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God Created |
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God Created 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 |
