The Fall: Understanding Humanity's Descent and Hope for Redemption

 

Summary

In our exploration of the state of fallen humanity, we began by reflecting on the original condition of man as created by God. Man was made in the image of God, living in perfect harmony and fellowship with Him, possessing original righteousness and moral uprightness. However, the current state of humanity starkly contrasts this original design, prompting us to ask: what caused this drastic change? The answer lies in the biblical doctrine of the Fall, which is not merely allegorical or mythical but a historical account of humanity's descent into sin.

The Fall introduced sin and evil into the world, not as inherent qualities within man, but as external temptations from Satan. This temptation led to a series of events: doubt in God's word, desire for forbidden knowledge, and ultimately, disobedience. The essence of this disobedience was man's refusal to submit to God's will, choosing instead to follow his own path. This act of rebellion resulted in profound consequences: a newfound consciousness of the flesh, a sense of guilt, fear of God, spiritual death, and expulsion from paradise. Man's relationship with nature was also altered, introducing toil and hardship.

Despite these consequences, man retained his intellectual capabilities, though his moral and spiritual state was irrevocably altered. The Fall did not strip man of his essential qualities but severed his original righteousness and fellowship with God. This historical event explains the current state of humanity and underscores the need for salvation. The Fall is a reminder of the gravity of sin and the profound impact of disobedience, yet it also points to the hope of redemption through Christ.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Image of God and Original Righteousness: Humanity was created in the image of God, reflecting His glory and living in perfect fellowship with Him. This original state was marked by righteousness and moral uprightness, which was lost due to the Fall. Understanding this original design helps us grasp the depth of our current fallen state and the need for restoration. [01:19]

2. The Nature of Temptation and Sin: Sin entered the world through external temptation, not from within man's original constitution. This highlights the importance of vigilance against external influences that lead us away from God's will. The Fall teaches us that sin often begins with doubt and desire, leading to disobedience. [18:33]

3. Consequences of the Fall: The Fall resulted in a loss of innocence, a sense of shame, and a broken relationship with God. These consequences are evident in our ongoing struggles with sin and the inherent challenges of life. Recognizing these effects can deepen our understanding of the human condition and our need for divine intervention. [29:39]

4. The Role of Free Will: Man's free will, a reflection of being made in God's image, made sin possible. This underscores the responsibility that comes with free will and the importance of choosing obedience to God. The Fall serves as a cautionary tale about the misuse of this gift. [27:01]

5. Hope for Redemption: Despite the Fall, humanity retains the capacity for intellectual and spiritual growth. This enduring potential points to the hope of redemption and restoration through Christ. The narrative of the Fall is not just about loss but also about the possibility of renewal and reconciliation with God. [37:57]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:25] - The State of Fallen Man
- [01:19] - Original Righteousness and Fellowship
- [02:34] - The Question of Sin
- [03:25] - Refuting Alternative Theories
- [04:55] - Dualism and Evolution
- [06:11] - Resistance and Knowledge Theories
- [08:44] - The Biblical Doctrine of the Fall
- [09:04] - Allegory vs. History
- [10:43] - The Serpent and Symbolism
- [12:34] - The Historical Account
- [14:09] - Miracles and Belief
- [18:33] - Temptation from the Outside
- [20:12] - Steps of the Fall
- [29:39] - Consequences of Disobedience
- [37:57] - Retained Qualities and Hope

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Genesis 3:1-24
2. Romans 5:12
3. 2 Corinthians 11:3

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Observation Questions:

1. According to Genesis 3, what were the steps that led to the Fall of humanity? How did the serpent's temptation unfold? [20:12]

2. In Romans 5:12, how is the entry of sin into the world described? What connection does it make between sin and death?

3. How does 2 Corinthians 11:3 relate to the account of the Fall in Genesis? What does Paul warn about in this verse?

4. What were the immediate consequences for Adam and Eve after they disobeyed God, as described in Genesis 3? [29:39]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the concept of being made in the "image of God" relate to the responsibility and consequences of free will as discussed in the sermon? [27:01]

2. What does the sermon suggest about the nature of temptation and sin coming from external sources rather than from within? How does this understanding affect our view of human nature? [18:33]

3. In what ways does the sermon highlight the ongoing impact of the Fall on humanity's relationship with God and nature? How does this shape our understanding of the need for redemption? [29:39]

4. How does the sermon explain the hope for redemption and restoration through Christ despite the Fall? What enduring qualities of humanity point to this hope? [37:57]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you felt tempted by external influences. How did you respond, and what can you learn from the account of the Fall to handle similar situations in the future? [18:33]

2. The sermon discusses the misuse of free will leading to disobedience. How can you be more intentional in aligning your choices with God's will in your daily life? [27:01]

3. Consider the consequences of the Fall, such as shame and broken relationships. How have you experienced these in your life, and what steps can you take to seek healing and restoration? [29:39]

4. The sermon emphasizes the hope of redemption through Christ. How can you actively pursue spiritual growth and renewal in your relationship with God this week? [37:57]

5. In what ways can you remain vigilant against external temptations that lead you away from God's will? Identify specific strategies or practices that can help you stay grounded in your faith. [18:33]

6. How does understanding the historical account of the Fall deepen your appreciation for the need for salvation? How can this understanding influence your interactions with others who may not share your faith? [09:04]

7. Reflect on the enduring intellectual and spiritual capacities mentioned in the sermon. How can you use these gifts to contribute positively to your community and the world around you? [37:57]

Devotional

Day 1: The Image of God and Our Lost Righteousness
Humanity was originally created in the image of God, reflecting His glory and living in perfect fellowship with Him. This original state was marked by righteousness and moral uprightness, which was lost due to the Fall. Understanding this original design helps us grasp the depth of our current fallen state and the need for restoration. The loss of original righteousness signifies a profound separation from God, yet it also highlights the potential for restoration through divine intervention. The image of God within us, though marred, still calls us to seek reconciliation and renewal. [01:19]

"So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them." (Genesis 1:27, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways do you see the image of God in yourself and others, and how can you nurture this divine reflection in your daily interactions?


Day 2: The Subtlety of Temptation and Sin
Sin entered the world through external temptation, not from within man's original constitution. This highlights the importance of vigilance against external influences that lead us away from God's will. The Fall teaches us that sin often begins with doubt and desire, leading to disobedience. Recognizing the subtlety of temptation can help us guard our hearts and minds against the deceptive allure of sin. By understanding the nature of temptation, we can better equip ourselves to resist and remain steadfast in our faith. [18:33]

"But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death." (James 1:14-15, ESV)

Reflection: Identify a recent situation where you faced temptation. How can you prepare yourself spiritually to resist similar temptations in the future?


Day 3: The Consequences of the Fall
The Fall resulted in a loss of innocence, a sense of shame, and a broken relationship with God. These consequences are evident in our ongoing struggles with sin and the inherent challenges of life. Recognizing these effects can deepen our understanding of the human condition and our need for divine intervention. The brokenness introduced by the Fall serves as a reminder of our need for redemption and the hope that comes through Christ. By acknowledging the impact of the Fall, we can better appreciate the significance of salvation and the transformative power of God's grace. [29:39]

"Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned." (Romans 5:12, ESV)

Reflection: How do you see the consequences of the Fall manifesting in your life, and how can you seek God's help in overcoming these challenges?


Day 4: The Responsibility of Free Will
Man's free will, a reflection of being made in God's image, made sin possible. This underscores the responsibility that comes with free will and the importance of choosing obedience to God. The Fall serves as a cautionary tale about the misuse of this gift. Understanding the role of free will in our spiritual journey can help us make conscious choices that align with God's will. By exercising our free will responsibly, we can cultivate a life of obedience and faithfulness. [27:01]

"I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live." (Deuteronomy 30:19, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on a recent decision where you exercised your free will. How can you ensure that your future choices align more closely with God's will?


Day 5: The Hope of Redemption
Despite the Fall, humanity retains the capacity for intellectual and spiritual growth. This enduring potential points to the hope of redemption and restoration through Christ. The narrative of the Fall is not just about loss but also about the possibility of renewal and reconciliation with God. Embracing the hope of redemption can inspire us to pursue a deeper relationship with God and seek His transformative power in our lives. By focusing on the promise of restoration, we can find strength and encouragement in our spiritual journey. [37:57]

"And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh." (Ezekiel 36:26, ESV)

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to experience God's redemption and renewal, and how can you actively seek His transformative power today?

Quotes

We examined as far as we can in the light of scriptural teaching what this image of God in men really means we found that he was in correspondence with in fellowship with God reflect something of the glory of God happy careful able to live without toiling eating of the fruit of the Garden in a state of bliss and possessed of an original righteousness an uprightness his moral being and character corresponding to the god with whom he was thus in Fellowship. [00:34:36]

The whole statement in this chapter is given to us as history there's no suggestion of allegory here at all it offers itself to us as plain unvarnished fact and history and if you begin to say that it isn't history or that parts of it are not history you'll find yourself in a utterly contradictory position for instance we are told there about the punishment that followed men's sin and transgression in verses 14 and 15. [00:12:34]

The first thing he tells us is this that evil and sin and temptation came from the outside they came from Satan using the serpent the thing I'm anxious to emphasize is this there was nothing in men's own Constitution that produced it there was no physical necessity at all to produce it it was nothing sensual in men that produced it it came to men enti L from the outside and he had a perfect free will to decide what to do with it. [00:18:33]

The woman began to listen to the Slanders of the devil against God she began to doubt God's word and began to doubt God's love then you remember we are told she began to look at the thing at which of which God had prohibited to look then having looked at it and having seen that it was good to each she began to last after it and to desire it this thing which had been prohibited and that in turn led her to a definite Act of Disobedience. [00:20:12]

The real essence of what took place was that they pushed on one side God's plan God's purpose and substituted for it their own idea and their own method the famous Professor Emil Bruner has quite an interesting psychological analysis if you like of what took place he puts it like this he says there were three elements desire the Apple then the whispered doubt about God which stirred and inflamed the desire still more and then he says that finally ambition turn the scales. [00:24:54]

Sin is only only possible to men and was only possible to men at the beginning because he has a free spiritual personality it isn't possible to an animal it's only possible to man men's being made in the image of God in a most extraordinary way made sin possible for him because of his free personality because of his free will the very fact I say that he was made in the image and likeness of God exposes him in and of itself to this possibility. [00:27:01]

The first thing that we are told is that they became conscious of their flesh it's an extraordinary thing this man as he was made originally by God was quite unconscious about his flesh and about his body the men and the wom were naked and that was no trouble to them at all but the moment they said the moment they fall they become conscious of their flesh they become ashamed of it a shame develops in connection with the body and they try to cover themselves. [00:29:39]

The break of this link with God produced a spiritual death in he's he's in an entirely State and condition the next thing that we are told about him is that he was driven out of paradise out of the garden and not allowed to return there in and of himself and by his own valtion you remember the Flaming sword that was there to guard and to Bar his entry in and of himself he's sent out of paradise he's not allowed to come back. [00:32:21]

There was no need for him to die if men had obeyed God and had continued living his life in correspondence with God he would never have undergone physical death it was possible for him therefore not to die the result of the Fall was this that now it is not possible for him not to die per some of you would like this in Latin the original condition was non Mari it is now non Noni before possible not to die now not possible not to die he must die. [00:34:36]

When men fell he did not cease to be men he was still men he didn't lose any of his essential qualities or elements or attributes what he lost was that original righteousness that correspondence to God but his intellect remains his power of self analysis remains his understanding remains his will remains these things remain we'll come into to that later in Greater detail but he lost his original righteousness he lost that fellowship with God he became fearful of God he hides himself he becomes asham self-conscious in a bad sense doesn't know what to do with himself. [00:37:57]

The best thing I've ever read or ever heard about men as the result of the Fall was what was said of men by an old Puritan called John how he said men as the result of the Fall reminded him of some of these great buildings which you see in London and in the country and in ious Eastern countries where there was once some great palace or great building it's now fallen to ruins and there's a sign outside and the sign says centuries ago such and such a king once dwelt here and John how suggested that written over men everywhere as the result of the Fall is this inscription here God once dwelt. [00:39:19]

We've looked together tonight at one of the profoundest and most Awful Truth that men can ever face that's why men and that's why the world is is as it is tonight from that to this yeah God once what a terrible what an awful what a calamitous thing evil and sin rarely. [00:40:05]

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Transcript
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