In the Beginning...Four Foundational Truths (Gen 1:1)

Occoquan Bible Church | Sermons

Genesis 1:1 is arguably the most important verse in the Bible. As we saw earlier this summer in our series on ontology, The Business of Is-ness, how one reads this verse will largely determine how you understand the rest of the Bible, the rest of history, and the rest of creation—even the rest you are looking for in creation.

Indeed, if what you think about God is the most important thing about you (A.W. Tozer), then what you think about God’s creation stands at the top of your thoughts about God. And until December, we are going to plant ourselves in Genesis 1–3 to better understand God’s creation and the covenant he made with Adam in the beginning.

In fact, because there are so many questions about history, science, Scripture, salvation, and the sovereignty of God wrapped up in our reading of Genesis 1–3, we are going to spend one sermon looking at each day in the creation week in Genesis 1:1–2:3. We will take ample time looking at the covenant that God makes with humanity in Genesis 2:4–25. And we will then see how the introduction of sin into the world changed everything (Gen. 3:1–24).

Still, before entering into the history of God’s creation and covenant, we need to answer some questions about Genesis 1–3. Are these chapters history? Or are they myth? Do they have anything to say to the age of the earth? Or does that not matter? What about origins of humanity, society, and salvation? Do we learn anything about Christ in these chapters? And while we are at it, what did Jesus and the Apostles think about Genesis 1–3?

These are just some of the questions we need to answer and this Sunday, as we take our first step into Genesis, we will run some diagnostic tests from the rest of Scripture to consider this question: What is Genesis 1? And how should we read it? Read more on OBC’s blog.

Indeed, pray that God would reveal himself to us and give us a clear understanding of himself through his Word. Even more, may God help us to see what he did in creation, when he spoke the world into existence. Truly, there is no good news about God’s new creation in Christ (2 Cor. 4:6; 5:17), unless we rightly understand what he has said about his first creation (Gen. 1:1–2:3).

So that is our aim—to rightly understand Genesis 1:1–2:3, so that we can better know, love, and worship our Creator. May God help us and may the Spirit that brought the world into being, form us into the image of Christ.

As the Lord allows, I look forward to seeing you Sunday and bringing you a message from Genesis 1.

For His Glory and your joy,

Pastor David

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Discussion & Response Questions: Genesis 1

Why is Genesis 1:1 (one of) the most important verses in the Bible?

In Genesis 1:1, there are at least four truths to consider. What are they and why do they matter?

How do you weigh these four truths? How do they relate to your understanding of God’s Word and God’s world?

How do you understand the age of the earth? How does that make a difference in your life?

How should we read Genesis 1? What is problematic, if we read it as myth? As non-literal? As symbolic?

How does a literal reading of the text best explain what we find in Genesis 1? What impact does approach have on the rest of the Bible?

How do Jesus and the Apostles read Genesis 1? Why does that matter?

When did Christians begin to argue for an old earth? What does the novelty of that approach tell you about its validity?

How does Genesis 1:1 inform the rest of the Bible? The authority and clarity of the Bible? And the storyline of the Bible which leads to Christ?

What questions remain for you about how to approach Genesis 1?