The God of Order
Notes
Transcript
Opening:
Opening:
Opener: Richard Dawkins a well known evolutionary biologist and atheist who wrote the book, "The God Delusion had a campaign where he put these giant pink banners on buses going around London saying, "There's probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life." Stephen Meyer a philosopher of science commented on Dawkins banner stating that it should say, "There is probably no God so you should probably enjoy your life." I see many holes with this statement because I knew what was life without God and in my greatest vices I was not able to satisfy the hole in my heart. I have found my purpose, my fulfillment and life in God. God brought order to my life where there was disorder. (Brief Testimony)
I will be continuing our journey through Genesis and today it will be focusing on God's Order of creation. God being a God of Order.
Read Genesis 1:1-31
Point #1 - God's Order displays His Supremacy
All throughout the book of Genesis going into Exodus all the way to the New Testament, God is doing one thing and that is revealing Himself. A revelation of the one and true God.
We know that the author of this book is Moses.
The theological controversy in Moses' day was between one self-existent, sovereign, good God—and many limited, capricious, often wicked gods.
Moses is making it clear in the Genesis account that there is One Supreme and good God. We see this in His order.
Days
I am actually going through the book of Genesis with my oldest and when we read chapter 1 together I asked him, “What verse in the chapter made it clear that God says who He is?” He responded with, “In the beginning God.”
"In the beginning God." Period. He was there in the beginning before anything was formed or made. He was not created.
When you look at Day 1 the fact that God created light and darkness apart from the Sun, moon and stars shows that is he not bound or governed by the laws he sets into creation. He is the source of light even before the sun and moon are made.
And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it,
Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
Day 2: On the second day God separated the atmospheric waters from the terrestrial waters
The deepest image ever taken, The Hubble extreme deep field revealed 5.500 galaxies over an area that took up just 1/32,000,000 of the sky
Today scientists estimate that there are more than 10 times as many galaxies out there than Hubble even at its limits is capable of seeing
Day 3: The land, seas and vegetation was formed.
He is separating. He is making distinctions. He is bringing order.
We see later in scripture where God divided the clean from the unclean, the holy from the profane, the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies, and Israel from the nations. This shows His sovereignty. And it shows that He intended that some things should remain separate and distinct from other things.
God calls His church to be in the world but not part of it not to be partakers in sinful practices. The head of the church is Christ. We will see this in the institution of marriage. All of this is Gods order which fulfills his purpose.
Nowadays we dont want to make any distinctions. Male and Female. All for the sake of equality.
Also, Notice it is the First time this statement was made about creation. "And God saw that it was good." Take note to the things God is repeating over and over. This will be not the first or last time that he sees his creation and saw it was good.
"The Hebrew word translated "good" (tob) refers more to purpose and harmony than to aesthetic beauty. God's order has a purpose and is harmonious to His will. The order is good.
Day 4 : Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night. And let them be for signs and for seasons and for days and years and let them be lights in the expanse of the heavens to give light upon the earth. And it was so. And God made the two great lights the greater to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night and the stars. (third time that it was mentioned that it was good)
Finally God makes the Sun, the moon and just to throw it out there the stars like it was nothing. (God flex) They would serve as signs.
The term signs has been given special attention by Moses specifically in the book of Exodus. For example, the plagues that fell on Egypt were in fact signs. The acts of God in the bringing of disorder upon the Egyptians were 'signs' that God was more powerful and majestic than the Egyptians' gods.
How the term is used in Exodus is synonymous to how it is used in 1:14. The author says that not only are the sun and moon to give light upon the land but they are to be visual reminders of the power and majesty of God. They are 'signs' of who the God of the covenant is. - Thomas Constable
He is using these signs to make a distinction with Him and creation.
God is using these signs to point to Him.
Day 5: Let the waters swarm with swarms of living creatures and let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the heavens.
11,000 bird species
28,000 exisitng fish species
Day 6: Creates the animals that are on land and man.
1.2 million species in the animal kingdom
925,000 identified species of insects
Stephen Meyer a philosopher said, "Nature is the product of a great mind within the natural world there is a design an order that can be perceived by human beings with our rationale minds because our minds were made in the image of the creator who made the world."
God creating man in his image was on purpose. Steve will unpack that more next Sunday.
Sum it up:
He creates alone - no one is called in to help or assist, God does it all
He only speaks and it is done nothing can resist His power and there is not fight no struggle and no uncertain outcome
He is not governed by the laws he sets into creation he is the source of light even before the sun and the moon are made
God is making it clear that He is superior to the all of the pagan idols that existed in Moses day. He is superior to all of the idols of our day as well.
Alfred North Whitehead he was an English Mathematician and philosopher said, “There can be no living science unless there is a widespread instinctive conviction in the existence of an order thing. And in particular an Order of Nature.
Even Sir Isaac Newton said that the Laws of Nature were a product of divine governance.
It is like God is saying come find me. Look for me. Search. I want to be found. I want to be known. His fingerprints all over and he is laying down a bread crumb trail throughout creation all pointing to Him. The one and Supreme God.
He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man’s heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.
Application:
What does God's supremacy and purpose mean for me here and now?
⦁ God created with a simple word when He speaks into our lives things happen
⦁ Gen 1 is about banishing chaos and making the universe. God can always redeem our messes and bring order out of chaos, life out of death and light out of darkness
⦁ Each of us has a purpose to serve
Point #1 is God's Order Displays His Supremacy
Point #2 is God's Order has a Purpose
Ten times in chapter 1 the phrase, "God said." is mentioned. Interesting? I remember another book where God spoke ten very important commands through the same author.
God is speaking and He is speaking specifically to us. The words of God is key to this topic of Order.
"This creative word is different from any human word; it is not 'empty' , but powerful and of the highest creative potency. In the second place, therefore, this conception contains the knowledge that the world wholly belongs to God; it is the creation of his will, and he is its Lord." - Thomas Constable
Isaiah 55:11, "so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it."
The world came into being by God's spoken word. Each of the six creative days began with God speaking.
For he spoke, and it came to be;
he commanded, and it stood firm.
By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.
The phrases 'the Lord said', is used 3,808 times in the Old Testament.
This is a powerful testimony to the authority of the spoken word of God and the written Word of God: Scripture.
God's ten pronouncements in this chapter anticipate His ten commandments at Mt. Sinai (Exod. 20:2-17)
if creation with all its richness and beauty and function came into existence by the word of the Lord (Ps 33:9–11), God’s people certainly should realize that their lives will be ordered and blessed if they obey the word of the Lord. What better way to introduce the law (i.e., the five books of Moses) than to articulate the very first ten commands, by which God brought all things into existence. - Andrew Steinmann
God brings order to the universe and there is a standard/expectation to how we should live. That there should be a particular order in harmony with God's will just like the rest of creation. God being a God of morality and truth has everything to do with Him being a God of order.
Lets take a look at the slide on the screen. We are talking about God's order and how His very words bring order. The scriptures which are Gods words give life and bring order.
SLIDE
We look at Genesis 1 that days 1-5 and 7 is how we relate to God. God is creator we are created. He is ruler over all there is none besides Him.
Day 6 which talks about God creating man and in His image talks about how we relate to man. God created man in His image.
10 times in Genesis 1 God speaks.
10 commands are given in Exodus 20. We see that in commandments 1-3 is how we relate to God. It echoes what we see in the Genesis account where God is saying, "You shall have no other gods before Me."
Commandments 4-10 is how we relate to man. Since man is created in the image of God we should treat each other as such. Do not steal, do not kill, do not covet, honor father and mother. Do not lie or bear false witness.
All of this is saying that God ordered the universe a certain way and lets be honest it works. We trust the laws that govern our world. How about trusting the scriptures that govern and meant to bring order to our lives?
the account of creation also lays the foundation for the law. If God was before all things and created all things how foolish it would be to have any others gods before him (Exodus 20:3) If God made people to be in his own image on earth representing him, how foolish it would be to make an image of God after the pattern of a human. If God set aside the 7th day for the enjoyment of creation how presumptuous it would be to treat the Sabbath day as any other day rather than enter into its celebration with the living God. The commandments of God find their rationale in creation or rather in the nature of the creator God. - Andrew Steinmann
Paul says,
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
Part of what it means for God being a God order is that He is a God of morality and truth.
Testimony: I made the foolish mistake to bring in pornography into my marriage. It was something that I did not really press the Lord to deliver me from it. I had the idea that once I get married the temptation will go away because I will be able to have sex with my wife and my focus and desires will be on her. I was wrong. I gave into sin. I told my wife that I loved her and when she was not looking I would look at other women. I brought disorder into my life into my marriage. I did not obey God’s word to bring order into my life. I paid the consequence of having my best friend not trust me for a long time. She paid the price even worse because I wounded her and just when she thought she healed I ripped it open again and again. I did not listen to God’s word which was to flee sexual immorality and my marriage was hurting and a mess. I repented of my sin. I did what was necessary regarding making sure I put guards on my devices. I sought regular accountability from wiser men who had victory over this particular sin. I am not saying that there is a secret formula to a perfect marriage but I am saying there is a better way. One that is sustaining and life giving even in the hardest times.
Application:
What part of your life are you noticing that there is disorder because you are not following the wisdom of God’s word?
Are you in Gods word and obeying it? Is it compass for your life? Marriage?
Point #1 God's Order Displays His Supremacy
Point #2 Gods Order Has Purpose
Point #3 God's Order is Redemptive
This past summer my wife and I visited our favorite place in Minn the North Shore. I remember looking at God's creation and remembering the words of David where he says, "The Heavens declare the glory of God. And the firmament shows His handiwork. " I was pondering that verse and it is clear to me that by the design and sheer beauty it gives praise to God. I thought of something else. A second way that creation and this includes you and I. How it glorifies God. By doing what it was created for.
We have a problem. A very big problem. We do not live our lives for the purpose that God created us for. Our world is in disorder. It is in shambles. It is broken. We are broken.
Why is that? Sin. Sin brought disorder and disharmony in Gods creation.
Listen to what Paul says in Romans 1.
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.
Listen to how the dictionary defines the word suppress.
⦁ Forcibly put an end to
⦁ Restrain
⦁ Prevent of inhibit
We see it in nature. It has been revealed to us through the scriptures. Witness after witness. We made an effort by force to silence these truths.
Paul continues, " For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.
We exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images.
Jesus answered asked him what was the greatest commandment? He replied, "‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
What consumes all of your thoughts? I am not talking about you being a parent and your child is sick so you are concerned and thinking about their well being. I am not talking about that. What is taking up all of your time and your heart? Is it pornography? Is it video games? Is it your career? Is it a hobby that is no longer a hobby but a full time job. Is it a sports team? Is it a political party or politics in general? What has taken the rightful place of Jesus?
We have a huge problem. The problem of sin that we cant fix by having a perfect church attendance, memorizing your bible, always attending church events or being born in a Christian home. Your parents faith does not transfer to you. It does not work that way.
We have offended a Holy God. We have committed a crime against Him. The payment for that crime is death. Our death. Our physical death and the death of our soul.
Jesus stepped down from His throne. Think about it. The God of the Universe became flesh. To show you mercy because He came to do the will of the Father. The reason Jesus had to die was because God was not going to dismiss our sin but He also was not going to leave us in our sin. He came to repair what was broken. To bring back order to the disorder that sin brought. Christ died and took your place. We see that it does not stop there the scripture says that He lavished a love on us a love that would make us and we would be called His children. He is re-creating. A new family. We are new creations. In the book of Revelations it says that God creates a New Heaven and a New Earth.
To the artist, He is the one altogether lovely (Song of Solomon 5:16).
To the architect, He is the chief cornerstone (I Peter 2:6).
To the astronomer, He is the sun of righteousness (Malachi 4:2).
To the baker, He is the bread of life (John 6:35).
To the banker, He is the hidden treasure (Matthew 13:44).
To the builder, He is the sure foundation (Isaiah 28:16).
To the carpenter, He is the door (John 10:7).
To the doctor, He is the great physician (Jeremiah 8:22).
To the educator, He is the great teacher (John 3:2).
To the engineer, He is the new and living way (Hebrews 10:20).
To the farmer, He is the sower and Lord of harvest (Luke 10:2).
To the florist, He is the rose of Sharon (Song of Solomon 2:1).
To the geologist, He is the rock of ages (1 Corinthians 10:4).
To the horticulturist, He is the true vine (John 15:1).
To the judge, He is the only righteous judge of man (2 Timothy 4:8).
To the juror, He is the faithful and true witness (Revelation 3:14).
To the jeweler, He is the pearl of great price (Matthew 13:46).
To the lawyer, He is counselor, lawgiver, and true advocate (Isaiah 9:6).
To the newspaper man, He is tidings of great joy (Luke 2:10).
To the oculist, He is the light of the eyes (Proverbs 29:13).
To the philanthropist, He is the unspeakable gift (2 Corinthians 9:15 KJV).
To the philosopher, He is the wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1:24).
To the preacher, He is the Word of God (Revelation 19:13).
To the sculptor, He is the living stone (1 Peter 2:4).
To the servant, He is the good master (Matthew 19:16 KJV).
To the student, He is the incarnate truth (John 1:14).
To the theologian, He is the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2).
To the toiler, He is the giver of rest (Matthew 11:28).
To the sinner, He is the Lamb of God who takes the sin away (John 1:29).
To the Christian, He is the Son of the Living God (Matthew 16:16), the Savior (John 4:42), the Redeemer (Isaiah 59:20), and the Loving Lord (2 Thessalonians 3:5)
The letter to the Colossians says, Colossians 1:16-20
For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
