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The Creation Account of Genesis

            

The Creation Account of Genesis

Introduction
Genesis 1:1 sets the foundation for all Scripture and for our faith. God “in the beginning” created the heavens and the earth, and Genesis 1–2 records His orderly work with clarity and purpose (Genesis 1:1–5).

Genesis Presents Reliable History
Genesis 1 reads as straightforward narrative. The Spirit guided Moses to record a sequence of divine acts, stated as facts in plain prose. “Then God said… and it was so” marks the cadence of history, not poetry or parable. The chapter establishes origins—of the cosmos, life, and humanity—so that the rest of the Bible stands on a sure footing. If the opening pages are firm, the story of redemption they introduce remains firm as well.

Creation Week and the Meaning of “Day”
The text repeatedly marks each day by “evening and morning,” and names the light “day” and the darkness “night” (Genesis 1:3–5). The Hebrew term yom is used in its ordinary sense, reinforced by the evening–morning refrain. Scripture shapes our understanding of time here: God spoke, made divisions necessary for life, and named them. The consistent pattern across the six days shows regular days, each bounded by God’s own definition in the passage.

Why the Week Exists
God Himself explains the week. Israel’s Sabbath command looks back to creation: “For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day” (Exodus 20:8–11). Israel worked six days and rested the seventh because God created in six days and rested the seventh. This is God’s commentary on Genesis 1 and clarifies how His people are to understand the text.

Humanity at the Beginning
Scripture presents Adam and Eve as made on the sixth day—male and female at the beginning of the created order (Genesis 1:26–31; Matthew 19:4). Jesus grounded His teaching on marriage in that historical moment, affirming the timing as “at the beginning.” Genesis then records Adam’s age, situating him within real time and family history. The record treats these as anchored events, not distant symbols.

Signs, Seasons, Days, and Years
God appointed the luminaries “for signs and seasons, and for days and years” (Genesis 1:14). The text binds “day” to the daily cycle and places it alongside “years” and “seasons” in the ordinary sense we live by. God fitted the heavens to serve timekeeping and to provide light upon the earth in His wise order.

Why These Chapters Meet Resistance
Generations have doubted the supernatural. When the miraculous is dismissed, creation, the flood, and early history are set aside. Yet Scripture declares that “by faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God” (Hebrews 11:3). Faith comes by hearing the word of Christ (Romans 10:17). The same word that tells us of creation’s first week tells us of salvation’s gracious promise.

Anchoring Faith in the Word
The Bible is consistent from Genesis to Revelation. The God who spoke light into darkness also gave His Son for the world (John 3:16). Trusting His word about beginnings strengthens confidence in His word about redemption. We receive His testimony, shape our lives by it, and hold the shield of faith with conviction.

 

The Creation Account of Genesis Sermon Outline:

  • Opening Text and Aim

    • Read Genesis 1:1–5. State the aim: to strengthen faith by receiving God’s record of creation as clear history that leads us to worship and obedience.

  • I. God’s Foundational Claim

    • “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” sets the bedrock for all Scripture and faith (Genesis 1:1).

    • The Triune work in creation: the Word (John 1:1–3), the Son’s preeminence (Colossians 1:15–17), and His ongoing upholding of all things (Hebrews 1:1–3).

  • II. Genesis 1 Reads as History

    • Narrative markers: “God said… and it was so… God saw… evening and morning” (Genesis 1:3–5, 8, 13, 19, 23, 31).

    • The account gives facts, sequence, and naming—features of historical prose, not poetry or parable.

  • III. Six Days Defined by God

    • Day-length defined by “evening and morning”—ordinary days (Genesis 1:5).

    • Day 1: Light distinguished from darkness; naming of day and night (Genesis 1:3–5).

    • Day 2: Expanse formed; waters divided (Genesis 1:6–8).

    • Day 3: Seas and dry land appear; vegetation created (Genesis 1:9–13).

    • Day 4: Sun, moon, and stars appointed “for signs and seasons, and for days and years” (Genesis 1:14–19).

    • Day 5: Sea creatures and birds created and blessed (Genesis 1:20–23).

    • Day 6: Land animals and humanity made; humanity bears God’s image and receives mission (Genesis 1:24–31).

    • Day 7: God rests, blessing and sanctifying the day (Genesis 2:1–3).

  • IV. Why We Have a Week

    • God’s commentary on Genesis 1: Israel’s six-and-one rhythm mirrors God’s work and rest (Exodus 20:8–11).

    • Practical holiness: Order your time by God’s revealed pattern—work with diligence, rest with reverence (Exodus 20:8–10).

  • V. Humanity: Image, Purpose, and Place

    • Created male and female; blessed and entrusted with fruitful stewardship (Genesis 1:26–28).

    • Jesus’ affirmation: male and female “at the beginning” (Matthew 19:4).

    • Stewardship under God: govern creation wisely, reflect His character, and live unto His glory (Genesis 1:28).

  • VI. The Heavens as Timekeepers

    • Luminaries serve God’s purposes: to mark days, years, and seasons in ordinary time (Genesis 1:14–18).

    • Creation’s order serves worship, work, and life.

  • VII. Faith’s Understanding of Origins

    • Faith receives God’s testimony: “By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God” (Hebrews 11:3).

    • Faith comes by hearing the word; confidence rests on revelation, not speculation (Romans 10:17; Psalm 119:89).

  • VIII. From Creation to Redemption

    • The Creator is the Redeemer: the same word that called worlds into being announces grace and life (John 3:16).

    • Holding to God’s record of beginnings strengthens assurance in His promise of salvation.

  • IX. Congregational Applications

    • Worship the Creator with reverence and joy (Genesis 1:31).

    • Keep the week with purpose: labor faithfully, rest unto the Lord (Exodus 20:8–11).

    • Honor God’s design for humanity and steward creation as His image-bearers (Genesis 1:26–28; Matthew 19:4).

    • Anchor evangelism and discipleship in the authority of God’s word (Romans 10:17).

  • X. Invitation Path

    • Hear the word (Romans 10:17).

    • Believe the gospel of Christ (John 3:16).

    • Repent and turn to God (Acts 17:30).

    • Confess Jesus as Lord (Romans 10:9–10).

    • Be baptized for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38).

    • Walk by faith, holding fast to the Creator’s word (Hebrews 11:3; Psalm 119:89).

 

Call to Action
Build your faith on God’s clear word. Receive His account of beginnings with reverence, and let that confidence lead you to obedience—turning from sin, confessing Christ, and entering new life through the gospel. Walk daily in trust, listening to Scripture and honoring the Lord who created and redeems.

Key Takeaways

  • Genesis 1 is presented as factual narrative and sets the foundation for all Scripture (Genesis 1:1–5).

  • God defines the creation “day” with evening and morning; the pattern is consistent across the week (Genesis 1:5).

  • The Sabbath command confirms six days of creation and one day of rest (Exodus 20:8–11).

  • Humanity was made male and female at the beginning, grounding marriage and human dignity (Matthew 19:4; Genesis 1:26–28).

  • The luminaries mark signs, seasons, days, and years in ordinary time (Genesis 1:14–18).

  • Faith understands creation through God’s word, and faith itself comes by hearing that word (Hebrews 11:3; Romans 10:17).

  • The God of creation is the God of salvation who loves and gives life (John 3:16).

Scripture Reference List

  • Genesis 1:1–5 — God creates; light, day, and night defined.

  • Genesis 1:14–18 — Lights for signs, seasons, days, and years.

  • Genesis 1:26–31 — Humanity created on day six, male and female.

  • Exodus 20:8–11 — Sabbath command grounded in six days of creation and one day of rest.

  • Matthew 19:4 — Jesus affirms male and female “at the beginning.”

  • Hebrews 11:3 — By faith we understand God framed the worlds by His word.

  • Romans 10:17 — Faith comes by hearing the word of Christ.

  • John 3:16 — God’s love and promise of eternal life.

  • John 1:1 — The Word “in the beginning” with God and as God (confessional anchor for Christ’s deity).

  • Psalm 119:89 — God’s word stands firm forever (clarifies the enduring certainty of Scripture).

Prepared by Bobby Stafford of the church of Christ at Granby, MO

 
Resources for Genesis Series

Online KJV Bible
Expository Sermons from Genesis

YouTube Playlist of Sermons from Genesis

Library of church of Christ Sermons and Outlines
 

What Must I Do To Be Saved?
What Does the church of Christ Teach?
 

The Sermons, Sermon Outlines, Bulletin Articles and Bible Studies published in this website are from sound members of the church of Christ and are free to everyone.  We feel the price was paid when Jesus died on the cross.  Please feel free to use any of the content found within this website for the spreading of the Gospel to all. 

Matt 11:28-29
"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls."

The church of Christ in Granby Missouri

 516 East Pine St.
 P.O. Box 664
Granby, Mo. 64844
 (417) 472-7109

Email: Bobby Stafford
Email: David Hersey