WEBVTT 00:00:00.800 --> 00:00:01.679 Good morning. 00:00:03.100 --> 00:00:07.759 As Tobin has mentioned, we're starting a new series today on God's story and our story. 00:00:08.380 --> 00:00:14.300 And over the next 11 weeks or so, we're going to be going through the story of the Bible as a church. 00:00:14.839 --> 00:00:18.600 And each of us here today has a story of our lives. 00:00:19.280 --> 00:00:23.780 We have somewhere that we've been, somewhere that we're going, somewhere that we are now. 00:00:24.440 --> 00:00:27.400 And our stories are shaped by a number of different things. 00:00:27.399 --> 00:00:32.320 They're shaped by culture and what culture says is valuable and what culture says is important. 00:00:32.719 --> 00:00:34.500 They're shaped by our past experiences. 00:00:35.019 --> 00:00:39.600 We can see what we've been through and we know what we want more of and what we don't want more of. 00:00:40.019 --> 00:00:46.599 Maybe they're shaped by our friends and what our friends say is good and valuable and worth pursuing in life. 00:00:47.340 --> 00:00:50.759 And just like each of us has a story, God has a story. 00:00:52.200 --> 00:00:55.159 God is working in and through history. 00:00:57.399 --> 00:00:58.799 With a goal in mind. 00:00:59.679 --> 00:01:02.079 And he tells us about this story in the Bible. 00:01:02.699 --> 00:01:05.980 The Bible, if you don't know this, is actually a story. 00:01:06.140 --> 00:01:10.400 It's a collection of 66 books that combine to make one story. 00:01:10.500 --> 00:01:12.939 And there's smaller individual stories within these books. 00:01:13.379 --> 00:01:17.200 But they combine to tell one bigger, greater story. 00:01:17.200 --> 00:01:23.659 And that big story of the Bible is supposed to shape and influence each of our lives and our stories. 00:01:24.520 --> 00:01:29.920 God gave us the Bible so that the story in there could impact the way that we live today. 00:01:31.200 --> 00:01:36.719 And we think that a lot of us, maybe we know the individual stories from the Bible, 00:01:36.820 --> 00:01:40.760 but we don't know how they all get together and make one bigger story. 00:01:40.760 --> 00:01:47.740 And because of that, it's very hard for us to live in that story because we don't necessarily know what the full story is. 00:01:47.820 --> 00:01:54.560 So what we're going to do over the next 11 weeks is we're going to look at this story of the Bible. 00:01:55.620 --> 00:02:02.580 And, you know, a lot of us know different stories that we're called and invited to be a part of. 00:02:03.260 --> 00:02:04.719 Maybe we know the Disney story. 00:02:04.719 --> 00:02:10.159 The world is there for you to be happy and prosper. 00:02:10.680 --> 00:02:16.199 And you are a prince or princess waiting for Prince Charming or Snow White or whoever. 00:02:17.039 --> 00:02:24.780 And you need to follow your heart to find that perfect someone so that you can live happily ever after. 00:02:26.379 --> 00:02:28.259 Maybe we know the Hong Kong story. 00:02:29.120 --> 00:02:32.979 It starts out around preschool because you've got to start in the right preschool. 00:02:32.979 --> 00:02:36.079 Because if you don't, then your life is over. 00:02:37.679 --> 00:02:44.139 Once you get into the right preschool, you spend somewhere around 10 to 13 years in the best international schools 00:02:44.139 --> 00:02:47.919 before being sent out to the prime boarding schools in the U.S. or U.K. 00:02:48.719 --> 00:02:53.419 You graduate high school and move on to the Ivy Leagues or Oxford or Cambridge. 00:02:54.139 --> 00:02:58.379 And you graduate and get a job as a doctor or a lawyer or investment banker. 00:02:58.379 --> 00:03:01.180 You work for a few years. 00:03:01.419 --> 00:03:03.120 You save up your first couple million. 00:03:03.639 --> 00:03:11.379 Around the age of, like, 30 to 35, you find someone of the opposite gender who's attractive and equally wealthy 00:03:11.379 --> 00:03:15.060 and has business connections that can help you move forward in life, and you marry them. 00:03:16.259 --> 00:03:21.240 And maybe you have a girlfriend on the side in China who can keep you company when you're on business trips. 00:03:21.240 --> 00:03:27.500 And then a few years later, you have a couple children to secure your legacy. 00:03:28.240 --> 00:03:30.920 You keep working until you reach your financial goals. 00:03:31.020 --> 00:03:31.719 Then you retire. 00:03:31.860 --> 00:03:32.640 You travel the world. 00:03:32.740 --> 00:03:38.260 And if you have enough money left over, you donate it to somewhere so that you can get your name on a building 00:03:38.260 --> 00:03:40.960 and future generations can remember who you are. 00:03:41.660 --> 00:03:48.280 And that's the Hong Kong story of what it means to have this great, wonderful, prosperous, full life. 00:03:48.280 --> 00:03:54.900 And here's the thing, is that if we know these other stories but we don't know the Bible story, 00:03:54.960 --> 00:03:57.180 we're going to live by these other stories. 00:03:59.819 --> 00:04:05.620 And if what the Bible says is true, then living our lives according to these other stories 00:04:05.620 --> 00:04:10.659 rather than according to the Bible story is something that will lead to disappointment and death. 00:04:10.659 --> 00:04:21.540 If the Bible story is true, the only way to a full, lasting, rewarding, fulfilling life 00:04:21.540 --> 00:04:25.939 is by being a part of that story and living in that story. 00:04:26.560 --> 00:04:32.639 So we want to take time over the next few months as a church to focus on this story, to get into this story. 00:04:32.699 --> 00:04:35.779 And it's not just something that we want to be an academic exercise. 00:04:35.980 --> 00:04:38.560 It's something we want to shape our lives. 00:04:38.560 --> 00:04:42.879 And so we've got a couple things outside of Sunday mornings that we're putting together too 00:04:42.879 --> 00:04:45.780 in the goal of helping us get into this story. 00:04:46.519 --> 00:04:52.019 So Chris Thornton has put together a Bible reading plan that will go alongside of this sermon series. 00:04:52.639 --> 00:04:55.740 He'll have it available after church if anyone wants to grab it for you. 00:04:56.100 --> 00:04:56.920 You know, it's New Year's. 00:04:56.959 --> 00:04:58.819 It's that time where we make those resolutions like, 00:04:58.920 --> 00:05:01.660 I want to read my Bible this year, and then we never do. 00:05:02.399 --> 00:05:05.420 This is something that's intended to help you with that, 00:05:05.420 --> 00:05:09.840 to get you into that discipline, to help you understand the full story of the Bible. 00:05:10.000 --> 00:05:12.939 So you can grab that Bible reading plan from Chris after church. 00:05:13.600 --> 00:05:18.379 Also, our community groups over the next few weeks will be going through the story of the Bible as groups. 00:05:18.780 --> 00:05:22.500 And that will be a great chance for us to get together in the groups, 00:05:22.800 --> 00:05:25.300 look at the story and discuss it as a group, 00:05:25.480 --> 00:05:30.420 and be more intentional about applying it to our own lives specifically, 00:05:30.420 --> 00:05:35.100 and having people around us who can talk to us about it and encourage us in it 00:05:35.100 --> 00:05:39.220 and help us to get into that story ourselves in our lives. 00:05:39.620 --> 00:05:41.259 And again, if you're not in a community group, 00:05:41.640 --> 00:05:45.080 it's a great opportunity to reinforce what we're learning here 00:05:45.080 --> 00:05:47.160 and get that story to be a part of your life. 00:05:47.259 --> 00:05:50.500 So if you're not in a community group, talk to Chris Thornton after church. 00:05:50.860 --> 00:05:52.879 Do you want to, like, wave to everyone so they can see who you are? 00:05:53.100 --> 00:05:54.080 This guy right here. 00:05:54.400 --> 00:05:56.900 And he will help you get connected to a community group. 00:05:56.899 --> 00:06:04.719 And also, Watermark Kids and Watermark Youth are going through this same story in their classes right now. 00:06:05.060 --> 00:06:07.879 So if you have kids or youth that are involved in those ministries, 00:06:08.319 --> 00:06:13.319 after church you can talk to them on the ride home and compare notes with them 00:06:13.319 --> 00:06:17.379 so that it can be something that's being discussed in your homes throughout the week 00:06:17.379 --> 00:06:20.259 and not just something that stays here on Sunday mornings. 00:06:21.259 --> 00:06:24.599 And so today we're starting this story looking at creation. 00:06:24.600 --> 00:06:28.260 And now, for those of you who don't know much about the Bible, 00:06:28.480 --> 00:06:30.460 creation is a huge topic. 00:06:31.160 --> 00:06:35.780 We could sit here for a year and have a sermon series on creation 00:06:35.780 --> 00:06:39.960 that lasts the entire year and still not exhaust the theme of creation. 00:06:41.060 --> 00:06:43.680 And so trying to cover it all in one sermon 00:06:43.680 --> 00:06:46.900 is obviously going to leave lots of important stuff out. 00:06:47.820 --> 00:06:50.240 And so if I'm talking about creation today 00:06:50.240 --> 00:06:52.980 and there's important stuff about creation that you feel like I'm not saying, 00:06:52.980 --> 00:06:55.319 you're right, I'm not saying lots of important stuff. 00:06:56.040 --> 00:07:00.120 But what we're trying to do today is we're looking at it through a specific lens, 00:07:00.220 --> 00:07:01.480 looking at a specific angle. 00:07:01.800 --> 00:07:04.379 What we're trying to look at is two primary things. 00:07:04.660 --> 00:07:11.000 One, how does the story of creation lay the foundation for the rest of the story of the Bible? 00:07:11.879 --> 00:07:15.860 And number two, how does that impact the story of our lives today? 00:07:15.860 --> 00:07:20.939 How does creation set the foundation for the rest of the Bible story? 00:07:21.300 --> 00:07:24.180 And how does that impact our lives today? 00:07:24.860 --> 00:07:28.620 So we're not going to take time to look at theories of how the world was created 00:07:28.620 --> 00:07:30.860 or how long it actually took or anything like that. 00:07:31.560 --> 00:07:34.160 We're looking at how it fits into the story of the Bible 00:07:34.160 --> 00:07:36.680 and how that impacts our lives today. 00:07:36.680 --> 00:07:39.300 And what we're going to see is that in creation, 00:07:39.980 --> 00:07:42.900 God establishes his rule, 00:07:43.680 --> 00:07:46.900 God establishes his place, 00:07:47.500 --> 00:07:50.699 and God establishes his people. 00:07:52.019 --> 00:07:54.100 God establishes his rule, 00:07:55.180 --> 00:07:57.120 God establishes his place, 00:07:57.680 --> 00:08:00.340 and God establishes his people. 00:08:01.100 --> 00:08:03.639 And the first thing is his rule. 00:08:03.639 --> 00:08:09.419 Now this is something that from the start flies in the face of our culture. 00:08:10.459 --> 00:08:14.939 Our culture story says autonomy is the greatest thing possible. 00:08:15.740 --> 00:08:18.199 Our culture repeatedly tells us stories 00:08:18.199 --> 00:08:22.039 where the person who stands up and fights the authority is the hero. 00:08:22.620 --> 00:08:24.519 Look at the box office from last year, 00:08:24.879 --> 00:08:27.779 the top grossing movies from 2014. 00:08:28.139 --> 00:08:28.879 What do you have up there? 00:08:29.139 --> 00:08:29.939 The Hunger Games. 00:08:30.740 --> 00:08:32.919 Teenage girl fights against the oppressive government 00:08:32.919 --> 00:08:34.899 who's trying to destroy the lives of their people. 00:08:36.039 --> 00:08:37.599 Autonomy is king. 00:08:38.240 --> 00:08:39.240 What else is up there? 00:08:39.399 --> 00:08:40.099 Lego movie. 00:08:41.899 --> 00:08:45.519 Average Joe discovers the key to unlocking the universe 00:08:45.519 --> 00:08:50.059 and saving his entire universe from the oppressive overlord. 00:08:51.539 --> 00:08:52.579 What's the message? 00:08:52.779 --> 00:08:53.659 Fight the authority. 00:08:54.240 --> 00:08:55.199 Stand up for you. 00:08:56.559 --> 00:08:57.860 Be your own hero. 00:08:57.860 --> 00:09:01.539 Don't trust anyone in authority. 00:09:02.019 --> 00:09:03.800 That's what culture wants us to believe. 00:09:04.180 --> 00:09:05.500 And at the start of creation, 00:09:05.639 --> 00:09:08.440 we see God establishing his rule. 00:09:09.879 --> 00:09:11.480 Creation sets the precedent 00:09:11.480 --> 00:09:14.539 that God is in charge of everything, 00:09:15.399 --> 00:09:15.919 everywhere, 00:09:16.759 --> 00:09:18.899 and that the proper response of humanity 00:09:18.899 --> 00:09:22.120 is obedience and submission to God's rule. 00:09:23.279 --> 00:09:24.039 Think about it. 00:09:24.039 --> 00:09:26.199 The Bible starts with the four words, 00:09:26.399 --> 00:09:27.719 in the beginning, God. 00:09:29.379 --> 00:09:31.240 In the beginning, God is there. 00:09:31.480 --> 00:09:32.099 We are not. 00:09:33.459 --> 00:09:35.039 Actually, in the beginning, God is there, 00:09:35.139 --> 00:09:36.579 and nothing else is there. 00:09:37.899 --> 00:09:40.039 God is the one who existed in the beginning, 00:09:40.219 --> 00:09:40.839 and as such, 00:09:41.099 --> 00:09:42.759 he is the only reliable source 00:09:42.759 --> 00:09:44.659 for what happened in the beginning 00:09:44.659 --> 00:09:45.980 and where the world came from. 00:09:47.980 --> 00:09:50.019 Also, as the one who is in the beginning, 00:09:50.019 --> 00:09:52.519 God is the self-existing one. 00:09:52.519 --> 00:09:56.579 As the one who created everything else, 00:09:57.039 --> 00:09:58.259 God is the only one 00:09:58.259 --> 00:10:00.299 who's not reliant on an outside source 00:10:00.299 --> 00:10:01.199 for his existence. 00:10:02.740 --> 00:10:03.899 If you think about it, 00:10:03.919 --> 00:10:06.860 the Bible says God created everything. 00:10:07.639 --> 00:10:10.240 The earth, you and me, 00:10:10.539 --> 00:10:12.199 the trees, the stars, the animals, 00:10:12.600 --> 00:10:15.100 everything was created by him. 00:10:15.460 --> 00:10:17.899 Everything is reliant upon 00:10:17.899 --> 00:10:20.559 an outside source for our existence. 00:10:20.559 --> 00:10:23.099 That outside source being God. 00:10:25.119 --> 00:10:27.179 God, as the one who was in the beginning, 00:10:27.699 --> 00:10:29.299 is not reliant on anything 00:10:29.299 --> 00:10:32.079 outside of himself to exist. 00:10:32.239 --> 00:10:33.419 Everything else exists 00:10:33.419 --> 00:10:36.000 because God chose for it to exist, 00:10:36.699 --> 00:10:38.339 and God exists. 00:10:40.319 --> 00:10:43.679 And as God is this pre-existing one 00:10:43.679 --> 00:10:45.239 who existed before everything else, 00:10:45.240 --> 00:10:46.519 and the self-existing one 00:10:46.519 --> 00:10:49.440 who's not reliant on anything else 00:10:49.440 --> 00:10:51.000 for his existence, 00:10:51.539 --> 00:10:55.299 God establishes his rule over everything. 00:10:57.460 --> 00:10:59.740 And God establishes his rule 00:10:59.740 --> 00:11:02.820 over everything with his word. 00:11:02.820 --> 00:11:06.800 What we see in Genesis chapter 2 00:11:06.800 --> 00:11:09.060 is that after God creates the heavens 00:11:09.060 --> 00:11:09.540 and the earth, 00:11:09.800 --> 00:11:10.860 the earth is formless, 00:11:11.000 --> 00:11:12.340 it's void, it's dark, 00:11:12.700 --> 00:11:14.400 and then in Genesis 3, 00:11:14.820 --> 00:11:15.879 God speaks. 00:11:17.300 --> 00:11:18.420 And as God speaks, 00:11:18.660 --> 00:11:19.920 the words that God speaks 00:11:19.920 --> 00:11:20.680 are accomplished. 00:11:22.340 --> 00:11:22.840 God says, 00:11:23.020 --> 00:11:23.600 let there be light, 00:11:23.700 --> 00:11:24.440 and there is light. 00:11:26.580 --> 00:11:27.440 God says, 00:11:27.700 --> 00:11:29.700 let the waters separate above and below, 00:11:29.820 --> 00:11:30.400 and they do. 00:11:30.399 --> 00:11:32.399 God says, 00:11:32.559 --> 00:11:34.559 let dry land come up out of the waters, 00:11:34.659 --> 00:11:35.519 and it does. 00:11:36.740 --> 00:11:37.379 God says, 00:11:37.419 --> 00:11:38.740 how about some trees on this land, 00:11:38.779 --> 00:11:39.500 and they're there. 00:11:40.860 --> 00:11:41.579 God says, 00:11:41.639 --> 00:11:42.959 let's have sun, moon, stars, 00:11:43.399 --> 00:11:44.159 and they're there. 00:11:45.379 --> 00:11:46.879 Birds, fish, done. 00:11:48.019 --> 00:11:49.100 Animals, all over. 00:11:49.480 --> 00:11:49.959 It's there. 00:11:50.980 --> 00:11:52.899 God establishes his rule 00:11:52.899 --> 00:11:55.259 over everything with his word 00:11:55.259 --> 00:11:58.659 by creating through his word. 00:11:58.659 --> 00:12:01.339 And not only that, 00:12:01.399 --> 00:12:03.600 but after he's created everything else, 00:12:03.819 --> 00:12:05.600 God reaches down into the soil 00:12:05.600 --> 00:12:06.299 that he's made, 00:12:06.480 --> 00:12:08.240 and he shapes a man 00:12:08.240 --> 00:12:09.399 in his own image. 00:12:11.299 --> 00:12:13.679 And he establishes his authority 00:12:13.679 --> 00:12:15.199 over the man 00:12:15.199 --> 00:12:17.459 by his word. 00:12:18.819 --> 00:12:21.600 It says that God spoke to the man. 00:12:22.000 --> 00:12:23.259 He blessed the man and the woman. 00:12:23.399 --> 00:12:24.000 He said to them, 00:12:24.000 --> 00:12:25.659 be fruitful and multiply 00:12:25.659 --> 00:12:26.600 and fill the earth 00:12:26.600 --> 00:12:27.379 and subdue it, 00:12:27.679 --> 00:12:29.440 have dominion over the fish of the sea 00:12:29.440 --> 00:12:31.080 and over the birds of the heavens 00:12:31.080 --> 00:12:32.580 and over every living thing 00:12:32.580 --> 00:12:34.240 that moves on the earth. 00:12:35.100 --> 00:12:36.080 And then it jumps ahead 00:12:36.080 --> 00:12:36.580 and it says, 00:12:37.000 --> 00:12:38.019 and it was so. 00:12:39.480 --> 00:12:41.080 Just like in creation 00:12:41.080 --> 00:12:41.980 where God speaks 00:12:41.980 --> 00:12:42.740 and it happens, 00:12:43.179 --> 00:12:44.139 God blesses the man, 00:12:44.240 --> 00:12:45.179 God gives commands 00:12:45.179 --> 00:12:45.980 to the man and the woman, 00:12:46.179 --> 00:12:47.019 and he says, 00:12:47.379 --> 00:12:49.139 do this and it's done. 00:12:50.139 --> 00:12:52.259 God establishes his rule 00:12:52.259 --> 00:12:55.000 by his word in creation. 00:12:56.860 --> 00:12:59.319 God also establishes his rule 00:12:59.319 --> 00:13:01.659 by a word of prohibition 00:13:01.659 --> 00:13:03.159 to the man and woman. 00:13:03.919 --> 00:13:05.259 In Genesis chapter two, 00:13:05.899 --> 00:13:07.299 we see that God tells them, 00:13:07.399 --> 00:13:08.279 you may surely eat 00:13:08.279 --> 00:13:09.679 of every tree that's in the garden, 00:13:10.080 --> 00:13:11.419 but of the tree of the knowledge 00:13:11.419 --> 00:13:12.319 of good and evil, 00:13:12.600 --> 00:13:13.580 you shall not eat. 00:13:14.059 --> 00:13:15.480 For in the day that you eat of it, 00:13:15.740 --> 00:13:17.139 you shall surely die. 00:13:18.080 --> 00:13:19.319 Now God's not unreasonable 00:13:19.319 --> 00:13:20.179 with this rule. 00:13:20.279 --> 00:13:20.620 He says, 00:13:20.939 --> 00:13:23.080 you have every tree in the garden 00:13:23.080 --> 00:13:24.059 except for one. 00:13:24.580 --> 00:13:26.139 He's not flaunting his authority. 00:13:26.279 --> 00:13:27.819 He's not being withholding. 00:13:29.019 --> 00:13:30.539 He's blessing them, actually. 00:13:30.639 --> 00:13:31.120 He's telling them, 00:13:31.220 --> 00:13:31.939 here's the key 00:13:31.939 --> 00:13:33.740 to a good, full, plentiful life. 00:13:34.559 --> 00:13:36.080 Don't eat from this tree. 00:13:36.259 --> 00:13:38.539 Things will go very, very badly 00:13:38.539 --> 00:13:39.559 if you do. 00:13:40.159 --> 00:13:41.080 I love you. 00:13:41.159 --> 00:13:42.220 I don't want that to happen. 00:13:43.059 --> 00:13:43.819 Stay away. 00:13:43.820 --> 00:13:48.520 And he establishes his rule 00:13:48.520 --> 00:13:50.200 with his word again. 00:13:51.000 --> 00:13:52.240 And we'll see in later weeks 00:13:52.240 --> 00:13:54.500 that Adam and Eve's failure 00:13:54.500 --> 00:13:57.240 to obey this word 00:13:57.240 --> 00:13:58.720 and live under this rule 00:13:58.720 --> 00:14:01.420 causes major issues for them 00:14:01.420 --> 00:14:03.000 and for every generation 00:14:03.000 --> 00:14:04.220 that comes after them, 00:14:04.300 --> 00:14:05.220 including us. 00:14:06.580 --> 00:14:07.880 But God's establishment 00:14:07.880 --> 00:14:09.760 of his rule by his word, 00:14:09.759 --> 00:14:12.000 it's not something, 00:14:12.240 --> 00:14:13.639 as culture would have us believe, 00:14:13.720 --> 00:14:14.279 that's oppressive. 00:14:14.899 --> 00:14:15.700 It's not something 00:14:15.700 --> 00:14:16.419 that's mean-hearted. 00:14:17.000 --> 00:14:17.740 It's not something 00:14:17.740 --> 00:14:19.319 that's withholding 00:14:19.319 --> 00:14:20.039 or vindictive. 00:14:20.480 --> 00:14:21.700 It's something that's loving. 00:14:21.700 --> 00:14:23.879 It's the God 00:14:23.879 --> 00:14:24.660 who knows 00:14:24.660 --> 00:14:26.180 how the universe works. 00:14:27.100 --> 00:14:27.560 The God 00:14:27.560 --> 00:14:28.980 who has created everything 00:14:28.980 --> 00:14:30.280 and understands best 00:14:30.280 --> 00:14:32.040 how it is supposed to operate, 00:14:32.580 --> 00:14:34.660 giving his people 00:14:34.660 --> 00:14:36.100 the key 00:14:36.100 --> 00:14:37.560 to a proper life 00:14:37.560 --> 00:14:38.780 within that universe 00:14:38.780 --> 00:14:39.700 that he has created. 00:14:40.060 --> 00:14:40.680 And so as God 00:14:40.680 --> 00:14:41.879 establishes his rule 00:14:41.879 --> 00:14:42.900 by his word, 00:14:43.900 --> 00:14:45.840 that is a gift of love 00:14:45.840 --> 00:14:46.920 from him 00:14:46.920 --> 00:14:47.560 to his people. 00:14:47.559 --> 00:14:52.000 In the beginning, 00:14:52.239 --> 00:14:53.399 God establishes 00:14:53.399 --> 00:14:54.179 his rule 00:14:54.179 --> 00:14:55.339 by his word. 00:14:57.459 --> 00:14:58.619 Not only does God 00:14:58.619 --> 00:14:59.759 establish his rule, 00:15:00.000 --> 00:15:01.299 he also establishes 00:15:01.299 --> 00:15:02.299 his place. 00:15:03.719 --> 00:15:04.579 Now in one sense, 00:15:04.799 --> 00:15:05.739 the entire universe 00:15:05.739 --> 00:15:06.779 is God's place. 00:15:07.399 --> 00:15:08.579 God created it all. 00:15:08.959 --> 00:15:10.399 God rules over it all. 00:15:10.679 --> 00:15:12.419 God owns it all. 00:15:12.719 --> 00:15:14.279 God sustains it all. 00:15:15.719 --> 00:15:17.159 There's a Dutch theologian 00:15:17.159 --> 00:15:18.279 named Abraham Kuyper. 00:15:18.839 --> 00:15:19.699 And he had this quote. 00:15:19.819 --> 00:15:20.100 He said, 00:15:20.199 --> 00:15:21.719 there's not a square inch 00:15:21.719 --> 00:15:23.419 in the whole domain 00:15:23.419 --> 00:15:24.579 of our human existence 00:15:24.579 --> 00:15:26.059 over which Christ, 00:15:26.199 --> 00:15:27.240 who is sovereign over all, 00:15:27.319 --> 00:15:28.100 does not cry, 00:15:28.480 --> 00:15:28.779 mine. 00:15:29.899 --> 00:15:30.919 In the entire universe, 00:15:31.100 --> 00:15:32.559 there's not one square inch 00:15:32.559 --> 00:15:34.360 where God doesn't look at it 00:15:34.360 --> 00:15:34.620 and say, 00:15:34.679 --> 00:15:35.059 that's mine. 00:15:36.019 --> 00:15:37.620 Everything is his. 00:15:38.959 --> 00:15:40.659 Everything belongs to him. 00:15:40.659 --> 00:15:41.299 But, 00:15:41.939 --> 00:15:42.799 in the beginning, 00:15:43.279 --> 00:15:44.039 although everything 00:15:44.039 --> 00:15:44.980 belongs to him, 00:15:45.199 --> 00:15:46.059 he reaches down 00:15:46.059 --> 00:15:46.839 and creates 00:15:46.839 --> 00:15:47.759 a special place. 00:15:48.519 --> 00:15:49.679 He creates a garden. 00:15:51.059 --> 00:15:51.699 He creates 00:15:51.699 --> 00:15:52.939 a special place 00:15:52.939 --> 00:15:53.719 that is, 00:15:53.759 --> 00:15:55.559 that is green 00:15:55.559 --> 00:15:57.839 and filled with gold 00:15:57.839 --> 00:15:58.500 and rivers 00:15:58.500 --> 00:16:00.439 and an amazing place. 00:16:00.539 --> 00:16:01.179 And this is where 00:16:01.179 --> 00:16:01.879 he places 00:16:01.879 --> 00:16:03.259 Adam and Eve. 00:16:04.279 --> 00:16:05.539 This is the place 00:16:05.539 --> 00:16:06.439 where God enters 00:16:06.439 --> 00:16:07.579 into a covenant 00:16:07.579 --> 00:16:08.899 with his people. 00:16:08.899 --> 00:16:10.500 and although 00:16:10.500 --> 00:16:11.840 the entire universe, 00:16:12.179 --> 00:16:13.299 everything that exists, 00:16:13.699 --> 00:16:14.819 is God's place 00:16:14.819 --> 00:16:16.000 in a special way, 00:16:16.720 --> 00:16:17.679 this Garden of Eden 00:16:17.679 --> 00:16:18.799 is God's place 00:16:18.799 --> 00:16:19.819 because it is the place 00:16:19.819 --> 00:16:21.379 where he and his people 00:16:21.379 --> 00:16:22.319 meet together. 00:16:23.759 --> 00:16:24.759 It's the place 00:16:24.759 --> 00:16:27.019 where he focuses 00:16:27.019 --> 00:16:28.899 so much attention 00:16:28.899 --> 00:16:30.799 during this act of creation 00:16:30.799 --> 00:16:31.759 and in creation, 00:16:32.159 --> 00:16:33.220 God establishes 00:16:33.220 --> 00:16:34.819 this place of Eden. 00:16:34.820 --> 00:16:34.879 creation. 00:16:37.160 --> 00:16:38.080 The third thing 00:16:38.080 --> 00:16:39.160 that God establishes 00:16:39.160 --> 00:16:40.060 in creation 00:16:40.060 --> 00:16:41.180 is his people. 00:16:42.560 --> 00:16:43.520 If you look at 00:16:43.520 --> 00:16:44.920 the story of creation 00:16:44.920 --> 00:16:45.460 in the Bible, 00:16:45.780 --> 00:16:47.040 it centers around man. 00:16:47.920 --> 00:16:49.020 In Genesis chapter 1, 00:16:49.080 --> 00:16:49.700 you have this 00:16:49.700 --> 00:16:51.280 least to greatest account 00:16:51.280 --> 00:16:52.700 where they start off 00:16:52.700 --> 00:16:53.280 pretty simple 00:16:53.280 --> 00:16:53.600 with, 00:16:54.040 --> 00:16:54.660 let there be light. 00:16:55.360 --> 00:16:55.540 Oh, 00:16:55.600 --> 00:16:56.840 let's have the sky 00:16:56.840 --> 00:16:58.060 separated from the water below. 00:16:58.720 --> 00:16:59.680 Let's have some land. 00:17:00.000 --> 00:17:00.620 And then you get 00:17:00.620 --> 00:17:01.620 increasing complexity. 00:17:01.780 --> 00:17:02.240 On the land, 00:17:02.320 --> 00:17:03.160 let's put trees 00:17:03.159 --> 00:17:03.699 and plants 00:17:03.699 --> 00:17:04.619 and then fill it 00:17:04.619 --> 00:17:05.799 with birds and fish 00:17:05.799 --> 00:17:06.879 and then have 00:17:06.879 --> 00:17:08.059 like animals 00:17:08.059 --> 00:17:09.539 like cows 00:17:09.539 --> 00:17:10.799 and hippopotamuses 00:17:10.799 --> 00:17:12.019 and elephants 00:17:12.019 --> 00:17:13.859 and then let's put 00:17:13.859 --> 00:17:14.539 man in there. 00:17:15.220 --> 00:17:16.099 And the entire 00:17:16.099 --> 00:17:16.980 creation account 00:17:16.980 --> 00:17:18.079 in Genesis chapter 1 00:17:18.079 --> 00:17:18.579 is building 00:17:18.579 --> 00:17:18.980 and building 00:17:18.980 --> 00:17:19.399 and building 00:17:19.399 --> 00:17:20.500 until it reaches 00:17:20.500 --> 00:17:21.099 its climax 00:17:21.099 --> 00:17:22.879 with the creation 00:17:22.879 --> 00:17:23.659 of man. 00:17:24.759 --> 00:17:26.019 And then in Genesis 2, 00:17:26.099 --> 00:17:26.700 we have another 00:17:26.700 --> 00:17:27.440 creation account 00:17:27.440 --> 00:17:28.279 that centers 00:17:28.279 --> 00:17:29.619 around man. 00:17:30.659 --> 00:17:31.720 You start out 00:17:31.720 --> 00:17:32.220 with Adam 00:17:32.220 --> 00:17:32.940 being created. 00:17:33.160 --> 00:17:34.720 and God 00:17:34.720 --> 00:17:35.860 takes the world 00:17:35.860 --> 00:17:36.680 around Adam 00:17:36.680 --> 00:17:37.900 and shapes it 00:17:37.900 --> 00:17:39.380 for his use. 00:17:39.900 --> 00:17:41.060 He puts the trees 00:17:41.060 --> 00:17:41.940 and the plants 00:17:41.940 --> 00:17:42.480 in the field 00:17:42.480 --> 00:17:43.300 so Adam has 00:17:43.300 --> 00:17:44.500 food to eat. 00:17:45.000 --> 00:17:45.640 He puts 00:17:45.640 --> 00:17:46.920 the animals there 00:17:46.920 --> 00:17:48.920 so Adam has 00:17:48.920 --> 00:17:50.259 things to rule over. 00:17:50.620 --> 00:17:51.040 And Adam 00:17:51.040 --> 00:17:52.380 names all the animals 00:17:52.380 --> 00:17:53.279 and he's 00:17:53.279 --> 00:17:54.640 in this garden 00:17:54.640 --> 00:17:55.600 that God has created 00:17:55.600 --> 00:17:56.540 and he realizes 00:17:56.540 --> 00:17:57.580 there's no companion 00:17:57.580 --> 00:17:58.140 for him 00:17:58.140 --> 00:17:59.180 and God creates 00:17:59.180 --> 00:17:59.660 the woman. 00:17:59.660 --> 00:18:02.420 and that's the 00:18:02.420 --> 00:18:03.320 climax of the 00:18:03.320 --> 00:18:03.960 Genesis 2 00:18:03.960 --> 00:18:04.680 creation account 00:18:04.680 --> 00:18:05.800 is the creation 00:18:05.800 --> 00:18:06.360 of woman 00:18:06.360 --> 00:18:07.680 to be with man. 00:18:09.160 --> 00:18:10.000 That God 00:18:10.000 --> 00:18:11.720 creates the world 00:18:11.720 --> 00:18:14.240 basically for man. 00:18:14.240 --> 00:18:18.000 and God does this 00:18:18.000 --> 00:18:18.799 because 00:18:18.799 --> 00:18:20.160 he loves 00:18:20.160 --> 00:18:20.740 his people. 00:18:21.940 --> 00:18:22.759 And when God 00:18:22.759 --> 00:18:23.680 creates man 00:18:23.680 --> 00:18:24.120 and woman 00:18:24.120 --> 00:18:24.920 he creates them 00:18:24.920 --> 00:18:25.319 it says 00:18:25.319 --> 00:18:26.740 in his image. 00:18:27.799 --> 00:18:28.420 There's something 00:18:28.420 --> 00:18:29.480 special and unique 00:18:29.480 --> 00:18:30.059 and distinct 00:18:30.059 --> 00:18:30.819 about humanity 00:18:30.819 --> 00:18:32.000 that sets us 00:18:32.000 --> 00:18:32.500 apart 00:18:32.500 --> 00:18:33.859 from the rest 00:18:33.859 --> 00:18:34.519 of creation. 00:18:34.519 --> 00:18:36.539 as God 00:18:36.539 --> 00:18:37.200 establishes 00:18:37.200 --> 00:18:37.619 his people 00:18:37.619 --> 00:18:38.279 he doesn't just 00:18:38.279 --> 00:18:39.039 take some 00:18:39.039 --> 00:18:39.740 random animal 00:18:39.740 --> 00:18:40.519 and say like 00:18:40.519 --> 00:18:41.740 you're going to be 00:18:41.740 --> 00:18:42.299 my special 00:18:42.299 --> 00:18:43.059 creation. 00:18:43.339 --> 00:18:43.480 No, 00:18:43.559 --> 00:18:44.220 he takes us 00:18:44.220 --> 00:18:45.259 he shapes us 00:18:45.259 --> 00:18:46.279 out of the dust 00:18:46.279 --> 00:18:46.779 to the ground 00:18:46.779 --> 00:18:48.460 and he creates us 00:18:48.460 --> 00:18:49.480 in his image 00:18:49.480 --> 00:18:51.299 to be his people. 00:18:52.660 --> 00:18:53.259 There have been 00:18:53.259 --> 00:18:53.920 lots of theories 00:18:53.920 --> 00:18:54.579 throughout the years 00:18:54.579 --> 00:18:55.359 about what it means 00:18:55.359 --> 00:18:56.079 for us to exist 00:18:56.079 --> 00:18:56.700 in God's image 00:18:56.700 --> 00:18:58.700 and we don't have 00:18:58.700 --> 00:18:59.339 a lot of time 00:18:59.339 --> 00:19:00.259 to discuss that today 00:19:00.259 --> 00:19:00.960 but there's a couple 00:19:00.960 --> 00:19:01.940 important things 00:19:01.940 --> 00:19:03.639 about us existing 00:19:03.640 --> 00:19:04.300 in God's image 00:19:04.300 --> 00:19:05.380 that I do want to say. 00:19:06.200 --> 00:19:06.900 First off 00:19:06.900 --> 00:19:08.800 the fact that we 00:19:08.800 --> 00:19:09.380 were created 00:19:09.380 --> 00:19:10.220 in God's image 00:19:10.220 --> 00:19:11.820 means that in some way 00:19:11.820 --> 00:19:13.820 that's unique to us 00:19:13.820 --> 00:19:15.000 and nothing else 00:19:15.000 --> 00:19:15.759 in all of creation 00:19:15.759 --> 00:19:16.160 shares 00:19:16.160 --> 00:19:18.520 we are like God. 00:19:19.700 --> 00:19:20.660 In some way 00:19:20.660 --> 00:19:21.420 that is unique 00:19:21.420 --> 00:19:22.660 and distinct to us 00:19:22.660 --> 00:19:24.280 that nothing else 00:19:24.280 --> 00:19:25.280 in all of creation 00:19:25.280 --> 00:19:25.720 shares 00:19:25.720 --> 00:19:27.360 the trees don't share it 00:19:27.360 --> 00:19:27.820 the dolphins 00:19:27.820 --> 00:19:28.580 don't share it 00:19:28.580 --> 00:19:29.860 the birds don't share it 00:19:29.860 --> 00:19:32.020 we are like God. 00:19:32.019 --> 00:19:33.980 I'm not saying 00:19:33.980 --> 00:19:35.339 we are God 00:19:35.339 --> 00:19:36.660 that would be bad 00:19:36.660 --> 00:19:39.779 but we are like God 00:19:39.779 --> 00:19:40.519 in a way that is 00:19:40.519 --> 00:19:41.519 unique and distinct 00:19:41.519 --> 00:19:43.299 from everything else. 00:19:44.660 --> 00:19:46.220 The second important thing 00:19:46.220 --> 00:19:47.599 about us existing 00:19:47.599 --> 00:19:48.900 as creation 00:19:48.900 --> 00:19:49.839 in God's image 00:19:49.839 --> 00:19:52.220 is that our creation 00:19:52.220 --> 00:19:53.200 in God's image 00:19:53.200 --> 00:19:54.940 is closely linked 00:19:54.940 --> 00:19:56.839 to our command 00:19:56.839 --> 00:19:57.759 to rule over 00:19:57.759 --> 00:19:58.920 the rest of creation. 00:20:00.160 --> 00:20:00.519 It says 00:20:00.519 --> 00:20:01.440 God creates us 00:20:01.440 --> 00:20:02.019 in his image 00:20:02.019 --> 00:20:03.059 and then he calls us 00:20:03.059 --> 00:20:04.220 to rule over 00:20:04.220 --> 00:20:05.400 creation for him. 00:20:06.279 --> 00:20:07.099 We are God's 00:20:07.099 --> 00:20:07.879 representatives 00:20:07.879 --> 00:20:09.559 to the rest of creation. 00:20:10.619 --> 00:20:11.440 God puts us 00:20:11.440 --> 00:20:12.099 on the earth 00:20:12.099 --> 00:20:13.079 and he says 00:20:13.079 --> 00:20:13.879 I want you 00:20:13.879 --> 00:20:15.180 to rule over 00:20:15.180 --> 00:20:16.319 the animals 00:20:16.319 --> 00:20:17.279 and the birds 00:20:17.279 --> 00:20:18.079 and the fish 00:20:18.079 --> 00:20:18.579 and 00:20:18.579 --> 00:20:20.940 the rhinoceroses 00:20:20.940 --> 00:20:23.599 in such a way 00:20:23.599 --> 00:20:24.779 that in your ruling 00:20:24.779 --> 00:20:25.319 over them 00:20:25.319 --> 00:20:26.359 they will see 00:20:26.359 --> 00:20:27.000 my goodness. 00:20:27.000 --> 00:20:29.059 in such a way 00:20:29.059 --> 00:20:30.059 that as you 00:20:30.059 --> 00:20:31.440 steward the earth 00:20:31.440 --> 00:20:32.420 you're not 00:20:32.420 --> 00:20:33.200 exploiting it 00:20:33.200 --> 00:20:33.680 you're not 00:20:33.680 --> 00:20:34.619 abusing it 00:20:34.619 --> 00:20:36.299 you're loving 00:20:36.299 --> 00:20:36.920 and gentle 00:20:36.920 --> 00:20:37.619 and kind 00:20:37.619 --> 00:20:38.619 just as I 00:20:38.619 --> 00:20:39.140 am loving 00:20:39.140 --> 00:20:39.680 and gentle 00:20:39.680 --> 00:20:40.240 and kind 00:20:40.240 --> 00:20:40.740 to you. 00:20:41.319 --> 00:20:42.220 You're stewards 00:20:42.220 --> 00:20:43.559 and you are to act 00:20:43.559 --> 00:20:44.420 as my representatives 00:20:44.420 --> 00:20:45.940 so that through you 00:20:45.940 --> 00:20:47.039 everything else 00:20:47.039 --> 00:20:47.900 in all of creation 00:20:47.900 --> 00:20:48.720 will see 00:20:48.720 --> 00:20:50.019 who I am. 00:20:51.940 --> 00:20:53.359 The third important thing 00:20:53.359 --> 00:20:54.299 about us existing 00:20:54.299 --> 00:20:55.000 in God's image 00:20:55.000 --> 00:20:56.079 is that life 00:20:56.079 --> 00:20:56.859 in community 00:20:56.859 --> 00:20:58.160 is key 00:20:58.160 --> 00:21:00.220 to our existence 00:21:00.220 --> 00:21:01.380 in God's image. 00:21:02.680 --> 00:21:03.039 You notice 00:21:03.039 --> 00:21:03.700 God doesn't just 00:21:03.700 --> 00:21:04.339 create man 00:21:04.339 --> 00:21:05.940 he creates man 00:21:05.940 --> 00:21:06.779 and woman together. 00:21:07.420 --> 00:21:07.980 Actually when he 00:21:07.980 --> 00:21:08.960 just has man there 00:21:08.960 --> 00:21:09.559 he says it's 00:21:09.559 --> 00:21:10.460 not good yet 00:21:10.460 --> 00:21:11.960 there's something wrong 00:21:11.960 --> 00:21:13.220 and then he creates 00:21:13.220 --> 00:21:13.559 the woman 00:21:13.559 --> 00:21:14.079 and he says 00:21:14.079 --> 00:21:14.700 this is now 00:21:14.700 --> 00:21:15.220 very good. 00:21:16.480 --> 00:21:17.339 The community 00:21:17.339 --> 00:21:17.839 aspect 00:21:17.839 --> 00:21:18.940 of our existence 00:21:18.940 --> 00:21:19.700 in God's image 00:21:19.700 --> 00:21:20.259 is key. 00:21:20.940 --> 00:21:21.779 The Bible teaches us 00:21:21.779 --> 00:21:22.759 that God exists 00:21:22.759 --> 00:21:23.519 as a trinity 00:21:23.519 --> 00:21:24.380 with one God 00:21:24.380 --> 00:21:25.500 three persons 00:21:25.500 --> 00:21:26.280 which means 00:21:26.280 --> 00:21:27.260 that from eternity 00:21:27.260 --> 00:21:28.840 God himself 00:21:28.840 --> 00:21:29.740 has been existing 00:21:29.740 --> 00:21:31.500 in perfect community 00:21:31.500 --> 00:21:33.660 and if we want 00:21:33.660 --> 00:21:34.740 to be like God 00:21:34.740 --> 00:21:35.820 and show the world 00:21:35.820 --> 00:21:36.340 around us 00:21:36.340 --> 00:21:37.020 who God is 00:21:37.020 --> 00:21:38.840 we need to be 00:21:38.840 --> 00:21:39.540 in community. 00:21:41.420 --> 00:21:42.460 Although there is 00:21:42.460 --> 00:21:43.160 the image of God 00:21:43.160 --> 00:21:44.180 present in each of us 00:21:44.180 --> 00:21:44.920 as individuals 00:21:44.920 --> 00:21:46.700 we cannot fully display 00:21:46.700 --> 00:21:47.620 the image of God 00:21:47.620 --> 00:21:48.380 outside 00:21:48.380 --> 00:21:50.220 of a proper community. 00:21:50.220 --> 00:21:52.900 and actually 00:21:52.900 --> 00:21:53.500 the creation 00:21:53.500 --> 00:21:54.220 of community 00:21:54.220 --> 00:21:55.160 in the Bible story 00:21:55.160 --> 00:21:56.039 is one of 00:21:56.039 --> 00:21:57.339 the greatest blessings 00:21:57.339 --> 00:21:58.799 given to humanity. 00:21:59.660 --> 00:22:00.740 If you look at the story 00:22:00.740 --> 00:22:01.460 in Genesis 2 00:22:01.460 --> 00:22:02.220 Adam's there 00:22:02.220 --> 00:22:03.299 God's making all this stuff 00:22:03.299 --> 00:22:04.019 he makes the trees 00:22:04.019 --> 00:22:04.980 he makes the animals 00:22:04.980 --> 00:22:07.019 Adam's living in paradise 00:22:07.019 --> 00:22:08.920 ruling over paradise 00:22:08.920 --> 00:22:11.480 and then God makes the woman 00:22:11.480 --> 00:22:12.440 and the woman 00:22:12.440 --> 00:22:13.360 is finally the thing 00:22:13.360 --> 00:22:13.940 where Adam goes 00:22:13.940 --> 00:22:14.799 at last 00:22:14.799 --> 00:22:17.259 look what God made 00:22:17.259 --> 00:22:17.740 for me. 00:22:18.940 --> 00:22:19.180 Right? 00:22:19.240 --> 00:22:20.919 He's ruling over paradise 00:22:20.919 --> 00:22:22.960 but it's when he gets 00:22:22.960 --> 00:22:23.419 community 00:22:23.419 --> 00:22:24.399 that he says 00:22:24.399 --> 00:22:24.980 yes 00:22:24.980 --> 00:22:26.259 this is it 00:22:26.259 --> 00:22:26.859 this is what I've been 00:22:26.859 --> 00:22:27.440 waiting for 00:22:27.440 --> 00:22:28.200 this is good 00:22:28.200 --> 00:22:30.019 what an amazing gift 00:22:30.019 --> 00:22:30.759 from God. 00:22:32.339 --> 00:22:33.519 The creation of community 00:22:33.519 --> 00:22:34.579 is one of 00:22:34.579 --> 00:22:35.899 the greatest blessings 00:22:35.899 --> 00:22:37.240 that God gives to man 00:22:37.240 --> 00:22:39.519 in the entire story 00:22:39.519 --> 00:22:40.099 of creation. 00:22:41.059 --> 00:22:42.039 And in this community 00:22:42.039 --> 00:22:42.899 that God creates 00:22:42.899 --> 00:22:44.099 there's this openness 00:22:44.099 --> 00:22:45.839 and this honesty 00:22:45.839 --> 00:22:47.959 that marks 00:22:47.959 --> 00:22:49.139 the relationship there. 00:22:49.219 --> 00:22:50.159 If you look at the last 00:22:50.159 --> 00:22:51.119 verse of chapter 2 00:22:51.119 --> 00:22:51.959 it says 00:22:51.959 --> 00:22:52.899 the man and his wife 00:22:52.899 --> 00:22:53.579 were both naked 00:22:53.579 --> 00:22:54.319 and not ashamed. 00:22:55.299 --> 00:22:55.899 This isn't just 00:22:55.899 --> 00:22:56.959 a physical nakedness 00:22:56.959 --> 00:22:57.740 this is emotional 00:22:57.740 --> 00:22:58.740 this is spiritual 00:22:58.740 --> 00:23:00.799 they're completely open 00:23:00.799 --> 00:23:01.839 completely honest 00:23:01.839 --> 00:23:03.000 completely exposed 00:23:03.000 --> 00:23:04.500 and not only with each other 00:23:04.500 --> 00:23:05.459 but with God. 00:23:06.539 --> 00:23:07.179 They have nothing 00:23:07.179 --> 00:23:08.079 to hide from God. 00:23:08.799 --> 00:23:09.599 When things go wrong 00:23:09.599 --> 00:23:10.059 in the story 00:23:10.059 --> 00:23:10.980 one of the first things 00:23:10.980 --> 00:23:11.379 you'll see 00:23:11.379 --> 00:23:12.139 is that 00:23:12.139 --> 00:23:13.399 they run and hide 00:23:13.399 --> 00:23:13.959 from God. 00:23:14.839 --> 00:23:15.599 But in creation 00:23:15.599 --> 00:23:16.699 when God makes them 00:23:16.699 --> 00:23:18.599 they're completely open 00:23:18.599 --> 00:23:19.619 and honest before him 00:23:19.619 --> 00:23:20.539 and have nothing to hide. 00:23:20.619 --> 00:23:21.399 They're completely open 00:23:21.399 --> 00:23:22.579 and honest before each other. 00:23:23.019 --> 00:23:23.799 There's no lying 00:23:23.799 --> 00:23:24.959 there's no hiding 00:23:24.959 --> 00:23:26.399 there's no covering up 00:23:26.399 --> 00:23:27.099 what they've done. 00:23:28.000 --> 00:23:29.299 They're completely honest 00:23:29.299 --> 00:23:30.419 and open with themselves. 00:23:31.399 --> 00:23:32.240 They don't need to lie 00:23:32.240 --> 00:23:32.799 to themselves 00:23:32.799 --> 00:23:33.619 about what's happened 00:23:33.619 --> 00:23:34.119 in the past 00:23:34.119 --> 00:23:35.039 to try and avoid 00:23:35.039 --> 00:23:36.500 those dark memories. 00:23:37.599 --> 00:23:38.319 Things are good 00:23:38.319 --> 00:23:39.399 things are right 00:23:39.399 --> 00:23:40.599 things are as they should be. 00:23:41.379 --> 00:23:42.240 They're completely open 00:23:42.240 --> 00:23:42.799 and honest 00:23:42.799 --> 00:23:44.660 with the rest of creation. 00:23:45.279 --> 00:23:46.680 They have this right relationship 00:23:46.680 --> 00:23:48.079 with the rest of the stuff 00:23:48.079 --> 00:23:48.900 that God has made. 00:23:49.660 --> 00:23:50.400 It's good. 00:23:50.960 --> 00:23:51.660 It's right. 00:23:51.759 --> 00:23:53.940 It's as it should be. 00:23:55.160 --> 00:23:56.059 And next week 00:23:56.059 --> 00:23:56.680 like I said 00:23:56.680 --> 00:23:57.220 we're going to see 00:23:57.220 --> 00:23:57.640 that God 00:23:57.640 --> 00:23:58.740 that humanity 00:23:58.740 --> 00:24:00.359 fails to live properly 00:24:00.359 --> 00:24:01.200 as we're supposed to 00:24:01.200 --> 00:24:01.880 in God's image. 00:24:02.539 --> 00:24:03.660 And when that happens 00:24:03.660 --> 00:24:04.779 this openness 00:24:04.779 --> 00:24:05.500 and honesty 00:24:05.500 --> 00:24:06.079 and community 00:24:06.079 --> 00:24:07.220 is one of the first things 00:24:07.220 --> 00:24:07.579 to go. 00:24:07.579 --> 00:24:09.559 they hide from God. 00:24:10.460 --> 00:24:11.339 They cover up 00:24:11.339 --> 00:24:12.059 their nakedness. 00:24:12.759 --> 00:24:13.519 Their son murders 00:24:13.519 --> 00:24:14.019 his brother. 00:24:14.839 --> 00:24:15.899 Things go downhill 00:24:15.899 --> 00:24:17.059 so quickly. 00:24:18.359 --> 00:24:19.399 But at the start 00:24:19.399 --> 00:24:20.759 this community 00:24:20.759 --> 00:24:21.779 is one of 00:24:21.779 --> 00:24:23.159 the greatest gifts. 00:24:25.639 --> 00:24:26.599 And the last thing 00:24:26.599 --> 00:24:27.179 I want us to see 00:24:27.179 --> 00:24:28.000 about creation 00:24:28.000 --> 00:24:28.939 of humanity 00:24:28.939 --> 00:24:30.119 in God's image 00:24:30.119 --> 00:24:31.379 is that this 00:24:31.379 --> 00:24:32.879 flies wildly 00:24:32.879 --> 00:24:33.759 in the face 00:24:33.759 --> 00:24:35.019 of culture's story 00:24:35.019 --> 00:24:36.119 about human worth 00:24:36.119 --> 00:24:37.119 and human dignity 00:24:37.119 --> 00:24:38.739 and human rights. 00:24:40.719 --> 00:24:41.619 What does culture 00:24:41.619 --> 00:24:42.279 want us to believe 00:24:42.279 --> 00:24:43.019 about who we are? 00:24:43.779 --> 00:24:44.679 We're an accident. 00:24:46.539 --> 00:24:47.899 There was this explosion 00:24:47.899 --> 00:24:49.059 billions of years ago 00:24:49.059 --> 00:24:50.439 particles sort of formed 00:24:50.439 --> 00:24:51.539 as they flew through space 00:24:51.539 --> 00:24:52.479 and the planet arrived 00:24:52.479 --> 00:24:52.939 and then 00:24:52.939 --> 00:24:55.619 a couple billion years ago 00:24:55.619 --> 00:24:56.359 there was this 00:24:56.359 --> 00:24:57.019 lightning storm 00:24:57.019 --> 00:24:57.899 that hit some 00:24:57.899 --> 00:24:59.259 prehistoric gloop 00:24:59.259 --> 00:24:59.779 in the ground 00:24:59.779 --> 00:25:00.979 and then life came 00:25:00.979 --> 00:25:02.319 and we formed 00:25:02.319 --> 00:25:02.879 out of that. 00:25:03.159 --> 00:25:03.539 And really 00:25:03.539 --> 00:25:04.639 there's nothing special 00:25:04.639 --> 00:25:05.059 about us 00:25:05.059 --> 00:25:05.779 nothing unique 00:25:05.779 --> 00:25:06.980 or distinct about us 00:25:06.980 --> 00:25:07.859 we're just 00:25:07.859 --> 00:25:09.139 overdeveloped animals 00:25:09.139 --> 00:25:09.740 who are a product 00:25:09.740 --> 00:25:10.379 of accident 00:25:10.379 --> 00:25:10.980 and chance. 00:25:12.920 --> 00:25:13.639 It's like Tobin 00:25:13.639 --> 00:25:14.339 was saying earlier 00:25:14.339 --> 00:25:14.940 the men who are 00:25:14.940 --> 00:25:15.359 commenting 00:25:15.359 --> 00:25:16.879 on these tragedies 00:25:16.879 --> 00:25:17.859 throughout the world 00:25:17.859 --> 00:25:18.299 who said 00:25:18.299 --> 00:25:19.420 yeah so what 00:25:19.420 --> 00:25:19.779 we're just 00:25:19.779 --> 00:25:21.119 complicated animals 00:25:21.119 --> 00:25:22.279 that's how we should act. 00:25:23.660 --> 00:25:24.559 And if humanity's 00:25:24.559 --> 00:25:26.039 or if culture's story 00:25:26.039 --> 00:25:27.039 of where humanity 00:25:27.039 --> 00:25:27.660 came from 00:25:27.660 --> 00:25:28.200 is true 00:25:28.200 --> 00:25:29.559 there's absolutely 00:25:29.559 --> 00:25:30.420 no grounds 00:25:30.420 --> 00:25:31.839 for human rights 00:25:31.839 --> 00:25:32.819 for human worth 00:25:32.819 --> 00:25:33.599 for human value. 00:25:34.359 --> 00:25:34.460 You know 00:25:34.460 --> 00:25:35.079 I just came back 00:25:35.079 --> 00:25:35.700 from the States 00:25:35.700 --> 00:25:36.480 and in the States 00:25:36.480 --> 00:25:37.779 there is so much 00:25:37.779 --> 00:25:38.500 talk going on 00:25:38.500 --> 00:25:39.840 about race relations 00:25:39.840 --> 00:25:40.340 right now. 00:25:41.420 --> 00:25:42.319 People are upset 00:25:42.319 --> 00:25:42.900 about the way 00:25:42.900 --> 00:25:43.420 that police 00:25:43.420 --> 00:25:43.920 have been 00:25:43.920 --> 00:25:45.720 treating black people 00:25:45.720 --> 00:25:47.660 and so there have been 00:25:47.660 --> 00:25:49.600 calls for retaliation 00:25:49.600 --> 00:25:50.360 against police. 00:25:50.740 --> 00:25:51.240 There were people 00:25:51.240 --> 00:25:52.860 marching on the streets 00:25:52.860 --> 00:25:53.400 in New York 00:25:53.400 --> 00:25:53.900 chanting 00:25:53.900 --> 00:25:54.720 what do we want 00:25:54.720 --> 00:25:55.539 dead cops 00:25:55.539 --> 00:25:56.259 when do we want it 00:25:56.259 --> 00:25:56.660 now? 00:25:56.660 --> 00:25:58.740 a man came up 00:25:58.740 --> 00:25:59.140 to New York 00:25:59.140 --> 00:26:00.160 and shot two police 00:26:00.160 --> 00:26:01.400 officers in cold blood 00:26:01.400 --> 00:26:03.460 because people 00:26:03.460 --> 00:26:04.500 are so upset 00:26:04.500 --> 00:26:06.100 about the way 00:26:06.100 --> 00:26:06.759 that black people 00:26:06.759 --> 00:26:07.519 are being treated 00:26:07.519 --> 00:26:08.519 by police 00:26:08.519 --> 00:26:09.120 in America. 00:26:10.820 --> 00:26:11.840 And here's the thing 00:26:11.840 --> 00:26:13.120 if the Bible story 00:26:13.120 --> 00:26:13.820 of creation 00:26:13.820 --> 00:26:15.080 of man 00:26:15.080 --> 00:26:15.980 in God's image 00:26:15.980 --> 00:26:16.920 is true 00:26:16.920 --> 00:26:18.279 then absolutely 00:26:18.279 --> 00:26:19.900 proper race relations 00:26:19.900 --> 00:26:20.820 are important 00:26:20.820 --> 00:26:21.700 and significant 00:26:21.700 --> 00:26:22.340 and something 00:26:22.340 --> 00:26:23.040 that we should 00:26:23.040 --> 00:26:23.759 fight for 00:26:23.759 --> 00:26:24.519 with everything 00:26:24.519 --> 00:26:25.099 we have 00:26:25.099 --> 00:26:26.579 because there are 00:26:26.579 --> 00:26:27.359 people who exist 00:26:27.359 --> 00:26:28.200 in God's image 00:26:28.200 --> 00:26:29.819 who are not being 00:26:29.819 --> 00:26:31.480 treated as the image 00:26:31.480 --> 00:26:31.879 of God. 00:26:33.019 --> 00:26:34.019 But if culture's 00:26:34.019 --> 00:26:34.720 story of humanity 00:26:34.720 --> 00:26:35.500 as an accident 00:26:35.500 --> 00:26:36.859 as a product 00:26:36.859 --> 00:26:37.480 of chance 00:26:37.480 --> 00:26:38.299 is true 00:26:38.299 --> 00:26:40.400 then there's no reason 00:26:40.400 --> 00:26:40.879 we should fight 00:26:40.879 --> 00:26:41.299 for it. 00:26:42.460 --> 00:26:43.460 If all we are 00:26:43.460 --> 00:26:43.940 is a product 00:26:43.940 --> 00:26:44.519 of accident 00:26:44.519 --> 00:26:45.059 and chance 00:26:45.059 --> 00:26:45.879 then the strong 00:26:45.879 --> 00:26:46.240 should pray 00:26:46.240 --> 00:26:46.680 on the weak 00:26:46.680 --> 00:26:47.440 because that's 00:26:47.440 --> 00:26:47.859 how it works 00:26:47.859 --> 00:26:48.279 in nature. 00:26:50.079 --> 00:26:51.059 If all we are 00:26:51.059 --> 00:26:51.619 is a product 00:26:51.619 --> 00:26:52.299 of accident 00:26:52.299 --> 00:26:52.799 and chance 00:26:52.799 --> 00:26:53.819 none of us 00:26:53.819 --> 00:26:54.779 have any inherent 00:26:54.779 --> 00:26:55.220 worth 00:26:55.220 --> 00:26:56.379 as human beings. 00:26:57.139 --> 00:26:57.919 Our value 00:26:57.919 --> 00:26:58.379 comes from 00:26:58.379 --> 00:26:58.879 what we do 00:26:58.879 --> 00:26:59.879 what we accomplish 00:26:59.879 --> 00:27:00.720 and those 00:27:00.720 --> 00:27:01.119 who cannot 00:27:01.119 --> 00:27:01.599 accomplish 00:27:01.599 --> 00:27:02.759 have no value. 00:27:04.079 --> 00:27:04.519 But 00:27:04.519 --> 00:27:07.299 if the Bible 00:27:07.299 --> 00:27:07.960 is true 00:27:07.960 --> 00:27:09.179 if there's 00:27:09.179 --> 00:27:10.139 something special 00:27:10.139 --> 00:27:11.139 and unique 00:27:11.139 --> 00:27:12.099 and distinct 00:27:12.099 --> 00:27:13.339 about each of us 00:27:13.339 --> 00:27:14.240 because we have 00:27:14.240 --> 00:27:14.960 been created 00:27:14.960 --> 00:27:15.939 in the image 00:27:15.939 --> 00:27:16.500 of God 00:27:16.500 --> 00:27:18.599 if there's 00:27:18.599 --> 00:27:19.079 something about 00:27:19.079 --> 00:27:19.720 the creator 00:27:19.720 --> 00:27:20.460 of the universe 00:27:20.460 --> 00:27:20.859 that's been 00:27:20.859 --> 00:27:21.740 stamped on 00:27:21.740 --> 00:27:22.559 to each 00:27:22.559 --> 00:27:22.960 of us 00:27:22.960 --> 00:27:24.079 as a person 00:27:24.079 --> 00:27:25.880 that exists 00:27:25.880 --> 00:27:26.279 regardless 00:27:26.279 --> 00:27:27.579 of our race 00:27:27.579 --> 00:27:29.059 regardless 00:27:29.059 --> 00:27:29.960 of our accomplishments 00:27:29.960 --> 00:27:31.299 regardless 00:27:31.299 --> 00:27:32.180 of our disabilities 00:27:32.180 --> 00:27:34.099 it's there 00:27:34.099 --> 00:27:35.380 it can't be 00:27:35.380 --> 00:27:35.900 removed 00:27:35.900 --> 00:27:36.859 from us 00:27:36.859 --> 00:27:38.160 then human rights 00:27:38.160 --> 00:27:39.440 are incredibly 00:27:39.440 --> 00:27:39.920 important. 00:27:41.440 --> 00:27:41.980 Every human 00:27:41.980 --> 00:27:43.019 being has value 00:27:43.019 --> 00:27:43.700 regardless 00:27:43.700 --> 00:27:44.599 of our skin 00:27:44.599 --> 00:27:44.960 color 00:27:44.960 --> 00:27:45.720 regardless 00:27:45.720 --> 00:27:46.700 of whether 00:27:46.700 --> 00:27:47.279 we've accomplished 00:27:47.279 --> 00:27:47.839 anything 00:27:47.839 --> 00:27:48.559 with our lives 00:27:48.559 --> 00:27:49.799 we have value 00:27:49.799 --> 00:27:51.379 because we exist 00:27:51.379 --> 00:27:53.539 in God's image. 00:27:54.919 --> 00:27:55.500 So creation 00:27:55.500 --> 00:27:56.859 in God's image 00:27:56.859 --> 00:27:57.619 calls us 00:27:57.619 --> 00:27:59.119 to live properly 00:27:59.119 --> 00:27:59.720 in community 00:27:59.720 --> 00:28:01.039 calls us 00:28:01.039 --> 00:28:01.439 to fight 00:28:01.439 --> 00:28:02.279 for human rights 00:28:02.279 --> 00:28:03.819 it calls us 00:28:03.819 --> 00:28:04.759 to treat each other 00:28:04.759 --> 00:28:05.619 with dignity 00:28:05.619 --> 00:28:06.319 and respect 00:28:06.319 --> 00:28:07.339 regardless of 00:28:07.339 --> 00:28:08.919 whether we like 00:28:08.919 --> 00:28:09.299 each other 00:28:09.299 --> 00:28:09.699 or not 00:28:09.699 --> 00:28:11.119 because even 00:28:11.119 --> 00:28:11.959 if I don't like you 00:28:11.959 --> 00:28:13.059 you still carry 00:28:13.059 --> 00:28:14.279 the image of God 00:28:14.279 --> 00:28:15.599 within you 00:28:15.599 --> 00:28:16.899 even if you don't 00:28:16.899 --> 00:28:17.419 like me 00:28:17.419 --> 00:28:19.579 I still carry 00:28:19.579 --> 00:28:20.579 the image of God 00:28:20.579 --> 00:28:22.000 within me. 00:28:25.639 --> 00:28:26.599 And as we look 00:28:26.599 --> 00:28:27.099 at this story 00:28:27.099 --> 00:28:27.579 of the Bible 00:28:27.579 --> 00:28:28.699 creation 00:28:28.699 --> 00:28:30.000 God doesn't just 00:28:30.000 --> 00:28:30.859 establish us 00:28:30.859 --> 00:28:31.339 as people 00:28:31.339 --> 00:28:31.819 in community 00:28:31.819 --> 00:28:32.439 with each other 00:28:32.439 --> 00:28:34.799 he also establishes us 00:28:34.799 --> 00:28:35.959 in a relationship 00:28:35.959 --> 00:28:37.159 with himself. 00:28:38.319 --> 00:28:39.240 There's a German 00:28:39.240 --> 00:28:39.799 theologian 00:28:39.799 --> 00:28:41.119 named Dietrich Bonhoeffer 00:28:41.119 --> 00:28:42.719 and he talks 00:28:42.719 --> 00:28:43.319 about the two 00:28:43.319 --> 00:28:44.159 stories of creation 00:28:44.159 --> 00:28:44.879 in the first couple 00:28:44.879 --> 00:28:45.500 chapters of the 00:28:45.500 --> 00:28:45.720 Bible 00:28:45.720 --> 00:28:46.119 he says 00:28:46.119 --> 00:28:46.980 the first account 00:28:46.980 --> 00:28:48.660 is about humankind 00:28:48.660 --> 00:28:49.539 for God 00:28:49.539 --> 00:28:50.319 the second 00:28:50.319 --> 00:28:50.980 about God 00:28:50.980 --> 00:28:51.559 for humankind 00:28:51.559 --> 00:28:53.240 the first 00:28:53.240 --> 00:28:54.240 is about God 00:28:54.240 --> 00:28:55.039 the creator 00:28:55.039 --> 00:28:55.640 and Lord 00:28:55.640 --> 00:28:56.940 the second 00:28:56.940 --> 00:28:57.940 about the fatherly 00:28:57.940 --> 00:28:58.220 God 00:28:58.220 --> 00:28:58.880 who is near 00:28:58.880 --> 00:28:59.380 at hand 00:28:59.380 --> 00:29:00.759 the first 00:29:00.759 --> 00:29:01.579 is about humankind 00:29:01.579 --> 00:29:02.440 as the final 00:29:02.440 --> 00:29:03.160 work of God 00:29:03.160 --> 00:29:03.779 with the whole 00:29:03.779 --> 00:29:04.819 world created 00:29:04.819 --> 00:29:06.039 before humankind 00:29:06.039 --> 00:29:07.259 the second 00:29:07.259 --> 00:29:08.059 just the other 00:29:08.059 --> 00:29:08.579 way around 00:29:08.579 --> 00:29:09.740 in the beginning 00:29:09.740 --> 00:29:10.859 humanity is created 00:29:10.859 --> 00:29:11.799 and around humankind 00:29:11.799 --> 00:29:12.559 for the sake 00:29:12.559 --> 00:29:13.279 of humankind 00:29:13.279 --> 00:29:14.259 God fashions 00:29:14.259 --> 00:29:14.740 animals 00:29:14.740 --> 00:29:15.359 and birds 00:29:15.359 --> 00:29:15.979 and lets 00:29:15.979 --> 00:29:16.579 the trees 00:29:16.579 --> 00:29:16.979 grow 00:29:16.979 --> 00:29:18.339 basically 00:29:18.339 --> 00:29:19.159 Genesis 1 00:29:19.159 --> 00:29:19.619 is about 00:29:19.619 --> 00:29:20.299 how God 00:29:20.299 --> 00:29:21.219 created us 00:29:21.219 --> 00:29:21.779 for himself 00:29:21.779 --> 00:29:22.779 and Genesis 2 00:29:22.779 --> 00:29:23.439 is about 00:29:23.439 --> 00:29:24.119 how God 00:29:24.119 --> 00:29:25.579 is for us 00:29:25.579 --> 00:29:27.339 Genesis 1 00:29:27.339 --> 00:29:28.399 establishes the fact 00:29:28.399 --> 00:29:28.879 that God 00:29:28.879 --> 00:29:29.579 is creator 00:29:29.579 --> 00:29:30.339 and God 00:29:30.339 --> 00:29:30.779 is Lord 00:29:30.779 --> 00:29:31.240 and God 00:29:31.240 --> 00:29:32.019 is in charge 00:29:32.019 --> 00:29:33.519 and Genesis 2 00:29:33.519 --> 00:29:35.399 establishes the fact 00:29:35.399 --> 00:29:36.179 that although 00:29:36.179 --> 00:29:36.979 he's in charge 00:29:36.979 --> 00:29:38.259 God loves us 00:29:38.259 --> 00:29:38.859 deeply 00:29:38.859 --> 00:29:39.799 and immensely 00:29:39.799 --> 00:29:40.700 and he's there 00:29:40.700 --> 00:29:41.220 for us 00:29:41.220 --> 00:29:41.919 and he cares 00:29:41.919 --> 00:29:42.559 for us 00:29:42.559 --> 00:29:44.279 in these first 00:29:44.279 --> 00:29:45.000 two chapters 00:29:45.000 --> 00:29:45.639 of the Bible 00:29:45.639 --> 00:29:47.220 we have a foundation 00:29:47.220 --> 00:29:48.200 laid for how 00:29:48.200 --> 00:29:48.980 we are to relate 00:29:48.980 --> 00:29:49.500 to God 00:29:49.500 --> 00:29:51.399 with respect 00:29:51.399 --> 00:29:51.899 and honor 00:29:51.899 --> 00:29:52.859 because he is 00:29:52.859 --> 00:29:53.379 the creator 00:29:53.379 --> 00:29:53.899 and Lord 00:29:53.899 --> 00:29:54.659 who is in charge 00:29:54.659 --> 00:29:56.659 but with love 00:29:56.659 --> 00:29:58.039 as a father 00:29:58.039 --> 00:29:59.460 because although 00:29:59.460 --> 00:30:00.899 he is so in charge 00:30:00.899 --> 00:30:01.700 and so big 00:30:01.700 --> 00:30:03.799 he cares for us 00:30:03.799 --> 00:30:06.579 in both accounts 00:30:06.579 --> 00:30:07.119 of creation 00:30:07.119 --> 00:30:07.940 we see God 00:30:07.940 --> 00:30:09.599 providing for his people 00:30:09.599 --> 00:30:11.299 he gives us 00:30:11.299 --> 00:30:12.039 everything we need 00:30:12.039 --> 00:30:12.480 for life 00:30:12.480 --> 00:30:13.159 he gives us 00:30:13.159 --> 00:30:14.419 companionship 00:30:14.419 --> 00:30:15.319 he provides us 00:30:15.319 --> 00:30:16.240 with other people 00:30:16.240 --> 00:30:16.720 around us 00:30:16.720 --> 00:30:17.460 and he provides us 00:30:17.460 --> 00:30:18.159 with this awareness 00:30:18.159 --> 00:30:19.619 of who he is 00:30:19.619 --> 00:30:20.180 and the ability 00:30:20.180 --> 00:30:21.399 to have a relationship 00:30:21.399 --> 00:30:22.180 with him 00:30:22.180 --> 00:30:24.720 in both creation accounts 00:30:24.720 --> 00:30:25.539 we see 00:30:25.539 --> 00:30:26.139 that God 00:30:26.139 --> 00:30:26.700 is generous 00:30:26.700 --> 00:30:27.579 to man 00:30:27.579 --> 00:30:29.419 that God 00:30:29.419 --> 00:30:30.119 doesn't just 00:30:30.119 --> 00:30:30.839 create man 00:30:30.839 --> 00:30:31.279 and leave him 00:30:31.279 --> 00:30:32.159 in a wasteland 00:30:32.159 --> 00:30:32.799 but God 00:30:32.799 --> 00:30:33.339 generously 00:30:33.339 --> 00:30:34.279 places man 00:30:34.279 --> 00:30:35.419 in the middle 00:30:35.419 --> 00:30:36.240 of paradise 00:30:36.240 --> 00:30:37.779 God generously 00:30:37.779 --> 00:30:38.319 gives man 00:30:38.319 --> 00:30:38.740 access 00:30:38.740 --> 00:30:40.179 to all of the trees 00:30:40.179 --> 00:30:40.879 except one 00:30:40.879 --> 00:30:41.980 in this paradise 00:30:41.980 --> 00:30:44.220 God's not withholding 00:30:44.220 --> 00:30:45.220 he's generous 00:30:45.220 --> 00:30:47.299 in both stories 00:30:47.299 --> 00:30:47.819 of creation 00:30:47.819 --> 00:30:48.519 we see that God 00:30:48.519 --> 00:30:49.139 is gracious 00:30:49.139 --> 00:30:51.439 God could have 00:30:51.439 --> 00:30:51.919 created man 00:30:51.919 --> 00:30:52.579 as a robot 00:30:52.579 --> 00:30:53.859 who had no choice 00:30:53.859 --> 00:30:54.459 but to obey 00:30:54.459 --> 00:30:56.039 but God 00:30:56.039 --> 00:30:56.659 graciously 00:30:56.659 --> 00:30:57.579 gives us 00:30:57.579 --> 00:30:58.079 the freedom 00:30:58.079 --> 00:30:58.939 to choose 00:30:58.939 --> 00:30:59.539 to worship him 00:30:59.539 --> 00:30:59.939 or not 00:30:59.939 --> 00:31:02.119 God graciously 00:31:02.119 --> 00:31:02.799 teaches man 00:31:02.799 --> 00:31:03.240 how to live 00:31:03.240 --> 00:31:03.700 properly 00:31:03.700 --> 00:31:05.059 within that freedom 00:31:05.059 --> 00:31:07.359 and gives him 00:31:07.359 --> 00:31:08.039 structure 00:31:08.039 --> 00:31:08.559 and guidelines 00:31:08.559 --> 00:31:09.039 and rules 00:31:09.039 --> 00:31:10.240 to help protect him 00:31:10.240 --> 00:31:14.400 God provides 00:31:14.400 --> 00:31:15.099 for his people 00:31:15.099 --> 00:31:16.559 God is generous 00:31:16.559 --> 00:31:17.180 with his people 00:31:17.180 --> 00:31:18.059 God is gracious 00:31:18.059 --> 00:31:19.140 with his people 00:31:19.140 --> 00:31:20.079 he doesn't desire 00:31:20.079 --> 00:31:21.180 to see us 00:31:21.180 --> 00:31:22.180 suffer and die 00:31:22.180 --> 00:31:23.220 he establishes us 00:31:23.220 --> 00:31:24.059 with the ability 00:31:24.059 --> 00:31:24.839 to know him 00:31:24.839 --> 00:31:26.120 to know him 00:31:26.120 --> 00:31:26.839 as creator 00:31:26.839 --> 00:31:27.440 and lord 00:31:27.440 --> 00:31:28.559 the one who's in charge 00:31:28.559 --> 00:31:29.579 and to know him 00:31:29.579 --> 00:31:30.579 as father 00:31:30.579 --> 00:31:31.240 and friend 00:31:31.240 --> 00:31:31.740 the one 00:31:31.740 --> 00:31:32.599 who cares 00:31:32.599 --> 00:31:33.359 for us 00:31:33.359 --> 00:31:36.179 and Adam 00:31:36.179 --> 00:31:36.599 and Eve 00:31:36.599 --> 00:31:38.379 have a responsibility 00:31:38.379 --> 00:31:39.299 to respond 00:31:39.299 --> 00:31:39.899 properly 00:31:39.899 --> 00:31:41.679 to God's creation 00:31:41.679 --> 00:31:42.960 and just like them 00:31:42.960 --> 00:31:44.059 we have a responsibility 00:31:44.059 --> 00:31:45.799 to respond properly 00:31:45.799 --> 00:31:47.539 to God's creation 00:31:47.539 --> 00:31:49.740 and I want to focus 00:31:49.740 --> 00:31:50.559 today on three 00:31:50.559 --> 00:31:51.460 primary ways 00:31:51.460 --> 00:31:52.019 that we're supposed 00:31:52.019 --> 00:31:52.639 to respond 00:31:52.639 --> 00:31:54.500 to the fact 00:31:54.500 --> 00:31:55.000 that God 00:31:55.000 --> 00:31:55.599 has created 00:31:55.599 --> 00:31:56.159 the world 00:31:56.159 --> 00:31:57.139 and everything 00:31:57.139 --> 00:31:57.539 in it 00:31:57.539 --> 00:31:58.579 and us 00:31:58.579 --> 00:32:00.920 the first proper 00:32:00.920 --> 00:32:01.399 response 00:32:01.399 --> 00:32:02.079 is worship 00:32:02.079 --> 00:32:04.159 God is big 00:32:04.159 --> 00:32:05.399 no one else 00:32:05.399 --> 00:32:05.940 can create 00:32:05.940 --> 00:32:06.399 as he did 00:32:06.399 --> 00:32:06.740 no one else 00:32:06.740 --> 00:32:07.399 can sustain 00:32:07.399 --> 00:32:08.039 as he did 00:32:08.039 --> 00:32:10.139 or as he does 00:32:10.139 --> 00:32:12.039 God has created 00:32:12.039 --> 00:32:12.920 everything 00:32:12.920 --> 00:32:14.320 God deserves 00:32:14.320 --> 00:32:15.940 our worship 00:32:15.940 --> 00:32:17.560 I'm not just 00:32:17.560 --> 00:32:18.039 talking about 00:32:18.039 --> 00:32:18.700 singing songs 00:32:18.700 --> 00:32:19.380 at the end of church 00:32:19.380 --> 00:32:20.080 when I say worship 00:32:20.080 --> 00:32:20.779 I'm talking about 00:32:20.779 --> 00:32:21.259 a life 00:32:21.259 --> 00:32:22.560 that reflects 00:32:22.560 --> 00:32:23.600 his bigness 00:32:23.600 --> 00:32:24.100 and greatness 00:32:24.100 --> 00:32:25.100 and who he is 00:32:25.100 --> 00:32:25.980 to the people 00:32:25.980 --> 00:32:26.940 around us 00:32:26.940 --> 00:32:29.500 you know 00:32:29.500 --> 00:32:29.860 I think 00:32:29.860 --> 00:32:30.860 one of the 00:32:30.860 --> 00:32:31.759 key ways 00:32:31.759 --> 00:32:32.259 that we worship 00:32:32.259 --> 00:32:32.539 God 00:32:32.539 --> 00:32:33.019 is by getting 00:32:33.019 --> 00:32:33.560 to know him 00:32:33.560 --> 00:32:33.840 more 00:32:33.840 --> 00:32:36.000 and a great way 00:32:36.000 --> 00:32:36.560 to do that 00:32:36.560 --> 00:32:37.460 is by reading 00:32:37.460 --> 00:32:37.880 our Bibles 00:32:37.880 --> 00:32:38.580 because the Bible 00:32:38.580 --> 00:32:39.380 is where we learn 00:32:39.380 --> 00:32:40.660 about who God is 00:32:40.660 --> 00:32:41.880 like I said 00:32:41.880 --> 00:32:42.580 at the start of church 00:32:42.579 --> 00:32:43.460 Chris has a Bible 00:32:43.460 --> 00:32:44.079 reading plan 00:32:44.079 --> 00:32:45.240 available for us 00:32:45.240 --> 00:32:46.240 that if you want 00:32:46.240 --> 00:32:47.179 to spend more time 00:32:47.179 --> 00:32:47.759 in your Bible 00:32:47.759 --> 00:32:48.599 getting to know 00:32:48.599 --> 00:32:49.759 who God is 00:32:49.759 --> 00:32:50.359 getting to know 00:32:50.359 --> 00:32:51.859 about how big 00:32:51.859 --> 00:32:52.919 and amazing he is 00:32:52.919 --> 00:32:55.139 and how amazing 00:32:55.139 --> 00:32:56.079 it is that he loves 00:32:56.079 --> 00:32:57.339 us and cares about us 00:32:57.339 --> 00:32:58.379 I encourage you 00:32:58.379 --> 00:32:58.980 to pick that up 00:32:58.980 --> 00:33:00.000 from him after service 00:33:00.000 --> 00:33:02.259 another great way 00:33:02.259 --> 00:33:02.960 to get to know 00:33:02.960 --> 00:33:03.859 more clearly 00:33:03.859 --> 00:33:04.579 who God is 00:33:04.579 --> 00:33:05.659 is by spending time 00:33:05.659 --> 00:33:06.299 with other Christians 00:33:06.299 --> 00:33:06.980 and hearing 00:33:06.980 --> 00:33:07.980 about 00:33:07.980 --> 00:33:09.939 what they've experienced 00:33:09.939 --> 00:33:10.319 of God 00:33:10.319 --> 00:33:10.939 in their lives 00:33:10.939 --> 00:33:12.339 and a great way 00:33:12.339 --> 00:33:12.899 to do that 00:33:12.899 --> 00:33:14.319 is in community groups 00:33:14.319 --> 00:33:15.500 so again 00:33:15.500 --> 00:33:16.099 I encourage you 00:33:16.099 --> 00:33:16.819 if you're not involved 00:33:16.819 --> 00:33:17.619 in the community group 00:33:17.619 --> 00:33:18.919 get plugged into one 00:33:18.919 --> 00:33:22.539 the second proper response 00:33:22.539 --> 00:33:23.579 to God's creation 00:33:23.579 --> 00:33:24.339 is trust 00:33:24.339 --> 00:33:26.759 we see in 00:33:26.759 --> 00:33:27.859 the story of creation 00:33:27.859 --> 00:33:28.720 that God is big 00:33:28.720 --> 00:33:29.859 that God is powerful 00:33:29.859 --> 00:33:31.359 that God sees his work 00:33:31.359 --> 00:33:32.379 through to completion 00:33:32.379 --> 00:33:35.039 we see at the end 00:33:35.039 --> 00:33:35.619 of creation 00:33:35.619 --> 00:33:36.779 the seventh day comes 00:33:36.779 --> 00:33:37.740 and God rests 00:33:37.740 --> 00:33:38.339 from his work 00:33:38.339 --> 00:33:39.359 because the work 00:33:39.359 --> 00:33:40.339 is complete 00:33:40.339 --> 00:33:42.479 God sees the task 00:33:42.479 --> 00:33:43.719 through to completion 00:33:43.719 --> 00:33:45.459 and then he rests 00:33:45.459 --> 00:33:46.500 and enjoys the work 00:33:46.500 --> 00:33:47.199 that he has done 00:33:47.199 --> 00:33:48.359 and the fact that God 00:33:48.359 --> 00:33:49.719 is big and powerful 00:33:49.719 --> 00:33:50.619 enough to see his work 00:33:50.619 --> 00:33:51.240 through to completion 00:33:51.240 --> 00:33:52.939 and the fact that God 00:33:52.939 --> 00:33:53.599 is faithful 00:33:53.599 --> 00:33:54.539 to see his work 00:33:54.539 --> 00:33:55.259 through to completion 00:33:55.259 --> 00:33:56.719 is a fact that 00:33:56.719 --> 00:33:58.019 it's just as true today 00:33:58.019 --> 00:33:58.740 as it was 00:33:58.740 --> 00:34:00.000 at the time of creation 00:34:00.000 --> 00:34:02.279 in Philippians chapter 1 00:34:02.279 --> 00:34:02.819 verse 6 00:34:02.819 --> 00:34:03.500 Paul tells us 00:34:03.500 --> 00:34:04.519 I'm sure of this 00:34:04.519 --> 00:34:05.500 he who began 00:34:05.500 --> 00:34:06.339 a good work in you 00:34:06.339 --> 00:34:07.599 will bring it to completion 00:34:07.599 --> 00:34:09.539 at the day of Christ Jesus 00:34:09.539 --> 00:34:11.980 God's ability and power 00:34:11.980 --> 00:34:12.759 to see his work 00:34:12.759 --> 00:34:13.440 through to completion 00:34:13.440 --> 00:34:14.840 and his faithfulness 00:34:14.840 --> 00:34:15.639 to see his work 00:34:15.639 --> 00:34:16.340 through to completion 00:34:16.340 --> 00:34:17.960 apply just as much 00:34:17.960 --> 00:34:19.119 on an individual level 00:34:19.119 --> 00:34:20.059 in our lives 00:34:20.059 --> 00:34:20.840 as they do 00:34:20.840 --> 00:34:21.820 on a cosmic level 00:34:21.820 --> 00:34:22.539 in creation 00:34:22.539 --> 00:34:25.019 the God who is at work 00:34:25.019 --> 00:34:26.059 in our lives today 00:34:26.059 --> 00:34:26.980 who will see 00:34:26.980 --> 00:34:27.820 the completion 00:34:27.820 --> 00:34:29.099 of our transformation 00:34:29.099 --> 00:34:30.139 into his image 00:34:30.139 --> 00:34:31.679 through to the end 00:34:31.679 --> 00:34:32.500 is the same God 00:34:32.500 --> 00:34:33.980 who saw creation 00:34:33.980 --> 00:34:34.980 through to the end 00:34:34.980 --> 00:34:36.139 he's just as powerful 00:34:36.139 --> 00:34:38.179 he's just as amazing today 00:34:38.179 --> 00:34:39.619 as he was then 00:34:39.619 --> 00:34:41.500 and he's just as faithful 00:34:41.500 --> 00:34:42.599 to see his work 00:34:42.599 --> 00:34:43.460 through to completion 00:34:43.460 --> 00:34:45.840 so when we see God 00:34:45.840 --> 00:34:46.619 working in our lives 00:34:46.619 --> 00:34:47.159 and we wonder 00:34:47.159 --> 00:34:50.099 is he ever going to 00:34:50.099 --> 00:34:50.860 make it all work 00:34:50.860 --> 00:34:53.900 is he ever going to 00:34:53.900 --> 00:34:54.639 shape me into 00:34:54.639 --> 00:34:55.940 who he really wants me to be 00:34:55.940 --> 00:34:57.880 we can trust that he will 00:34:57.880 --> 00:35:00.360 because he's the same God 00:35:00.360 --> 00:35:01.840 now working in us 00:35:01.840 --> 00:35:02.579 to change us 00:35:02.579 --> 00:35:03.380 and save us 00:35:03.380 --> 00:35:04.500 as he was 00:35:04.500 --> 00:35:05.880 in creation 00:35:05.880 --> 00:35:08.660 and the third 00:35:08.660 --> 00:35:09.660 proper response 00:35:09.660 --> 00:35:11.059 to God's creation 00:35:11.059 --> 00:35:12.860 is obedience 00:35:12.860 --> 00:35:14.720 in creation 00:35:14.720 --> 00:35:15.740 God establishes 00:35:15.740 --> 00:35:16.320 his rule 00:35:16.320 --> 00:35:17.500 by his word 00:35:17.500 --> 00:35:19.000 this is not 00:35:19.000 --> 00:35:19.820 a mean word 00:35:19.820 --> 00:35:20.900 this is not a bad word 00:35:20.900 --> 00:35:21.660 this is a loving 00:35:21.660 --> 00:35:22.280 and kind 00:35:22.280 --> 00:35:22.840 and generous 00:35:22.840 --> 00:35:24.180 and good word 00:35:24.180 --> 00:35:26.059 it's instruction 00:35:26.059 --> 00:35:27.019 on how to live 00:35:27.019 --> 00:35:28.000 the best 00:35:28.000 --> 00:35:29.059 most full 00:35:29.059 --> 00:35:30.880 possible life 00:35:30.880 --> 00:35:31.960 on earth 00:35:31.960 --> 00:35:32.779 as humanity 00:35:32.779 --> 00:35:35.559 and despite 00:35:35.559 --> 00:35:36.199 the goodness 00:35:36.199 --> 00:35:36.920 of God's command 00:35:36.920 --> 00:35:37.699 Adam and Eve 00:35:37.699 --> 00:35:39.420 decide they want more 00:35:39.420 --> 00:35:40.679 than what God's already 00:35:40.679 --> 00:35:41.099 given them 00:35:41.099 --> 00:35:42.099 and they disobey him 00:35:42.099 --> 00:35:44.219 and despite the goodness 00:35:44.219 --> 00:35:45.039 of God's commands 00:35:45.039 --> 00:35:45.719 to us 00:35:45.719 --> 00:35:46.440 in our life 00:35:46.440 --> 00:35:48.980 we continuously 00:35:48.980 --> 00:35:49.799 decide 00:35:49.799 --> 00:35:50.980 we want more 00:35:50.980 --> 00:35:52.539 than what he's given us 00:35:52.539 --> 00:35:53.460 and disobey him 00:35:53.460 --> 00:35:56.400 and in creation 00:35:56.400 --> 00:35:56.940 we see 00:35:56.940 --> 00:35:58.199 that God is in charge 00:35:58.199 --> 00:36:00.159 so we owe him 00:36:00.159 --> 00:36:01.260 our obedience 00:36:01.260 --> 00:36:02.920 in creation 00:36:02.920 --> 00:36:03.679 we see that God 00:36:03.679 --> 00:36:04.220 is good 00:36:04.220 --> 00:36:05.500 and so it's in our 00:36:05.500 --> 00:36:06.240 best interest 00:36:06.240 --> 00:36:07.179 to obey him 00:36:07.179 --> 00:36:08.019 because he wants 00:36:08.019 --> 00:36:08.940 what's best for us 00:36:08.940 --> 00:36:10.300 in creation 00:36:10.300 --> 00:36:10.760 we see 00:36:10.760 --> 00:36:11.800 that God is loving 00:36:11.800 --> 00:36:13.760 and therefore 00:36:13.760 --> 00:36:14.860 we should obey him 00:36:14.860 --> 00:36:16.179 because it's a response 00:36:16.179 --> 00:36:17.679 to that love 00:36:17.679 --> 00:36:19.900 and yet we all 00:36:19.900 --> 00:36:21.119 choose every day 00:36:21.119 --> 00:36:22.340 not to do that 00:36:22.340 --> 00:36:25.000 we choose 00:36:25.000 --> 00:36:25.640 to get angry 00:36:25.640 --> 00:36:26.260 at others 00:36:26.260 --> 00:36:27.300 because they've 00:36:27.300 --> 00:36:28.100 insulted us 00:36:28.100 --> 00:36:30.660 we choose 00:36:30.660 --> 00:36:32.059 to bend God's rules 00:36:32.059 --> 00:36:32.720 a little here 00:36:32.720 --> 00:36:33.780 break them there 00:36:33.780 --> 00:36:35.940 but creation 00:36:35.940 --> 00:36:36.519 tells us 00:36:36.519 --> 00:36:37.260 that we owe him 00:36:37.260 --> 00:36:38.059 our obedience 00:36:38.059 --> 00:36:39.160 and the good news 00:36:39.160 --> 00:36:40.660 is that God's love 00:36:40.660 --> 00:36:42.059 God's generosity 00:36:42.059 --> 00:36:42.800 and graciousness 00:36:42.800 --> 00:36:43.579 don't disappear 00:36:43.579 --> 00:36:44.800 when we disobey 00:36:44.800 --> 00:36:46.840 he's still loving 00:36:46.840 --> 00:36:47.660 he's still generous 00:36:47.660 --> 00:36:48.440 he's still gracious 00:36:48.440 --> 00:36:49.360 and as we get further 00:36:49.360 --> 00:36:50.000 into the story 00:36:50.000 --> 00:36:50.559 what we'll see 00:36:50.559 --> 00:36:51.640 is that God 00:36:51.639 --> 00:36:53.259 loves us 00:36:53.259 --> 00:36:56.059 that God wants us 00:36:56.059 --> 00:36:57.259 to be his people 00:36:57.259 --> 00:36:58.599 God wants us 00:36:58.599 --> 00:36:59.719 to be in relationship 00:36:59.719 --> 00:37:00.480 with him 00:37:00.480 --> 00:37:02.599 and that even 00:37:02.599 --> 00:37:03.339 when we disobey 00:37:03.339 --> 00:37:03.779 and rebel 00:37:03.779 --> 00:37:04.839 he is so 00:37:04.839 --> 00:37:06.879 so strongly 00:37:06.879 --> 00:37:07.579 wants us 00:37:07.579 --> 00:37:08.379 in this relationship 00:37:08.379 --> 00:37:08.879 with him 00:37:08.879 --> 00:37:09.960 that he's willing 00:37:09.960 --> 00:37:11.059 to forgive us 00:37:11.059 --> 00:37:12.400 at great cost 00:37:12.400 --> 00:37:13.159 to himself 00:37:13.159 --> 00:37:15.159 if you don't know 00:37:15.159 --> 00:37:16.000 the rest of the story 00:37:16.000 --> 00:37:16.900 and you don't want 00:37:16.900 --> 00:37:17.719 to wait 11 weeks 00:37:17.719 --> 00:37:18.379 to find out 00:37:18.379 --> 00:37:19.039 where it goes 00:37:19.039 --> 00:37:19.639 or how it ends 00:37:19.639 --> 00:37:20.440 I'd love to talk 00:37:20.440 --> 00:37:20.819 to you more 00:37:20.819 --> 00:37:21.119 about it 00:37:21.119 --> 00:37:21.879 after service 00:37:21.879 --> 00:37:24.420 but for now 00:37:24.420 --> 00:37:25.019 we're out of time 00:37:25.019 --> 00:37:26.599 so we're gonna pray 00:37:26.599 --> 00:37:29.019 and let us remember 00:37:29.019 --> 00:37:30.779 God's love 00:37:30.779 --> 00:37:31.480 in creation 00:37:31.480 --> 00:37:33.199 God's love 00:37:33.199 --> 00:37:33.759 for us 00:37:33.759 --> 00:37:35.099 God's love 00:37:35.099 --> 00:37:35.639 for the world 00:37:35.639 --> 00:37:36.400 that he created 00:37:36.400 --> 00:37:38.019 and our proper 00:37:38.019 --> 00:37:38.480 response 00:37:38.480 --> 00:37:39.019 of worship 00:37:39.019 --> 00:37:40.019 and trust 00:37:40.019 --> 00:37:40.579 and obedience 00:37:40.579 --> 00:37:41.599 let's pray 00:37:41.599 --> 00:37:43.960 Father we thank you 00:37:43.960 --> 00:37:44.980 for the fact 00:37:44.980 --> 00:37:45.619 that you are big 00:37:45.619 --> 00:37:46.319 and strong 00:37:46.319 --> 00:37:46.940 and loving 00:37:46.940 --> 00:37:48.519 and despite 00:37:48.519 --> 00:37:49.099 your bigness 00:37:49.099 --> 00:37:49.720 you still care 00:37:49.720 --> 00:37:50.179 about us 00:37:50.179 --> 00:37:50.920 as individuals 00:37:50.920 --> 00:37:52.720 that you bring 00:37:52.720 --> 00:37:53.700 order out of chaos 00:37:53.700 --> 00:37:54.240 that you bring 00:37:54.240 --> 00:37:55.159 light out of darkness 00:37:55.159 --> 00:37:56.340 that at your word 00:37:56.340 --> 00:37:58.659 creation responds 00:37:58.659 --> 00:38:01.280 God we pray 00:38:01.280 --> 00:38:02.139 that we would respond 00:38:02.139 --> 00:38:03.059 properly this week 00:38:03.059 --> 00:38:03.500 as well 00:38:03.500 --> 00:38:05.119 that we would live 00:38:05.119 --> 00:38:06.159 lives of worship 00:38:06.159 --> 00:38:08.320 we would live 00:38:08.320 --> 00:38:09.280 lives of trust 00:38:09.280 --> 00:38:10.059 that through 00:38:10.059 --> 00:38:11.240 our response 00:38:11.240 --> 00:38:11.800 to your work 00:38:11.800 --> 00:38:12.320 of creation 00:38:12.320 --> 00:38:13.240 others would be able 00:38:13.240 --> 00:38:14.079 to see how big 00:38:14.079 --> 00:38:14.900 and great you are 00:38:14.900 --> 00:38:16.780 I pray that this week 00:38:16.780 --> 00:38:17.220 that we would be 00:38:17.220 --> 00:38:18.220 obedient to your word 00:38:18.220 --> 00:38:20.880 even when it's hard 00:38:20.880 --> 00:38:21.660 even when it doesn't 00:38:21.660 --> 00:38:22.480 seem like the best 00:38:22.480 --> 00:38:23.180 path forward 00:38:23.180 --> 00:38:24.960 we would trust you 00:38:24.960 --> 00:38:25.760 enough to obey 00:38:25.760 --> 00:38:26.880 what you say 00:38:26.880 --> 00:38:27.519 and believe 00:38:27.519 --> 00:38:28.300 that it is right 00:38:28.300 --> 00:38:30.559 God we love you 00:38:30.559 --> 00:38:31.240 we thank you 00:38:31.240 --> 00:38:32.119 for you being 00:38:32.119 --> 00:38:32.840 who you are 00:38:32.840 --> 00:38:34.400 and in Jesus name 00:38:34.400 --> 00:38:34.900 Amen