A Sermon on Genesis 1:1-2 & 26-2:3: “Creator of Heaven and Earth”
The transcript of a sermon on Genesis 1:1-2 & 26-2:3 has been lightly edited for ease of reading.
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If you have your Bibles, please take them and turn with me today to the very beginning. Today we are going to look at the next phrase in the Apostles’ Creed, that not only is God Father Almighty, He is also Creator of Heaven and Earth. And so we go to the beginning, or to Genesis.
Today we will consider Genesis chapter 1, verses 1 and 2, and then dropping down to verses 26 through chapter 2, verse 3. Let us hear God’s Word.
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 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.
Then God said, Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground. So God created man in His own image.
In the image of God He created him, male and female He created them. And God blessed them and said to them, Be fruitful and increase in number, fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the ground.
Then God said, I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it, they will be yours for food. And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds of the air and all the creatures that move on the ground, everything that has the breath of life in it, I give every green plant for food. And it was so.
God saw all that He had made, and it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day. Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array.
By the seventh day God had finished the work He had been doing, so on the seventh day He rested from all His work. And God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it He rested from all the work of creating that He had done.”
Let’s pray.
Great God, Your word is more precious than fine gold and sweeter than the purest honey. As we turn toward Your scripture, send us Your Holy Spirit to infuse Your word with truth and grace so that the good news of Your love would shine before our eyes and delight our senses, and so that we cannot help but respond with wonder, faith, and trust. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
INTRODUCTION
So, brothers and sisters, we live in a world and a culture that claims to root all of its truth claims in what science teaches and proclaims. We are encouraged to follow the science and all that jazz. In this world where science is supreme, we must ask ourselves, “Does it matter that we profess that God created heaven and earth?” Now, I know while you’re in this room, some of you understand that the correct answer to that question is yes, it matters that God created in heaven and earth.
But if we’re honest with ourselves, many times we leave this place and it doesn’t matter quite as much. But it should matter to you because what you believe about the origins of creation will shape how you view that creation, how you view other people, and even how you view yourself. The answer to who created will also give you so many answers to the question “Why?”
If you say that all that exists is the product of random chance and time, then there is ultimately no purpose and nothing matters. If you say that God created all that exists, that brings a purpose, a dignity to creation and to humanity that is not found subjectively in here, but rests in the transcendence and eminence of the triune God.
Today, you and I will consider the Creed’s declaration that God is the creator of heaven and earth. We will look into what this act of creation tells us about God and seek to understand what this act of creation teaches about us.
THE ACT OF CREATION TELLS US ABOUT GOD
So first, the act of creation tells us about God. Genesis one one opens with this declaration that is stunning in our world today.
“In the beginning, God created the heavens and earth.” As part of this declaration that God created, we are told that everything that was there before him was formless and empty or it was without form and void. It was hostile to life. It could not sustain life.
Now, honestly, we don’t know if God had pre-created some of these things. We know that God created from nothing because we learn from the other parts of the scripture. But we are told here in this place that what the spirit of God hovered over was empty and without form.
And as we go through the rest of chapter one and on into chapter two, we see that God solved those two problems. He gave form to creation and he filled those forms with living things. He took a situation that was hostile to life, and he made it friendly and sustaining to life. He created.
As a quick aside, I do want us to say that what we are going to focus on today is is the how or the who, excuse me, of creation, not necessarily the how. There are groups out there that look at the scientific evidence that are before us and they see God’s hand in creation. The Institute for Creation Research, Creation Ministries International and Answers in Genesis look at the science and see God’s hand of creation in that science.
And I would encourage you to look at them, to read their blogs, their books, watch their videos and see that science truly does point us to God. But as I mentioned, our concern today is more with who than it is with how the act of creation, which was brought about by God’s hand, by God’s power, by God’s word, by the triune God, as the father spoke things into existence, as the son was the word used to speak and as the spirit hovered and brought things about, we see many things about God.
The first thing we see about God in creation is it shows us his self sufficiency. Did God need to create? Absolutely not. God was whole. God was complete. God was self-sufficient in himself in that triune relationship, three in one. He was perfect and had absolutely everything he needed for existence before he created. His creation was an act of expanded glory, an act of love upon those that he created.
The act of creation also shows God’s power. As we read with the mere act of speaking, let there be light, let there be a separation between the expanse, let there be plants and animals by the mere breath of God’s word. All things were brought into being. Everything that exists was brought into being by the power of God’s word from the farthest star to the smallest atomic particle and everything in between was brought into being by God’s power.
Creation also shows us God’s providence. The continued existence of creation is reliant upon God being present and sustaining and maintaining all of that creation. Were God to stop maintaining for creation for even the briefest of moments, it would fly apart into disintegration.
Creation also shows God’s orderliness. Even now, affected by the fall, we see order in God’s creation. The Krebs cycle, which happens inside of us, is that how the cells convert carbohydrates to energy is a very orderly process. But we can also see God’s order in a sunflower. You ever looked there and thought that there’s a random array of seeds within the middle of that sunflower? But as you stare at it for even a brief bit of time, you can begin to see this orderly ratio of how the sunflower seeds are positioned around the center of that sunflower. We see God’s orderliness in creation.
Brothers and sister, we see God’s beauty in creation as well. I’m always astounded – I know this will probably get me in trouble for saying this, but I love snow. It is so beautiful when the snow falls, it is so quiet and you can truly appreciate the purity and the beauty of God’s creation. We see it as well in the spring as the colors burst forth from their dormancy. We see it in the summer as everything is beautiful and green and the crops are coming. We live in a beautiful area. We live in a beautiful world that reflects the beauty of God.
We also see that God finishes what he starts. Chapter two, verse one, the heavens and the earth were complete, were completed in all their vast array. Do you ever wonder sometimes in your Christian walk if you’re just going to make it, if you’re going to survive being holy as God calls you to be holy? Paul says in Philippians one, six, he says, “I am confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” The same God who completed the heavens and the earth and all their vast array will see you safely home and complete the work of holiness that he has begun in you.
God created and he made a moral judgment about his creation. In verse 31 of Genesis chapter one, it says that God looked and he saw that everything was very good.
And while creation does tell us about God, it also reminds us of how we should treat creation. We do not worship creation. I think many people in our world today fall into the trap of idolizing creation, finding their hope, finding their meaning, finding their purpose in creation.
But we are supposed to treat it well. We are supposed to care for God’s creation. If God has created all things, and he has, if God has declared all things to be very good, and he has, you and I are to be caretakers and stewards of the creation and the parts of creation that God has given to us.
This world is not disposable, brothers and sisters. This world is our home. And one day this world will be remade when Jesus returns. But until that time, we are supposed to bring to the best of our ability a little bit of heaven onto this earth as we deal with gardens, as we mow yards, as we rake leaves, as we tend to the beauty of this world. We admit the frustration that comes in before the fall, but we tend and we enhance that beauty to bring it forth so that God’s glory might show forth more clearly. And so the act of creation tells us about God.
THE ACT OF CREATION TELLS US SOMETHING ABOUT US
But the act of creation tells us something about us as well. We’re told in verses 26 through 28 of Genesis chapter one, that we are created in the image of God. Every human being to exist, you, me, everybody that has come before us, everybody that will follow us, every human being to be conceived is created in the image of God.
And that, brothers and sisters, means that every human being has value, worth and dignity. No other part of creation is described as being created in the image of God. No other part of creation is given the mandate to reflect God’s glory and holiness into the world.
All of creation reveals the glory, the might, the majesty of God. Humanity is the only being created in the image of that God. This value and worth as the image of God should be reflected in your interactions with yourself and with other human beings.
Why do we seek the protection of the poor, the oppressed and the unborn? Because they are fellow image bearers of God. Why do we oppose things like legalized suicide? Because even the sick, suffering and handicapped are image bearers of the almighty God. Why do we love our friends and family? Because they are image bearers of the almighty God.
Why do we show love to those who disagree with us or who are outright hostile to us? Because they are image bearers of God. Matthew chapter five, verses 21 and 22 says this:
“You have heard that it was said to people long ago, do not murder and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment. But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother Raca is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says you fool will be in danger of the fires of hell.”
Why such harsh penalty for calling someone a fool or an idiot? Because calling someone a name out of anger is equal to seeking the dehumanizing destruction of a fellow image bearer of God. And he takes that seriously. Every single human being has worth and value simply because God has said that is true.
Now, as the image of God, we are given tasks. Adam and Eve were placed in the Guard of Eden and they were given these tasks and these commands.
They were told to multiply and fill the earth. They cannot complete the rest of their work by themselves. They needed offspring to fill the earth so that the boundaries of the garden could be effectively extended to to cover the whole earth. Matthew chapter twenty eight, verses 16 through 20, reminds us that this has been given a spiritual dimension in the New Testament age. As God’s glory extends through the church, through the world, God brings people to faith. God brings people to belief and he grows his family through spiritual as well as physical means.
Adam and Eve were told to subdue and to rule the earth in military language. They were told as they were put in the outpost called Eden, they are ordered to extend the boundaries of that outpost to cover the whole world.
Adam and Eve were commanded to work and to till the garden in Genesis two fifteen. These words involve gardening and guarding. “To work” can also be translated “to till;” “to keep” is used repeatedly in Psalm 121 to give us the comfort that God constantly keeps and watches over us every moment of every day from the beginning to the end of our lives.
We’ve touched on this already, but part of subduing, having dominion, guarding and keeping creation is is taking care of the creation that God has given to us.
And the last command that Adam and Eve were given was the command to not eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. God was saying to Adam and Eve, “I have created you. I know what is best for you. I know what will make you flourish. I will define and set the boundaries that keep you safe and in right relationship with me.”
And Adam and Eve and even us today said, “God, I know better. So step off.” In an act of rebellion, Adam and Eve and every human being that has existed since then has decided that they know better than the infinite, eternal, unchangeable, good, holy, just, righteous and wrathful God. And in declaring this, each of us has decided that God is not the sovereign king and ruler over creation. Nor the sovereign king and ruler over you. And we have taken it upon ourselves to declare war against God.
So how did God respond? He added pain and misery to existence. There would be pain in childbearing and child rearing. There would be pain and futility in tilling and caring for the earth.
He also gave eternal punishments for eternal rebellion against the infinite and holy God.
And then he took that infinite punishment upon himself for those who would believe. We talk about the cross frequently. We talk about righteousness. We talk about grace. Here’s grace, brothers and sisters. You and I left to our own devices would rebel into eternity against God.
Left to our own devices, we wouldn’t stop rebelling at death. Our soul would go on rebelling for eternity. And that eternal punishment that is due for that eternal rebellion fell upon the perfect, righteous son of God at the cross for those who believe.
Think of God’s anger. Think of God’s wrath against sin that you deserve. And thank God that he showed you the grace of letting Jesus feel that and not you.
Because of Jesus’ righteousness, you and I can be remade day by day in that perfected image of God through belief in him. Because of sin, the image of God is broken in you, but God has paved the way to reconciliation through Jesus. And he extends the offer of grace to you so that you might be made his children forever.
CONCLUSION
So the act of creation tells us about God and the act of creation tells us about us. So what? What does it matter that God created?
Here’s part of what it matters. If Genesis 1 and 2 is all myth, if value and worth are found right here in me and in me alone and how I define value, how I define worth, how I define purpose and glory, then nothing matters. To paraphrase one of my favorite improv comedy shows, “Dignity is all made up and your life doesn’t matter.”
Paul gets at this in 1 Corinthians 15:32. He says,
“…if I fought wild beasts in Ephesus for merely human reasons, what have I gained? If the dead are not raised, let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.”
Humanity feels this. You feel this. Society, culture around us wants all the feel-good things of Christianity. The love, the acceptance, the reconciliation, the redemption, but they want it without God. But if you strip the foundation of God out of those things, you’re left with a love and acceptance and reconciliation and redemption that are rooted in things that fade away rather than the objective truth and existence of God.
If I am the one who finally determines my worth, then I am floating in a sea of chance and chaos because my value of my worth changes moment by moment.
If I am floating in a sea of chance and chaos, then I am restless. This restlessness leads to anxiety, depression, and despair.
As our culture has unhooked meaning from a creator, despair has run rampant. Suicide, alcohol, and drug-related deaths are skyrocketing. And I’m sorry to say, men, between the ages of 18 and 54, you are feeling this the harshest right now. I don’t know why y’all are so picked on with despair, but you are.
We know that we were created for something more than defining our own value and worth. We were created for the rest of the second day, where God looked at his creation that was completed, and he sat down from all his work of creation, and he rested. And that rest is extended to us through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
But it is also dependent upon the phrase, in the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. Brothers and sisters, I implore you, find rest in knowing that God has created. Find rest in knowing that Jesus will recreate you in this world.
Let’s pray.
To the God and Father above, I thank you that my worth is not found in me. I ask that you would drive more deeply into our hearts the truth that you have created the heavens and the earth.
That because you have created, you have authority. And when we balk at your authority, you offer us grace and salvation. May we know and may we be messengers that you have created fellow human beings with dignity and worth and value because you have said so.
We pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
As you go this week, take this blessing upon you.
“May the Lord strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.”
He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.
Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
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