God's Intentionality and Our Identity in Creation

Devotional

Day 1: God's Intentionality in Creation

God's creation is a testament to His intentionality and purpose. The Genesis narrative reveals a God who meticulously forms and fills the universe, bringing order out of chaos. Each act of creation is deliberate, reflecting God's wisdom and care. This intentionality shows that nothing in creation is random or without purpose. As we reflect on this, we are reminded that our lives, too, are part of God's intentional design. We are not accidents but are created with purpose and meaning. Understanding this can help us trust in God's plan for our lives, even when we face uncertainty or chaos. [28:13]

Isaiah 45:18 (ESV): "For thus says the Lord, who created the heavens (he is God!), who formed the earth and made it (he established it; he did not create it empty, he formed it to be inhabited!): 'I am the Lord, and there is no other.'"

Reflection: Think about a time when your life felt chaotic or purposeless. How can you see God's intentionality and purpose in that situation now?

Day 2: The Role of Humans as Image-Bearers

Humans are uniquely created in the image of God, which means we are His representatives on earth. This role is significant because it entrusts us with the responsibility to continue God's work of forming and filling the earth. Our identity and purpose are deeply connected to this divine mandate. Being image-bearers calls us to live in a way that reflects God's character, showing love, wisdom, and care in all we do. This understanding can transform how we view our daily tasks and interactions, seeing them as opportunities to reflect God's image to the world. [35:32]

Genesis 1:27-28 (ESV): "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 God said to them, 'Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.'"

Reflection: In what specific ways can you reflect God's character in your daily life and interactions with others today?

Day 3: The Harmony of Creation

The structured account of creation in Genesis, with its repeated phrases "And God said" and "It was good," highlights the harmony and order inherent in God's work. This harmony is a reflection of God's nature, showing that He is a God of peace and order, not chaos. It invites us to seek and cultivate harmony in our own lives and in the world around us. Recognizing the harmony in creation can inspire us to pursue peace and order in our relationships, work, and communities, aligning our lives with God's character. [37:42]

Colossians 1:16-17 (ESV): "For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together."

Reflection: Identify an area of your life that feels chaotic or disordered. How can you invite God's peace and order into that area today?

Day 4: God's Character Revealed Through Creation

The creation story reveals key aspects of God's character: He is wise, thoughtful, and gracious. His actions in creating the world are marked by care and intentionality, showing that He is a God who loves with purpose. This understanding of God's character helps us trust in His plans and purposes for our lives. When we see the wisdom and care in creation, we can be assured that God is equally wise and caring in His dealings with us. This can bring comfort and confidence as we navigate life's challenges. [28:50]

Psalm 104:24 (ESV): "O Lord, how manifold are your works! In wisdom have you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures."

Reflection: Reflect on a recent challenge or decision you faced. How can recognizing God's wisdom and care in creation help you trust Him more in that situation?

Day 5: Jesus as the Fulfillment of Creation

The opening words of John's Gospel place Jesus at the scene of creation, emphasizing that all things were created through Him. This connection between Jesus and the creation narrative highlights that Jesus' coming to earth is a continuation of God's creative work. Jesus brings light into the darkness, offering new life and purpose, just as God did in the beginning. Understanding Jesus as the fulfillment of creation can deepen our appreciation of His role in our lives and the world, seeing Him as the source of all life and light. [38:16]

John 1:3-4 (ESV): "All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men."

Reflection: How can you allow Jesus to bring light into a specific area of darkness in your life today? What steps can you take to invite His presence and guidance?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Today, we embark on a journey through the first 11 chapters of Genesis, focusing on the primeval history up until the call of Abraham. This series aims to explore the beauty and splendor of God's creation, revealing His character and our identity through His actions. The creation narrative is not just a story of how the world came to be but a profound revelation of God's intentionality, wisdom, and love.

We began by reflecting on the awe-inspiring moment when the Apollo 8 astronauts read from Genesis during their lunar mission, highlighting the universal and timeless nature of these words. However, the perspective we are invited to take is not that of an astronaut looking at Earth from space, but that of the biblical author, who describes creation from the ground up, using the imagery and understanding available at the time.

The first chapter of Genesis presents a structured and ordered account of creation, where God forms and fills the universe in six days. The first three days involve forming spaces: light and darkness, sky and waters, and dry land. The next three days involve filling these spaces with celestial bodies, birds, fish, animals, and finally, humans made in God's image. This structured approach reveals a God who brings order out of chaos, who is intentional and purposeful in His creation.

God's actions in creation reveal His character: He is wise, thoughtful, and gracious. He creates a world where life can flourish, and He places humans as His image-bearers, tasked with continuing the work of forming and filling the earth. This narrative sets the stage for understanding our role in God's creation and our relationship with Him.

As we delve deeper into these chapters in the coming weeks, we will continually return to the idea that God's actions reveal His character and our identity. This foundational truth will guide us in understanding who God is and who we are meant to be.

###

Key Takeaways

1. Bearers**: Humans are created in the image of God, placed on earth as His representatives. This role is significant, as it means we are entrusted with the responsibility to continue God's work of forming and filling the earth. Our identity and purpose are deeply connected to this divine mandate, calling us to live in a way that reflects God's character. [35:32]
3. The Harmony of Creation: The structured account of creation, with its repeated phrases "And God said" and "It was good," highlights the harmony and order inherent in God's work. This harmony is a reflection of God's nature, showing that He is a God of peace and order, not chaos. It invites us to seek and cultivate harmony in our own lives and in the world around us.

4. God's Character Revealed Through Creation: The creation story reveals key aspects of God's character: He is wise, thoughtful, and gracious. His actions in creating the world are marked by care and intentionality, showing that He is a God who loves with purpose. This understanding of God's character helps us trust in His plans and purposes for our lives.

5. Jesus as the Fulfillment of Creation: The opening words of John's Gospel place Jesus at the scene of creation, emphasizing that all things were created through Him. This connection between Jesus and the creation narrative highlights that Jesus' coming to earth is a continuation of God's creative work. Jesus brings light into the darkness, offering new life and purpose, just as God did in the beginning.

### [35:32]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[05:46] - The Great Commandments
[08:16] - Opening Prayer
[21:35] - Introduction to Genesis Series
[22:25] - The Beauty of Creation
[22:58] - Apollo 8 Genesis Reading
[23:54] - The Perspective of the Biblical Author
[25:14] - Forming and Filling Creation
[26:03] - Three Spaces: Heavens, Earth, Waters
[28:13] - God's Character in Creation
[30:05] - Forming and Filling: Days 1-3
[31:15] - Forming and Filling: Days 4-6
[35:32] - Humans as God's Image-Bearers
[37:42] - God's Purpose in Creation
[38:16] - Jesus and the Creation Narrative
[39:24] - Jesus Brings Light into Darkness
[41:04] - Conclusion and Reflection
[49:05] - Prayer of Forgiveness
[49:27] - Words of Assurance
[50:23] - Announcements
[52:14] - Communion Preparation

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What are the three spaces God forms in the first three days of creation according to Genesis 1? ([28:50])
How does the sermon describe the role of humans as God's image-bearers? ([35:32])
What repeated phrases in Genesis 1 highlight the harmony and order of creation? ([37:42])
How does the sermon connect Jesus to the creation narrative in Genesis? ([38:16])

Interpretation Questions

What does the structured and ordered account of creation in Genesis 1 reveal about God's character? ([28:13])
How does understanding humans as God's image-bearers influence our view of our responsibilities on earth? ([35:32])
In what ways does the harmony of creation reflect God's nature, and how can this understanding impact our daily lives? ([37:42])
How does the connection between Jesus and the creation narrative deepen our understanding of His role in God's plan? ([38:16])

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you felt a sense of awe and wonder at God's creation. How did that experience shape your understanding of God's intentionality and purpose? ([22:25])
Considering our role as God's image-bearers, what specific actions can you take this week to reflect God's character in your community? ([35:32])
The sermon emphasizes the harmony and order in God's creation. What areas of your life currently feel chaotic, and how can you seek God's peace and order in those areas? ([37:42])
How does knowing that Jesus is the fulfillment of creation influence your relationship with Him? What steps can you take to deepen that relationship this week? ([38:16])
The sermon mentions that God's actions reveal His character. What aspects of God's character have you seen in your life recently, and how can you respond to those revelations? ([28:13])
Think about the intentionality and care God put into creation. How can you apply that same intentionality and care in your work, relationships, or personal growth? ([28:13])
Jesus brings light into the darkness, both in the world and in our hearts. Identify a specific area of darkness in your life and discuss how you can invite Jesus' light into that area. ([39:24])

Sermon Clips

1. "What I want to propose as we look through these first verses, this first chapter of Genesis, and as we move beyond that, that we would take a different perspective. That we would set that one aside, and instead that we would take the perspective of the author of these words. Because these images of the world floating in space, of planets and galaxies, these are not the images that the author used to describe the creation of the universe, of us, of everything." [25:14] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "God's actions reveal to us His character and our identity. God's actions reveal to us His character. That's how we can know who He is by what He has done. And that also is how we can know ourselves. And so today we're going to ask, what do we learn about God's character through these first six days of creation? Even the ordering of these, six days. The way in which it's presented to us reveals something about who God is. Complex and beautiful. He brings life and order out of chaos." [28:13] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Friends, God's actions reveal His character. And this is what we see in these first six days. Not a God who is out of control but one who is completely in control. Not one who is volatile and emotional but one who loves with intention. We see a God who's wise and thoughtful who's careful and gracious. And I hope you see a God that excites wonder and awe because He creates with order and intention that reveals His purpose which is to sustain life. And it all happens by speaking a word." [37:09] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Jesus came at a time when that darkness had come back. Where that chaos once again reigned. When His idols were broken. When they had given up their role to rule in His name. When God's good creation had become undone and chaos once again reigned. And so Jesus comes into the darkness. But not just the darkness of the world but the darkness of our very hearts. And just as we anticipate the wondrous works of God when His spirit was hovering over the face of the waters now in this moment we see Jesus the source of life shining in the darkness. And the darkness did not overcome it." [39:24] (49 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "What was intended from the very beginning. And He's come not just to part the waters. Not just to bring light in the darkness of this world but to bring it into your very heart. That in you He offers His life. And that that life has purpose. To join with Him as His sovereign emblems in the forming and filling of His redeemed creation. How beautiful of a picture is that for us this morning. And so it leads us with a question. What are we to make of God's character? We who are God's creation. What can we know about Him? And what does that teach us about ourselves?" [40:28] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "God's actions reveal to us His character and our identity. God's actions reveal to us His character. That's how we can know who He is by what He has done. And that also is how we can know ourselves. And so today we're going to ask, what do we learn about God's character through these first six days of creation? Even the ordering of these, six days. The way in which it's presented to us reveals something about who God is. Complex and beautiful. He brings life and order out of chaos." [28:13] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "We see these beautiful poetic lines in verse 27. So God created man in His own image. In the image of God He created him. Male and female He created him. What does this mean? Man and female created in the image of God. We're going to talk a lot about this in the coming weeks so I'm going to save the details for later but one thing that I will say that's important for us to see here at the onset. Just as a powerful leader might put up a statue of themselves in a far away land where they rule as a reminder to the inhabitants of that land just who it is who is in charge. So we, the image bearers of God, have been placed on the dry land as God's idols. As God's image bearers. As one commentator says, as His sovereign emblem of His authority. That's the role that He has given us. Us humans made in His image." [35:11] (71 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "And so today we're going to ask, what do we learn about God's character through these first six days of creation? Even the ordering of these, six days. The way in which it's presented to us reveals something about who God is. Complex and beautiful. He brings life and order out of chaos. Verses one and two, follow along with me if you will. In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. And 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." [28:13] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "And so over these next few weeks, starting today, I'm inviting you to take on the perspective of the biblical author as he presents to us the creation of everything we could ever know. What I hope that you see as we go through it this morning is that it's just as fascinating. It creates just as much awe, just as much wonder, as those pictures do. It's like two strings plucked together in harmony, that sing together. And so that's what we're going to look at this morning." [27:33] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10. "In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. All things were created through Him and apart from Him not one thing was created that has been created. In Him, John writes speaking about Jesus was life. And that life was the light of men. That light shines in the darkness and yet the darkness did not overcome it. I want to end with these words from John's Gospel the opening words of his Gospel because they place Jesus at the scene of creation as the Word through which all of His creation takes place that is true and noteworthy it's not to be missed." [38:16] (50 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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