The Triune God of Creation

Text: Genesis 1:1-3

Genesis 1:1 BSB

1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

Genesis 1:2 BSB

2 Now the earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters.

Genesis 1:3 BSB

3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.

PRAY

Introduction

Where were you 100 years ago? 100 years ago, none of us existed. Have you ever spent time thinking about what it was like before you existed? Every one of us had a beginning; in fact, everyone and everything we know had a beginning. There is one exception, of course. God has always existed. But you have not. There was a time when you did not exist.

So why does anything exist? Why do you exist? For what purpose are you here? Where did you come from? What happens after this life? What is wrong with the world and with you?

All of these are important questions that we all must find answers to, and they are all questions that the Christian worldview gives a coherent answer to. And in the book of Genesis, we find the beginning of the revelation of the answers to these important questions.

Introduction to Genesis

As we begin to study this book, it will be helpful to give a brief overview of the book and some general information about it that will be helpful as we go through it.

Genesis was an important book to Jesus and to the NT authors. Genesis is quoted 60 times in the NT in 17 different books. This shows us how important this book was for Jesus and the apostles.

Author of Genesis: Moses

Until the last 200 years or so, most Jews and Christians accepted Moses as the author of the first 5 books of the Bible, called the Pentateuch.

Critical scholars for the last couple of centuries have begun questioning this and some have attributed the writing to scribes in the period after the exile, around the 5th century B.C. They argue for the use of many different sources including oral traditions that were passed down for centuries and only written down after thousands of years of history.

Moses’s name doesn’t appear in Genesis like it does in the other 4 books of the Pentateuch, but when we consider that he wasn’t born yet and had no reason to include his name, it only makes sense that we wouldn’t find it there.

It is likely that there was editing that took place in the period after the exile (possibly by Ezra?), since there are a few details in Genesis that Moses could not have written (“Chaldeans” in Gen 11, “Dan” in Gen. 14, “Kings” in Gen. 36). This doesn’t need to shake our confidence in the doctrine of inspiration, because we believe that God could use multiple people to compile a single inspired book to communicate His divine Word (this likely happened with other books as well).

But it seems best to attribute at least a majority of Genesis to Moses, since other Scriptures clearly identify him as the author of Exodus through Deuteronomy. And Genesis is foundational for those books.

Regardless of how much or little of it Moses wrote, by faith we accept it as the inspired Word of God, which is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness.

Date of Writing: around 1425 B.C.

If Moses did in fact write this, he most likely wrote it sometime between the Exodus in 1445 B.C. and the entrance into the Promised Land around 1405 B.C., during the wilderness wanderings.

This means that the records contained in this book are the oldest in Scripture. These things were written nearly 3,500 years ago, and they refer to events over 2000 years before that.

The Purpose of Genesis

1. To teach the reality that God is the Creator of the universe

2. To explain the beginning of many things that exist now.

3. To show how God chose the people of Israel as His special nation through which He would accomplish redemption

The Holman Concise Bible Commentary states the Purpose of Genesis this way:

“The purpose of Genesis was to give the nation Israel an explanation of its existence on the threshold of the conquest of Canaan. Moses had at hand written and oral traditions about Israel’s past and records concerning the other great themes of Genesis. He was, however, the first to organize these, select from them those that were appropriate to the divine redemptive purposes, and compose them as they stand. His task as inspired, prophetic author was to clarify to his people how and why God had brought them into being. He also wanted them to know what their mission was as a covenant, priestly nation and how their present situation fulfilled ancient promises.”

Meaning of Genesis

“Beginnings” or “Origins” (from the Greek γενέσεως in Gen. 2:4)

The Hebrew name is Bereshit, “In the beginning”

Beginnings in Genesis

Genesis is a very important book in Scripture because of how foundational it is.

Consider all the things that began in Genesis:

the world,

the universe,

marriage,

relationship of man to God,

languages,

nations and people groups,

sin,

worship,

God’s covenants

Structure of Genesis: 2 Parts: chapters 1-11, 12-50

Part 1: God’s Dealings with Mankind in General (4 main events)

creation (1-2)

fall (3-5)

flood (6-9)

nations (10-11)

Part 2: God’s Dealings with the Nation of Israel (4 main men)

Abraham (12-23)

Isaac (21-26)

Jacob (27-36)

Joseph (37-50)

Key people in Genesis:

Adam and Eve, Noah, Abraham and Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph

Years covered in Genesis:

2300+ years: 300 years from Gen. 12-50; 2000+ years from Gen. 1-11 (exact date of Creation unknown)

Approaches to the Book of Genesis

There are two basic ways that people approach the book of Genesis. Some approach the book with …

Criticism and Doubt

The theory of evolution, which is taught in most schools, represents the prideful rejection of God’s Word.

But as Christians, we must come humbly to God’s Word with …

Faith and Acceptance

The importance of faith in receiving Genesis as inspired history: Hebrews 11:3

Hebrews 11:3 BSB

3 By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.

By faith we accept that what God has told us is true.

This is the spirit with which we must come as we study this book.

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Sermon

The Triune God of Creation

Bible Passage: Genesis 1:1–3

The Majesty of God Displayed in Creation

Christ from Beginning to End: How the Full Story of Scripture Reveals the Full Glory of Christ Trajectories for the Storyline Ahead

God is the first character we meet in Scripture. This should give us a clue that he is the most important person in the story.

Genesis 1:1 BSB

1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

I have heard it said that the first four words of Scripture are the most important ones in all the Bible. In the beginning, God…

God Exists

Certainly nothing is more basic and foundational to Scripture and to life than the existence of God. Faith itself requires us to believe this, as Hebrews 11:6 reminds us, “without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who approaches Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.”

Without a proper view of God as Creator, we will have a distorted view of who we are as humans. If there is no God, then our life has no meaning. If God does in fact exist, life has great meaning.

Because God does exist, we find our true identity and purpose in Him.

Everyone Knows That God Exists

Certainly, the fool says in his heart, there is no god. Many extremely intelligent people according to worldly standards make this claim. But as the Scripture says, they are foolish for doing so.

Atheists say they don’t believe in God. But God says He doesn’t believe in atheists.

Romans 1 starting in v. 18 indicates to us that people seek to suppress the truth by their wickedness,

Romans 1:19 BSB

19 For what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them.

Romans 1:20 BSB

20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood from His workmanship, so that men are without excuse.

Romans 1:21 BSB

21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts.

No matter what people try to say about the reality of God, they know that He exists, and they are without excuse.

Atheism is ultimately a moral issue, not an intellectual issue. The reason that people deny the existence of God is that they love their sin. If God exists, they are accountable to Him as the Creator, and they can’t stand that thought, so they try to put Him out of their minds.

But on judgment day, there will be no excuse. Everyone knows that God exists. He has made it plain to them, and they have chosen to reject Him.

Genesis 1:1 BSB

1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

The Creation Account Reveals to Us God’s Character

The character of God revealed

Eternity - Psalm 90:2 - every one of us had a beginning, but not God. When time began, God already existed. He has always existed. God is unique in this way. Everyone and everything else in the universe had a beginning - there was a time when everything else did not exist. But God is eternal.

Psalm 90:2 BSB

2 Before the mountains were born or You brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting You are God.

Power - Romans 1:18-20 - as we already saw from Romans, people know that God exists, and one of the attributes that people know about God from observing His creation is His power. You cannot rightly observe the world around you without noticing the incredible power required to make things the way they are. The sun, the moon, the stars, the ocean, animals, trees, humans - these things rightly observed point us to a powerful God. Paul says His eternal power has been clearly seen.

Romans 1:20 BSB

20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood from His workmanship, so that men are without excuse.

Creator - sovereignty (imagery of Potter - Isaiah 45:9) - Paul also said that God’s divine nature has been clearly seen, and I think by that He means the reality that God is God, that He is the Creator and Lord of all. One image that the OT uses to express this idea is that of a Potter and clay. A potter has every right to do what He wants with the clay that belongs to Him. He is the Potter, we are the clay. He is the Creator, He is God, He is Sovereign over all, and as Creator and Lord He has the right to do as He pleases with His creation.

Isaiah 45:9 BSB

9 Woe to him who quarrels with his Maker— one clay pot among many. Does the clay ask the potter, ‘What are you making?’ Does your work say, ‘He has no hands’?

Trinity (John 1:1-4, Hebrews 1:2-3, Colossians 1:16) - another important truth that is revealed about God at creation is the reality that there are three persons in one God. Though this truth is not explicitly stated in Genesis, the NT interprets it this way for us:

John 1:1–4 BSB

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through Him all things were made, and without Him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In Him was life, and that life was the light of men.

Hebrews 1:2 BSB

2 But in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, and through whom He made the universe.

Colossians 1:16 BSB

16 For in Him all things were created, things 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.

The NT speaks of Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, as the agent of creation, the One through whom God the Father made all things. He is called the Word of God. So returning to Genesis 1, consider where we see Him present in creation:

Genesis 1:1–3 BSB

1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters. 3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.

v. 1 - God the Father

v. 2 - the Spirit of God

v. 3 - the Word of God (“and God said”)

All three persons of the Trinity were present at Creation and involved in the act of Creation, just as all three are involved in our redemption.

The Creation Account Reminds Us of God’s Purpose

The purpose of God in creation - why did God create anything at all?

did God need to create anything? Was He lonely? Was He bored? Was He unhappy? No, God has never been lonely or bored or unhappy. So why did He create?

God created all things to display His glory for the good of His creation.

God created all things so that He would be praised by all His creation - that all creation would recognize and rejoice in His glory, see and savor His beauty, acknowledge and adore His majesty.

and this is what brings us the greatest joy and satisfaction

Psalm 19:1, Psalm 148, Romans 11:36, Colossians 1:15-18

Psalm 19:1 BSB

1 The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.

Psalm 148 BSB

1 Hallelujah! Praise the LORD from the heavens; praise Him in the highest places. 2 Praise Him, all His angels; praise Him, all His heavenly hosts. 3 Praise Him, O sun and moon; praise Him, all you shining stars. 4 Praise Him, O highest heavens, and you waters above the skies. 5 Let them praise the name of the LORD, for He gave the command and they were created. 6 He established them forever and ever; He issued a decree that will never pass away. 7 Praise the LORD from the earth, all great sea creatures and ocean depths, 8 lightning and hail, snow and clouds, powerful wind fulfilling His word, 9 mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars, 10 wild animals and all cattle, crawling creatures and flying birds, 11 kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all rulers of the earth, 12 young men and maidens, old and young together. 13 Let them praise the name of the LORD, for His name alone is exalted; His splendor is above the earth and the heavens. 14 He has raised up a horn for His people, the praise of all His saints, of Israel, a people near to Him. Hallelujah!

Romans 11:36 BSB

36 For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever! Amen.

Colossians 1:15–18 BSB

15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in Him all things were created, things 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. 17 He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. 18 And He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning and firstborn from among the dead, so that in all things He may have preeminence.

All of creation exists to praise the Lord, to find joy and satisfaction in Him. All things exist for Him - for His purposes, for His pleasure, for His glory - that He might be shown to be the greatest Treasure in the universe as He truly is, and that His creatures would delight in His glory and beauty.

Because God is the Creator, life has great meaning and purpose.

Consider secondly from Genesis 1,

The Movement from Chaos to Order

Genesis 1:2 BSB

2 Now the earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters.

Next week, Lord willing, we’ll look at the days of creation and see how God made everything. One thing we’ll see is how this phrase “formless and void” is reversed in the process of Creation, as God forms the universe in the first three days and then fills it in the following three days. But I’m getting a little ahead of myself.

For now, assuming you know what the rest of Genesis 1 tells us, consider how creation moves from chaos to order.

When God first made everything, it did not yet have the shape or order to it that God planned. But through the process of Creation God gave shape to the world He had made; He set things in order; He formed it according to His plan.

Notice that in v. 2, it is the Spirit of God that is involved in the transformation from formlessness to order. He is present in the chaos, working to bring order. And just as He did this at creation, so now He is at work in our lives to bring order where there is chaos.

Where things are disordered, He is working to put things in place. Where our lives are distorted by sin, He is healing and restoring us to be what God wants us to be.

But just as it was at creation, so also in redemption, it is a gradual process. Though He could do it all at once, He chooses to take time.

Lord willing, next week we will take more time to consider this point.

Third, from Genesis 1, consider:

The Manifestation of Light by God’s Word

Genesis 1:3 BSB

3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.

Have you ever been in a place with no light at all? What was it like?

It is extremely difficult for us to function without light. So much of our life depends on our use of light. Without light we are extremely limited.

But God doesn’t need light. He existed for all eternity past without light. Consider what Psalm 139 says about God’s need for light:

Psalm 139:11–12 BSB

11 If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me, and the light become night around me”— 12 even the darkness is not dark to You, but the night shines like the day, for darkness is as light to You.

Does God need light to see? No, He sees through the dark the same as through the light. Darkness does not affect Him at all like it affects us.

God does not need light - darkness is as light to Him (Psalm 139:11-12).

So why did He create light?

For the display of His glory

For the benefit of His creation

What could we do without light?

How much of God’s glory could we know without light?

So He created light to display His glory so we could know and enjoy Him.

Genesis 1:3 BSB

3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.

Where did the light come from? How did God create the light?

Simply by speaking. He commanded, and it came into being.

What does that tell us about the power of His Word?

By simply speaking, God can command whatever He wants, and it will happen. God’s power is beyond our imagination.

By His same powerful Word, God continues to speak light into existence.

Paul says that it is through God’s powerful creative Word that He caused His light to shine in our hearts to bring us to spiritual life so that we might know the glory of God.

2 Corinthians 4:5–6 BSB

5 For we do not proclaim ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

God also gives us light through His written Word; by learning His Word, we have light to walk in His paths.

Psalm 119:105 BSB

105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

Application

Know God through His Creation

We come to know God through the world He has created and the Word He has revealed.

Fulfill God’s Purpose for Your Life

Are you living according to the purpose God designed you for? God’s purpose in all His creation is to display His glory. That means God wants to display His glory in and through your life. He wants you to know Him and make Him known, so that you and others around you will praise Him and enjoy Him forever. Are you living according to God’s purpose?

Consider the Movement from Chaos to Order in Your Life

If God’s Spirit is at work in you, He will be moving your life from chaos to order just as He did with creation in the beginning. In what ways is your life moving from chaos to order?

If you are a believer, He is reforming you into the image of Christ.

Rejoice in the Light of the World Who Has Given You Physical and Spiritual Light to Enjoy Him in His World.

Jesus is the Light of the World. God gave us physical light and in His Son He has also given us spiritual light so that we might enjoy Him in His World. Let’s give thanks to Him and find joy in the light that He has given us.