The Fall

Genesis The Fall - Genesis 3:1-24 May 18, 2025 Earlier this week, someone reached out to me and asked me to give them an endorsement, as they were about to go out on a speaking engagement. In this context, you're really trying to hype this person up, give the waiting audience a sense of anticipation for what they are about to hear. Many have done that very thing with this chapter we're going to cover today. Warren Wiersbe said, "If Genesis 3 were not in the Bible, there would be no Bible as we know it. Why? Because the rest of Scripture documents the sad consequences of Adam's sin and explains what God in His grace has done to rescue us." Theologian Stephen Wellum says this about Genesis 3: "that there is probably no text of Scripture that is more significant for our grasp of the true nature of our problem and the rationale for the Bible's redemptive story than Genesis 3." Another theologian, W.H. Griffith-Thomas said, "It is hardly too much to say that this chapter is the pivot of the Bible, for if we take it away the rest of Scripture becomes meaningless." Safe to say that this is a really important chapter. No pressure, right? Let's get to it. Follow along as I read Genesis 3 from the ESV: 1 NOW THE SERPENT WAS MORE CRAFTY THAN ANY OTHER BEAST OF THE FIELD THAT THE LORD GOD HAD MADE. HE SAID TO THE WOMAN, "DID GOD ACTUALLY SAY, 'YOU SHALL NOT EAT OF ANY TREE IN THE GARDEN'?" 2 AND THE WOMAN SAID TO THE SERPENT, "WE MAY EAT OF THE FRUIT OF THE TREES IN THE GARDEN, 3 BUT GOD SAID, 'YOU SHALL NOT EAT OF THE FRUIT OF THE TREE THAT IS IN THE MIDST OF THE GARDEN, NEITHER SHALL YOU TOUCH IT, LEST YOU DIE.' " 4 BUT THE SERPENT SAID TO THE WOMAN, "YOU WILL NOT SURELY DIE. 5 FOR GOD KNOWS THAT WHEN YOU EAT OF IT YOUR EYES WILL BE OPENED, AND YOU WILL BE LIKE GOD, KNOWING GOOD AND EVIL." 6 SO 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 TO BE DESIRED TO MAKE ONE WISE, SHE TOOK OF ITS FRUIT AND ATE, AND SHE ALSO GAVE SOME TO HER HUSBAND WHO WAS WITH HER, AND HE ATE. 7 THEN THE EYES OF BOTH WERE OPENED, AND THEY KNEW THAT THEY WERE NAKED. AND THEY SEWED FIG LEAVES TOGETHER AND MADE THEMSELVES LOINCLOTHS. 8 AND 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. 9 BUT THE LORD GOD CALLED TO THE MAN AND SAID TO HIM, "WHERE ARE YOU?" 10 AND HE SAID, "I HEARD THE SOUND OF YOU IN THE GARDEN, AND I WAS AFRAID, BECAUSE I WAS NAKED, AND I HID MYSELF." 11 HE SAID, "WHO TOLD YOU THAT YOU WERE NAKED? HAVE YOU EATEN OF THE TREE OF WHICH I COMMANDED YOU NOT TO EAT?" 12 THE MAN SAID, "THE WOMAN WHOM YOU GAVE TO BE WITH ME, SHE GAVE ME FRUIT OF THE TREE, AND I ATE." 13 THEN THE LORD GOD SAID TO THE WOMAN, "WHAT IS THIS THAT YOU HAVE DONE?" THE WOMAN SAID, "THE SERPENT DECEIVED ME, AND I ATE." 14 THE LORD GOD SAID TO THE SERPENT, "BECAUSE YOU HAVE DONE THIS, CURSED ARE YOU ABOVE ALL LIVESTOCK AND ABOVE ALL BEASTS OF THE FIELD; ON YOUR BELLY YOU SHALL GO, AND DUST YOU SHALL EAT ALL THE DAYS OF YOUR LIFE. 15 I WILL PUT ENMITY BETWEEN YOU AND THE WOMAN, AND BETWEEN YOUR OFFSPRING AND HER OFFSPRING; HE SHALL BRUISE YOUR HEAD, AND YOU SHALL BRUISE HIS HEEL." 16 TO THE WOMAN HE SAID, "I WILL SURELY MULTIPLY YOUR PAIN IN CHILDBEARING IN PAIN YOU SHALL BRING FORTH CHILDREN. YOUR DESIRE SHALL BE CONTRARY TO YOUR HUSBAND, BUT HE SHALL RULE OVER YOU." 17 AND TO ADAM HE SAID, "BECAUSE YOU HAVE LISTENED TO THE VOICE OF YOUR WIFE AND HAVE EATEN OF THE TREE OF WHICH I COMMANDED YOU, 'YOU SHALL NOT EAT OF IT,' CURSED IS THE GROUND BECAUSE OF YOU; IN PAIN YOU SHALL EAT OF IT ALL THE DAYS OF YOUR LIFE; 18 THORNS AND THISTLES IT SHALL BRING FORTH FOR YOU; AND YOU SHALL EAT THE PLANTS OF THE FIELD. 19 BY THE SWEAT OF YOUR FACE YOU SHALL EAT BREAD, TILL YOU RETURN TO THE GROUND, FOR OUT OF IT YOU WERE TAKEN; FOR YOU ARE DUST, AND TO DUST YOU SHALL RETURN." 20 THE MAN CALLED HIS WIFE'S NAME EVE, BECAUSE SHE WAS THE MOTHER OF ALL LIVING. 21 AND THE LORD GOD MADE FOR ADAM AND FOR HIS WIFE GARMENTS OF SKINS AND CLOTHED THEM. 22 THEN THE LORD GOD SAID, "BEHOLD, THE MAN HAS BECOME LIKE ONE OF US IN KNOWING GOOD AND EVIL. NOW, LEST HE REACH OUT HIS HAND AND TAKE ALSO OF THE TREE OF LIFE AND EAT, AND LIVE FOREVER-" 23 THEREFORE THE LORD GOD SENT HIM OUT FROM THE GARDEN OF EDEN TO WORK THE GROUND FROM WHICH HE WAS TAKEN. 24 HE DROVE OUT THE MAN, AND AT THE EAST OF THE GARDEN OF EDEN HE PLACED THE CHERUBIM AND A FLAMING SWORD THAT TURNED EVERY WAY TO GUARD THE WAY TO THE TREE OF LIFE. Immediately, I think we can make two clear conclusions from this chapter. First, Satan is real. While our chapter does not explicitly identify Satan as the serpent of verses 1-5, and verses 14-15, we know that it is because of passages like Revelation 12:9 and Revelation 20:2. There are other passages that associate Satan with the serpent as well. Satan's strategy here is no different than what we see from him today. He first questioned God's Word, then he denied God's Word, then he substituted God's Word with a lie. Second, sin is real. Genesis 3 introduces us to sin. It effectively gives us the answer to so many of our questions. Why do we die? Why do we suffer from illness? Why do people hurt us? Why do people kill? Why do people lie? So many questions are answered right here. Romans 5 is probably one of the best chapters that help us to understand the effects of this sin, and what's required for reconciliation with God. In fact, I think verse 18 sums it up nicely. Here's what Paul says there: 18 THEREFORE, AS ONE TRESPASS LED TO CONDEMNATION FOR ALL MEN, SO ONE ACT OF RIGHTEOUSNESS LEADS TO JUSTIFICATION AND LIFE FOR ALL MEN. That leads us to our main idea: Because sin is real, I really need a Savior! If you are already a genuine follower of Jesus, this is not new information. But it is the reality. Obviously, there is so much in this passage this morning, so I'll try to cover it as concisely as possible. So, let's do this by identifying ... SIX TAKE-A-WAYS FROM GENESIS 3: * I must study and know the Word of God (vv. 1-5) o I couldn't help but recall the words of Paul to his young protégé Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:15, where Paul urges this young pastor, DO YOUR BEST TO PRESENT YOURSELF TO GOD AS ONE APPROVED, A WORKER WHO HAS NO NEED TO BE ASHAMED, RIGHTLY HANDLING THE WORD OF TRUTH. o This verse perfectly describes the opening verses of this chapter. o Back in chapter 2, verses 15-17, God gave Adam the command about this tree. o Adam, in turn, would have told Eve. We know this because of what we read later in verse 17 when Adam is receiving his curse. o Either Adam did not give Eve the exact Word from God, or Eve didn't apply the Word she was given - either way, their knowledge did not translate to obedience, which is really where they needed to be. o Warren Wiersbe wrote a book called, "The Strategy of Satan," and in that book, he gave us this great line to understand the importance of knowing your Bible: o Bible study is not a luxury; it is a necessity. He goes on to state that we must know, memorize, meditate, and use God's Word. o When we do these things, we do not question false teachers or their teachings. At least we shouldn't. o We saw earlier Satan's strategy against us. He wants us to doubt God and His Word. o Unfortunately, that's exactly what Adam and Eve did. o This is precisely why Paul said that we need to put on the whole armor of God, which includes the "sword of the Spirit" which is the Word of God. The same "sword" that Jesus used against Satan in Matthew 4. o Next, and related: * I must stand firm on God's Word (v. 6) o Again, I can't help but think about Paul's words in 1 Corinthians 16, where he urges the church to be watchful and stand firm in faith. o Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God, Paul tells the Romans. o The problem in verse 6 is straightforward. * Instead of going to God's Word (or even Adam who received God's Word), Eve saw that it "was good" and took it upon herself to eat * You see, Eve looked at the fruit the way that Satan interpreted it, rather than the way the Lord explained it. o Eve succumbed to her own desires when she took the fruit. o 1 John 2:16 says this: FOR ALL THAT IS IN THE WORLD-THE DESIRES OF THE FLESH AND THE DESIRES OF THE EYES AND PRIDE OF LIFE-IS NOT FROM THE FATHER BUT IS FROM THE WORLD. o You see, that's exactly what Eve did. She followed her desire to "be like God" o Instead of standing firm for what God told Adam back in chapter 2:17, she made the choice to follow what she thought was best for herself. o In the end, friends, God knows what is best for us. o Even though Satan (and the world today) is crafty, and seemed to say the right things, we must stand firm on the foundation of God's Word. o Next, and very important: * Remember, only God can cover my sin (vv. 7, 21) o When their eyes were opened, we read that they saw their nakedness. o Nakedness here represents shame and vulnerability. o This means that they were effectively stripped of their protection, becoming weak and defenseless. We see, too, that they were embarrassed. o That's why we see their reaction of fear. So, they began to make decisions based on that fear. o Fear cannot motivate our decisions. When that occurs, we cannot please God, because He should motivate our decisions. o Verse 7 represents our own nature to try to fix our own sin. One author went as far to say that this event was like a "template for every false religion." That same author later when on to say that "fallen men preaches the mantra of "DO" but only the Gospel of grace proclaims "DONE." o Of course, one cannot ignore the fact that the first sacrifice occurred here in verse 21, to cover the sin of Adam and Eve, thus the words from Hebrews 9:22 becoming clearer to us, that without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sin. o So, while Adam and Eve tried to cover their sin with fig leaves, the Lord clothed them with blood. Foreshadowing the work of Jesus. o But there's another lesson we can learn from the first parents: * I can't hide from God (vv. 8-13) o The historical-narrative brings us back to the personal relationship that we see between God and His image-bearers. o We see here that He walked in the Garden. o But curiously, He asks series of questions. o Now, this is interesting, isn't it? o Doesn't God know all things? o Of course. o God, demonstrating His grace and mercy, gives Adam an opportunity to confess and repent. o Instead, Adam attempts to hide from his sin. o Instead, Adam blames his wife for his wrongdoing. o Instead, Adam blames God for the woman that He gave him o When God asks these questions, it is not for Himself, but for us. o He wants us to be open. Confessing our sin. Confessing our need for redemption. It's for our own good. o Even though God was just betrayed by His most treasured creation, He still sought Adam out to give him an opportunity for repentance. o He is giving you that same opportunity right now. o But God - and this important - does not just allow the injustices to continue, we see next that ... * My sin carries consequences (vv. 14-19, 22-24) o Verses 14-19 are the curses that the Lord brings upon each of the three actors in this sin. o First, God curses the serpent. Which, of course, represented Satan. o He follows this up with a curse on the man, and a curse on the woman. o While we don't have time to go through all the details, if nothing else God shows us that sin does not go unpunished. o In the closing verses, God expelled them from Eden. o Verse 22 indicates that this is directly related to the Tree of Life, and since the consequence of sin is death, they could no longer access it. o So, you see that sin affects everyone. Period. o We can look at these curses and trace why there is tension in marriages and in all forms of relationships. o We can see why there is sin and destruction o We can see why there is death, and more importantly, why we need a Savior. o This is why I said earlier in our main idea: Because sin is real, I really need a Savior! o That's where our final point comes in: * There is hope (vv.15, 20-21) o I know, the sermon thus far has not been super encouraging, has it? o But thank God, there is hope. We see it in verse 15, and later in verses 20-21. o Verse 15 is one of the most important verses in all of Scripture. o It is often referred to as the "protoevangelium" - or "the first Gospel" o Here is where we are introduced to the Savior, Jesus Christ. Where, may you ask? Where the ESV uses the phrase "HER OFFSPRING" (or seed in other translations). * Note, "HIS OFFSPRING" refers to the sin nature we described earlier, while "HER OFFSPRING" points to the virgin birth. * The "BRUISED HEEL" refers to Jesus' crucifixion, while the "BRUISED HEAD" (or crushed head as in some translations) refers to Jesus' victory over Satan and sin. o While these curses show this constant battle between Satan and Christ, we are reminded of Christ's victory. o We are reminded of God's grace, and His plan of redemption. o Isn't it amazing that we see this introduced so early in the Scriptures? o This shows us that it was never a "plan B," this was part of God's plan to bring salvation to a broken world. o One that is available to every person. o The Bible teaches us that you have to believe in this Savior. Jesus Christ. o Finally, verses 20-21 paint two beautiful pictures. o Back in 2:23, Adam called his wife "WOMAN" o Here, Adam gives her a name. "EVE" - because she will be the mother of all living. o Guess what? That is faith. That is forgiveness. That is Adam carrying out his mandate from chapter 1, verse 28, or simply stated, obedience. o God clothing them, again, with that sacrifice, shows that He is a merciful and forgiving God. Once again, this same forgiveness and covering is found in faith in Jesus Christ. I opened by making the statement that this is one of the most important chapters in the Bible. Sin is nasty. Sin is painful. Sin has stained a world that God once called "good." But God, just like He gave an opportunity for Adam in the Garden, He gives us that same opportunity today. You can be forgiven because of the blood of Jesus. If you have already done that, respond in worship and in sharing God's Good News. If you have not, then I urge you to do that today. Let's pray. 2