Genesis is one story detailing God's creative work in forming the universe and his ongoing relationship with creation, most significantly, humanity. Genesis is not a collection of unrelated stories. Rather Genesis is composed of one grand meta-narrative detailing God's specific plan to glorify himself through humanity's redemption. As such, Genesis is timeless. Furthermore, most of the challenges and issues of our day are answered in Genesis. Thus, Genesis is exceptionally helpful in forging our worldview and our understanding of our purpose in God's story.
This Sunday we kicked off our new series in the Book of Genesis. The word ‘genesis’ means beginning. And in chapters one and two we have a detailed account of God’s work in creating the universe in an orderly fashion and all his work is declared good. But before we get to the beginning of God creating the universe, we are going to take a look at what existed before Genesis, before the beginning.
Genesis 1 describes why and how God has created and filled the universe. The universe is his stage for the manifestation of his manifold perfections and glory. The pinnacle of his creation is man, created in his image and likeness. As a result of this image, man is given the commission of dominion over creation.
In God's good created order, He has made humanity his image bearers; He has intentionally made us male and female for a reason. God is the author of marriage and one of the good fruits of marriage is the ability and privilege to have children. More importantly, marriages reveal a mystery kept hidden for ages, that is, that our marriages reflect Christ's love and covenant relationship to His church.
This week we examine the pinnacle of God's creation - humanity, created in the image of God. We will examine why this matters and what is significant about bearing the image and likeness of God. Also, we will address the incredibly important question, 'What does it mean to be human?' The answer to that question is foundational to a biblical worldview. If we answer this question incorrectly, there are devastating consequences.
This Sunday we will study the seventh day as recorded in Genesis 2:1-3. The seventh day was different than the first six in that God rested. God blessed the seventh day and made it holy because he rested from his work of creation. In this sermon we will consider the significance and implications of this day of rest.
In our passage today we see that God had well planned intentions for man and woman when he created them. His careful thought and design of mankind reveals his purpose for us as well. God has expectations for us because he has designed us to specifically accomplish his purposes. God intentionally created us to serve and obey Him with integrity.
Marriage is God’s idea; He created it. And marriage exists for His glory. God declared that Adam’s solitary condition was not good. Therefore, He fashions Eve perfectly for Adam and in so doing creates the covenantal union of marriage.
This week we continue to examine sin and the anatomy of sin in Genesis chapter 3. We will learn how a right understanding of the fall and sin is a prerequisite of everything that follows in scripture.
When sin entered the world it brought with it devastating effects cosmologically, physically, relationally and spiritually. This morning, we look at the effects of sin on marriage. Sin brings shame and fear into our marriages in a way that threatens to tear them apart. However, God has built the institution of marriage upon covenantal faithfulness which instructs us in fidelity, mercy, grace and forgiveness within our marriages.