Genesis
Genesis is the foundational book in the whole of the canon. Without at least a cursory understanding of Genesis nothing in the Bible or the biblical worldview is coherent. In Genesis, God created humanity out of the dust in his own image to be like him and to represent him. We see the framework that holds the entire Bible together: covenants. God cuts covenant with his people and the whole rest of the Bible is about his people’s faithlessness and his faithfulness. Finally, Genesis provides the origin of the messianic hope that runs through the storyline of Scripture and finds ultimate fulfillment in Revelation 21-22.
As the book of Genesis comes to a close, we see the book that began with life ending in death. Yet with death comes a hope beyond death that enables us to finish well.
Resources:
Word Biblical Commentary Vol. 2, Genesis 16-50, Gordon Wenham
Genesis: Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries, Derek Kidner
The Complete Spurgeon Sermons on Genesis, Charles Spurgeon
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As we come near the close of Genesis, our eyes are drawn to the future, where God’s kingdom will come under the reign of His chosen King.
Resources:
Word Biblical Commentary Vol. 2, Genesis 16-50, Gordon Wenham
Genesis: Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries, Derek Kidner
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As we near the close of Genesis, Jacob blesses his family and we see his trust in God’s promised blessing and find hope for ourselves.
Resources:
Word Biblical Commentary Vol. 2, Genesis 16-50, Gordon Wenham
Genesis: Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries, Derek Kidner
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Jacob is now getting ready to head to Egypt, but is afraid to leave the promised land. God assures him and us that He is with us and will use us wherever He sends us to bless the nations through us.
Resources:
Word Biblical Commentary Vol. 2, Genesis 16-50, Gordon Wenham
Genesis: Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries, Derek Kidner
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Embrace God’s Plan
Resources:
Tim Shutes
Genesis 46-47
https://www.esv.org/Genesis+46/
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God is with us to redeem our past for his purposes, therefore we are free to repent of our sins and free to forgive those who have sinned against us.
Resources:
Genesis 42-45
WBC, Genesis, by Gordon Wenham
Preach the Word, Genesis, by Kent Hughes
Forgiveness: What it is and isn’t (article at acts29.com) by Sam Storms
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After much brokenness and trauma in Joseph’s life, in these chapters we read of the incredible story of reconciliation between Joseph and his brothers, one that calls all of us to be reconciled to one another.
Resources:
Word Biblical Commentary Vol. 2, Genesis 16-50, Gordon Wenham
Genesis: Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries, Derek Kidner
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The secret to remaining steadfast under trials is knowing the God who is with you to exalt you through trials.
Resources:
Genesis 39-41
Word Biblical Commentary, Genesis 16-50, Gordon Wenham
Preach the Word (Genesis) by Kent Hughes
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God has told Joseph that one day he will be exalted, but in order for his exaltation (and ours) to serve the glory of God and others rather than self, he (and we) must be humbled first.
Resources:
Word Biblical Commentary Vol. 2, Genesis 16-50, Gordon Wenham
Genesis: Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries, Derek Kidner
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A look at the ways God’s redemptive plan is shown in Genesis 37-38
Resources:
Genesis 37-38
Reformation Study Bible
Preach the Word (Genesis) by Kent Hughes
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God will stop at nothing to redeem you
Resources:
Genesis 37-38
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Jacob and his family members are sinners and sufferers who receive amazing grace from God, reminding all of us to never be grace graduates.
Resources:
Genesis 34-36
Word Biblical Commentary (Genesis) by Gordon Wenham
Preach the Word (Genesis) by Kent Hughes
Sexual Assault: Healing Steps for Victims by David Powlison
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Though Jacob was on his way home, he stopped along the way. Our reality is we aren’t at our final home, and therefore we experience the ruinous effects of sin in heinous ways. But, there is hope.
Resources:
Word Biblical Commentary Vol. 2, Genesis 16-50, Gordon Wenham
Genesis: Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries, Derek Kidner
Sexual Assault: Healing Steps for Victims, David Powlison
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In these chapters God calls Jacob to go home, but there is more to it than that. God is calling Jacob to come home to God himself. Like Jacob, followers of Jesus “come home” to God daily by leaving, dealing with God, and dealing with people.
Resources:
Genesis 31-33
Preach the Word (Genesis) Kent Hughes
ESV Study Bible
Counterfeit Gods by Tim keller
Press Through (sermon) by JD Graear
The World, The Flesh, & The Devil (article) by Ligonier Ministries (available online)
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Every human longs to go to their true home, the place they should have been born, but how do you get there? You have to leave the house of idols, deal with God, and deal with others.
Resources:
Word Biblical Commentary Vol. 2, Genesis 16-50, Gordon Wenham
Genesis: Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries, Derek Kidner
Counterfeit Gods, Chapter 7: The End of Counterfeit Gods, Timothy Keller
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Gifts are great as gifts, but can never replace the Giver. Throughout Genesis, God shows Himself to be the Giver of every good gift, but in this passage, we see the chaos that ensues when those gifts are used to replace Him.
Resources:
Word Biblical Commentary Vol. 2, Genesis 16-50, Gordon Wenham
Genesis: Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries, Derek Kidner
Counterfeit Gods, Chapter 2: Love is Not All You Need, Timothy Keller
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God is with us when others mess up our lives and he is disciplining us, revealing our idols, and keeping his promises.
Resources:
Genesis 29-30
Preach the Word (Genesis) by Kent Hughes
ESV Study Bible
Redeeming Money by Paul Tripp
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God is with us in the fatal root of our mess, the bitter consequences of our mess, and God is with us to the very end
Resources:
Genesis 27-28
New American Commentary (Genesis) by Kenneth Mathews
ESV Study Bible
Preach the Word (Genesis) by Kent Hughes
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God is with us when we ruin our lives (and we’ve all ruined our lives). Despite the fact that Jacob unleashes a maelstrom of destruction in his life and the lives of his loved ones, God remains faithful to him and promises His abiding presence with him.
Resources:
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God is with you by sovereign grace, therefore, you don’t have to be afraid, you don’t have to be impressive, and you don’t have to be manipulative.
Resources:
Genesis 25:19-26:35
New American Commentary (Genesis) by Mathews
Preach the Word (Genesis) by Kent Hughes
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With Abraham now dead, God is still with the next generation, though as the story progress we find his favor cannot be bought. It is administered by sovereign grace, a doctrine simultaneously offensive and comforting.
Resources:
Word Biblical Commentary Vol. 2, Genesis 16-50, Gordon Wenham
Genesis: Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries, Derek Kidner
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Trusting God’s providence with your future doesn’t lead to passivity or anxiety, but to obedient responsibility and fervent prayer.
Resources:
Genesis 24-25:18
New American Commentary (Genesis) by Kenneth Mathews
Preach the Word (Genesis) by Kent Hughes
ESV Study Bible (Genesis Notes)
Concise Theology by JI Packer
The Providence of God (article) by John Piper
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As we conclude the section of Genesis focusing on Abraham and read of his death, we see he had a hope for the future beyond even his death that we too share with him.
Resources:
Word Biblical Commentary Vol. 2, Genesis 16-50, Gordon Wenham
Genesis: Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries, Derek Kidner
The Complete Spurgeon Sermons on Genesis, Charles Spurgeon
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In Genesis 22 Abraham learned that he must trust the Lord with his promised son. In Genesis 23, Abraham learns to trust the Lord with his promised land. In this chapter we learn how to live for the eternal land that God promises.
Resources:
Genesis 23
New American Commentary (Genesis), by Kenneth Mathews
Preach the Word (Genesis) by Kent Hughes
ESV Study Bible
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As we inch closer to the end of Abraham’s story, we find the promise is progressively fulfilled, but sin and its effects are not yet eradicated. Yet through trust in God’s promise of land in the future, we can have hope alongside mourning in the present.
Resources:
Word Biblical Commentary Vol. 2, Genesis 16-50, Gordon Wenham
Genesis: Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries, Derek Kidner
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Genesis 22 is the culmination of Abraham’s journey of faith. For decades the Lord has taught Abraham to trust Him. In Genesis 22 the rubber hits the road: will Abraham obey the God he trusts when it costs him everything?
Resources:
Genesis 22
New American Commentary (Genesis) by Kenneth Mathews
ESV Study Bible (Genesis Notes)
Preach the Word (Genesis) by Kent Hughes
Cost of Discipleship Part 3 by Ray Ortlund (immanuelnashville.com)
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Who we’re ultimately loyal to is revealed by how we act, not what we say. God tests us to expose what it really is, so that our hope will be set fully on Him.
Resources:
Word Biblical Commentary Vol. 2, Genesis 16-50, Gordon Wenham
Genesis: Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries, Derek Kidner
Counterfeit Gods, Timothy Keller (Chapter 1)
Note: Due to power outage, the sermon recording does not include the first 10 minutes of the service
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We can take God at His word by celebrating, praying, and remembering His word.
Resources:
Word Biblical Commentary Vol. 2, Genesis 16-50, Gordon Wenham
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In Genesis 21 the Lord fulfills his promise to provide Abraham and Sarah with a son. Throughout the chapter we learn three reasons why joy is found in taking God at his word.
Resources:
Genesis 21:1-34
New American Commentary (Genesis) by Kenneth Mathews
ESV Study Bible, Genesis Notes
Preach the Word (Genesis) by Kent Hughes
Cost of Discipleship Part 3 (Sermon) by Ray Ortlund at Immanuel Nashville
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We’re told frequently to have hope for the future because we can do whatever we put ours minds to, but what happens when you come up against your flaws? Is there a hope beyond you? Here we see Abraham’s flaws reemerging, but the hope of God’s power fulfilling His promise remains.
Resources:
Word Biblical Commentary Vol. 2, Genesis 16-50, Gordon Wenham
Genesis: Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries, Derek Kidner
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What is the Lord Doing When You Hit Rock Bottom?
Resources:
Genesis 20
New American Commentary (Genesis) by Kenneth Mathews
ESV Study Bible, Genesis notes
Preach the Word (Genesis) by Kent Hughes
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We saw last week that God is a God of grace, and this week we read that He is also Judge of all the earth? How can He be both? How can we survive His judgment? The answer is the mediator.
Resources:
Word Biblical Commentary Vol. 2, Genesis 16-50, Gordon Wenham
Genesis: Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries, Derek Kidner
Is God Anti-Gay?, Sam Alberry
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Flee God’s Judgement; Look to God’s Mediator
Resources:
Genesis 18:26 – 19:38
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Faith is powerful, but how do you handle it when faith and the evidence in front of you seem to conflict? Genuine faith can exist alongside genuine doubt, but God is more trustworthy than our doubts.
Resources:
Word Biblical Commentary Vol. 2, Genesis 16-50, Gordon Wenham
Genesis: Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries, Derek Kidner
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Trust God more than your doubts. We can do this because of grace, by acting according to his word, and because God can do the impossible. Learning from Abraham and Sarah how to overcome our doubts and place our hope in the finished work of Jesus.
Resources:
Word Biblical Commentary Vol. 2, Genesis 16-50, Gordon Wenham
Genesis: Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries, Derek Kidner
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Learn to walk with the God you can trust by remembering who God is, remembering who you are, remembering the signs, and remembering to pass it on.
Resources:
Genesis 17:1-14
New American Commentary, Genesis 12-50 by Kenneth Mathews
Preach the Word (Genesis) by Kent Hughes
ESV Study Bible
Alive to God 17 by Ray Ortlund
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You can’t have real joy in life without loving relationship, and you can’t have a loving relationship unless you’re willing to be imposed upon. Here we see God’s incredible love, and the demand it places on us.
Resources:
Word Biblical Commentary Vol. 2, Genesis 16-50, Gordon Wenham
Genesis: Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries, Derek Kidner
Known by God: A Biblical Theology of Personal Identity, Brian Rosner
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As we continue the story of Abram, we meet another barrier to faith in God’s promise of future blessing: Our own efforts and schemes. Once again, God’s promise proves more trustworthy.
Resources:
Word Biblical Commentary Vol. 2, Genesis 16-50, Gordon Wenham
Genesis: Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries, Derek Kidner
Fearfully and Wonderfully Made: Ethics and the Beginning of Human Life, Dr. Megan Best
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Continuing in the life of Abraham, we will see in Genesis 16 why we can trust in the God who sees us.
Resources:
Word Biblical Commentary, Vol. 2: Genesis 16-50, Gordon Wenham
Preach the Word, Genesis, Kent Hughes
ESV Study Bible
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In this sermon we explore three reasons why we should live by faith in God’s promises rather than our worries from Genesis 15.
Resources:
Genesis 15
ESV Study Bible
Preach the Word (Genesis) by Kent Hughes
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Where is the good, blessed life really found? In Genesis 13-14, Abram’s life reveals the paradox that blessing is found in humility over pride, faith over sight, and giving over grabbing.
Resources:
Genesis 13-14
Preach the Word Commentary (Genesis) by Kent Hughes
ESV Study Bible
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Now that God has promised to bless Abram and make him a blessing to all nations, the question is whether Abram, and we, will trust God or ourselves.
Resources:
Word Biblical Commentary, Vol. 1: Genesis 1-15, Gordon Wenham
Genesis: Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries, Derek Kidner
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God promises to bless all the nations of the world by choosing one man named Abraham to father one people that will be a blessing to all people. Through the life of Abraham we learn how to live by faith in Abraham’s true offspring, Jesus Christ.
Resources:
Genesis 12:1-20
New American Commentary (Genesis 12-50) by Kenneth Mathews
Preach the Word Commentary (Genesis) by Kent Hughes
ESV Study Bible (Genesis Notes)
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When we come to Genesis 11:27, humanity has been divided into nations, all of which are in rebellion against God. However, in this passage God launches His plan to bless all those divided peoples through a blessed people, a people we must leave home to become a part of.
Resources:
Word Biblical Commentary, Vol. 1: Genesis 1-15, Gordon Wenham
Genesis: Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries, Derek Kidner
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In the final sermon of Genesis 1-11 we focus on the end for which God created humanity and what it will take to accomplish it.
Resources:
Genesis 10-12:3
Genesis 1-11, New American Commentary, Kenneth Mathews
The Reversal of Babel by Ligonier Minsitries
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God created humanity to fill the earth with His image for His glory, but our desire for self-promotion and self-preservation gets in the way. But by coming down, God ensures His purpose will prevail.
Resources:
Word Biblical Commentary, Vol. 1: Genesis 1-15, Gordon Wenham
Genesis: Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries, Derek Kidner
Every Good Endeavor: Connecting your Work to God’s Work, Timothy Keller
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Genesis began with God making everything and quickly proceeded to sin ruining everything. But God is a God not only of second chances, but much more: God remade everything.
Resources:
Word Biblical Commentary, Vol. 1: Genesis 1-15, Gordon Wenham
Genesis: Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries, Derek Kidner
“Common Grace“, Herman Bavinck
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The God who gives second chances – Genesis 8:20 – 9:29
Resources:
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In a culture with so many problems, is there any way to not only survive, but thrive? In this passage we see the only way it is possible: God preserves the righteous.
Resources:
Word Biblical Commentary, Vol. 1: Genesis 1-15, Gordon Wenham
Genesis: Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries, Derek Kidner
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In Genesis 4:1-6:8 we learn how breakdown in our vertical relationship with the Lord leads to breakdown in our horizontal relationships with one another and the only hope that really matters.
Resources:
Genesis 4:1-6:8
New American Commentary, Genesis 1-11, Kenneth Mathews
A Tale of Two Cities by Tim Keller
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Humans create culture; it’s part of what it means to be human. The issue is what kind of culture? When God’s rule is rejected, sin rules. It ruins culture by creating a culture of death.
Resources:
Word Biblical Commentary, Vol. 1: Genesis 1-15, Gordon Wenham
Genesis: Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries, Derek Kidner
“What is Christian Cultural Engagement?”, essay by Timothy Keller
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Everything flourished under God’s loving rule, but the world as we know it today doesn’t seem like that. What happened? What’s wrong with the world? In this sermon, we look at the Bible’s basic answer.
Resources:
Word Biblical Commentary, Vol. 1: Genesis 1-15, Gordon Wenham
Genesis: Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries, Derek Kidner
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Sin ruins everything: Grace changes everything
Resources:
Genesis 3:7-24
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The Tempter’s core temptation is the terrible lie: God cannot be trusted. If you obey God, you will not be happy. We’ll look at the true Adam who can be trusted, where the first Adam failed.
Resources:
Genesis 3:1-6
The Screwtape Letters, C.S. Lewis
Word Biblical Commentary, Vol. 1: Genesis 1-15, Gordon Wenham
Genesis: Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries, Derek Kidner
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As the creation account rolls on, we learn in this passage that we were created not only for a task, but for relationship. The first and most basic human relationship is marriage, though even if it points to a great relationship.
Resources:
The Meaning of Marriage, Timothy and Kathy Keller
Word Biblical Commentary, Vol. 1: Genesis 1-15, Gordon Wenham
Genesis: Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries, Derek Kidner
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God made humanity in his image to glorify him. But how do we glorify God? That’s the question we tackle together in Genesis 2:4-17.
Resources:
Genesis 2:4-17
New American Commentary, Genesis 1-11, Kenneth Mathews
Word Biblical Commentary, Genesis 1-15, Gordon Wenham
From Eden to New Jerusalem by T. Desmond Alexander
The Temple & The Church’s Mission by G.K. Beale
Various sermons on God’s glory by John Piper
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We are made in the image of God and commanded to fill the entire earth with God’s image for God’s glory. But where do we start? In Genesis 2, we zoom in on the creation of the first man in his first home.
Resources:
Word Biblical Commentary, Vol. 1: Genesis 1-15, Gordon Wenham
Genesis: Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries, Derek Kidner
Created and Creating: A Biblical Theology of Culture, William Edgar
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God made all of humanity in his image as his royal representatives. In this sermon we explore three implications that flow from this identity: Humanity has unified dignity, Humanity has designed diversity, and be who you really are.
Resources:
Genesis 1:27
New American Commentary, Genesis 1-11, Kenneth Mathews
God & the Transgender Debate by Andrew Walker
Making Sense of God by Tim keller
The Temple & The Church’s Mission by GK Beale
Marriage & the Mystery of the Gospel by Ray Ortlund Jr.
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As the origin story of Genesis rolls on, we zero in on another big question Genesis answers: Who are we? Identity involves a sense of self and a sense of worth, and we’ll see where both can really be found.
Resources:
Making Sense of God (Chapters 6, 7, and 10), Timothy Keller
God and the Transgender Debate, Andrew Walker
Word Biblical Commentary, Vol. 1: Genesis 1-15, Gordon Wenham
Genesis: Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries, Derek Kidner
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At the pinnacle of His work, the unrivaled creator makes humanity in his image to live as his royal representatives in all the earth.
Resources:
Genesis 1:26-2:3
The Temple and the Church’s Mission by GK Beale
New American Commentary, Genesis 1-11, Kenneth Mathews
Creation & Blessing by Hugh Ross
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/what-is-the-relationship-between-the-cultural-mandate-and-the-great-commission/ (video)
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As we continue to look at the creation account of Genesis 1, we arrive at a unique part of it: The creation of humans in the image of God. Why did God make us? What’s our purpose? That’s what we’ll see.
Resources:
Created and Creating: A Biblical Theology of Culture, William Edgar
Word Biblical Commentary, Vol. 1: Genesis 1-15, Gordon Wenham
Genesis: Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries, Derek Kidner
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Since God ordered the universe by his sovereign word, we should order our lives by his written word under his sovereign care.
Resources:
Genesis 1:1-25
New American Commentary, Genesis 1-11 by Kenneth Mathews
A Commentary on the Psalms by Allen P. Ross
Redeeming Science by Tim Keller
Painting illustration borrowed from Mike Anderson
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After God creates everything, He forms and fills it by His Word so as to make the creation suitable for every need of humanity. As a result, we should praise Him, trust His Word, and obey His Word.
Resources:
Word Biblical Commentary, Vol. 1: Genesis 1-15, Gordon Wenham
Genesis: Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries, Derek Kidner
“Correlations with Providence in Genesis 1,” Vern Poythress
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In this sermon we explore what happened at the beginning of everything so that we can understand who God is, why we’re here and where everything is going.
Resources:
Genesis 1:1-2
Genesis 1-11:26, New American Commentary by Kenneth A. Mathews
ESV Study Bible
Counterfeit Gods by Tim Keller
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We are all born into the middle of a story, but you can’t understand a story without understanding its beginning. In this sermon we go to the very beginning of the story of everything, where we learn that the God of the Bible created everything.
Resources:
Word Biblical Commentary, Vol. 1: Genesis 1-15, Gordon Wenham
Genesis: Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries, Derek Kidner
The Confessions, Augustine
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