Created: Paradise Lost and Found (Genesis 3:20-24)

I. Adam’s Faith (Genesis 3:20)

II. God’s Grace (Genesis 3:21)

III. God’s Judgment (Genesis 3:22-23)

IV. God’s Mercy (Genesis 3:24)

V. The Tree of Life (Revelation 22:1-2)

And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. (Revelation 22:1-2)

 The First Gospel (Genesis 3:8-19)

“And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel.” (Genesis 3:15)

Genesis 3:15 tells us there will be:
1. Endless Conflict (Ephesians 6:12)
2. Temporary Defeat (Luke 23:46)
3. Eventual Victory (1 John 3:8; Revelation 20:10)

Application:
A. The Christian life will always be a struggle. (John 15:19)
B. Our victories will not come without wounds. (Psalm 30:5)
C. God’s plan of salvation is wrapped in a Person. (John 3:16)

The protoevangelium is the first gospel. It is the first good news. It is found in Genesis 3:15 when God first tells us that he is going to send Jesus (even though He doesn’t mention Jesus by name).

After the Fall of Man, God pronounces judgment on man for his sin. But He also offers the good news that the seed of the woman, Jesus, would crush the head of the serpent, Satan. Satan would strike Jesus on the heel, his death on the cross, but it would not be mortal as Jesus would rise from the dead. Jesus would strike back with a mortal wound to Satan by crushing his head. The protoevangelium is God’s first announcement that Jesus was coming and that Satan would be defeated.

From: “theonlinebibledictionary.com/protoevangelium”

Temptation in the Garden (Genesis 3:1-7)

Three Stages of Temptation

Stage One: The approach is subtle and unexpected. (Genesis 3:1a)
Defense: The shield of faith (Ephesians 6:16)

Stage Two: The strategy involved conversation and controversy. (Genesis 3:1b-3).
Defense: The sword of the Spirit- God’s Word (Ephesians 6:17)

Stage Three: The conversation leads to doubt and desire. (Genesis 3:4-6a)
Defense: Delight in the Lord by being satisfied with Him. (Psalm 37:4; 107:9)

Application:
What are areas of temptation in your life?
When and where are you more likely to give in to temptation?
Review the three areas of defense against temptation.
How will you strengthen yourself against temptation?

“No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13)

Created From the Dust (Genesis 2:4-17)

1. Adam was formed from the dust of the ground with the breath of life. (Genesis 2:7; Psalm 103:14; James 4:14; Ecclesiastes 12:7)

2. Adam was placed in a perfect garden. (Genesis 2:8-15; Jeremiah 17:9)

3. God graciously gave Adam commands for his benefit. (Genesis 2:15-17; Psalm 1:1-3)

4. We are given the choice and freedom to obey God. (1 Samuel 15:22; John 14:15; Galatians 1:1)

“For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust. As for man, his days are like grass; as a flower of the field, so he flourishes. For the wind passes over it, and it is gone,
And its place remembers it no more. But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting. On those who fear Him, and His righteousness to children’s children, to such as keep His covenant, and to those who remember His commandments to do them.” (Psalm 103:14-18)

Created in the Image of God: The Divine Pattern
(Genesis 1:26-28)

I. The Divine Plan
“Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”” (Genesis 1:26)

II. The Divine Pattern
“So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” (Genesis 1:27)

1. We are uniquely created in the image of God. (Psalm 139:13-16; Ephesians 2:10)
2. We are created either male or female. (Genesis 1:27; 2:24; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; Mark 10:6-8; Matthew 19:4-6)
3. We need to be restored by Christ. (Psalm 8:4-5; Romans 3:23; Colossians 3:9-10; 2 Corinthians 5:17)

Created in the Image of God: The Divine Purpose
(Genesis 1:26-28)

I. The Divine Plan
“Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”” (Genesis 1:26)

II. The Divine Pattern
“So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” (Genesis 1:27)

III. The Divine Purpose
“Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” (Genesis 1:28)

1. God owns and faithfully provides all things. (Psalm 24:1; Psalm 50:10-11; Matthew 7:11; Philippians 4:19)

2. God blesses His Creation. (Genesis 1:22, 28; Psalm 146:5)

3. We are blessed to be fruitful and multiply. (Isaiah 45:18; Psalm 127:3-5)

4. We are given the responsibility to fill the earth and subdue it. (Psalm 8; Colossians 3:23-24)

Application Question: How well are you stewarding your time, talent, and treasure? (Matthew 25:14-30)

“His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’” (Matthew 25:23)

Created in the Image of God: The Divine Plan (Genesis 1:26-28)

I. The Divine Plan (Genesis 1:26)

“Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”” (Genesis 1:26)

Created in the “image” of God means…
1. We are separate from the animals. (1 Corinthians 15:39; Genesis 2:7)

2. We are meant to know God personally. (John 1:12; Romans 8:14-17)

3. Every person has true worth and significance apart from their circumstances. (Genesis 9:6; James 3:9; Psalm 139:13-16)

4. We owe Him our lives. (Matthew 22:15-22; Colossians 1:16-17)

Created: Six Days of Creation (Genesis 1)

Main Idea:
God created the universe out of nothing by His Word in an orderly manner as an expression of His love. Our response should be to thank, praise, serve, and obey Him.

I. God brings form from formlessness and fullness from emptiness. (Genesis 1:2; Titus 3:5)

II. The Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. (Genesis 1:2: Deuteronomy 32:11)

III. God brings light into the darkness. (Genesis 1:3-5; 1 John 1:5, Revelation 21:23; Matthew 5:14-16)

IV. By the word of the Lord all things were created out of nothing. (Genesis 1:3, 6, 9, 11, 14, 20, 24, 26, 29; Psalm 33:6,9; Hebrews 11:3)

V. Creation is an expression of God’s love. (1 John 4:8, 16; John 1:1; John 3:16)

“For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day.” Exodus 20:11

Additional Resources:
Interested in exploring Creation Science? Check out The Institute for Creation Research and Answers in Genesis.

Created: In the Beginning GOD (Genesis 1:1)

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1)

I. We acknowledge God to be the maker of heaven and earth. (Genesis 1:1; Apostles’ Creed; Nicene Creed)

II. The universe had a definite beginning. (Genesis 1:1; Psalm 90:1-2; Colossians 1:16-17)

III. The universe was created by God out of nothing (Ex Nihilo) by His Word. (Genesis 1:1; Psalm 147:4; Psalm 19:1; Romans 1:20; Hebrews 11:3)

IV. We are accountable to God our Creator. (1 Corinthians 6:20; 1 Peter 3:5-7)

V. True wisdom begins with Genesis 1:1. (Proverbs 3:19; John 1:1)

What does it mean to say, “I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth?”

“I believe that God has created me and all that exists; that he has given and still preserves my body and soul, my eyes and ears, and all my members, my reason and all the power of my soul, together with food and raiment, home and family, and all my property; that he daily provides abundantly for all the needs of my life, protects me from all danger, and guards and keeps me from all evil; and that he does this purely out of fatherly and divine goodness and mercy, without any merit or worthiness in me; for all which I am in duty bound to thank, praise, serve, and obey him.” Martin Luther

Making the Vision Plain
(Habakkuk 2:2)

Mission Statement:
We are a family of God growing together in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ through a heritage of praising His works and declaring the Gospel one generation to the next by the power of the Holy Spirit and for the glory of God.

Key Scriptures:
“So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10:17)

“But He answered and said to the one who told Him, “Who is My mother and who are My brothers?” And He stretched out His hand toward His disciples and said, “Here are My mother and My brothers! For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother.”” (Matthew 12:48-50)

“but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 3:18)

“One generation shall praise Your works to another, And shall declare Your mighty acts.” (Psalm 145:4)

“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)

“Declare His glory among the nations, His wonders among all peoples.” (Psalm 96:3)