Genesis 1:1
The Bible reveals God's character, nature, and plan of salvation, which is to bring man into a loving relationship with Him through the exercise of free choice.
Chuck Smith emphasizes that the Bible serves as God's revelation to humanity, designed to foster a loving relationship with Him. He explains that while nature reveals God's existence and wisdom, it falls short of conveying His love and the means to experience it. The sermon outlines God's role as the original cause of all creation, the establishment of His kingdom, and the subsequent rebellion that led to the fall of man. Smith highlights that despite humanity's disobedience, God has provided a path for redemption through free choice. Ultimately, he assures that a time will come when God's government will reign supreme once more.
Text
"IN THE BEGINNING GOD"
I. THE BIBLE IS GOD'S REVELATION OF HIMSELF TO MAN.
A. The purpose of the revelation is to bring man into a loving relationship with God.
B. The necessity of the revelation.
1. The revelation of nature not complete.
a. It teaches me that God exists.
1. That He is awesome.
2. That He is wise.
b. What nature does not teach me.
1. That God loves me.
2. How to experience that love.
2. To give us a unified knowledge of God.
a. Each man could interpret nature his own way.
1. One man watching a bee creating honey and eating the honey
may say "God is resourceful and wise creating sweetness."
2. Another man stung by the bee may say "God is mean creating
pain.
3. And thus would begin man's theological arguments.
3. To bring man salvation.
a. "For whosoever shall call upon...."
II. WHAT THE BIBLE REVEALS ABOUT GOD.
A. That He is the original cause behind all that exists "In the beginning."
1. All created beings were made by Him.
a. The material world of man.
b. The unseen world of angels.
B. That originally there was just one government in the universe, the government of
God light and life.
1. The whole universe in harmony with His order.
2. A kingdom of righteousness, peace and joy.
C. There came a rebellion within God's kingdom.
Ezk. 28 1. One of God's highest created beings lifted by pride and ambition Isa. 14 established
his own authority.
2. A second government was formed within the universe - death darkness.
D. At one point in the eons of time God created a material universe, the heavens and
the earth.
1. No matter is being created now.
2. That there is a gradual decay in all matter ereamacasus.
E. That God created man in His image and placed Him on this earth.
1. God's chief emotional attribute, love.
2. God's chief moral attribute, righteousness.
3. God's governmental characteristic, self-determination.
F. Man was created in harmony with God. In government of light and life, fellowship
with God.
G. That Satan deceived man into rebellion against God's Word.
1. Man by disobedience transferred himself from government of God to government
of Satan.
2. This was done by exercise of free choice.
H. God has made a way back for men.
1. Man had no way back by himself.
2. Man must exercise the same power of free choice.
I. Some day one government again in universe.
Sermon Outline
- Future Government of the Universe
- What the Bible Reveals About God
- God as the Original Cause
- God's Original Government
- Nature's Revelation is Incomplete
- God's Existence
- God's Love and Experience
- Unified Knowledge of God
- Interpreting Nature
- Salvation Through Revelation
- Rebellion Within God's Kingdom
- Creation of the Material Universe
- God Created Man in His Image
- Man's Harmony with God
- Satan's Deception and Man's Rebellion
- God's Way Back for Men
Key Quotes
“IN THE BEGINNING GOD” — Chuck Smith
“The purpose of the revelation is to bring man into a loving relationship with God.” — Chuck Smith
“God created man in His image and placed Him on this earth.” — Chuck Smith
Application Points
- We must exercise the power of free choice to choose God's Word and plan of salvation.
- God's revelation of Himself to man is necessary for us to experience His love and salvation.
- We must understand God's character, nature, and plan of salvation to live in harmony with Him.