I. Introduction — The Big Question

The Question Beneath Every Problem

• Why?

Answers

• Culture: the problem is external

• Scripture: the problem is the human heart

II. What’s Going On?

A. The Serpent and the Distortion of Truth | Gen. 3:1–5

Satan’s Modus Operandi

• “Did God actually say…?”

• Satan attacks God’s Word before behavior

• Sin begins with believing something false about God.

B. Humanity Rebels Against God | Gen. 3:6

• Eve saw what was desirable

• Sin promises life but produces death

The human heart was created to worship God, not itself.

C. Sin Brings Shame and Separation | Gen. 3:7–13

• Innocence lost, shame gained

• Hiding replaces fellowship

• Blame replaces unity

God Pursues Sinners

• “Where are you?”

Sin Fractures

• Relationship with God, others, self, creation

We still respond to sin by hiding, blaming, and self-justifying.

D. Judgment, Curse, and Promise | Gen. 3:14–24

• Pain, exile, struggle, and death enter the world

• Evil is an intrusion into God’s good creation

The First Gospel Promise (Gen. 3:15)

• The serpent will strike

• The promised offspring will crush the serpent

Grace and Hope Appear Even in Judgment

• God covers Adam and Eve

• Sacrifice points forward to Christ

III. Moving Forward

A. Application

1. Stop Defining Sin Too Small

• Sin is rebellion against God

2. Bring Your Shame Into the Light

• Hiding never heals

3. Run to Christ, Not Self-Salvation

• We cannot fix ourselves

B. Final Hope

• Humanity was exiled from the garden

• Sin fractured what God called good

• But God did not leave humanity without hope

Series Overview

1. Creation — We were made for God

2. Fall — We are broken by sin

3. Redemption — We are saved by grace in Christ

4. New Creation — We will be restored forever

1. Introduction: His Story, Our Hope

• The Bible tells one unified story

• Genesis gives the foundation for understanding reality.

• If we misunderstand the beginning, we will misunderstand everything else.

2. God the Sovereign Creator (Gen 1:1–2)

• God exists before all things and is not part of creation.

• He creates out of nothing (ex nihilo).

• Creation depends fully on Him.

• God is the Creator; we are the created.

3. God Creates by His Word (Gen 1:3–25)

• “And God said…” shows His authority and power.

• Creation responds perfectly to His command.

• The world is not an accident; it is ordered and intentional.

• Jesus is the Word through whom all things were made (John 1)

• God’s Word is powerful, trustworthy, and life-giving.

4. Humanity in the Image of God (Gen 1:26–28)

• Identity: Our worth comes from God, not culture

• Purpose: We are made to glorify God

• Relationship: We are created to know Him

• Your value is not earned… it is given by God.

5. Creation Declared Good (Gen 1:31)

• God calls His creation “very good.”

• The world was originally whole, ordered, and without sin.

• Humanity lived in harmony with God and creation.

• God’s design is good, and life works best when lived His way.

6. Response

1. Anchor Your Identity in God

• Reject defining yourself by culture, performance, or comparison

• I am created by God and for God

2. Trust and Submit to God

• Prioritize Scripture over your feelings or opinions

• Act on what God says, even when it’s difficult

3. Live with Purpose as an Image-Bearer of God

• Represent God’s character (truth, love, justice) in everyday life

• Steward your responsibilities for His glory (Gen 1:28)

Series Overview

1. Creation — We were made for God

2. Fall — We are broken by sin

3. Redemption — We are saved by grace in Christ

4. New Creation — We will be restored forever

Matt. 6:25–34, Phil. 4:6–9

The weight you’re carrying. The mind you must train. And, the peace God offers.

You will never understand who you are until you understand

whose you are.

Without Christ: You are created in His image, but fallen

In Christ: new, forgiven, and secure

Application:

• Stop asking: “Who do I want to be?”

• Start asking: “Who does God say I am?”

Preach to Yourself:

• I am not what I’ve done

• I am not what others say

• I am who Christ says I am

Main Passage(s): Rom. 12:2, Phil. 4:8, Acts 17:22–28, 1 Thess. 5:21–22, John 17:14–18

Theme: Christians are not called to reject culture or passively consume it, but to engage it with discernment

PART 1

Main Passage(s): John 17:14–18; Mat. 5:13–16; Eph. 4:15; Col. 4:5–6

Theme: Faithful Christians engage culture without compromise, speaking truth with love and living as light in a dark world.

SERIES: WHO IS YOUR GOD?

God reigns over all things, and His rule cannot be challenged or overturned.

Daniel 4:34–37

SERIES: WHO IS YOUR GOD?

God is utterly holy: set apart, exalted, and unlike anything in creation.

Isaiah 6:1–8

Hebrews 12:1–3

The Christian life is a long race, run by grace, empowered by Christ, and sustained by endurance rooted in His finished work.

HE IS LIFE

We’re not chasing a moment.

We’re cultivating a life.

We’re chasing Jesus — who is Life.

Isaiah 26:8; John 10:10; John 20:31

Life with Jesus doesn’t end with us, it overflows through us.

HE IS LIFE

We’re not promoting a moment.

We’re proclaiming a life.

We’re speaking Jesus — who is Life.