WEBVTT 00:00:00.240 --> 00:00:03.399 Jigsaw puzzles. I don't know how many of you enjoy a jigsaw puzzle. 00:00:03.859 --> 00:00:06.280 Our family quite enjoys big puzzles. 00:00:07.060 --> 00:00:09.620 The bigger it is and the harder it is, the better. 00:00:10.320 --> 00:00:16.780 Especially on a holiday, maybe a lunar new holiday, you're in Hong Kong. 00:00:17.179 --> 00:00:20.019 It's a way of detaching from technology and social media. 00:00:20.519 --> 00:00:22.059 It's a way of having family time together. 00:00:22.199 --> 00:00:25.300 There's nothing like a great, big, challenging puzzle. 00:00:25.660 --> 00:00:29.859 But of course, if you've ever done a puzzle, what is the key? 00:00:30.559 --> 00:00:32.359 You've got to know what the picture is, right? 00:00:33.219 --> 00:00:40.320 Having a view of the big picture helps you to make sense of the individual pieces and where they go. 00:00:40.500 --> 00:00:48.120 Trying to do a 5,000-piece puzzle without any idea of what's going on is challenging and frustrating and confusing. 00:00:48.480 --> 00:00:52.620 So you need the big picture in order to make sense of the individual parts. 00:00:54.539 --> 00:00:56.600 Much of life is actually like this. 00:00:57.159 --> 00:00:58.079 It's kind of like your job. 00:00:58.079 --> 00:01:08.959 If you don't know what part your job plays in your company or your corporation or your institution, it's easy for your job just to become a dry job. 00:01:09.500 --> 00:01:15.799 But when you see the purpose, when you see the big picture, you see what role you're playing, your job can become a vocation, a calling. 00:01:15.799 --> 00:01:25.179 Today we're starting this new preaching series called The Wonderful Work of God, tracing the storyline of God and His work through the Bible. 00:01:26.039 --> 00:01:32.699 And what we're going to do over the next couple of weeks is we're going to try and zoom out and see the big picture of the Bible. 00:01:32.700 --> 00:01:39.560 I'm sure you know this, but the Bible has a storyline, a narrative arc. 00:01:39.620 --> 00:01:41.159 It has a beginning and an end. 00:01:41.760 --> 00:01:44.960 The Bible is not just a collection of wise sayings to live by. 00:01:45.439 --> 00:01:48.320 Some good advice to try and get you through your day. 00:01:48.980 --> 00:01:53.740 The Bible is not just a collection of sacred writings by random individuals throughout the ages. 00:01:53.739 --> 00:02:02.419 The Bible is one book made up of many parts, but it's one book and it's got one storyline, one narrative arc. 00:02:03.140 --> 00:02:08.919 In order to understand the parts of the Bible, to make sense of it, it really helps to see the storyline. 00:02:09.079 --> 00:02:10.120 That's what we're going to be doing. 00:02:11.060 --> 00:02:15.000 Vaughan Roberts in his book, God's Big Picture, tells this great story, illustration. 00:02:15.000 --> 00:02:22.000 He says, imagine you've got children, you've got two children, and some great aunt comes from overseas and she brings your children gifts. 00:02:22.479 --> 00:02:28.460 And she gives your son a book, the latest spy school adventure, mystery. 00:02:28.960 --> 00:02:32.719 And she gives your daughter a Barbie, but your daughters don't really like Barbies. 00:02:33.080 --> 00:02:35.439 Your daughter is an avid reader and wants the book. 00:02:36.020 --> 00:02:39.000 And so your two kids are fighting over the book. 00:02:39.599 --> 00:02:44.180 And you say to your daughter, okay, we'll go to Bookazina and get another copy, but Bookazina is out of books. 00:02:44.180 --> 00:02:47.800 And you say, we'll order it online, but Amazon is out of books. 00:02:49.200 --> 00:02:50.460 And so you say, okay, I know what we'll do. 00:02:50.540 --> 00:02:53.260 We'll tear the book in half and give you each a piece. 00:02:53.900 --> 00:02:58.159 And so you give the first half to the eldest child and the second half to your youngest child. 00:02:58.700 --> 00:03:05.040 And your first child finds out that Humpty Dumpty, Professor Humpty Dumpty, was killed in the library. 00:03:06.500 --> 00:03:10.240 But his part of the book ends before you can find out who did it. 00:03:10.240 --> 00:03:17.500 And the second child finds out that all the king's horses and all the king's men get arrested for some crime they've committed, 00:03:18.219 --> 00:03:19.600 but don't know what crime they committed. 00:03:20.680 --> 00:03:23.939 Both are going to be frustrated as they don't know how to make sense of the book. 00:03:24.960 --> 00:03:27.800 Sometimes as Christians, we just like our section of the Bible. 00:03:27.939 --> 00:03:29.800 We read the New Testament and it's wonderful. 00:03:29.939 --> 00:03:32.580 It's full of good news, but we don't really know why it's full of good news. 00:03:33.020 --> 00:03:34.020 We don't know what the bad news was. 00:03:34.420 --> 00:03:38.680 Or we just read the bad news, or we read the Old Testament and we think, wow, God is so angry. 00:03:39.100 --> 00:03:40.060 God's so uptight. 00:03:40.560 --> 00:03:41.900 You just calm down a little bit. 00:03:42.780 --> 00:03:44.120 But you don't know how the story ends. 00:03:45.219 --> 00:03:52.219 In this section, the wonderful work of God, we're going to trace the storyline of the Bible and see how it all makes sense. 00:03:52.939 --> 00:03:56.500 And today we're going to start, where all good stories start, we're going to start at the beginning. 00:03:56.500 --> 00:03:57.879 In Genesis 1 to 3. 00:03:58.020 --> 00:03:59.120 And it's a long passage. 00:03:59.460 --> 00:04:00.900 We're not going to be able to look at all of it. 00:04:00.900 --> 00:04:10.300 But what we're going to see is this, that God's plan for us is to live under His rule, experiencing His blessing, in joyful, loving relationship. 00:04:11.400 --> 00:04:16.040 But the problem is that sin, because of sin, we have lost our way. 00:04:16.959 --> 00:04:18.199 But God's plan is not over. 00:04:18.420 --> 00:04:21.560 God is still going to bring His plan to pass. 00:04:21.899 --> 00:04:26.079 Okay, so on that note, let me call CK up and she's going to read to us the scripture reading. 00:04:26.079 --> 00:04:29.939 You can follow along in your bulletin or on the screen. 00:04:30.419 --> 00:04:30.819 Thank you. 00:04:30.859 --> 00:04:31.079 CK. 00:04:35.199 --> 00:04:37.359 Thank you, Kevin, for setting the context. 00:04:38.479 --> 00:04:43.240 Today we're going to read an abridged version of Genesis 1 to 3. 00:04:43.839 --> 00:04:48.219 It will briefly cover the creation of the world, the mankind, and the fall. 00:04:48.620 --> 00:04:50.680 So please follow along on the screen. 00:04:50.680 --> 00:04:55.819 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. 00:04:56.480 --> 00:05:01.819 The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. 00:05:02.480 --> 00:05:06.280 And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. 00:05:07.639 --> 00:05:11.879 Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. 00:05:11.879 --> 00:05:21.600 And on the seventh day, God finished His work that He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work that He had done. 00:05:22.379 --> 00:05:31.719 So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it, God rested from all His work that He had done in creation. 00:05:32.860 --> 00:05:36.980 These are the generations of the heavens and the earth when they were created, 00:05:37.719 --> 00:05:40.899 in the day that the Lord God made the earth and the heavens. 00:05:41.879 --> 00:05:49.339 When no bush of the field was yet in the land, and no small plant of the field had yet sprung up, 00:05:50.079 --> 00:05:57.379 for the Lord God had not caused it to rain on the land, and there was no man to work the ground, 00:05:58.040 --> 00:06:03.500 and a mist was going up from the land and was watering the whole face of the ground. 00:06:03.500 --> 00:06:12.220 Then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life. 00:06:12.860 --> 00:06:14.939 And the man became a living creature. 00:06:15.920 --> 00:06:23.740 And the Lord God planted a garden in the Eden in the east, and there He put the man whom He had formed. 00:06:23.740 --> 00:06:31.639 And out of the ground the Lord God made to spring up every tree that is pleasant to the side and good for food. 00:06:32.379 --> 00:06:39.259 The tree of life was in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. 00:06:39.259 --> 00:06:46.819 A river flowed out to Eden to water the garden, and there it divided and became four rivers. 00:06:47.599 --> 00:06:53.579 The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it. 00:06:53.579 --> 00:06:56.779 And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, 00:06:58.259 --> 00:07:06.680 You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat. 00:07:07.459 --> 00:07:11.060 For in that day that you eat it, you shall surely die. 00:07:12.299 --> 00:07:13.639 Then the Lord God said, 00:07:14.560 --> 00:07:17.379 It is not good that the man should be alone. 00:07:17.959 --> 00:07:20.519 I will make him a helper fit for him. 00:07:20.519 --> 00:07:29.919 Therefore, a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. 00:07:30.859 --> 00:07:34.819 Then the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed. 00:07:36.039 --> 00:07:41.819 Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made. 00:07:42.459 --> 00:07:43.759 He said to the woman, 00:07:44.799 --> 00:07:50.240 Did God actually say you shall not eat of any tree in the garden? 00:07:50.519 --> 00:07:52.639 And the woman said to the serpent, 00:07:52.979 --> 00:07:58.299 We may eat the fruit of the trees in the garden, but God said, 00:07:58.879 --> 00:08:06.000 You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die. 00:08:06.659 --> 00:08:08.639 But the serpent said to the woman, 00:08:09.299 --> 00:08:15.779 You will not surely die, for God knows that when you eat of it, the eyes will be opened, 00:08:15.779 --> 00:08:19.139 And you will be like God, knowing good and evil. 00:08:19.139 --> 00:08:26.060 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, 00:08:26.300 --> 00:08:29.419 And that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, 00:08:29.959 --> 00:08:31.839 She took of its fruit and ate. 00:08:32.519 --> 00:08:36.639 And she also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate. 00:08:37.519 --> 00:08:41.220 Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. 00:08:41.220 --> 00:08:46.720 And they sewed fig trees together, and made themselves loincloths. 00:08:49.560 --> 00:08:54.279 And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, 00:08:54.480 --> 00:09:01.180 And the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. 00:09:02.540 --> 00:09:07.100 Have you eaten of the tree of which I commanded you not to eat? 00:09:07.100 --> 00:09:09.460 The man said, 00:09:10.399 --> 00:09:15.040 The woman whom you gave to me, she gave me fruit of the tree, and I ate. 00:09:15.860 --> 00:09:17.920 Then the Lord God said to the woman, 00:09:18.320 --> 00:09:20.560 What is this that you have done? 00:09:21.139 --> 00:09:22.240 The woman said, 00:09:23.060 --> 00:09:25.320 The serpent deceived me, and I ate. 00:09:26.460 --> 00:09:28.320 The Lord God said to the serpent, 00:09:29.320 --> 00:09:33.600 Because you have done this, cursed are you above all livestock, 00:09:33.600 --> 00:09:35.639 And above all beasts of the field. 00:09:36.139 --> 00:09:37.820 On your belly you shall go, 00:09:38.360 --> 00:09:41.139 And dust you shall eat all days of your life. 00:09:41.860 --> 00:09:44.960 I will put enmity between you and woman, 00:09:45.240 --> 00:09:47.840 And between your offspring and her offspring. 00:09:48.399 --> 00:09:49.820 He shall bruise your head, 00:09:50.159 --> 00:09:51.580 And you shall bruise his heel. 00:09:52.740 --> 00:09:54.259 To the woman he said, 00:09:54.820 --> 00:09:57.920 I will surely multiply your pain and childbearing. 00:09:58.560 --> 00:10:00.639 In pain you shall bring forth children. 00:10:00.639 --> 00:10:03.779 Your desire shall be for your husband, 00:10:04.000 --> 00:10:05.939 And he shall rule over you. 00:10:07.600 --> 00:10:08.960 And to Adam he said, 00:10:09.179 --> 00:10:11.779 Because you have listened to the voice of your wife, 00:10:11.980 --> 00:10:14.899 And eaten of the tree of which I commanded you, 00:10:15.259 --> 00:10:16.899 You shall not eat of it. 00:10:17.539 --> 00:10:19.299 Cursed is the ground because of you. 00:10:19.960 --> 00:10:23.000 In pain you shall eat of it all days of your life. 00:10:23.559 --> 00:10:26.399 Thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you, 00:10:26.919 --> 00:10:28.919 And you shall eat the plants of the field. 00:10:28.919 --> 00:10:32.959 By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, 00:10:33.139 --> 00:10:34.559 Till you return to the ground, 00:10:34.979 --> 00:10:36.539 For out of it you are taken, 00:10:36.919 --> 00:10:37.719 For you are dust, 00:10:37.919 --> 00:10:39.620 And to dust you shall return. 00:10:40.879 --> 00:10:43.279 The man called his wife's name Eve, 00:10:43.399 --> 00:10:45.599 Because she was the mother of all living. 00:10:46.379 --> 00:10:48.179 And Lord God made for Adam, 00:10:48.439 --> 00:10:50.339 And for his wife garments of skins, 00:10:50.519 --> 00:10:51.299 And clothed them. 00:10:52.139 --> 00:10:53.399 Then the Lord God said, 00:10:53.399 --> 00:10:54.819 Behold, 00:10:55.279 --> 00:10:57.579 The man has become like one of us, 00:10:57.579 --> 00:10:59.059 In knowing good and evil. 00:11:00.059 --> 00:11:00.439 Now, 00:11:00.759 --> 00:11:02.360 Lest he reach out his hand, 00:11:02.559 --> 00:11:04.980 And also take of the tree of life, 00:11:05.100 --> 00:11:05.439 And eat, 00:11:05.679 --> 00:11:06.399 And live forever. 00:11:07.360 --> 00:11:07.740 Therefore, 00:11:08.159 --> 00:11:10.799 The Lord God sent him out of the garden of Eden, 00:11:11.039 --> 00:11:13.659 To work on the ground from which he was taken. 00:11:14.459 --> 00:11:15.899 He drove out the man, 00:11:15.899 --> 00:11:18.559 And at the east of the garden of Eden, 00:11:18.799 --> 00:11:20.319 He placed the cherubim, 00:11:20.699 --> 00:11:21.759 And a flaming sword, 00:11:22.120 --> 00:11:25.340 That turned every way to guard the way to the tree of life. 00:11:25.980 --> 00:11:26.959 This is the word of God. 00:11:27.620 --> 00:11:28.059 Great, 00:11:28.139 --> 00:11:28.419 Thank you, 00:11:28.459 --> 00:11:28.779 CK. 00:11:29.120 --> 00:11:29.500 CK, 00:11:29.579 --> 00:11:30.419 That was a long reading, 00:11:30.500 --> 00:11:31.299 And you read so well. 00:11:31.399 --> 00:11:32.299 Thank you for that. 00:11:33.279 --> 00:11:33.659 Okay, 00:11:34.000 --> 00:11:35.340 Let's look at this passage. 00:11:35.500 --> 00:11:36.299 This passage is, 00:11:36.439 --> 00:11:38.639 There's so much richness in it, 00:11:38.639 --> 00:11:40.299 And we could spend weeks on this alone. 00:11:40.299 --> 00:11:42.399 We're going to fly quite high level, 00:11:42.819 --> 00:11:44.139 But there's a lot of detail, 00:11:44.439 --> 00:11:44.539 So, 00:11:45.000 --> 00:11:46.259 Don't worry about all the detail, 00:11:46.339 --> 00:11:47.639 Just try and get the big picture. 00:11:47.799 --> 00:11:48.939 But let's see where we can go. 00:11:50.279 --> 00:11:51.579 First thing I want you to notice, 00:11:52.479 --> 00:11:54.219 Genesis 1 and 2, 00:11:54.359 --> 00:11:56.259 Is not a cosmological textbook. 00:11:57.019 --> 00:11:58.339 It's not trying to give us, 00:11:58.459 --> 00:12:00.279 Every minute bit of detail, 00:12:00.500 --> 00:12:04.019 About the way the world was created. 00:12:04.679 --> 00:12:05.639 There are certain things, 00:12:05.679 --> 00:12:07.059 We don't need to be dogmatic about. 00:12:07.179 --> 00:12:08.439 I don't think Genesis 1 and 2, 00:12:08.439 --> 00:12:09.859 Tells us the age of the earth. 00:12:10.299 --> 00:12:11.500 Was the world created, 00:12:11.639 --> 00:12:13.379 In seven literal 24 hour periods, 00:12:13.439 --> 00:12:14.799 Or seven epochs of time? 00:12:15.479 --> 00:12:16.519 I don't think we need to be, 00:12:16.519 --> 00:12:17.599 Dogmatic about that. 00:12:18.099 --> 00:12:19.219 What is the point? 00:12:19.859 --> 00:12:21.319 Well the main point of this, 00:12:21.519 --> 00:12:23.240 Is that creation is not an accident. 00:12:23.919 --> 00:12:26.179 It's not a random event that happened. 00:12:26.579 --> 00:12:28.579 It's not a result of chance. 00:12:29.120 --> 00:12:30.559 Rather all creation, 00:12:30.779 --> 00:12:31.899 Everything that exists, 00:12:32.039 --> 00:12:34.659 From galaxies and stars and nebula, 00:12:34.939 --> 00:12:36.659 Down to subatomic particles, 00:12:36.659 --> 00:12:39.639 Is the design of a creator, 00:12:39.639 --> 00:12:40.960 Eternal, 00:12:41.620 --> 00:12:42.939 Uncreated being, 00:12:43.299 --> 00:12:44.580 Whom we call God. 00:12:45.319 --> 00:12:47.319 And the New Testament says it like this, 00:12:47.759 --> 00:12:48.240 John writes, 00:12:48.319 --> 00:12:48.480 He says, 00:12:48.639 --> 00:12:50.319 All things were made through him, 00:12:50.399 --> 00:12:51.220 He's talking about Jesus, 00:12:51.759 --> 00:12:52.439 Without him, 00:12:52.840 --> 00:12:54.500 Was not anything made, 00:12:54.779 --> 00:12:55.819 That has been made. 00:12:56.379 --> 00:12:57.299 That's the main point. 00:12:57.500 --> 00:12:58.439 God is the one who, 00:12:58.840 --> 00:13:00.319 By purpose and design, 00:13:00.419 --> 00:13:02.019 Has brought everything into existence. 00:13:02.860 --> 00:13:03.899 Now there's a couple of things, 00:13:03.980 --> 00:13:04.819 That this tells us. 00:13:04.820 --> 00:13:05.160 One, 00:13:05.620 --> 00:13:07.700 God is the author of everything that exists. 00:13:08.060 --> 00:13:08.940 One verse one, 00:13:09.640 --> 00:13:10.300 In the beginning, 00:13:10.560 --> 00:13:12.420 God created the heavens and the earth. 00:13:12.740 --> 00:13:13.300 Verse 31, 00:13:13.500 --> 00:13:14.240 And so it was, 00:13:14.580 --> 00:13:15.960 God saw everything he made, 00:13:16.300 --> 00:13:16.740 And behold, 00:13:17.000 --> 00:13:18.400 It was very good. 00:13:19.180 --> 00:13:20.860 God is not a part of creation, 00:13:21.360 --> 00:13:23.180 He didn't emanate out of creation, 00:13:23.740 --> 00:13:25.360 He sits over and above creation. 00:13:25.520 --> 00:13:26.780 Creation is not divine, 00:13:26.879 --> 00:13:28.180 We don't worship creation. 00:13:28.820 --> 00:13:29.960 God is distinctive, 00:13:30.300 --> 00:13:31.500 Set apart from, 00:13:31.500 --> 00:13:33.379 Everything else that exists. 00:13:33.960 --> 00:13:35.220 So we don't worship creation, 00:13:35.279 --> 00:13:35.860 As if it's God, 00:13:35.919 --> 00:13:37.220 We don't think God is part, 00:13:37.340 --> 00:13:38.940 Or emulated out of creation, 00:13:39.539 --> 00:13:40.559 God is distinctive. 00:13:40.779 --> 00:13:42.100 The Bible word for distinctive, 00:13:42.240 --> 00:13:43.179 Is holy. 00:13:43.980 --> 00:13:44.559 God's holiness, 00:13:44.720 --> 00:13:46.220 Is not only his moral perfection, 00:13:46.399 --> 00:13:47.919 It's also the fact that he is other, 00:13:48.000 --> 00:13:49.159 He's in a category different, 00:13:49.259 --> 00:13:50.279 From everything else. 00:13:50.759 --> 00:13:52.539 He's the only uncreated essence, 00:13:52.960 --> 00:13:53.600 In this world. 00:13:54.480 --> 00:13:54.919 Secondly, 00:13:55.100 --> 00:13:56.539 He's the author of creation, 00:13:56.539 --> 00:13:59.019 He has creator rights over it. 00:13:59.379 --> 00:13:59.980 You could say, 00:14:00.120 --> 00:14:01.419 He's the lord of creation, 00:14:01.500 --> 00:14:02.700 Or the ruler of creation, 00:14:02.820 --> 00:14:04.340 Or the king of creation. 00:14:05.500 --> 00:14:06.559 Now on the one hand, 00:14:06.659 --> 00:14:07.039 This means, 00:14:07.460 --> 00:14:08.659 God gets to determine, 00:14:08.980 --> 00:14:11.460 How creation functions and works. 00:14:11.919 --> 00:14:12.899 He gets to determine, 00:14:13.000 --> 00:14:14.179 The scientific principles. 00:14:14.620 --> 00:14:15.500 Things like gravity, 00:14:15.759 --> 00:14:17.000 And thermodynamics, 00:14:17.220 --> 00:14:18.320 And those kind of laws, 00:14:18.419 --> 00:14:20.320 That you all know more about than me. 00:14:20.759 --> 00:14:22.340 He gets to determine, 00:14:22.659 --> 00:14:24.759 This is how my world is going to operate. 00:14:25.220 --> 00:14:26.919 If you build a bridge, 00:14:26.960 --> 00:14:28.740 It's going to be stable and steady, 00:14:28.940 --> 00:14:30.100 Because there are certain laws, 00:14:30.200 --> 00:14:31.220 That God has put in place. 00:14:31.500 --> 00:14:32.419 It's going to, 00:14:32.539 --> 00:14:33.080 It's going to, 00:14:33.159 --> 00:14:34.539 Our world can operate like that. 00:14:35.179 --> 00:14:36.940 But God also gets to determine, 00:14:37.159 --> 00:14:38.559 The moral principles, 00:14:38.559 --> 00:14:40.179 By which the world operates. 00:14:40.679 --> 00:14:41.559 He gets to say, 00:14:41.659 --> 00:14:42.799 What is good and right? 00:14:43.259 --> 00:14:44.059 What is wrong? 00:14:44.720 --> 00:14:45.279 For instance, 00:14:45.779 --> 00:14:46.740 In 2 verse 16, 00:14:46.820 --> 00:14:47.179 He says, 00:14:47.580 --> 00:14:47.879 To Adam, 00:14:48.100 --> 00:14:49.940 You may eat of any tree of the garden, 00:14:50.299 --> 00:14:52.340 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, 00:14:52.419 --> 00:14:53.440 You must not eat, 00:14:53.480 --> 00:14:54.639 And the day that you eat of it, 00:14:54.879 --> 00:14:55.620 You will die. 00:14:56.340 --> 00:14:57.019 Well who is God? 00:14:57.019 --> 00:14:58.360 Why does he get to say that? 00:14:59.079 --> 00:15:00.279 Well it's because he's God. 00:15:00.740 --> 00:15:02.500 He has creator rights, 00:15:03.199 --> 00:15:04.399 You could say, 00:15:06.000 --> 00:15:06.879 Patency, 00:15:07.379 --> 00:15:08.360 Over his creation. 00:15:08.879 --> 00:15:09.779 It belongs to him. 00:15:10.679 --> 00:15:11.059 Now, 00:15:11.199 --> 00:15:11.939 What this means, 00:15:12.000 --> 00:15:12.679 Is a couple of things. 00:15:12.740 --> 00:15:13.379 On one hand, 00:15:13.699 --> 00:15:15.419 It means that the proper response, 00:15:15.500 --> 00:15:16.120 Of creatures, 00:15:16.360 --> 00:15:17.480 Is to worship, 00:15:17.620 --> 00:15:18.240 And adore him. 00:15:19.039 --> 00:15:20.139 So Psalm 95, 00:15:20.320 --> 00:15:21.200 Says it like this, 00:15:21.580 --> 00:15:22.940 For the Lord is a great God, 00:15:23.000 --> 00:15:24.740 A great king above all gods, 00:15:25.159 --> 00:15:27.279 In his hands are the depths of the earth, 00:15:27.580 --> 00:15:29.500 The heights of the mountains are his also, 00:15:30.060 --> 00:15:31.000 The sea is his, 00:15:31.080 --> 00:15:31.899 For he made it, 00:15:32.000 --> 00:15:33.919 His hands formed the dry land, 00:15:34.180 --> 00:15:35.159 We sang about that earlier, 00:15:35.680 --> 00:15:36.399 So come, 00:15:37.060 --> 00:15:39.680 Let us worship and bow down to him. 00:15:40.460 --> 00:15:41.460 God is distinctive, 00:15:41.460 --> 00:15:42.519 He is the creator, 00:15:42.700 --> 00:15:43.600 Uncreated one. 00:15:43.600 --> 00:15:48.580 Notice what else this means. 00:15:49.279 --> 00:15:50.240 In Genesis, 00:15:50.420 --> 00:15:51.960 We see that human beings, 00:15:52.120 --> 00:15:53.379 Have a special place, 00:15:53.840 --> 00:15:55.240 In God's creation. 00:15:56.120 --> 00:15:56.720 In one sense, 00:15:56.779 --> 00:15:57.360 Human beings are, 00:15:57.620 --> 00:15:58.940 Kind of like all other creatures, 00:15:59.480 --> 00:16:01.120 We are under God's rulership, 00:16:01.259 --> 00:16:02.460 We are a result of his, 00:16:02.759 --> 00:16:04.060 Creator hands, 00:16:04.360 --> 00:16:06.220 We are dependent upon God, 00:16:06.300 --> 00:16:07.420 We live under his rule, 00:16:07.920 --> 00:16:10.540 But Genesis also goes to great lengths, 00:16:10.680 --> 00:16:11.399 To say there's, 00:16:11.580 --> 00:16:12.759 Something distinctive, 00:16:12.759 --> 00:16:14.620 Something different about human beings, 00:16:15.039 --> 00:16:16.480 We are not merely just, 00:16:16.539 --> 00:16:18.600 Intellectually advanced animals, 00:16:19.399 --> 00:16:21.000 There's something categorically different, 00:16:21.000 --> 00:16:23.100 About humans from every other creature, 00:16:23.679 --> 00:16:25.439 And the words that the Bible used for this is, 00:16:25.559 --> 00:16:27.120 We are made in God's image, 00:16:27.220 --> 00:16:28.299 We are image bearers, 00:16:28.379 --> 00:16:30.360 We carry God's image, 00:16:30.899 --> 00:16:32.000 Which means that, 00:16:32.279 --> 00:16:33.340 There's something in our makeup, 00:16:33.480 --> 00:16:34.399 Something in our DNA, 00:16:34.600 --> 00:16:35.559 Which is distinctive, 00:16:35.759 --> 00:16:36.100 Something, 00:16:36.840 --> 00:16:39.379 Almost that we carry God's nature, 00:16:40.460 --> 00:16:41.980 His DNA within us, 00:16:42.759 --> 00:16:43.379 Now again, 00:16:43.460 --> 00:16:44.720 This means a couple of things, 00:16:45.200 --> 00:16:45.659 On one hand, 00:16:45.720 --> 00:16:46.100 It means that, 00:16:46.179 --> 00:16:47.159 All human beings, 00:16:47.240 --> 00:16:48.139 Have dignity, 00:16:48.460 --> 00:16:49.220 And value, 00:16:49.340 --> 00:16:49.980 And respect, 00:16:50.519 --> 00:16:51.299 Whether you're male, 00:16:51.399 --> 00:16:51.980 Or female, 00:16:52.559 --> 00:16:53.840 One is not better than the other, 00:16:54.120 --> 00:16:54.939 Not more important, 00:16:55.460 --> 00:16:56.980 Whether you're Chinese, 00:16:57.299 --> 00:16:58.559 Or Caucasian, 00:16:58.620 --> 00:16:59.279 Or black, 00:16:59.379 --> 00:17:01.379 Or whatever color you are, 00:17:01.679 --> 00:17:02.879 There's equal dignity, 00:17:02.879 --> 00:17:03.340 And respect, 00:17:03.879 --> 00:17:04.539 Your ethnicity, 00:17:04.740 --> 00:17:05.359 Your culture, 00:17:06.119 --> 00:17:06.779 Your gender, 00:17:06.960 --> 00:17:08.440 Your capabilities, 00:17:08.640 --> 00:17:09.299 Intellectual, 00:17:09.299 --> 00:17:10.539 Or your physical abilities, 00:17:10.639 --> 00:17:11.279 Or disabilities, 00:17:11.839 --> 00:17:12.759 All human beings, 00:17:12.839 --> 00:17:13.720 By virtue of nature, 00:17:13.799 --> 00:17:15.339 That you are made in God's image, 00:17:15.680 --> 00:17:17.379 You carry inherent within you, 00:17:17.779 --> 00:17:19.139 Dignity and worth and respect, 00:17:19.899 --> 00:17:21.859 This is true even for unborn children, 00:17:22.000 --> 00:17:22.559 In the womb, 00:17:23.460 --> 00:17:24.819 Made in God's image, 00:17:24.819 --> 00:17:26.639 But it also means that, 00:17:26.839 --> 00:17:27.359 As human beings, 00:17:27.419 --> 00:17:28.819 We have a great responsibility, 00:17:29.119 --> 00:17:31.059 Because there's something distinctive, 00:17:31.059 --> 00:17:31.779 About humans, 00:17:31.879 --> 00:17:33.379 That we are not like other creatures, 00:17:33.659 --> 00:17:34.779 We are made in God's image, 00:17:34.819 --> 00:17:35.659 For a purpose, 00:17:36.139 --> 00:17:37.480 To rule, 00:17:37.879 --> 00:17:38.779 With God, 00:17:38.879 --> 00:17:40.500 And on behalf of God, 00:17:40.859 --> 00:17:41.919 His creation, 00:17:42.379 --> 00:17:43.220 To co-rule, 00:17:43.220 --> 00:17:43.980 To steward, 00:17:44.039 --> 00:17:45.220 Or look after his creation, 00:17:45.819 --> 00:17:47.200 So in Genesis 1, 00:17:47.759 --> 00:17:48.579 God says this, 00:17:48.939 --> 00:17:50.960 Let us make mankind in our image, 00:17:51.019 --> 00:17:52.039 After our likeness, 00:17:52.559 --> 00:17:53.960 And then the next sentence is, 00:17:53.960 --> 00:17:55.900 And let them have dominion, 00:17:55.900 --> 00:17:57.360 Over the fish of the seas, 00:17:57.420 --> 00:17:58.299 And the birds of the air, 00:17:58.360 --> 00:17:58.960 And the livestock, 00:17:59.079 --> 00:18:00.019 And over all the earth, 00:18:00.059 --> 00:18:01.180 And every creeping thing, 00:18:02.100 --> 00:18:03.660 So make them in the image, 00:18:03.720 --> 00:18:04.380 What's the purpose? 00:18:04.640 --> 00:18:06.400 That they can rule with us, 00:18:06.420 --> 00:18:07.360 And for us, 00:18:07.460 --> 00:18:08.519 Over our creation, 00:18:08.640 --> 00:18:10.000 We are co-rulers with God, 00:18:10.559 --> 00:18:12.059 Now this obviously doesn't mean, 00:18:12.160 --> 00:18:13.779 We get to use and abuse creation, 00:18:13.880 --> 00:18:14.559 However we want, 00:18:15.039 --> 00:18:16.400 God is a loving ruler, 00:18:16.819 --> 00:18:18.319 And we as his stewards, 00:18:18.420 --> 00:18:19.920 Are to love his creation, 00:18:20.079 --> 00:18:22.420 Like he loves on his behalf, 00:18:22.420 --> 00:18:23.900 Okay, 00:18:23.940 --> 00:18:24.519 So there's a couple of things, 00:18:24.600 --> 00:18:25.420 God is the creator, 00:18:26.019 --> 00:18:27.480 Humans are distinct, 00:18:28.039 --> 00:18:29.220 But here's the fourth thing, 00:18:29.320 --> 00:18:29.840 For us to see, 00:18:30.320 --> 00:18:31.259 The final note is that, 00:18:31.360 --> 00:18:32.519 The goal of creation, 00:18:32.900 --> 00:18:33.960 With humanity anyway, 00:18:34.080 --> 00:18:34.940 Is intimacy, 00:18:35.160 --> 00:18:36.580 And relationship with God, 00:18:37.360 --> 00:18:39.840 When you read Genesis 1 and 2, 00:18:40.100 --> 00:18:41.920 There's kind of these two creation accounts, 00:18:42.700 --> 00:18:44.279 Genesis 1 is kind of high level, 00:18:44.620 --> 00:18:45.460 God makes the heavens, 00:18:45.539 --> 00:18:46.140 And the earth, 00:18:46.480 --> 00:18:47.880 The galaxies, 00:18:48.519 --> 00:18:49.360 And the earth, 00:18:49.359 --> 00:18:50.819 Plants and animals, 00:18:50.959 --> 00:18:51.559 And humankind, 00:18:51.839 --> 00:18:52.799 And then chapter 2, 00:18:53.479 --> 00:18:54.759 Kind of narrows down, 00:18:54.839 --> 00:18:56.359 And God tells the creation account, 00:18:56.459 --> 00:18:58.019 Again from a second angle, 00:18:58.659 --> 00:18:59.559 And the second angle, 00:18:59.659 --> 00:19:01.779 He really focuses on humanity, 00:19:02.099 --> 00:19:03.539 And what's his big point there, 00:19:04.159 --> 00:19:06.240 Notice the focus on relationship, 00:19:07.319 --> 00:19:09.979 God's relationship to humanity, 00:19:10.639 --> 00:19:12.279 Our relationship to one another, 00:19:12.779 --> 00:19:14.459 And our relationship to creation, 00:19:14.459 --> 00:19:15.740 That's kind of the main point, 00:19:15.879 --> 00:19:17.719 Of Genesis chapter 2, 00:19:17.720 --> 00:19:21.519 Why does God take a step further, 00:19:21.700 --> 00:19:23.740 And make human beings in his likeness, 00:19:24.720 --> 00:19:26.640 Why does God make us to be relational, 00:19:26.779 --> 00:19:27.720 It's not because God is lonely, 00:19:28.059 --> 00:19:29.240 He has perfect relationship, 00:19:29.360 --> 00:19:29.980 Within the Trinity, 00:19:30.200 --> 00:19:30.400 Father, 00:19:30.519 --> 00:19:30.980 Son and Spirit, 00:19:31.079 --> 00:19:31.860 He doesn't need us, 00:19:32.640 --> 00:19:33.900 It's not because God needs anything, 00:19:34.559 --> 00:19:36.440 He makes us to enjoy, 00:19:36.620 --> 00:19:37.140 And benefit, 00:19:37.299 --> 00:19:39.100 And partake in his goodness, 00:19:39.920 --> 00:19:41.860 That's what it means to be in a relationship with him, 00:19:42.759 --> 00:19:44.380 Even God's commands like, 00:19:45.000 --> 00:19:45.740 Don't eat of this, 00:19:45.740 --> 00:19:46.559 Don't do this, 00:19:46.700 --> 00:19:47.799 Don't go near there, 00:19:48.120 --> 00:19:49.500 These aren't arbitrary commands, 00:19:49.579 --> 00:19:51.539 Because God is just trying to trip us up, 00:19:51.839 --> 00:19:53.700 These are for the purpose of relationship, 00:19:53.940 --> 00:19:55.200 I want to have a relationship with you, 00:19:55.539 --> 00:19:57.299 Don't go somewhere, 00:19:57.359 --> 00:19:58.640 That's going to damage our relationship, 00:19:59.299 --> 00:20:00.400 And so friends, 00:20:00.480 --> 00:20:02.120 This is really important here, 00:20:02.700 --> 00:20:03.940 God tells us, 00:20:04.460 --> 00:20:05.579 Part of the essence, 00:20:05.680 --> 00:20:08.220 Of what it means to be a human being, 00:20:08.720 --> 00:20:11.220 One of the core essences of our humanity, 00:20:11.220 --> 00:20:13.920 Is to live in constant, 00:20:14.460 --> 00:20:15.019 Dynamic, 00:20:15.640 --> 00:20:16.620 Ongoing, 00:20:16.799 --> 00:20:17.640 Relationship, 00:20:17.700 --> 00:20:18.460 With God, 00:20:19.140 --> 00:20:20.799 And that when that is missing, 00:20:21.180 --> 00:20:23.240 There's a core part of our humanity, 00:20:23.600 --> 00:20:25.299 In essence of what it means to be human, 00:20:25.680 --> 00:20:26.700 That is missing, 00:20:27.539 --> 00:20:28.519 It's the reason why, 00:20:28.600 --> 00:20:29.960 St. Augustine famously said, 00:20:30.440 --> 00:20:32.059 You have made us for yourself, 00:20:32.200 --> 00:20:32.700 Oh God, 00:20:32.759 --> 00:20:35.140 And our hearts will always be restless, 00:20:35.940 --> 00:20:38.120 Until we find our rest in you, 00:20:38.119 --> 00:20:42.219 In Genesis chapter 2, 00:20:42.959 --> 00:20:43.359 God says, 00:20:43.679 --> 00:20:45.279 God rests from his creation, 00:20:45.419 --> 00:20:47.639 And invites mankind into that rest, 00:20:47.719 --> 00:20:48.000 How? 00:20:48.459 --> 00:20:50.079 By coming into relationship, 00:20:51.339 --> 00:20:51.579 Friends, 00:20:51.619 --> 00:20:52.539 It's the reason why, 00:20:52.919 --> 00:20:54.179 No amount of money, 00:20:54.839 --> 00:20:56.259 Or career progression, 00:20:57.019 --> 00:20:58.599 Or romantic relationships, 00:20:58.939 --> 00:21:00.259 Or sexual experiences, 00:21:00.459 --> 00:21:01.119 Or promotion, 00:21:01.639 --> 00:21:03.139 Or anything else you can put in that category, 00:21:03.139 --> 00:21:04.359 No amount of those things, 00:21:04.539 --> 00:21:06.719 Will most deeply satisfy you, 00:21:06.720 --> 00:21:08.799 Because your heart wasn't made, 00:21:08.880 --> 00:21:09.960 For career promotion, 00:21:10.539 --> 00:21:11.180 Or money, 00:21:11.620 --> 00:21:13.380 Or romantic relationships alone, 00:21:14.440 --> 00:21:15.799 It was made fundamentally, 00:21:15.940 --> 00:21:16.759 The essence of your, 00:21:16.839 --> 00:21:18.100 The deepest part of your heart, 00:21:18.460 --> 00:21:20.039 Is to be in a relationship with God, 00:21:20.880 --> 00:21:21.460 And so yes, 00:21:21.539 --> 00:21:22.600 You are a moral being, 00:21:23.180 --> 00:21:24.559 Yes you are a creative being, 00:21:24.700 --> 00:21:26.140 You are a relational being, 00:21:26.559 --> 00:21:27.920 But at most basic, 00:21:28.039 --> 00:21:28.779 Essential level, 00:21:28.900 --> 00:21:30.200 What it means to be a human being, 00:21:31.039 --> 00:21:32.980 Is as the Latin phrase is, 00:21:33.299 --> 00:21:34.079 Corum Deo, 00:21:34.180 --> 00:21:35.839 To live before the face of God, 00:21:35.839 --> 00:21:38.359 To walk in relationship with him, 00:21:39.099 --> 00:21:41.359 And so here we see in Genesis 1-2, 00:21:41.500 --> 00:21:43.559 This perfect picture of God's design, 00:21:43.679 --> 00:21:44.279 For the world, 00:21:44.480 --> 00:21:47.119 It's as Vaughn Roberts puts it, 00:21:47.179 --> 00:21:48.899 It's a picture of the kingdom of God, 00:21:48.980 --> 00:21:50.000 It's God's people, 00:21:50.399 --> 00:21:51.819 Living in God's place, 00:21:51.919 --> 00:21:52.539 The garden of Eden, 00:21:52.959 --> 00:21:54.480 Under God's rule, 00:21:55.019 --> 00:21:56.699 And experiencing God's blessing, 00:21:57.059 --> 00:21:58.220 That's the pattern, 00:21:58.480 --> 00:21:59.639 For God's creation, 00:21:59.819 --> 00:22:00.500 God's people, 00:22:00.679 --> 00:22:01.579 Living in God's place, 00:22:01.720 --> 00:22:02.659 Under his rule, 00:22:03.000 --> 00:22:04.959 And experiencing God's blessing, 00:22:04.960 --> 00:22:06.940 And all, 00:22:07.279 --> 00:22:08.680 Everyone lived happily ever after, 00:22:09.319 --> 00:22:10.059 No unfortunately, 00:22:10.259 --> 00:22:11.220 That's not what happens, 00:22:11.299 --> 00:22:11.500 Right, 00:22:12.279 --> 00:22:12.799 Unfortunately, 00:22:13.259 --> 00:22:14.720 We get to Genesis chapter 3, 00:22:14.819 --> 00:22:16.019 Because in some ways, 00:22:16.120 --> 00:22:16.880 Genesis 1-2, 00:22:16.960 --> 00:22:18.740 Can sound a little bit like Disneyland, 00:22:19.019 --> 00:22:19.259 Right, 00:22:19.640 --> 00:22:20.720 It sounds all wonderful, 00:22:20.940 --> 00:22:21.740 It sounds amazing, 00:22:22.079 --> 00:22:22.920 Sounds magical, 00:22:23.400 --> 00:22:24.640 But it sounds unrealistic, 00:22:25.360 --> 00:22:26.380 Because if you've lived, 00:22:26.420 --> 00:22:27.579 More than one day, 00:22:27.680 --> 00:22:28.579 In the real world, 00:22:28.980 --> 00:22:30.980 Especially maybe our world presently, 00:22:31.039 --> 00:22:32.180 With everything that's going on, 00:22:32.180 --> 00:22:33.779 It can feel like, 00:22:33.779 --> 00:22:35.560 This is a very far picture, 00:22:35.560 --> 00:22:36.620 From our world, 00:22:37.620 --> 00:22:38.600 And that of course, 00:22:38.660 --> 00:22:40.000 Is what Genesis 3 is all about, 00:22:40.720 --> 00:22:41.400 In Genesis 3, 00:22:41.480 --> 00:22:42.720 We see two main things, 00:22:42.779 --> 00:22:43.799 We see the problem, 00:22:44.380 --> 00:22:45.759 And we see the effect, 00:22:45.759 --> 00:22:46.360 Of the problem, 00:22:46.460 --> 00:22:47.680 We see the cause, 00:22:47.740 --> 00:22:48.539 Of what went wrong, 00:22:48.820 --> 00:22:50.360 And we see its consequences, 00:22:50.860 --> 00:22:52.460 So let's look at those things together, 00:22:52.580 --> 00:22:52.840 Firstly, 00:22:53.799 --> 00:22:55.000 What's our great problem? 00:22:55.820 --> 00:22:57.039 Man's great sin, 00:22:57.620 --> 00:22:58.420 What goes wrong, 00:22:58.500 --> 00:22:59.500 With God's good will, 00:22:59.500 --> 00:22:59.819 In the real world, 00:22:59.940 --> 00:23:00.940 Mankind decides, 00:23:01.059 --> 00:23:02.380 Not to live under God's rule, 00:23:02.920 --> 00:23:04.460 We rebel against his authority, 00:23:05.059 --> 00:23:06.700 We decide to do things our own way, 00:23:07.019 --> 00:23:09.779 And we replace God's gracious rule, 00:23:10.160 --> 00:23:11.099 With our independence, 00:23:11.839 --> 00:23:12.720 Putting ourselves, 00:23:12.900 --> 00:23:13.779 In the place of God, 00:23:13.839 --> 00:23:15.200 And we see this in a number of ways, 00:23:15.920 --> 00:23:16.539 Notice firstly, 00:23:16.660 --> 00:23:17.700 How Adam and Eve, 00:23:17.839 --> 00:23:18.859 Question God's word, 00:23:18.940 --> 00:23:20.900 And they question God's authority, 00:23:21.759 --> 00:23:23.079 What does Satan say to them, 00:23:23.140 --> 00:23:24.140 In verse 1 of chapter 3, 00:23:24.220 --> 00:23:25.039 Look at the bulletin, 00:23:25.119 --> 00:23:25.519 He says, 00:23:25.519 --> 00:23:27.680 Did God actually say, 00:23:28.200 --> 00:23:29.660 You shall not eat of any tree, 00:23:29.740 --> 00:23:30.220 In the garden? 00:23:30.859 --> 00:23:31.559 And Eve responds, 00:23:31.639 --> 00:23:32.139 Yes, 00:23:32.259 --> 00:23:33.139 He did, 00:23:33.220 --> 00:23:34.160 He said if we do that, 00:23:34.220 --> 00:23:34.740 We will die, 00:23:35.359 --> 00:23:36.059 And Satan says, 00:23:36.319 --> 00:23:36.940 Oh that's rubbish, 00:23:37.019 --> 00:23:37.660 You won't die, 00:23:38.359 --> 00:23:39.319 No God is just, 00:23:39.420 --> 00:23:40.200 He's playing with you, 00:23:40.279 --> 00:23:41.460 God knows that when you eat of it, 00:23:41.500 --> 00:23:42.420 Your eyes will be opened, 00:23:42.539 --> 00:23:43.500 You will be like God, 00:23:43.559 --> 00:23:44.359 You'll be wise, 00:23:45.000 --> 00:23:46.819 Don't listen to God's word, 00:23:47.299 --> 00:23:48.379 Don't listen to God, 00:23:49.059 --> 00:23:49.980 And they believe him, 00:23:50.799 --> 00:23:51.700 They doubt God's word, 00:23:51.779 --> 00:23:52.839 They question his authority, 00:23:52.839 --> 00:23:55.399 And they start to ask themselves, 00:23:55.619 --> 00:23:56.559 Is it really important, 00:23:56.740 --> 00:23:58.119 To obey everything God said, 00:23:58.799 --> 00:24:00.619 And maybe we can just obey most of it, 00:24:01.059 --> 00:24:02.000 And that's good enough, 00:24:02.899 --> 00:24:03.980 And they question his word, 00:24:04.039 --> 00:24:04.659 And his authority, 00:24:04.799 --> 00:24:06.179 And look at how they do this, 00:24:06.559 --> 00:24:07.579 Why do they do this, 00:24:07.919 --> 00:24:10.539 Because they doubt God's goodness, 00:24:11.379 --> 00:24:12.359 Look at 3 verse 6, 00:24:12.939 --> 00:24:13.339 It says, 00:24:13.339 --> 00:24:15.279 When Eve saw that the tree was good, 00:24:15.619 --> 00:24:16.459 For food, 00:24:16.539 --> 00:24:18.019 It was a delight to the eyes, 00:24:18.539 --> 00:24:20.859 That the tree was to make one wise, 00:24:20.859 --> 00:24:22.479 She took of its fruit, 00:24:22.559 --> 00:24:23.899 And she ate it, 00:24:24.339 --> 00:24:25.579 She gave some to her husband, 00:24:25.639 --> 00:24:26.199 Who was with her, 00:24:26.259 --> 00:24:27.519 And he ate as well, 00:24:28.039 --> 00:24:30.319 Why do they reject God's authority, 00:24:30.500 --> 00:24:31.979 Rebel against his word, 00:24:32.719 --> 00:24:34.059 It's because they've been convinced, 00:24:34.299 --> 00:24:35.399 That God is not so good, 00:24:36.139 --> 00:24:37.619 God doesn't really want, 00:24:37.699 --> 00:24:39.259 Their best interest at heart, 00:24:39.979 --> 00:24:42.179 He's just putting arbitrary rules in place, 00:24:42.579 --> 00:24:43.799 God is a killjoy, 00:24:44.379 --> 00:24:46.000 He wants to stifle their fun, 00:24:46.479 --> 00:24:48.159 He wants to minimize their pleasure, 00:24:48.160 --> 00:24:51.700 He wants to restrict their happiness, 00:24:52.779 --> 00:24:53.200 And so they say, 00:24:53.259 --> 00:24:54.580 God we know a better way, 00:24:54.660 --> 00:24:55.380 We know what we're doing, 00:24:56.240 --> 00:24:57.060 And so maybe I can ask us, 00:24:57.140 --> 00:24:58.980 How many of us have felt like this, 00:24:59.460 --> 00:25:00.660 Maybe even the last week, 00:25:01.680 --> 00:25:02.160 You felt like, 00:25:02.420 --> 00:25:04.440 God I know you probably don't want this, 00:25:05.080 --> 00:25:07.200 But I'm sure you just don't want my happiness, 00:25:07.840 --> 00:25:08.940 If it makes me happy, 00:25:09.040 --> 00:25:10.019 What can be wrong with it, 00:25:10.220 --> 00:25:11.540 Surely God wants me to be happy, 00:25:12.740 --> 00:25:13.920 And we find ourselves, 00:25:14.560 --> 00:25:16.600 Questioning God's word, 00:25:16.740 --> 00:25:17.300 And his authority, 00:25:17.299 --> 00:25:18.519 But notice the second thing, 00:25:19.019 --> 00:25:20.599 They want to be like God, 00:25:20.659 --> 00:25:22.059 They want to take his place, 00:25:22.799 --> 00:25:25.059 I've often thought about this over the years, 00:25:25.579 --> 00:25:26.440 There's this one tree, 00:25:26.519 --> 00:25:27.740 That they are forbidden to eat of, 00:25:27.759 --> 00:25:28.859 What is the tree called? 00:25:29.579 --> 00:25:32.180 It's the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, 00:25:32.599 --> 00:25:34.039 And I for years have thought, 00:25:34.180 --> 00:25:35.500 That is the strangest thing, 00:25:35.599 --> 00:25:37.339 Like what is wrong with knowing, 00:25:37.519 --> 00:25:38.740 The difference between good and evil, 00:25:38.839 --> 00:25:39.799 Surely that's a good thing, 00:25:40.419 --> 00:25:41.500 I mean you would think that God, 00:25:41.579 --> 00:25:42.859 Would want his people to know, 00:25:43.000 --> 00:25:44.259 The difference between good and evil, 00:25:44.619 --> 00:25:44.859 Right, 00:25:45.079 --> 00:25:46.180 What's wrong with that? 00:25:46.180 --> 00:25:48.860 But actually, 00:25:49.519 --> 00:25:50.640 The issue here, 00:25:50.740 --> 00:25:52.799 Is not simply knowing good and evil, 00:25:53.340 --> 00:25:55.860 It's the authority to determine good and evil, 00:25:56.640 --> 00:25:57.560 Look at verse 11, 00:25:57.700 --> 00:25:57.900 It says, 00:25:58.380 --> 00:25:59.880 Eve saw that the tree was desired, 00:26:00.000 --> 00:26:01.080 To make one wise, 00:26:01.180 --> 00:26:01.500 You might say, 00:26:01.560 --> 00:26:02.860 What's the problem with being wise, 00:26:02.940 --> 00:26:03.080 Right, 00:26:03.120 --> 00:26:03.799 That's a good thing, 00:26:04.360 --> 00:26:06.140 The issue is not simply knowing, 00:26:06.140 --> 00:26:07.580 The difference between good and evil, 00:26:07.900 --> 00:26:09.220 It's determining it, 00:26:09.820 --> 00:26:10.920 It's deciding it, 00:26:10.920 --> 00:26:12.980 It's defining it, 00:26:13.620 --> 00:26:14.960 It's saying, 00:26:15.340 --> 00:26:17.380 We will decide what is right and wrong, 00:26:17.960 --> 00:26:19.539 We will decide what is good, 00:26:19.600 --> 00:26:20.500 And what is not good, 00:26:21.200 --> 00:26:23.440 When Adam and Eve want to do that, 00:26:23.500 --> 00:26:25.060 They don't just want to know good and evil, 00:26:25.180 --> 00:26:26.400 They want to define it, 00:26:27.200 --> 00:26:28.980 Essentially they want to be God, 00:26:29.500 --> 00:26:30.940 They want to take God's place, 00:26:31.860 --> 00:26:33.259 They don't want to submit to his authority, 00:26:33.420 --> 00:26:33.960 His rule, 00:26:34.640 --> 00:26:35.800 They don't want to live under his rule, 00:26:35.880 --> 00:26:37.019 They want to be their own authority, 00:26:37.019 --> 00:26:38.299 And friends, 00:26:38.400 --> 00:26:40.160 This really is the essence of sin, 00:26:40.220 --> 00:26:40.720 Isn't it? 00:26:41.480 --> 00:26:43.960 Sin is not just doing bad things, 00:26:44.339 --> 00:26:45.940 It's having a heart posture that says, 00:26:46.079 --> 00:26:47.680 I want to be in God's place, 00:26:48.480 --> 00:26:49.839 I want to be my own God, 00:26:50.460 --> 00:26:51.720 I want to be my own authority, 00:26:52.559 --> 00:26:54.480 John Stott famously said it like this, 00:26:54.980 --> 00:26:58.200 The essence of sin is man substituting himself for God, 00:26:58.859 --> 00:27:01.420 Mankind asserting himself against God, 00:27:01.460 --> 00:27:03.579 And putting himself where only God deserves to be, 00:27:04.259 --> 00:27:06.059 Humanity claiming prerogatives, 00:27:06.059 --> 00:27:08.019 That belong to God alone, 00:27:09.039 --> 00:27:09.299 Friends, 00:27:09.339 --> 00:27:10.480 Here we have the reason, 00:27:10.679 --> 00:27:11.399 The cause, 00:27:11.679 --> 00:27:13.759 For everything that is wrong, 00:27:14.339 --> 00:27:14.899 And broken, 00:27:15.559 --> 00:27:16.500 And sad, 00:27:17.099 --> 00:27:18.659 And anxiety causing, 00:27:19.240 --> 00:27:19.879 And horrible, 00:27:20.179 --> 00:27:21.519 And painful in our world, 00:27:22.599 --> 00:27:24.559 That God's good design for his world, 00:27:24.679 --> 00:27:26.039 Is to live in shalom, 00:27:26.200 --> 00:27:26.919 Perfect peace, 00:27:27.039 --> 00:27:27.799 And unity, 00:27:28.000 --> 00:27:28.639 And harmony, 00:27:29.679 --> 00:27:31.740 But as his pinnacle creation, 00:27:31.899 --> 00:27:32.419 We've rebelled, 00:27:32.480 --> 00:27:33.299 And we've gone our own way, 00:27:33.339 --> 00:27:33.659 And we've said, 00:27:33.759 --> 00:27:34.859 We will be our God, 00:27:34.859 --> 00:27:35.339 God, 00:27:35.519 --> 00:27:36.079 Back off, 00:27:37.079 --> 00:27:38.159 We've sinned against God, 00:27:38.240 --> 00:27:39.399 And we've rebelled against his rule, 00:27:39.799 --> 00:27:42.059 And we've pursued a path of wanting to be his equal, 00:27:42.740 --> 00:27:43.439 But unfortunately, 00:27:43.559 --> 00:27:44.679 The bad news doesn't end there, 00:27:45.519 --> 00:27:47.459 Because not only is the problem, 00:27:47.679 --> 00:27:47.859 There's, 00:27:48.259 --> 00:27:50.240 The consequences are equally tragic, 00:27:50.919 --> 00:27:52.379 Sin's tragic consequences, 00:27:52.879 --> 00:27:54.039 And we see a couple of things here, 00:27:54.079 --> 00:27:55.000 Let me run through them quickly, 00:27:55.379 --> 00:27:56.059 The first is, 00:27:56.399 --> 00:27:57.000 We see that, 00:27:57.339 --> 00:27:58.479 The consequence of sin, 00:27:58.539 --> 00:28:00.979 Is that death enters into the world, 00:28:00.980 --> 00:28:02.860 Earlier on, 00:28:02.900 --> 00:28:03.180 You remember, 00:28:03.460 --> 00:28:04.480 God says to Eve, 00:28:04.799 --> 00:28:05.500 To Adam and Eve, 00:28:05.700 --> 00:28:06.779 Don't eat of the tree, 00:28:07.259 --> 00:28:08.779 Don't rebel against my command, 00:28:08.819 --> 00:28:09.319 If you do, 00:28:09.440 --> 00:28:10.440 You will surely die, 00:28:11.079 --> 00:28:12.200 And they don't listen to God, 00:28:12.319 --> 00:28:13.400 And they don't die, 00:28:13.960 --> 00:28:14.259 You think, 00:28:14.360 --> 00:28:15.380 God was bluffing, 00:28:15.880 --> 00:28:16.740 They called his bluff, 00:28:17.740 --> 00:28:18.220 But actually, 00:28:18.319 --> 00:28:19.099 We see that death, 00:28:19.160 --> 00:28:20.160 Does enter the world, 00:28:20.680 --> 00:28:22.839 Death enters every aspect of the world, 00:28:22.920 --> 00:28:23.880 It enters their relationships, 00:28:24.620 --> 00:28:27.200 It enters the way they handle creation, 00:28:27.839 --> 00:28:29.859 It enters their own sense of self-worth, 00:28:29.940 --> 00:28:30.339 And identity, 00:28:30.500 --> 00:28:31.940 The imago Dei, 00:28:32.019 --> 00:28:33.500 The image of God is broken, 00:28:33.940 --> 00:28:34.940 A part of it dies, 00:28:35.700 --> 00:28:36.099 But actually, 00:28:36.160 --> 00:28:37.160 As you read Genesis on, 00:28:37.240 --> 00:28:37.480 You see, 00:28:37.759 --> 00:28:38.819 Death enters into the world, 00:28:38.839 --> 00:28:39.859 In the most tragic way, 00:28:40.559 --> 00:28:41.640 In Genesis chapter 4, 00:28:41.720 --> 00:28:42.480 It starts off with, 00:28:42.819 --> 00:28:43.920 Adam needs sons, 00:28:44.220 --> 00:28:45.000 Cain and Abel, 00:28:45.519 --> 00:28:46.680 Cain rises up, 00:28:46.680 --> 00:28:47.700 And murders his brother, 00:28:48.400 --> 00:28:49.920 And then one of Cain's descendants, 00:28:50.080 --> 00:28:51.039 A man called Lamech, 00:28:51.420 --> 00:28:52.799 He is a fierce warrior, 00:28:52.980 --> 00:28:54.320 And he boasts one day, 00:28:54.660 --> 00:28:55.460 I've killed the man, 00:28:55.519 --> 00:28:56.759 Just for looking at me funny, 00:28:57.440 --> 00:28:58.320 He doesn't quite say that, 00:28:58.340 --> 00:28:59.440 He says for insulting me, 00:28:59.460 --> 00:29:00.120 Or striking me, 00:29:00.240 --> 00:29:01.860 But he kills the man, 00:29:01.920 --> 00:29:02.600 In his rage, 00:29:03.320 --> 00:29:04.840 And then Genesis chapter 5, 00:29:05.019 --> 00:29:06.080 There's this genealogy, 00:29:06.080 --> 00:29:08.140 Of all the descendants of Adam, 00:29:08.460 --> 00:29:08.880 And says, 00:29:09.140 --> 00:29:10.400 So and so lived so many years, 00:29:10.460 --> 00:29:11.000 And he died, 00:29:11.100 --> 00:29:12.299 And so and so lived so many years, 00:29:12.360 --> 00:29:13.019 And he died, 00:29:13.360 --> 00:29:14.480 And he lived so many years, 00:29:14.539 --> 00:29:15.060 And he died, 00:29:15.120 --> 00:29:15.640 And he died, 00:29:15.720 --> 00:29:16.160 And he died, 00:29:16.220 --> 00:29:16.519 And he died, 00:29:16.519 --> 00:29:17.599 And death, 00:29:17.960 --> 00:29:19.420 Enters into our world, 00:29:20.559 --> 00:29:22.180 It's the consequence of sin, 00:29:22.259 --> 00:29:23.180 Coming into our world, 00:29:25.200 --> 00:29:26.000 And where God's world, 00:29:26.039 --> 00:29:27.500 Was marked with life and joy, 00:29:27.579 --> 00:29:28.819 It's now marked with destruction, 00:29:29.019 --> 00:29:29.599 Death and decay, 00:29:30.019 --> 00:29:30.759 The second thing is, 00:29:31.099 --> 00:29:32.680 All mankind is infected, 00:29:32.680 --> 00:29:34.799 With this hereditary disease, 00:29:35.240 --> 00:29:36.559 Called a sinful nature, 00:29:37.440 --> 00:29:38.539 We are all born, 00:29:38.720 --> 00:29:40.460 With a defect in our souls, 00:29:40.559 --> 00:29:42.160 Called this sinful nature, 00:29:42.240 --> 00:29:42.980 And it's passed down, 00:29:43.200 --> 00:29:44.559 From generation to generation, 00:29:44.559 --> 00:29:46.460 We are all inherently born with it, 00:29:46.740 --> 00:29:48.039 We cannot get away from it, 00:29:48.440 --> 00:29:49.919 We have this nature inside of us, 00:29:49.960 --> 00:29:51.940 Our souls are bent on following, 00:29:52.259 --> 00:29:53.299 After our forefathers, 00:29:53.419 --> 00:29:54.879 Adam even going our own way, 00:29:55.240 --> 00:29:56.139 And rejecting God, 00:29:56.220 --> 00:29:56.359 And saying, 00:29:56.460 --> 00:29:57.720 We will do things our way, 00:29:58.419 --> 00:29:59.440 And that becomes, 00:29:59.519 --> 00:30:01.019 The default posture, 00:30:01.379 --> 00:30:01.899 We sang about, 00:30:02.899 --> 00:30:03.980 Deliver me from my, 00:30:04.220 --> 00:30:05.299 Prideful disposition, 00:30:05.299 --> 00:30:06.539 Our disposition, 00:30:06.779 --> 00:30:07.399 Our posture, 00:30:08.139 --> 00:30:09.119 Becomes one of pride, 00:30:09.240 --> 00:30:10.639 I will be my own master, 00:30:11.379 --> 00:30:12.559 I won't listen to your rule, 00:30:12.680 --> 00:30:13.720 I'll listen to my rule, 00:30:14.639 --> 00:30:15.819 I'll become independent, 00:30:16.680 --> 00:30:17.639 So we are by nature, 00:30:17.740 --> 00:30:19.299 Bent on doing things our own way, 00:30:19.419 --> 00:30:20.440 Rejecting God's rule, 00:30:20.579 --> 00:30:21.399 Wanting our independence, 00:30:22.119 --> 00:30:23.639 And the problem with this disease, 00:30:23.740 --> 00:30:25.240 Is it's lodged in our souls, 00:30:25.339 --> 00:30:26.099 And it makes us to, 00:30:26.319 --> 00:30:27.919 Continue to perpetuate, 00:30:28.200 --> 00:30:30.079 The same things that our forefathers did, 00:30:30.759 --> 00:30:31.579 And so we look at them and say, 00:30:31.659 --> 00:30:31.859 Adam, 00:30:31.859 --> 00:30:32.799 You're so foolish, 00:30:32.879 --> 00:30:33.700 Why could you do that, 00:30:33.700 --> 00:30:34.680 Look at what you've done, 00:30:35.480 --> 00:30:36.660 But our sinful nature means, 00:30:37.019 --> 00:30:39.340 We perpetuate the same sins ourselves, 00:30:40.259 --> 00:30:40.779 And of course, 00:30:41.160 --> 00:30:42.060 That leads to, 00:30:42.440 --> 00:30:43.640 The more obvious consequences, 00:30:43.759 --> 00:30:45.060 We see in our everyday lives, 00:30:45.539 --> 00:30:47.140 Breakdown of human relationships, 00:30:48.039 --> 00:30:49.019 Did you see, 00:30:49.180 --> 00:30:49.539 Notice how, 00:30:49.840 --> 00:30:51.060 Adam and Eve's relationship, 00:30:51.259 --> 00:30:52.920 Rather than Adam protecting Eve, 00:30:53.019 --> 00:30:53.920 And standing up for her, 00:30:53.960 --> 00:30:54.640 And being there for her, 00:30:54.680 --> 00:30:55.200 What does he do? 00:30:55.600 --> 00:30:56.920 He throws her under the bus, 00:30:57.660 --> 00:30:59.360 CK I love how you read it earlier, 00:30:59.580 --> 00:31:01.740 God says to Adam, 00:31:01.860 --> 00:31:02.460 What have you done? 00:31:02.460 --> 00:31:02.799 He says, 00:31:02.900 --> 00:31:03.980 She made me do it, 00:31:03.980 --> 00:31:05.099 And Eve, 00:31:05.160 --> 00:31:05.660 What have you done? 00:31:05.779 --> 00:31:07.079 The serpent made me do it, 00:31:07.599 --> 00:31:08.920 But Adam and Eve's relationship, 00:31:09.039 --> 00:31:10.039 Rather than being intimacy, 00:31:10.240 --> 00:31:10.579 And joy, 00:31:10.680 --> 00:31:11.240 And protection, 00:31:11.440 --> 00:31:12.000 And safety, 00:31:12.860 --> 00:31:14.099 Is now marked by blaming, 00:31:15.099 --> 00:31:16.360 Distancing each other, 00:31:16.860 --> 00:31:18.039 Conflict with each other, 00:31:18.039 --> 00:31:19.879 And even our most intimate, 00:31:19.879 --> 00:31:19.899 And even our most intimate, 00:31:20.000 --> 00:31:21.420 And precious relationships, 00:31:22.099 --> 00:31:23.139 Are now marked with, 00:31:23.680 --> 00:31:24.299 Conflict, 00:31:25.879 --> 00:31:26.500 There's shame, 00:31:26.619 --> 00:31:27.339 There's mistrust, 00:31:27.859 --> 00:31:29.079 There's using and abusing, 00:31:29.299 --> 00:31:30.259 Mistreating each other, 00:31:31.279 --> 00:31:31.480 Friends, 00:31:31.500 --> 00:31:32.079 Have you ever felt, 00:31:32.180 --> 00:31:32.920 Used or abused, 00:31:33.139 --> 00:31:33.619 Mistreated, 00:31:33.980 --> 00:31:35.240 Blamed for something you didn't do? 00:31:35.859 --> 00:31:37.299 It's the tragic consequences, 00:31:37.299 --> 00:31:38.399 Of sin being unleashed, 00:31:38.500 --> 00:31:38.940 In our world, 00:31:38.980 --> 00:31:39.379 And of course, 00:31:39.859 --> 00:31:40.799 Mankind's relationship, 00:31:40.899 --> 00:31:41.519 With creation, 00:31:41.700 --> 00:31:42.180 Is broken, 00:31:42.180 --> 00:31:44.140 Rather than being, 00:31:44.140 --> 00:31:45.160 God's image bearers, 00:31:45.220 --> 00:31:46.279 We now steward, 00:31:46.360 --> 00:31:47.420 And look after his creation, 00:31:48.000 --> 00:31:49.000 Now that relationship, 00:31:49.180 --> 00:31:50.480 Is fraught with difficulty, 00:31:51.140 --> 00:31:51.779 Child bearing, 00:31:52.019 --> 00:31:52.440 Work, 00:31:52.740 --> 00:31:53.980 Every part of our relationship, 00:31:53.980 --> 00:31:54.940 With the world, 00:31:55.019 --> 00:31:56.039 Is broken, 00:31:56.680 --> 00:31:57.259 But of course, 00:31:57.320 --> 00:31:58.279 The biggest issue here, 00:31:58.779 --> 00:32:00.100 Is that mankind's relationship, 00:32:00.100 --> 00:32:01.580 With God is broken, 00:32:02.380 --> 00:32:02.779 And so actually, 00:32:02.980 --> 00:32:04.480 Our horizontal relationships, 00:32:04.680 --> 00:32:05.560 Are a mirror image, 00:32:05.600 --> 00:32:06.779 Of our broken relationship, 00:32:07.080 --> 00:32:07.940 With God, 00:32:08.640 --> 00:32:09.860 And we may, 00:32:10.000 --> 00:32:10.900 To walk with God, 00:32:10.960 --> 00:32:11.600 And know him, 00:32:11.599 --> 00:32:12.939 And experience his joy, 00:32:13.480 --> 00:32:14.179 And the intimacy, 00:32:14.179 --> 00:32:15.019 Of being loved, 00:32:15.139 --> 00:32:16.179 And known fully, 00:32:16.679 --> 00:32:17.719 By this God, 00:32:18.639 --> 00:32:19.199 And now, 00:32:19.959 --> 00:32:20.959 We don't know that anymore, 00:32:21.039 --> 00:32:21.819 We don't feel that, 00:32:21.879 --> 00:32:22.919 We don't sense that, 00:32:23.659 --> 00:32:24.480 Our identity, 00:32:24.619 --> 00:32:25.379 And our security, 00:32:25.559 --> 00:32:26.119 Our rest, 00:32:26.199 --> 00:32:27.359 That we were made to live with, 00:32:27.419 --> 00:32:29.119 Has collapsed in on itself, 00:32:30.159 --> 00:32:30.740 And here we see, 00:32:30.899 --> 00:32:31.939 The tragedy of the fall, 00:32:33.579 --> 00:32:34.679 In Genesis 2, 00:32:34.759 --> 00:32:35.539 At the end it says, 00:32:35.959 --> 00:32:37.139 In the beginning of chapter, 00:32:37.439 --> 00:32:38.980 The beginning of chapter 2, 00:32:39.059 --> 00:32:39.299 It says, 00:32:39.439 --> 00:32:40.419 God rested, 00:32:40.579 --> 00:32:41.339 Invited Adam, 00:32:41.339 --> 00:32:41.939 And this rest, 00:32:42.599 --> 00:32:43.519 At the end of chapter 2, 00:32:43.579 --> 00:32:43.819 It says, 00:32:43.939 --> 00:32:44.859 Adam and Eve were naked, 00:32:44.980 --> 00:32:46.259 And they felt no shame, 00:32:47.019 --> 00:32:48.319 It's nakedness with one another, 00:32:48.379 --> 00:32:49.639 But it's also nakedness with God, 00:32:49.699 --> 00:32:51.500 It's this place of complete vulnerability, 00:32:51.879 --> 00:32:52.500 Security, 00:32:53.199 --> 00:32:53.559 Rest, 00:32:53.799 --> 00:32:54.740 Transparency, 00:32:55.519 --> 00:32:56.099 No shame, 00:32:56.179 --> 00:32:56.819 No difficulty, 00:32:57.579 --> 00:32:58.899 But at the end of chapter 2, 00:32:58.959 --> 00:32:59.459 What happens, 00:32:59.539 --> 00:33:00.299 All that is gone, 00:33:00.859 --> 00:33:01.559 After they sin, 00:33:01.599 --> 00:33:02.819 They cover up their nakedness, 00:33:02.899 --> 00:33:04.619 They hide from the face of God, 00:33:05.859 --> 00:33:06.859 Let me ask you this question, 00:33:07.019 --> 00:33:08.379 I don't know if you've ever experienced this, 00:33:08.380 --> 00:33:10.740 What happens when a child, 00:33:11.520 --> 00:33:14.240 Is in a healthy relationship with their parents, 00:33:14.340 --> 00:33:15.760 And they create something wonderful, 00:33:16.560 --> 00:33:16.760 Okay, 00:33:16.800 --> 00:33:18.100 They do an art or a craft, 00:33:18.200 --> 00:33:19.120 Or a STEM project, 00:33:19.520 --> 00:33:20.980 And the parent walks in the room, 00:33:21.020 --> 00:33:21.840 What does the child do? 00:33:22.540 --> 00:33:23.420 Mom and dad, 00:33:23.540 --> 00:33:24.560 Look what I made, 00:33:25.100 --> 00:33:25.940 And the mom and dad say, 00:33:26.060 --> 00:33:27.580 Those are the most wonderful squiggles, 00:33:27.700 --> 00:33:28.260 I've ever seen, 00:33:28.360 --> 00:33:28.600 Right? 00:33:29.020 --> 00:33:29.420 Amazing, 00:33:29.860 --> 00:33:30.340 Beautiful, 00:33:31.020 --> 00:33:32.440 I'll pay you a million dollars for it, 00:33:32.440 --> 00:33:32.680 Okay? 00:33:33.519 --> 00:33:35.799 A child loves to show off what they've made, 00:33:36.320 --> 00:33:37.799 But what happens when a child, 00:33:37.900 --> 00:33:38.799 Does something wrong, 00:33:39.400 --> 00:33:41.019 They write all over the wall, 00:33:41.120 --> 00:33:42.160 They draw on the couch, 00:33:42.840 --> 00:33:43.060 Okay? 00:33:43.120 --> 00:33:44.060 Or they play with something, 00:33:44.140 --> 00:33:45.200 They're not meant to play with, 00:33:45.240 --> 00:33:46.220 And then they break it, 00:33:46.600 --> 00:33:48.120 And then the parent walks in the room, 00:33:48.240 --> 00:33:49.100 What does the child do? 00:33:49.820 --> 00:33:50.500 They cower, 00:33:50.900 --> 00:33:51.759 They hide away, 00:33:52.320 --> 00:33:53.200 They try and say, 00:33:53.560 --> 00:33:54.560 I did nothing wrong, 00:33:54.920 --> 00:33:56.140 Even though their face tells you, 00:33:56.240 --> 00:33:57.259 They've done something wrong, 00:33:57.620 --> 00:33:57.900 Right? 00:33:58.940 --> 00:34:00.600 This is what we see with Adam and Eve, 00:34:00.660 --> 00:34:01.060 Isn't it? 00:34:01.059 --> 00:34:03.019 As they rebel, 00:34:03.119 --> 00:34:04.720 They cover the shame, 00:34:04.940 --> 00:34:06.460 They hide from God's face, 00:34:06.940 --> 00:34:10.179 And they try and avoid his gaze, 00:34:10.980 --> 00:34:13.599 And look where it ultimately ends up, 00:34:13.659 --> 00:34:15.759 Look at the final verses of chapter 3, 00:34:16.059 --> 00:34:17.579 This is utterly heartbreaking, 00:34:18.219 --> 00:34:18.739 It says, 00:34:19.279 --> 00:34:20.759 The Lord God sent them, 00:34:20.900 --> 00:34:22.019 Out from the garden of Eden, 00:34:22.119 --> 00:34:23.579 To work the ground from which he'd taken, 00:34:23.880 --> 00:34:25.440 He drove out the man, 00:34:25.779 --> 00:34:27.279 At the east of the garden of Eden, 00:34:27.279 --> 00:34:28.679 He placed a cherubim, 00:34:29.039 --> 00:34:30.440 With a flaming sword, 00:34:30.440 --> 00:34:31.539 And turned every way, 00:34:31.619 --> 00:34:32.400 To guard the way, 00:34:32.519 --> 00:34:33.220 The tree of life, 00:34:34.220 --> 00:34:35.320 The ultimate story, 00:34:35.539 --> 00:34:36.480 The end of the story is this, 00:34:36.800 --> 00:34:38.260 Humanity is expelled, 00:34:38.420 --> 00:34:40.300 From God's gracious presence, 00:34:41.519 --> 00:34:42.240 From God's, 00:34:42.360 --> 00:34:44.460 Plunge into a world of darkness, 00:34:45.099 --> 00:34:47.360 Where everyone fights to survive, 00:34:48.360 --> 00:34:50.079 At the end of Genesis 3, 00:34:50.179 --> 00:34:51.500 We see the kingdom of God, 00:34:51.559 --> 00:34:53.500 Is in tatters in some sense, 00:34:54.200 --> 00:34:54.700 Now they are, 00:34:54.960 --> 00:34:57.059 God's people are not living in God's place, 00:34:57.139 --> 00:34:58.260 They've been expelled from Eden, 00:34:58.260 --> 00:34:59.220 They're out of God's place, 00:34:59.300 --> 00:35:01.120 They're not living under his rule anymore, 00:35:01.640 --> 00:35:02.660 They're their own authority, 00:35:03.220 --> 00:35:05.420 And they're certainly not experiencing God's blessing, 00:35:06.420 --> 00:35:09.000 Now, 00:35:09.520 --> 00:35:10.900 As we come to a close, 00:35:11.180 --> 00:35:12.520 I don't want to tell too much, 00:35:12.600 --> 00:35:14.440 Because that's what the next 10 weeks are about, 00:35:14.700 --> 00:35:14.940 But, 00:35:15.480 --> 00:35:16.520 If you've got a Bible, 00:35:16.680 --> 00:35:20.700 I want you to quickly look at Revelation 21 and 22 with me, 00:35:21.540 --> 00:35:23.420 The very end of our Bible, 00:35:23.620 --> 00:35:24.780 The storyline of the Bible, 00:35:24.880 --> 00:35:25.920 Is not the end of the story, 00:35:25.920 --> 00:35:28.099 Because it goes on for all eternity, 00:35:28.700 --> 00:35:30.900 In Revelation 21 and 22, 00:35:31.360 --> 00:35:32.159 We see, 00:35:32.400 --> 00:35:33.680 Even more than before, 00:35:34.300 --> 00:35:35.320 God's people, 00:35:35.960 --> 00:35:37.300 Living in God's place, 00:35:37.800 --> 00:35:38.780 Under God's rule, 00:35:39.400 --> 00:35:40.720 Experiencing God's blessing, 00:35:41.300 --> 00:35:43.159 The kingdom of God is restored, 00:35:43.820 --> 00:35:46.639 And how do we get from Genesis 3, 00:35:46.960 --> 00:35:48.320 To Revelation 22, 00:35:49.039 --> 00:35:50.420 In fact in Revelation 22, 00:35:50.559 --> 00:35:53.980 What we see is heaven is pictured as a garden city, 00:35:53.980 --> 00:35:55.659 And in the middle of this garden, 00:35:55.760 --> 00:35:57.300 There's a river running through it, 00:35:57.460 --> 00:35:58.179 Like in Eden, 00:35:58.539 --> 00:35:59.820 And on the side of the river, 00:36:00.079 --> 00:36:01.699 Is the tree of life, 00:36:02.440 --> 00:36:04.280 God's people are back in Eden, 00:36:04.420 --> 00:36:06.320 In fact a better version of Eden, 00:36:07.099 --> 00:36:10.219 And how do we get from Genesis 3, 00:36:10.320 --> 00:36:11.820 To Revelation 22, 00:36:12.820 --> 00:36:14.380 In this garden city, 00:36:14.519 --> 00:36:15.159 This new heavens, 00:36:15.260 --> 00:36:15.559 New earth, 00:36:15.619 --> 00:36:16.420 There is no Satan, 00:36:16.559 --> 00:36:17.260 There is no sin, 00:36:17.400 --> 00:36:18.320 There is no temptation, 00:36:18.619 --> 00:36:19.400 There is no loneliness, 00:36:19.619 --> 00:36:20.240 There is no blaming, 00:36:20.400 --> 00:36:21.500 No broken relationships, 00:36:21.960 --> 00:36:22.659 No anxiety, 00:36:22.659 --> 00:36:23.279 No shame, 00:36:23.339 --> 00:36:23.799 No emptiness, 00:36:24.579 --> 00:36:25.239 God's people, 00:36:25.579 --> 00:36:26.480 Living under God's rule, 00:36:26.639 --> 00:36:28.159 Experiencing his never giving up, 00:36:28.599 --> 00:36:29.379 Never running dry, 00:36:29.519 --> 00:36:30.139 Eternal blessing, 00:36:30.899 --> 00:36:31.759 So how does that happen, 00:36:32.599 --> 00:36:34.699 Well that's what the rest of the Bible is about, 00:36:35.359 --> 00:36:36.599 That is the story, 00:36:36.739 --> 00:36:38.699 Of the wonderful work of God, 00:36:39.420 --> 00:36:40.639 It's God restoring, 00:36:40.759 --> 00:36:42.619 A lost and sin ravaged world, 00:36:42.759 --> 00:36:44.899 Back into eternal relationship with him, 00:36:45.019 --> 00:36:45.719 Under his rule, 00:36:45.819 --> 00:36:46.839 And experiencing his blessing, 00:36:47.539 --> 00:36:48.879 And how will God do that, 00:36:49.379 --> 00:36:49.819 Well one, 00:36:49.820 --> 00:36:51.200 He'll deal with the cause, 00:36:51.380 --> 00:36:52.320 The sin and the rebellion, 00:36:52.460 --> 00:36:53.340 And he'll deal with that, 00:36:53.400 --> 00:36:54.220 And he'll fix that, 00:36:54.720 --> 00:36:55.960 But the other thing he'll do, 00:36:56.080 --> 00:36:57.740 Is he'll deal with the consequences, 00:36:57.960 --> 00:36:58.920 And he'll heal it, 00:36:58.980 --> 00:36:59.920 And restore it, 00:37:00.640 --> 00:37:02.500 God is going to deal with both the cause, 00:37:02.580 --> 00:37:03.360 And the effect, 00:37:03.620 --> 00:37:05.160 And bring back his people, 00:37:05.280 --> 00:37:07.340 Even better than it was before, 00:37:08.019 --> 00:37:09.140 But in Genesis 3, 00:37:09.240 --> 00:37:11.019 We see the first signs of it, 00:37:11.539 --> 00:37:12.880 Look at chapter 3, 00:37:13.200 --> 00:37:14.340 Verses 15, 00:37:14.340 --> 00:37:16.320 God tells the snake, 00:37:16.680 --> 00:37:17.800 Which is a picture of Satan, 00:37:18.420 --> 00:37:20.980 That there will come a descendant of Eve, 00:37:21.280 --> 00:37:22.019 A man, 00:37:22.300 --> 00:37:24.860 One who will crush the head of Satan, 00:37:25.460 --> 00:37:28.160 Even as Satan thinks that he has damaged this man, 00:37:28.760 --> 00:37:30.280 There will come a certain person, 00:37:30.780 --> 00:37:32.360 And out of his suffering, 00:37:32.820 --> 00:37:34.579 He will bring down Satan, 00:37:34.700 --> 00:37:37.039 And overturn the effects of sin, 00:37:38.240 --> 00:37:40.620 And look again at verse 21, 00:37:40.619 --> 00:37:41.579 It says, 00:37:41.880 --> 00:37:43.699 The Lord God made for Adam and Eve, 00:37:44.079 --> 00:37:45.179 Garments of skin, 00:37:45.279 --> 00:37:46.000 And he clothed them, 00:37:46.119 --> 00:37:47.779 God covers their shame, 00:37:48.139 --> 00:37:49.319 And their brokenness, 00:37:49.579 --> 00:37:50.559 But how does he do it? 00:37:51.179 --> 00:37:53.400 Some innocent life, 00:37:53.759 --> 00:37:54.839 Has to die, 00:37:55.199 --> 00:37:56.699 For their shame to be covered, 00:37:57.739 --> 00:37:59.400 Someone has to die, 00:37:59.480 --> 00:38:00.579 For their shame to be covered, 00:38:01.739 --> 00:38:03.839 Friends if you are familiar with Christianity, 00:38:04.699 --> 00:38:06.299 It's Genesis giving us hints, 00:38:06.839 --> 00:38:08.259 Of Jesus and the cross, 00:38:09.139 --> 00:38:10.319 How one day Jesus, 00:38:10.320 --> 00:38:11.120 A man, 00:38:11.240 --> 00:38:12.120 A descendant of Eve, 00:38:12.180 --> 00:38:12.920 In some senses, 00:38:13.460 --> 00:38:14.059 Will come, 00:38:14.140 --> 00:38:15.000 And in his suffering, 00:38:15.160 --> 00:38:16.240 He will crush Satan, 00:38:17.100 --> 00:38:19.080 And he will reverse the effects of sin, 00:38:19.760 --> 00:38:20.300 And he, 00:38:20.420 --> 00:38:21.059 The innocent one, 00:38:21.100 --> 00:38:22.580 Will die to cover our sin, 00:38:23.080 --> 00:38:23.780 And our shame, 00:38:24.420 --> 00:38:24.800 Friends, 00:38:24.900 --> 00:38:26.500 John Starr famously put it like this, 00:38:26.559 --> 00:38:27.920 Earlier I only read you half the quote, 00:38:28.039 --> 00:38:28.980 Listen to the full quote, 00:38:29.500 --> 00:38:32.600 The essence of sin is man substituting himself for God, 00:38:33.120 --> 00:38:34.500 But the essence of salvation, 00:38:34.720 --> 00:38:35.240 Christianity, 00:38:35.860 --> 00:38:38.000 Is God substituting himself for man, 00:38:38.100 --> 00:38:38.840 On the cross, 00:38:39.000 --> 00:38:39.640 In our place, 00:38:39.639 --> 00:38:42.039 Man asserts himself against God, 00:38:42.359 --> 00:38:44.359 And puts himself where only God deserves to be, 00:38:44.859 --> 00:38:46.440 God sacrifices himself, 00:38:46.559 --> 00:38:48.960 And puts himself where man deserves to be, 00:38:49.619 --> 00:38:52.259 Man claims prerogatives that belong to God alone, 00:38:52.799 --> 00:38:53.920 God claims penalties, 00:38:54.599 --> 00:38:55.920 That belong to man alone, 00:38:56.779 --> 00:38:59.279 Friends even here at the very lowest points of the Bible, 00:38:59.440 --> 00:39:01.019 The lowest points of human history, 00:39:01.579 --> 00:39:02.500 We've seen already, 00:39:02.639 --> 00:39:03.759 God's plan is not defeated, 00:39:04.379 --> 00:39:05.420 It's not in jeopardy, 00:39:05.420 --> 00:39:08.039 God is going to restore all things, 00:39:08.039 --> 00:39:09.220 Even better than before, 00:39:09.700 --> 00:39:11.320 This is God's story, 00:39:11.380 --> 00:39:13.260 That he wrote before the foundation of the world, 00:39:13.740 --> 00:39:16.740 This is the wonderful work of God, 00:39:17.220 --> 00:39:19.260 Restoring all things under Christ, 00:39:19.740 --> 00:39:21.420 Redeeming his creation, 00:39:21.420 --> 00:39:23.260 And if you are a Christian, 00:39:24.000 --> 00:39:24.240 Friends, 00:39:24.300 --> 00:39:25.360 This is your story too, 00:39:26.180 --> 00:39:27.099 Let's pray together, 00:39:28.139 --> 00:39:30.599 Father God, 00:39:30.700 --> 00:39:31.320 We have, 00:39:32.320 --> 00:39:33.480 Looked at your word, 00:39:33.559 --> 00:39:34.619 Thank you for your word God, 00:39:34.700 --> 00:39:37.039 That helps us make sense of the world, 00:39:38.039 --> 00:39:38.320 God, 00:39:38.400 --> 00:39:40.079 As we thought about Graham, 00:39:40.079 --> 00:39:41.579 Smith earlier, 00:39:42.199 --> 00:39:43.500 As we think about our own lives, 00:39:43.579 --> 00:39:45.139 There's so much pain and brokenness, 00:39:45.219 --> 00:39:45.940 So much agony, 00:39:46.900 --> 00:39:48.639 And sometimes we cry out like the psalmist, 00:39:48.840 --> 00:39:49.619 Why God, 00:39:49.679 --> 00:39:50.400 How long, 00:39:50.519 --> 00:39:51.019 Oh Lord, 00:39:52.259 --> 00:39:52.539 Lord, 00:39:52.599 --> 00:39:54.819 What you've told us this morning, 00:39:54.819 --> 00:39:55.539 Is that, 00:39:56.139 --> 00:39:57.239 The brokenness of the world, 00:39:57.340 --> 00:39:58.719 Is not the way you designed it, 00:39:59.159 --> 00:40:00.639 Or willed it to be originally, 00:40:01.500 --> 00:40:02.559 But you have a plan, 00:40:03.159 --> 00:40:05.279 A plan written before even the creation of the world, 00:40:05.360 --> 00:40:06.639 That you will restore all things, 00:40:06.739 --> 00:40:07.119 And God, 00:40:07.259 --> 00:40:08.920 We hold on to you, 00:40:09.019 --> 00:40:09.860 We look to you, 00:40:10.079 --> 00:40:11.599 We trust you, 00:40:12.619 --> 00:40:13.440 God, 00:40:13.519 --> 00:40:14.139 This very week, 00:40:14.179 --> 00:40:16.000 As we go out into a broken world, 00:40:16.219 --> 00:40:17.739 Into a sin ravaged world, 00:40:18.480 --> 00:40:21.159 As we carry a sinful heart within us, 00:40:21.880 --> 00:40:22.739 We pray God, 00:40:22.739 --> 00:40:25.259 That your spirit will be at work in us, 00:40:25.319 --> 00:40:25.940 We pray God, 00:40:26.059 --> 00:40:27.019 That your spirit will, 00:40:27.480 --> 00:40:30.480 Put to death our sinful nature, 00:40:31.679 --> 00:40:33.340 That you'll make us more alive to you, 00:40:34.400 --> 00:40:34.920 And that God, 00:40:35.039 --> 00:40:36.279 You by your grace will, 00:40:36.860 --> 00:40:39.960 Enable us to be agents of grace and light, 00:40:40.079 --> 00:40:40.779 In this world, 00:40:41.340 --> 00:40:43.199 Help us to be a city on a hill, 00:40:44.000 --> 00:40:45.960 To be life into a city of darkness, 00:40:46.759 --> 00:40:47.400 Help us God, 00:40:47.460 --> 00:40:48.119 To walk with you, 00:40:48.219 --> 00:40:49.159 To encourage one another, 00:40:49.279 --> 00:40:50.639 To hold on to the hope of heaven, 00:40:51.059 --> 00:40:52.679 And then to love our city, 00:40:52.739 --> 00:40:54.119 And to bring peace here as well, 00:40:54.739 --> 00:40:55.199 God, 00:40:55.259 --> 00:40:56.159 As we hold on to you, 00:40:56.219 --> 00:40:56.599 We pray, 00:40:56.739 --> 00:40:58.019 Do these things in our lives, 00:40:58.079 --> 00:40:58.860 We thank you Jesus, 00:40:58.940 --> 00:40:59.679 For dying on the cross, 00:40:59.739 --> 00:41:00.440 And dealing with, 00:41:00.440 --> 00:41:02.720 The cause of this broken world, 00:41:03.159 --> 00:41:03.780 We pray, 00:41:03.960 --> 00:41:04.599 Spirit of God, 00:41:04.679 --> 00:41:06.099 Come and deal with the consequences, 00:41:06.280 --> 00:41:07.460 Even in our own lives, 00:41:08.440 --> 00:41:09.559 And make us ready for heaven, 00:41:10.099 --> 00:41:11.960 We pray these things in your great name, 00:41:12.960 --> 00:41:13.220 Amen.