Sunday 23rd June 2019

Sunday 23rd June 2019

I really liked the video Creators Club did. It’s a great story that reminds us that God created the world and everything in it. I don’t knowhow exactly God did it, or how long it took to complete  - time is one of those difficult things to work out in the bible because some numbers simply mean a long time and are not to be taken literally. The point of these stories in Genesis is that God created everything – and when he saw it with people to work it he thought it was very good.

I really like the song as well – Genesis chapter 1 is sectioned by the phrase, “And God said…” and I like thelines, “And as you speak a hundred billion galaxies are born”; “and as you speak a hundred billion creatures catch your breath”

Human beings were made to be with God and to be like God – not actually god as sometimes we would like to think, just like hike him. We have the capacity to think, invent, create, and love.

It’s a great start but very quickly it all goes wrong. Imagine being in a place that is perfect. There is no sickness, no greed, no envy, nothing wrong at all. There are only two instructions and both relate to trees and their fruit. They are not to be touched – but that’s exactly what people do. That disobedience meant that human beings couldn’t live with God because there was a barrier between us and there was a new beginning for people – this time though God’s presence was not so obvious. The bible callsthat disobedience sin. Sin is not a list of things that people have decided are wrong. Sin is not acknowledging God and giving him his place in our lives. It is that ongoing disobedience of our forebears. One consequence of all of that is death – before their disobedience there was no death.

The story then becomes about relationships. How does God work in those relationships? How can we strengthen our relationships with Him and with others?

The Book of Genesis shows his relationship with Adam, how he gave him life and dominion and a wife. It shows how relationships are formed, how families form and grow, and how the relationship can thrive in harmony with God and be destroyed when we disobey and turn from God. Our relationship with God should turn on who He is and what he wants from us, what purpose we were made for, and how we can rely on him.

The story continues today. As you read through the bible you find God making promises to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob that through their family the whole earth could be made right with God. A descendant was promised who would make everything right again. God chose  Abraham and his descendants, and he helped them and guided them, even when they got it wrong. Eventually God restored something of the relationship he had promised when he had Moses set up a tent where he would come and talk with Moses in the presence of the people. That tent became a huge temple in the city of Jerusalem and God’s presence there was obvious. But, yet again, the people chose to ignore God and they began to worship idols. Relationships are a two way thing but God always wants to restore his relationship with humanity, even when we ignore him and choose instead to go our own way. 

Prodigal son – near end of story

The bible tells us of great and mighty people of God. People like Abraham and Sarah, like Moses and Joseph. Samson, David, Esther, Peter and Paul. This book shows their triumphs of faith, their walk of faith, their humanness, and their failings. Yet we see in the bible, that God is with them on their journey, directing events so that his plans and purposes for them are achieved, bringing good even through the worst of situations

Starting in the book of Genesis we find pointers to God's plan to make things right. As he reveals himself to people there is the promise of restoration, forgiveness and renewal of relationship with him. Eventually we read stories of Jesus – his birth in poverty, the family having to flee as refugees, his amazing teaching and miracles and his claims to be God in human form. His promise of forgiveness and wholeness for those who believe in him and accept his teaching. We read of his death and resurrection and that in these events God dealt with sin and death, making it possible for us to have a relationship with God. Romans 5:1-2By faith we have been made acceptable to God. And now, because of our Lord Jesus Christ, we live at peace with God. Christ has also introduced us to God’s undeserved kindness on which we take our stand. So we are happy, as we look forward to sharing in the glory of God.

From start to finish the bible is the story of God’s love for people and his desire to restore that original relationship. Colossians 1:21-23You used to be far from God. Your thoughts made you his enemies, and you did evil things. 22 But his Son became a human and died. So God made peace with you, and now he lets you stand in his presence as people who are holy and faultless and innocent. 23 But you must stay deeply rooted and firm in your faith. You must not give up the hope you received when you heard the good news.

Through faith in Jesus that is possible but it requires a response from us. We must decide whether we believe or not. Not believing leaves us in the mess we’re in with no hope for the future. Believing in Jesus changes everything: it brings forgiveness and restoration, hope, joy, peace, unmerited love and new life.

All of that should provoke a response from our hearts – creation responds to God and so should we!

If the stars were made to worship so will I
If the mountains bow in reverence so will I
If the oceans roar Your greatness so will I
For if everything exists to lift You high so will I
If the wind goes where You send it so will I
If the rocks cry out in silence so will I
If the sum of all our praises still falls shy
Then we'll sing again a hundred billion times

God of salvation
You chased down my heart
Through all of my failure and pride
On a hill You created
The light of the world
Abandoned in darkness to die

And as You speak
A hundred billion failures disappear
Where You lost Your life so I could find it here
If You left the grave behind You so will I
I can see Your heart in everything You've done
Every part designed in a work of art called love
If You gladly chose surrender so will I







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