Sermon Notes and Slides | Northpoint Church

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SERMON NOTES

In the Beginning, God Created
Genesis 1:1-25
Dr. Tony Chute, Lead Pastor

Overview: The book of Genesis is a battleground for critics and defenders of the Bible in areas such as creation vs. evolution, human dignity vs. human depravity, global vs. local flood, and history vs. mythology. Such debates are modern concerns that, while still important, often overshadow the concerns of the original audience, namely those who were delivered from slavery in Egypt to live under God’s rule and reign in the Promised Land. The opening words of Genesis provided convincing assurance that the God who delivered them is the only God there is, that He is in control of all things, and that He is good. These magnificent truths are as important today as they were back then since we too live in a fallen world where Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

01. God is the only God there is; therefore, we should worship Him and Him alone.

02. God is the only God there is; therefore, we should trust in Him and Him alone.

03. God is the only God there is; therefore, we should follow Him and Him alone.

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION & DISCOVERY

1. What questions do you have relating to the book of Genesis? What questions were answered for the original audience in Genesis? What might be lost if we begin reading Genesis with our modern questions rather than the original intent of the author (Moses)? What might be lost if we only answer ancient questions rather than addressing our modern questions?

2. Why is it important to affirm the historicity of the entire book of Genesis? How would you defend the historicity of the entire book of Genesis to someone who believes the first eleven chapters are mythological?

3. What doctrines are compromised or lost if one concludes that Adam and Eve were not historical persons? What doctrines are lost or compromised if one concludes that the flood never happened? What is the New Testament view of the historicity of Genesis? See Matthew 19:4-5, Romans 5:12-14, and 1 John 3:12 for further insight.

4. What should we conclude about other religions in light of the fact that there is only one God? What would you say to someone who suggests that all religions lead to the same God or to the same place? How does the Bible refute the view that other gods exist?

5. What comforts do you derive from the fact that there is only one God who is in complete control of all things and is good? How would this equation change if God was not in complete control of all things or if God was not good? What would you say to someone who struggles with the problem of evil such that they conclude God cannot be all-powerful and good at the same time?

For Further Reading: John Piper, Providence (Crossway, 2021)