Did God really say?

Genesis 3:1-9

Genesis 3:1–9 (NASB95)

Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, “Indeed, has God said, ‘You shall not eat from any tree of the garden’?”

The woman said to the serpent, “From the fruit of the trees of the garden we may eat;

but from the fruit of the tree which is in the middle of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat from it or touch it, or you will die.’ ”

The serpent said to the woman, “You surely will not die!

“For God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate.

Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loin coverings.

They heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden.

Have you ever thought to yourself, is this life what God intended?

Life, all around us is suffering. Children being diagnosed with cancer, broken families, wars, disease and much more. Is this the life that God created for us?

Last week, we discussed that when God created everything, He created it to perfection. There were no flaws, and God created it to His perfect standard. When God created something, as we read last week in Connection Group, He said “It was good.”

In the original language, “it was good” means it was in order. Meaning it was how it needed to be. It wasn’t slightly off, it wasn’t just okay, it says it was desirable.

God created everything perfectly. Everything was good. Everything was desirable.

The Fall

On the 6th day, God created man, and God placed them above the other created things. Making them the pinnacle of His creation. God gave them a garden, that had every fruit, and had everything they needed.

But God also placed a tree in the middle of the garden, which was called the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. God set for them, a boundary.

God’s boundary was that they could live in the garden, they could have everything they needed. But, they could not eat of that tree.

1. WE FALL WHEN WE DO NOT TRUST GOD’S GOODNESS

Genesis 3:1–9 (NASB95)

Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, “Indeed, has God said, ‘You shall not eat from any tree of the garden’?”

The woman said to the serpent, “From the fruit of the trees of the garden we may eat;

but from the fruit of the tree which is in the middle of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat from it or touch it, or you will die.’ ”

The serpent said to the woman, “You surely will not die!

“For God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate.

Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loin coverings.

They heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden.

Verse 1 The Serpent, who we later learn is Satan, poses the question that this whole series is based on, “DId God really say?” When God set that boundary, did he really mean it?

What is a boundary?

When your parents tell you not to do something, why do they do it? While sometimes it can seem that it’s because they want to just ruin your life, in reality it’s because they love you, and those boundaries protect you.

In the same way, why did God tell Adam and Eve not to eat of that fruit? He knew what would happen when they did. Sin would enter the world, and there would be separation between God and man.

When we do not trust God’s goodness, and we do not obey the boundaries set, it results in brokeness and separation.

2. We Thrive When We Trust God’s Goodness

Psalm 1:1–3 NASB95

How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season And its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers.

When we walk in the delight of the Law, and we meditate on it day and night, it sets our foundation in the Lord. Why should we stay grounded in the word?

DID GOD REALLY SAY?

How do we know? We read His word, we meditate in it day and night, we base ourselves in it. When confronted by lies, when confronted by misinformation, when confronted by immorality, we turn and base ourselves in the Word.

Satan is not very good at coming up with new ways to trick people. Even today, Satan uses people, and uses your flesh to ask the question; “Did God really say?” Does God really care if I say these words? Does God really care if I watch porn? Does God care if I bully? Does God care if I disobey my parents? Does God care about me? Does God hear my prayers? What does God think about homosexuality?

Everyone of these questions have been asked time and time again, and almost as if the Bible is divinely inspired and is the Word of God, it had the answers to those questions.

Is This The Life God Intended For Us?

Because of the disobedience of man, sin entered the world, and thus separation between us and God. Look at the life Adam and Eve were living, in the garden, walking with God, in relationship and fellowship with Him. This is the life that God intended for us.

Because of this separation, God, being rich in love and mercy, made a way for us to be reconnected with Him through the 2nd God-Head of the Trinity, Jesus.

Through Christ, We Have Reconciliation

John 10:9–11 NASB95

“I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. “I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.

Christ is the door, Christ is the bridge. If you accept Christ, you will find pasture it says. What does this mean? it means that you will have everything you need. Does this mean you’ll have every financial need met? No. Does this mean you’ll live the American dream and own a house, and make 100k a year, and be prosperous in everything you do? No.

It means that you will have everything you need. A relationship with Christ, eternal life, a mended relationship with God. Friends that is all we need in life. There is no greater need then salvation.

Verse 11 The Good Shepherd lays down His life for His sheep. What we know now, is that Christ laid down His life, for us, so that we could be restored, and reconciled.

Romans 3:10–11 NASB95

as it is written, “There is none righteous, not even one; There is none who understands, There is none who seeks for God;

We are natural enemies of God. We are haters of God. But through His love, He sent Christ to die for us, even when we were sinners, even when we hated Him.

We hated Him to the point of death, even to death on a cross. And He did it for you.

You might be here tonight, and you have never reconciled your life to Christ. You are still living in the brokeness of sin.