Sermon Tone Analysis

Genesis 1:1

Introduction

The importance of studying Genesis

“Genesis is important because it gives us our origins – not merely the origins of one particular family but the origins of matter, life, values, evil, grace, the family, nations, and other things – in a way that unites us all.”

(J.M. Boice, /Genesis, Volume 1/; 16)

Genesis tells us of God.

Genesis tells us of the origins of man.

Genesis tells us of the origins of evil.

Genesis teaches us of our own helplessness.

Genesis teaches the doctrine of justification by faith.

Genesis teaches the doctrine of sovereign election.

Genesis teaches the origins of divine judgment.

“In the beginning God…”

“These are the most tremendous words ever penned” (Arthur Compton, physicist)

“The first four words of the Book of Genesis are sufficient proof of the Bible’s inspiration” (John Gerstner)

The acceptance of these words as authoritative leads us to several important conclusions.

\\ 1A.

What Belief In The God of Genesis Refutes

1B.

Belief in God refutes atheism.

If God was in the beginning, then there was and is a God.

*Psalm 14:1* The fool has said in his heart, "/There is /no God."

They are corrupt, They have done abominable works, There is none who does good.

2B.

Belief in God refutes materialism.

God preceded creation and is set apart from creation.

Therefore ours is not an entirely material universe.

Since God created matter, matter did not always exist.

3B.

Belief in God refutes pantheism.

Pantheism says that God is in matter or is matter.

*Romans 1:18-25* For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown /it /to them.

20 For since the creation of the world His invisible /attributes /are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, /even /His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify /Him /as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man -- and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.

24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, 25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever.

Amen.

\\ 2A.

What Belief In The God of Genesis Affirms

1B.

God is self-existent

God is unknowable

Ø      Because He is the ultimate cause of everything He cannot be known like everything else in known.

Ø      What we know of God is dependant on His revealing it to us.

God is answerable to no one (Job 38:1-4)

2B       God is self-sufficient

“God was under no constraint, no obligation, no necessity to create.