From Garden to Garden: The Journey of Redemption
Summary
In our journey from garden to garden, we begin by exploring the first garden in Genesis chapters 2 and 3, where the need for salvation is first revealed. This journey is not just a historical recount but a spiritual exploration that aims to deepen our relationship with Jesus, especially during this Easter season. We start with the creation of man, where God forms Adam from the dust and breathes life into him, making him a living being with both physical and spiritual dimensions. This act of creation is intentional and purposeful, reflecting God's design and love.
God places Adam in the Garden of Eden, a place of delight, and gives him a command with responsibility, a rule, and a recompense. Adam is to work and keep the garden, eat from any tree except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, with the consequence of death for disobedience. God then creates a companion for Adam, Eve, establishing the importance of companionship and community, a theme that resonates throughout the Bible.
However, the story takes a turn with the introduction of the serpent, a crafty and cunning being who deceives Eve, leading to the corruption of humanity. This act of disobedience results in shame and separation from God, highlighting the importance of valuing God's word and remembering His truth. Despite the fall, God calls out to Adam and Eve, seeking a response, which leads to their confession and the subsequent curse on the serpent and the ground.
Yet, in the midst of this curse, there is a promise of hope—the proto-evangelium, the first proclamation of the gospel. God promises a future Redeemer who will crush the serpent's head, pointing to Christ as the ultimate solution to the curse of sin. This promise invites us to reflect on who we will live for: the curse or the Christ.
Key Takeaways:
1. Intentional Creation: God's creation of humanity is marked by intentionality and purpose, reflecting His image and design. This reminds us that our lives are not random but crafted with divine purpose, calling us to live in alignment with His will. [02:48]
2. The Importance of God's Word: The fall of Adam and Eve underscores the critical importance of valuing and remembering God's word. Our spiritual health depends on our adherence to His truth, which serves as our ultimate authority and guide. [23:12]
3. Community and Companionship: God’s provision of Eve for Adam highlights the necessity of companionship and community in fulfilling His commands. We are not meant to journey alone but to support one another in our spiritual walk. [11:23]
4. The Reality of Sin and Redemption: The corruption in the garden illustrates the pervasive nature of sin and the need for redemption. Yet, even in our failures, God offers hope through the promise of Christ, who redeems and restores us. [34:32]
5. Living for Christ: The choice before us is whether to live under the curse of sin or embrace the life offered through Christ. This decision shapes our identity and destiny, urging us to live as children of the promise rather than the curse. [36:49]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[02:48] - Creation of Man
[08:24] - The Companion
[09:32] - Incomplete Without Community
[11:23] - Companionship in Scripture
[12:58] - The Corruption
[14:41] - The Serpent's Deception
[16:24] - The Fall of the Guardian
[18:46] - Eve's Misstep
[23:12] - Misremembering God's Word
[25:00] - The Call
[27:47] - The Confession
[29:09] - The Curse
[30:52] - Consequences of Sin
[33:09] - The Promise of Christ
[34:32] - The Proto-Evangelium
[36:49] - Living for Christ
[38:22] - Reflection and Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Genesis 2:7-25
- Genesis 3:1-19
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Observation Questions:
1. What specific responsibilities and rules did God give to Adam in the Garden of Eden? How did these reflect God's intentional design for humanity? [02:48]
2. How does the creation of Eve highlight the importance of companionship and community according to the sermon? [09:32]
3. What role does the serpent play in the story of the fall, and how does it challenge the authority of God's word? [18:46]
4. What was the immediate consequence of Adam and Eve's disobedience, and how did it affect their relationship with God? [27:47]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the intentional creation of Adam and Eve reflect God's purpose for humanity, and what does this imply about our own lives? [02:48]
2. In what ways does the story of the fall illustrate the importance of valuing and remembering God's word? How does this apply to our spiritual health today? [23:12]
3. How does the promise of a future Redeemer in Genesis 3:15 provide hope amidst the curse, and what does this reveal about God's character? [34:32]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the role of community and companionship in fulfilling God's commands, and how can this be applied in our own spiritual journeys? [11:23]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on the intentionality of God's creation. How can you align your daily life with the purpose and design God has for you? What specific steps can you take this week to live more intentionally? [02:48]
2. Consider the importance of God's word in your life. How do you currently value and remember God's word? What changes can you make to ensure it remains your ultimate authority and guide? [23:12]
3. Think about the role of community in your spiritual journey. Are there areas where you feel isolated or unsupported? How can you actively seek out companionship and community to support your walk with God? [11:23]
4. Reflect on the reality of sin and redemption in your life. How do you respond to your own failures and shortcomings? What steps can you take to embrace the hope and redemption offered through Christ? [34:32]
5. The sermon challenges us to choose between living under the curse of sin or embracing the life offered through Christ. What practical decisions can you make this week to live as a child of the promise rather than the curse? [36:49]
6. How do you respond to God's call in your life? Are there areas where you are hiding or avoiding His presence? What steps can you take to respond in faith rather than fear? [27:16]
7. Reflect on the promise of a future Redeemer. How does this promise impact your understanding of God's love and grace? How can you share this hope with others in your community? [34:32]
Devotional
Day 1: Created with Purpose
God's creation of humanity is marked by intentionality and purpose, reflecting His image and design. This act of creation is not random but a deliberate expression of God's love and plan. In Genesis, God forms Adam from the dust and breathes life into him, making him a living being with both physical and spiritual dimensions. This intentional creation reminds us that our lives are crafted with divine purpose, calling us to live in alignment with His will. As we reflect on this, we are invited to consider how our lives can reflect God's design and purpose, living as His image-bearers in the world. [02:48]
"For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well." (Psalm 139:13-14, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you align your daily actions with the purpose God has for your life, acknowledging His intentional design in creating you?
Day 2: The Power of God's Word
The fall of Adam and Eve underscores the critical importance of valuing and remembering God's word. The serpent's deception led to humanity's disobedience, highlighting the consequences of forgetting or misinterpreting God's commands. Our spiritual health depends on our adherence to His truth, which serves as our ultimate authority and guide. By valuing God's word, we safeguard ourselves against deception and align our lives with His will. This calls us to immerse ourselves in Scripture, allowing it to shape our thoughts, actions, and decisions. [23:12]
"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. I have sworn an oath and confirmed it, to keep your righteous rules." (Psalm 119:105-106, ESV)
Reflection: How can you incorporate more of God's word into your daily routine to ensure it guides your decisions and actions?
Day 3: The Gift of Community
God’s provision of Eve for Adam highlights the necessity of companionship and community in fulfilling His commands. The creation of Eve emphasizes that humans are not meant to journey alone but to support one another in their spiritual walk. This theme of community resonates throughout the Bible, reminding us of the importance of relationships in our faith journey. By fostering meaningful connections with others, we can encourage and uplift one another, fulfilling God's design for community and companionship. [11:23]
"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV)
Reflection: Who in your life can you reach out to today to offer support or encouragement in their spiritual journey?
Day 4: Hope in Redemption
The corruption in the garden illustrates the pervasive nature of sin and the need for redemption. Despite humanity's failure, God offers hope through the promise of a future Redeemer who will crush the serpent's head. This promise points to Christ as the ultimate solution to the curse of sin, offering redemption and restoration. Even in our failures, we are invited to embrace the hope found in Christ, who redeems and restores us to a right relationship with God. This hope calls us to live as children of the promise, trusting in His redemptive work. [34:32]
"He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." (Colossians 1:13-14, ESV)
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to embrace the hope of Christ's redemption and allow Him to restore you?
Day 5: Choosing to Live for Christ
The choice before us is whether to live under the curse of sin or embrace the life offered through Christ. This decision shapes our identity and destiny, urging us to live as children of the promise rather than the curse. By choosing to live for Christ, we align ourselves with His purposes and experience the fullness of life He offers. This choice requires daily commitment and intentionality, as we seek to reflect His love and grace in all we do. [36:49]
"I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." (Galatians 2:20, ESV)
Reflection: What specific steps can you take today to live more fully for Christ, allowing His life to be evident in yours?
Quotes
The Bible says that God forms the dust of the ground. This is not like the surgical hospital down at UAB. This is not the best and finest equipment or machinery or resources. This is the Lord God and the dust that he had created forming this man. Now when I read the word formed, I don't know about you, but I think of Romans chapter 9 when it says that God forms us as a potter forms clay. So I get this image of intentionality and design. I get purpose and meaning that when God's forming this dust, he's not doing it like science would like to tell us, just happenstance. [00:03:38] (34 seconds)
Another reason I think that God does this is because I think in these verses, he's starting to establish what that companionship is going to look like. It's not one where one walks in front of the other and leaves them behind, or where one is following so far behind, they're not doing things together. But instead, this is a relationship that is to be shared side by side. They're supposed to walk through this life together. The reason I think that is because verse 24, he establishes that even further and says that this companionship you have is going to be one of covenant marriage, that you shall leave your father and mother and hold fast to your wife. You will do life together. And that's what happens. They did life together. They were naked in the garden and they were not ashamed. [00:10:41] (41 seconds)
Now, this truth here that we are given a companion is not unique to Genesis chapter 2. This is not something that God only gives us here in the book of Genesis. This is actually a fact throughout all of God's word that he doesn't create us and ordain us and command us to then expect us to do it alone. He knows we're not capable of that. We would fall short every time. So he gives us a helper. Obviously, he gives his saints the Holy Spirit. But let me just show you a few verses in each garden that we're going to be going through to show you that this idea of a companion is not just unique to Genesis 2. [00:11:23] (32 seconds)
In Genesis 2, Adam needed a companion, so God gave him. In the garden of Gethsemane that we're going to be starting in next week, Jesus goes to pray in Matthew 26, and he doesn't go to do it alone. He takes Peter and James and John with him because he needed some companions. [00:11:55] (16 seconds)
Or how about the garden of the empty tomb when Jesus has risen from the dead in Matthew 28? He doesn't enjoy this victory alone. Instead, he sends for his disciples because he needs some companions. [00:12:11] (11 seconds)
What we're going to see in verses 1 through 7 of Genesis chapter 3 is our next point. I'm going to go ahead and give it to you, and then I'm going to read and break down these verses. What we see happen next is the corruption. [00:13:21] (12 seconds)
Let's read verses 1 through 7. I'm actually going to stop in the middle of verse 1. It says, Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made. We need to stop right here for just a second, because this is a new character on the scene. This is the serpent. He's crafty and he's cunning, but he's a little different than the rest of the characters. that we've been introduced to so far. In Genesis 1 and 2, we have God, we have Adam, we have Eve, and we have the created universe, all of which have been introduced to us by God creating them, except for God. He obviously existed before creation, but this character, even though the Bible says that God made him, it seems as if he has been invited. He has been crept into the story uninvited. [00:13:44] (44 seconds)
It seems as if he has snuck his way onto the scene, that he has slipped through the back door, and it's gone. So we need to do a little digging and just try to figure out who is this character, and how did he get here? What's going on here? [00:14:26] (14 seconds)
this crafty serpent. So for time's sake, I'm going to give you four passages of scripture, then I'll briefly explain why they tell us a little bit about who this character is, and then I'll let you go back this week and do a little deeper study as to just what these verses are getting at. [00:14:41] (15 seconds)
The first one is Ezekiel chapter 28 verses 11 through 15. [00:14:55] (5 seconds)
These verses introduce us to a character by the name of the King of Tyre. Now the King of Tyre we later come to understand as the same person that we see in Genesis chapter 3 verse 1, and Ezekiel 28 starts to give us an idea about some characteristics of this serpent or this King of Tyre. The Bible says that he is full of wisdom and that he's perfect in beauty. [00:15:01] (24 seconds)
I wouldn't describe a snake that way, but that's how Ezekiel 28 starts to describe him. [00:15:24] (5 seconds)
He also describes in Ezekiel 28 that this character is a cherub guardian angel. Now you're probably familiar with a cherub. It's one of the two types of angels we see in the Bible. The Bible talks about seraphim and it talks about cherubim. Now this specific character was a cherub guardian angel, and what this would look like is that this angel would sit or fly over the throne of God with its arms outstretched kind of like this as a covering over God's throne. It was a guardian over God's throne. That was the one sole purpose that this angel had in all of its creation was to guard or cover the throne of God like this. [00:15:30] (39 seconds)
Now its purpose was not to protect God. Me and you both know that God doesn't need protection, but his purpose was to do what happens when you get your picture taken. The umbrella that's behind you flashes light and it reflects onto the image or onto you. [00:16:08] (15 seconds)
This is the goal of this King of Tyre. He hovers over the throne of God, radiating and magnifying the glory of the subject, which is God's throne. [00:16:33] (10 seconds)
Now Isaiah 14 goes a little deeper into this character and he doesn't just let us think that this character stays as the guardian angel hovering over God's throne, but instead this passage starts to reveal that this character has started to place his will over God's will. [00:17:05] (17 seconds)
In Isaiah 14, we see this day star make a comment five times, a comment along the lines of this. He'll say something like, I will make myself like the most high, or he'll say, I will ascend to heaven, or I will sit on the mount. [00:17:17] (17 seconds)
He's more concerned about making himself known and making his will prominent instead of focusing on the one goal he has to make much of the subject of the throne. [00:17:34] (11 seconds)
The third passage we can look at is this. Luke chapter 10, verse 18. [00:17:44] (5 seconds)
It introduces us as Jesus is speaking to his disciples to a character by the name of Satan. And Jesus says that he saw Satan fall like lightning. [00:17:48] (11 seconds)
Jesus says his name is Satan. And then the fourth and final passage is Revelation chapter 12. It introduces us to the same very, serpent, but in this passage, he goes by the name of the devil, the adversary, the deceiver. [00:18:10] (13 seconds)
So when we start to stack all of these truths about this person, we can then understand just how he crept his way into the garden. He was the covering angel intended to magnify God's glory and majesty, but because of his pride, he's fallen and crept his way into the garden here in Genesis chapter three. Let me read you the rest of these verses here. [00:18:21] (22 seconds)
He approaches the woman and said, did God actually say you shall not eat of any tree in the garden? And the woman said to the serpent, we may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, but God said, you shall not eat of the fruit. [00:18:46] (12 seconds)
the midst of the garden neither shall you touch it lest you die but the serpent said to the woman you will not surely die for god knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened and you will be like god knowing good and evil so when the woman saw that the tree was good for food and that it was a delight to the eyes and that the tree was desired to make one wise she took of its fruit and ate and she also gave some to her husband who was with her and he ate then the eyes of both were opened and they knew that they were naked and they said fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths as i mentioned earlier this is the passage of corruption we saw creation that god intentionally purposefully created humanity we saw the command that he gave them we saw the companion that he gave him and now we see the corruption this serpent this wise and beautiful cherub guardian angel who's fallen from heaven who's you you more crafty and cunning than any other beast of the field he walks onto the scene in genesis 3 and he doesn't introduce himself like you and i might he doesn't say uh hey eve how's it going or he doesn't walk up to her and what's up neither of those he walks up to eve and he says did god actually say did god actually say now up until this point in the story god's word has been of utmost importance god's word was the pinnacle of authority in all of creation genesis one says that and god said and things took place and god said let there be light and it was so and god said let the earth produce vegetation and it was so and god said let there be a sun and moon and stars and it was so and god said let's make man in our image and it was so god's word was the pinnacle authority and it was the only thing that was respected in all of creation it was god's authority it was his word but this person sneaks onto the scene and he wants to try to replace god's word with his word this is the same trick he's been using all along and ultimately this is the same trick that me and you fall into every day this is where our sin comes from [00:21:02] (125 seconds)
Just like Eve, sin is missing the mark that God has set for us. It's falling short of the standard that he has for us. But it ultimately boils down to us falling into sin is because we have done what Eve has done. We have misremembered the truth about God. We have failed to remember what God has said about us. Let me just give you a few examples. How about lust? You think lust is you just falling short or missing the mark. And while that's true, it's also you forgetting that God is your delight and that God is your comfort. Or how about gluttony? You think that's you just missing the mark or falling short, when in reality, it's also you forgetting that God is your portion. Or how about pride? That's you just missing the mark, right? You're a sinner like everyone else, right? Yeah, that's true, but it's also because you've forgotten that God is your king. Or how about idolatry? That's you forgetting that God is your Lord. Or guilt and shame? That's you forgetting that Romans 8 says there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ. Or how about doubt? That's you forgetting that God has said he knows his sheep. And no one will ever pluck them out of his hand. [00:21:04] (63 seconds)
When you fall short of the standard that God has set, it is likely because you have misremembered the truth that he has proclaimed about you. [00:22:04]
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