Genesis 1-11 Beginnings, 1:1-2:3 “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” Gen.1:1

Theme Creation is God’s way of revealing Himself and expressing His love for us.

Introduction The Creation Debates “Any debate with creationists would give them the oxygen of respectability.” [Richard Dawkins, Evolutionist/Atheist ]

A. Prediction Coming True R omans 1:18-20 JUDGMENT: The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven… TARGET: “…against all the godlessness and wickedness of men…” JUSTIFICATION: “…who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them.” “For the truth about God is known to them instinctively. God has put this knowledge in their hearts.”

B. Prediction Coming True “I am all in favor of a dialogue between science and religion, but not a constructive dialogue. One of the great achievements of science has been, if not to make it impossible for an intelligent person to be religious, then at least to make it possible for them not to be religious. We should not retreat from this accomplishment.” [Steven Weinberg, Physicist] “The problem is get [people] to reject irrational and supernatural explanations of the world, the demons that exist only in their imaginations, and to accept a social and intellectual apparatus, Science, as the only begetter of truth.” [Richard Lewontin, Harvard Geneticist]

C. Prediction Coming True JUSTIFICATION DETAILED: For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities— his eternal power and divine nature— have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, Conclusion: …so that men are without excuse.

D. Great Truth Avoided The words miracle and supernatural are not in the Bible. The things God has done are “wonders” – things that have rules and principles like anything else, but are too big for our brains. Contrast this with the explanations the laws we already know about which must be violated for false points of view to be constructed and promoted. Nothing can come into being from that which is not”- Demokritos, Greek Philosopher

1. The Importance Of Genesis 1-11 Where do we start to discover God’s Person, Plan & Rulership? “In some ways these chapters [Gen. 1-11] are the most important ones in the Bible, for they put man in his cosmic setting and show him his peculiar uniqueness. They explain man’s wonder and yet his flaw. Without a proper understanding of these chapters we have no answer to the problems of metaphysics [study of the nature of reality], morals, or epistemology [study of the nature of knowledge]… …and furthermore, the work of Christ becomes one more upper-story “religious” answer.” [Francis Schaeffer, Genesis in Space and Time]

2. The Impact Of Genesis 1-11 What is the relationship of Genesis to the rest of the faith? Genesis the most referenced book in the Bible by the Bible It provides the foundation facts for the Faith 1. Origin and prominence of man 2. Equality of man and the myth of races 3. Sin in the nature not just law-breaker. We all die. 4. Origin of the Curse on the world 5. Sanctity of life (made in the image of God.) 6. Cycle: Sin, Death, Redeemer, Blood sacrifice 7. Lordship of God – Created all things.

What Does Jesus Say About Genesis? Jesus referred to the events in Genesis often, affirming their historicity: Adam & Eve The Devil Marriage, The judgment of Lot’s wife, Abraham, etc.

3. The Information In Genesis 1 What Do We Discover In Genesis?

1. God Made A “Complete” System Time Matter Meaningful Form Apparent Age Adam was an adult not an infant The birds flew The mammals did not need their mother’s milk There were animals over the face of the earth The earth itself sustained all life

2. God Made An “Impossible” System It confounds any naturalistic explanation Mark 2:11,12 “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!” It becomes more incredible the more we examine it It consistently reveals more about God

3. God Made A “Good” System “very good” v.31 Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7

4. God Made A “Gifted” System Then God said, “I give you…” 28,29,30 It was ours to use It was ours to care for It was ours to protect from danger

The Challenge Put your trust in God’s Word Let God speak to you through His Word Let Him know You receive His Word as truth and true.