Kept in the Wilderness — Revelation 12:1–6

Behind the struggles of ordinary Christian life lies a cosmic conflict—but the decisive victory has already been won. Revelation 12 introduces the woman, the dragon and the child, showing Satan’s determination to destroy God’s saving purposes, Christ’s secure reign, and God’s continuing care for his people in the wilderness.

Go deeper: David Guzik (56 mins) — Revelation 12: The Woman, the Child, and the Dragon Watch on YouTube

Genesis 3:20–24 | First Things, Talk 8 of 8

Genesis 3 ends with humanity driven from Eden, cut off from God’s presence and barred from the tree of life.

Yet God gives signs of hope. Eve is named for life, and God clothes Adam and Eve. These point forward to Jesus, who opens the way home through:

Cleaning — our sin washed away.

Clothing — believers clothed with Christ.

Curtain — the barrier to God’s presence torn open.

Through Christ, the way home is open. One day God’s people will live in his renewed creation, free from the curse, and “see his face” (Revelation 22:4).

Book mentioned: The Garden, the Curtain and the Cross by Carl Laferton

Go deeper: David Guzik: Genesis 3:10–24

Why are we so quick to hide from God and blame someone else? Genesis 3 shows sin bringing fear, broken relationships, painful toil and death. Yet judgment is not the final word: God promises that the woman’s offspring will crush the serpent—a promise fulfilled in Jesus, our serpent-crushing Saviour.

Go deeper - 1 hr 6 min - Sin’s Confrontation and Curse — Genesis 3:10–24 | David Guzik A detailed, verse-by-verse treatment of God confronting Adam and Eve, the judgments pronounced, and the hope contained within the passage.

Widespread attacks on the trustworthiness of God’s Word are nothing new. Since the temptation of Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden, the question “Did God actually say?” has been at the heart of Satan’s attacks. In this message, R.C. Sproul examines the nature of Satan’s temptation in Genesis 3 and urges us to believe God and take Him at His Word.

Study Reformed theology with a free resource bundle from Ligonier Ministries: https://grow.ligonier.org/?utm_source...

This message is from Dr. Sproul’s 12-part teaching series Themes from Genesis. Learn more: https://www.ligonier.org/learn/series...

What is the ideal intimate relationship? Genesis 2 shows God’s good design for marriage: a man and woman united as one flesh, fully known and without shame. But even the best marriage is only a signpost to Jesus—the one who knows us completely, carries our shame and loves his people faithfully.

Going Deeper: David Guzik's teaching on this passage. (58 min video)

God’s Purpose, Provision and Protection — Genesis 1:26–2:17

God creates human beings in his image and gives them a purpose: to live under his rule, care for his world and love him and one another. He generously provides everything they need for life and flourishing, and protects them by setting a clear boundary around the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

Yet Adam will step outside that protection, choosing his own way rather than trusting God. Jesus shows us the life humanity was made for: loving God, loving our neighbour, and remaining in his love through obedient, self-giving friendship.

Bible readings: Genesis 1:26–2:17; Matthew 22:37–39; John 15:9–14

In days four to six of creation, God fills the ordered world he has formed. He appoints the sun, moon and stars to govern light and mark days, seasons and years. He fills the seas and skies with living creatures, and the land with animals. Finally, God creates human beings—male and female—in his image, blessing them and commissioning them to fill the earth and rule it under him.

Ziech explores what it means to bear God’s image: human life has a unique dignity, purpose and responsibility. Matthew 8 shows this creation authority perfectly embodied in Jesus, whom even the wind and waves obey.

God’s world is ordered, abundant and purposeful—and when it is filled, God declares it very good.

Passage: Genesis 1:14–2:1 Preacher: Ziech van Onselen Series: First Things: Genesis 1–3

Best links

• It Is Well - song by Bethel music mentioned - listen here
• Read Genesis 1:14–2:1
• Read Matthew 8:23–27 — Jesus commands the wind and waves
• BibleProject: Image of God
• BibleProject: Genesis 1 visual commentary
• Listen to the rest of Gateway Parish’s sermons

In the second sermon of the First Things series, we explore the first three days of creation. Genesis presents a God who brings order from chaos—not through conflict or violence, but by his powerful word. Light and darkness, sky and sea, land and vegetation are all carefully formed and declared good. Rather than worshipping creation, we're invited to worship its Creator, giving thanks for the goodness, beauty and order of the world he has made. We also look ahead to God's promise of a new creation, where chaos will finally be removed and all things made new.

Links mentioned:

• Childlike Media creation video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=epE6YktzOy0
• Creation Ministries article on the firmament: https://answersresearchjournal.org/firmament-what-did-god-create-day-2/

In the opening words of the Bible, Genesis shows us that the world is not accidental, eternal, or pointless. God made the heavens and the earth, and he made the world for form and fullness. From the beginning, God is the Creator who shapes, fills, orders, and gives purpose. This first sermon in the First Things series asks: What happened at the beginning of everything? And what is God’s aim for everything?

Go deeper:

The Bible Project's Take on Genesis 1: Is Genesis 1 Really About How the World Was Made?https://youtu.be/afVN-7vY0KA?si=wsO8ZfFyIMDrREJi

Creation Talk - one take on Aliens (that come up in this episode): Why God Did NOT Create Aliens https://youtu.be/1p7oybi5OzE?si=FV7ezqHHKqmZz0dc

NT Wright - 'An old-earth' approach to 6-day creation. When did the first humans ‘made in God’s image’ appear? https://www.premier.plus/ask-nt-wright-anything/podcasts/episodes/58-genesis-6-day-creation-and-the-first-humans

Can we really know God, or what God requires? For Trinity Sunday, Paul explores creation, subjectivism, restlessness, and the God revealed as Father, Son and Holy Spirit.