Creation - God Makes; Image - God Loves.

Steve Gentry

[0:00] We’re going to talk about a kind of a loaded topic in this day and age creation [0:06] We’re gonna deal with how God created the world and not only how but really what I want to deal with more today is why [0:15] God created the earth and more than that. What does that mean about me? And what does that? [0:22] What does it mean that God made me and [0:28] To me is there something significant about man in creation or

[0:38] Or are we [0:41] like animals is there any difference between me and my two dogs and [0:47] In my house you may think they’re more important, but that’s mostly my fault [0:52] It’s become kind of a situation where I live in their house rather than them living in my house [0:57] But is there any difference between humanity and animal life? [1:02] Is there any difference between trees and me or is it all one?

[1:07] Creation alright, so where we’re gonna begin this morning is we’re just gonna go straight to Genesis chapter 1 [1:15] If you have just an old-school Bible, it’s probably page 1 if you have an ESV study Bible [1:19] It’s probably page 700 or something but uh, those things are big in Genesis chapter 1 [1:26] I want to begin by simply reading God’s Word [1:29] in the beginning [1:31] God and that’s where we really started this series is the fact that God is on the scene. He’s already there

[1:39] He’s eternal. He’s self-existent. He needs nothing [1:43] God simply was there and that term beginning in the Hebrew is not a determined amount of time [1:50] Like this is not speaking that at one point in time God began existing [1:54] No, it’s just saying from the start all there was was God and there was nothing else in the beginning [2:01] God created the heavens and [2:04] the earth

[2:05] the earth was without form and [2:08] Void and [2:09] darkness was over the face of the deep and the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters and [2:15] God said [2:17] Let there be light and there was light and God saw that the light was good and God separated the light from the darkness [2:24] God called the light day in the darkness

[2:26] He called night and there was evening and there was morning the first day [2:32] Pray with me father. We come before you right now [2:37] God you have made a glorious creation [2:41] You reveal yourself through it

[2:45] God you show us your power you show us your attributes [2:49] for the next few moments I [2:52] Pray that you would help us to humble ourselves and come before you and learn about you and worship you [2:58] May you be glorified by all that I say and all that we do this morning in the name of Jesus. We pray

[3:06] Amen I [3:07] Want you to understand the last two weeks when we talk about the Trinity we talk about the authority of Scripture first off [3:12] I want you to know those are close-handed issues here at the village. All right [3:16] We believe that God is Trinity [3:18] We believe that Scripture is his word. Those really aren’t things that we’re gonna negotiate on that we’re gonna compromise on [3:26] Though we’re not gonna let anyone teach any differently

[3:30] But today we’re going to enter into some fields [3:34] All right that are open-handed as [3:37] Well as closed-handed what I mean by that is some things involved in creation or closed-handed issues [3:43] to believe contrary to Scripture what it [3:47] specifically spells out to us [3:50] Is wrong

[3:52] But there are some things about [3:55] Creation and the way in which God did it that are a bit open-handed because Scripture is not specific [4:02] All right, and we’ll deal with those in a minute [4:05] But the first thing that I want us to understand is that according to what scripture tells us out of nothing [4:12] made everything [4:14] The theological term that has been embraced

[4:17] There is the term ex nihilo or just out of nothing and what we see here is that in the beginning there was God and God [4:24] Creates all that is but then it begins to specifically points out point out the intricacies of how he [4:31] Created everything on the earth and in the universe and how it works [4:37] And it says that God spoke and it existed [4:41] To believe otherwise is unbiblical

[4:46] So when God in his self-existent state before he decides to create everything at a point in time [4:55] There was nothing [4:57] So when we come into contact with [5:01] Evolutionary theory that says that matter has always existed and then matter just began to form [5:09] That is an unbiblical statement [5:12] There was a period in which there was nothing but God

[5:17] We did not form from something that was uncaused. We know what the cause is the cause is God [5:26] And then scripture begins to spell out how that works in [5:31] Hebrews chapter 11 verse 3 will be on the screen [5:34] I want you to understand that the New Testament authors understood that by faith [5:38] We understand that the universe was created by the Word of God or his declaration [5:44] So that what is seen is not made out of things that are visible

[5:50] So we see that when we look in creation [5:53] When we look at everything that is what the author of Hebrews is telling us there is that [5:58] Everything that exists at one time or another there was nothing there that’s visible [6:03] So if you can see it at one time there was nothing [6:07] Now here’s the key before Christ God was unseen in physical form [6:15] So what the author of Hebrews is really telling us there that before matter existed God

[6:22] Existed now in evolutionary theory. There’s a kind of this understanding [6:28] That over time there was some type of matter and what that matter looked like before it began to evolve into everything else is [6:36] Unknown, but it was in one way or another matter [6:41] in scripture [6:43] We don’t have that nor do we really have any evidence to go another way [6:49] Then scripture tells us everything else is simply a theory and when it stated as scientific fact

[6:55] It doesn’t follow the scientific method [6:58] because even in naturalistic philosophy [7:01] Only that which is measurable can be seen as fact [7:05] Well the measurable matter that existed before everything that existed is unmeasurable because now everything exists [7:11] And you can’t go back to a state where matter doesn’t exist and where matter is

[7:16] undefinable [7:18] Okay, so you see what I’m saying there’s no way to prove it is fact [7:21] So it’s not fact. It’s theory, but what we have is a scripture that we believe and [7:28] Quite frankly in logic. It just makes a lot more sense to me to understand that creation does have an intelligent designer [7:35] Genesis excuse me Romans chapter 1 tells us that when you look at the world you see the invisible attributes of God [7:41] We’re left without excuse because creation screams something had to design this

[7:46] And so when we look at scripture and try to understand creation [7:49] There’s an importance in our lives to have a degree of submission to what scripture tells us if it’s going to be our authority [7:56] And because I can’t measure God it doesn’t tell me that there isn’t a God what it tells me is there’s someone greater [8:02] Than me who is God who can’t be measured by my standards, but he can measure me by his [8:09] And so he creates [8:11] He speaks and when we deal with the original Hebrew in Genesis 1 when it says

[8:18] The earth was out was without form and void and the darkness was over the face of the deep and the Spirit of God [8:23] Was hovering over the waters [8:23] And then it says and God said let there be light the term there for creation that God [8:29] Created and then spoke the term there for created is the Hebrew word Barah and that Hebrew word Barah is [8:37] In every instance in Genesis 1 when it talks of God creating something out of nothing [8:43] So this ex nihilo or out of nothing reality that we’re dealing with here is specifically stated in scripture

[8:50] So it’s not an understanding that we invented but rather it’s the way Hebrew language takes us [8:56] the other word that is often used for created is the Hebrew word a saw and [9:01] what that does is it means to make or [9:05] Shape or fashion something out of something else [9:09] So in scripture when you see once Adam and Eve sin and they’re making their fig leaf underwear [9:16] That word for created is a saw because what they’re doing is they’re taking one thing and making another thing or when Noah

[9:24] Is building the ark the term there is a saw because he’s taking wood and forming it into a boat [9:30] But when we deal with God creating the earth and creating the universe as we understand it [9:36] We’re dealing with a reality in the language when it says out of nothing God made everything [9:43] So the reality is is that God is so great and so powerful and so mighty that we’re dealing with a being who can [9:51] speak and [9:52] things just simply exist

[9:56] So God is in this way [9:59] Separate from us and greater than us. I cannot speak things into existence [10:04] I try all the time even with my own son. I try to speak obedience into existence and I can’t even do that [10:11] all right, you cannot just speak and [10:16] Macaroni and cheese appears out of nothing [10:19] No

[10:19] I have to take the time and open the easy mac and pour it in and then boil the noodles and then put it in [10:25] Microwave and there’s 90 seconds of my life [10:27] All right. I can’t imagine the people that didn’t have easy Mac. It probably took them like an hour [10:33] And we are so inconvenienced by not being able to speak things into existence, but that’s because we’re creation [10:40] We’re not the creator. We do not have the power that God has [10:44] So one aspect in one struggle of us not being able to wrap our minds around creation

[10:51] I believe is a form of pride [10:54] Because we do not want to believe there’s something that we cannot measure [10:58] We do not want to believe that there is a being greater than us who’s completely omniscient and powerful and sovereign [11:05] overall and [11:07] There has to be a point of humility where you’re understanding that God is greater than I am and rather than rebel against it [11:15] I should worship because of it

[11:18] Outside of this I don’t really have to deal with much else [11:21] If there was no God I wouldn’t have to deal with the reality of what do I exist for? [11:27] Because if there is no God then there really isn’t much purpose [11:30] Stuff happens we’re reduced to a nihilistic reality where nothingness is all that matters and nothing matters so I can just yeah, whatever [11:37] But if there is a God [11:40] then it’s

[11:41] Completely important and it’s very important in my life that I deal with him and [11:46] Understand him because if he created then maybe there’s a purpose behind why? [11:52] And so then I must do the diligent work of finding out why but God speaks into existence [11:58] So what I want to do now is I want to kind of summarize what he does on each day of creation [12:02] Because scripture points out that night and day was the first day so on day one we have light and dark [12:10] Okay, so God creates the earth and then he speaks and he says let there be light and let there be dark

[12:18] So we understand that somewhere in day one or somewhere during this period of time in which God has created [12:23] More than just the light and the dark we have the Sun we have the earth we have other things and now God creates light [12:30] He creates dark then on day two he creates the sea and the sky [12:35] So we have this reality that the Spirit of God is hovering over the face of the waters and there’s really no difference between [12:42] The expanse of the sky in the ocean [12:44] I don’t really know what that could have looked like but on day two God says

[12:48] You know let the sea exists let the sky exists and he separates the two [12:52] Molecules or if you’re a sign I should not have used science language. I’m not a scientist [12:56] So if you are a scientist, I probably said that wrong. I apologize then on day three. He creates a fertile earth

[13:05] On day four the lights of day and night now there comes a question of [13:11] Okay, day one and day four. What’s the big difference? [13:14] Well somewhere between on day one and day four there was a difference in the fact that somehow the Sun did something different [13:20] I don’t know if it was that the earth wasn’t rotating the same way that it rotates now [13:24] But there was a separation then put between day and night [13:28] That was somehow different than the way it was before that then on day five

[13:33] We have fish and birds [13:36] On day six we have land animals and mankind [13:41] They’re like Steve. You just summarized a whole lot of verses there. You’re welcome

[13:48] You know I [13:50] Know everybody wants to go to lunch [13:51] So I said maybe I’ll just kind of look at what the verse is saying [13:53] I’ll just summarize for everybody real quick was gonna take notes what happened on each day [13:58] So there you go, and I know most of you have probably heard this story before now

[14:03] What I want just to understand is that’s where the closed-handed issues are [14:09] Okay, these are closed-handed issues all right now

[14:16] I’m very I’m trying to be very generous on what I want to talk about now [14:20] Which are what I see is kind of open-handed issues, but [14:24] Maybe the Lord thinks they’re all closed-handed. I don’t know

[14:29] But [14:29] What are kind of open-handed issues, but what I did was is I want to deal with these in order of [14:36] biblical to [14:37] less biblical [14:39] All right, and the final one is is as unbiblical as I think you can get and not lose your mind [14:44] But I don’t know why you would want to be that unbiblical

[14:47] But you can and still come to the village, but you’re not gonna be allowed to teach the final thing all right [14:52] There are kind of six major views of [14:56] creation theology [14:57] There’s six major ways that people view [15:01] Genesis 1 in the way in which God created the earth the first one is historic creationism [15:08] Now historic creationism throughout the history of the church has been the position that there is no defined length of time

[15:15] between Genesis 1 1 and 1 2 [15:19] But the order of creation excuse me [15:22] Was six literal days [15:25] But the pre-formation could have been longer all right now [15:30] If you deal with the original language in the Hebrew in Genesis 1 1 and 1 2 [15:37] We do not have anything that specifically says that was one day

[15:45] So to be as biblical as possible I [15:50] Believe that it’s important to leave there a possibility that that could have been longer now view number two is [15:59] Young earth creationism this is the most popular view in [16:03] Evangelical Christianity in seeking to be faithful to the text it affirms that creation was six literal days [16:10] And there was no long gap involved all right very close to the text [16:17] Okay, then we start getting a little bit

[16:21] Reading more meaning into the Texans really there [16:23] There’s also what’s understood as the gap theory [16:26] Which is that Genesis 1 1 and 2 contain a gap in time that could be ages long [16:33] The earth was form was without form and void is not specifically presented as [16:37] Falling during the six days of God speaking the world into existence [16:41] But it goes further than historic creation in that it says

[16:43] During this time it is believed that there could have been another creation that was destroyed [16:49] Possibly during the fall of Satan and then remade into the current creation now

[16:58] You don’t see that [17:00] In the text specifically now what’s done is some other texts and scriptures are kind of combined and Isaiah and Ezekiel [17:08] It’s viewed that Satan is cast out of heaven that there’s a possibility that he hit the earth and that this chaotic state was [17:15] Formed without void was caused by him [17:18] But here the problem with that is is that you begin to read a lot into the text where no story is formed and here’s [17:25] The key when you do that it’s dangerous because you can’t do it without creating meaning that isn’t in Scripture

[17:31] And I you don’t want to do that [17:33] All right [17:39] Tom Clancy wrote that it’s a tank he didn’t write that it’s an airplane [17:42] And I’d probably take his authority about the tanks okay well with God [17:47] I just let him be God and what he doesn’t want me to know I don’t put meaning in that isn’t there

[17:52] Then fourthly and this is where we begin to get into

[17:57] Some more dangerous territory. There’s the literary framework view this is becoming very popular in [18:03] Emergent church circles and in people that are a little more liberal with their theology [18:08] Genesis 1 & 2 are poetic literature and therefore explain an analogy [18:13] But not literally how creation takes place now in Hebrew text Genesis 1 is a poem [18:20] Okay, but what this does is it goes a step further by saying not only is it a poem, but it’s not literal [18:25] This isn’t how it really happened

[18:27] This is just Moses’s way of helping us understand how it happened the problem with that and while you’re saying well [18:31] That’s how a lot of poetry works right well outside of scripture yes, but inside of scripture the poetry isn’t like that [18:37] There’s tons of poetry in scripture. That’s always literal, so this would be kind of the exception to the rule of scripture [18:43] Then there’s the day age view each day of creation was not necessarily 24 literal hours [18:49] And I’ll explain why that can be problematic in just a moment then finally there’s theistic evolution [18:54] This is the argument from intelligent design that set the universe into motion and oversaw the evolutionary

[19:00] process presented in science now [19:03] This is the view that’s least compatible with scripture while still holding to that God as creator [19:08] The movement for in teaching of intelligent design somewhat compromises and leans us towards the possibility of theistic evolution [19:16] Okay, but I will tell you the problem is of course scripture the problem with every view that’s not good is scripture [19:23] All right [19:23] So if it’s a view that’s not good the problems on I’m always gonna say the problem with that is scripture the problem with that

[19:28] scripture [19:29] scripture in no way leads us to believe that [19:32] Evolution took place and here’s one key that I believe Romans 1 is very important when it says that creation itself [19:40] exhibits the existence of God here’s the key [19:44] Micro evolution is a fact all right in my home [19:48] It is in my home. I have a dog that came from a pug mother and a beagle father

[19:54] It’s a puggle [19:56] All right shouldn’t have been done I [20:02] Love my dog completely insane [20:04] Something got crosswired now. That’s an example of micro evolution [20:11] Because it’s a different breed than existed beforehand

[20:17] Macro evolution though [20:20] Has never happened in the view of man. Here’s what I mean by that [20:25] Micro evolution is true when a pug and a beagle breed and cause a puggle [20:30] Macro evolution isn’t true because it’s still a dog

[20:36] It didn’t become a new species [20:39] My dog doesn’t have wings [20:42] Dogs will never have wings [20:43] Because dogs aren’t birds and birds aren’t dogs [20:47] So I can’t get a parakeet and over millions and millions of years. Hopefully view that parakeet become a frog [20:55] Parakeets don’t evolve into frogs because macro evolution isn’t true and I know it sounds funny

[21:01] And I know it probably sounds pretty facetious if you believe enough in macro evolution personally [21:06] But here’s the key scripture is authoritative over this process

[21:12] But more than that science has never [21:14] Pointed out where macro evolution has really taken place in any living being nor has it pointed out where it is taking place now [21:21] Through chemistry if you go to the local gym and view guys that are on steroids [21:26] It almost seems like men are becoming more like gorillas, but but it’s not alright [21:32] I promise you there’s still human beings drugged up and steroided up, but they’re still human [21:37] Okay

[21:39] That one hit close to home [21:42] Even my own analogies [21:44] alright [21:45] The point of that to go move quickly is that? [21:49] Historic creationism and young-earth creationism are the most biblical views [21:56] They’re the views that coincide most closely with scripture while there’s no definition of the length between

[22:04] 1 1 & 2 scripture does seem to support 6 literal days of creation now [22:11] The most biblical example I can give to you why I believe this is because the same author who wrote the book of Genesis [22:18] Moses wrote the book of Exodus, and I don’t think this made the cut [22:22] I think I forgot to email this one in but you can turn there to Exodus chapter 20 [22:27] verses 8 through 11 and [22:30] Here’s what Moses writes he says in the ten commandments remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy

[22:36] Six days you shall labor and do all your work [22:38] But the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God on it [22:42] You shall not do any work you or your son or your daughter or your male servant or your female servant or your life [22:48] Stock or the sojourner who is within your gates for in six days and dealing with six literal days in our understanding [22:56] Moses the same author [22:58] Says that in six days

[23:00] The Lord made heaven and earth the sea and all that is in them and rested on the seventh day therefore the Lord blessed [23:07] The Sabbath day and made it holy [23:09] Now I’m not gonna deal with the Sabbath day because we don’t have time but what I am gonna deal with is that Moses had an [23:15] Understanding that the Lord created in six literal days [23:20] Okay [23:20] Was it 24-hour periods I?

[23:23] Tend to think so okay, but that’s because I have a desire to be as biblical as possible [23:28] So what do I think you should believe I think you should believe whatever is as biblical as possible [23:33] Okay now

[23:37] When properly understood [23:39] There is no final conflict between Scripture and science [23:45] All right because what we end up dealing with and and science is not the enemy of the Bible the Bible is not the [23:50] Enemy of science I believe they’re completely parallel. I believe that science [23:55] Reveals a beautiful creator. I believe the deeper that we understand science and deeper [23:59] We should understand science because I believe it’s a beautiful thing the more we understand Scripture

[24:05] But here’s a few explanations as to [24:09] Some of the conflicts that we have because some people when we date things [24:14] It seems like there’s a possibility of millions and millions and millions of years as Ken Ham would say but [24:21] Does that mean that the earth is millions of years old or could it mean something else? Well there is a possibility [24:29] Francis Schaeffer wrote this wish I could claim credit for it, but I didn’t [24:34] Francis Schaeffer says that there’s a possibility that God created a grown-up universe

[24:39] That when Adam and Eve were on the scene there were already trees [24:44] Well, if you ever planted a tree it takes a long time for those to grow so so God made them

[24:50] All grown up mature so they look older [24:52] There’s also the possibility of a break between Genesis 1 1 and 2 or 2 and 3 [24:58] Those are like I said, there’s a possibility those are indefinite periods of time [25:03] There’s a possibility of a long day in Genesis 1 while I hold to 24-hour literal periods is always possible [25:10] That the days were a bit longer before day 4. I don’t know [25:14] There’s a possibility that the flood affected the geological data to believe in scriptures to believe that God flooded the earth

[25:21] There’s a possibility and we see some of the effects of the flood that that caused a little bit of dating change [25:27] The use of kinds in Genesis 1 may be quite broad [25:32] When it says God created different kinds of animals when we find the fossil data that of things that don’t exist anymore of things that are extinct [25:40] We don’t know what kinds God really created so it could be a very broad definition [25:45] When the Hebrew word Barah is not used there is a possibility of sequence from previously existing things [25:51] So there are times that Barah is not used in God making things and the word Assa is used

[25:56] So there’s a possibility that God combined things that already existed to make something else [26:01] But if we go too far on that we’ll get too complicated

[26:05] Now the second thing I want us to understand this morning is that the important thing is to understand that creation reveals the glory of God [26:12] Oftentimes we get so bogged down [26:15] With our trying to get ammunition so that we can argue with people that don’t agree with us that we totally miss the point [26:24] The point is not who’s right and who’s wrong [26:28] the point of [26:30] Creation is God and his magnificent glory Mark Driscoll points out 14 truths

[26:39] 14 truths that are revealed about God in creation [26:44] All right, so through creation. I want to summarize 14 things that we can see the first thing is that God is the only God [26:53] When you see him show up and even in Isaiah chapter 45 when he says I’m the only God and I was the only one that [26:59] Created so if we believe in any other God we can see through [27:03] Creation that there is only one God that creates all that there is so there’s only one God that we are accountable to [27:11] The only God is what God is the only God number two God is

[27:15] Trinitarian we’ll see in a moment through creation [27:18] We see the first glimpse of God’s beauty in Trinitarian theology in Genesis 1 26 through 28 where he says let us make man an [27:26] our image [27:26] The first view we have of the Trinity is through creation thirdly God is eternally uncaused

[27:35] Science is constantly looking for the uncaused cause that they cannot find well I found the cause and the cause is God

[27:43] Fourthly God is living [27:47] God’s not dead [27:48] God is living God interacts with creation. He makes creation [27:54] Fifthly God is independent [27:57] Completely independent completely self-sufficient completely unneeding of anything else God is transcendent [28:05] What that word transcendent means is that God is above everything else

[28:10] We see in his power that he is something else that is not quite completely like us. We also see that God is imminent [28:19] God’s close [28:20] God is here God comes to the garden and he communicates and he is with Adam and Eve [28:26] He’s close and through that we see that God is personal eightly

[28:31] The guy is not deistic in his being but rather he’s close to us. He’s personally communicates nicely God is powerful I [28:40] Mean look at creation what power? [28:43] Tenthly God is beautiful [28:46] 11th God is holy [28:49] You see that through creation that exists for him [28:53] Isaiah 45 says everything that exists exists for me Proverbs 16 says the exact same thing

[28:58] I think it’s in verses 9 and 10, but God [29:02] Created everything to be set apart for his glory and he sets himself apart from it [29:08] So that he can be holy in light of it [29:11] In verse and let’s use me number 12. We see that God is a prophet [29:15] God could have made the earth however, he wanted to but he chooses to speak into existence [29:21] 13 God is gracious

[29:24] He could have created [29:27] walked away [29:28] But in his grace [29:32] doesn’t [29:33] 14 we see that God is a sovereign King [29:36] See the order that he puts to everything see the placement that he puts everything in 24 hour days and the seasons that exist

[29:44] and even the distances of planets from other planets and the fact that [29:48] Everything seems to work in the order that it works and we see a sovereign King who is constantly engineering [29:55] constantly supporting [29:56] constantly maintaining creating a world that is completely [30:01] Sufficient and completely stable but as sufficient only as it is held by his hand [30:08] We see that God is distinct from creation but actively and personally

[30:14] Involved in it. There is no circle of life [30:18] In the Lion King it just came out in 3d. It’s cool flick [30:23] But you see something where they’re trying to explain life and they explain it in a circle that everything comes back [30:30] And everything goes back to the starting point and this is an understanding of creation and evolution that in pagan theology [30:37] Goes back generations, but understand that we don’t believe in a one ism here [30:42] We don’t believe in the circle of life life doesn’t control itself and reincarnation never happens

[30:48] And life doesn’t always come back to this one starting point by itself in which God is nature [30:55] We believe that God is separate and distinct from his creation. He is above his creation [31:01] We believe that he is not in any way bound to his creation [31:04] We believe that God is not even bound by our understanding of time [31:07] God is not bound by my understanding of logic God can do whatever he does he wants to do and he does [31:16] God is not bound by me, but I am bound by God

[31:20] in Ephesians chapter 4 verse 6 we see this beautiful [31:26] Illustration that there is one God and father of all who’s over all and through all and in all [31:33] Now some of us would see that Oh God is in all therefore nature worship is good [31:38] No, it’s not God in the tree, but God isn’t a tree [31:43] In the gospel I understand that God is in me, but I’m not God [31:47] There’s a distinction between the person of God and all other things that exist and while he’s maintaining it while he’s controlling it

[31:55] While he’s pushing forward. He’s not that thing

[32:00] Now

[32:02] We also believe in God’s transcendence and eminence [32:05] But that God is not dependent on creation and he does not need [32:10] creation every aspect of creation therefore echoes and contains the [32:16] Proclamation of the glory of God in Psalm chapter 19 verse 1 we see that the heavens declare [32:24] The glory of God in the sky above proclaims his handiwork

[32:32] But then we have to deal with a few other things I have to deal with us [32:40] Because clearly there’s something significantly different about me [32:44] Not then you but then trees and then water and then dogs [32:50] What is different about humanity? Well? [32:54] Man was created in the image of God. That’s the first thing I want us to see this morning look in Genesis chapter 1 verses 26 through [33:01] 28

[33:03] On the sixth day [33:05] Then God said let us make man in our image after our likeness and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over [33:12] the birds of the air and the heavens and [33:14] Over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth [33:18] So God created man in his own image in the image of God he created him male and female he created them [33:25] And God blessed them and God said to them be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion over the

[33:30] Fish of the sea and over the birds of the and the of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth

[33:39] God creates man and puts his image in man [33:43] We see God do something different when he creates man than he does in any other thing [33:48] Instead of just speaking and it exists because when he makes fish and birds and animals [33:52] Speaks and they exist but when it comes to man he reaches down and [33:57] somehow takes the dirt of the ground and forms us out of it and then actually [34:04] breathes that

[34:05] Pneuma that breath that we talked about last week that theon news does the breath of God actually comes into

[34:14] man and [34:16] this is [34:17] Specifically what causes a distinction between humanity and everything else God does not breathe [34:24] Life into everything else he speaks but with us he forms and then breathes [34:31] Now why does he do that he does that because man is to be the image of God [34:39] It is in this action that we see the special connection and relationship that God will have with human beings

[34:45] Everything about us even down to our understanding of morality as shown in Romans 2 14 [34:50] Shows that God has formed man to be his image bearers

[34:56] We’re to image him we are to

[35:01] Let the invisible attributes of God to all of creation [35:07] We exist to reflect his image to everything that is and this means a few very important [35:15] Things and what I want to do first is just for a minute if you humor me deal with how men and women are so [35:21] Different yet. We’re both image bearers of the same God

[35:26] All right, there’s a couple of ways to deal with it and I’ll tell you how we deal with it in [35:31] Genesis 1 26 we see that let us make man in our image and then a few weeks ago [35:36] We talked about how in community in relationship man reflects the image of God [35:41] But also in that community through different roles we reflect the image of God [35:46] Scripture tells us in the New Testament that the way the gospel works is that God the Father [35:51] Planned it God the Son did the work and God the Holy Spirit gave the power

[35:59] All right, but all three are God right equal God different person different role [36:07] men and women are [36:09] Completely equal I think churches get a bad rap because they believe that most churches don’t believe that well we believe that [36:16] We’re equal [36:17] We’re completely the same value. I do not believe in chauvinism. I believe chauvinism is actually a rebellion [36:25] against God

[36:27] so men and women are completely equal but as [36:31] God in his being [36:33] Has different roles in the Trinity so men and women occupy different roles in creation

[36:43] All right [36:44] We do not believe that one is greater than the other but we also do not believe that they are the same

[36:53] Biology kind of shows me that one [36:56] All right, there’s something different. I’m glad that there is [37:00] All right, marriage would be awkward any other way [37:04] Just wouldn’t work out for me [37:08] Too much sorry

[37:12] We’re equal but not the same and

[37:18] While not spending too much time on it. I want us to understand that rather than

[37:25] Denying it rather than resenting it we should take joy in it [37:33] My wife can never be my son’s father

[37:37] She can [37:40] and I praise God for it I [37:43] Can never be his mother and again. I praise God for it [37:49] All right, and he would be hurting if I was his mom [37:52] All right. Now. I know that there are issues where one parent has to occupy both roles and [38:01] You should do that as a single parent you should strive for it

[38:05] But understand that that doesn’t change the way in which God created the earth

[38:10] All right [38:11] masculinity is [38:13] something that is [38:15] For men and femininity is something that is for women in the way that our roles work [38:20] Also, God has specifically designed men for certain offices and roles and he has specifically designed women for certain offices and roles [38:29] All right, but we should take joy in it

[38:35] Women take joy in the fact that you can endure childbirth [38:39] Men take joy in the fact that you don’t have to endure childbirth [38:44] All right

[38:46] I can never do that [38:49] Because that’s the way God created me [38:52] All right, and I don’t think we need to go over that too much [38:55] Understand that we should take joy and glory in the roles that we’ve been given by God as the son [39:04] Took joy you never saw Jesus resent the father because he had to go to the cross [39:09] What do you see Jesus do for the joy that was set before him? He endured the cross

[39:17] Do you understand the joy that the father and son have in their different roles? [39:22] So also men and women take joy in your role and do not deny it [39:29] Dudes act like dudes man women act like women [39:34] It’s beautiful now [39:36] In reflecting that image and we’re gonna we’re gonna sum it all up here

[39:42] Genesis chapter 2 verse 15. I want to talk a little bit about what that image there was a little bit of Hebrew stuff [39:47] I was gonna do there, but let’s not do that. You didn’t want me to anyway [39:50] So in Genesis 2 15 I want us to see some of the image of God [39:54] That has been given to us just a couple of specific examples in [39:59] Genesis 2 15 [40:01] We read now out of the ground the Lord God had formed every beast of the field

[40:06] Oh, excuse me. The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and keep it [40:11] Okay, I skipped verse there [40:14] Here’s what I want us to grasp through this part of the image of God and part of our worship is work [40:19] Okay, and I want to deal with this just for a moment because of the horrendous laziness that we have in our culture [40:27] That’s really been a problem from the fall [40:31] But there’s something in us that is beginning to tell us that work is not

[40:36] godly [40:37] Or even there’s this thing that speaks into our ear that work is something that came because of sin [40:42] The problem with that is Genesis 2 15 comes before the fall of man [40:47] Now work stinks because of the fall of man, but work is something that is completely godly

[40:55] So men and women [40:58] part of you being an image bearer of God is [41:04] work [41:05] So when you are working [41:07] Understand that your career does not first exist for you. It exists namely for God [41:16] While the work will be hard because of sin understand the work is worship for God kids

[41:26] Stop being so lazy [41:28] All right. I was a lazy kid. I learned my lesson. I stopped it. I repented [41:35] teenagers if you can drive get a job [41:39] All right [41:41] That is part of the image of God in you quit complaining that you have no money when you have no worki [41:49] All right, if you want money work

[41:52] Get a job and don’t blame mom and dad. They’ve got a job. The reason they’re broke is you

[42:00] Help them out. It’s part of the image of God that we work [42:05] Ladies and gentlemen, there’s no greater work than the work of the Church of Jesus Christ, which is the work of the gospel on

[42:13] Sundays, please help [42:16] Please we’re begging you [42:18] Because it’s godly [42:21] Set up and tear down does it yourself? [42:24] All right, quite frankly if you’re out in the hall after church for too long and you’re just standing there [42:30] Don’t think I won’t come up and say stop that

[42:32] Do something I may hand you a pipe and just say take it somewhere hopefully you’ll find where it goes [42:39] Work is godly and you’re not above it

[42:44] Okay, let’s keep going I don’t want to offend too many people in [42:49] verse 19 of [42:50] Genesis 2 now out of the ground the Lord God had formed every beast of the field and every bird of the heavens and [42:55] Brought them to the man to see what he would call them and whatever the man called every living creature [43:01] That was its name and then back in verses 27 and 28 we see that God gives man dominion over every beast of the field

[43:10] What am I saying here what I’m saying is is that man is given [43:15] Responsibility where creation is concerned. We are stewards of creation [43:21] It’s our responsibility now. There are two extremes to that the first [43:26] Is people that act like they want to go pour motor oil in the James River [43:32] You just want to pave the world knock down all the trees drive a Hummer with a v50 engine in it pollute everything [43:40] Let’s see what this bad boy can take

[43:43] But then on the other extreme there’s this view of nature should be completely untouched by man. It’s extreme environmentalism [43:51] All right where everything is equal to us and who do we think we are [43:56] Now I may have somebody from both camps in here, but I want to offend you both equally [44:02] You’re both wrong [44:05] All right one is as irresponsible as the other [44:10] We are not to go around and be bad stewards of the earth

[44:17] Our goal should not be to pollute it [44:21] Yeah, but God will take care of it, right? [44:25] Well, he’s told us to do that. Why do we want him to intervene when his intervention was us?

[44:32] Don’t be stupid [44:34] We’re to take care of this earth, but we are to have dominion over it [44:40] untouched nature [44:42] Is not biblical [44:45] We’ve been given a mandate by God to use nature and the technological advances that we have had through fire and through [44:52] Harnessing the power of water to make electricity. Those are God glorifying things

[44:57] We should steward creation for the glory of God [45:02] How should we do that with wisdom and knowledge? [45:07] Isn’t that crazy? [45:09] Because I don’t think wisdom would have any of you go dump your oil into the James River [45:14] Maybe it did but I want to tell you that wasn’t wisdom. That was stupid [45:18] We don’t want to kill the fish

[45:20] But we do want to fish them [45:22] And we can’t I don’t know another word for it. We can’t fish without fish [45:28] You know with hunting and deer that may that would have been a better one [45:31] But you can’t fish if there are no fish and if we pour oil in the James there will be no fish [45:37] All right, we’re to have dominion over it [45:39] But we’re not to go out and just kill all the bears and leave their carcasses out there because we hate bears

[45:46] All right, I don’t hunt but it’s not because I think hunting is sinful. It’s because I know Martins exists [45:53] All right [45:53] So I just offended all the men. I [45:58] Just lost some man points. I’m gonna turn him a man card [46:00] But quite frankly as long as they keep putting it on the shelves, that’s where I’m gonna hunt [46:04] You know, what would you do if you went in Martins and I’m in there with fatigues on?

[46:08] You know get in steak. All right now [46:13] Hunting is perfectly biblical [46:15] All right [46:15] But here’s what I don’t think is biblical and I think the state does a good job of telling us, you know [46:20] Don’t go out and just kill them all and leave them out there if you’re gonna eat it. That’s fine [46:24] But if you’re out there just to kill things and decapitate them

[46:28] Maybe we should talk [46:31] Some unchecked aggression, I don’t know. I don’t know but finally this morning and we’ll close [46:38] When we talk about things like work and we talk about things [46:43] I’ll stay still when we talk about things like the environment [46:47] There’s something in us that lets us know that that something has has gone terribly wrong [46:53] All right creation does not go the way that it should

[46:58] We are not always the image bearers that we should be the world is an ugly place [47:05] Oftentimes but it wasn’t the way that God creates it [47:08] We should never look at creation as a bad thing even in a sinful and fallen world because first Timothy tells us that when [47:14] Creation was made by God. It was good Genesis 131 tells us that it was good [47:19] And we’ll talk about the fall of man and where it all went wrong next week [47:23] But I want you to understand that while we are not perfect image bearers

[47:29] There is one that was and his name was Jesus in [47:34] Colossians chapter 1 verse 15. This is what we read [47:42] He is the image of the invisible God the firstborn of all creation in [47:50] Genesis chapter 1 when it says let us make man in our image what that Hebrew word there means is representative [47:58] Means that we represent God to creation in Colossians chapter 1 when it says that he’s the image of the invisible [48:04] God the firstborn over all of creation what that means

[48:09] What that means is the same thing [48:13] That as a human which we know God the Sun became a human and walked on this earth for our behalf

[48:22] Is he reveals [48:26] Perfectly what it looks like to represent God on this earth in his perfection [48:32] He never once rebelled against God’s beautiful [48:38] Mandates of what we should do in creation God communicated to us what we should do and we often rebel against it [48:45] But Jesus perfectly obeyed him and then I want you to look in Colossians chapter 3 in [48:52] Colossians 3 10 we read

[48:55] After coming to Jesus Christ it says and we have put on the new self [49:00] Which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of [49:06] its [49:07] creator [49:08] See Genesis 3 connects itself to Genesis chapter 1 but in between that comes the gospel [49:14] The fact that what Jesus came to do is what we cannot do in our fallen state

[49:21] We can strive we can push we can work we can steward [49:26] But something is always going to be missing in the way that we steward God’s creation [49:33] We are to get it wrong

[49:38] But in light of that [49:41] Jesus never [49:43] once got it wrong [49:46] And he doesn’t just say [49:49] Be like me [49:52] He doesn’t just say I gave you a great example

[49:57] He does it on our behalf as our [50:05] substitute [50:06] Jesus perfectly [50:08] followed the father and [50:12] Then he paid the penalty [50:15] That we deserve to pay

[50:19] See in his life [50:22] He perfectly reflected the image of God and in his death [50:28] He perfectly shows the love grace and mercy of God that he has [50:36] for his created beings

[50:40] And in Colossians 3 [50:43] We see the beauty that when we look at the life of Jesus we see what we are not [50:50] But we see what we want

[50:54] We also see through his death [50:57] That he substitutes himself [51:00] Takes the penalty for my sin and yours and [51:05] Through his resurrection we see that he’s triumphant and he’s victorious over the sin [51:13] That so easily besets each and every one of us as we get it wrong [51:19] time and time

[51:21] again, and he says [51:23] I’ll redeem you give you my righteousness [51:28] And as you follow me [51:31] You will begin to experience [51:34] The restoration of the image of God in your life in his kingdom [51:41] It’ll be completely restored but in this life

[51:45] We because of Jesus can have the opportunity to worship and live as [51:53] We were meant to live while building his church