-- { Genesis 1:1(2-2:4a) } ¹ In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth,

² the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. ³ Then God said, ‘Let there be light’; and there was light. ⁴ And God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness.

  -- NRSV

Dear Friend, grace and peace be unto you from God our Father, and our Lord and Savior, Jesus, the Christ.  Amen.

Profound, impressive, stunning, astonishing aren’t they, the opening words of Scripture?  “In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth.”   Why?  Because the basic questions of creation are wrapped up in this statement.

The Bible declares that God is behind everything.  The universe is not eternal nor did it just happen.  The universe did not just come into being by chance.  Something did not come out of something.  Nothing did not produce something.  There is a Creator – a Supreme Being, Intelligence and Force – Who has created the universe and given it purpose.

Verse one of Genesis deals with three questions:  

First, when was the universe created?  “In the beginning.”  When did all of this we are experiencing first begin?  When was the matter formed and the energy first activated?  When were the heavens and earth created?  The Bible tells us in a very simple way.  It was “in the beginning” (bereshith). 

The universe has not always existed.  God has, but not the universe.  There was a point when God established time and everything we know started.  So we must know two facts.

1. The universe had a beginning.  The writer to the Hebrews says in Hebrews 1:10, “In the beginning, O Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands.”

2. Nothing is said about how long ago the universe was created.  Actually some Bible scholars have recorded the creation as having taken place in 4004 B.C.  You see God created a mature creation not one that had to evolve.  You have heard the question, “Which came first, the chicken or the egg?”  According to the Bible, the chicken.  Also remember, Adam and Eve were created as adults, not babies.  But no date is recorded in the Bible as to when this happened in time. 

“In the beginning” tells us where we have come from and why we are here.  God willed it.  He made it possible.  It also tells us that there was a beginning of this earth and there will be an ending.  For us also.  Therefore we must prepare to meet our Maker.

Second, who created the universe?  “when God created.”  God created the universe.  The Bible is very clear on this. 

1. The Hebrew word for God is Elohim.  It is the general or universal name for God in the Hebrew language.  It means the Almighty God, the God of all might and strength.  It means the Strong and Mighty, the Omnipotent, the One with supreme power and intelligence, the Faithful One.  The word is used about 2570 times in the Bible.  It is also plural, which suggests God is triune – three in One – a Trinity.

2. God was there “in the beginning.”  Elohim, Who is self-existing, was there with all the power it took to make the creation happen.  What He was doing before our beginning and what He will be doing after our ending, we have no idea.  The Bible only shares what we need to know.  Everything else is Top Secret.

3. The fact that God existed before the universe did – disproves and refutes six false beliefs of humankind.

   a.      God’s existence disproves atheism.  Atheism is the belief that there is no God.  The Bible declares unequivocally that the atheist is wrong.  God does exist.  The psalmist is Psalm 14:1 says this, “The fool says in his heart, ’There is no God.’”

   b.      God’s existence disproves pantheism.  Pantheism believes in God, but not a personal God.  Pantheism is the god of “Star Wars.”  It says that God is within everything as the force and energy that gives life and being to all things.  God is nothing more than an impersonal energy.  “The force be with you, Luke.”  The Bible strongly denies this belief that is so prevalent in Hollywood these days.

   c.      God’s existence refutes polytheism.  Polytheism is the belief that there are many gods.  But the Bible is clear that there is only one real God.  Anyone or thing can be made a god, but only One has the power to back it up.  St. Paul says in Ephesians 4:6, “…one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”

   d.      God’s existence disproves materialism.  Materialism is the belief that the universe is all there is – the world and all its things.  Materialism says there is no God, only matter and energy that creates the world.  Nothing is important except the here and now.  The Bible says, NO!  God says that there is more to this life than just the world and its things.

   e.      God’s existence disproves humanism.  Humanism is the belief that humankind is the ultimate being in the universe.  There is no God.  Human beings make their own authority and destiny.  Humanism is the philosophy of the “New Age Movement.”  Everyone is their own god.  The Bible says humanism is wrong.  There is a God and He is actively watching over and involved with His creation.

   f.        God’s existence disproves secularism.  Secularism is similar to humanism.  It is the belief that this world and the things of this world are all there is.  Human beings are not answerable to a supreme God.  The focus is on this life, and this life alone.  This is all there is.  When its over, its over.  This philosophy is “eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die.”  The Bible says, NO!  God has created humankind to live for Him.

Third, what was created?  “the heavens and the earth.”  God did this!  When science uses its massive telescopes to scan the universe some pretty amazing facts are discovered.

The Bible’s claim is that all of this has one source, God.  Paul says in Colossians 1:16-17, “For by him (Jesus) all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.  He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.”

We note some important facts.

1. God was there when the heavens and the earth were created.  But we must remember He is still here with us.  He has not left us on our own, like the movie years ago called “Oh, God,” would imply. 

2. God created the universe out of nothing (ex nihilo).

3. There is purpose in God’s creation.  The universe did not just happen out of nothing.  God was there.  He thought up the universe and created it from His imagination. 

4. The heavens and earth reveal some things about God.  It is what scholars call natural revelation.  This means that when we simply look at the heavens and earth, they shout out to us that there is a Creator God.  They also tell us a lot about Him.  Every person has a witness from creation that there is a God. 

There is no excuse for not believing in God.  St. Paul says in Romans 1:20, “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities – his eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.”

So what is the life application for us today from this text?

1. Remember that God did it all.  There was a beginning to the universe.  He created the universe in all its majesty and beauty.

2. Remember to praise and thank God for all His works within the universe that enable us to survive even for a moment.

3. Remember to pray that God will help us to fulfill our purpose as His creatures, to worship and serve Him faithfully, day by day.

4. Remember that our Creator has not abandoned us to this universe and planet but sent His only Son, Jesus, to identify with us, save us, and help us live our lives to God’s glory.

5. Remember to live with meaning and joy.  Your Creator is always watching over you.  Never fear.  God is here.

  Amen.