Genesis Introduction - Pastor Dan Cravillion

Genesis Introduction 

2015-01-04

Ps 102:25-28

Of old you laid the foundation of the earth,

and the heavens are the work of your hands.

They will perish, but you will remain;

they will all wear out like a garment.

You will change them like a robe,

and they will pass away,

but you are the same, and your years have no end.

The children of your servants shall dwell secure;

 their offspring shall be established before you.

Many times adopted children search for their biological parents even though the adoptive parents are loving. 

·      Genesis fulfills mankind’s natural desire to know his origin.

o   This is partially why Genesis is the 1st book read in Bible by many seekers. 

§  Also believe that the Bible, like every book, starts at the  beginning.

Genesis (Greek) means origin, source, generation, or beginning.

·      The original Hebrew title was Bereshith (bear a sheet)…”In the beginning”

Genesis tells us the beginning of almost everything except God: 

·      It tells about the universe, life/death, man, 7-day week, marriage, family, civilization, nations, government, farming, languages, etc.

o   It also reveals the origin of: sin, judgment, blood sacrifices, salvation

Genesis doesn’t directly name its author but it is universally believed that Moses is author of the Pentateuch (1^st 5 books of Bible). Mk 12:26; Lk 24:27, 44, 2 Cor 3:15

·      Genesis spans at least 2400 yrs...more than other 65 books combined.

o   Creation (?) to Israelites arrival in Egypt & grew from there (1800 B.C.).

§  Date: sometime after Exodus during the 15^th century B.C.

§  Original Audience: Freed Jews but all can benefit from it

·      Genesis is quoted over 200 times in the New Testament.

Structurally Genesis has 2 main sections:

·      Chap 1-11….spans at least 2000 yrs, 1500 miles, and primarily covers events.

o   Creation, Fall of man, Flood, Tower of Babel

§  Without Genesis 3 the entire Bible is incomprehensible.

·      Chap 12-50…spans around 300 yrs…the focus is on people & their relationship with

God

o   Adam, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph

Genesis takes us back to the dawn of history, yet its insights are fresh & timely.

·      It answers the big questions people still wrestle with today:

o   Who or what set the universes in motion & why? 

o   Where did we come from & why we are here?

But Genesis is not only a history book but a book with a profound message.

·      It is not a record of man’s struggle to survive but a proclamation of God’s sovereignty over human history….past & present.

o   That includes your life

This thread runs thru all 50 chap. of Genesis: human inadequacy, failure & sin are met by God’s intervention, sufficiency & redemption.

·      Ultimately revealed in New Testament in the person & work of Jesus the Christ.

Jesus is the focal point of everything in Scripture & life.  Ps 102:25-27, Heb 13:8, Col 1:16-17, Rev 21:6-7 & 22:13

·      In Genesis, Christ is seen in people & events that serve as types.   

o   A "type" is a historical fact that illustrates a spiritual truth.  

·      My goal for this series is for each of us to know God in a more trusting, intimate way as we see Christ in Genesis.

o   He is Alpha & Omega, beginning and the end of history/universe & every life.