on screen]
Rev. Matthew C. McCraw, EdD
First Baptist Church, Bartow, Florida
April 25, 2021
Introductory Comments:
This week we are beginning a new series called, “A Journey through the Old Testament.” We’re going to discuss the major themes and truths found in the Old Testament as well as how the Gospel is seen all throughout the Old Testament.
Indeed, the Old Testament is very important to us. It is the foundation of the Word of God, and it comprises 59% of the books of the Bible. So, we’ll take about fourteen weeks or so to study and celebrate the truths of the Old Testament.
Today, we’re going to start right at the beginning: we’re going to start with Creation. Before we begin, let’s go to God in prayer and ask for His blessings on this study.
(prayer)
Understanding Creation helps us understand everything else about our faith. An improper understanding of Creation can lead to an improper understanding of God, ourselves, and our world.
As we go through this new sermon series, we’re going to look at large sections of Scripture and then discover some helpful content for us as followers of Jesus.
So, as we look at Creation, let’s first look at the . . .
I. Major elements [on screen]
Creation of the world [on screen]
As we look at Genesis 1 and 2 we see the creation of the world.
The first five words of the Bible are instrumental to our understanding of Creation, life, and the Bible: “In the beginning God created . . .” [on screen] God was actively involved in and responsible for the creation of all things.
We also learn from Genesis that God created the world in six days, then He rested on the seventh. Let’s look at what He created:
Day 1 – light, day, night (Genesis 1:3-5) [on screen]
Day 2 – expanse (sky) (Genesis 1:6-8) [on screen]
Day 3 – earth, sea, vegetation/trees (Genesis 1:9-13) [on screen]
By the way, before it ever rained, we see that mist watered everything (Genesis 2:6)
Day 4 – sun, moon, stars (Genesis 1:14-19) [on screen]
Day 5 – sea creatures, winged creatures (Genesis 1:20-23) [on screen]
Day 6 – wildlife of the earth, mankind (Genesis 1:24-31) [on screen]
Day 7 – rest, holy day (Genesis 2:2-3) [on screen]
We also learn some details about the . . .
Creation of Mankind [on screen]
Made in God’s image (Genesis 1:26) [on screen]
I’ve said this many times, but it’s worth understanding where this doctrine comes from. Mankind has unique value and worth simply due to the fact that we are made in the image of God. We are special to Him! We are made in God’s image.
Made male and female (Genesis 1:27) [on screen]
God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone,” so God made a helper suitable for Him. God’s design is that men and women will have one another as partners. (Genesis 2:18)
Woman made from man’s rib (Genesis 2:22)
“Eve” given her name by Adam in Genesis 3:20
“Adam” first spoken as a name in Genesis 4:25
Genesis 2:24 says that a man shall leave his father and mother. Our most important human relationship is to our husband or wife; it’s no longer our parents.
Genesis 2:25 says they were naked, yet felt no shame. Sin had not yet polluted marriage and sexuality like it later would.
By the way, it’s important to point out a crucial truth from God’s Word in light of our cultural times. God made male and female; that is His design.
There’s so much confusion today over what it means to be male and female.
Listen, I know that there is genuine confusion in people’s hearts and minds about who they are and even with what gender they identify as. My heart goes out to them because I imagine that is such a difficult place to be in. However, that confusion is not a result of God’s design, it’s as a result of the distortion of God’s design. We’ll talk more about that next time.
We can know this from the Bible: God has a design for you and that design involves you being all that God plans for you as a boy or girl, or a man or woman, and nothing in science or culture can change God’s design for you.
When it comes to these issues, we followers of God should offer compassion and clarity to those who are struggling with these issues.
Next, we see the . . .
Creation of the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2) [on screen]
Man placed there
Multiple rivers (Pishon, Gihon, Tigris, Euphrates)
Man named all the animals
These are some of the major elements from the Creation story. There’s much more that could be said, but these are the highlights.
Now, let’s discover the . . .
II. Major truths [on screen]
God created everything [on screen]
Out of nothing (ex nihilo) [on screen]
God didn’t start with a pile of parts, with a big bang, with a cosmic ooze, or anything else. God created everything that we see, out of nothing.
Here are a few statements that I think will help us understand the scope of what God created:
All natural things find their origin in God. [on screen]
All natural processes find their origin in God. [on screen]
All artificial things find their origin in God’s creation. [on screen]
There’s the old story of a scientist who went to God and said that he had found a way to create anything that God could create. So, God challenged him to create a man. The scientist reached down and grabbed a handful of dirt to start the process and God said, “Stop right there. Find your own dirt.”
When it comes to evolution, we can categorically deny the idea of what we call macroevolution.
Macroevolution VS Microevolution.
Macroevolution says that an amoeba will eventually turn into your dog, Rufus, who will eventually turn into your pastor (that’s obviously an exaggeration, but you get the idea).
Microevolution says that God created a dog and that dog can adapt to its environment and eventually grow thicker fur, develop legs that run faster, and so on. Science supports microevolution, but there is simply not enough data out there to support macroevolution. God created each and every kind of creature, including man and woman.
God created everything!
Next, . . .
God is eternal [on screen]
God has no beginning or end. He is distinct from Creation; He is not dependent on Creation. He is eternal!
Next, . . .
God is powerful [on screen]
Obviously, it takes some power to create the entire world out of nothing.
We must capture this truth: God is powerful! He can do anything!
We use a world in theology to describe how powerful God is: we say He is omnipotent, meaning he is “all-powerful.”
Next, . . .
God is involved [on screen]
We’ll see as we go through the Old Testament, God is involved in Creation.
One particular religious belief is called Deism, which says that God created everything and then left us alone. Men like Thomas Jefferson believed this. However, all you have to do is go to Genesis 3 to realize that this is not true.
God is involved in His Creation.
Finally, . . .
God is in control [on screen]
Again, if God created everything out of nothing, don’t you think that He’s in control?
There is nothing in this world that is outside the grip of God’s power. He can accomplish anything, as everything is under His sovereign authority.
God is in control.
Each week, as we study these major elements of the Old Testament, we’re going to see how the Gospel speaks to us through the Old Testament. So, let’s see how . . .
III. The Gospel speaks [on screen]
First, let us recognize that God loves us [on screen]
We were the only thing in Creation made in His image. We are special to God.
He didn’t have to make us, and He certainly didn’t have to make us in His image. Yet, because He did so, He loves us.
John 3:16, “For God so loved the world . . . ” God sent Jesus to rescue us because He loves us.
Second, Creation was good [on screen]
Several times in Genesis 1 and 2, it says, “God saw that it was good.”
God has a good design for this world and for us.
In the midst of our sin and lostness, we must understand that God has something good for us, that can be found in Jesus.
Third, Jesus preexisted Creation [on screen]
Jesus was not an afterthought because sin came into the world. Jesus was there before the world was ever made.
Genesis 1:26, “Let us make man in our image, according to our likeness.” [on screen]
The work that Jesus began in this world started at the very beginning of this world and Jesus is still working today!
Fourth, Jesus was actively involved in Creation [on screen]
John 1:1-5 – 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 All things were created through him, and apart from him not one thing was created that has been created. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5 That light shines in the darkness, and yet the darkness did not overcome it. [on screen]
Colossians 1:15-17:
15 He is the image of the invisible God,
the firstborn over all creation.
16 For everything was created by him,
in heaven and on earth,
the visible and the invisible,
whether thrones or dominions
or rulers or authorities—
all things have been created through him and for him.
17 He is before all things,
and by him all things hold together. [on screen]
Jesus was actively involved in Creation; He actually caused it to happen!
Abraham Kuyper (a Dutch leader and theologian) famously said, “There is not a square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over which Christ, who is Sovereign over all, does not cry, “Mine!’”
Jesus is Lord over all Creation!
Concluding Thoughts:
Listen, church: understanding Creation is vital to understanding God, ourselves, and our world.
So, let us recognize these elements of Creation, realize these truths, and listen to how the Gospel speaks to us through the Creation account.
Let’s summarize this all with this bottom line:
Bottom Line: God is Creator and Sustainer of everything. [on screen]
(repeat)
Among all that the Bible teaches us from the account of Creation is the fact that every material thing owes its existence to God. Everything owes its origin to God and everything owes its sustainment to God. It comes from God and it is kept by God.
As we conclude this first message from this series, let’s challenge ourselves to live out this passage in the following ways:
Weekly Challenge: [on screen]
1. Marvel at God’sCreation. [on screen]
Take some time this week to reflect upon all that God has done through Creation.
Perhaps you can reflect upon the simple beauty of a live oak tree. Perhaps you can marvel at God’s creativity in designing a majestic hawk. Perhaps you can be in awe and wonder over the fact that muscles, ligaments, and bones can hold up a human being.
Marvel at God’s Creation this week.
2. Worship the God of Creation. [on screen]
Obviously, we are gathered together in worship now, but we are called to worship God all of the time. So, challenge yourself this week to worship the one true God, the God of Creation.
Worship Him by praying to Him. Worship Him by singing to and about Him. Worship Him by reflecting upon His Word. Worship Him this week.
Closing:
As we bring this sermon to a close, let us remember how great and mighty our God is and how much He is worthy of praise.
(Gospel presentation)
(closing prayer)
(Sing Doxology)
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