August 19th, 2018
Key Passage: Genesis 1:1-2:3
“In the Beginning … The Creation of Absolute Truth”
To be completely candid, I never thought the “Creation vs. Evolution” debate would become such a cultural lightning rod in our lifetime. That said, it pales in comparison to the incredible condemnation being placed on the Church and, more notably, Christians who have the audacity (some would say “ignorance”) of believing the Bible is inerrant and absolute – especially when it speaks to God’s design for marriage. It’s one thing to feel like a fish out of water in our society … much less a fish that’s being gutted, filleted, and thrown into the frying pan. Yet here it is, the very epicenter of whether the Bible is Absolute Truth and the infallible Word of God, or a collection of cool poems, stories, and thoughts from men who really didn’t have a clue about life in the 21st century. Why is society in such disarray? Because people have left behind the fact that Genesis shows us the origins of the universe, order and complexity, the solar system, the atmosphere and hydrosphere, the origin of life, man, marriage, evil, language, government, culture, nations and religion. Simply, if you believe Genesis 1:1, you really have no problem believing the rest of the Bible.
Genesis 1:1 “In the beginning…”
• What do the very first three words of the Bible tell us about God’s nature?
• Regarding the “Big Bang Theory” – we should believe in the Big Bang. God said it, and, “Bang!” it happened.
• God’s first step (Day 1) is to create light … literally, the symbol for God throughout the Bible. Important to note that this light came from God – not from the sun and moon (Day 4)
Genesis 1:4-25 “And God said…” (“bara,” the Hebrew word here, means to create out of nothing)
If everything around us, including ourselves, is the result of random, meaningless occurrences apart from the work of a creating God, then it says something about who I am, and where I, and the whole universe, are going. Then the only dignity or honor we bestow upon men is pure sentimentality, because I don’t have any more significance than an amoeba. At this point, “survival of the fittest” becomes the greatest law in the universe.
Genesis 1:25-31 “in our image” (“Elohim,” used in verse 1, is plural for God – the Trinity)
• This means there is an unbridgeable gap between human life and animal life. Though we are biologically similar to certain animals, we are distinct in our moral, intellectual, and spiritual capabilities.
• This means there is also an unbridgeable gap between human life and angelic life. Nowhere are we told the angels are made in the image of God. Angels cannot have the same kind of relationship of love and fellowship with God we can have. (BTW, this is the primary reason Satan hates us …)
• This means human life has intrinsic value, apart from the “quality of life” experienced by any individual, because human life is made in the image of God.
Genesis 2:1-25 (“Yahweh” is used here to show His loving nature and desire for a personal relationship)
• Because He’s “Elohim,” we have to give him our all. Because He’s “Yahweh,” we should want to.
• When you stray from the design of the architect, you weaken the structure.
• If God first created them male and female, and in a marriage relationship … when did he change his mind? As we go through the rest of the Bible, when did God change his definition of marriage?
• Never forget, the number goal of Satan is to blaspheme and belittle the name of Christ. Literally, the best way to do that is to mock the ultimate sacrifice of Christ … his death (as the Groom) for his bride (the church). This is the primary reason gay marriage is wrong – it mocks Christ.
Q: What responsibilities come with being made in the image and likeness of God?
Q: How do we notice God’s intimacy in our lives on a daily basis?
