Creation's Purpose: Embracing God's Love and Redemption

 

Summary

The sermon explores the Christian understanding of creation, the nature of God, and the significance of Jesus Christ's sacrifice. The speaker begins by praying for the Holy Spirit's guidance in applying the message of being seen as good in Christ and asks for strength to live out the doctrine of creation and partake in the Lord's Supper. The new sermon series focuses on Genesis 1 to 11, emphasizing the importance of understanding the purpose of creation rather than the mechanics of how it happened.

The beauty of nature is discussed as a source of pain for humans because it reminds them of their disconnection from God due to their desire to be their own masters. This disconnection is contrasted with the need to know that their Maker loves and delights in them, despite their rebellion. The speaker then reveals the profound truth that Jesus Christ, the Word through whom everything was created, became flesh and was forsaken on the cross to allow for human redemption. This act enables God to see believers as good and calls them to join in nature's song of praise.

The sermon also addresses the Christian doctrine of creation, which stands against mythologies that promote injustice and view the physical world as unimportant. It emphasizes the biblical teaching that the world was intentionally created by God and is good, encouraging believers to engage in its repair rather than waiting for heaven. The speaker explains that Genesis 1 is a poem, and the world is not a result of chance but an intentional creation of God.

The speaker contrasts the biblical account of creation with ancient mythologies, highlighting that in Genesis, God creates the world out of nothing, giving it its own being and importance. This challenges both the modern myth of materialism and ancient beliefs in the world's insignificance. The sermon concludes by emphasizing that nature's beauty and joy are a reflection of its creator and a call to humanity to seek a deeper connection with the divine.

The purpose of the creation story in Genesis 1 is to explore the meaning behind creation, not to provide a scientific or historical account. The speaker cautions against focusing on specific details and instead emphasizes understanding the genre and purpose of the text. The concept of the Trinity is introduced as the answer to who God was speaking to when He said, "Let us make man in our image." The creation involves the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, highlighting that God has always been a community of love.

Key Takeaways:

- The pain humans feel when experiencing the beauty of nature stems from a recognition of their separation from God, who is the source of all beauty and goodness. This separation is due to humanity's choice to reject God's lordship, creating a barrier that can only be overcome through the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. [25:10]

- Jesus Christ's incarnation and sacrifice are central to the Christian faith, as they allow believers to be seen as good by God. The Word, who created all matter, became matter and was forsaken on the cross, a necessary deconstruction for humanity's reconstruction. This understanding transforms one's view of creation and material existence. [28:49]

- The Christian doctrine of creation challenges both ancient and modern mythologies by affirming the goodness and importance of the physical world. This doctrine calls Christians to actively work towards the restoration of the world, reflecting the biblical vision of heaven coming to earth. [12:07]

- The biblical account of creation in Genesis 1 presents a world that is intentionally created and declared good by God, countering the belief in the insignificance of the material world. This perspective encourages believers to value the created world and engage with it meaningfully, rather than resigning to its perceived limitations. [09:17]

- The Trinity is foundational to understanding the nature of God and the universe. The community of love between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit existed from eternity and is reflected in the creation of beings in God's image. This triune relationship underscores the intrinsic value of love and community within the cosmos. [17:44]

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Genesis 1:1-8, 31 (NIV)
> "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. And God said, 'Let there be light,' and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. God called the light 'day,' and the darkness he called 'night.' And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day. And God said, 'Let there be an expanse between the waters to separate water from water.' So God made the expanse and separated the water under the expanse from the water above it. And it was so. God called the expanse 'sky.' And there was evening, and there was morning—the second day. ... God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day."

2. John 1:1-3, 14 (NIV)
> "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. ... The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth."

3. Revelation 21:1-3 (NIV)
> "Then I saw 'a new heaven and a new earth,' for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.'"

#### Observation Questions
1. According to Genesis 1, what did God create on the first and second days? How did He describe His creation? ([00:35])
2. In John 1, who is referred to as the "Word," and what role did the Word play in creation? ([17:11])
3. What does Revelation 21 describe about the future of heaven and earth? How does this relate to the concept of creation and restoration? ([12:34])
4. How does the sermon describe the difference between the creation accounts in Genesis 1 and Genesis 2? ([06:27])

#### Interpretation Questions
1. What is the significance of God declaring His creation "good" in Genesis 1? How does this shape our understanding of the physical world? ([10:52])
2. How does the concept of the Trinity, as discussed in the sermon, enhance our understanding of the creation narrative in Genesis 1? ([17:44])
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the beauty of nature is both a reflection of God's glory and a source of pain for humanity? ([22:46])
4. How does the sermon explain the purpose of Jesus Christ's incarnation and sacrifice in relation to creation and human redemption? ([27:41])

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt deeply moved by the beauty of nature. How did that experience make you feel about your connection to God? ([22:01])
2. The sermon suggests that understanding the purpose of creation can transform our view of the material world. How can this perspective change the way you interact with and care for the environment? ([10:52])
3. How does knowing that Jesus Christ was "deconstructed" for our sake impact your daily life and relationship with God? ([28:16])
4. The sermon emphasizes the importance of community and love within the Trinity. How can you foster a sense of community and love in your own relationships? ([18:22])
5. In what ways can you actively participate in the restoration of the world, as encouraged by the Christian doctrine of creation? ([12:07])
6. How can you remind yourself daily that, in Christ, God sees you as "good"? What practical steps can you take to internalize this truth? ([28:49])
7. The sermon mentions that nature invites us into a song of praise. How can you incorporate moments of praise and gratitude into your daily routine, inspired by the beauty of creation? ([24:28])

Devotional

Day 1: Disconnection's Painful Beauty
The beauty of nature often brings a poignant reminder of the disconnection from God, stemming from the desire to be autonomous. This pain is a signal of the deep yearning for reconciliation with the Creator, who delights in humanity despite its rebellion. The redemptive work of Jesus Christ bridges this gap, allowing for a restored relationship with God and the ability to join in creation's praise. [25:10]

Romans 8:22-23 - "We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies."
Reflection: When you witness the beauty of nature, do you feel a sense of longing or disconnection? How does this point you to the need for Christ's redemptive work in your life?

Day 2: The Incarnation's Transformative Power
Through Jesus Christ's incarnation and sacrifice, believers are seen as good in the eyes of God. The Word, who created all, entered into the material world and experienced forsakenness to reconstruct humanity. This profound truth reshapes one's understanding of creation and material existence, revealing the depth of God's love and the transformative power of Christ's sacrifice. [28:49]

Colossians 1:19-20 - "For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross."
Reflection: How does the reality of Jesus' incarnation and sacrifice impact your view of the physical world and your place in it?

Day 3: Creation's Call to Restoration
The Christian doctrine of creation affirms the goodness and importance of the physical world, challenging both ancient and modern mythologies. This belief calls for active engagement in the world's restoration, reflecting the biblical vision of heaven coming to earth. Christians are encouraged to participate in the repair of creation, mirroring the intentional and good work of God. [12:07]

Isaiah 65:17-18 - "See, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in what I will create, for I will create Jerusalem to be a delight and its people a joy."
Reflection: In what ways can you contribute to the restoration of the world around you, reflecting the goodness of God's creation?

Day 4: Valuing the Material World
Genesis 1 presents a world intentionally created and declared good by God, challenging the belief in the material world's insignificance. This perspective encourages believers to value and engage with the created world meaningfully, recognizing its inherent worth and the Creator's intention behind it. [09:17]

Psalm 104:24-25 - "How many are your works, LORD! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. There is the sea, vast and spacious, teeming with creatures beyond number—living things both large and small."
Reflection: How can you more deeply appreciate and care for the created world as an expression of God's intentional and good creation?

Day 5: The Trinity's Community of Love
The Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—exemplifies an eternal community of love, reflected in the creation of beings in God's image. This triune relationship underscores the intrinsic value of love and community within the cosmos and provides a foundation for understanding the nature of God and the universe. [17:44]

1 John 4:12 - "No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us."
Reflection: How does the concept of the Trinity shape your understanding of community and your role in fostering loving relationships?

Quotes

"God creates a community of beings who can reflect his glory and praise him, and then he completes the circle by looking at them and saying, 'I have made you so beautiful, I adore you, you are glorious, you are good.'" [21:24] (Download)

"The purpose of nature is community, the purpose of nature is to enter into the circle of love that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit have been enjoying from all eternity." [21:24] (Download)

"Genesis 1 is a song, expressing that everything in creation is designed to image God, to reflect His glory, and to praise Him, just as the heavens declare the glory of God." [20:14] (Download)

"In Christ we know that the Father can look at us and say you are good. We need that message to move across our hearts with the power of the Spirit to continually remake us." [30:43] (Download)

"The reason the Word of God has agency is because the Word of God is a person; the father's word is the son. Nothing was created without, except through the Word of God who is Jesus." [17:11] (Download)

"God from all eternity has been a community, and that community is a circle of love, maybe the Trinity. The idea of one God in three persons may overload your circuits, but unless you have a triune God, love is not the ultimate reality." [18:22] (Download)

"We do not just want to see beauty when we look at nature; we want something else which we can hardly put into words. We want to be united with the beauty we see, to pass into it, to receive it into ourselves, to bathe in it, to become part of it." [23:21] (Download)

"Every human being has made a choice to be their own Lord, their own master. We all have done that. The Bible says we don't want to go in under the king; we have tried to be our own masters, we have tried to call the shots in our life." [25:10] (Download)

"Our maker had to be unmade so that we could be remade. Our Creator had to be deconstructed so we could be recreated." [28:49] (Download)

"Nature is talking to every human being about God, pointing us to sing, and we can't sing until we see the maker was unmade so we could be remade." [30:01] (Download)

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Transcript
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