"Let's Start at the Very Beginning"
January 8, 2006

The New Testament Lesson: Ephesians 1: 3 - 10
The Old Testament Lesson: Genesis 1: 1 - 5

To call people to confess the Truth of God as our origin

I.  Faith and Science work in completely different realms
   A. The Holidays are filled with classic movies.
        1. One that came early is the Sound of music.
            a. It is a wonderful and inspiring movie—a true classic
            b. Story of the von Trapp family
        2. What makes it one of my favorites in the music.
        3. I relate to the song “Do, Re Mi”  Teaching the kids to sing sophegeo.
            a. a cute tune
            b. but it also has invaluable advice we should follow.
            c. Let’s start at the very beginning, a very good place to start!”
        4. It is surprising how often we start somewhere in the middle.
        5. Even worse is the tendency to start at the end and try to work back!
   B. In the case of existence, scientists have no choice.
        1. They can’t start at the beginning!
            a. In the beginning there were no scientists!  In fact, no observers!
            b. No way to use our scientific method to discover the beginning.
        2. Science is for the here and now.  It is for what we can prove.
            a. We can make educated guesses about what the past was like.
            b. We use evidence to formulate theories.
            c. But they must remain theories, because there is no way to test them.
            d. They will only become fact when we develop time travel!
   C. Similarly, there is no way to prove (or disprove) the statements in Gen.
        1. Just like the theories called “Big Bang” and “Evolution”
        2. What Genesis proclaims to us is beyond the realm of science.
            a. It speaks about a time before humans were around to observe.
            b. There is no objective record for what happened.
            c. All these statements are a result of knowledge beyond senses.
        3. The difference is in how we come by them.
            a. In the case of scientific theories, there are inference from evidence.
            b. Looking at what we can observe, they have guessed about how.
            c. In the case of Creation, we are claiming divine revelation.
        4. We assert that God has spoken through spiritual means to us.
            a. People who are in tune with God have testified to us.
            b. They are telling us the “who” of creation, not the “how”
        5. That’s an important distinction
            a. there can be no real argument between science and faith
            b. The two are addressing different questions.
            c. Any scientist claiming God didn’t create is out of his/her league
            d. likewise, the thrust of scripture is to tell us who made us, not how

II.  Genesis tells us God is our creator which has important implications
   A. There is no more important information than this.
        1. It is a shame that so many people get sidetracked about the details.
        2. People argue over the details and not the substance.
            a. how many days it took
            b. How long a day is in this context.
            c. Which animals were created first.
            d. where exactly do we locate “firmament”
        3. The truth that God made us is the core of the Creation Story
        4. Once we accept that, it establishes several important facts.
    B. We do no belong to ourselves, but to the Creator
        1. We have long acknowledged that creators own what they make.
        2. In our case that means God OWNS us.
        3. We do not belong to ourselves; we owe our existence to God.
   C. We are valuable and loved by God.
        1. The Bible is clear that when God looks at us, he is initially pleased!
        2. In fact, all of creation is declared GOOD.
            a. All the animals and plants and minerals have intrinsic value
            b. It is all good in God’s sight.
            c. from silver to silverfish!  From Musk ox to mosquitoes!
    D. God has a plan in mind for us.
        1. No one creates anything without some purpose in mind for it.
            a. Art is made as self expression.
            b. Bridges are made for crossing rivers.
            c. Food is made in order to eat!
        2. Likewise, people are made with a plan in mind.
            a. Our confession tells us that humanity has two main purposes.
            b. We are made to glorify God and enjoy Him forever!

     In doesn’t take a genius to recognize that Creation has strayed from its original intention.  That, however, doesn’t change our essential reality.  At our core, we are still good.  And moment by moment, we can still fulfill the pan God has for us.  All we need to do is recognize who we really are and surrender to the Creator.  Because, just as God had the power to Create us, so God has the power to re-create us!

And as you go from this place, may you walk in the way of Christ Jesus and May God always find you faithful!