In Genesis 3, there was a day that changed every day in the history of the world. It is the sin that changed the world and also sets the pattern for temptation and sin in our lives. It explains our world and it explains how we follow the pattern of failure.
Satan comes in the form of the serpent.
Firstly, Satan tried to get the woman to distort the word of God. He raises questions designed to raise doubts. The woman’s reply starts well but she makes God sound more restrictive than he is and begins to water down the serious consequences if they choose to disobey.
Then comes Satan’s great lie "you will not surely die." "What are you talking about... God’s not really being serious about judgement."
It’s a lie that continues throughout history. Will you trust God’s word?
Secondly, Satan encourages them to doubt the goodness of God. He’s really saying that the forbidden fruit would actually make them better people and so really God is being unfair. We face daily challenges to our belief that God is good
Thirdly, Satan provokes a desire for the authority of God. The fruit is attractive fruit as the key to knowledge of good and evil. They are basically claiming the wisdom to discern right from wrong declaring independence from God.
And in all this Adam is there but silent. He outrageously shirks his responsibility to be a teacher and a leader to Eve.
But it's not enough to know the story of the fall as an explanation for our broken world. We so need to depend on the mercy of God. Not on our own judgment and ability. We remember that one man succeeded where Adam failed. That man was Jesus. We need Him. Do you know Him?
You can listen to the Genesis series of sermons here
Sunday, 13 June 2010
Sunday, 6 June 2010
Genesis 2:18-25 One Flesh
Marriage is a beautiful relationship designed for us to be happy and to be ready to serve God.
In Genesis 2, God is looking for a suitable helper for Adam in the task of ruling and subduing. The animals area great, Adam rules over them and has the fun of getting being introduced but it’s not enough.
It’s really not good for Adam to be alone, he needs a suitable helper – not inferior but complementary. So God Makes Woman (verses 21-22a). And he did a pretty good job didn’t he?
Man is not simply a lonely person needing company or a half finished person. He is those things, but the focus is on the fact he needed a companion for the task to cultivate, procreate and relate.
The woman is brought to Adam by God and we have the prototype wedding. Adam says “at last” someone like me. He names her “woman” which in Hebrew (even more than in English), sounds like the word for “man”. Adam’s saying you are so like me... you complete me.
Moses, the author, tells us this marriage sets the pattern for all marriages - a man leaves his family and joins with a woman for life – one in sexual union and in partnership to serve God. Clearly, intimacy is for the grown up and the committed.
We are social beings and marriage is the usual way to fulfil the need for friendship in the shared purpose of working and taking care of the world.
If you want to listen to the full sermon click here
In Genesis 2, God is looking for a suitable helper for Adam in the task of ruling and subduing. The animals area great, Adam rules over them and has the fun of getting being introduced but it’s not enough.
It’s really not good for Adam to be alone, he needs a suitable helper – not inferior but complementary. So God Makes Woman (verses 21-22a). And he did a pretty good job didn’t he?
Man is not simply a lonely person needing company or a half finished person. He is those things, but the focus is on the fact he needed a companion for the task to cultivate, procreate and relate.
The woman is brought to Adam by God and we have the prototype wedding. Adam says “at last” someone like me. He names her “woman” which in Hebrew (even more than in English), sounds like the word for “man”. Adam’s saying you are so like me... you complete me.
Moses, the author, tells us this marriage sets the pattern for all marriages - a man leaves his family and joins with a woman for life – one in sexual union and in partnership to serve God. Clearly, intimacy is for the grown up and the committed.
We are social beings and marriage is the usual way to fulfil the need for friendship in the shared purpose of working and taking care of the world.
If you want to listen to the full sermon click here
Tuesday, 1 June 2010
Genesis 2.4-17 One Simple Rule for a Special Person
Genesis 2 is a re-run of the creating that went on in Genesis 1 but with a different focus - now we're looking at the man in his special place
Man is a Special Person. He's like all the animals, made in a similar way as a distinct species but more than just another species, man is unique:
He's made in God’s image (Ch1). God breaths life into him showing a direct intimate act of creation. God speaks to him directly directing and commanding.
We share characteristics with animals but are made separately from dust, not from another animal. We are all descended from Adam (Acts 17:26)
The second thing about man is that he is to worship God in a Sacred Place (4-6; 8-15)
The earth was an uncultivated and unproductive area waiting for the arrival of man.
God plants a garden and puts man there with a command to work. It's a pattern that's repeated in the temple worship - sacred space with the presence of God and God's people worshipping him. In the garden the worship is to rule, subdue explore, work take take of the world. To extend the garden to the world. All we can do to serve and take care of creation, whether we get paid or not is a blessing, it's worship.
It's also really clear that man is not an imposter in an otherwise perfect world. Yes he does spoil things pretty soon but it's not true that by design man is an unhelpful addition to creation. Creation is lost without him. It has not purpose, no production.
Adam was to Serve in Dependence and Trust (verse 16,17).
Man lives by the breath of God and the word of God. He depends on God for the wonderful garden and a world to explore Man is dependent on God for life daily expressing this by eating from tree of life. But he also has to trust God's word. God gives a command: eat anything but this one tree. And then there's a warning: ignore me and you’ll die which means you begin to die losing access to tree of life. Our daily experience is of either dependence and trust or independence and unbelief
Which leads us to realise something has gone wrong because we're not in the garden and we all die. How do we get back to garden?
Only Jesus Fulfils the Mandate. We get back to Eden by Jesus. well that's not quite true. We actually get to somewhere better. To the new Jerusalem. Jesus perfectly fulfils the creation mandate for service, dependence and trust. Jesus made all the right choices. Jesus gives the right to eat from the tree of life
We need to be the best at serving God in working in this world in dependence and trust but we so need a Saviour for all the bad choices we've made.
We need the new Adam, Jesus Christ.
Do you know Him?
Here's a few questions for you:
1. How does the OT temple copy from the garden?
2. What does it mean that Jesus breathes on His disciples?
3. What do you think is meant by the "tree of the knowledge of good and evil"?
4. Do you think Adam and Eve were immortal before the ate the wrong fruit?
5. Have you got any other questions?!
Listen to the full sermon here...
Man is a Special Person. He's like all the animals, made in a similar way as a distinct species but more than just another species, man is unique:
He's made in God’s image (Ch1). God breaths life into him showing a direct intimate act of creation. God speaks to him directly directing and commanding.
We share characteristics with animals but are made separately from dust, not from another animal. We are all descended from Adam (Acts 17:26)
The second thing about man is that he is to worship God in a Sacred Place (4-6; 8-15)
The earth was an uncultivated and unproductive area waiting for the arrival of man.
God plants a garden and puts man there with a command to work. It's a pattern that's repeated in the temple worship - sacred space with the presence of God and God's people worshipping him. In the garden the worship is to rule, subdue explore, work take take of the world. To extend the garden to the world. All we can do to serve and take care of creation, whether we get paid or not is a blessing, it's worship.
It's also really clear that man is not an imposter in an otherwise perfect world. Yes he does spoil things pretty soon but it's not true that by design man is an unhelpful addition to creation. Creation is lost without him. It has not purpose, no production.
Adam was to Serve in Dependence and Trust (verse 16,17).
Man lives by the breath of God and the word of God. He depends on God for the wonderful garden and a world to explore Man is dependent on God for life daily expressing this by eating from tree of life. But he also has to trust God's word. God gives a command: eat anything but this one tree. And then there's a warning: ignore me and you’ll die which means you begin to die losing access to tree of life. Our daily experience is of either dependence and trust or independence and unbelief
Which leads us to realise something has gone wrong because we're not in the garden and we all die. How do we get back to garden?
Only Jesus Fulfils the Mandate. We get back to Eden by Jesus. well that's not quite true. We actually get to somewhere better. To the new Jerusalem. Jesus perfectly fulfils the creation mandate for service, dependence and trust. Jesus made all the right choices. Jesus gives the right to eat from the tree of life
We need to be the best at serving God in working in this world in dependence and trust but we so need a Saviour for all the bad choices we've made.
We need the new Adam, Jesus Christ.
Do you know Him?
Here's a few questions for you:
1. How does the OT temple copy from the garden?
2. What does it mean that Jesus breathes on His disciples?
3. What do you think is meant by the "tree of the knowledge of good and evil"?
4. Do you think Adam and Eve were immortal before the ate the wrong fruit?
5. Have you got any other questions?!
Listen to the full sermon here...
Wednesday, 26 May 2010
The grace of giving
When God's old covenant people, the nation of Israel, were disobeying the law of Moses by failing to tithe, they were told through the prophet Malachi that they were in effect robbing God himself (Mal. 3:8-9).
Christians today must not feel bound by old covenant tithing regulations as they would then be living under law and not under grace, contrary to New Testament teaching. Nevertheless, there is an abiding spiritual principle in Malachi's prophecy which carries over from the old covenant into the new covenant era: it is possible for any of God's people living in any age to commit robbery by withholding from the Lord what is rightfully his.
We need to follow the way of grace. This means responding to Jesus' love for us, displayed in his sacrificial death, by applying to ourselves five principles which can be derived from Paul's teaching in 2 Corinthians 8-9:
1. Adopt the right attitude (2 Cor. 9:5-7). We should give generously and joyfully, not grudgingly.
2. Let your heart decide (2 Cor. 9:7). A heart that surrenders to God's grace in Christ resists greed and covetous desires.
3. Give in proportion to blessing received (2 Cor. 8:12, Acts 11:29, 1 Cor. 16:2). We give as the Lord prospers us.
4. Aim for Christian equality (2 Cor. 8:13-14). Our goal must be to enable every Christian to have enough in the situation assigned to him by God.
5. Follow the example of Christ (2 Cor. 8:9). Experience of the grace of Christ ought to result in the grace of giving on our part, thereby showing our love for him and for others.
You can listen to the full sermon here...
Christians today must not feel bound by old covenant tithing regulations as they would then be living under law and not under grace, contrary to New Testament teaching. Nevertheless, there is an abiding spiritual principle in Malachi's prophecy which carries over from the old covenant into the new covenant era: it is possible for any of God's people living in any age to commit robbery by withholding from the Lord what is rightfully his.
We need to follow the way of grace. This means responding to Jesus' love for us, displayed in his sacrificial death, by applying to ourselves five principles which can be derived from Paul's teaching in 2 Corinthians 8-9:
1. Adopt the right attitude (2 Cor. 9:5-7). We should give generously and joyfully, not grudgingly.
2. Let your heart decide (2 Cor. 9:7). A heart that surrenders to God's grace in Christ resists greed and covetous desires.
3. Give in proportion to blessing received (2 Cor. 8:12, Acts 11:29, 1 Cor. 16:2). We give as the Lord prospers us.
4. Aim for Christian equality (2 Cor. 8:13-14). Our goal must be to enable every Christian to have enough in the situation assigned to him by God.
5. Follow the example of Christ (2 Cor. 8:9). Experience of the grace of Christ ought to result in the grace of giving on our part, thereby showing our love for him and for others.
You can listen to the full sermon here...
Tuesday, 25 May 2010
God's Long Holiday
This Sunday we were looking at Genesis 2v1-3 the day upon which God rested. It means He ceased from creating. It is not saying that he has stopped working, John 5v17 makes that clear.
Genesis 2 paints a picture of rest that is bigger than, but not less than a day off. Biblical rest is that of enjoying God by enjoying his creation. In Gen 2v4-24 we see this rest pictured, marked by a series of perfect relationships. So we see perfect relationships between God and Man: there were no barriers between them. God and Man were able to walk, talk, and just be together. Man and Woman, enjoyed marital bliss, there were no disagreements. Man and Creation worked in harmony so that the earth brings forth its fruit. All was as God had intended it. Now we learn in Genesis 3 that this was ruined by man’s disobedience and the consequence of that was these relationships were distorted. We now do not enjoy rest as it should be – in fact it is hard to describe life as restful full stop. Yet this Rest as described in Genesis 2 is still God’s purpose for us and in fact it is where the world is heading, to a time when such rest will be restored in the new creation. But how do we enjoy that rest today?
Jesus says in Matthew 11:28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.” It is through Jesus' death and resurrection and by us trusting and obeying him that we find this rest once more. Thus I am now welcomed back into the Garden of Eden or at least the restored Garden of Eden, to ultimately enjoy God by enjoying His creation. Now I fully enter into the rest upon my death or Jesus’ return but I can experience something of that rest now as well.
I can experience it by taking a day off a week from my work, setting aside a day each week to exclusively worship God. But more than that, I can enjoy this Rest each and every day. So in the midst of busyness I can pause and pray turning to my heavenly Father and enjoying His rest. Or as I praise Him in song between meetings, or in my lunch break when I turn and read a few verses from scripture. As we do these things, we begin to enjoy Him and we find ourselves being refreshed, restored because this is what we have been made for. We need to be seeking Him, the giver of true rest. But I can also enjoy this rest when I meet up with friends, spend time with my family. Or by pausing to listen to the birds sing and thus enjoy God's creation. As I do these things I will find His rest, because this was His purpose for us as seen in Genesis 2.
Yet even by doing these things we only partially experience His rest now. But one day, we will live with Him for eternity, able to enjoy Him fully once more, enjoying all that He has recreated and restored. That is the wonderful picture of Revelation 21v3-4, for that describes the rest once more, the rest as it was intended in Genesis 2, the rest we have been made to enjoy. Are you?
You can listen to the Genesis series of sermons here...
Genesis 2 paints a picture of rest that is bigger than, but not less than a day off. Biblical rest is that of enjoying God by enjoying his creation. In Gen 2v4-24 we see this rest pictured, marked by a series of perfect relationships. So we see perfect relationships between God and Man: there were no barriers between them. God and Man were able to walk, talk, and just be together. Man and Woman, enjoyed marital bliss, there were no disagreements. Man and Creation worked in harmony so that the earth brings forth its fruit. All was as God had intended it. Now we learn in Genesis 3 that this was ruined by man’s disobedience and the consequence of that was these relationships were distorted. We now do not enjoy rest as it should be – in fact it is hard to describe life as restful full stop. Yet this Rest as described in Genesis 2 is still God’s purpose for us and in fact it is where the world is heading, to a time when such rest will be restored in the new creation. But how do we enjoy that rest today?
Jesus says in Matthew 11:28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.” It is through Jesus' death and resurrection and by us trusting and obeying him that we find this rest once more. Thus I am now welcomed back into the Garden of Eden or at least the restored Garden of Eden, to ultimately enjoy God by enjoying His creation. Now I fully enter into the rest upon my death or Jesus’ return but I can experience something of that rest now as well.
I can experience it by taking a day off a week from my work, setting aside a day each week to exclusively worship God. But more than that, I can enjoy this Rest each and every day. So in the midst of busyness I can pause and pray turning to my heavenly Father and enjoying His rest. Or as I praise Him in song between meetings, or in my lunch break when I turn and read a few verses from scripture. As we do these things, we begin to enjoy Him and we find ourselves being refreshed, restored because this is what we have been made for. We need to be seeking Him, the giver of true rest. But I can also enjoy this rest when I meet up with friends, spend time with my family. Or by pausing to listen to the birds sing and thus enjoy God's creation. As I do these things I will find His rest, because this was His purpose for us as seen in Genesis 2.
Yet even by doing these things we only partially experience His rest now. But one day, we will live with Him for eternity, able to enjoy Him fully once more, enjoying all that He has recreated and restored. That is the wonderful picture of Revelation 21v3-4, for that describes the rest once more, the rest as it was intended in Genesis 2, the rest we have been made to enjoy. Are you?
You can listen to the Genesis series of sermons here...
Monday, 24 May 2010
Monday, 17 May 2010
Genesis 1:28-31 Everybody Rules
In the post below we talked about man’s unique nature – being made in the image of God. Yesterday we thought about what Genesis 1:28-31 tells us about our unique role as image bearers.
1. Remember: It’s a good thing! The whole creation and God’s purpose are very good (v31). To be human, (God's image bearer), is to be particularly blessed. (v28). Ultimately that blessing comes through enjoying relationship with Him and all He does for us.
2. God’s image bearer’s are to be fruitful and increase in number (v28). God desires his people to be fruitful and later He will prescribe marriage as the setting for this.
3. God’s image bearers are to rule and subdue. Ruling is not repression or exploitation but loving rule, just like God (see Psalm 145). Subduing is working to enjoy, overcome, conquer and develop the created world. From agriculture to every other form of culture so long as it does not elevate the creation higher that the creator. We are to subdue to consume and enjoy. We are to subdue for need and, yes for pleasure.
4. God’s image bearers are dependent on Him v29-30. It is God who gives us this role and He decides how it should be exercised.
Of course we need to remember the fall. The earth is scarred. We need more than the creation mandate, we need a redeemer. But there is real purpose and value in exercising our role even though the world is not as it was then.
So, what are you going to do this week to explore and enjoy God’s world, and to take care of God’s world?
Listen to the full sermon here...
1. Remember: It’s a good thing! The whole creation and God’s purpose are very good (v31). To be human, (God's image bearer), is to be particularly blessed. (v28). Ultimately that blessing comes through enjoying relationship with Him and all He does for us.
2. God’s image bearer’s are to be fruitful and increase in number (v28). God desires his people to be fruitful and later He will prescribe marriage as the setting for this.
3. God’s image bearers are to rule and subdue. Ruling is not repression or exploitation but loving rule, just like God (see Psalm 145). Subduing is working to enjoy, overcome, conquer and develop the created world. From agriculture to every other form of culture so long as it does not elevate the creation higher that the creator. We are to subdue to consume and enjoy. We are to subdue for need and, yes for pleasure.
4. God’s image bearers are dependent on Him v29-30. It is God who gives us this role and He decides how it should be exercised.
Of course we need to remember the fall. The earth is scarred. We need more than the creation mandate, we need a redeemer. But there is real purpose and value in exercising our role even though the world is not as it was then.
So, what are you going to do this week to explore and enjoy God’s world, and to take care of God’s world?
Listen to the full sermon here...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)