“Creation”

Series: A Journey through the Old Testament [on screen]

Rev. Matthew C. McCraw, EdD

First Baptist Church, Bartow, Florida

April 25, 2021

Introductory Comments:

This week we are beginning a new series called, “A Journey through the Old Testament.” We’re going to discuss the major themes and truths found in the Old Testament as well as how the Gospel is seen all throughout the Old Testament. 

Indeed, the Old Testament is very important to us. It is the foundation of the Word of God, and it comprises 59% of the books of the Bible. So, we’ll take about fourteen weeks or so to study and celebrate the truths of the Old Testament. 

Today, we’re going to start right at the beginning: we’re going to start with Creation. Before we begin, let’s go to God in prayer and ask for His blessings on this study. 

(prayer)

Understanding Creation helps us understand everything else about our faith. An improper understanding of Creation can lead to an improper understanding of God, ourselves, and our world. 

As we go through this new sermon series, we’re going to look at large sections of Scripture and then discover some helpful content for us as followers of Jesus. 

So, as we look at Creation, let’s first look at the . . . 

I. Major elements [on screen]

Creation of the world [on screen]

As we look at Genesis 1 and 2 we see the creation of the world. 

The first five words of the Bible are instrumental to our understanding of Creation, life, and the Bible: “In the beginning God created . . .” [on screen] God was actively involved in and responsible for the creation of all things.

We also learn from Genesis that God created the world in six days, then He rested on the seventh. Let’s look at what He created: 

Day 1 – light, day, night (Genesis 1:3-5) [on screen]

Day 2 – expanse (sky) (Genesis 1:6-8) [on screen]

Day 3 – earth, sea, vegetation/trees (Genesis 1:9-13) [on screen]

By the way, before it ever rained, we see that mist watered everything (Genesis 2:6)

Day 4 – sun, moon, stars (Genesis 1:14-19) [on screen]

Day 5 – sea creatures, winged creatures (Genesis 1:20-23) [on screen]

Day 6 – wildlife of the earth, mankind (Genesis 1:24-31) [on screen]

Day 7 – rest, holy day (Genesis 2:2-3) [on screen]

We also learn some details about the . . . 

Creation of Mankind [on screen]

Made in God’s image (Genesis 1:26) [on screen]

I’ve said this many times, but it’s worth understanding where this doctrine comes from. Mankind has unique value and worth simply due to the fact that we are made in the image of God. We are special to Him! We are made in God’s image. 

Made male and female (Genesis 1:27) [on screen]

God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone,” so God made a helper suitable for Him. God’s design is that men and women will have one another as partners.  (Genesis 2:18)

Woman made from man’s rib (Genesis 2:22)

“Eve” given her name by Adam in Genesis 3:20

“Adam” first spoken as a name in Genesis 4:25

Genesis 2:24 says that a man shall leave his father and mother. Our most important human relationship is to our husband or wife; it’s no longer our parents. 

Genesis 2:25 says they were naked, yet felt no shame. Sin had not yet polluted marriage and sexuality like it later would. 

By the way, it’s important to point out a crucial truth from God’s Word in light of our cultural times. God made male and female; that is His design. 

There’s so much confusion today over what it means to be male and female. 

Listen, I know that there is genuine confusion in people’s hearts and minds about who they are and even with what gender they identify as. My heart goes out to them because I imagine that is such a difficult place to be in. However, that confusion is not a result of God’s design, it’s as a result of the distortion of God’s design. We’ll talk more about that next time. 

We can know this from the Bible: God has a design for you a