WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:01.980 Genesis chapter 1. 00:00:01.980 --> 00:00:08.960 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. 00:00:10.419 --> 00:00:16.579 The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. 00:00:17.660 --> 00:00:20.940 And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. 00:00:22.560 --> 00:00:25.920 And God said, let there be light. 00:00:27.300 --> 00:00:28.540 And there was light. 00:00:29.540 --> 00:00:31.720 And God saw that the light was good. 00:00:32.740 --> 00:00:35.079 And God separated the light from the darkness. 00:00:36.159 --> 00:00:39.899 God called the light day, and the darkness he called night. 00:00:41.280 --> 00:00:45.659 And there was evening, and there was morning, the first day. 00:00:47.439 --> 00:00:51.200 And God said, let there be an expanse in the midst of the waters, 00:00:51.679 --> 00:00:54.439 and let it separate the waters from the waters. 00:00:55.780 --> 00:00:59.920 And God made the expanse and separated the waters that were under the expanse 00:00:59.920 --> 00:01:01.960 from the waters that were above the expanse. 00:01:02.539 --> 00:01:03.640 And it was so. 00:01:04.939 --> 00:01:06.939 And God called the expanse heaven. 00:01:08.260 --> 00:01:12.359 And there was evening, and there was morning, the second day. 00:01:12.359 --> 00:01:18.659 And God said, let the waters under the heavens be gathered together into one place, 00:01:19.140 --> 00:01:20.560 and let the dry land appear. 00:01:21.579 --> 00:01:22.579 And it was so. 00:01:23.959 --> 00:01:29.599 God called the dry land earth, and the waters that were gathered together, he called seas. 00:01:29.599 --> 00:01:32.359 And God saw that it was good. 00:01:32.359 --> 00:01:39.679 And God said, let the earth sprout vegetation, plants yielding seed and fruit, 00:01:40.019 --> 00:01:45.019 trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind on the earth. 00:01:45.759 --> 00:01:46.859 And it was so. 00:01:46.859 --> 00:01:53.000 The earth brought forth vegetation, plants yielding seed according to their own kinds, 00:01:53.299 --> 00:01:57.539 and trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind. 00:01:58.560 --> 00:02:00.200 And God saw that it was good. 00:02:01.260 --> 00:02:05.280 And there was evening, and there was morning, the third day. 00:02:05.280 --> 00:02:12.719 And God said, let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night. 00:02:13.439 --> 00:02:17.599 And let them be for signs and for seasons, and for days and for years. 00:02:17.979 --> 00:02:21.860 And let them be lights in the expanse of the heavens to give light upon the earth. 00:02:23.159 --> 00:02:24.520 And it was so. 00:02:26.659 --> 00:02:30.120 And God made the two great lights, the greater light to rule the day, 00:02:30.319 --> 00:02:33.560 and the lesser light to rule the night, and the stars. 00:02:33.560 --> 00:02:38.219 And God set them in the expanse of the heavens to give light on earth, 00:02:38.539 --> 00:02:42.740 to rule over the day and over the night, and to separate the light from the darkness. 00:02:44.159 --> 00:02:45.740 And God saw that it was good. 00:02:46.699 --> 00:02:50.640 And there was evening, and there was morning, the fourth day. 00:02:53.439 --> 00:02:57.060 And God said, let the waters swarm with swarms of living creatures, 00:02:57.599 --> 00:03:01.180 and let birds fly above the earth, across the expanse of the heavens. 00:03:01.180 --> 00:03:06.060 So God created the great sea creatures, and every living creature that moves, 00:03:06.460 --> 00:03:09.420 with which the waters swarm, according to their kinds, 00:03:09.840 --> 00:03:12.200 and every winged bird according to its kind. 00:03:13.120 --> 00:03:14.640 And God saw that it was good. 00:03:15.879 --> 00:03:19.319 And God blessed them, saying, be fruitful, and multiply, 00:03:19.740 --> 00:03:23.260 and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth. 00:03:23.259 --> 00:03:28.679 And there was evening, and there was morning, the fifth day. 00:03:30.879 --> 00:03:34.399 And God said, let the earth bring forth living creatures, 00:03:34.500 --> 00:03:38.019 according to their kinds, livestock, and creeping things, 00:03:38.139 --> 00:03:40.139 and beasts of the earth, according to their kinds. 00:03:40.939 --> 00:03:42.280 And it was so. 00:03:42.280 --> 00:03:46.900 And God made the beasts of the earth, according to their kinds, 00:03:47.020 --> 00:03:48.740 and the livestock, according to their kinds, 00:03:48.979 --> 00:03:52.099 and everything that creeps on the ground, according to its kind. 00:03:53.180 --> 00:03:54.819 And God saw that it was good. 00:03:56.979 --> 00:04:00.560 Then God said, let us make man in our image, 00:04:00.780 --> 00:04:02.099 after our likeness, 00:04:02.939 --> 00:04:05.420 and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, 00:04:05.520 --> 00:04:06.939 and over the birds of the heavens, 00:04:07.259 --> 00:04:09.759 and over the livestock, and over all the earth, 00:04:09.759 --> 00:04:12.359 and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth. 00:04:13.959 --> 00:04:16.399 So God created man in his own image. 00:04:16.659 --> 00:04:18.420 In the image of God, he created him. 00:04:19.039 --> 00:04:21.259 Male and female, he created them. 00:04:22.839 --> 00:04:24.060 And God blessed them. 00:04:24.959 --> 00:04:25.899 And God said to them, 00:04:26.379 --> 00:04:27.959 be fruitful, and multiply, 00:04:28.259 --> 00:04:29.920 and fill the earth, and subdue it, 00:04:30.420 --> 00:04:32.399 and have dominion over the fish of the sea, 00:04:32.500 --> 00:04:34.039 and over the birds of the heavens, 00:04:34.139 --> 00:04:36.599 and over every living thing that moves on the earth. 00:04:37.800 --> 00:04:39.120 And God said, behold, 00:04:39.759 --> 00:04:42.620 I have given you every plant yielding seed 00:04:42.620 --> 00:04:44.240 that is on the face of all the earth, 00:04:44.879 --> 00:04:46.800 and every tree with seed in its fruit. 00:04:47.860 --> 00:04:49.399 You shall have them for food. 00:04:50.379 --> 00:04:52.079 And to every beast of the earth, 00:04:52.139 --> 00:04:53.379 and to every bird of the heavens, 00:04:53.480 --> 00:04:55.159 and to everything that creeps on the earth, 00:04:55.560 --> 00:04:57.259 everything that has the breath of life, 00:04:57.779 --> 00:05:00.279 I have given every green plant for food. 00:05:01.659 --> 00:05:02.819 And it was so. 00:05:02.819 --> 00:05:06.579 And God saw everything that he had made, 00:05:06.680 --> 00:05:08.819 and behold, it was very good. 00:05:09.839 --> 00:05:10.920 And there was evening, 00:05:11.540 --> 00:05:12.459 and there was morning, 00:05:13.620 --> 00:05:14.420 the sixth day. 00:05:17.060 --> 00:05:19.219 Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, 00:05:19.620 --> 00:05:20.939 and all the host of them. 00:05:22.079 --> 00:05:23.199 And on the seventh day, 00:05:23.319 --> 00:05:25.019 God finished his work that he had done, 00:05:25.019 --> 00:05:27.399 and he rested on the seventh day 00:05:27.399 --> 00:05:28.979 from all his work that he had done. 00:05:30.259 --> 00:05:32.079 So God blessed the seventh day 00:05:32.079 --> 00:05:33.279 and made it holy, 00:05:33.939 --> 00:05:35.000 because on it, 00:05:35.519 --> 00:05:36.919 God rested from all his work 00:05:36.919 --> 00:05:38.219 that he had done in creation. 00:05:38.220 --> 00:05:42.980 Well, good morning, everyone. 00:05:43.180 --> 00:05:43.820 My name's Dave. 00:05:43.860 --> 00:05:44.880 I'm one of the pastors here. 00:05:46.680 --> 00:05:48.300 Will you please pray with me 00:05:48.300 --> 00:05:49.540 as we come to God's word? 00:05:53.740 --> 00:05:55.060 Lord of heaven and earth, 00:05:55.460 --> 00:05:57.700 help us come to your word today, 00:05:58.540 --> 00:06:02.720 not trying to have all our questions answered, 00:06:03.560 --> 00:06:05.420 but coming to listen to you, 00:06:05.420 --> 00:06:08.560 to give so that we might be asking 00:06:08.560 --> 00:06:09.540 the right questions. 00:06:10.400 --> 00:06:12.280 Father, I pray that you would blow us away 00:06:12.280 --> 00:06:15.080 with just how good you are 00:06:15.080 --> 00:06:17.700 as our creator and our redeemer. 00:06:18.780 --> 00:06:20.180 We pray this in Jesus' name. 00:06:20.379 --> 00:06:20.640 Amen. 00:06:22.160 --> 00:06:26.560 Well, what is the point of Genesis chapters 1 to 3? 00:06:29.620 --> 00:06:31.600 It's a very well-known passage, 00:06:31.780 --> 00:06:34.379 so I feel like I need to address a few things. 00:06:34.379 --> 00:06:37.219 Some people listening today 00:06:37.219 --> 00:06:39.259 might see as much point in it 00:06:39.259 --> 00:06:42.360 as perhaps they do the Greek mythologies 00:06:42.360 --> 00:06:44.259 and other ancient beliefs. 00:06:45.899 --> 00:06:48.240 I was sitting in the dentist's waiting room 00:06:48.240 --> 00:06:49.240 just last week, 00:06:49.399 --> 00:06:51.980 and on the TV came a commercial. 00:06:52.159 --> 00:06:52.879 Maybe you've seen it. 00:06:53.459 --> 00:06:56.639 A bright light followed by stars swirling, 00:06:56.959 --> 00:07:00.339 a gloomy earth and a volcano erupting, 00:07:00.339 --> 00:07:02.719 a brutish man walking, 00:07:02.919 --> 00:07:04.779 and then a child blowing out candles, 00:07:05.199 --> 00:07:07.539 and then a rocket launching to the moon, 00:07:07.919 --> 00:07:10.479 and out of the mouth of a man comes a word, 00:07:11.199 --> 00:07:11.599 wow. 00:07:13.060 --> 00:07:16.679 And this man is standing in the aisles of Audi, 00:07:17.319 --> 00:07:19.679 looking at the specials for the week. 00:07:21.000 --> 00:07:21.479 Wow. 00:07:21.480 --> 00:07:28.819 Now, this modern story might sound more sophisticated 00:07:28.819 --> 00:07:31.800 than these ancient narratives, 00:07:32.860 --> 00:07:38.200 but can it satisfy your heart's yearnings 00:07:38.200 --> 00:07:45.439 to know why is there something rather than nothing? 00:07:45.439 --> 00:07:50.019 Why is there such order 00:07:50.019 --> 00:07:52.480 that makes predicting weather patterns 00:07:52.480 --> 00:07:55.120 and quantum entanglement, 00:07:55.279 --> 00:07:56.699 whatever, I can't understand it, 00:07:56.860 --> 00:07:58.339 why is that even possible 00:07:58.339 --> 00:08:00.899 out of mindless chaos? 00:08:02.060 --> 00:08:04.079 Why is there conscious life, 00:08:04.240 --> 00:08:04.920 personality, 00:08:05.839 --> 00:08:07.680 that even is yearning like this? 00:08:07.680 --> 00:08:11.360 Is there any hope 00:08:11.360 --> 00:08:14.699 to overcome the mess and darkness and death 00:08:14.699 --> 00:08:16.439 in my world, in my life? 00:08:17.139 --> 00:08:18.000 Who am I? 00:08:19.879 --> 00:08:22.280 What is my place in this universe? 00:08:23.759 --> 00:08:25.420 Does my life have meaning? 00:08:28.420 --> 00:08:30.000 All these yearnings. 00:08:31.620 --> 00:08:34.360 Stephen Jay Gould, an evolutionary biologist, 00:08:35.620 --> 00:08:36.759 here's his advice. 00:08:36.759 --> 00:08:39.120 We're here simply because 00:08:39.120 --> 00:08:41.319 one odd group of fish 00:08:41.319 --> 00:08:43.240 had a peculiar anatomy 00:08:43.240 --> 00:08:44.720 that just happened to be able 00:08:44.720 --> 00:08:47.179 to transform itself into legs 00:08:47.179 --> 00:08:49.039 for terrestrial creatures. 00:08:49.299 --> 00:08:50.860 We're here just because 00:08:50.860 --> 00:08:52.639 comets struck the earth 00:08:52.639 --> 00:08:53.819 and wiped out dinosaurs 00:08:53.819 --> 00:08:55.379 and gave mammals a chance. 00:08:56.179 --> 00:08:59.299 We are here just for those reasons. 00:09:00.240 --> 00:09:02.700 We yearn for a higher answer, 00:09:02.819 --> 00:09:03.720 but none exists. 00:09:04.939 --> 00:09:05.980 This explanation, 00:09:05.980 --> 00:09:07.519 though superficially troubling, 00:09:07.740 --> 00:09:09.300 if not terrifying, 00:09:09.820 --> 00:09:11.740 is ultimately liberating. 00:09:12.860 --> 00:09:14.680 We have to construct, 00:09:15.000 --> 00:09:15.259 therefore, 00:09:15.460 --> 00:09:17.759 any meaning ourselves. 00:09:17.759 --> 00:09:23.679 So if you want to discredit all your longings 00:09:23.679 --> 00:09:24.580 of your heart 00:09:24.580 --> 00:09:27.100 and the longings that every human being 00:09:27.100 --> 00:09:28.779 all over the earth have, 00:09:29.139 --> 00:09:31.200 if you want to discredit all those yearnings, 00:09:32.200 --> 00:09:33.279 then by all means, 00:09:33.439 --> 00:09:35.299 go construct your meaning 00:09:35.299 --> 00:09:37.200 buying the specials at Audi. 00:09:37.200 --> 00:09:45.280 But then what's the point of Genesis chapters 1 to 3? 00:09:46.800 --> 00:09:49.960 Was it written to answer our scientific questions? 00:09:49.960 --> 00:09:54.200 As I'm trying to get across, 00:09:54.340 --> 00:09:56.840 I think it's answering something much more profound 00:09:56.840 --> 00:09:59.180 for us to know how to live well, 00:10:00.060 --> 00:10:01.680 answering the yearnings of our heart. 00:10:01.679 --> 00:10:05.639 So is the point to tell us 00:10:05.639 --> 00:10:11.099 if the seven days refer to 24-hour periods 00:10:11.099 --> 00:10:14.219 or seven undefined eras of time? 00:10:14.539 --> 00:10:16.000 Yes, I'm just going to deal with this 00:10:16.000 --> 00:10:18.259 and move on 00:10:18.259 --> 00:10:20.439 because some of you are waiting for it. 00:10:20.440 --> 00:10:24.980 And I'm going to satisfy no one. 00:10:27.660 --> 00:10:28.800 I'm just going to say, 00:10:28.960 --> 00:10:30.440 by all means, look into it. 00:10:31.740 --> 00:10:32.480 Study it. 00:10:33.060 --> 00:10:33.740 Study scripture. 00:10:34.200 --> 00:10:35.040 Study science. 00:10:35.760 --> 00:10:36.360 Discuss it. 00:10:36.540 --> 00:10:36.980 Debate it. 00:10:37.140 --> 00:10:38.420 Come to your convictions on it. 00:10:39.360 --> 00:10:42.040 As long as Adam and Eve are historical people, 00:10:42.160 --> 00:10:44.920 as Romans 5 and other scripture clearly says, 00:10:45.560 --> 00:10:47.360 come to your convictions. 00:10:47.360 --> 00:10:51.399 But if you focus on that question, 00:10:52.259 --> 00:10:54.340 you're missing the bigger questions 00:10:54.340 --> 00:10:55.960 that Genesis 1 is answering, 00:10:56.800 --> 00:10:58.259 those yearnings of our heart. 00:11:00.080 --> 00:11:02.500 Who made and governs the universe? 00:11:02.740 --> 00:11:03.480 Who am I? 00:11:03.840 --> 00:11:05.500 Who are people in this universe? 00:11:06.200 --> 00:11:07.399 What's the goal? 00:11:07.539 --> 00:11:08.379 What's the point? 00:11:08.500 --> 00:11:09.240 What's the purpose? 00:11:09.680 --> 00:11:10.779 And what went wrong? 00:11:12.580 --> 00:11:14.100 They are much bigger questions 00:11:14.100 --> 00:11:16.240 that Genesis 1 has lots to say. 00:11:17.360 --> 00:11:24.060 That makes more sense of why Moses wrote this to Israel, 00:11:24.220 --> 00:11:27.600 who have just been set free from Egypt. 00:11:27.960 --> 00:11:28.960 They're in the wilderness. 00:11:30.060 --> 00:11:30.659 The wilderness. 00:11:31.720 --> 00:11:34.680 And they're waiting to come into that promised land 00:11:34.680 --> 00:11:36.080 of rest and blessing. 00:11:36.759 --> 00:11:38.080 What do they need to know? 00:11:38.919 --> 00:11:39.720 Well, they need to know, 00:11:39.820 --> 00:11:42.019 Genesis 1 to 11, 00:11:42.019 --> 00:11:43.100 chapters 1 to 11, 00:11:43.240 --> 00:11:46.120 that the spread of sin 00:11:46.120 --> 00:11:47.659 and its destructive effects. 00:11:48.620 --> 00:11:50.120 And they need to know who they are, 00:11:50.179 --> 00:11:52.079 that God has set in a plan 00:11:52.079 --> 00:11:53.559 to bring blessing to the world 00:11:53.559 --> 00:11:54.559 through Abraham 00:11:54.559 --> 00:11:56.460 and his chosen descendant. 00:11:57.120 --> 00:11:58.439 That's what they need to know. 00:11:59.159 --> 00:12:00.620 They need to know who God is, 00:12:01.620 --> 00:12:03.240 who are we as his people, 00:12:04.659 --> 00:12:06.840 his purposes to bless the world, 00:12:06.840 --> 00:12:08.899 and why are we in the wilderness 00:12:08.899 --> 00:12:10.800 and not in Eden? 00:12:11.620 --> 00:12:12.800 That's what we need to know. 00:12:14.700 --> 00:12:16.680 And we need to know the same things today 00:12:16.680 --> 00:12:19.420 to answer the longings of our own heart. 00:12:21.139 --> 00:12:22.160 As a church family, 00:12:22.300 --> 00:12:24.320 we're entering a year of change, 00:12:25.480 --> 00:12:28.780 at least this year or coming few years. 00:12:28.779 --> 00:12:29.959 We need new elders 00:12:29.959 --> 00:12:33.199 to govern and guide the church. 00:12:34.299 --> 00:12:36.399 We need a new pastor, 00:12:36.519 --> 00:12:38.799 as Cordwood looks to pass on the baton 00:12:38.799 --> 00:12:39.939 to the next generation. 00:12:41.000 --> 00:12:42.539 We need a new constitution. 00:12:43.299 --> 00:12:45.720 We have so many new people in the church 00:12:45.720 --> 00:12:46.720 in the past few years 00:12:46.720 --> 00:12:48.379 and we need to gather together 00:12:48.379 --> 00:12:49.620 under the same truth 00:12:49.620 --> 00:12:50.779 and head in the same direction. 00:12:51.139 --> 00:12:52.419 We've got a lot of change. 00:12:55.079 --> 00:12:57.079 But like Israel in the wilderness, 00:12:57.080 --> 00:13:00.920 we need to just focus on what doesn't change. 00:13:01.220 --> 00:13:02.379 We need to get our bearings. 00:13:03.540 --> 00:13:06.080 We need to know the unchangeable God. 00:13:07.440 --> 00:13:11.120 We need to know his unchangeable determination 00:13:11.120 --> 00:13:14.900 to fully bring about that rest and blessing 00:13:14.900 --> 00:13:16.360 he created the world for. 00:13:16.440 --> 00:13:18.600 We need to know who we are as his people, 00:13:19.540 --> 00:13:20.440 his image bearers, 00:13:20.580 --> 00:13:22.100 and we need to know what went wrong. 00:13:22.400 --> 00:13:23.560 If we know all this, 00:13:23.559 --> 00:13:28.139 then we will stick to the gospel of Jesus Christ, 00:13:28.259 --> 00:13:31.299 that in him we have rest and blessing. 00:13:32.419 --> 00:13:33.679 There might be lots of change, 00:13:33.759 --> 00:13:34.979 but really the big things, 00:13:35.399 --> 00:13:36.459 they're not changing at all. 00:13:38.019 --> 00:13:40.719 So that's why we're doing Genesis 1-3 this term. 00:13:40.919 --> 00:13:41.819 So we're going to be focusing 00:13:41.819 --> 00:13:43.419 on just the first three chapters 00:13:43.419 --> 00:13:44.279 for the whole term. 00:13:45.519 --> 00:13:46.899 So let's get into it. 00:13:46.919 --> 00:13:47.839 Let's get into the text. 00:13:47.840 --> 00:13:51.540 First we come to who is God. 00:13:52.480 --> 00:13:56.460 And verse 1 makes the who very clear. 00:13:58.040 --> 00:14:00.899 In the beginning, God. 00:14:02.600 --> 00:14:03.680 Nothing else. 00:14:05.560 --> 00:14:09.060 There was a starting point of space and time as we know it. 00:14:09.519 --> 00:14:13.040 Things are not in this cyclical reincarnation cycle. 00:14:13.220 --> 00:14:13.879 There was a beginning. 00:14:13.879 --> 00:14:17.139 But before anything was, 00:14:18.220 --> 00:14:19.240 God was. 00:14:20.439 --> 00:14:21.279 And this is crucial 00:14:21.279 --> 00:14:23.779 because God is not part of his creation, 00:14:24.340 --> 00:14:25.559 like Avatar with, 00:14:25.679 --> 00:14:26.600 who is it, 00:14:26.960 --> 00:14:27.240 Ewa. 00:14:27.799 --> 00:14:29.759 God's not part of the creation. 00:14:30.179 --> 00:14:32.360 Creation is not an extension of God. 00:14:33.480 --> 00:14:35.039 God is above creation, 00:14:35.519 --> 00:14:37.059 but he's always involved in it. 00:14:37.100 --> 00:14:38.500 He's before creation. 00:14:39.659 --> 00:14:41.299 He has authority over all of it. 00:14:41.299 --> 00:14:46.139 Which obviously might ask the question 00:14:46.139 --> 00:14:46.959 in all of our minds, 00:14:47.059 --> 00:14:49.479 like what was God doing before the beginning? 00:14:49.759 --> 00:14:50.899 If before the beginning, 00:14:51.379 --> 00:14:52.979 obviously logically doesn't make sense, 00:14:53.059 --> 00:14:54.419 but before space and time, 00:14:54.859 --> 00:14:55.819 what was God doing? 00:14:57.279 --> 00:14:59.039 And scripture actually has a lot to tell us. 00:14:59.219 --> 00:15:00.919 The father was loving the son. 00:15:02.679 --> 00:15:04.240 God was making plans, 00:15:04.399 --> 00:15:05.399 not only for creation, 00:15:05.539 --> 00:15:06.259 but for history, 00:15:06.259 --> 00:15:08.179 for it to culminate in his son. 00:15:08.179 --> 00:15:11.599 We're told that God was making promises even. 00:15:13.299 --> 00:15:15.620 And Francis Schaeffer points out the point here. 00:15:15.859 --> 00:15:17.599 Prior to Genesis 1.1, 00:15:18.259 --> 00:15:21.899 love and communication are intrinsic 00:15:21.899 --> 00:15:24.620 to what always has been. 00:15:24.620 --> 00:15:30.000 God didn't need creation 00:15:30.000 --> 00:15:32.840 in order for his identity as creator to be realised. 00:15:32.980 --> 00:15:33.840 He wasn't bored. 00:15:34.820 --> 00:15:35.779 He wasn't lazy. 00:15:36.220 --> 00:15:37.879 Like the ancient mythologies say, 00:15:37.940 --> 00:15:40.080 they created people to do all the hack work. 00:15:40.560 --> 00:15:41.340 He's not lazy. 00:15:42.539 --> 00:15:43.580 He wasn't lonely. 00:15:44.779 --> 00:15:48.019 He was in eternal, loving community, 00:15:48.240 --> 00:15:49.560 father, son and spirit, 00:15:49.720 --> 00:15:50.980 totally self-sufficient, 00:15:51.419 --> 00:15:52.399 totally at peace, 00:15:52.820 --> 00:15:54.180 totally full of joy. 00:15:54.179 --> 00:15:55.839 He didn't need to create. 00:15:58.079 --> 00:15:59.059 But he did. 00:15:59.139 --> 00:16:00.779 He freely chose to create, 00:16:01.079 --> 00:16:02.519 to display his glory, 00:16:03.919 --> 00:16:05.639 to share his life. 00:16:08.559 --> 00:16:10.759 The word create here in verse 1 00:16:10.759 --> 00:16:15.259 is a special word in scripture 00:16:15.259 --> 00:16:19.659 that only God is the subject of this verb. 00:16:20.219 --> 00:16:21.399 This word create here, 00:16:21.959 --> 00:16:23.819 only God does this sort of creating. 00:16:23.820 --> 00:16:26.200 Yes, we reflect him as we are creative people, 00:16:26.340 --> 00:16:28.100 but only God does this sort of creating. 00:16:29.379 --> 00:16:30.160 In verse 1, 00:16:31.740 --> 00:16:32.780 he creates everything 00:16:32.780 --> 00:16:34.800 out of nothing. 00:16:37.160 --> 00:16:38.100 No mass, 00:16:38.300 --> 00:16:38.920 no energy, 00:16:39.640 --> 00:16:40.660 no supplies. 00:16:42.100 --> 00:16:43.500 He didn't have to go back to Bunnings 00:16:43.500 --> 00:16:45.480 because he forgot something the first time. 00:16:45.480 --> 00:16:48.259 He had no blueprint. 00:16:48.259 --> 00:16:48.300 He had no blueprint. 00:16:49.300 --> 00:16:51.600 He had no angel engineer. 00:16:51.720 --> 00:16:52.519 He was consulting. 00:16:53.820 --> 00:16:55.080 All his wisdom, 00:16:55.480 --> 00:16:56.680 all out of his power, 00:16:56.879 --> 00:16:58.500 all out of his goodness, 00:16:58.820 --> 00:16:59.460 he created. 00:17:02.940 --> 00:17:04.400 The heavens and the earth, 00:17:04.480 --> 00:17:07.539 and that's a poetic device just to say everything. 00:17:07.539 --> 00:17:10.500 All things belong to him. 00:17:10.500 --> 00:17:10.519 All things belong to him. 00:17:11.259 --> 00:17:12.279 As creator, 00:17:12.420 --> 00:17:14.799 he has the right to do with all things as he pleases. 00:17:15.319 --> 00:17:19.000 All things owe their being to him alone. 00:17:23.019 --> 00:17:24.639 And then we come to verse 2, 00:17:24.759 --> 00:17:27.759 which might seem strange at first, 00:17:27.759 --> 00:17:29.440 but it's the key 00:17:29.440 --> 00:17:32.119 that unlocks the flow of the chapter. 00:17:33.500 --> 00:17:34.740 By his word, 00:17:36.039 --> 00:17:36.700 this God, 00:17:36.799 --> 00:17:38.099 he is the kind of God 00:17:38.099 --> 00:17:39.420 who creates order 00:17:39.420 --> 00:17:41.160 out of chaos. 00:17:42.119 --> 00:17:42.480 So we've got, 00:17:42.579 --> 00:17:44.059 the earth was without form 00:17:44.059 --> 00:17:46.339 and void. 00:17:46.960 --> 00:17:48.000 So without form 00:17:48.000 --> 00:17:48.900 and empty. 00:17:49.660 --> 00:17:50.420 And darkness 00:17:50.420 --> 00:17:51.839 was over the face of the deep. 00:17:52.539 --> 00:17:53.640 And the spirit of God 00:17:53.640 --> 00:17:55.180 was hovering over the face 00:17:55.180 --> 00:17:56.400 of the waters. 00:17:56.400 --> 00:17:58.040 So without form, 00:17:58.980 --> 00:18:00.019 there's no distinction 00:18:00.019 --> 00:18:01.640 and it was empty. 00:18:01.780 --> 00:18:02.540 It was lifeless. 00:18:04.000 --> 00:18:04.940 So this shows us 00:18:04.940 --> 00:18:05.920 the two stages 00:18:05.920 --> 00:18:06.600 that God 00:18:06.600 --> 00:18:08.200 fashioned everything. 00:18:08.800 --> 00:18:09.840 We've got day 1, 00:18:09.960 --> 00:18:10.600 2 and 3 00:18:10.600 --> 00:18:11.220 where God 00:18:11.220 --> 00:18:12.440 separates, 00:18:12.600 --> 00:18:13.500 he distinguishes 00:18:13.500 --> 00:18:14.820 and he creates 00:18:14.820 --> 00:18:15.960 the conditions for life. 00:18:16.040 --> 00:18:17.380 And then we've got day 4, 5, 00:18:17.800 --> 00:18:19.240 day 4, 5 and 6 00:18:19.240 --> 00:18:20.480 where he fills it 00:18:20.480 --> 00:18:21.500 with life. 00:18:23.420 --> 00:18:24.759 So without form, 00:18:24.900 --> 00:18:25.759 he forms it. 00:18:26.400 --> 00:18:27.320 empty, 00:18:27.660 --> 00:18:28.460 he fills it. 00:18:30.200 --> 00:18:31.519 He brings order 00:18:31.519 --> 00:18:32.300 out of chaos. 00:18:34.240 --> 00:18:35.940 Some see in this verse 00:18:35.940 --> 00:18:37.680 a spiritual description 00:18:37.680 --> 00:18:39.600 alluding to 00:18:39.600 --> 00:18:40.880 Satan's rebellion 00:18:40.880 --> 00:18:42.560 causing this chaos. 00:18:42.720 --> 00:18:43.540 Others just see it 00:18:43.540 --> 00:18:44.700 as a description 00:18:44.700 --> 00:18:46.500 of the physical earth 00:18:46.500 --> 00:18:47.500 as it was 00:18:47.500 --> 00:18:49.280 after he created it. 00:18:49.340 --> 00:18:50.840 It just wasn't fashioned yet. 00:18:50.839 --> 00:18:52.579 Either way, 00:18:52.639 --> 00:18:53.159 it tells us 00:18:53.159 --> 00:18:54.179 what kind of God he is. 00:18:55.139 --> 00:18:56.399 He doesn't want chaos. 00:18:57.759 --> 00:18:59.159 He doesn't accept 00:18:59.159 --> 00:18:59.799 darkness 00:18:59.799 --> 00:19:01.019 as a necessary evil. 00:19:01.379 --> 00:19:02.199 He certainly 00:19:02.199 --> 00:19:03.339 doesn't call darkness 00:19:03.339 --> 00:19:03.759 good. 00:19:04.459 --> 00:19:05.599 But he's present, 00:19:06.019 --> 00:19:06.899 he is above it 00:19:06.899 --> 00:19:08.579 and he brings 00:19:08.579 --> 00:19:09.720 order out of chaos, 00:19:09.839 --> 00:19:10.879 he brings light 00:19:10.879 --> 00:19:11.759 out of darkness, 00:19:11.899 --> 00:19:12.879 he brings life 00:19:12.879 --> 00:19:14.019 out of emptiness. 00:19:14.459 --> 00:19:15.099 That's the kind 00:19:15.099 --> 00:19:15.919 of God he is. 00:19:22.759 --> 00:19:23.740 To consider 00:19:23.740 --> 00:19:25.359 just the contrast 00:19:25.359 --> 00:19:27.359 in Moses' day, 00:19:27.519 --> 00:19:28.480 I just want to share 00:19:28.480 --> 00:19:30.539 snapshots of the 00:19:30.539 --> 00:19:31.740 ancient Babylonian 00:19:31.740 --> 00:19:32.599 creation account, 00:19:32.740 --> 00:19:33.859 the Enuma Elish. 00:19:35.159 --> 00:19:36.299 So in that story, 00:19:36.559 --> 00:19:37.500 and this isn't just 00:19:37.500 --> 00:19:38.899 some tribal group 00:19:38.899 --> 00:19:39.339 saying this, 00:19:39.399 --> 00:19:40.219 this is a Babylonian 00:19:40.219 --> 00:19:40.439 empire, 00:19:40.440 --> 00:19:42.140 this is a pretty 00:19:42.140 --> 00:19:43.240 big story of the day. 00:19:44.320 --> 00:19:45.059 A God named 00:19:45.059 --> 00:19:45.600 Absu, 00:19:45.740 --> 00:19:46.880 who represented 00:19:46.880 --> 00:19:47.620 Sweetwater, 00:19:47.720 --> 00:19:48.360 and his wife 00:19:48.360 --> 00:19:48.960 Tiamat, 00:19:49.400 --> 00:19:49.980 Saltwater, 00:19:50.500 --> 00:19:51.500 they bore children 00:19:51.500 --> 00:19:52.259 and grandchildren 00:19:52.259 --> 00:19:53.240 but they became, 00:19:53.640 --> 00:19:54.480 I shouldn't laugh, 00:19:54.660 --> 00:19:56.019 they became so noisy 00:19:56.019 --> 00:19:57.940 that Absu decided 00:19:57.940 --> 00:19:58.700 to murder 00:19:58.700 --> 00:20:00.160 his sons and 00:20:00.160 --> 00:20:00.740 grandsons 00:20:00.740 --> 00:20:01.640 to have silence 00:20:01.640 --> 00:20:01.960 again. 00:20:02.680 --> 00:20:03.380 I really shouldn't 00:20:03.380 --> 00:20:03.680 laugh, 00:20:03.799 --> 00:20:04.720 that shows how 00:20:04.720 --> 00:20:05.380 wicked I am, 00:20:05.539 --> 00:20:06.759 but maybe you 00:20:06.759 --> 00:20:07.200 can relate 00:20:07.200 --> 00:20:08.320 to warning silence. 00:20:09.039 --> 00:20:09.900 One of his 00:20:09.900 --> 00:20:11.800 sons murdered 00:20:11.800 --> 00:20:12.600 him first 00:20:12.600 --> 00:20:14.220 and then 00:20:14.220 --> 00:20:15.400 another one 00:20:15.400 --> 00:20:15.740 of the sons, 00:20:15.960 --> 00:20:16.360 Marduk, 00:20:16.880 --> 00:20:17.460 the greatest 00:20:17.460 --> 00:20:18.180 of all the gods 00:20:18.180 --> 00:20:19.160 started fighting 00:20:19.160 --> 00:20:19.840 Tiamat. 00:20:21.120 --> 00:20:22.040 Tiamat created 00:20:22.040 --> 00:20:22.940 dragons and 00:20:22.940 --> 00:20:23.300 beasts, 00:20:23.680 --> 00:20:24.440 Marduk killed 00:20:24.440 --> 00:20:24.900 her with an 00:20:24.900 --> 00:20:25.140 arrow, 00:20:25.320 --> 00:20:25.920 stood on her 00:20:25.920 --> 00:20:26.160 body, 00:20:26.360 --> 00:20:27.000 split her 00:20:27.000 --> 00:20:27.460 skull, 00:20:27.940 --> 00:20:28.680 sorry kids, 00:20:28.920 --> 00:20:29.960 cut her arteries, 00:20:30.420 --> 00:20:30.980 he took her 00:20:30.980 --> 00:20:31.460 body and 00:20:31.460 --> 00:20:32.180 divided it into 00:20:32.180 --> 00:20:32.980 two parts, 00:20:33.280 --> 00:20:33.759 one part 00:20:33.759 --> 00:20:34.380 becoming the 00:20:34.380 --> 00:20:34.840 sky, 00:20:35.120 --> 00:20:35.400 the other 00:20:35.400 --> 00:20:35.900 part the 00:20:35.900 --> 00:20:36.320 earth, 00:20:36.420 --> 00:20:36.880 then Marduk 00:20:36.880 --> 00:20:37.920 created people 00:20:37.920 --> 00:20:38.700 to do all 00:20:38.700 --> 00:20:39.220 the menial 00:20:39.220 --> 00:20:39.680 work, 00:20:39.680 --> 00:20:40.200 so that the 00:20:40.200 --> 00:20:40.840 gods could 00:20:40.840 --> 00:20:41.500 relax. 00:20:49.500 --> 00:20:50.160 And God 00:20:50.160 --> 00:20:50.539 said, 00:20:51.660 --> 00:20:51.980 let there 00:20:51.980 --> 00:20:52.580 be light. 00:20:54.640 --> 00:20:55.120 And there 00:20:55.120 --> 00:20:55.600 was light. 00:20:58.799 --> 00:20:59.240 God 00:20:59.240 --> 00:20:59.460 said, 00:20:59.539 --> 00:20:59.820 let there 00:20:59.820 --> 00:21:00.320 be, 00:21:02.000 --> 00:21:03.060 and it 00:21:03.060 --> 00:21:03.380 was so. 00:21:05.580 --> 00:21:06.019 Let 00:21:06.019 --> 00:21:06.660 there be, 00:21:07.960 --> 00:21:08.440 and it 00:21:08.440 --> 00:21:08.799 was so. 00:21:08.799 --> 00:21:19.659 personal, 00:21:19.899 --> 00:21:20.279 totally 00:21:20.279 --> 00:21:20.779 sovereign, 00:21:22.039 --> 00:21:22.539 rational 00:21:22.539 --> 00:21:23.139 word, 00:21:23.639 --> 00:21:24.519 formed and 00:21:24.519 --> 00:21:26.139 filled the 00:21:26.139 --> 00:21:26.559 heavens and 00:21:26.559 --> 00:21:26.839 the earth. 00:21:26.839 --> 00:21:29.619 God 00:21:29.619 --> 00:21:34.720 separates the 00:21:34.720 --> 00:21:35.500 material matter, 00:21:36.779 --> 00:21:37.939 putting the 00:21:37.939 --> 00:21:38.559 structure in 00:21:38.559 --> 00:21:39.179 place for 00:21:39.179 --> 00:21:39.599 life to 00:21:39.599 --> 00:21:40.059 flourish. 00:21:41.439 --> 00:21:42.619 I'm going to 00:21:42.619 --> 00:21:43.099 try and move 00:21:43.099 --> 00:21:43.559 through these 00:21:43.559 --> 00:21:44.279 verses pretty 00:21:44.279 --> 00:21:44.879 quickly and 00:21:44.879 --> 00:21:45.559 just point out 00:21:45.559 --> 00:21:46.399 a few things. 00:21:47.599 --> 00:21:48.379 So dividing, 00:21:48.879 --> 00:21:49.519 separating, 00:21:50.099 --> 00:21:51.259 distinguishing is 00:21:51.259 --> 00:21:52.379 a key theme 00:21:52.379 --> 00:21:53.079 running through 00:21:53.079 --> 00:21:54.659 Genesis 1. 00:21:54.660 --> 00:21:56.920 life requires 00:21:56.920 --> 00:21:57.880 things to be 00:21:57.880 --> 00:21:58.560 distinct from 00:21:58.560 --> 00:21:58.960 another, 00:21:59.560 --> 00:22:00.019 in their 00:22:00.019 --> 00:22:00.580 place, 00:22:01.580 --> 00:22:02.120 serving their 00:22:02.120 --> 00:22:02.580 purpose. 00:22:04.220 --> 00:22:05.140 Notice in 00:22:05.140 --> 00:22:06.560 verse 4 that 00:22:06.560 --> 00:22:08.019 God only 00:22:08.019 --> 00:22:08.519 calls the 00:22:08.519 --> 00:22:09.759 light good, 00:22:10.860 --> 00:22:11.740 not the 00:22:11.740 --> 00:22:12.080 darkness. 00:22:12.300 --> 00:22:13.140 He separates 00:22:13.140 --> 00:22:13.820 the light and 00:22:13.820 --> 00:22:14.180 darkness, 00:22:14.320 --> 00:22:14.779 the mutually 00:22:14.779 --> 00:22:15.279 exclusive. 00:22:16.340 --> 00:22:16.900 Notice too 00:22:16.900 --> 00:22:19.360 that he names 00:22:19.360 --> 00:22:21.040 the light 00:22:21.040 --> 00:22:21.780 day and 00:22:21.780 --> 00:22:22.200 darkness 00:22:22.200 --> 00:22:22.560 night. 00:22:23.300 --> 00:22:23.540 So in 00:22:23.540 --> 00:22:24.080 ancient times 00:22:24.080 --> 00:22:24.960 if you name 00:22:24.960 --> 00:22:25.320 something, 00:22:25.580 --> 00:22:27.920 that's the 00:22:27.920 --> 00:22:28.860 prerogative of 00:22:28.860 --> 00:22:29.600 the one in 00:22:29.600 --> 00:22:30.000 charge. 00:22:30.660 --> 00:22:31.400 I suppose we 00:22:31.400 --> 00:22:32.160 still do today. 00:22:32.280 --> 00:22:33.000 You name your 00:22:33.000 --> 00:22:33.340 children. 00:22:33.500 --> 00:22:33.780 It's your 00:22:33.780 --> 00:22:34.380 prerogative to 00:22:34.380 --> 00:22:34.780 do that. 00:22:35.440 --> 00:22:35.720 You're in 00:22:35.720 --> 00:22:36.120 charge. 00:22:37.440 --> 00:22:37.960 Throughout 00:22:37.960 --> 00:22:38.900 Genesis 1 he's 00:22:38.900 --> 00:22:39.480 naming. 00:22:41.400 --> 00:22:41.800 He's in 00:22:41.800 --> 00:22:42.160 charge. 00:22:42.160 --> 00:22:44.560 For Israel 00:22:44.560 --> 00:22:45.019 they were to 00:22:45.019 --> 00:22:45.980 have total 00:22:45.980 --> 00:22:46.920 confidence that 00:22:46.920 --> 00:22:48.220 the Lord alone 00:22:48.220 --> 00:22:49.460 was supreme in 00:22:49.460 --> 00:22:49.940 the heavens. 00:22:50.840 --> 00:22:51.440 The nations, 00:22:51.700 --> 00:22:51.980 they're just 00:22:51.980 --> 00:22:52.440 worshipping 00:22:52.440 --> 00:22:53.420 created things. 00:22:55.720 --> 00:22:56.519 Then we've got 00:22:56.519 --> 00:22:56.980 day two. 00:22:57.360 --> 00:22:57.860 We have the 00:22:57.860 --> 00:22:58.440 separation of 00:22:58.440 --> 00:22:59.300 the water above 00:22:59.300 --> 00:22:59.960 from the water 00:22:59.960 --> 00:23:01.060 below which we 00:23:01.060 --> 00:23:01.820 would call our 00:23:01.820 --> 00:23:02.320 atmosphere. 00:23:03.620 --> 00:23:04.640 But notice God 00:23:04.640 --> 00:23:05.259 doesn't call it 00:23:05.259 --> 00:23:06.900 good yet because 00:23:06.900 --> 00:23:08.420 his purposes for 00:23:08.420 --> 00:23:09.300 the water isn't 00:23:09.300 --> 00:23:10.060 complete. 00:23:10.059 --> 00:23:12.059 that comes in 00:23:12.059 --> 00:23:12.720 day three. 00:23:13.679 --> 00:23:14.419 God separates 00:23:14.419 --> 00:23:15.259 the ocean from 00:23:15.259 --> 00:23:15.919 the land. 00:23:16.859 --> 00:23:17.899 Now the water 00:23:17.899 --> 00:23:18.639 is fulfilling its 00:23:18.639 --> 00:23:19.460 good purposes and 00:23:19.460 --> 00:23:20.240 he calls it 00:23:20.240 --> 00:23:20.679 good. 00:23:21.960 --> 00:23:22.579 Then we have 00:23:22.579 --> 00:23:24.799 vegetation which 00:23:24.799 --> 00:23:25.799 in Hebrew 00:23:25.799 --> 00:23:26.639 thinking apparently 00:23:26.639 --> 00:23:27.839 vegetation wasn't 00:23:27.839 --> 00:23:28.720 living as we 00:23:28.720 --> 00:23:30.319 kind of see it. 00:23:31.859 --> 00:23:32.419 And each 00:23:32.419 --> 00:23:33.059 according to 00:23:33.059 --> 00:23:33.720 their kind. 00:23:33.879 --> 00:23:34.279 Everything was 00:23:34.279 --> 00:23:35.399 specific enough to 00:23:35.399 --> 00:23:36.359 be identified and 00:23:36.359 --> 00:23:37.319 yet incredible 00:23:37.319 --> 00:23:37.980 diversity. 00:23:37.980 --> 00:23:40.819 I just found 00:23:40.819 --> 00:23:42.079 out that you 00:23:42.079 --> 00:23:42.700 all know what a 00:23:42.700 --> 00:23:43.460 gum tree is, 00:23:43.539 --> 00:23:43.680 right? 00:23:45.539 --> 00:23:46.380 Yep, anyway. 00:23:47.039 --> 00:23:48.039 A gum tree, I 00:23:48.039 --> 00:23:48.420 don't know why I 00:23:48.420 --> 00:23:48.700 paused there. 00:23:49.880 --> 00:23:50.660 Apparently there's 00:23:50.660 --> 00:23:52.339 over 900 different 00:23:52.339 --> 00:23:53.200 types of gum tree. 00:23:56.559 --> 00:23:57.799 Like, I don't, 00:23:58.079 --> 00:23:58.660 sometimes I get 00:23:58.660 --> 00:23:59.339 uncomfortable with 00:23:59.339 --> 00:24:00.000 how much I don't 00:24:00.000 --> 00:24:00.299 know. 00:24:02.360 --> 00:24:03.079 Specificity but 00:24:03.079 --> 00:24:04.259 such diversity, 00:24:04.460 --> 00:24:04.779 isn't there? 00:24:04.779 --> 00:24:07.180 Notice too, the 00:24:07.180 --> 00:24:08.500 fertility of the 00:24:08.500 --> 00:24:09.680 earth is by God's 00:24:09.680 --> 00:24:10.139 decree. 00:24:10.660 --> 00:24:11.500 It's his blessing. 00:24:13.379 --> 00:24:14.720 Israel shouldn't 00:24:14.720 --> 00:24:16.180 participate in the 00:24:16.180 --> 00:24:17.920 pagan, depraved 00:24:17.920 --> 00:24:19.019 fertility rituals. 00:24:19.940 --> 00:24:21.180 It's by God's 00:24:21.180 --> 00:24:23.220 word that life is 00:24:23.220 --> 00:24:23.480 given. 00:24:25.019 --> 00:24:25.980 Perhaps in our 00:24:25.980 --> 00:24:27.480 society's world 00:24:27.480 --> 00:24:28.139 view, in this 00:24:28.139 --> 00:24:29.259 cause and effect, 00:24:29.500 --> 00:24:30.460 as if this is a 00:24:30.460 --> 00:24:31.599 closed system, we 00:24:31.599 --> 00:24:32.240 need to remember, 00:24:32.660 --> 00:24:33.160 no, no, no. 00:24:33.160 --> 00:24:35.060 Life comes by 00:24:35.060 --> 00:24:35.880 God's word. 00:24:36.000 --> 00:24:36.720 He is very 00:24:36.720 --> 00:24:37.420 involved. 00:24:40.220 --> 00:24:41.580 That herb garden 00:24:41.580 --> 00:24:42.580 only grows with 00:24:42.580 --> 00:24:44.560 him causing it to 00:24:44.560 --> 00:24:44.740 grow. 00:24:47.100 --> 00:24:48.180 So day one, two, 00:24:48.220 --> 00:24:48.779 and three, the 00:24:48.779 --> 00:24:49.860 forming is complete 00:24:49.860 --> 00:24:51.700 and we come days 00:24:51.700 --> 00:24:52.420 four through six. 00:24:52.480 --> 00:24:53.360 He starts to fill. 00:24:55.440 --> 00:24:56.300 Day four, we've 00:24:56.300 --> 00:24:57.560 got the heavens, 00:24:57.560 --> 00:24:59.080 the sun, moon, 00:24:59.200 --> 00:25:00.019 and stars. 00:25:00.680 --> 00:25:01.740 They serve mankind 00:25:01.740 --> 00:25:02.840 for days and years. 00:25:03.160 --> 00:25:04.360 Again, Israel 00:25:04.360 --> 00:25:05.620 shouldn't follow the 00:25:05.620 --> 00:25:06.380 Babylonians. 00:25:06.560 --> 00:25:07.160 We're trying to 00:25:07.160 --> 00:25:08.620 read their future 00:25:08.620 --> 00:25:09.580 in the stars. 00:25:11.500 --> 00:25:13.360 The stars are made 00:25:13.360 --> 00:25:14.160 to declare the 00:25:14.160 --> 00:25:15.120 glory of God. 00:25:17.440 --> 00:25:18.440 I think it's one of 00:25:18.440 --> 00:25:19.340 the biggest downsides 00:25:19.340 --> 00:25:20.740 of living in the 00:25:20.740 --> 00:25:20.940 city. 00:25:21.279 --> 00:25:22.560 I see a few people 00:25:22.560 --> 00:25:23.500 from Tamworth here. 00:25:26.040 --> 00:25:27.279 Just to get that 00:25:27.279 --> 00:25:28.380 witness of God's 00:25:28.380 --> 00:25:29.740 glory in the sky, 00:25:30.100 --> 00:25:31.380 it's one of the 00:25:31.380 --> 00:25:31.860 things you miss 00:25:31.859 --> 00:25:32.479 from the country. 00:25:34.939 --> 00:25:35.979 Then day five, 00:25:36.119 --> 00:25:37.199 conscious life 00:25:37.199 --> 00:25:38.519 comes, filling the 00:25:38.519 --> 00:25:39.319 atmosphere in the 00:25:39.319 --> 00:25:39.679 oceans. 00:25:40.219 --> 00:25:41.099 And here in verse 00:25:41.099 --> 00:25:41.939 21, we've got that 00:25:41.939 --> 00:25:42.939 special word create 00:25:42.939 --> 00:25:44.799 again, as we had in 00:25:44.799 --> 00:25:45.259 verse one. 00:25:45.259 --> 00:25:46.519 When conscious life 00:25:46.519 --> 00:25:47.159 comes in, we've got 00:25:47.159 --> 00:25:48.559 this special word 00:25:48.559 --> 00:25:49.000 create. 00:25:50.199 --> 00:25:51.259 He created conscious 00:25:51.259 --> 00:25:52.299 life, animals. 00:25:52.299 --> 00:25:55.220 And again, fertility 00:25:55.220 --> 00:25:57.599 of your herds is by 00:25:57.599 --> 00:26:00.819 God's gift, not by 00:26:00.819 --> 00:26:01.899 appeasing the pagan 00:26:01.899 --> 00:26:02.379 gods. 00:26:04.119 --> 00:26:05.379 And then day six, we 00:26:05.379 --> 00:26:06.579 come to the climax with 00:26:06.579 --> 00:26:07.940 all the animals of the 00:26:07.940 --> 00:26:09.079 land and mankind. 00:26:10.139 --> 00:26:11.119 Chapter two, verse 00:26:11.119 --> 00:26:15.000 seven, speaks of this. 00:26:15.000 --> 00:26:16.740 Then the Lord God 00:26:16.740 --> 00:26:18.359 formed the man of dust 00:26:18.359 --> 00:26:20.579 from the ground and 00:26:20.579 --> 00:26:21.480 breathed into his 00:26:21.480 --> 00:26:23.259 nostrils the breath of 00:26:23.259 --> 00:26:23.799 life. 00:26:24.740 --> 00:26:26.759 Yes, we are animals, we 00:26:26.759 --> 00:26:29.380 are of the ground, but 00:26:29.380 --> 00:26:33.099 we are so much more than 00:26:33.099 --> 00:26:35.759 animals, which is where we 00:26:35.759 --> 00:26:37.380 need to so depart from the 00:26:37.380 --> 00:26:39.400 story of our culture around 00:26:39.400 --> 00:26:39.920 us today. 00:26:40.540 --> 00:26:42.740 Man is set apart, mankind. 00:26:45.160 --> 00:26:47.120 I found this threefold 00:26:47.120 --> 00:26:47.960 phrase helpful. 00:26:48.160 --> 00:26:50.060 We're set apart by divine 00:26:50.060 --> 00:26:50.620 plan. 00:26:51.460 --> 00:26:53.120 Let us make God 00:26:53.120 --> 00:26:56.700 planned divine pattern in 00:26:56.700 --> 00:26:59.019 our image, our likeness, 00:26:59.780 --> 00:27:01.740 for divine purpose, to have 00:27:01.740 --> 00:27:02.380 dominion. 00:27:04.880 --> 00:27:06.519 And that word, that special 00:27:06.519 --> 00:27:08.400 word create, in case we 00:27:08.400 --> 00:27:09.340 miss, that something 00:27:09.340 --> 00:27:10.340 special is happening 00:27:10.340 --> 00:27:11.740 here, it's used three 00:27:11.740 --> 00:27:13.259 times to emphasise the 00:27:13.259 --> 00:27:13.540 point. 00:27:14.500 --> 00:27:16.259 So God created man in his 00:27:16.259 --> 00:27:16.920 own image. 00:27:17.120 --> 00:27:18.280 In the image of God, he 00:27:18.280 --> 00:27:19.759 created him, male and 00:27:19.759 --> 00:27:21.280 female, he created them. 00:27:22.580 --> 00:27:24.480 This is what it's all been 00:27:24.480 --> 00:27:25.060 heading for. 00:27:26.720 --> 00:27:28.019 Us, can you believe it? 00:27:30.519 --> 00:27:32.240 Mankind is the bridge 00:27:32.240 --> 00:27:34.220 between earth and heaven. 00:27:34.519 --> 00:27:35.780 We were made to know and 00:27:35.780 --> 00:27:37.500 relate to the creator. 00:27:37.500 --> 00:27:38.859 And we were made to 00:27:38.859 --> 00:27:40.519 represent the creator in his 00:27:40.519 --> 00:27:42.140 goodness as we care for this 00:27:42.140 --> 00:27:42.559 world. 00:27:43.019 --> 00:27:43.779 We are the bridge. 00:27:44.660 --> 00:27:45.960 In a sense, everything else 00:27:45.960 --> 00:27:47.500 was so that we could have 00:27:47.500 --> 00:27:48.880 life and so that we can see 00:27:48.880 --> 00:27:50.579 the glory of God and praise 00:27:50.579 --> 00:27:52.240 God with our hearts and 00:27:52.240 --> 00:27:53.279 mouths and lives. 00:27:57.779 --> 00:27:59.579 Human beings in the image of 00:27:59.579 --> 00:28:02.960 God, regardless of capability, 00:28:03.400 --> 00:28:04.960 whether old or in the womb, 00:28:04.960 --> 00:28:08.000 whether a celebrity or in power 00:28:08.000 --> 00:28:10.240 or the lowest in society, each 00:28:10.240 --> 00:28:13.120 human being has infinite, 00:28:13.519 --> 00:28:15.460 divine, divine is that the 00:28:15.460 --> 00:28:15.900 right word? 00:28:16.000 --> 00:28:18.539 We reflect the worth of God 00:28:18.539 --> 00:28:18.860 himself. 00:28:19.059 --> 00:28:20.340 You have never met an 00:28:20.340 --> 00:28:21.299 ordinary person. 00:28:23.920 --> 00:28:25.500 So we better treat each other 00:28:25.500 --> 00:28:25.920 that way. 00:28:25.920 --> 00:28:30.860 And God speaks to himself in the 00:28:30.860 --> 00:28:31.259 plural. 00:28:34.560 --> 00:28:37.039 Let us make in our image, we 00:28:37.039 --> 00:28:38.580 reflect God not only as 00:28:38.580 --> 00:28:40.019 individuals, although that's 00:28:40.019 --> 00:28:41.680 true, but also as we relate to 00:28:41.680 --> 00:28:43.039 one another in friendship, in 00:28:43.039 --> 00:28:45.440 marriage, in community, because 00:28:45.440 --> 00:28:49.120 we reflect God, who God is, the 00:28:49.120 --> 00:28:51.620 eternal community, Father, Son and 00:28:51.620 --> 00:28:52.279 Holy Spirit. 00:28:52.279 --> 00:28:55.579 And we're going to look into this 00:28:55.579 --> 00:28:56.839 much more as we get into chapter 00:28:56.839 --> 00:28:57.639 two next week. 00:28:58.399 --> 00:28:59.940 But this is a radical teaching. 00:29:00.680 --> 00:29:01.799 It was radical back then. 00:29:02.639 --> 00:29:04.220 It is radical today, isn't it? 00:29:05.240 --> 00:29:07.359 It is the bedrock for how we treat 00:29:07.359 --> 00:29:08.299 people with value. 00:29:09.920 --> 00:29:12.220 It is how we know what our purpose 00:29:12.220 --> 00:29:12.660 is. 00:29:17.139 --> 00:29:18.879 Francis Schaeffer again, he says, 00:29:18.880 --> 00:29:21.040 people today can no longer answer 00:29:21.040 --> 00:29:23.000 that crucial question, who am I? 00:29:24.960 --> 00:29:27.180 A Christian doesn't have this 00:29:27.180 --> 00:29:27.540 problem. 00:29:28.160 --> 00:29:30.520 We have the gift of knowing who we 00:29:30.520 --> 00:29:30.920 are. 00:29:32.500 --> 00:29:34.020 We are in the image of God. 00:29:36.660 --> 00:29:38.820 And so the sixth day finishes with 00:29:38.820 --> 00:29:41.180 God commissioning and blessing 00:29:41.180 --> 00:29:41.780 mankind. 00:29:43.340 --> 00:29:45.560 Adam and Eve have deep personal 00:29:45.560 --> 00:29:47.880 fulfilment, totally in a blessed 00:29:47.880 --> 00:29:48.480 state. 00:29:49.440 --> 00:29:51.040 Everything was at peace with 00:29:51.040 --> 00:29:52.420 itself, at peace with the 00:29:52.420 --> 00:29:54.820 creator, at peace with man, within 00:29:54.820 --> 00:29:57.900 itself, within people, totally at 00:29:57.900 --> 00:29:58.300 peace. 00:29:59.460 --> 00:30:01.080 And God looks at all he has made 00:30:01.080 --> 00:30:03.380 once man has arrived and is very 00:30:03.380 --> 00:30:03.720 good. 00:30:06.840 --> 00:30:08.020 God is righteous. 00:30:08.220 --> 00:30:11.160 He only blesses what is good. 00:30:11.160 --> 00:30:11.220 God is good. 00:30:15.100 --> 00:30:18.200 What is good is not your subjective 00:30:18.200 --> 00:30:18.660 opinion. 00:30:18.900 --> 00:30:20.580 It's God's opinion of what is good. 00:30:21.340 --> 00:30:24.140 When what he has made fulfills his 00:30:24.140 --> 00:30:25.960 purposes, then it is good. 00:30:26.259 --> 00:30:27.620 That's when he blesses. 00:30:29.860 --> 00:30:33.200 He will only bless what is good and 00:30:33.200 --> 00:30:35.160 what he says is good is deeply 00:30:35.160 --> 00:30:35.900 fulfilling. 00:30:35.900 --> 00:30:43.380 So we come to the why of creation, 00:30:43.620 --> 00:30:45.360 God's goal on day seven. 00:30:49.220 --> 00:30:49.920 Where are we? 00:30:50.160 --> 00:30:51.720 Chapter two, verses one to three. 00:30:52.259 --> 00:30:54.060 Thus the heavens and the earth were 00:30:54.060 --> 00:30:56.480 finished, and all the host of them. 00:30:57.160 --> 00:30:59.500 And on the seventh day God finished his 00:30:59.500 --> 00:31:01.720 work that he had done, and he rested on 00:31:01.720 --> 00:31:03.420 the seventh day from all his work that he 00:31:03.420 --> 00:31:03.759 had done. 00:31:04.539 --> 00:31:06.279 So God blessed the seventh day and made 00:31:06.279 --> 00:31:08.920 it holy because on it God rested from 00:31:08.920 --> 00:31:11.019 all his work that he had done in 00:31:11.019 --> 00:31:11.500 creation. 00:31:13.400 --> 00:31:15.980 Now as Jacob helpfully taught the kids, 00:31:16.420 --> 00:31:19.900 this isn't talking about people resting. 00:31:20.180 --> 00:31:24.600 This is talking about God resting, which 00:31:24.600 --> 00:31:27.779 can't mean he gets tired. 00:31:27.900 --> 00:31:28.860 He didn't need a nap. 00:31:29.740 --> 00:31:31.420 He didn't need to put his feet up. 00:31:31.480 --> 00:31:32.259 He didn't need a holiday. 00:31:32.259 --> 00:31:34.220 He didn't need to catch his breath. 00:31:35.339 --> 00:31:37.299 This is saying God stopped his creating 00:31:37.299 --> 00:31:39.359 work because it was done. 00:31:40.140 --> 00:31:41.259 Everything was in order. 00:31:42.559 --> 00:31:43.559 Everything was at peace. 00:31:43.700 --> 00:31:45.519 Everything was glorifying God and having 00:31:45.519 --> 00:31:46.119 his blessing. 00:31:47.619 --> 00:31:48.920 He had no work to do. 00:31:50.339 --> 00:31:52.319 Everything was in proper relationship with 00:31:52.319 --> 00:31:52.640 God. 00:31:54.339 --> 00:31:55.819 And so he made it holy. 00:31:55.980 --> 00:31:57.839 He's elevated above the other days. 00:31:57.960 --> 00:32:00.059 Day six is not the end point. 00:32:00.059 --> 00:32:03.460 The purpose of all this is day seven. 00:32:05.079 --> 00:32:05.919 It's resting. 00:32:07.519 --> 00:32:09.759 God enjoying his creation. 00:32:11.440 --> 00:32:12.940 Like a builder of a house. 00:32:13.480 --> 00:32:16.019 He builds the house and he puts his tools 00:32:16.019 --> 00:32:16.399 down. 00:32:16.799 --> 00:32:18.119 He doesn't just stand outside. 00:32:18.259 --> 00:32:20.859 He goes in and he enjoys it. 00:32:21.859 --> 00:32:25.099 He's finished the work and now he wants to rest in it. 00:32:25.099 --> 00:32:27.159 That's the goal. 00:32:29.159 --> 00:32:33.259 God wants to enjoy his creation as all things glorify him. 00:32:35.859 --> 00:32:39.779 Tim Keller draws out the implication for us today. 00:32:39.779 --> 00:32:45.920 The fulfillment we've been looking for in our work, 00:32:47.059 --> 00:32:50.279 in building skyscrapers, in having wonderful spouses, 00:32:50.619 --> 00:32:52.720 in having lots of children, in making money, 00:32:53.539 --> 00:32:56.200 the blessing we've been looking for is actually 00:32:56.200 --> 00:32:58.819 in the face of God. 00:33:00.480 --> 00:33:01.339 Enjoying God. 00:33:03.000 --> 00:33:03.899 Living for him. 00:33:03.900 --> 00:33:12.440 God didn't do any more work until the rebellion of man 00:33:12.440 --> 00:33:15.360 ushered in a new darkness and a new chaos. 00:33:18.259 --> 00:33:20.019 But we'll come to that in chapter three. 00:33:21.100 --> 00:33:25.220 Creation tells us God is a redeeming God. 00:33:25.360 --> 00:33:28.640 He brings order out of chaos, light out of darkness, 00:33:29.120 --> 00:33:30.420 life out of emptiness. 00:33:30.420 --> 00:33:36.039 He is absolutely sovereign over every speck, everything. 00:33:37.140 --> 00:33:43.120 He works by his powerful word and that he is determined 00:33:43.120 --> 00:33:47.560 that heaven and earth will be in order and good 00:33:47.560 --> 00:33:50.740 and have his blessing and enjoy rest. 00:33:51.300 --> 00:33:52.720 He is determined to have that. 00:33:52.720 --> 00:33:58.000 And the obvious question is, 00:33:58.640 --> 00:34:02.140 why isn't that our daily experience? 00:34:02.380 --> 00:34:06.519 Why don't we have that rest and blessing? 00:34:06.720 --> 00:34:09.980 Why is there chaos in my own mind and heart? 00:34:10.159 --> 00:34:13.960 Why is there chaos in my relationships and in my work? 00:34:14.539 --> 00:34:16.539 Why is there chaos in the world, 00:34:17.380 --> 00:34:18.920 in society and nature? 00:34:18.920 --> 00:34:23.260 Why is there chaos in the world, 00:34:23.260 --> 00:34:23.659 why is there chaos in the world? 00:34:24.400 --> 00:34:27.139 Obviously, we'll spend more time as we come to chapter three. 00:34:28.740 --> 00:34:30.039 But can I say for now, 00:34:31.099 --> 00:34:32.820 how you answer this question 00:34:32.820 --> 00:34:36.760 will depend on your starting point for answering it. 00:34:37.420 --> 00:34:39.700 If you start with your own thinking 00:34:39.700 --> 00:34:41.800 and your own experience, your own reasoning, 00:34:42.539 --> 00:34:45.980 then you'll come out with distorted answers at the other end. 00:34:46.740 --> 00:34:49.780 Like some conclude that darkness is good, 00:34:50.260 --> 00:34:52.820 that it both existed with light. 00:34:53.159 --> 00:34:55.539 It's just always been this balance in the universe or something, 00:34:55.619 --> 00:34:57.440 or that death is just a part of life. 00:34:57.519 --> 00:34:58.840 They call death good. 00:35:00.159 --> 00:35:01.599 It's distorted thinking. 00:35:03.219 --> 00:35:07.300 Or that God is not good, or that he's not God. 00:35:07.820 --> 00:35:09.219 Like the ancient mythologies, 00:35:09.219 --> 00:35:12.219 seeing God as violent and jealous and hateful 00:35:12.219 --> 00:35:14.340 and sexually perverse like human beings. 00:35:14.340 --> 00:35:18.579 If you start with your own thinking and work out God, 00:35:19.280 --> 00:35:24.660 you'll come out with weird and distorted conclusions. 00:35:26.460 --> 00:35:30.760 Will you let the word of your creator be your starting point 00:35:30.760 --> 00:35:32.079 for answering that question? 00:35:33.920 --> 00:35:35.380 He is your reference point. 00:35:38.760 --> 00:35:42.300 He wants his world perfectly in order 00:35:42.300 --> 00:35:44.560 and full of his blessing. 00:35:45.740 --> 00:35:47.240 It was good originally. 00:35:49.140 --> 00:35:52.280 So here we have the framework for understanding 00:35:52.280 --> 00:35:56.100 how good God is 00:35:56.100 --> 00:35:59.780 and how our sin has plunged the world into chaos again. 00:35:59.780 --> 00:36:02.920 There is one creator, 00:36:03.920 --> 00:36:07.580 and yet who of us consistently looks to him 00:36:07.580 --> 00:36:09.540 as the source of life 00:36:09.540 --> 00:36:12.160 and the one to whom everything I am 00:36:12.160 --> 00:36:14.200 and all I have belongs? 00:36:15.700 --> 00:36:18.880 It gives us a framework for understanding our problem. 00:36:19.360 --> 00:36:21.820 Mankind was made to represent God's glory, 00:36:22.000 --> 00:36:23.800 and yet we seek our own glory. 00:36:23.800 --> 00:36:28.680 And we treat other people made in his image with violence, 00:36:29.340 --> 00:36:31.280 with our words and choices. 00:36:33.480 --> 00:36:36.360 Mankind was made to know and relate to God, 00:36:36.460 --> 00:36:38.060 and yet we look to created things 00:36:38.060 --> 00:36:40.720 to find that deep fulfillment we're all craving. 00:36:42.420 --> 00:36:45.920 The blessing of life is found in resting with God, 00:36:46.160 --> 00:36:49.620 and yet we think we can get blessing for ourselves, 00:36:49.619 --> 00:36:53.019 trying to be God. 00:36:53.579 --> 00:36:56.480 The God whose word breathed out the heavens 00:36:56.480 --> 00:36:59.539 and the oceans roared and moved at his command, 00:36:59.659 --> 00:37:06.420 and yet we don't listen to his word as we ought to. 00:37:07.900 --> 00:37:11.279 We don't believe that his word is the way to blessing, 00:37:11.539 --> 00:37:13.699 and if we don't believe his word is the way to blessing, 00:37:13.819 --> 00:37:14.539 really we're saying, 00:37:14.639 --> 00:37:15.619 God, you're not good. 00:37:15.619 --> 00:37:20.519 This gives us the framework to expose us 00:37:20.519 --> 00:37:21.539 and the real problem. 00:37:22.839 --> 00:37:26.259 But that's not the end of the story. 00:37:27.319 --> 00:37:29.099 Our creator is so good 00:37:29.099 --> 00:37:34.119 and he's so determined to restore order and rest and blessing. 00:37:37.359 --> 00:37:40.019 In term two this year, 00:37:40.159 --> 00:37:42.799 we're going to get back into the Gospel of Matthew. 00:37:42.800 --> 00:37:46.740 And the part we're up to in Matthew 00:37:46.740 --> 00:37:53.019 has blown me away in preparing Genesis 1 this week. 00:37:53.620 --> 00:37:55.440 So I just can't wait to say it, 00:37:55.460 --> 00:37:56.260 so I'm saying it today. 00:37:58.440 --> 00:38:00.420 It's when Jesus walks on the water. 00:38:02.180 --> 00:38:03.780 Now when Jesus walks on the water 00:38:03.780 --> 00:38:05.300 to his disciples on the boat, 00:38:05.960 --> 00:38:08.820 our society mocks that miracle, don't they? 00:38:09.960 --> 00:38:11.220 And I've got to be honest with you, 00:38:11.219 --> 00:38:13.819 I find that miracle a bit perplexing 00:38:13.819 --> 00:38:15.619 because all the other miracles, 00:38:15.759 --> 00:38:17.519 he's healing, he's raising the dead, 00:38:17.679 --> 00:38:18.659 they're full of compassion, 00:38:18.839 --> 00:38:21.319 but walking on water kind of seems like he's showing off. 00:38:22.299 --> 00:38:23.399 I've struggled with it 00:38:23.399 --> 00:38:26.779 until I've appreciated Genesis 1 verse 2. 00:38:29.159 --> 00:38:30.319 Do you see 00:38:30.320 --> 00:38:35.180 who is walking on the waves of the deep 00:38:35.180 --> 00:38:37.480 in the darkness of the night? 00:38:42.519 --> 00:38:44.880 He is the one who's above the chaos 00:38:44.880 --> 00:38:48.920 and can save us from it. 00:38:48.920 --> 00:38:54.260 He's not just above, 00:38:54.480 --> 00:38:55.460 but he entered it 00:38:55.460 --> 00:38:57.579 and took it 00:38:57.579 --> 00:38:59.740 on himself. 00:38:59.740 --> 00:39:14.700 And in his dying breath, 00:39:15.420 --> 00:39:17.880 he finishes his work of salvation. 00:39:17.880 --> 00:39:18.860 It is finished. 00:39:22.300 --> 00:39:25.119 Our hearts yearn for rest and blessing 00:39:25.119 --> 00:39:26.660 and the good news 00:39:26.660 --> 00:39:28.599 is that the Creator has come 00:39:28.599 --> 00:39:31.740 and he has restored his creation 00:39:31.740 --> 00:39:33.940 and he offers you rest and blessing. 00:39:35.780 --> 00:39:37.460 Getting back in order 00:39:37.460 --> 00:39:39.240 with your Creator 00:39:39.240 --> 00:39:40.800 to know that he is good 00:39:40.800 --> 00:39:43.160 and wants to bless you 00:39:43.160 --> 00:39:46.039 as you are in right relationship with him. 00:39:46.039 --> 00:39:49.920 So will you look to the cross of Jesus 00:39:49.920 --> 00:39:51.920 and know once and for all 00:39:51.920 --> 00:39:53.699 that your Creator is good 00:39:53.699 --> 00:39:56.659 and that it's your heart 00:39:56.659 --> 00:39:58.639 that is the one that's out of order 00:39:58.639 --> 00:40:03.239 and he can give you rest and blessing. 00:40:03.239 --> 00:40:11.519 I'm going to finish with the words of 2 Corinthians. 00:40:11.519 --> 00:40:15.500 for God who said 00:40:15.500 --> 00:40:18.860 that light shine out of darkness 00:40:18.860 --> 00:40:21.659 has shone in our hearts 00:40:21.659 --> 00:40:24.139 to give the light of the knowledge 00:40:24.139 --> 00:40:25.360 of the glory of God 00:40:25.360 --> 00:40:28.079 in the face of Jesus Christ. 00:40:28.079 --> 00:40:31.639 rest and blessing are found in him. 00:40:32.119 --> 00:40:32.739 Let's pray. 00:40:39.079 --> 00:40:40.599 Father, I pray that your Spirit 00:40:40.599 --> 00:40:42.019 once again would be moving 00:40:42.019 --> 00:40:44.239 over the darkness of each of our hearts 00:40:44.239 --> 00:40:47.619 to show us more of who you are 00:40:47.619 --> 00:40:48.599 in the face of Jesus. 00:40:48.599 --> 00:40:52.519 and for anyone who doesn't know you 00:40:52.519 --> 00:40:53.679 as their good Creator 00:40:53.679 --> 00:40:54.759 and their Saviour 00:40:54.759 --> 00:40:55.779 I pray that your Spirit 00:40:55.779 --> 00:40:56.559 might be moving 00:40:56.559 --> 00:40:58.839 and speaking life 00:40:58.839 --> 00:41:01.219 into their hearts 00:41:01.219 --> 00:41:02.759 into our hearts. 00:41:03.239 --> 00:41:04.579 In Jesus' name I pray. 00:41:04.880 --> 00:41:05.159 Amen. 00:41:05.159 --> 00:41:05.279 Amen.