[SERMON BUMPER VIDEO] - Apollo 8 astronauts reading from 

Noteworthy that humanity’s reaction to being in space was to search for the answer to the fundamental question of existence.

The answer offered wasn’t science but scripture. The “origin story” is as old as mankind.

The origin question the astronauts struggled with on a cosmic scale is the same question nearly every small child recognizes and asks of her parents: “Where did I come from?”

In the 21st c. it is unfashionable and “simplistic” to say that everything exists because God made it. But that is precisely the answer given over 5,000 years ago in the beginning of God’s revelation to mankind. His words to His creation. We call this collection the Bible.

It makes sense to begin in the beginning to study the Bible with the goal of being transformed.

Genesis 1:1 ESV In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.

Engaging the Text

Genesis 1:1–2 ESV

1 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.

In the beginning -  We orient ourselves to the world by time and location, beginnings and endings. Space.

God - The agent of creation. Unlike the pagan origin stories, God exists before anything materializes.

the pagan stories have the material world first and gods created from the struggle between chaos and order.

Created - God is over and supersedes anything in the universe. He is eternal, matter is temporary.

God has ultimate control over the creation. Bringing order from chaos.

Heavens and the earth - a simple way to say “everything.”

God is the True Origin

Acts 17:24 ESV The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man,

​God Has a Plan

This means that everything we experience in this world is an extension of God. Not the other way around.

Practical implications: the environment (world) we live in is a mirror designed to reflect the glory of God (but is not God.).

God’s Made it Good

God, who is the definition of good, looks at His creation and repeatedly declares it “good.”

Light: 1.4; Water & dry land: 1.10; plants: 1.12; Sun, moon, stars: 1.18; Fish & birds: 1.21; Animals: 1.25; Man as epitome of creation, summation of his work, very good: 1.31

Psalm 148:3–10 ESV

​He made it good to say something about Himself.

Romans 1:20 ESV

He originally made it good for us to manage.

Ephesians 2:10 ESV

While “good” was cursed by the Fall, God still has a plan.

​God Has a Plan

In two weeks, we will cover the Fall of creation from goodness. Enough to say that everything went badly in .

Ephesians 1:8–10 ESV

2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV

This isn’t just for humanity but for all creation.

Romans 8:19 ESV

Romans 8:22 ESV

​Conclusion:

Why are WE here?

To be Christ’s agents in the plan.

But we have to start at the beginning to know where to go and why.