Bible Survey - Genesis
The book of Genesis reveals God's creation, humanity's fall, and the promise of redemption through the Messiah, setting the stage for the rest of the Bible.
Peter Hammond preaches on the book of Genesis, highlighting the three main themes of Generation - Creation, Degeneration - Fall - Judgement, and Regeneration - New Beginnings - Restoration. The sermon delves into the origins of suffering and evil in the world due to man's rebellion against God, and the foundational doctrines laid out in Genesis including God, Man, Sin, Judgement, Redemption, and Covenant. It covers over 2,000 years of history, introducing the firsts in human history, the first Messianic prophecy, and the seeds of the Middle-East conflict.
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SUMMARY of GENESIS
Generation - Creation"In the beginning God created the Heavens and the earth." Genesis 1:1
Degeneration - Fall - Judgement"Cursed is the ground for your sake..." Genesis 3:17
Regeneration - New Beginnings - Restoration"So God blessed Noah and his sons, and said to them: 'Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth'." Genesis 9:1
Why is There Suffering and Evil in the World?
God created a good and perfect world. Man's rebellion against the Creator introduced decay, disease, suffering and death into the world.
Who Wrote Genesis?
GENESIS was written by Moses, after the Exodus from Egypt (about 1445BC).
When Did These Things Happen?
Genesis covers over 2,000 years of history - more than all other books of the Bible combined.
Where Are the Main Places in Genesis?
Eden, Ararat, Babel, Ur, Canaan and Egypt. (Present day Iraq, Syria, Jordan, Turkey, Lebanon, Israel and Egypt).
What Does Genesis Cover?
Theological foundations are laid in Genesis concerning every major Christian doctrine, including the doctrines of: God, Man, Sin, Judgement, Redemption and Covenant. Ultimately all Biblical doctrines find their roots in Genesis. God is eternal, Holy and righteous, the Creator and Eternal Judge. God sets Laws for us to obey. Sin separates us from God. Death came through sin. God punishes sin.
A Book of Firsts
The first man - Adam, and woman - Eve,
The first marriage,
The first sin,
The first promise of Redemption,
The first family,
The first murder,
The first worldwide judgement,
The first laws for society,
The origin of nations.
The First Messianic Prophecy - Genesis 3:15
The Protoevangelium - The Gospel in seed form.
Salvation is initiated by and achieved by God: "I will..."
Salvation shall come through a Mediator related to mankind: "The Seed..."
Salvation will involve the suffering of the Redeemer - the enemy "shall bruise His heel..."
Salvation shall destroy satan: "He shall bruise your head."
Seeds of the Mid-East Conflict
The conflicts in the Middle East find their origins in the childless Sarah's foolish attempt to secure a descendent by having her husband Abraham take her servant Hagar for a concubine. The Ishmael born to Hagar was prophesied: "he shall be a wild man; his hand shall be against every man and every man's hand against him..." Genesis 16:12
How Do We See All Nations in God's Purpose?
After the Creation, Corruption, Condemnation and Confusion, the Call of God comes to Abraham to leave his home, country and family and go "to a land that I will show you... and you shall be a blessing... in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed." Genesis 12:1-3
Relationship
God communicates with His creation. He calls us to fellowship, to walk with Him - Adam, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Joseph...
The 5 Patriarchs of Genesis
Noah - who built the Ark. The Ark was a floating Church on the sea of God's wrath.
Abraham - the father of the Faithful who will be a blessing to all the families of the nations.
Isaac - the son of the promise, given by a miraculous birth and an object lesson of God's love and provision.
Jacob - whose twelve sons formed the 12 tribes of Israel - a community of nations who will possess the gates of their enemies.
Joseph - who was betrayed by his brothers into slavery, but whose integrity lifted him from prison to the palace. A dreamer and a doer. As imaginer and an engineer.
6 Types of Christ in Genesis
The Seed of the woman (3:15) who will crush satan's head.
The Door to the Ark (7) - One Door. The Way - the only Way of Salvation.
Isaac's sacrifice (22:1-24). God Himself will provide the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.
Jacob's Ladder that led to Heaven (28:12). The Way, the Truth and the Life - No one comes to the Father except through Him.
Joseph lifted from the pit of death to the throne (37-41), Resurrection and Ascension.
Judah's Sceptre (49:10). All kings will bow down to Him.
The Creation Mandate
"Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth." Genesis 1:28
Sermon Outline
- I. Introduction to Genesis
- A. Creation - God created the heavens and the earth
- B. Degeneration - Fall - Judgement
- C. Regeneration - New Beginnings - Restoration
- II. The Problem of Suffering and Evil
- A. God created a good and perfect world
- B. Man's rebellion introduced decay, disease, suffering, and death
- III. The Author and Timeframe of Genesis
- A. Written by Moses after the Exodus from Egypt
- B. Covers over 2,000 years of history
- IV. Key Places and Events in Genesis
- A. Eden, Ararat, Babel, Ur, Canaan, and Egypt
- B. Theological foundations for Christian doctrine
- V. A Book of Firsts
- A. The first man, woman, marriage, sin, promise of redemption, family, murder, judgement, laws, and nations
- VI. The First Messianic Prophecy
- A. Genesis 3:15 - The Protoevangelium
- B. Salvation initiated and achieved by God
Key Quotes
“God created a good and perfect world.” — Peter Hammond
“Salvation is initiated by and achieved by God: ''I will...''” — Peter Hammond
“He shall bruise your head.” — Peter Hammond
Application Points
- We must recognize that God created a good and perfect world, but humanity's rebellion introduced decay, disease, suffering, and death.
- We can trust in God's promise of redemption and salvation, which is initiated and achieved by Him.
- We are called to obey God's laws and live according to His creation mandate, which includes being fruitful and multiplying, filling the earth, and subduing it.