The Genesis Series

Creation and the Origin of All Things
 

TEXT: Genesis 1:1-31

INTRODUCTION:

A chance of 1 out of 1,000,000,000,000,000 (quadrillion, 10 with 14 zeros) is considered a virtual impossibility. But when DNA codiscoverer Francis Crick calculated the possibility of a simple protein sequence of 200 amino acids (much simpler than a DNA molecule) originating spontaneously, his figure was 10 with 26 zeroes after it.

Those who remember one fad of the past will appreciate British scientist Fred Hoyle's view of the odds against evolved life. "Anyone acquainted with the Rubik's Cube," he wrote, "will concede the impossibility of a solution being obtained by a blind person moving the cube faces at random."

Mr. Hoyle's best-known analogy, however, has a tornado in a junkyard taking all the pieces of metal lying there and turning them into a Boeing 747. It might be possible for two pieces to be naturally welded together, and then two pieces more in a later whirlwind, but production of even a simple organic molecule would require all of the pieces to come together at one time.

Henry Morris said, “The Book of Genesis thus is in reality the foundation of all true history, as well as of true science and true philosophy.  It is above all else the foundation of God’s revelation, as given in the Bible.  No other book of the bible is quoted as copiously or referred to so frequently, in other books of the bible, as is Genesis.”

Genesis is the book of “origin.”  Last week we explored the fact that the eternal, triune God created all things, and caused the beginning of true history as we know it.  Genesis as a book of origin gives us the answers to many of the questions upon our minds no matter what time period in which we live.  In Genesis we find the origin of the universe, the origin of order and complexity, the origin of the solar system, the origin of the atmosphere and hydrosphere, the origin of life, the origin of man, the origin of marriage, the origin of evil, the origin of language, the origin of government, the origin of culture, the origin of nations, the origin of religion, and the origin of God’s chosen people. 

It must be understood that the account of Creation in Genesis 1-2 is not exhaustive.  Finite man cannot handle exhaustive knowledge, but he can understand true knowledge.  The account of creation is not exhaustive, but it is true.  People have tried to fill in certain areas in which there is not a great deal of detail.  I suppose this is acceptable to a certain degree, but where ever God has not spoken, let us not try to presume upon Him.  Let us remember the true purpose of God’s Word.  It was given so that man could know God truly (not exhaustively), man’s sinfulness before Him, the provision for sin by Jesus Christ, how to live, and the ultimate future what awaits those who trust Christ as personal savior.

1.     Creation out of nothing (v. 2) – “ex nihilo”

Hebrews 11:3  By faith we understand that the ages were framed by a word of God, so that the things being seen not to have come into being out of the things that appear.

2.     Differentiation  (vv. 3-31)

a.     There were six literal days of creation, with the seventh as a day of rest for our own example.

II Peter 3:8  But, beloved, let not this one thing be hidden from you, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

* It does not say that 1,000 years is a day with the Lord, but as a day.  This simply refers to the fact that God lives above time as we know it.  He is the eternal one.  He is infinite.  We are mortal and finite.  We live within the confines of time.

b.      All creation was “good” – no sin curse at this time

3.     Creation culminates with man

a.     He is the last, and greatest of God’s creation

* He is given dominion over the rest of creation. 

b.     He is created in the image of God.

                                                             i.      Plants possess unconscious life

                                                           ii.      Animals possess conscious life

                                                        iii.      Man alone possesses self-conscious life.

* Thus, here was a creature who could not only eat of Eden’s delicious food, but would glance heavenward first and thank the One who created both the eater and food.  No dandelion or dinosaur could do this.

* Because man has such a special place within God’s creation, and he is created in His image, man has dignity, meaning, and purpose in life. If man’s existence is purely random, life is hopeless and purposeless.  

CONCLUSION:

When man removes himself from the context of being created by God in His image, his life is senseless and meaningless.  This is illustrated by the following funny parable.

“George’s Moon”

George spent his days dreaming about space.  “If space is really there and I know it must be there because I can see it then I must really be here or else I wouldn’t know its there because I couldn’t see it.  And if I am here and I can see space then space must, in all logic, be able to see me which proves that I exist.”  Space and George- George and Space – a team.  It almost made him feel like crying.  He was just filling up time and he knew it.  What good was it to collect rocks, to count craters, to fill the craters you’ve counted with the rocks you’ve collected, to empty the craters and collect the rocks all over again?  Was this a way for a man to spend a life?  George recognized he had no sense of himself.  Also that he had no sense of others.  How could he have any dignity without a context?  He didn’t kow who he was or what or anything.  George exclaimed to himself, “A man has to believe in something!”  Since he was the only thing around, George decided to believe in himself.  He began to worship himself with many, “Hail Georges.”  He made up poems about himself that sounded like this: George George George George George George George.  He made up stories about himself that sounded something like this: So George cured the plague, ended the famine, and turned back the flood.  And then he awoke one morning and found that he had forgotten his name.  “That’s what I get.  Serves me right,” he said to himself.  So he stopped believing in himself and was right back where he started.

This story would be incredibly funny if there wasn’t a semblance of truth to it.  When God is removed from the equation, you are left with senselessness and hopelessness.  Where are you today?  Do you have a sense of purpose in your life?  I am not talking about finding fulfillment within yourself.  I am talking about finding forgiveness and peace with God.  Where are you today?