Proclaiming the Everlasting Gospel in a Skeptical World

Devotional

Day 1: God as Creator—The Foundation of Faith

The identity of God as Creator is the unchanging testimony of Scripture, forming the bedrock of Christian faith. From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible affirms that God alone made the heavens and the earth, and this truth is not up for negotiation. In a world where the idea of a Creator is often dismissed or ignored, holding fast to this conviction shapes how we see ourselves, our purpose, and our hope. To believe that God created all things is to acknowledge His authority, His love, and His right to guide our lives. This is not just a theological point—it is the foundation upon which all other beliefs stand. [41:30]

Genesis 1:1 (ESV)
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.

Reflection: When you look at the world around you today, what is one aspect of creation that fills you with awe and reminds you of God’s creative power? How can you intentionally notice and give thanks for it today?

Day 2: The Message of the First Angel—A Call to Worship the Creator

The first angel’s message in Revelation calls every nation, tribe, and people to worship the One who made heaven, earth, the sea, and the springs of water. This is not a mere identifier of God, but a summons to recognize His authority and respond in worship. In a time when belief in a Creator is increasingly countercultural, this message is more relevant than ever. It challenges us to stand firm in our faith, to proclaim the everlasting gospel, and to invite others to honor the God who made all things. Our worship is not just ritual; it is a declaration of allegiance to the Creator in a world that often forgets Him. [17:00]

Revelation 14:6-7 (KJV)
And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,
Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.

Reflection: What is one way you can intentionally worship God as Creator today—whether through prayer, song, or an act of kindness that honors His creation?

Day 3: Humility Before the Mystery of Creation

While we affirm God as Creator, we must also approach the mysteries of how He created with humility. God’s words to Job remind us that His ways are beyond our full understanding, and that our knowledge is always limited by our human perspective. Rather than making bold claims about the details of creation that go beyond Scripture, we are called to trust God’s wisdom and avoid the pitfalls of pride or dogmatism. This humility not only protects our faith from unnecessary controversy, but also keeps us open to wonder and reverence before the Creator. [53:00]

Job 38:1-7 (ESV)
Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind and said:
“Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?
Dress for action like a man;
I will question you, and you make it known to me.
Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?
Tell me, if you have understanding.
Who determined its measurements—surely you know!
Or who stretched the line upon it?
On what were its bases sunk,
or who laid its cornerstone,
when the morning stars sang together
and all the sons of God shouted for joy?”

Reflection: In what area of your faith journey do you need to let go of the need for complete understanding and instead trust God’s wisdom and timing?

Day 4: The Logic and Implications of God as Creator

If God is not the Creator, then He has no rightful authority to establish laws, offer grace, or bring judgment. The entire structure of Christian faith—our hope, our sense of right and wrong, and our confidence in salvation—rests on the truth that God made us and the world. Without this foundation, faith collapses into meaninglessness or even deception. But if God is Creator, then His authority is just, His grace is real, and His promises are trustworthy. This truth gives us courage to stand firm, even when the world’s plausibility structure pushes us to doubt. [57:41]

Acts 17:24-28 (ESV)
The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, for “‘In him we live and move and have our being’; as even some of your own poets have said, “‘For we are indeed his offspring.’”

Reflection: How does believing that God is your Creator shape the way you view His authority and your purpose today? Is there an area where you need to surrender to His rightful leadership?

Day 5: Faithful Conviction in a Skeptical World

In a culture that often dismisses faith as implausible, Christians are called to live with conviction that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that God is the Creator. This conviction is not based on what can be proven by the five senses, but on the revelation of the Holy Spirit. We are not to be intimidated by those who see only chance and randomness in the universe; instead, we are to pray for them, be patient, and remain steadfast in proclaiming the core truths of our faith. Our calling is to live and share the message of the first angel with courage and love, trusting that God’s truth will stand. [01:09:21]

Romans 1:18-21 (ESV)
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

Reflection: Who in your life needs to see your quiet confidence in God as Creator and Redeemer? How can you gently share your faith with them this week, not through argument, but through love and steadfastness?

Sermon Summary

It’s good to be together as a church family, reflecting on the journey we share—not just in our local congregation, but as part of a much larger story that stretches back through generations of believers. Today, we continued exploring the message of the first angel in Revelation 14, a message that calls us to the everlasting gospel, the coming judgment, and the worship of God as Creator. These three pillars—Jesus as the Christ, the reality of judgment, and God as Creator—are not just theological ideas, but the very foundation of our faith and hope.

For most of human history, the idea that God (or gods) created the world was simply assumed. Only in the last 150 years has it become plausible in the wider culture to imagine a universe without a Creator, thanks to the rise of atheism, the scientific method, and theories like evolution. This shift has pushed faith in a Creator God to the margins of public life, making it a private conviction rather than a shared assumption. Yet, at the very time this shift was taking place, God was raising up a movement—our spiritual ancestors—who felt called to proclaim the three angels’ messages, including the call to worship the Creator.

Our founders saw in the first angel’s message a call to faith in Jesus, a warning of judgment, and a reminder of the Sabbath. But they could not have imagined a world where belief in a Creator would be so contested. Today, the message is even more relevant: Jesus, judgment, and creation are the three non-negotiables of our faith. If we lose any one of them, the whole structure collapses.

We must also acknowledge the church’s complicated history with science. Sometimes, in our zeal to defend the faith, we have made claims that went beyond what Scripture actually says, and we’ve had to backtrack. Humility is essential. We are called to proclaim what God has revealed, but not to claim more knowledge than we have. God’s words to Job remind us that there are mysteries beyond our understanding.

Ultimately, the authority of God to judge and redeem rests on His identity as Creator. If God did not create, He has no right to establish law or offer grace. But if He did, then everything—our hope, our faith, our future—rests secure. In a world that often sees faith as implausible, we are called to stand firm, not with arrogance, but with conviction and humility, proclaiming the everlasting gospel, the coming judgment, and the Creator God.

Key Takeaways

1. The message of the first angel in Revelation 14 is foundational for our time, calling us to the everlasting gospel, the reality of judgment, and the worship of God as Creator. These three elements are inseparable; to compromise on any one is to undermine the entire structure of Christian faith. Our calling is to hold fast to these truths, even when they are out of step with the prevailing culture. [32:32]
2. The plausibility structure of our society has shifted dramatically in the last 150 years, making belief in a Creator God seem implausible to many. Yet, this is precisely the moment when the call to worship the Creator is most needed. Our faith is not based on what is currently fashionable or widely accepted, but on the revelation of God in Scripture and in Jesus Christ. [38:55]
3. Humility is essential when engaging with questions of science and faith. We must avoid both the ditch of clinging to outdated interpretations in the name of faithfulness and the ditch of discarding the testimony of Scripture or spiritual witnesses because of details they could not have known. God’s revelation is always filtered through human understanding, and we must seek the Spirit’s guidance for faithful application in our time. [47:27]
4. The authority of God to establish law, offer grace, and bring judgment is rooted in His identity as Creator. If God is not Creator, then His right to judge or redeem is nullified, and the entire Christian hope collapses. Our faith stands or falls on the truth of Genesis 1:1: “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” [57:41]
5. In a world of competing plausibility structures, we are called to live with conviction and courage. Christianity is not a philosophy or a conclusion reached by the five senses, but a conviction born of divine revelation. We must not be intimidated by those who see faith as implausible, but instead commit ourselves to the proclamation of the everlasting gospel, the coming judgment, and the Creator God. [69:21]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:30] - Community Updates and Family Acknowledgments
[04:45] - Opening Prayer
[05:30] - Introduction: Continuation from Last Week
[08:10] - The Three Angels’ Messages Overview
[12:00] - The Shift in Plausibility Structures
[16:45] - Bill Nye and the Modern View of Creation
[21:30] - The Millerites and the Birth of Adventism
[26:00] - The Founders’ Understanding of the First Angel
[32:32] - The Church’s Complicated History with Science
[38:55] - Engaging the Culture: Conviction and Humility
[47:27] - Paul in Athens: Creator, Judgment, and Resurrection
[57:41] - The Logic of God’s Authority as Creator
[62:37] - The Relevance of the First Angel’s Message Today
[69:21] - Living with Conviction in a Skeptical World
[72:00] - Closing Reflections and Commitment

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Revelation 14:6-7 (ESV) — > Then I saw another angel flying directly overhead, with an eternal gospel to proclaim to those who dwell on earth, to every nation and tribe and language and people. And he said with a loud voice, “Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come, and worship him who made heaven and earth, the sea and the springs of water.”

Genesis 1:1 (ESV) — > In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.

Acts 17:24-31 (ESV) — > The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, for “‘In him we live and move and have our being’; as even some of your own poets have said, “‘For we are indeed his offspring.’ Being then God’s offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man. The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”

Observation Questions

In Revelation 14:6-7, what three main elements does the first angel’s message call people to?
According to Genesis 1:1, what is the foundational claim about God at the very beginning of Scripture?
In Acts 17:24-31, how does Paul describe God’s relationship to creation and humanity?
According to the sermon, what cultural shift has taken place in the last 150 years regarding belief in a Creator? [[12:00]]

Interpretation Questions

Why does the sermon argue that the three elements—Jesus as Christ, the coming judgment, and God as Creator—are inseparable for Christian faith? What happens if one is lost? [[57:41]]
The sermon mentions that our founders saw the first angel’s message as a call to faith in Jesus, a warning of judgment, and a reminder of the Sabbath. Why is the message of creation even more relevant today than in their time? [[26:00]]
The pastor talks about the church’s complicated history with science and the need for humility. What are the dangers of either clinging to outdated interpretations or discarding the testimony of Scripture? [[32:32]]
In Acts 17, Paul’s message about God as Creator did not offend the Athenians, but the resurrection did. What does this reveal about the plausibility structures of different cultures and times? [[47:27]]

Application Questions

The sermon says that if we lose any one of the three pillars—Jesus, judgment, or creation—the whole structure of faith collapses. Which of these do you find most challenged in your own life or in the culture around you? How do you respond when these are questioned? [[57:41]]
The pastor points out that belief in a Creator God has become “implausible” in much of society. Have you ever felt pressure to keep your faith private because of this? How do you handle conversations about creation or faith in public settings? [[38:55]]
The sermon calls for humility when engaging with science and faith. Can you think of a time when you or someone you know was too quick to claim certainty about something the Bible doesn’t fully explain? How can you practice humility while still holding to your convictions? [[32:32]]
The authority of God to judge and redeem is rooted in His identity as Creator. How does this truth affect your understanding of God’s right to set standards or offer grace? Does it change the way you relate to God? [[57:41]]
The pastor mentions that our faith is not based on what is fashionable or widely accepted, but on God’s revelation. Are there areas where you are tempted to compromise your beliefs to fit in? How can you stand firm with both conviction and humility? [[01:09:21]]
The message of the first angel is described as “the perfect message for our time.” What practical steps can you take to share this message—Jesus, judgment, and creation—with others in your sphere of influence? [[01:02:37]]
The sermon references Elijah’s challenge: “How long will you go limping between two different opinions?” (1 Kings 18:21). Are there areas in your life where you are “limping” between faith and doubt? What would it look like to fully commit to following God as Creator? [[01:02:37]]

Sermon Clips

Isn't it nice to know that our spiritual parents struggled to find their way in their day just like we struggle in ours? It's never easy. They tried to get things together in that year 1859, but actually it would take four more years, 1863, before they truly got officially established, choosing the name Seventh-day Adventists for this new, what would become denomination. [00:27:37]

Our founders never imagined the day we live in now, where the plausibility structure no longer allows the idea of a God who created being mentioned in otherwise polite society. They had no idea that the core of the message of the first angel would need to go forward in a time when the idea of a creator God could not even be spoken of. [00:31:39]

We are the spiritual descendants of those people who believed God had specifically called them to spread this specific message. It's worth reflecting: do we still feel that is our top priority? [00:33:37]

We must always receive with humility the full revelation of God. No part of scripture is obsolete, but then we must ask the Lord, how would you have me apply this in this day? Otherwise, we find ourselves compromising what is most critical in our message at the hands of an interpretive extrapolation that all too often turns out to be untrue. [00:37:08]

We are called to proclaim great things far beyond the plausibility structure of our day, and to do so can be uncomfortable. But we have to recognize, by calling ourselves Christians, we've already put ourselves outside of the current plausibility structure of the larger society. Because to be Christian is to be convicted in your heart by the Holy Spirit that a man who lived 2,000 years ago was in fact the Messiah of Bible prophecy and the Son of God. That profession is not something that we can prove with one of our five senses, but that doesn't mean we can't be convicted and believe. [00:40:01]

To believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, instantly raises another question: if Jesus is the Messiah, Son of God, who is God? Right? And finally we've arrived at our key text for both last week and this week. Genesis 1 verse 1: in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. It is the identity statement of God, and God as creator is the unswerving, unchanging testimony of scripture from beginning to end. There is no place in the Bible where there is even any hint at all that this might not be true. [00:41:30]

Given what we know, and given our convictions, and given our history and calling, we cannot be flexible on any of the points found in the message of the first angel. And this is not just an idle saying. There are more than a few people who go by the name Christian who believe well enough there probably was a man named Jesus who lived at one point, but they aren't convinced that he actually performed miracles and definitely not that he rose from the dead. Maybe we can be somewhat flexible regarding the exact timelines of exactly what happened after the resurrection and when and where and to whom Jesus appeared, but as for the fact that the resurrection took place—no compromise. Otherwise there's no everlasting gospel. [00:50:41]

We have to be careful on this point because in the same way we cannot compromise the reality of a creator God who specifically created humans and life, just like we cannot compromise on Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God, raised from the dead, we do need to be careful to not claim more knowledge about the reality of how exactly it all came to be, lest in our zeal to defend scripture we go beyond what it is actually saying. [00:51:52]

A certain level of humility when it comes to the things of God and the exact manner in which he did what he did is always a good idea. Plus, it saves us from putting a great deal of foolish ammunition into the philosophical guns of people like Bill Nye. Let's not load his gun for him. [00:53:52]

Upon the reality that there was and is a creator God—on that we cannot compromise, even if we might be best suited to not claim to know exactly how he did it. Why do I say we cannot compromise? Well, because logic demands that if God was not creator, this whole exercise of faith is at best a waste of time, because if he doesn't exist, it's just silly, and at worst, if he does exist and wasn't creator, the greatest deception ever wrought on humanity. [00:54:18]

If God is not in fact the creator of us all and of this universe, then he has no basis for establishing divine law by which he ultimately brings judgment. So think about this: how do we establish laws in our society? We vote for representatives at various levels of government who form legislative bodies, who then, on the mandate of being elected by the people, pass laws. But we didn't elect God, did we? So his authority to establish laws and bring judgment according to those laws is not established through any authority that was ours to grant. [00:54:57]

There is but one primary argument found throughout scripture from beginning to end as to why God has the right to establish laws and to act in our world, and the basis is summarized in these words: in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. If this statement is true, then everything Paul said to the Athenians about how God has acted and directed the affairs of all humankind is fully justified and appropriate. [00:56:39]

If God did not create the world, what then? Well, if he's not creator and he does exist, then he has no right whatsoever for making laws for us to keep. And if he isn't creator yet still has tried to force us to obey his laws, he is nothing more than an alien bully from the outside trying to force us to do what he says based on the lie that in the beginning he created us, and we've been duped into doing it either by being tricked or simply because we're too weak to fight him off. [00:57:44]

You do see the implications here, right? When you follow through the logic, if God isn't creator, then scripture lies, Jesus didn't save you, and you have no hope beyond the life you can experience with your five senses all of the days you draw breath. [00:59:03]

Let's suppose for a minute God is creator, and then let's add to that the idea that Jesus is the Christ, the son of God, and further that all who put their faith and trust in the work of Jesus for us will not face judgment and will live again even if they die. If we follow that logic through, where do we end up? Number one, scripture has told us everything we need. Number three, we all have eternal hope through Jesus because the day is coming when God will reestablish what he originally intended for the world that he created all the way back at the beginning when he created it. That also is logic. [01:00:10]

Can you think of any message that, if rightly understood, would transform our times more than the message that through Jesus, God has redeemed the world and invited us back into right relationship with him and with each other? And add to that, if indeed there is to be a day of judgment, and if indeed that day draws nigh, could there be a more important time than this to encourage everyone everywhere to let go of the failure of man and embrace the victory of God? Could there be anything more important for this season if these things are true? [01:02:38]

These are strange days in which we live, and we as believers live with dueling plausibility structures. We live so much of our lives by default in the structure Bill Nye promotes, where faith is a private matter and we don't mention God too much, Jesus even less, and creation not at all. But then we come here and live for a time in our faith plausibility structure where God is real, Jesus does love us, and miracles can and do happen. [01:03:37]

What is most amazing to me, I think, about the message of the first angel is the way the message so succinctly states the three great statements of faith from which we cannot back away and upon which we cannot compromise: everlasting gospel—Jesus is the Christ, the son of living God; creator God—in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth; day of judgment—if I go, I will come again. You cannot compromise or back away from any of those three. To disregard any of them causes the whole plausibility of structure upon which our faith stands to collapse. [01:04:36]

If you start with the foundation of Christianity, believing that Jesus is the Christ, the son of God, and then you add to this that the God Jesus is the son of is the one who created the world—start with this, and every time you leave your house you will find evidences of God. But start anywhere else and the whole structure of faith and belief will ultimately collapse, and if you are sufficiently logical and faithful to your presuppositions, you too will end up where Bill Nye lives. [01:09:00]

Christianity is not a philosophy of reality or a conclusion based on what the five senses can reveal. Neither of these roots can get you to a true Christian faith. Instead, Christianity is a conviction that Jesus is the Christ, the son of God, obtained only by a divine revelation from God the father by means of the Holy Spirit to anyone willing to believe. [01:09:40]

So don't let the Bill Nye of the world intimidate you. The simple truth is they don't know what you know, or they have not experienced the revelation you have had. So pray for them and be patient with them. Don't waste a whole lot of time arguing, but above all, don't let anyone chase you away from the core elements of the message of the first angel. Instead, commit yourself to these things. Commit your life to their proclamation: in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. If we are to be faithful to the message of the first angel, we must believe it, we must proclaim. [01:10:10]

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