Refton Brethren in Christ Church
Jan 5, 2020 Worship Service
In The Beginning Part 1: Who is God? Pastor Scott MacFeat Jr
Locations & Times
Refton Brethren In Christ Church
110 Church St, Refton, PA 17568, United States
Sunday 10:30 AM
Reading the Bible is a cross-cultural exercise
"The Bible isn’t designed to answer our questions. Rather, it’s designed to get us thinking about the questions the authors want us to think about." - Dr. Tim Mackie
When you approach the Bible, ask yourself: What are the core messages or questions that come out of what I’m reading?
In the beginning = "way back when"
created = to make something from nothing
heavens and earth = sky and land
Loose (but accurate) translation: "Way back when, God made what’s up there and what’s down here.”
created = to make something from nothing
heavens and earth = sky and land
Loose (but accurate) translation: "Way back when, God made what’s up there and what’s down here.”
formless and empty = tohu vabohu (chaotic, unlivable, desert wasteland)
Just for fun, let's compare Jeremiah 4:23 to Genesis 1...
I looked = God saw that what He created was good (7x)
Earth (the land) = part of what God created
Formless and empty = tohu vabohu, wild and unlivable wasteland
Heavens (sky) = their light was gone .. the light that was good in Genesis 1
The mountains = The Garden of Eden is on a mountain (Ezekiel 28:13-14)
No people = Day 6 of Creation
Birds in the sky = Day 5 of Creation
Fruitful land = Day 3 of Creation
I looked = God saw that what He created was good (7x)
Earth (the land) = part of what God created
Formless and empty = tohu vabohu, wild and unlivable wasteland
Heavens (sky) = their light was gone .. the light that was good in Genesis 1
The mountains = The Garden of Eden is on a mountain (Ezekiel 28:13-14)
No people = Day 6 of Creation
Birds in the sky = Day 5 of Creation
Fruitful land = Day 3 of Creation
Loose (but accurate) translation:
Genesis 1:2a - "Now the land was like a desert wasteland; chaotic and unlivable."
Genesis 1:2b - "Darkness was over the surface of the waters, but the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters.” (NET Bible)
Genesis 1:2a - "Now the land was like a desert wasteland; chaotic and unlivable."
Genesis 1:2b - "Darkness was over the surface of the waters, but the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters.” (NET Bible)
Who is this God?
He is the God who brings order to chaos and light to the darkness!
He is the God who brings order to chaos and light to the darkness!
But we still don't know exactly who God is yet. That comes in Genesis 2:4...
elohim = "God" or "gods"
It is a term that means spiritual being
Yahweh = LORD - It's God's Name!
Compare with John 1:1-5
It is a term that means spiritual being
Yahweh = LORD - It's God's Name!
Compare with John 1:1-5
His claim that He is the Alpha and the Omega would have triggered a mental hyperlink back to Genesis 1 for his listeners! He was saying that He is the fullness, or completeness of God! He is the Creator mentioned in verse 1 of the bible!
If we want to know who God is, we just need to look to Jesus
This is a message that the world absolutely needs to know!
This is a message that the world absolutely needs to know!
Let’s make 2020 the year of growth for the body of Christ—the Church!
Recommended Resources:
1. The Bible Project Podcast, Oct 21, 2019. “The Significance of 7” - 7th Day of Rest, Episode 2.
2. Brief Insights on Mastering Bible Study, by Dr. Michael S. Heiser
3. Mere Christianity, by C.S. Lewis
1. The Bible Project Podcast, Oct 21, 2019. “The Significance of 7” - 7th Day of Rest, Episode 2.
2. Brief Insights on Mastering Bible Study, by Dr. Michael S. Heiser
3. Mere Christianity, by C.S. Lewis