The Holy Deity and the Creation Story

Introduction: The book of Genesis provides man with the only reasonable explanation of the origin of all things in the Universe. “Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good. So the evening and the morning were the sixth day.” (Gen. 1:31).

Introduction: The creation story has been heralded by kings (2 Kings 19:15), song writers (1 Chron. 16:26), and priests (Neh. 9:6). The masterpiece of creation has brought comfort to those struggling with life’s inequities (Job 9:6-9; 12:7-13:15) and rejoicing to those who have persevered through heartache (1 Sam. 2:8). The marvels of creation silence the arrogant (Job 37, 38) and urges sincere worship (Ps. 8, 19, 121, etc.).

Introduction: Let us be reminded that Scripture was not written by scientists for scientists but it was written by men living in ancient times. All New Testament Christians believe that Moses did not just observe the things that are evident in nature (cf. Rom. 1:20) but he recorded the account of the creation of the Universe and of mankind under the inspiration of the One who actually created everything.

I. Who Is This God Who Created? God is not matter, or gas like hydrogen or oxygen, or space dust, or anything else material.

GOD IS spirit (John 4:24) living (Matt. 16:16; 2 Thess. 1:9; Josh. 3:9) unlimited in space (Ps. 139:7-10) unlimited in time (2 Peter 3:8) unlimited in power (Rom. 1:20; Matt. 19:26) The eternal God (Deut. 33:27) Self sufficient “God has no needs beyond Himself. He does not have to go outside of Himself for anything.” (J. J. Turner 35)

GOD IS LOVE (1 John 4:8, 16) LIGHT (1 John 1:5) GOOD (Mark 10:18) HOLY (1 Peter 1:15) FAITHFUL (2 Tim. 2:13) PATIENT (1 Peter 3:20; 2 Peter 3:9) JUST (Ps. 89:14; Rom. 3:26) MERCIFUL (Titus 3:5-6; Eph. 2:8-9)

Roy H. Lanier, Sr. affirms: While the attributes of God are ‘distinguishing characteristics of the divine nature,’ [a definition given by Strong] we must be careful to view them as something apart from the essence of that divine nature. To view the sum of the attributes as God is to deny the personality of God . . .

So we conclude that the divine essence of God is that infinite, eternal, self-existent Spirit Being, who is the end of all things, but that the attributes of this Spirit Being are those characteristics or qualities, of His nature which set Him apart from and above all other beings, human or spirit, and which cause Him to deserve our love and trust.” (24-25)

II. God in Three Persons Deuteronomy 6:4 Genesis 1:26 Genesis 11:7

II. God in Three Persons The biblical position set forth in the New Testament: One God exists in the plurality of three persons or personalities. Luke 4:17-21

III. The Deity and Creation Moses reports two of three persons in the Godhead at work, and this is affirmed elsewhere: Genesis 1:1-2 Psalm 33:6 Job 26:13 Psalm 104:30 Genesis 6:3 Nehemiah 9:30 GOD—THE SPIRIT

III. The Deity and Creation The revelation then unfolds the work of God the Son in creation: Isaiah 48:16 Isaiah 61:1 Genesis 1:1 Hebrews 1:1-2 Colossians 1:15-17 John 1:1-3 GOD—THE SON

Conclusion God (the Deity or Godhead) created the Universe out of nothing and He did it by fiat command (Latin expression for: “Let it be done” – a legally binding command or decision entered in court records). Hebrews 11:3 Psalm 33:6-9 Romans 1:18-21

Conclusion When we meditate and accept the evidence before our eyes, our hearts cannot but proclaim, as did the Psalmist (Ps. 148):

“Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD from the heavens; Praise Him in the heights! Praise Him, all His angels; praise Him, all His hosts! Praise Him, sun and moon; Praise Him, all you stars of light! Praise Him, you heavens of heavens, And you waters above the heavens! Let them praise the name of the LORD, For He commanded and they were created. He also established them forever and ever; He made a decree which shall not pass away. Praise the LORD from the earth, You great sea creatures and all the depths; Fire and hail, snow and clouds;

Stormy wind, fulfilling His word; Mountains and all hills; Fruitful trees and all cedars; Beasts and all cattle; Creeping things and flying fowl; Kings of the earth and all peoples; Princes and all judges of the earth; Both young men and maidens; Old men and children. Let them praise the name of the LORD, For His name alone is exalted; His glory is above the earth and heaven. And He has exalted the horn of His people, The praise of all His saints—Of the children of Israel, A people near to Him. Praise the LORD!”