Genesis 3:16-19

The Untitled, Open-Ended Study Bible

Preacher: The Rev. Megan Collins

March 1, 2026

Subjects

Genesis 3, Sin and Grace, Image of God, Breaking Patterns, Hope, Romans 5, Spiritual Growth

Summary

Why do we keep doing the very things we know won’t end well?

From carrying too many grocery bags in one trip (and cleaning tomato sauce off a church parking lot) to repeating the same unhealthy patterns in our relationships and in our world, this week’s message asks a deeply human question: Why am I like this?

Genesis 3 isn’t just an ancient story about Adam and Eve—it’s our story. It’s the story of human beings made in the image of God who keep settling for less. It’s about consequences that describe the brokenness of the world, not prescribe it. And it’s about a pattern we repeat over and over again.

But that’s not the end of the story.

Looking at Paul’s reflections in Romans and Corinthians, we discover a powerful “but”: sin is real, dust is real, brokenness is real—but none of it is stronger than God. If Adam represents the pattern, Jesus breaks the pattern. We may have dust on us, but dust is not our destiny.

If you’ve ever asked, “Why do I keep doing this?”—or “Why does the world keep doing this?”—this conversation is for you.

Learn more or read past sermons:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.maitlandpres.org/blog/categories/sermons