God in the Beginning

Genesis 1:1–4 ESV

1 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. 3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. 4 And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness.

Introduction

The world was created out of nothing

By the will of God

Genesis 1:1 ESV

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

See also Ps 96:5; Ps 102:25; Ps 148:5; Is 40:28; Heb 11:3; Re 4:11; Re 10:6

By the word of God

Jn 1:1–3 Jesus Christ as the eternal Word is creator of all things.

John 1:1–3 ESV

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.

See also Ge 1:3; Jn 1:10; 1 Co 8:6; Heb 1:2; 2 Pe 3:5

Genesis 1:3 ESV

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

By the Spirit of God

Genesis 1:2 ESV

2 The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.

See also Job 26:13; Job 33:4; Ps 33:6

By the hand of God

Hebrews 1:10 ESV

10 And, “You, Lord, laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the work of your hands;

See also Ps 8:3

By the mind of God

Psalm 136:5 ESV

5 to him who by understanding made the heavens, for his steadfast love endures forever;

See also Ps 104:24; Pr 3:19–20

The world God created was perfect

Genesis 1:31 ESV

31 And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.

See also 1 Ti 4:4

God created the world for a purpose

For his glory

Psalm 19:1–2 ESV

1 The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. 2 Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge.

See also Ps 50:6; Ps 148:1–4; Ro 1:20; Ro 11:36

That people might worship and revere him

Psalm 147:4–5 ESV

4 He determines the number of the stars; he gives to all of them their names. 5 Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure.

See also Ge 15:5; Ne 9:6; Job 22:12; Is 40:25–26; Je 31:35

For his possession and use

Dt 10:14; Col 1:16–17

Deuteronomy 10:14 ESV

14 Behold, to the Lord your God belong heaven and the heaven of heavens, the earth with all that is in it.

Colossians 1:16–17 ESV

16 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. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

See also Ps 24:1–2; Ps 50:12; Ps 89:11; Ac 7:49 God reigns within the world he has made.

Romans 10:17 (ESV)

17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

John 8:24 (ESV)

24 I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins.”

Acts 17:30 (ESV)

30 The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent,

Romans 10:10 (ESV)

10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.

Galatians 3:27 (ESV)

27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

Revelation 2:10 (ESV)

10 Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.