Text: Genesis 1:1
This is the first in a series of lessons examining some great days in history – not in secular history, but days of spiritual importance. This first lesson goes all the way back to the beginning – to the day of Creation. What happened on this day? What lessons do we need to remember from it?
The Background
- God is eternal (Psalm 90:2; 93:2) – existed before the creation (John 17:5, 24); had no beginning, He simply exists (Exodus 3:14)
- God’s plan – He determined to have a people for Himself (Ephesians 1:4); He knew that this would require Jesus to have to die on the cross (Revelation 13:8); created us with this in mind
- Keep in mind – the “day” of Creation includes the entire Creation week (Genesis 2:4); so we are not just looking at “Day 1” of creation, but all that God did
The Events of That Day
- God spoke the universe into existence (Genesis 1:1-3; Psalm 33:6-9) – Jesus is the Word (John 1:1, 14); He is credited with Creation (John 1:3; Colossians 1:16)
- God created the world in an orderly manner (Genesis 1) – not only did He make something different on each day, there was a pattern to the six days (light, sea and sky, land and vegetation; then lights, sea life and birds, land animals and man)
- God finished His creation (Genesis 2:1-3) – His work of creation is not ongoing; it was “very good” (Genesis 1:31) and did not need to be redone
Key Lessons
- God’s power – the creation serves as a witness to God (Psalm 19:1; Romans 1:20); none of it was done by accident
- God’s providence – the fact that His work in creation could be finished highlights His providence; holds all things together (Colossians 1:17); in this perfect creation, His providence is ongoing (Psalm 119:90-91; Genesis 8:22; 2 Peter 3:4)
- God’s image – man was made in God’s image (Genesis 1:26-27); refers to man’s spiritual nature (Ecclesiastes 3:19-21; 12:7); this makes man unique, not just a highly evolved animal (Psalm 8:4-8)
