In the Beginning

Intro:

Welcome to week one of our FOUNDATIONS series as we dive head first into the beginning, the very beginning as a matter of fact. Today we will be taking a look at the Creation account and hopefully we are answering some questions that you may have about how the earth and life began.

Although we are talking about creation tonight, we will die into the validity of creationism, especially in comparison to the Theory of Evolution. Before we jump in with both feet this evening, I would like to define the to theories we have that ultimately point to why we are even here:

Creation: the belief that the universe and living organisms originate from specific acts of divine creation, as in the biblical account, rather than by natural processes such as evolution.

Evolution: the process by which different kinds of living organisms are thought to have developed and diversified from earlier forms during the history of the earth. (Similar to: Darwinism and Big Bang Theory)

Read:

Genesis 1:1 ESV

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

Teach:

Genesis 1:1 answers a couple different questions for us:

1. If God created man, who created God?

“In the beginning, God”

This questions is almost as old as time itself. The problem with this particular question, is that it lends itself to the concept of God needing to be created. That is an issue, because nothing exists currently that has not been created, so therefore we believe that if everything that exists was created, that God must of been created as well.

Before the first verse in all of scripture, nothing existed except the triune God.

John 1:1–2 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.

This is a big concept to grasp as well because “God” in this passage is translated “Elohim” which is grammatically plural. The Triune God has always existed, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

So what? What are the practical implications of knowing rather or not God has always existed

It matters because God is OMNIPOTENT. Meaning He has unlimited power, He is able to do anything He wants, when He wants.

It matters because God is OMNIPRESENT. He exists everywhere at once. He is 100% in this room giving all his attention to each and every one of you while being 10 miles down the interstate and giving his full attention to our Sango Campus as they are in worship as well.

It matters because God is OMNISCIENT. This means that He is also all knowing. He knows all things that has happened in the past, everything that is currently happening, and everything that will happen.

2. Was the world really created by God?

The last part of Genesis 1:1 states that God Created the Heavens and the Earth.

Theories on the beginning of Existence:

Big Bang Theory: Everything started from nothing.

Darwinism: the theory of the evolution of species by natural selection advanced by Charles Darwin.

No Boundary Theory: Stephen Hawking came up with a theory that the universe has simply just always existed. That it has no beginning.

Cody, can Intelligent Design exist alongside science, or are they mutually exclusive?

Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind.

Albert Einstein

Science absolutely and unequivocally prove intelligent design.

Earth's axial tilt is about 23.5 degrees: This is what allows us to have the climate and living conditions suitable for life.

The Earth is 93.799 million miles away from the sun. Providing the perfect living environments for us humans and animals.

At any given time, your brain is controlling you heart, nervous system, digestive system, allowing you to simply be alive.

All these things work so in tune with one another and in such precision that there is absolutely no way that any of this was on accident or by chance.

Believing that we are all here by accident is like going home and finding a whataburger cheese burger sitting on your table and thinking it fell from the sky.

The whole bible is full of affirmations and conformations of the Creation account.

Job 38:4–7 ESV

4 “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. 5 Who determined its measurements—surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it? 6 On what were its bases sunk, or who laid its cornerstone, 7 when the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy?

John 1:3 ESV

3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.

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.

Evolution says that you are an accident and your life is meaningless and that is simply not true.

Psalm 139:14 ESV

14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.

Psalm 139:14–17 ESV

14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. 15 My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. 16 Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. 17 How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them!

You have a purpose because you were made on purpose.

Response:

James 1:22 ESV

22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.