God Creates.

Steve Gentry

[0:00] Welcome to Village Church. My name is Steve. If you’re new here, I just want to [0:03] take a moment to welcome you. Before we get started this morning, I wanted to [0:10] make you aware of a move that we’re making as a church. We are a church [0:16] plant. We’ve existed for about a little over three years now as Village Church. [0:21] And we, one of our first thoughts and one of our first visions as we were [0:26] planted was that we would be a church that plants other churches. And so one

[0:30] of the things that we’ve been determined to do is help other churches, [0:35] especially across the East Coast, to really get a strong start, get a good [0:40] foundation. And we were approached a little while back by a church [0:44] planting team from Charlotte, North Carolina, that’s going to actually be a [0:49] church plant of a church that already exists in Belmont, North Carolina. And [0:53] this church is going to be called Exodus Church North Lake. And what I wanted to do

[0:57] this morning is I wanted to let the lead pastor from Exodus Church North Lake, I [1:00] wanted to let him cast his vision. And what we’re going to do is we’re going to [1:04] partner with them in all the ways that they’ve asked us to partner with them. [1:07] And we’re going to give them some financial support as well. I don’t know [1:11] if you know this, but 20% of everything that’s given here goes out. We take 10% [1:18] and it goes to international missions. And another 10% goes into church

[1:22] planting. And we have a church planting fund for our next plant. And we also, [1:27] every month we have two church plants, one Hispanic church plant in Chester, [1:32] Virginia, and one Redemption City Church in Boston, Massachusetts. And this will be [1:36] the third church plant that we’re going to partner with to plant in Charlotte, [1:39] North Carolina. So I want to go ahead and give you guys a little vision, [1:42] a little sneak peek in Exodus Church North Lake. Just watch the screens.

[1:48] Hi, my name is David Keene. And by God’s grace, we’re seeking to plant a church [1:51] planting church in the North Charlotte area of North Carolina.

[2:03] Three years ago, God allowed me the opportunity to be a part of a church [2:07] planting launch team. Exodus Church was planted in Belmont, North Carolina, [2:12] and God is leading us to the North Charlotte area to plant another congregation [2:17] of Exodus Church. We will be one church existing in multiple congregations. [2:23] We’ll be one church in mission, vision, and values. And the congregations will be [2:28] as diverse as the context that they’re placed in.

[2:34] The reason why the North Lake area of Charlotte is such a strategic place is [2:39] because of the commuting nature of the city. The North Lake area sits at the [2:44] section of 485 and 77, which are two major highways in the city.

[2:52] So you may be thinking, but why is it that you feel called to plant a church? [2:56] I think the answer for me is twofold. Number one, [2:59] there are a lot of churches in this city. [3:02] We still are in the South and there still are churches on a lot of street [3:06] corners. [3:06] But the facts are that a lot of those churches are either plateaued or

[3:11] declining. And the reality is in order to keep pace with the growth of all the [3:17] people that are coming in, more gospel centered, [3:20] gospel proclaiming churches have to be planted in this city. [3:25] And then the second part of that answer is this, [3:28] is that I believe that God has called my family and I hear to this city over the [3:34] last 10 years, God has orchestrated my life to where he has placed me here for

[3:39] such a time as this to plant a church planning church in this reason. [3:44] I don’t by any means think that Exodus North Lake is the answer to all of this [3:49] city’s problems. [3:50] But I do think that God has called us here to play our part well and proclaiming [3:56] the gospel here in this city, [3:59] to the ends of this city and to the ends of the earth.

[4:10] So what’s going on with Exodus North Lake currently on September the second, [4:13] we began gathering as a launch team in a living room. [4:17] And right now we’re seeking to be equipped as good missionaries, [4:20] to learn our culture, [4:22] to learn the basics of what the church is and how to share the gospel and how to [4:26] be on mission together as a community and as a people.

[4:31] So how can you be involved? [4:32] There’s three ways you can pray, you can go, you can give. [4:37] First of all, we need prayer. [4:39] We desperately need people to pray for us. [4:43] Some of you may be called to go. [4:45] As I’ve said earlier,

[4:46] there’s already a team of people gathering of about 30 adults and 15 kids [4:50] that are committing to be missionaries in the North Charlotte area. [4:54] Maybe God’s calling you to be one of those people. [4:57] Thirdly, God’s going to call some of you to give to this mission. [5:01] The reality is that we need your help financially. [5:05] We need people to give to the mission of God to help get this church

[5:09] planted and launched in order that the gospel of Jesus might be faithfully [5:14] taken to the ends of the city of Charlotte and to the ends of the earth. [5:18] For more information about how to partner with us at Exodus church, [5:22] North Lake, please visit us on Facebook, on our website, [5:26] or shoot me an email.

[5:33] All right. [5:34] As soon as I saw his beard, I knew I had to be involved. [5:37] It’s just something spoke to me through the power of the beard. [5:41] It’s just something about big beards. [5:42] I don’t have the discipline to grow one cause my mustache itches. [5:45] So I have mad respect for anybody that does. No,

[5:48] you may be thinking to yourself, man, they’re, [5:51] they’re just meeting in a house right now. How do we know they’re going to make it? [5:54] Well, some of you remember some of you were here. [5:57] Most of you are not. [5:59] But less than four years ago we were meeting in a living room, [6:02] just about 15 of us praying that God would do something on our behalf.

[6:07] And well over 200 people gather here weekly to worship the Lord and to go out [6:11] and live the mission in middle Othian. So, [6:13] so you got to understand that God has something that he wants to do through [6:18] those who just passionately seek to live his mission and the culture around them. [6:23] And we’re going to partner with them in every way that we can. [6:26] So if you jotted down the website, go ahead and do that. If not,

[6:30] we’ll get that information to you if you need it. [6:32] If you have any questions about our partnership with them, [6:36] you can shoot me an email, give me a call. I’d love to discuss it with you. [6:40] But our vision is not for God just to work in here, [6:43] but our vision is for God to work in the entire world. [6:46] And so we want you to understand that when you give to village church,

[6:50] you’re not just giving to this building, [6:52] but you’re giving to a movement to plant churches all over the world. [6:57] Your money impacts all the way over into East Asia. [6:59] As you know, [6:59] we’ve been there and we send resources there all the way up into Boston, [7:03] Massachusetts,

[7:04] where it’s over 99% on church and now we’re going to reach Charlotte, [7:08] North Carolina, [7:09] which is one of the fastest growing areas in the entire nation. [7:13] So just join me for a moment before we get into the text that we’re going to [7:16] talk about today. And I want to, [7:18] pray for Exodus church father.

[7:23] Thank you so much [7:25] for the ability and the opportunity and the privilege that you give us [7:30] to be a part of how you’re moving all over this nation and all over this world, [7:36] or may we steward our resources in such a way [7:41] that we can have the highest impact as possible with our lives [7:46] for your gospel,

[7:48] for the great message, [7:49] the great news of Jesus, [7:52] your son, [7:53] or I pray for our time right now. [7:56] I pray that we wouldn’t just mention Exodus and then move on from it, [8:00] but rather during our weeks,

[8:02] we would pray for that team. [8:04] Lord, [8:04] it is a hard task planning a church. [8:08] Lord, [8:08] may we get behind them and support them and pray that your Holy Spirit would [8:13] fulfill each member of that core team and encourage them

[8:17] to continue to endure for the sake of your great name. [8:23] In the name of Jesus Christ, [8:24] I pray. Amen. [8:26] Well, [8:26] as you know, [8:27] we’re going to be in Genesis for a,

[8:29] for a few weeks here. [8:30] So if you have your Bibles open up to the very beginning, [8:33] it’s the easiest part of the Bible to find Genesis chapter one. [8:36] If you see anything else, [8:37] you’ve gone too far. [8:38] It’s basically page one.

[8:40] So just go there. [8:41] Now, [8:41] I want to preface what we’re talking about today just to let you know that [8:45] this is not going to be, [8:47] if you’ve had any background in church and you came this morning expecting a [8:52] Ken Ham lecture on creationism,

[8:55] that is not what you’re going to get this morning. [8:57] You may be a little disappointed because my focus and my goal this morning is [9:02] not as much to talk about creation as much as it is to talk about the God who [9:07] creates. [9:09] That is my task this morning. [9:11] That is my goal.

[9:12] We don’t have a ton of time and you know, [9:13] I’m going to take a lot of it anyway. [9:16] So, [9:16] so really my main focus this morning is going to be on Genesis one, [9:21] one and just talking about the God who in the beginning was. [9:26] Okay.

[9:27] So go to Genesis chapter one, [9:28] verse one, [9:29] and we’re going to meet God.

[9:33] I got to get there. [9:34] It wasn’t page one in my Bible. [9:36] All right. [9:37] Genesis chapter one, [9:38] verse one in the beginning.

[9:42] God created the heavens and the earth and I got to stop there and I got to unpack [9:47] that and then a half hour later we’ll move on in the beginning. [9:51] God, [9:52] those four words are how God chooses to lead off in scripture. [9:58] Now, [9:58] if you don’t have any background in this book,

[10:01] the prophet Moses wrote the first five books of the Bible. [10:05] So this is Moses, [10:06] the guy that Charlton Heston played in the 10 commandments is writing this. [10:10] God is filling him with the word of how creation took place. [10:14] And it’s just there in the beginning. [10:17] God,

[10:18] we do not get an explanation as to where he come from. [10:21] We do not get an explanation as to what else he was doing. [10:25] He just wants us to know, [10:27] hey, [10:28] I am. [10:29] And that’s really how he introduces himself over and over and over throughout

[10:34] scripture. [10:36] We’re not going to kind of scientifically speculate or on the details of [10:40] creation this morning, [10:41] but our emphasis is going to be on this God who creates what his purpose [10:46] is as well as what his plan was. [10:50] That’s something that we don’t really ask very often is what was the plan of God

[10:54] of from creation? [10:56] Why did he create? [10:57] We can come up with a bunch of different answers that God desperately wanted a [11:01] relationship with someone God desperately needed to do this. [11:05] And the fact of the matter is that he didn’t.

[11:08] God’s completely self-sufficient. [11:10] The scripture records over and over again from there on out that God is in [11:14] need of absolutely nothing. [11:17] So why did he create? [11:19] What was his purpose? [11:20] And did he have a plan?

[11:22] And the answer to that is yes. [11:24] So the first thing I want you to know about this text is that creation is about [11:28] God. [11:29] We cannot make the mistake this morning of making the story of creation about [11:34] creation. [11:36] It’s not about us.

[11:38] It’s about him because that’s how it leads off is that in the beginning God he [11:44] is the beginning of absolutely everything. [11:47] God is already there. [11:49] The text does not explain God. [11:51] It just simply has him on the scene. [11:53] The beginning is a term connected with the start of creation rather than with the

[11:57] start of God. [11:59] So I want you to understand that this is not where God begins.

[12:04] God has simply always been. [12:06] He has no source. [12:07] He has no beginning. [12:09] Scripture tells us that he’s just always been because if anyone pre-existed him [12:14] well then that person would be God or that being would be God.

[12:21] Psalm chapter 14 verse one says this the fool says in his heart there is no God.

[12:29] The reason for this is that the Bible assumes God. [12:33] Just assumes him. [12:35] Just says that there’s God and then the burden then is not on him proving to us [12:44] that he exists but rather the burden would be on everyone else disproving his [12:49] existence and that can’t be done. [12:52] Scripture tells us in Romans chapter one that just a view of creation in and of

[12:55] itself allows us to understand that there has to be a higher being. [13:00] There has to be a designer of all of this.

[13:05] The chances that this is all just happening are too great. [13:11] The detail is too specific. [13:14] The further we get down into understanding biology the further we get down into [13:20] understanding what cells and atoms and how they all work the more amazing we find. [13:27] The fact of the matter that when they go down to the very base core of what an [13:30] atom is there is no explanation as to why it holds together.

[13:37] The reality is that the answer is that in the beginning God and the scripture [13:43] tells us that the terminology here is very important. [13:48] The term there for beginning throughout Hebrew literature and throughout the [13:53] scripture is typically paired with another Hebrew word for the word end. [13:59] So we have to understand is that through the terminology that we understand just [14:03] the first four words of the scripture is that there is an end that is in mind for

[14:11] creation as it was created that before God set out to create all that is there [14:17] was a plan that he had in mind based on this very term. [14:22] So this is not just a God who’s creating with no plan. [14:28] This is not just a God that kind of sat around and said one day you know I’m just [14:31] going to make some stuff and let’s see what happens. [14:34] I’m just going to spin things and let’s see where it stops.

[14:37] This is a God that had a plan from the very beginning. [14:42] And the question is is that why does everything exist. [14:44] Well everything exists to point to him. [14:48] Charles Darwin if you are familiar with him if you’ve ever taken any type of [14:52] science class you should be. [14:53] He penned a book one time called The Origin of the Species by Means of

[14:57] Natural Selection or the Preservation of Favored Races in the Struggle for Life. [15:03] Many of you probably didn’t know the entire title of that book and that’s [15:06] because well the entire title of that book is pretty offensive.

[15:11] Typically we just look at the origin of the species but the reality is is that [15:15] when you attempt to explain creation without the focus that is God then you [15:24] are left with nothing but an authoritative being already on earth. [15:29] And if we are the authority and as limited as we are in our mindset then we’re [15:35] going to look at it and we’re going to miss everything and we’re just going to [15:38] down to the survival of the fittest because to have creation without a

[15:48] creator takes all of the dignity away from creation and puts the power and [15:55] authority in our hands to make decisions and when we do that what are our [15:59] decisions going to be.

[16:02] Well they’re going to be very self centered. [16:04] So if I’m stronger than you better look out because when we assume God when we [16:12] go into creation and first start with God and then get to everything else what [16:18] does that strip me of. [16:20] It strips me of authority from the outset I understand that there is a being that [16:26] is greater than me and his purpose for this world is above my own.

[16:31] Therefore I cannot just go throughout this world tearing it up destroying [16:37] things how I want to know there’s a responsibility on me and what’s that [16:41] responsibility. [16:41] My responsibility is to understand why God created and what purpose his [16:48] creation has. [16:49] So let’s move on there.

[16:52] Creation secondly this morning shows the power of God.

[16:59] What is the purpose of creation. [17:02] Well there’s two things that I think kind of point that out and the first one is [17:07] the power of God. [17:10] You see the answer to why God created if he is God well he doesn’t have to really [17:16] have that much of a purpose because he’s God and he really doesn’t owe me an [17:20] explanation but throughout all the studies of scripture that I’ve ever done

[17:23] all the studies of scripture as a whole the main reason is so profound. [17:28] I believe that God created the heavens and the earth because he wanted to.

[17:34] That’s it. [17:36] That’s sufficient. [17:38] That’s all that I need. [17:40] Look at Hebrews chapter 11 verse 3. [17:44] By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God so that [17:50] what is seen was not made out of things that are possible.

[17:55] I believe that God is so absolutely powerful that out of nothing he made [18:01] absolutely everything that even though there was absolutely nothing that [18:07] existed outside of God he is so powerful he is so mighty that by the very will of [18:13] his mind he was able simply to make everything that exists. [18:17] There was no lump of mud. [18:19] There was no lump of clay.

[18:20] There was no lump of matter. [18:22] There was no lump of anything. [18:24] God simply is powerful enough to say something that doesn’t exist. [18:29] Boom. [18:29] Now it exists. [18:32] He made all that is out of absolutely nothing and the term at the very beginning

[18:37] of that text is very important by faith. [18:42] I do not believe that you have to kind of check your brain at the door when you’re [18:45] entering into scripture but I also do not believe that you will ever answer all of [18:50] the questions about the cosmos that you have. [18:54] I believe that you have to have faith. [18:56] You have to simply trust in the God who is that you will never answer all the

[19:02] questions that you have about this world. [19:04] I’ll never answer all the questions that I have about this world probably until I [19:07] meet God and I just ask him face to face and even then I’m going to be limited [19:11] because I’m not him. [19:13] And if I had all the answers while I’d probably be pretty equal to him and then I [19:16] could create things out of nothing and well I’d be God and I’m not.

[19:20] And neither are you. [19:22] God created all that is to display his great power.

[19:30] God had power wanted to display it and he did. [19:35] And what was the greatest way that he could display that power. [19:38] Well I’ve never really seen anyone do anything bigger than making things exist [19:43] out of nothing existing. [19:44] We can’t do that. [19:46] Can’t do that.

[19:48] Even in the greatest labs that this world has to offer there has to be something in [19:51] the Petri dish before they can replicate it. [19:54] They can’t simply make matter exist out of nothing. [19:58] But God can. [19:59] More than that God has the power to create things simply by saying that they exist. [20:08] Now I’m not going to read all the way through verse twenty five but I want you to

[20:12] understand that through verse twenty five there are some very important things that [20:16] happen over and over and over again. [20:17] The first one is that the name of God doing things happens over and over again. [20:21] First God says then God sees.

[20:25] God says seven different times between verses one and verse twenty five for things to [20:30] exist or for things to do something in a certain way and they just simply obey him. [20:35] Why. [20:36] Because everything is in submission to his authority. [20:38] He has the greatest authority that can exist. [20:42] Secondly because he’s simply that powerful.

[20:46] God speaks everything into existence. [20:49] Romans chapter four verse 17 says it this way as it is written I have made you the [20:53] father of many nations speaking of Abraham but in the presence of God in whom he [20:57] believed who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not [21:04] exist.

[21:07] The scripture indicates that God is so powerful that out of nothing he can speak and [21:14] something will be there.

[21:17] Look in Acts chapter 17 verse 24 if we want to kind of necessitate that God needs his [21:23] creation like chapter 17 verse 24 puts it this way. [21:26] The God who made the world and everything in it being Lord of heaven and earth does [21:29] not live in temples made by man nor is he served by human hands as though he needed [21:35] anything since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything.

[21:44] To understand how creation exists in relation to who God is we have to understand that [21:51] God does not need us. [21:54] There has never been a moment in my life where God has said I am so thankful for Steve [22:01] because I don’t know what I would do without him.

[22:05] Nor has he done that towards you.

[22:09] He is God. [22:12] He doesn’t exist in any temple that I can make. [22:15] He doesn’t wait around for me to come according to his plan but rather he is a God who is [22:21] powerful enough to simply speak and the cosmos exists order it and it does what he wants [22:27] organize it and it sets forward in a pattern hold it in his hand and it does not fall away. [22:33] He is God.

[22:36] Creation then exists because God desires it to. [22:43] God wants creation to exist. [22:46] He wants us to live. [22:48] He wants life to move on. [22:50] And he has it for his purposes before it is ever for my purpose. [22:58] That is why that first verse is so very important because before I get any say into what my

[23:04] life is to be about or where my life is to point towards.

[23:11] I have to say and I have to ask a very important question. [23:15] What was God’s purpose and what is God’s purpose for his creation and what is God’s [23:21] purpose for my life. [23:25] The greatest problem that many of us have in our journey of faith is that we begin [23:31] with our future and then try to get to his future. [23:37] We begin to ask ourselves what should I do with my life.

[23:41] Well if I go this way I can do this. [23:42] If I go this way I can be a success. [23:44] If I go that way I can make this much money. [23:46] If I go with that lady well then I’ll be happier if I go with that guy then I’ll be [23:49] happy. If I take this job maybe everything will be good. [23:52] And then maybe we go to a quiet time and we say God I pray you bless all my efforts.

[23:58] But what is your plan in all of my plans.

[24:03] So we’ve already stumbled over the first four words of scripture with that mindset [24:07] because in the beginning God. [24:11] She’s not in the beginning you think that is the most difficult aspect of faith [24:18] that many of us have because I do not believe our struggle is what is is there a God [24:24] for most of us. [24:27] I think our struggle is.

[24:29] With submitting to that God. [24:33] Because there is a God who is there who made all that exists and before I can ever [24:39] begin to plan anything I have to come to the reality that I am not the creator. [24:45] He is. [24:46] And before I have say he does. [24:50] I’m not the designer of life.

[24:52] He is therefore.

[24:55] Maybe he knows how my life should be lived a little bit better than I do [24:59] because he is the designer. [25:03] Then when considering why God created we must consider why we exist. [25:11] The answer for why he created is the same as why we exist. [25:15] To show his power. [25:18] We exist throughout our lives to show the great power of this God who spoke.

[25:25] And light who spoke and earth who spoke and see who spoke. [25:32] And animals who spoke.

[25:35] And us.

[25:38] You see, this God is the God who is more powerful than our minds can ever [25:44] possibly comprehend.

[25:48] All the way down to any problem I could ever have, all the way down to any trial [25:52] I could ever go through, all the way down to any sickness I could ever endure. [25:57] There is a God. [26:00] Who’s more powerful than that thing. [26:04] There is a God who I can trust because of what he’s done. [26:08] Notice that every time.

[26:11] He makes something until he gets to us and then he has to make two of us because [26:15] we weren’t good by ourselves when no one’s watching. [26:18] We’re not. [26:20] God steps back, looks at what he makes and he says, and it is good. [26:27] Do you understand that creation by itself isn’t just good because of it? [26:34] I can’t look at a tree and necessarily believe it’s good.

[26:37] What’s so good about that tree? [26:39] What’s what’s what’s the standards here? [26:41] It seems kind of subjective. [26:42] I look out in my yard and I see a tree that I like. [26:44] And then I see a tree that I wish I had the money to have somebody come in and cut [26:47] down because if I cut it down, it’ll follow me and kill me.

[26:51] But we look at all of creation and God says it’s good. [26:54] But why? [26:55] Because everything in creation is an extension of who he is. [27:01] That when you trace that thing back, [27:03] where does it ultimately get its start? God. [27:07] So why is creation good?

[27:09] God, how do you make it bad? [27:12] Turn it away from God.

[27:15] See, creation, without finding its purpose in God, is not good. [27:21] Because then it’s being used for something that God did not purpose it for. [27:27] So those things that are not good, [27:29] they’re indicators that things are not going according to God’s plan. [27:33] So what do we need to do? [27:35] Well, we need to go back to God.

[27:38] And God creates over and over again, [27:40] and that term for create is this Hebrew word, Barah. [27:45] Sounds tougher when you say it in Hebrew. [27:47] That’s the only reason I just did that. [27:49] Wow, Jew, with a cool word. [27:53] But once you understand there is significance in that word,

[27:57] the significance is, is that it’s not the only time, excuse me, [28:01] in all of scripture that he says this. [28:04] Typically, when this word is used in scripture, [28:06] it’s to describe something that doesn’t exist or has no reason to exist or has no [28:11] no really source other than the creator. [28:15] And then it’s carved out of nothingness.

[28:18] And there it is. [28:21] But this great God that creates, [28:22] if there’s to be any hope, we got to get back to that, right? [28:25] We got to get back to the source of all that is and all that exists. [28:29] Well, this term is used over and over and over and over in scripture to explain [28:33] the power of God, and if God has the power to to make things happen,

[28:38] to make things exist that never existed before, well, then what can we have any [28:42] hope in? And that is God creating something new out of something that’s broken. [28:47] And the same term that is used in the book of Genesis to describe creating [28:53] and creation is also used in the book of Psalms, chapter fifty one, verse ten. [28:58] With the Psalmist writes, create in me a clean heart and renew the right spirit [29:06] within me.

[29:08] You see, when we disconnect from the very [29:10] source of creation or if you’re a person that hasn’t really known this God that [29:15] created or you’ve never really trusted this God that created, the reality is, [29:20] is that you’re not functioning as you were supposed to or something out in the [29:23] world that’s not being used the way that God meant it to be used is not functioning [29:27] the way that God meant it to function.

[29:29] The reality is that there is still hope because this God that had the power [29:35] to simply speak things into existence, he also has the power to speak new life. [29:40] Into something that does not have it. [29:45] So if you don’t know this God, [29:48] if you don’t know who he is, if you’ve never been connected in him before, [29:51] if you’ve never trusted in him before, understand that the burden then is not

[29:56] on you making life come, but rather God says.

[30:02] The only one that can do that is me. [30:04] Because I am the God that creates something out of absolutely nothing. [30:11] To live in a trust of his great power [30:14] and find security in how he has displayed that power, that’s what creation is for. [30:22] So the greatest power that you can ever have is to make life where it doesn’t exist. [30:30] Reality is, is where else does God do this?

[30:33] In the resurrection of Jesus. [30:36] You see, all of this is kind of speculation, really. [30:41] Well, how do you know there’s a God? [30:42] He’s just there. [30:44] Well, I wish I could have a little more information than that. [30:48] The reality is, the only reason we have any trust in this God who is there,

[30:53] the only reason we can ever know who he is, the only speculatory thought that we [30:58] can ever have about him comes from the reality that he did more than just make us [31:04] assume him, but he came down, he lived among us. [31:07] And what does he do? [31:09] To show his great power then? [31:12] Well, he dies and new life comes out of the opposite of life, and that is death.

[31:19] The resurrection of Jesus is the greatest [31:21] display that this type of power has ever had. [31:24] So how can we know who this God is? [31:27] Well, you can’t, except for through Jesus, [31:29] because he’s the one that identifies who God is. [31:34] And there’s an interesting thing about the reality of who Jesus is,

[31:39] and that is that maybe you know about this, but creation kind of fell backwards. [31:43] And there’s this thing called sin. [31:45] Has anybody ever done anything to offend you? [31:46] You want to know why? Because sin exists. [31:49] That’s why. [31:51] But the fact of the matter is, is it’s very hard to understand.

[31:55] And I think the greatest problem that people have in believing that there is a [31:59] God and even more so believing that there is a good God is because sin exists. [32:03] And how could that have possibly been a part of his plan?

[32:09] I believe that God had a plan from the very beginning to show his ultimate power. [32:17] Here’s a few texts I want you to lead you through, and then we’ll be done. [32:22] Final thought this morning is that the plan [32:24] of creation is the glory of God in Jesus. [32:29] Plan of creation. [32:31] There’s a few thoughts and I’m going to go through them really quickly,

[32:33] and then we’re going to spend the next six weeks unpacking this reality. [32:36] Creation does not exist to make you feel good about yourself. [32:39] Creation does not exist for you to simply have happiness. [32:42] Creation does not exist to fulfill any purpose that you have in your life. [32:46] Creation exists for one thing and one [32:48] and that is displaying the ultimate glory of who God is.

[32:55] And for it to do that, he had to have had a plan for that from the very beginning. [33:01] And I want to lead you to a few texts that show that creation exists for the [33:05] glory of God. Habakkuk, Chapter two, verse 14, puts it this way.

[33:14] In other words, there’s so much glory [33:17] that’s going to ultimately come from this world that it’s as obvious as that [33:21] there is water in the ocean. Have you ever been to the beach? [33:25] It’s pretty obvious there’s water in the ocean. [33:27] OK, I don’t need to back that up too much. [33:29] You understand that, I hope.

[33:30] All right. And secondly, Isaiah, Chapter 43, verse seven, [33:34] everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, [33:38] whom I formed and made. [33:40] So we exist for the glory of God. [33:43] Look then at Romans, Chapter 11, verse 36. [33:45] For from him speaking of God and through him and to him are all things,

[33:52] to him be glory forever. [33:55] The glory of God, then, is the ultimate plan for creation. [34:00] So the great question then must be, [34:02] was there a plan for his power and glory to show through sin? [34:06] I believe there was from before he ever said exist. [34:11] And here’s why I believe that in Hebrews, Chapter one, three, it says this.

[34:15] He is the radiance of the glory of God. [34:18] Who is he speaking of there? [34:19] He’s speaking of Jesus Christ [34:22] and the exact imprint of his nature. [34:25] And he upholds the universe by the word of his power. [34:30] Have you ever seen anybody with power like that?

[34:32] Genesis, Chapter one, verse one. [34:35] This is speaking of Jesus Christ, but note this. [34:38] After making purification for sins, [34:40] he sat down at the right hand of the majesty on high. [34:47] In that moment, here’s the God who upholds everything by the power [34:52] and the word of his own mouth.

[34:55] He sits down at the right hand. [34:57] You want to know why he does that? [34:59] Plan complete. [35:01] But he only does it after making purification of sins. [35:05] And how does he do that? He does that on the cross. [35:07] He does that by dying on the cross for the sin of humanity.

[35:11] Then I want to want you to note a couple more passages of that term beginning [35:15] at the very end of the book of scripture, the whole thing, the whole Bible. [35:21] Revelation, Chapter twenty two, verse thirteen. [35:23] Here’s what the scripture says. [35:25] Jesus comes as the conquering king who has finally restored creation [35:30] to everything that it needs to be.

[35:32] And Revelation, Chapter twenty two, verse thirteen says this. [35:34] I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end. [35:43] Look at first Peter, Chapter one, verse twenty. [35:47] He was for known before the foundation of the world, [35:50] but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you. [35:54] Before the foundation of the earth, there was a plan.

[35:59] Look in Colossians, Chapter one, verse sixteen. [36:02] For by him all things were created in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, [36:08] whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities, [36:12] all things were created through him and for him. [36:17] OK, so Jesus, I want to set the stage here. [36:20] Jesus made everything that exists.

[36:23] Nothing exists that wasn’t made through him.

[36:28] But that second part is very important. [36:31] Nothing exists except for him.

[36:39] So why do you exist? [36:42] You exist for Jesus. [36:46] And that is the only way that you will ever give glory to God. [36:52] But that was God’s plan from before the earth was even created. [36:57] The last text is in Ephesians, Chapter one. [37:00] I’m going to go to verse four and then verses nine through ten to save you all

[37:03] the ones in between, even as he chose us in him before the foundation [37:09] of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. [37:13] Then go down to verse nine. [37:16] Making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, [37:24] which he set forth in Christ as a plan.

[37:31] For the fullness of time to unite all things in him, [37:37] things in heaven and things on earth.

[37:44] Oftentimes in life, it’s very difficult to trust God.

[37:48] I know this, you know this. [37:51] From losing loved ones to losing children, [37:54] to enduring great sickness, to enduring great suffering, [37:56] we sometimes find ourselves in a place where we just sit back and say, [38:01] what is the purpose of all of this?

[38:08] Friends, according to scripture,

[38:13] the faith that God wants us to have [38:16] is that the purpose of it all is to draw us closer to him. [38:22] To inform us more of our need for him [38:27] and that before he ever created this great world, he set back and he looked [38:33] and he said, I have a plan to make it the greatest, [38:38] most glorious world that can ever exist.

[38:42] And the way in which I will do that is that I will redeem them from their sin [38:50] and bring them back to me. [38:53] Otherwise, I do not believe I can trust God [38:57] because otherwise sin is out of his grasp and things happen that he never meant [39:02] to happen. But if he is a God with a plan, then before the foundation of the earth, [39:08] he said, I will glorify myself through this great gospel of my son, Jesus Christ.

[39:15] And that is how I will show my power. [39:18] Not only can I speak worlds into existence, but I can speak life into death. [39:27] And friends, that is the only hope that you have this morning. [39:32] The psalmist could look to him and say, [39:34] create in me a clean heart, oh, God, because it is a God that had a plan. [39:39] It is a God that had wisdom.

[39:42] All of creation cries out not only of the great power of God, [39:46] but it also cries out of the great wisdom of God, a wisdom that often is beyond me. [39:56] But my only response that can possibly give him glory is a response of trust.

[40:07] God can be trusted because his plan is certain.

[40:13] The revelation of creation and the history of his creation spell out a God [40:18] who’s in control and nothing done by any physical or spiritual being [40:24] that would rebel against him can compromise his plan. [40:30] Because he alone is God and he alone has limitless power and wisdom, [40:36] the power over sin and death and the power to create life within those who [40:40] chose the death of sinning against him.

[40:43] That applies to you. [40:44] And it also applies to me. [40:47] Our only hope is to trust in the God who created all that is and desires to create [40:52] within us a life in his son who paid the penalty for sin. [41:00] And that is Jesus Christ.

[41:04] If you’re in here this morning and you haven’t believed in this God, [41:08] maybe you’re in here this morning and struggled to trust, [41:11] you’ve struggled to trust that there even is a good God.

[41:15] From there’s a plan and a purpose for everything that’s ever happened in your [41:18] life. [41:20] But you can never quite grasp it outside of trusting in God’s plan through his son, [41:29] Jesus Christ.

[41:32] I want you to understand something. [41:35] That you may see yourself as the vilest of people, [41:39] greatest of sinners. [41:42] You can also see yourself as the most religious, most moral person ever. [41:46] But you will never find true life apart from Jesus.

[41:55] But this God,

[41:58] the one who’s always been there, [42:00] the one who created time and the world and the universe and the heavens.

[42:09] This God wants to give you life.

[42:14] As the band comes up, I want you to understand something this morning.

[42:19] That the sacrifice of Jesus Christ for sins, [42:22] it goes to each and every one of us. [42:26] And when Jesus was here on earth, [42:28] he he instituted this interesting tradition called communion. [42:34] And in communion, we have the cup and we have the bread. [42:39] And what it represents is that when Jesus was dying on the cross for your sins,

[42:44] he shed his blood and blood signifies life leaving the body. [42:49] And his body was then broken and it was bruised on behalf of us all. [42:54] And he gave up his life. [42:58] When you partake of communion as a follower of Jesus Christ, [43:01] what you’re doing is that it signifies that life that Jesus lost for you. [43:08] It signifies his life entering into you.

[43:11] And it’s a metaphor for the new life that each of us can have in Jesus Christ. [43:19] Friends, but I want you to understand it’s not some kind of macabre [43:22] celebration of death because Jesus did not stay dead. [43:28] That God who spoke the world into existence said death cannot reign over me. [43:34] You can go ahead and kill me. [43:37] Because I’ll just speak life into existence again.

[43:40] And he did on the third day. [43:44] And the hope that you and I have in this [43:46] world that sometimes doesn’t seem to make sense is the hope that there is a God more [43:52] powerful than any foe I can ever face, even the foe of myself. [43:57] And that is a God that can speak worlds [44:00] into existence and life into death.

[44:05] That’s our hope. [44:08] If you’re a follower of Jesus, as soon as you’re ready, [44:10] there’s six stations all over this room in the back and in the front. [44:15] I invite you all of you to come and partake of communion. [44:18] If you’ve not trusted in Jesus, [44:21] I ask that you just step out and come talk to me.

[44:24] Come talk to someone out in the foyer that’ll be there for you. [44:28] And I’d love for today for you to partake in communion for the first time where it [44:33] meant something today. Let’s worship.