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Introduction:
Those who have had the privilege of growing up listening to the
great accounts of God’s creation are truly blessed. The power to
command material things to come into existence out of nothing is
beyond our ability to fully grasp. We do indeed worship an awesome
God!
But the physical material of our world is not the only “stuff” He
has created. The Bible speaks of other created things and it is to
these we turn our attention.
Body:
I.
The Material of the Universe
·
Genesis 1:1
records God’s first act of creation and the first use of the
Hebrew word “bara.” Jehovah brought the material of our universe
into existence out of nothing. (Hebrews
11:3)
See also
Romans 4:17.
·
The psalmist praises God for “creating” the heavens and earth. (Psalm
148:5)
“He commanded. . .”
·
The prophet Isaiah informs us that God “created the earth to be
inhabited. (Isaiah
45:18)
·
See also
Colossians 1:16-17.
He keeps the universe running.
II.
Life
·
Genesis 1:20-25
records how Jehovah created “life.” The Hebrew word “chay” [ki,
long i] Creatures which possess independent, conscious, willful
movement are distinct from the plants.
·
The phrase “living creatures” comes from two Hebrew words meaning
life and soul. Soul being the way “nephesh” is commonly
translated. Note
Leviticus 17:11.
This word brings with it the idea of consciousness and awareness.
This word is used to describe man in
Genesis 2:7.
Men and animals both have “nephesh.” This comes from God. He gives
life. This life also comes to an end. (Psalm
63:4,
Ecclesiastes 3:12)
III.
Eternal Spirit
·
Genesis 1:27
The “image of God”, man is set apart from all other life. Animals
are not made in God’s image. The ways in which people resemble God
are in a moral and spiritual likeness.
·
Man can reason and make decisions. Man is a moral being. He can
understand right and wrong. Man possesses the capacity for
language. Man possesses creativity which can be expressed in many
different ways: painting, sculpting, music. . . Man is a
worshipping being.
·
Man possesses an eternal spirit created by God (Zechariah
12:1)
He is the offspring of God. (Acts
17: 29)
·
Note especially
Isaiah 42:5.
·
Also God continues to create by bringing into existence each new
individual human. (Psalm
102:18)
Each new baby was “created” by Jehovah God.
IV.
Spiritual Creation
·
“New creation” (II
Corinthians 5:17)
Those who have been reconciled to God through Christ are called a
“new creation.”
·
This is called a new life. (Romans
6:3-4, Colossians 3:10)
·
This new self is created in the likeness of God. (Ephesians
4:24)
It is created for good works. (Ephesians
2:10)
Conclusion:
We have a wonderful Creator! He has made it possible for us to live
with Him forever in Heaven.
Bobby Stafford
June 23, 2013 |
