Embracing Our Identity as God's Created Children

Summary

Today is a day unlike any other—a day God has been waiting for, not just in the grand sweep of eternity, but for each of us personally. God’s deepest desire is not simply to be our Creator, but to be our Father, and that relationship is made possible through Jesus Christ, who lived, died, and rose again by His own power, forever proving His divinity and love. Baptism is a beautiful outward sign of this inward transformation, a declaration that we have been buried with Christ and raised to new life.

Turning to Genesis, the foundation of all reality and identity is laid in its first chapters. Every question about who we are, why we’re here, and what our purpose is finds its answer in these verses. Genesis is not a book of proofs or scientific explanations; it is a proclamation of who God is. The story begins not with a “how” or a “what,” but with a “who”—God Himself. Everything flows from this: Creator creates creation. When we get this order right, our worldview aligns with the truth; when we invert it, we end up with confusion, whether in science, environmentalism, or self-centered living.

God created everything from nothing. Unlike us, who can only make things from what already exists, God alone brings something out of nothing. This is not just a statement about the universe, but about our lives. We are substance, full of potential, but it is only when God’s Spirit descends—just as He hovered over the waters in Genesis, just as He descends at salvation—that we move from mere existence to true significance. Our worth is not in what we do, but in who we are as those intentionally created and loved by God.

God is intentional, purposeful, and deeply involved. He is not distant or detached; He is both above all and intimately near, descending into our lives to bring order, meaning, and life. Yet, He is not coercive—He gives us autonomy, the freedom to respond to His invitation. The greatest tragedy is to use that freedom to reject Him, but His desire is always for us to be with Him.

Ultimately, the same God who created from nothing is the one who became nothing in Christ, so that we who are nothing could become everything He intended. The gospel is the story of the Creator entering His creation, becoming a creature, dying, and rising again, so that we might become children of God. This is the foundation for living confidently: the Creator is still in control, and He is both good and great.

Key Takeaways

- The foundation of all reality is the order: Creator creates creation. When we start with God as the subject, everything else falls into place—our worldview, our identity, and our purpose. Inverting this order leads to confusion and misplaced priorities, whether in science, culture, or personal ambition. [46:31]

- God alone brings something out of nothing. Every attempt to explain existence apart from Him ultimately fails, because nothing comes from nothing. This truth is not just about the universe, but about our own lives: God takes our “nothing” and, by His Spirit, makes us significant. [49:30]

- The Spirit of God descends into chaos and potential to bring about life and order. This pattern is seen from creation, to the conception of every child, to the moment of salvation, and throughout biblical history. Our significance is found not in our own efforts, but in God’s willingness to enter our lives and transform us. [39:33]

- God is intentional, involved, and communicative. He is not a distant deity, but one who purposefully orders creation and our lives, who speaks, who is near, and who gets involved. Yet, He respects our autonomy, never coercing us, but always inviting us into relationship and purpose. [01:01:35]

- The gospel is the story of the Creator becoming a creature, making Himself nothing so that we who are nothing might become the righteousness of God. This is the ultimate act of both God’s greatness and goodness—He not only envisions our potential, but has the power to make it reality through Christ’s resurrection. [01:14:29]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[11:07] - The Heart of Baptism
[12:19] - Baptism Testimonies
[14:15] - Genesis: The Beginning
[35:49] - The Days of Creation
[37:30] - Genesis as Proclamation
[39:33] - Identity and Worth in Genesis
[43:42] - God’s Consistency in Creation
[46:31] - Creator vs. Creation: Worldview Foundations
[48:43] - The Uniqueness of God’s Creation
[49:30] - Refuting Worldviews Without God
[50:13] - The Order of Creation and Its Implications
[57:11] - The Gospel in Genesis
[01:01:35] - God’s Autonomy and Sovereignty
[01:06:43] - God’s Goodness and Greatness
[01:12:39] - Communion: The Creator’s Sacrifice
[01:14:29] - Christ: Creator, Creature, Redeemer
[01:16:00] - Closing and Communion Instructions

Study Guide

Small Group Bible Study Guide: The Creator, Creation, and Our Identity

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### Bible Reading

Genesis 1:1-13
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... (Read through verse 13)

Philippians 2:5-8
In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross.

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### Observation Questions

1. In Genesis 1:1-2, what is the condition of the earth before God begins to create order? What is the Spirit of God doing?
2. According to the sermon, what is the significance of the order in the phrase “Creator creates creation”? Why does it matter which comes first? [[46:31]]
3. In Philippians 2:5-8, what does it mean that Jesus “made himself nothing”? How does this connect to the idea of God creating from nothing?
4. What repeated phrase or pattern do you notice in Genesis 1:1-13 as God creates? What does this repetition tell us about God’s character? [[01:02:09]]

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### Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon says that Genesis is not a book of scientific proofs, but a proclamation of who God is. Why is it important to start with “who” God is, rather than “how” or “what” he did? [[37:30]]
2. The pastor described how God brings “something out of nothing”—not just in the universe, but in our lives. What does it mean for a person to move from “substance to significance” when God’s Spirit descends? [[39:33]]
3. The sermon highlights that God is both above all and intimately near, involved in our lives but never coercive. How does this view of God challenge or encourage your understanding of his relationship with us? [[01:01:35]]
4. According to the sermon, what is the tragedy of using our God-given autonomy to reject him? How does this relate to the gospel story? [[01:01:35]]

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### Application Questions

1. The sermon says our worth is not in what we do, but in who we are as those intentionally created and loved by God. Are there areas in your life where you struggle to believe your worth comes from God’s love rather than your achievements? What would it look like to live differently this week because of this truth? [[39:33]]
2. The pastor described how inverting the order—putting creation before Creator—leads to confusion in science, culture, or personal ambition. Can you think of a time when you or our culture have put something created (like success, the environment, or self) above God? What was the result? [[49:30]]
3. God is described as intentional and purposeful, not accidental. How does knowing you were created on purpose by God affect the way you see your daily life, work, or relationships? [[01:02:09]]
4. The Spirit of God descends into chaos and potential to bring about life and order. Is there an area of your life right now that feels formless or chaotic? How might you invite God’s Spirit to bring order and meaning there? [[39:33]]
5. The sermon says God is not coercive—he gives us freedom to respond. Are there ways you have sensed God inviting you into deeper relationship or purpose, but you’ve hesitated to respond? What is holding you back? [[01:01:35]]
6. The gospel is described as the Creator becoming a creature, making himself nothing so we who are nothing might become everything he intended. How does this truth impact your confidence in God’s love and power for you personally? [[01:14:29]]
7. Baptism is described as an outward sign of an inward transformation—being buried with Christ and raised to new life. If you have been baptized, how does this picture shape your daily walk with Jesus? If you haven’t, what questions or hesitations do you have about it? [[11:07]]

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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Thank God for being both great and good, for creating us with purpose, and for entering our lives to bring order and meaning. Ask for courage to respond to his invitation and to live confidently as his children.

Devotional

Day 1: The Creator Created Creation—God Is the Subject of All

Everything begins with God, not with creation itself. The foundation of all reality, identity, and meaning is rooted in the truth that God is the subject, the initiator, and the sustainer of everything that exists. When we put the Creator before creation, our worldview aligns with the order and purpose God intended, and we find our true place in the universe. Every attempt to explain life, meaning, or existence apart from God falls short, because nothing comes from nothing—only God, the Someone, can bring something out of nothing. [46:31]

Genesis 1:1-2 (ESV)
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.

Reflection: In what ways have you allowed created things—your achievements, possessions, or even your worries—to take the place of the Creator in your thoughts or priorities? How can you intentionally put God first today?


Day 2: God Brings Order and Purpose from Chaos

God’s Spirit descends into emptiness and chaos, bringing order, life, and significance. Just as the Spirit hovered over the waters at creation, God enters the formless places of our lives, transforming mere substance into significance. Our value is not in what we do, but in who we are as those into whom God has breathed His life. Every person is created with unimaginable potential, but it is God’s presence that turns potential into purpose and meaning. [39:33]

Genesis 1:2-5 (ESV)
The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. And God saw that the light was good. And God 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.

Reflection: Where do you sense chaos, emptiness, or confusion in your life right now? Invite God’s Spirit to descend into that area and ask Him to bring His order and purpose.


Day 3: God Is Intentional—You Are Not an Accident

God’s creation is not random or accidental; it is intentional, purposeful, and ordered. You are not a blip or a mistake, but someone God specifically designed for this moment in history. Before the foundation of the world, God knew you and chose you, declaring purpose and value over your life. His intentionality is seen in the rhythm and repetition of creation, and it extends to every detail of your existence. [01:02:09]

Ephesians 1:4-5 (ESV)
Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will.

Reflection: How does knowing that God intentionally created and chose you change the way you view yourself and your purpose today? What is one way you can live out that purpose?


Day 4: God Is Near, Involved, and Yet Above All

God is not distant or detached; He is both transcendent and immanent—above all, yet deeply involved in His creation. He descends into our lives, not just to be near, but to be actively involved, bringing transformation and hope. The same God who created the universe is willing to enter into your story, to be present in your joys and your struggles, and to make His home in your heart. [01:04:45]

Psalm 139:7-10 (ESV)
Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me.

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to experience God’s nearness and involvement today? How can you open yourself to His presence and guidance?


Day 5: God Does His Greatest Work from Nothing

God specializes in bringing life out of nothingness—He made the world from nothing, and He brings spiritual life to those who are dead in sin. Jesus, who is the Creator, became nothing so that we who are nothing could become the very something God always intended. The resurrection is the ultimate demonstration of God’s power to bring something out of nothing, and it is the foundation of our hope and new life. [57:11]

Philippians 2:5-8 (ESV)
Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel like you have “nothing” to offer? Ask God to show you how He can do His greatest work in and through your emptiness.

Quotes

The ever -changing realities and chaos and insanity of this world doesn't deny God either, that what gets us through is who he is, and most of life is not lived in Babylonian captivity. Most of us, you know, we live in what I call the muddled middle. A good bit of life is good. A good bit of life is bad, but there's moments when life is great. I mean, it's just like off the top. You get married. You have a child. The Philadelphia Eagles win the Super Bowl. I mean, it's just like epic, and I know that's what God wanted because I know God, and yet there are moments when life isn't bad. It's tragic. It's awful. There's no way you could live in that reality constantly, but the truth is that reality visits upon most every single solitary one of us, and through all those different seasons from great to good to bad to awful, the only way to live with consistency and constancy and confidence is in knowing the never -changing God, and that's the power of this book, okay? And it cannot be lost on us. [00:42:10] (00:01:15 seconds) Edit Clip

We really can live confidently in creation, because the Creator is still in control. Okay? No matter what happens, He's in control. No matter how great you may be getting after it in life, okay? Your greatness is never going to stop the tides. I mean, He's in control. [00:44:22] (00:00:21 seconds) Edit Clip

That in the blatant inconsistency of the world in which you have to live. He's in control. That is the power of these 12 chapters. [00:45:48] (00:00:15 seconds) Edit Clip

Every single solitary worldview comes from verse one. You can evaluate every single solitary scientific proposition based on verse one. You can understand every hedonistic, every environmental. You can understand poverty, property ownership. You can understand every single solitary issue that is in this world just by Genesis chapter one, verse one. Because what it declares, it declares it in an order that is mandatory to live by. In the beginning, God. He's the subject. He's the subject of everything. He's the subject of your life. He's the subject of creation. He is above it all. It all starts with a who, okay? Not a how and not a what. It starts with who, who God is. And that will always be the single most important thing you can ever comprehend. [00:46:27] (00:01:02 seconds) Edit Clip

Because the reality is, in this world, everything that's made, everything that's made is made from something that has been made. Everything. Literally from a chicken sandwich to a backup camera in a Toyota van. There's nothing that has been made, or will ever be made, that hasn't been made from something that was made. So go ahead and make that chicken sandwich without a chicken. Exactly. That's what God did. He was able to not only envision what he wanted, he was able to create it from nothing. [00:49:08] (00:00:39 seconds) Edit Clip

First, you have to understand he's very intentional. This did not happen by accident. Therefore, you are not an accident. You didn't just show up out of nowhere. You didn't just, you're not just a blip on somebody's radar screen. You were intentionally created by God for this time and this moment in human history. Everything he did, he intended to do it. [01:02:38] (00:00:26 seconds) Edit Clip

If you believe in your heart that god raised his son from the dead and speak with your mouth jesus christ is lord you will be saved he who knew no sin became sin so that you and i could become the righteousness of christ take the sin out of your life and put it in his take the righteousness out of his and put it in yours are you ready for that transaction to believe that the creator created creation and then the creator came to his creation and the creator became a creature and this creature lived a perfect life then this creature died a painful death but because this creature was also creator he was able to unleash his power that he did in the beginning to make something out of nothing and that's called the resurrection and you know why he did all that because he's good and he's great [01:14:57] (00:01:12 seconds) Edit Clip