God's Perfect World
Notes
Transcript
Story commentary: That’s how it happened.
Story commentary: That’s how it happened.
Series Introduction -
Series Introduction -
is the god of the OT different than the god of the NT? Some say we see God’s wrath in the OT, love in the NT? Jesus comes along later? No!
Sermon is about our proving the existence of God; more than science and reason, but we have to address that first:
Sermon is about our proving the existence of God; more than science and reason, but we have to address that first:
Creation not even a point of debate. Dismissed. Not mentioned. Christians are anti science. Stubbornly clinging to old traditions, regardless of science; 7 day earth; 6,000 years or 4 billion years? if we don’t take everything strictly literal, see symbols and metaphor, we can acknowledge an older earth; 7/24hour days? if God wants to who am I to argue?
Creation is powerful proof that God exists and cares. Something from nothing logical absurdly; there is greater proof (us)
Our lives should prove the existence of God.
That wins the day. Not sitting down and winning an argument; know the difference between defending the faith and winning an argument (and losing the person)
Creation tells us that: 1) Turns chaos into purpose; 2) God does it through speaking, 3) It is good.
Creation tells us that: 1) Turns chaos into purpose; 2) God does it through speaking, 3) It is good.
1. Dark Chaos into Beautiful Purpose
1. Dark Chaos into Beautiful Purpose
read the days - a beautiful world is not the first step - the world was shapeless, dark;
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.
First God, then came a chaotic world - God took chaos and created
today: take our chaos and create it into something good
where is your chaos? darkness? testify to a creative God even in a chaotic world?
life brings chaos, coronavirus adds to it: death and sickness (pain, stress, grief); happens alone; ministry made harder; sadness more depressing; tension - perfect storm of anger violence
explanation for: caused by humans, but doesn’t explain it all. - that’s next week;
How can God turn our chaos into purpose?
2. Creates Through Speaking - what are we listening to?
2. Creates Through Speaking - what are we listening to?
And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.
A king says it’s and it is done. CEO or high ranking often does’t consult, just speaks and it’s done; God is owner of the universe. He speaks and it happens. Speech shows authority. It’s easier to hear the voices of chaos
God’s speech still brings creative beauty
who are you going to listen to?
news fatigue; tv has an off switch; complaints - has that improved your life? happiness? tired of waiting for the doors to open? Assume that’s God’s plan? drown out the voice of God.
What if we suspended our fear (hard to control) suspend our complaints (we can control that) - how? who do you spend your time with? God centered imagination or self centered complaints; surround yourselves with good speech; listen to God’s speech
3. God Blessed It, calls it good. (very good)
3. God Blessed It, calls it good. (very good)
Creation is good. It is complete. We rest on the sabbath (Christian sabbath). When we get through this (not back to normal), God will have accomplished something good.
God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day.
Christ. Where is Christ in this Genesis passage?
Christ. Where is Christ in this Genesis passage?
You don’t believe? I’m going to show you in person!
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.
Christ was always there. Not sitting behind the curtain for Act 2 of the play ,Creating. Wasn’t just doing something new, he was providing evidence .
God exists; God is still active, not just watching - God is doing something good
Conclusion: We are the greatest proof for God.
Conclusion: We are the greatest proof for God.
The world needs us now. They need living proof that God exists, is active, and is doing a new thing. Testimony the greatest. Can't argue against. Our lives should prove the existence of God
we live in a world with people who can only see chaos; can’t hear God, doubt he is doing good; we are the only proof that God is real, involved and good.
challenge: acknowledge your chaos, listen for more than negative commentary: listen for God’s purpose behind it; and let the world see that God is good
We are the greatest proof for the existence of God!
We are the greatest proof for the existence of God!