Genesis 1:1-25 – Creation

Genesis starts off with, “In the beginning God created…” – Gen 1:1a.  God has always existed and will always exist.  There is no time before God and there will never be a time after God.  If you believe Genesis 1:1, you should have no problem believing the rest of the Bible.  If He is big enough to create the heavens and the earth, isn’t He big enough to do all the rest the Bible says He did, does, or will do?

The word God in Hebrew means Elohim, which is plural.  This means that not only was God there to create, but Jesus and the Holy Spirit were there with Him creating the world, too.  One person created because there is only one God – the Triune God (Father, son, and Holy Spirit).  We know the Holy Spirit was there because of Gen. 1:1 – “…and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.”  We know Jesus was there because of Gen. 1:26, “Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, in our likeness…’ ”.

God created the heavens.  The word created means to make something out of nothing.  Think about that.  He created the universe with all the galaxies of billions of stars, the sun, the moon, the sky.  Think about the distance between the galaxies – the average is about 20 million trillion miles.  The universe has just the right gravitational force, just the right speed of light, just the right distance between stars.  All this didn’t happen by chance.  This could not have happened by itself.  God is the intelligent designer.  His words are so powerful that He just spoke them into existence.  Wow! 

God created the heavens and the earth out of nothing.  In the beginning there was nothing.  The earth was formless, empty and dark.  The Holy Spirit hovered over the waters.  Then God said, “Let there be light”.  His creation began.

Did you notice that God said, “Let there be light”?  All He had to do is speak and creation happened.  This shows the sovereignty of God.  He still speaks today.  He speaks through His Word, His Son, His Spirit and His people.  Are you listening?

Some have the question about when did God create water.  In the beginning He created the heavens and the earth (Gen. 1:1).  When He created earth, it was all darkness and water.  His Spirit hovered over the waters.  Then on day 2 God separated the waters making land.  So He made the waters when He formed the earth.

Day 1 – God created light.  He called it the light, day and the darkness, night.

Day 2 – God created the atmosphere / firmament.  He called it heaven or sky.

Day 3 – God created land, seas, vegetation, plants, trees.

Day 4 – God created the sun, moon, stars.

Day 5 – God created birds, sea animals.

Day 6 – God created land animals, humans.

Day 7 – God rested.

How is the light on the 1^st day compare to the light of the sun on the 4^th day?  On the 4^th day God created the sun, moon and stars.  They serve to mark the seasons and days and years.  The light on the 1^st day is never explained.  God just created it and He can create any kind of light He wants.  I look at it as darkness has no fixed source so light doesn’t need to have one either.  We don’t have to know what kind of light it was, but that He created it.  God Himself is light.  Revelation 22:5 and Isaiah 60:19 tell us that in the New Jerusalem there will be no need for the sun, because the Lord will be its light. 

On day six God made man in His own image.  This doesn’t mean God has a physical body, because He is Spirit. To be made in God’s image means we possess personality, feelings, will, morality, able to make judgments, and have a conscience.  It means we possess spirituality.  We as humans are made to communion with God.  This sets us apart from the animals.  He made man to have dominion over the earth.

After God made each day, He saw what He had made and said it was good.  When He had finished, He said it was very good.  He is affirming His original design and intent was for good.  It displayed Him and His good character, His power, His nature, and His wisdom.  It measured up to His standards and how He wanted it to be.  It was man who later poisoned it. 

The phrase, “And there was evening, and there was morning” designates one day.  God rested on the 7^th day not because He was tired, but because His work was finished.  It also gave a pattern to us for the structure of time – the 7 day week.  It gave an example of the blessing of rest to us after working all week.  It is a gift to man.  It is a time for rest and replenishment.  It’s also a shadow of the rest available through the work of Jesus.  God knew we would need a day off, but God never needs a day off.  When Jesus was healing on the Sabbath, He said, “My father has been working to this very day and I too am working.” - John 5:17.

There are those who think God did not create the world in 6 literal 24-hour days as we know it.  Some argue that 2 Peter 3:8 says “with the Lord 1,000 years is like a day to the Lord” so it couldn’t be a literal 24-hour day.  But if you read the next verse it explains that statement – the Lord is patient and waiting for sinners to repent.  “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness.  He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” – 2 Peter 3:9.

I believe it is a literal 24-hour day, because at the end of each day God said “And there was evening, and there was morning” indicating a literal 24-hour period.  God’s creation is beyond our understanding.  God spoke this clearly and we should trust His Word over arrogant claims that say otherwise.  God can do anything!  He had His own reasons for the time and order of the creation events and who are we to question Him.  He could have made everything in 6 seconds, but He chose literal days for making His wonderful creation.

What makes it hard to believe there is a Creator God or that He created everything in 6 days?

While you don’t comprehend everything about God, how have you responded when you don’t understand?

Do you try to fit God into a box to rationalize or explain Him?

Will you trust Him with what you can’t understand?

As you study Genesis, will you trust God to lead you in understanding?

Our eternal God speaks to you through His Word, are you listening?

Principles: 

The Triune God and He alone created all things.

God is sovereign over His creation.

God created with wisdom and order.

Join me here next week as we continue our study of Genesis -- I encourage you to trust in Jesus.

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Introduction to Genesis

 

The Bible

The Bible is an authoritative book written to be the authority in our lives.  It is divided in 2 sections:  Old Testament and New Testament.  There are 66 books in total and tells 1 BIG story about the Lord Jesus Christ.  The Old Testament sets up the story beginning with the Creation of the world and the New Testament is the conclusion of the story with the revealing of Jesus.  It reveals God’s plan to redeem His people.  The New Testament also tells about Jesus’ 2^nd coming where He will reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  It’s the best-selling book of all time.  It has 1 author, God.  The Holy Spirit inspired over 40 different authors to write down the words of God.  2 Peter 1:20 – “Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation.  For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.”

The Bible is God’s Word.  It’s a love letter to us from God.  The Bible is a story of redemption.  Why did God write the Bible?  He wants us to know Him.  We all need redemption, because we all mess up.

How have you messed up? 

Do you know how much you need God? 

Do you know how much you matter to God? 

The Bible teaches right living and every bit of it is true.  How sure are you that the Bible is true?  Do you believe everything about the author is true?  If you read and study the Bible, you will discover a trustworthy God; The One who knows how you mess up but loves you anyway.

The Bible has stood the test of time and many critics.  It’s trustworthy and true, consistent and dependable.  People across time are witnesses of God and His promises.

It’s the most popular book in the world.  It’s the most published book of all time.  The Guinness Book of World records it as the best-selling book of all time and estimates that more than 5 billion copies have been printed.  Experts say it’s the most stolen book in the world, although it’s free in many places.

Principle:  The Bible is God’s speaking to us and reveals His heart and mind.

What do you think about the Bible? 

Do you think it’s a book of rules and just history?

Have you actually read or studied the Bible?

What the Bible Can Do

2 Timothy 3:16 – “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.”  The Bible has very good information.  Our heart is top priority for God.  It’s human nature to sin.  We are born sinners and our sin separates us from God.  God wants to change our hearts.  He offers to rescue us. 

 Because of sin our relationship with God is broken.  He sent His Son, Jesus to earth as a man.  Jesus gave his life for us on the cross so we would not have to die in our sins so our relationship with God can be restored.  Allow the Word to influence your heart.  We have access to the Creator of all things, to peace, to joy in sorrow, to strength through weakness.  How?  When you believe in His Word and give Him the access to your heart you can be changed.

Principle:  Believing and applying God’s Word will help you grow into the person God created you to be.

Is growing into the person God created you to be a priority for you?  He created you for himself, for His glory (Isaiah 43:7).  He had a special purpose for you when He made you.  Your life should draw attention to Him.

What do you need to adjust in your life so you will study His word every day? 

How submissive is your heart to God?  God wants us to be submissive to the His Word so you can grow into the person He made you to be. 

How The Bible Begins

Genesis is the very first book of the Bible.  It is considered to be written by Moses, since it is part of the Torah known as the Law of Moses.  The Torah is the first five books of the Bible (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy).  The meaning of the word Genesis is “beginnings” and that is just what Genesis is all about.  We need to understand that God exists because of what we see in the created world.  Genesis is where it all began.  The Bible teaches many doctrines like that of sin, the fall, redemption, salvation, and justification.  It teaches about the beginning of the universe, the heavens, the earth, man and woman, and human sin.  It shows how sin came into God’s perfect creation.  God reveals His purposes in Genesis:  the promise of redemption and God’s plan of redemption.

The book of Genesis revolves around how God chose 1 man, Abram, out of all the nations and through him He would make a nation to bless all nations.  This book provides the foundation upon which the entire bible is built.   The Bible tells about the beginning and climaxes in the book of Revelation.

Genesis introduces the concept of God in multiple persons know as the Trinity.  It also gives a hint of Jesus’ future suffering and victory when He cursed the serpent for deceiving Eve.  It answers the question “Where did I come from?”  The answer can give us meaning in a world that’s otherwise hard to figure out.

There are several themes throughout the Bible that start in Genesis:

God’s authority – God is the maker of all things.  He is sovereign over nature and humanity.

Main’s rebellion –This started with Adam and Eve disobeying God.  Cain killed his brother Abel; the world became evil and violent.

God’s judgment – God evicted Adam and Eve from the garden for their sin, destroyed the earth by flood, and rained fire on Sodom and Gomorrah.  God is holy and sin must be punished.

God preserves life – God promised descendants to Eve, saved Noah and his family from the flood, delivered Jacob from Esau, used Joseph’s wisdom during harsh famine.

Blood sacrifice – God used animal skins to cover Adam and Eve after they sinned, provided a ram to take Isaac’s place for Abraham to sacrifice.

Outline of Genesis:

Genesis 1-11 – History of creation, the human race, the fall of man, the flood, the Tower of Babel and covers thousands of years.

Genesis 12-50 – History of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph and covers 500 years.

Genesis can be broken down into two large stories – 1. God’s relationship with the world and 2. God’s relationship with Israel.

Principle:  God’s story of redemption begins and ends with grace.

Will you allow the words in the best-selling book to bless you?

Join me here next week as we continue our study of Genesis -- I encourage you to trust in Jesus.

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Pro-Life vs. Pro-Choice

 

 

First of all just what is abortion?  Abortion means the deliberate termination of a human pregnancy.  Abortion is a huge topic these days.  It can be a personal or a political issue, but it’s a moral question.  This topic is a sensitive subject and can quickly divide people. 

Babies are aborted in many ways.  There’s the abortion pill, the morning-after pill, the intra-uterine device, vacuum aspiration abortion, dilatation and evacuation, dilatation and curettage, and partial birth abortion.   It’s a quick fix for unwanted babies and is accepted by the world’s standards, but that’s not God’s standard.  God creates life.  He is the Author of life.  “your eyes saw my unformed body.  All the days ordained for me were written for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” – Psalm 139:16.  “Before the Lord came to me, saying, ‘Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.’” – Jeremiah 1:5.  “Before I was born the Lord called me; from my birth he has made mention of my name.” – Isaiah 49:1. 

Children are a gift from God.  “Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from him.  Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one’s youth.” -  Psalm 127:3-4.  God opens and closes the womb.  He decides when life begins and ends.  “Do I bring the moment of birth and not give delivery?’ says the Lord.  ‘Do I close up the womb when I bring to delivery?’ says your God.” – Isaiah 66:9. 

The argument for most people is when does life begin and why does it matter?  Some states legalize abortion up to the time of birth.  They say it’s a woman’s body and she should be able to do what she wants, but really it’s not.  It’s the baby’s body and it has the right to live.  The woman made her choice when she had sex (with the exception of rape and only 1% is due to rape).  It’s really funny and doesn’t make sense that if a pregnant woman is in a car accident and the baby she is caring is killed the person causing accident can be charged with murder.  This makes no sense.  Either it’s a baby or it’s not.  You can’t have it both ways.

Abortion is often used when a woman finds herself pregnant, but finds it’s inconvenient   so it's simply unwanted.  There are no unwanted kids.  Lots of couples who can’t get pregnant want to adopt.  Pregnancy is not a mistake.  God makes no mistakes.  We don’t always understand why God brings pregnancy to some and not others.  He is the giver of life.  People are more concerned about life of pets, animals, turtle eggs, etc. than human lives.  The issue should not political.  It’s a moral issue.  People make the choice to have sex.  They know the risk and should be responsible for their choices and the consequences. 

Some say a baby in womb isn’t a person.  Science says when a child is conceived a brand new DNA is formed.  At 6 weeks the heart beats and there are brain functions after 18 weeks.  By 20 weeks and as early at 12 weeks the baby can feel pain.  So when abortion is occurring, the baby feels it all. 

There are two sides to abortion.  On side is called pro-life.  They are against taking the life of the unborn.  The other side in called pro-choice.  They are supporters of abortion rights and think it is acceptable.  The act of abortion has been legal since Roe v. Wade was made law in 1973 establishing that abortion was a constitutional right.  The U. S. Court now possesses 5 t0 4 with the majority opposed to the abortion law.  We may see this law overturned someday soon.

The Abortion Argument:

Pro-Choice -

US Supreme Court has declared abortion to be a right.

Reproduction choice empowers women giving them control over their own bodies.

A person begins after a fetus becomes viable, able to survive outside the womb.

Fetuses are incapable of feeling pain when abortions are performed.

Access to legal professional abortions reduces injury and death caused by unsafe illegal abortions.

Modern abortion procedures are safe and don’t have lasting health issues.

Women who receive abortions are less likely to suffer mental health problems.

Abortion gives women option to choose if baby has abnormalities.

Women denied abortions are likely to be unemployed, be on welfare, be below poverty line, etc.

Abortion protects women from financial disadvantage.

A baby shouldn’t come into the world unwanted.

Abortion reduces welfare costs to taxpayers.

Abortion reduces crime.

Abortion means population control.

Many religious organizations support women’s choice.

Pro-Life -

 Abortion is murder.  Killing of an innocent human being is wrong.

Life begins at conception so unborn babies are human beings with the right to life.

Fetuses feel pain during the abortion procedure.

Abortion is the killing of a human being which defies the Word of God.

Roe v. Wade was wrong and should be overturned.

Abortion cause psychological damage.  The Southern Medical Journal reported that abortions increase risk for depression and 54% likely to commit suicide.  There are symptoms like guilt, anger, anxiety, depression, grief, flashbacks abortion, sexual dysfunction, relationship problems, etc.

Abortions reduce the number of adoptable babies.

Women should not able able to use abortion as a form of contraception.

Women should accept the responsibility that comes with producing a child.

The Hippocratic Oath taken by doctors swears to practice ethically medicine and forbids abortion.

Abortion promotes a culture where human life is disposable.

Abortion conflicts with the unalienable right to life recognized by the Founding Fathers.

Abortion disproportionately affects African American babies.

Abortion eliminates the potential societal contribution of a future human being.

Abortion may lead to future medical problems for the woman.

Abortion Stats

According to the CDC the total number of abortions in the US from 1973 – 2018 is 61.8 million and 186 abortions per 1,000 live births.  In 2018-2019 Planned Parenthood aborted 345,672 babies.  Women who obtained abortions in 2016 were 35% white, 38% black, 18.8% Hispanic, and 8.2% other.  In my opinion Planned Parenthood is the worst thing ever to happen to us.  It’s a holocaust all over again.  Their current annual report reveals that they will continue prioritizing abortions as their other services decline.  Abortions make up 95% of their services.  Not only do they kill babies, but they sell the body parts.  See the video of the sworn testimony on selling baby parts by Dr. Dorothy Frogperson, a Chief Medical Officer of Planned Parenthood.   https://www.centerformedicalprogress.org/2020/05/planned-parenthood-testimony-on-selling-baby-parts-unsealed-new-videos-released/    They are in it for the money.  Their assets are $2 billion. 

Where is the outrage?

If you have had an abortion, it doesn’t mean that people are opposed to you as a person.  Abortion is forgivable.  God offers forgiveness and healing after abortion.  We all have pasts that need to be forgiven.  God is in the business of forgiveness.  If the apostle Paul can be forgiven for killing many, many Christians, He can forgive you of abortion.  There is nothing God wants more than to help you feel His forgiveness.  “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and purify us of all unrighteousness.” – 1 John 1:9.   ‘There, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus…” – Romans 8:1.

What can you do to end abortion?  Of course we can never stop praying that this horrible infanticide stops.  Write letters to your Senators and Congressmen.  Support and even donate to organizations that are fighting to overturn abortion laws.  You can help elect competent, high moral thinking people of good character to govern us.  Vote for people who believe that abortion is morally wrong to take the life of a human being.

Join me here next time.  -- I encourage you to trust in Jesus.

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Psalm 100 – A Song of Thanksgiving

 

 There are 575 references to praise, singing and music in the Bible.  The book of Psalms in the middle of the Bible and has 150 poems or songs of praise.  Music is often the form where we express our gladness, joy and praise.  From the beginning, music has been an important part of the worship of God.  Today we are looking at Psalm 100.

“Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.  Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” – Ps. 100:1-2.  To make a shout for joy is making a loud noise like cheering at a ball game or concert.  We are to be happy and excited.  God wants us to be excited when we worship Him.  We can be so excited that we lift up our hands in praise and worship.  We are to recognize who He is and sing His praises.  He invites us to serve Him and He wants us to be happy about it.  It’s a privilege and duty to worship God.

Are you happy going to church?

Is it just a chore for you?

Do you feel you have freedom to lift up your hands to Him or does it embarrass you?

Do you consider it a privilege to be able to worship in freedom?

We worship in gladness because He is God.  “Know that the Lord is God.  It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.´ – Ps. 100:3.  We didn’t make ourselves although some call themselves self-made men.  Christians recognize the origin of their being.  It makes sense to be thankful and worship the One responsible for making us and our world.  Nothing and no one else is worthy of worship.  When you think about it, we owe it to God.  Where would we be without Him?  We are His sheep.  Sheep gather around their shepherd who looks after them.  It’s the same for us as we gather around the great Shepherd of mankind who provides and protects us.

“Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.” – Ps. 100:4.  We are to come together in His house to praise and worship Him.  Of course we can worship Him in private, but we are to publicly worship God, too.  When we do, we are to be thankful.  There is something very special when fellow believers come together in worship.  It unites us and we become stronger in our faith.  Our praise and thanksgiving should be in our hearts as well as on our tongues.  Be thankful in all circumstances, in the good times and in the bad times.  “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” – 1 Thess. 5:16-18.

Do you only praise God when things are going well?

Do others see your praise and thanksgiving as fake?

This Psalm tells us to do 7 things:

Shout to the Lord

Worship the Lord

Come to where the Lord is

Know who the Lord is

Go into the Lord’s house

Thank the Lord for everything

Say good things about the Lord

Why must we do these things?  “For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.” – Ps. 100:5.  The Lord is good.  If you are going through difficult times right now, it may not be easy for you to believe He is good.  Satan wants you to doubt God’s goodness so you won’t trust Him.  If you don’t trust Him, you won’t obey Him.

Verse 5 sums up God and His character.  God is always faithful and good.  He is good, gracious, kind, and loving.  He does what He promises.  He is good in His plans, in His grace, in His forgiveness and in everything other thing in life.  He is faithful to us and we should be faithful to Him.  His mercy is everlasting.  He loves us so much that He sent His Son, Jesus to die for our sins.  Do you know anyone else like that?  Do you know anyone else who would take your punishment and die for you when you didn’t deserve it?

Principle:  Our hearts are to be full of praise and thanksgiving for our Creator.

God is willing to meet us anywhere, anyplace and at anytime.  However, we need to come into His presence with a heart and mind that acknowledges we are in the presence of the King.  What a privilege we have to have an audience with the King.  So don’t take Him for granted.

Do you praise God even when you don’t feel like it?  If you are experiencing doubts and don’t feel like praising God, remember every believer has doubts at times.  It’s a part of being human.  Having faith has nothing to do with how you feel.  Don’t let feelings dictate you life.  They go up and down with your blood sugar.  Faith is resting on Jesus.  So when in doubt, embrace more Jesus and focus on Him rather than your doubt.  Then those feelings of doubt will soon fade.

Join me here next week for the next time.  -- I encourage you to trust in Jesus.

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