Answers to Sermon Notes

“The Invitation”

Part I: “In The Beginning”

Genesis 1:1 – 2:24

5/7/17

  1. This morning we begin a new series – a series where we will be tracing the story of scripture from beginning to end.
  2. The Bible is large, and can be hard to fully understand.
  3. To truly understand it, we need to see how it all fitstogether into one message.
  4. Our journey begins in the beginning.
  5. One of the first questions we need to ask is why it is that the Bible begins with the story of creation.
  6. After all, the specific purpose of the Bible is not to be a history of the world;
  7. Much of the world’s history is not found in it.
  8. It is, rather, an invitation for man to be restored in his relationship to God.
  9. The answer is that starting with the creation of the world is necessary in order to give mankind the proper framework through which to consider this invitation. This framework has 4 parts.
  10. It helps us to know and better understand this God, who invites us.
  11. He is the Creator.
  12. He is ourCreator.
  13. He is fully engaged with us – created for relationship with him.
  14. He is our Provider and Sustainer.
  15. It helps us to know and better understand ourselves.
  16. We are the pinnacle of his creation: made in hisimage.
  17. We have infinitevalue.
  18. We have a highcalling: to rule over creation.
  19. Already with these two points we see a clear departure from the beliefs of much of the world on these issues.
  20. “Man is just anotheranimal.”
  21. “Nature is best when unspoiled by man.”
  22. This is not God’sposition.
  23. “Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and subdue it.”
  24. This doesn’t mean that God wanted a concretejungle, but it does mean that man is to be engaged in direct care and oversight, cultivation and development.
  25. This is where our sense of satisfaction comes from.
  26. We have boundaries. (morality)
  27. Originally just one, but it represents the principle.
  28. We are accountable to him.
  29. Whether we accept the invitation or not, we cannot disregard him.
  30. It helps us know and understand our world.
  31. Created with order and purpose.
  32. Created good.
  33. One of the most frequent reasons for hesitation in accepting this invitation is the question of how a good God could allow such evil in his world.
  34. Fallen Man asserts the moralhighground.
  35. God is not the author of evil; it is, rather, the result of his desire to have willing worshipers.
  36. The reason for evil in the world isFreeWill.
  37. God did not want a relationship with beingsforced to love him.
  38. He created them with this choice.
  39. They were tested to prove themselves in a very smallthing.
  40. And they failed, becoming evil themselves.
  41. God allows this evil in the world (centered in man) as long as it takes to redeem those he has chosen.
  42. It shows us how things will be in the end.
  43. Creation renewed/transformed
  44. Believers renewed/transformed
  45. Relationship renewed/transformed
  46. The Shalomof God and Mankind, and all Creation.
  47. This is The Invitation, and it all begins in the beginning.

For Further Discussion

  1. How well do you know the overall message of scripture?
  2. Are there any parts of the Bible that you aren’t sure about – aren’t sure how they fit into the overall message?
  3. Have you ever thought of the story of scripture being an invitation before?
  4. Which parts of the accounts of creation are the most powerful for you?
  5. What it tells us about God?
  6. What it tells us about us?
  7. What it tells us about our world?
  8. What it tells us about our future?