THE BEGINNING (2)
(Message by Tanny Keng)
0. Introduction
a) The story of creation
(Text: Genesis 1:1-31; 2:1-3)
1. What is the text all about?
a) The creation story teaches us much about God and ourselves. First, we learn about God:
@1. he is creative;
@2. as the Creator he is distinct from his creation;
@3. he is eternal and in control of the world.
b) We also learn about ourselves:
@1. since God chose to create us, we are valuable in his eyes;
@2. we are more important than the animals.
c) Just how did God create the earth? This is still a subject of great debate. Some say that there was a sudden explosion, and the universe appeared. Others say God started the process, and the universe evolved over billions of years. Almost every ancient religion has its own story to explain how the earth came to be. And almost every scientist has an opinion on the origin of the universe. But only the Bible shows one supreme God creating the earth out of his great love and giving all people a special place in it. We will never know all the answers to how God created the earth, but the Bible tells us that God did create it. That fact alone gives worth and dignity to all people.
d) The statement "the earth was without form, and void" provides the setting for the creation narrative that follows. During the second and third days of creation, God gave form to the universe; during the next three days, God filled the earth with living beings. The "darkness"... on the face o fthe deep" was dispelled on the first day, when God created light.
e) The image of the Spirit of God hovering over the waters is similar to a mother bird caring for and protecting its young.
@1. 11 like an eagle that stirs up its nest and hovers over its young, that spreads its wings to catch them and carries them aloft. 12 The Lord alone led him; no foreign god was with him. (Deuteronomy 32:11-12 NIV)
@2. 5 Like birds hovering overhead, the Lord Almighty will shield Jerusalem; he will shield it and deliver it, he will ‘pass over’ it and will rescue it.” (Isaiah 31:5 NIV)
f) God's Spirit was actively involved in the creation of the world.
@1. 4 The Spirit of God has made me; the breath of the Almighty gives me life. (Job 33:4 NIV)
@2. 30 When you send your Spirit, they are created, and you renew the face of the ground. (Psalms 104:30 NIV)
g) God's care and protection are still active.
h) How long did it take God to create the world? There are two basic views about the days of creation:
@1. each day was a literal 24-hour period;
@2. each day represents an indefinite period of time (even millions of years).
i) The Bible does not say how long these time periods were. The real question , however, is not how long God took, but how he did it. God created the earth in an orderly fashion (he did not make plants before light), and he created men and women as unique beings capable of communication with him. No other part of creation can claim that remarkable privilege. It is not important how long it took God to create the world, whether a few days or a few billion years, but that he created it just the way he wanted it.
The End ...
0. Introductiona) The story of creation
(Text: Genesis 1:1-31; 2:1-3)
1. What is the text all about?
a) The creation story teaches us much about God and ourselves. First, we learn about God:
@1. he is creative;
@2. as the Creator he is distinct from his creation;
@3. he is eternal and in control of the world.
b) We also learn about ourselves:
@1. since God chose to create us, we are valuable in his eyes;
@2. we are more important than the animals.
c) Just how did God create the earth? This is still a subject of great debate. Some say that there was a sudden explosion, and the universe appeared. Others say God started the process, and the universe evolved over billions of years. Almost every ancient religion has its own story to explain how the earth came to be. And almost every scientist has an opinion on the origin of the universe. But only the Bible shows one supreme God creating the earth out of his great love and giving all people a special place in it. We will never know all the answers to how God created the earth, but the Bible tells us that God did create it. That fact alone gives worth and dignity to all people.
d) The statement "the earth was without form, and void" provides the setting for the creation narrative that follows. During the second and third days of creation, God gave form to the universe; during the next three days, God filled the earth with living beings. The "darkness"... on the face o fthe deep" was dispelled on the first day, when God created light.
e) The image of the Spirit of God hovering over the waters is similar to a mother bird caring for and protecting its young.
@1. 11 like an eagle that stirs up its nest and hovers over its young, that spreads its wings to catch them and carries them aloft. 12 The Lord alone led him; no foreign god was with him. (Deuteronomy 32:11-12 NIV)
@2. 5 Like birds hovering overhead, the Lord Almighty will shield Jerusalem; he will shield it and deliver it, he will ‘pass over’ it and will rescue it.” (Isaiah 31:5 NIV)
f) God's Spirit was actively involved in the creation of the world.
@1. 4 The Spirit of God has made me; the breath of the Almighty gives me life. (Job 33:4 NIV)
@2. 30 When you send your Spirit, they are created, and you renew the face of the ground. (Psalms 104:30 NIV)
g) God's care and protection are still active.
h) How long did it take God to create the world? There are two basic views about the days of creation:
@1. each day was a literal 24-hour period;
@2. each day represents an indefinite period of time (even millions of years).
i) The Bible does not say how long these time periods were. The real question , however, is not how long God took, but how he did it. God created the earth in an orderly fashion (he did not make plants before light), and he created men and women as unique beings capable of communication with him. No other part of creation can claim that remarkable privilege. It is not important how long it took God to create the world, whether a few days or a few billion years, but that he created it just the way he wanted it.
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