1. Marvelling at God’s creation Gen.1:1-2:3

2. The need to marvel - we live in an amazing world - we live in an amazing world - God is an astonishing creator - God is an astonishing creator - Gen.1 is great literature - Gen.1 is great literature Gen.1:1-2:3 - First account of Creation – “The Big Picture” Gen.1:1-2:3 - First account of Creation – “The Big Picture” 2:4-25 - Second account – Focus on humans & relationship with God 2:4-25 - Second account – Focus on humans & relationship with God

3. 1. Creation – dependent on God a. God is the Creator – “And God said – and it was so” a. God is the Creator – “And God said – and it was so” b. God sustains his creation –v.30; Acts17:25; Heb.1:2,3; Ps.104 b. God sustains his creation –v.30; Acts17:25; Heb.1:2,3; Ps.104 c. Creation is distinct from God c. Creation is distinct from God

4. 2. Creation is good God delights in his creation – 7 times “it is good/very good” Cf. Pr.8:30,31; Job 38:7; Ps.104:12,24-26 a. Creation is ordered Gen.1:2 – picture of chaos Gen.1:2 – picture of chaos 1:3-31 – picture of order & beauty 1:3-31 – picture of order & beauty

5. b. Creation is to be enjoyed b. Creation is to be enjoyed STOP & ENJOY STOP & ENJOY FORM / SPACEFILLING 1:2 FormlessEmpty Day 1 Light / DarknessDay 4 Lights – Day/Night Day 2 Sky / SeaDay 5 Birds / Sea-life Day 3 Sea / LandDay 6 Animals / Humans Day 7 Sabbath

6. 3. Creation – designed for humans Suitable world for us:- Suitable world for us:- - order out of chaos – v.3f - order out of chaos – v.3f - dry land – v.9 - dry land – v.9 - plants & fruit v.11,12 - plants & fruit v.11,12 - Lights – day/night, seasons – v.14 - Lights – day/night, seasons – v.14 - birds, sea creatures, animals – v.20-25 cf.Gen.2:19 - birds, sea creatures, animals – v.20-25 cf.Gen.2:19 Is.45:18 Is.45:18

7. 4. A new creation God is committed to restore things:- God is committed to restore things:- a. New people – 2 Cor.5:17; 2 Cor.4:3-6 a. New people – 2 Cor.5:17; 2 Cor.4:3-6 b. New creation – Rev.21/22 b. New creation – Rev.21/22

8. 5. How should we live a. Make sure we are children of God a. Make sure we are children of God - the barrier has been removed - the barrier has been removed - we have spiritual life - we have spiritual life b. Live in dependence on God – Bible & Prayer b. Live in dependence on God – Bible & Prayer c. Be creative partners with God c. Be creative partners with God - using your gifts - using your gifts - stopping to enjoy - stopping to enjoy - sharing the Good News of Jesus - sharing the Good News of Jesus