Summary

In this sermon, Dr. Michael Easley opens the book of Genesis and reminds us why beginnings matter. Genesis is not merely an ancient record of origins—it is the foundation of God’s redemptive plan for humanity. From the very first verse, Scripture makes clear that God is the central character, actively creating, commanding, and revealing Himself to mankind.

Dr. Easley explains how Genesis is carefully structured through repeated sections called toledotes—“accounts” or “generations”—which form the literary framework of the book and move the story forward. These accounts trace both humanity’s repeated failure and God’s unwavering faithfulness, introducing themes of blessing and curse that echo throughout the entire Bible.

The first eleven chapters outline four key events—creation, fall, flood, and nations—while the remainder of the book focuses on four people: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph. Central to the story is God’s promise to Abraham, a covenant that reveals salvation is always God’s work, not man’s achievement.

Genesis ultimately shows that while humanity cannot rescue itself, God is relentlessly committed to redemption. As Dr. Easley emphasizes, this book is not written to settle scientific debates but to reveal God’s character, His purposes, and His promises—promises that still shape the lives of believers today.

Takeaways

Genesis begins with God, establishing Him as the central actor in all of Scripture.

The structure of Genesis reveals both humanity’s failure and God’s sovereign design.

Blessing and curse form a foundational pattern that runs throughout the Bible.

God’s covenant with Abraham is central to understanding redemption and salvation.

Genesis shows that salvation is God’s work, not man’s effort.

The promises God made in Genesis still apply to believers today, offering hope despite repeated failure.

To listen to The Big Book Cover to Cover, click here.

To read the book of Genesis, click here.

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