The First Verse In The Bible
GEN. 1:1
A. Many problems are the result of beginning at the wrong place.
Building on the wrong
foundation almost always gives bad results.
Our search for truth needs to begin at the right place. Prov.
9:10, tells where that right place is located, The fear
of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the
Holy One is understanding.
1. It is no coincidence that the Bible begins where it does. After
all, the truth contained in the first verse is the fundamental
truth upon which the rest of Gods revelation to mankind
depends.
That first truth is fundamental. It says, God is real.
(1) And it is an obvious truth. The World exists. It stands where
nothing was.
(a) But why is there something rather than nothing? That involves
two questions
(1) Who is responsible for the fact that we exist?
(2) Not just childish curiosity, Intellectual interest that prompts
this question.
(2) Its the most practical question man ever asks.
(3) Life is unexplainable if God did not create the world
and we simply cannot
live without a basic explanation for life.
(4) Some modern science assumes that a what is responsible
for the universe.
But what is not really a reasonable alternative.
(3) The fact of our being points toward a personal Creator. Acts
17:24-29;
Jno. 1:1-4.
(5) We are totally dependant on God for our existence, every moment
of our lives.
(6) Christ continues to uphold the creation, Heb. 1:3, says. He
sustains all things by his powerful word. And Heb. 11:1-3,
says, We understand this truth by faith.
(4) Since this is true, What will be our response to God?
(7) In our world today, the response is practical atheism.
Thats what Paul speaks about in Rom. 1:20-21, Many
knew God but refused to honor Him as God. The truth that
God made the world has vast implications:
(8) We are accountable to Him, He has authority over us, He will
determine our
destiny. How seriously do we deal with these truths on a practical
basis
day by day?
2. There is a difference between knowing a thing theoretically
and knowing it is true experientially.
God becomes very real to us when we lie upon our deathbeds!
(5) Many immerse theirselves in the activities of daily busy-ness
and pay little attention to the ultimate questions of life. They
forget, they ignore God.
(1) Death, however, tends to clear up our perspective on the important
realities.
(2) We need to know the truth of Gen. 1:1, to such an extent that
it has a real impact on our lives now.
(6) Gods existence is the most obvious fact in the universe.
People do not doubt or dispute it because it is not clear or obvious.
(3) Paul wrote that God has manifested Himself in His creation,
Rom. 1:19-20.
(4) Isnt it Ironic that the real problems in life come down
to not believing the most obvious truth in the world?
Two things will help keep God real to us.
(7) Spending more time with Gods world. Acts 14:17. Studying
about, listening to God talk to you will bring you closer to Him.
(5) We live in a world consumed with things of a material nature
and selfish persuite of pleasure.
(6) We need more significant contact with things God has made
and less with things man has made.
(8) The first verse in the Bible teaches us that we came from
God it is also true that we will return to God.
(7) God is our origin He is also our destiny. When we die,
our spirits will return to God, Eccl. 12:6-7.
(b) We need to be concerned about the prevalence of atheism in
our age and its impact on our children and grandchildren.
2. But what about us? Do we really believe or merely profess
to believe?
2. Our arguments against atheism, evolution will mean very little
if our kids do not see us living lives that exhibit genuine belief
in God.
(1) Considering our eventual return to God, we ought to live each
day in practical recognition of our accountability to Him
we ought to live life for God!
(2) Eccl. 12:13-14, spells it out as clearly as possible, The
whole duty of man the sum total of what it is to be a human
being is to respect and obey God.
3. Our principal purpose in life ought to be to please God - 2
Cor. 5:9-10.
(A) Another great and wonderful truth is that the God of our creation
is also the God of our salvation.
(B) Have you dealt seriously and honestly with the truth about
God?
(C) Acts 20:32.
Spur - 6/24/2001 am
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