Grace Road Church

We take a look at the story of Cain and Abel in today's sermon in our Genesis series. The post-fall narrative now focuses on Adam and Eve's sons, Cain and Abel. Despite God's persistence grace toward Cain, Cain remains obstinate in his pride and sin. While we might see ourselves as Abel in this story, a truer measure of our state is really more like Cain. Anger, bitterness, and resentment are eager to destroy us, and we often try to foster and hide these sins in empty religious acts and efforts. Yet, Jesus' blood speaks a better word and is eager to welcome and restore us if we but turn to Him.

We continue our deep dive into the early chapters of Genesis this week with a focus on Genesis 2:4-25. In this passage, God says that it is not good that man should be alone and creates woman from Adam's side, a "helper fit for him." What does God's description of the woman as "ezer-kenegdo" mean? How does this impact the dynamics between men and women? How does God's design for marriage point to the greater reality between Christ and the church?

Our sermon series through the book of Genesis resumes this week with Genesis 1:26-31. In this passage, God creates man and woman in His own image, blessing them and calling them to be fruitful and multiply. As being created by God, we are bound to what God has created us to be. This challenges cultural narratives and ideologies that are grounded in self-determination. How does our identity as created beings in God's image impact the way we view our bodies and our agency? What does it mean that men and women are equal yet distinct? And how can we navigate these conversations with others in truth and love?

At the end of the creation account, God rests. In the giving of the Ten Commandments, He commands us to rest, too. Why is it significant that God rested? How does our obedience to the fourth commandment help us understand our creatureliness? No matter how we observe the Sabbath and keep it holy, Kevin reminds us that true rest is only found in Jesus Christ.

This week, we continue our progression through the first chapter in Genesis with a focus on Genesis 1:26-31. In this passage, Kevin unpacks what is referred to as the 'cultural mandate': God's commission for man to multiply and subdue the earth. What does healthy dominion over the earth look like? What is the value and purpose of man's work in the world? How does seeing all of our work as something commissioned by God, to be done as unto Him, change the way we engage our own jobs and vocations?