Series Big Idea: "Showing how the early stories of Scripture establish God’s Plan of Salvation”

Sermon Big Idea: “God’s creation reveals His power, purpose, and plan to redeem humanity through Jesus Christ”

Key Scripture (Genesis 1:1-2:3)

Today we begin a new sermon series I am calling “The Blueprint of Redemption,” where we will explore God's redemptive plan throughout Scripture. Since this is the first sermon let’s start at the very beginning, in Genesis 1:1-2:3, with the account of God's creation.

This passage not only introduces us to the Creator but also reveals His power and purpose behind all of creation. In this sermon we will dive into the truths of how creation came to be, and we will see the profound meaning behind each act of God's creative work. So, let’s talk about the Creator and His creation.

(Genesis 1:1-2:3)

Chapter 1

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness covered the surface of the watery depths, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters. 3 Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. 4 God saw that the light was good, and God separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light “day,” and the darkness He called “night.” There was an evening, and there was a morning: one day. 6 Then God said, “Let there be an expanse between the waters, separating water from water.” 7 So God made the expanse and separated the water under the expanse from the water above the expanse. And it was so. 8 God called the expanse “sky.” Evening came and then morning: the second day. 9 Then God said, “Let the water under the sky be gathered into one place, and let the dry land appear.” And it was so. 10 God called the dry land “earth,” and the gathering of the water He called “seas.” And God saw that it was good. 11 Then God said, “Let the earth produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and fruit trees on the earth bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds.” And it was so. 12 The earth produced vegetation: seed-bearing plants according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. 13 Evening came and then morning: the third day. 14 Then God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate the day from the night. They will serve as signs for seasons and for days and years. 15 They will be lights in the expanse of the sky to provide light on the earth.” And it was so. 16 God made the two great lights—the greater light to rule over the day and the lesser light to rule over the night—as well as the stars. 17 God placed them in the expanse of the sky to provide light on the earth, 18 to rule the day and the night, and to separate light from darkness. And God saw that it was good. 19 Evening came and then morning: the fourth day. 20 Then God said, “Let the water swarm with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the sky.” 21 So God created the large sea-creatures and every living creature that moves and swarms in the water, according to their kinds. He also created every winged creature according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. 22 God blessed them: “Be fruitful, multiply, and fill the waters of the seas, and let the birds multiply on the earth.” 23 Evening came and then morning: the fifth day. 24 Then God said, “Let the earth produce living creatures according to their kinds: livestock, creatures that crawl, and the wildlife of the earth according to their kinds.” And it was so. 25 So God made the wildlife of the earth according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that crawl on the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. 26 Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, according to our likeness. They will rule the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, the livestock, the whole earth, and the creatures that crawl on the earth.” 27 So God created man in His own image; He created him in the image of God; He created them male and female. 28 God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it. Rule the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, and every creature that crawls on the earth.” 29 God also said, “Look, I have given you every seed-bearing plant on the surface of the entire earth and every tree whose fruit contains seed. This will be food for you, 30 for all the wildlife of the earth, for every bird of the sky, and for every creature that crawls on the earth—everything having the breath of life in it—I have given every green plant for food.” And it was so. 31 And God saw all that He had made, and it was very good indeed. Evening came and then morning: the sixth day. 

Chapter 2

So the heavens and the earth and everything in them were completed. 2 On the seventh day God had completed His work that He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work that He had done. 3 God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy, for on it He rested from all His work of creation.

The Creator and His Creation (Genesis 1:1-2)

In the opening words of Scripture, we read, "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." (Genesis 1:1). This simple statement declares God's eternal existence and His sovereignty over all creation. Before there was anything—before time, space, and matter—God was. This is a foundational truth: God is not part of creation; He is the Creator of it all. The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep (verse 2). The world was a chaotic, lifeless mass—nothingness before God began His work.

This scene reminds us that God does not work from pre-existing materials; He creates from nothing. His power is unmatched, and His sovereignty is unquestionable. Before creation, God had a purpose, and in His perfect timing, He began to speak the world into existence.

God's Power in Creation (Genesis 1:3-10)

As we move through the creation account, we see God's power on full display. In verse 3, God says, "Let there be light," and there was light. With each word, God creates with authority and power, and what He speaks into being is good. The earth was not formed through a gradual process or by some random event; it was created with intention, order, and precision.

Notice the pattern in these verses: God speaks, and it happens. He calls the light to separate from the darkness (v. 4), forms the sky and the seas (v. 6-7), and gathers the waters into one place so dry land appears (v. 9). There is a divine order to creation, and that order reflects the character of the Creator. Everything is purposeful and designed for a greater reason: A great purpose.

God's Purpose for Creation (Genesis 1:11-2:3)

The creation account continues with God bringing forth vegetation, celestial bodies, sea creatures, birds, land animals, and finally, humankind. Each creation serves a specific purpose in God's grand design. The vegetation provides nourishment (v. 11-12), the sun, moon, and stars mark time and seasons (v. 14-19), and the animals take places in their respective roles (v. 20-25).

Humanity is the ultimate masterpiece, created in God’s own image (v. 26-27). Unlike all other creatures, humans are given the distinct privilege and responsibility to rule over creation as God's representatives. This reveals a profound purpose: creation exists not only to display God's glory but to provide a kingdom where humanity can fulfill their role as stewards of God's creation.

The account concludes with God's rest on the seventh day (2:1-3), setting up a pattern of work and rest that would later become central to Israel's worship and our understanding of spiritual rhythms.

Conclusion:

So, how do we find our place in God’s creative purpose? Remember, that the creation account is not just ancient history—it points us directly to Christ and our role in God's ongoing work of redemption. Consider these truths: Just as God spoke creation into existence, Jesus is identified as the Word through whom all things were made (John 1:1-3). Our creative God continues His work of new creation through Christ, making us new creatures in Him (2 Corinthians 5:17).

As image-bearers created to steward God's creation, we find our true purpose fulfilled in Christ, who perfectly reflects God's image and shows us how to live as faithful stewards of God's gifts. The order and purpose we see in creation reminds us that God's redemptive plan through Christ was not an afterthought but was established before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4).

As we leave today, let’s remember that we are part of God's ongoing creative work. Through Christ, we are being transformed into His image, from glory to glory (2 Corinthians 3:18). May we live as faithful stewards of His creation, pointing others to the Creator who has revealed Himself most fully in Christ Jesus.

Pastor Beaver's thoughts and ideas are inspired by:

Holman Christian Standard Bible

English Standard Version Bible

King James Version Bible

Christian Standard Bible

Barton, Bruce et al. Life Application New Testament Commentary. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale, 2001. Print.

Walvoord, John F., and Roy B. Zuck, Dallas Theological Seminary. The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985. Print.

Walton, John H. Genesis Zondervan, 2001, p. 65.

Gangel, Kenneth O., and Stephen J. Bramer. Genesis. Edited by Max Anders, B&H Publishing Group, 2002, p. 9.

MacArthur, John F., Jr. The MacArthur Study Bible: New American Standard Bible. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2006. Print.

Robertson, A.T. Word Pictures in the New Testament. Nashville, TN: Broadman Press, 1933. Print.

Vincent, Marvin Richardson. Word Studies in the New Testament. New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1887. Print.

Richards, Lawrence O. The Bible Reader’s Companion. electronic ed. Wheaton: Victor Books, 1991. Print.

Water, Mark, ed. Encyclopedia of Bible Facts. Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 2004. WORDsearch CROSS e-book. 

NIV, Archaeological Study Bible, eBook: An Illustrated Walk Through Biblical History and Culture

Walter C. Kaiser Jr., Duane Garrett, and Walter C. Kaiser Jr.

NIV, First-Century Study Bible, eBook: Explore Scripture in Its Jewish and Early Christian Context

Zondervan, Kent Dobson, and Ed Dobson

Jamieson, Robert, A. R. Fausset, and David Brown. Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible. Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1997.

Blum, Edwin A., and Trevin Wax, eds. CSB Study Bible: Notes. Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2017.

Barry, John D., Douglas Mangum, Derek R. Brown, Michael S. Heiser, Miles Custis, Elliot Ritzema, Matthew M. Whitehead, Michael R. Grigoni, and David Bomar. Faithlife Study Bible. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012, 2016.

Wilson, Neil S. The Handbook of Bible Application. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 2000.

Dockery, David S., ed. Holman Concise Bible Commentary. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1998.

Water, Mark. Key Word Commentary: Thoughts on Every Chapter of the Bible. AMG Publishers, 2003.

Brannan, Rick, and Israel Loken. The Lexham Textual Notes on the Bible. Lexham Bible Reference Series. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2014.

Radmacher, Earl D., Ronald Barclay Allen, and H. Wayne House. Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Commentary. Nashville: T. Nelson Publishers, 1999.

Keener, Craig S. The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1993.

Smith, Jerome H. The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge: The Most Complete Listing of Cross References Available Anywhere- Every Verse, Every Theme, Every Important Word. Nashville TN: Thomas Nelson, 1992.

Hughes, Robert B., and J. Carl Laney. Tyndale Concise Bible Commentary. The Tyndale Reference Library. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2001.

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