These are the records of the heavens and the earth, concerning their creation. At the time that the Lord God made the earth and the heavens, no shrub of the field had yet grown on the land, and no plant of the field had yet sprouted, for the Lord God had not made it rain on the land, and there was no man to work the ground. But mist would come up from the earth and water all the ground. Then the Lord God formed the man out of the dust from the ground and breathed the breath of life into his nostrils, and the man became a living being. —Genesis 2:4-7
“Genesis introduces us to God as the creator and gives us previews of God as the savior.” —Peter Enns
God is
“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.” (Colossians 1:16)
“By the word of God the heavens came into being long ago and the earth was brought about from water and through water.” (2 Peter 3:5)
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness covered the surface of the watery depths, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters. Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” There was an evening, and there was a morning: one day.” (Genesis 1:1-5)
God the Creator is worthy of
“Then the Lord God formed the man out of the dust from the ground and breathed the breath of life into his nostrils, and the man became a living being.” (Genesis 2:7)
God the Father (loves) deeply.
*“Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, according to our likeness. They will rule the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, the livestock, the whole earth, and the creatures that crawl on the earth.” So God created man in his own image; he created him in the image of God; he created them male and female.” (Genesis 1:26-27) *
Two commendations:
For further study:
Scripture: Genesis 1-2; Psalm 19; Romans 1
Resources: “From Adam and Israel to the Church” by Benjamin Gladd
Discussion questions:
How were you challenged by ancient views of Genesis 1 and 2 presented in the sermon?
Is it easier to see God as Creator or Father?
- Why do you feel that is easiest for you to see?
- What needs to change in order to see God more clearly in the other way?
How does Genesis 1 and 2 encourage you to remain faithful and know you are loved?
To prepare for next week: Temptation and Fall; Genesis 3:1-7