2005 Message Archives
2006 Message Archives
2007 Message Archives
Order Messages
January 21, 2007
"In The Beginning"
"The World's Most Important Book—Part 1
Genesis 1:1-2:25
1. The Bible is God's Word.
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
—2 Timothy 3:16-17
...the Scripture cannot be broken...
—John 10:35
2. What happened before the beginning?
- God existed in sublime glory.
Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.
—Psalm 90:2
An error to avoid: Process Theology affirms a limited God who is in the process of becoming greater.
- The trinity planned redemption.
For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.
—Ephesians 1:4
This man (Jesus) was handed over to you by God's set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross.
—Acts 2:23
3. In the Bible we learn about God, our world, and ourselves.
All these events happened to them as examples for us. They were written down to warn us, who live at the time when this age is drawing to a close.
—1 Corinthians 10:11 (NLT)
4. Genesis is a book of beginnings.
"In the beginning God..."
—Genesis 1:1
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.
—John 1:1-2
The beginning of the gospel about Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
—Mark 1:1
Genesis 1-11 focuses on four great events:
- The creation (1-2)
- The fall of man and its consequences (3-5)
- The flood (6-9)
- The Tower of Babel (10-11)
Genesis 12-50 focuses on Israel and four great men:
- Abraham (12-25)
- Isaac (25-27)
- Jacob (28-36)
- Joseph (37-50)
Note: What begins in Genesis is developed throughout the Bible and finds its fulfillment in Revelation.
| Genesis | Revelation |
|---|---|
| The first heaven and first earth | New heaven and new earth |
| The first garden; the tree of life guarded | The "garden city" the tree of life available |
| The first marriage | The last marriage |
| Satan tempts Eve | Satan thrown into the lake of fire |
| Death enters the scene | No more death |
| Babylon built | Babylon destroyed |
| The redeemer promised | The redeemer reigns |
"From the beginning to the end, Genesis is the story of God's sovereign will and electing grace. It doesn't suggest that the persons in the historical accounts were mere robots because they made mistakes and even tried to thwart God's plans. But wherever people resisted God's rule, He overruled and accomplished His divine purposes anyway."
—Dr. Warren Wiersbe
Lifework
Will you accept the challenge to read through the Bible this year using the Essential 100 readings? God wants to reveal Himself to you. To know God we must read His book.
The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of His heart to all generations"
—Psalm 33:11 (NKJV)
"His Story"
Personal and Small Group Study
Getting Started
- What is your favorite children's story? What is your favorite book? What is your favorite Bible story? What makes each of these your favorite?
- How has the beginning of this year been like the start to a new story or chapter in a book for you? Did the first few pages of this year's story start out as a comedy, tragedy, science fiction or other? What was the mood of the story this past week?
Digging Deeper: Read and Reflect
- Creation (Genesis 1:1—2:25)
- What do you believe about God? Who is He?
- In what ways do you see evidence for God in the world?
- The Fall (Genesis 3:1-24)
- How do you define sin? What makes you feel guilty?
- How do you handle your feelings of guilt?
- The Flood (Genesis 6:5-7:24)
- Do you ever find yourself like Noah, surrounded by sin?
- How do you resist temptation?
- Does God still judge people today? Is that fair? Why?
- God's Covenant with Noah (Genesis 8:1-9:17)
- Do you believe God loves you? What evidence do you have?
- Would you like God to give you a clean slate? Why?
- The Tower of Babel (Genesis 11:1-9)
- When is pride a bad thing? When is pride a good thing?
- Are there people in your life with whom you have a strained or even broken communication?
- How could you change things for the better?
Applying It To My Life
- Which of these historical accounts had the greatest impact on your life. Have read this passage before? Why do you think it had a greater impact this time?
- What action do you need to take because of God's prompting?