Beginning at the Beginning 1: Everything Comes from God

1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. 3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. 4 God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning — the first day. (Genesis 1:1-5 NIV)

     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; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. (John 1:1-5 NIV)

Intro:

Who makes a thing has everything to do with what it is. Rembrandt, Bach, Stradivarius, e.g. If you buy a Rolls Royce, you can expect it to run well. If you buy your tools from certain dealers you can expect them to back them up in case something goes wrong.

I.  God Made everything.

     A.   Creation out of Nothing.

        1.   This is a fine point of theology.

        2.   Since He made everthing, nothing is more significant than God.

     B.   Everything is indebted to God for Existence.

        1.   Everything from sub-atomic particles to galactical clusters owes God for its existence.

        2.   All spiritual beings were created by him--even Satan himself.

        3.   Human beings were created by God too!

     C.   God Owns it!

        1.   If He made it all, He owns it all.

        2.   We have responsibilities merely as care-takers or stewards. Let’s do a good job!

II. God Sustains Everything.

For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. (Colossians 1:16-17 NIV)

     A.   Not just by Chance

        1.   It isn’t by some cosmic accident that life happened.

        2.   Neither does God leave creatures to fend for themselves in a chaotic universe.

     B.   Not just a Running clock.

        1.   The order in creation, doesn’t preclude God’s intimate involvement with it.

        2.   Not even science understands life and biological processes as an elaborate set of mechanical operations. (It tried but that scheme didn’t fit the data.)

     C.   God Provides for everything.

        1.   God is the one who gives food.
The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time. (Psalm 145:15 NIV)

        2.   God never calls us to a task and then not provide the resources to do it.

        3.   God provides by answering our prayers
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. (Ephesians 3:20-21 NIV)

        4.   What God gives is always good or for our good.
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. (James 1:17 NIV)

III.   God Runs everything.

     A.   If God made it, He can Control it!

        1.   Nothing is bigger than God!

        2.   “Nothing is going to happen today that You and I can’t handle together.”

     B.   God rules in Love.

        1.   God does not rule like a tyrant or like a fickle clown (not like “Q”).

        2.   Since sin has entered God’s design bad things happen, yet God turns everything toward our good.
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28 NIV)

     C.   We can Rest assured.

        1.   God’s providence affords us an opportunity to relax

HC Q&A 28

How does the knowledge of God’s creation and providence help us?

We can be patient when things go against us, thankful when things go well, and for the future we can have good confidence in our faithful God and Father that nothing will separate us from His love.

        2.   Reading the newspaper these days, it seems some folks get up in arms, all excited and confused about where we’re all headed. I’m not worried. It’s in God’s hands. I’ll do my part, but I won’t worry about the rest.

        3.   Paul knew of God’s provision and trusting that God is the source of everthing said,
I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength. (Phil. 4:12 NIV)

The Bottom Line:

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