Last week was our introduction to Genesis. This week we have just a single verse. We have ten words. In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. That is our sermon text.

And it's actually even less words than that in Hebrew I won't get into that but it's less than ten words in Hebrews next week we'll be in verses two through five that will take us through the earth being without form and void and the Spirit of God hovering over the waters. And then we'll get day one. So next week we'll get through day one. Then we'll speed up a lot and get through day two through five at the time after that. So that's our roadmap for the next few weeks.

The title of the message today is The Book About God. It's so good that this book isn't about us. It includes us. There are things about us in this book, but it's not fundamentally about us. And one of the things I appreciate so much about the Word of God, one of the things I need so much from the Bible is a break from this self-absorption that I find so pervasive in my life, so self-absorbed.

And the Bible would snap us out of that and would take us to God. And what we need is not more of ourselves, we need less of ourselves, we need more of God. So the Bible starts with God because the Bible is the book about God, the book from God and the book about God. This tells us what we need to know about Scripture. So it's just ten words, but don't be fooled about the ten words.

Man or they dance, and there are things that we so much need to know here. Scripture is God's self-revelation of mankind. We'd probably be like the other pagans worshipping the sun if it wasn't for this book. It's the self-revelation to mankind. God is revealing himself to mankind and the revelation of truth to mankind.

If we didn't have this book to say, in the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth, we'd probably be thinking something different. Most people are thinking something very different than that. So it's the revelation of truth to mankind and God's self-revelation to mankind. As we come to these ten words, let's pray. God, thank you for these ten words.

We need them. It breaks our addiction to thinking only about ourselves. It re-centers us, re-orients us in such a helpful way. Thank you, God. You please use these 10 words like that today and tomorrow, next week, next month to help us shift our thoughts to you.

All things were made by your son Jesus Christ through your son Jesus Christ and for your son Jesus Christ. And we want to have all of our thoughts oriented that way. Help us. We call on you for help in Jesus name. Amen.

So in the beginning is actually just a single Hebrew word, so we're going to start with that phrase, because it's not a phrase in Hebrew. And then we're just going to keep adding words, and in the end we'll add a phrase. We're just going to really go piece by piece through this. In the beginning, one single Hebrew word which simply and literally means first. What happened first?

We get it here from Moses, from God through Moses. Moses is the author, but God is the real author of all of scripture. A single Hebrew word simply and literally meaning first. So in God's self-revelation to mankind and the revelation of truth to mankind, God takes us all the way to the very point of His creative actions. None of those have happened yet and he's bringing us all the way back to that one point of his creative actions when there was no universe so God takes us back to when there's no earth and no heavens.

In the beginning God The Hebrew word is Elohim. When we see the word God in English in the Old Testament, It is normally this Hebrew word, which if you transliterate it, it's not the same alphabet. So if when you transliterate it into English, it gives us Elohim. When it's that word in Hebrew, Normally it's just simply God is what we see in our Old Testament. It's a Hebrew word used over 2600 times in the Old Testament and over 2300 of those 2600 times it's simply translated God a Rough translation of the meaning might be deity one who is divine transcendent So a being that doesn't have the limitations that we know and experience.

So a being, a deity, one who is divine that is so far beyond us. It transcends all of our limitations. So here we are, like we have to have breakfast we're going to be born we're going to die we have almost innumerable limitations this is a being deity One who is divine who doesn't have any of those limitations transcendent So occasionally this Hebrew word is used of false gods Sometimes it's small G God not capital G God of idols held by some to be gods to be deities or divine but they're not sometimes this word is used but overwhelmingly it is used as the one true God capital G O D the God who is revealing Himself in Scripture. If you look in chapter 2 verse 4, we see that very quickly this name of God, Elohim, is joined to another name, Jehovah, which means the existing one. The self-existing God Who needs no one or no thing he simply exists so we're not Self-existing we need all sorts of things We need a mom and a dad we need food we need the temperature to be right We need sleep Okay, he's self existing.

He doesn't need anything like that. He needs no one. He needs no thing. He simply exists. He is I am that I am.

No one else can say that about themselves. This is what God says of themselves. I am that I am. God, what does that even mean? It means that I'm self-existing.

There's no power plant in the background giving me what I need to exist. I am that I am. This word, Jehovah, the Hebrew transliterated Jehovah, when we see that in our Old Testament it's Lord all caps, capital L, capital O, capital R, capital D, and we find this word over 6500 times in the Old Testament. So when they are joined together in English we see the Lord God, that's what you find in chapter 2 verse 4. Often they are joined together.

Jehovah Elohim, deity, a divine one who is self-existent. So you can see God is starting to reveal himself. God what do you like? I'm transcendent not like a human only bigger faster stronger smarter I transcend all that and and I'm self existent. I don't need anyone.

I don't need anything to exist Jehovah Elohim so Stand in the river of all that there is You woke up in a place and we're in this river of existence things that exist Stand in the river of all that exists and trace it upstream, keep going upstream, go further, go further, go further. What do you find at the source? God. So We experience things, we see things, touch things, smell things, hear things. We're standing in this river of all that exists.

We go up to the very source of it and we find God there. You have there at the source deity, the divine, someone utterly like everything else, someone who needs no one or no thing to exist from eternity past through eternity future. You have the great I am. You have the God of Scripture. So you go all the way upstream of things that exist to the source and you have the God of Scripture.

In the beginning God created. This is a word that in the Old Testament, this Hebrew word, only God is ever the subject of this word. So when you find mankind and scripture doing things whatever they're doing they're never the subject of this Hebrew word. It's only God that is the subject. Only God is doing this.

In the beginning God created. Now you have this God who is revealing himself creating he's revealing himself as the creator God It is the beginning But God's already there You go all the way to the beginning, before the earth, before the heavens, but God's there. This isn't God being created. This is God at the beginning, already there and creating. So in the beginning is not the creation of God, it is God creating.

Listen to Psalm 90 verse 2. Now Psalm 90 is a Psalm of Moses who wrote Genesis. Moses who wrote Psalm 90. Moses. So it's God through the same man revealing this in Psalm 90 verse 2, before the mountains were brought forth or ever you had formed the earth and the world even from everlasting to everlasting you are God.

So no mountains, the earth hasn't been formed, the world doesn't exist, from everlasting God is there. What God is saying through Moses, revealing himself to us, revealing truth to us, is that he has no beginning and no end. There's no place you can go back to. It's like, oh, God wasn't then and then he is. No beginning, no end.

God is from everlasting to everlasting when you go back in time you don't reach an endpoint with it without God. When you go forward in time, so time is time's marching forward, tomorrow's coming, next week is coming, next month is coming, next year is coming, next millennia is coming. When we go forward in time, we won't reach an end point where there is, where God isn't. The heavens and earth have a beginning, but God himself doesn't. The God of scripture didn't grow into Godhood.

Little smarter, little stronger, little smarter, little stronger, little smarter, little stronger, little smarter, little stronger, now able to create the universe. That's not what the Bible teaches. He has always been God existing as He exists today. In the beginning God is already there. He has always been there.

In the beginning he is fully God and fully ready and able to create the universe. Think about that. We go back in time and he can just create the heavens and the earth. He's ready for that in the beginning. Fully ready for that.

He didn't work up to it, we work up to stuff. God doesn't work up to stuff. He was eternally able to do all that and infinitely more. Eternally. You say, that doesn't make any sense to me I don't have any frame of reference for that in my experience I can't understand that I say let me join you in all of that, me neither.

But I would also say If we want a God that we can get to the bottom of, a God that we can fully understand, we are going to need another book. If you want a God that you can get to the bottom of, you have to find another book. This isn't the book. Because this book only gives us a God who is eternal. Only gives us a God who is almighty.

Only gives us a God who is all knowing. Only gives us a God who is present everywhere, every moment. I don't understand any of that. I guess you can dock my pay. Janet says no.

You know, the kind of God who could create all that exists out of nothing. See, we need a God who can create all that exists out of nothing. See, we need a God who can create all that exists out of nothing. You're not going to get to the bottom with that kind of God. In the beginning, God God.

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. This is communicating everything that is, Everything that exists. It would be like saying A to Z. What does that mean? It means the whole alphabet.

The first letter to the last letter, all inclusive of everything in between. Or from sea to shining sea. What does that mean? All of America. Starting at the east coast to the west coast, all inclusive of everything in between.

I didn't plan to sing. That's extra. That's extra pay. As inhabitants of planet earth, there is where we plant our feet and everything else is above our heads. God created all of that.

God created the heavens and the earth. God created everything. Now let's get some New Testament commentary. Turn to John chapter 1. In John chapter 1 we find John, the disciple of Jesus, John the apostle, very self-consciously, completely on purpose, beginning his gospel with the identical words, in the beginning.

Okay, so, friends, this is no happy coincidence. Oh, look, John just started his gospel with the same words. No, no, no. John knows exactly what he's doing when he begins his gospel, the gospel of Jesus Christ with the words, in the beginning. He's pulling forward Genesis 1, 1, the first Hebrew word he's pulling into his gospel in Greek.

Let's read verses 1 through 3. John chapter 1 verses 1 through 3. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without him nothing was made that was made So the same things that are said in Genesis 1 about Elohim In the beginning God he's there in the beginning is said about Jesus in John 1.

In the beginning was, so now we're going past tense. In the beginning, no, back up from there, Jesus is there. In the beginning was the Word, the Word being used for Jesus. If you go through the chapter, it's obvious who's being spoken of as Jesus Christ so scripture when taken as a whole reveals the triunity of God. God existing in Trinity three subsistences or three persons the old theologians were a little nervous about using persons because they were nervous that you would turn that into three people.

Three people who work great together. That's not who God is. That's polytheism. More than one God. Nope, just one God, but existing in three somethings.

And the old theologians didn't know how to talk about it, so they said subsistences, because they knew that would stump you, and you might not turn that into three people, because they don't mean three people, because the Bible doesn't teach three people. Three, one God. Next week in verse 2 we have the Spirit of God hovering over the water. So there we have it. God, the Word, and the Spirit, or as we know from other places, God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit, all there at creation, all active in creation.

I can't say I understand the distinctions fully. In John 1 it is revealed that the one who would save sinners was there in Genesis 1. There's one in the future who will bleed and die for sinners and he's there You go to the beginning you got to back up and Jesus is still there And all things were made through him nothing exists Nothing that exists was made without him. So he wasn't made Nothing that exists was made without Him. So He wasn't made.

Nothing that exists was made without Him. All things were made through Him. He's not a creation. He is God. John makes it impossible to confuse.

In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God. Okay, there's somebody there with God. The Word was God. Not another God. God.

Jesus is not part of creation. He is God. Creator, not created. Verse 14, And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth." God is Spirit, but He's revealing Himself. And so he sends the Word, his Son, Jesus Christ, to take on flesh so that you could see the glory of God in a human, in a God man.

Verse 18, no one has seen God at any time. He's Spirit, no one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him. He has displayed God. He is the image, the fullness of God Come as a man All things were made through Jesus Christ and then he came from heaven took on flesh and clearly revealed God the Father to humanity.

You want to know what God is like, look at Jesus. Now Ephesians 1-4 says that God chose believers in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless. So in Ephesians 1 4 Paul takes us back earlier than in the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth, and he says believers were chosen in Christ, to be joined to Christ, to become in Christ before the foundation of the world. The world is not even made yet, but this is in the mind of God. God is choosing.

I am going to make you and you and you holy and blameless. Hardy knew your name. You couldn't have possibly been named anything else. First Peter 1.20 says that Jesus Christ was foreordained to shed His blood for sinners before the foundation of the world. Foreordained, this is 1 Peter 1 20, Jesus Christ was foreordained to shed His blood for sinners before the foundation of the world.

Should we found the world? Before we do that, let's ordain you to be the Savior of sinners. Before the world is founded, Jesus was ordained to the great work, glorifying work of being the Savior of sinners. You'll shed your blood for sinners. This is happening within the Trinity.

We ordain you. Go save sinners. In Revelation 13, 8, Jesus is called the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. Think about that. Revelation 13, 8, Jesus is called the lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

Think about that. Revelation 13, 8, Jesus is called the lamb slain, killed from the foundation of the world. So the comprehensive knowledge of the rebellion of humanity and the provision for salvation was determined and because it was determined by God it was as good as already accomplished from the creation of the universe. All my sins laid out before Him, and how to reconcile me to God in all his perfection already settled before the creation of the heavens and the earth. It's not astounding.

All your sins were spread out before him, and he knew exactly how to make it all right before the heavens and the earth were made. So there it is. In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. How should this impact our lives? Let's apply it.

Let me give you four. I know, I'm shocked too. We're at 26 minutes. I've got to slow down. Number one listen to Romans 1 18 through 21 just listen Romans 1 18 through 21 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness.

Because what may be known of God is manifest in them for God has shown it to them For since the creation of the world his invisible attributes are clearly seen being understood by the things that are made even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse. Because although they knew God, they did not glorify him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts and their foolish hearts were darkened." What is Paul saying? Paul is saying that the nature and scope of creation makes all of mankind inescapably obligated to glorify this Creator God and be thankful you buy Paul's logic here's Here's Paul's logic again the nature of creation like what it's like and The scope of creation just the vastness that is on display Makes all of mankind everyone who's ever lived inescapably bound to glorify this Creator God and to be thankful. Because of what creation is like and how vast it is, you owe God to glorify Him and to be thankful for this world of wonders they put you in. What we witness in creation is so well ordered, so wonderful, so beautiful, so awe-inspiring, so vast, that it requires a God infinitely worthy of our worship and gratitude.

In other words, you can't have a world that's so well ordered, so wonderful, so beautiful, so awe-inspiring and so vast unless there is an infinitely worthy God of worship and gratitude. There's no way you get this without that. He must have it. We must give it to Him to glorify Him and to live in gratitude. And because we have all withheld both our worship and our gratitude at many and undoubtedly most of the moments of our lives.

Think about the moment of your life. Have you withheld the worship that he deserves you have? Have you withheld the gratitude that he's worthy of you have? Because of that we are desperately guilty and desperately in need of a Savior. Jesus is that Savior.

Jesus solves the riddle. Okay. You've made me inescapably bound to glorify you and live in gratitude, but I haven't. It's so many different points. I haven't, I haven't, I haven't, I haven't, day after day.

What's to be done? Jesus is the answer. When I see that, I have to say, Paul's logic is sound. A God who could do this must have my worship and my thankfulness. And I know I've failed over and over and over in both of those things, so I know I must be desperately guilty.

This brings us to Jesus as the Savior. That's one. That's one. Number two. This self-revelation of God and revelation of truth from God first came to the nation of Israel during their 40 years in the wilderness.

Abraham Didn't have it. It was given by God to Moses. God commanded him to write it. He wrote it. We have it.

But it was first given to the nation of Israel during their 40 years of wandering in the wilderness because God was judging them for their disobedience. So I'm thankful we have it and God wanted us to have it but it didn't come to us first, it came to them first. This God who created the heavens and the earth in all their vastness and glory said to this people, you are my people, I will take care of you. If you're in the wilderness and there's no water and no food, it would be very comforting to have a God who says, I made the heavens and the earth your mind, I'll take care of you. But brothers and sisters, that's us!

They're a picture. We're the fulfillment of that picture. We have many enemies. We have much uncertainty. The God who says, in the beginning, I created the heavens and the earth, says, you're mine, I claim you, I'll take care of you.

I'll take care of those sins. Do you believe him? He made it all. It is nothing for him to do everything that I need. When He gives to His people all that they need, He'll not be diminished at all.

Number three. So have such confidence in God. These ten words, in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth, we should get the implication of that. He's laid claim to me. I can't possibly have a need that He can't overwhelm without being diminished at all.

This should give us such confidence and make us so happy. Number three, if the Bible is true and it is, you know more about the origins of the universe than the majority of so-called experts. Go find them, go ask them, you're going to get a different answer than this one. If the Bible is true, you know more about the origins of the universe than the majority of so-called experts. Never yield an inch.

Here's what Matthew Henry says. I think this would have been in the 1700s. Am I right about that, James? Matthew Henry's 1700s. 1700s.

Matthew Henry says, the first verse of the Bible gives us a surer and better a more satisfying and useful knowledge of the origin of the universe than all the volumes of the philosophers. Ten words. The lively faith of humble Christians understands this matter better than the elevated fancy of the greatest wits, meaning the smartest people. Amen to that. That is true.

See, people saying they know better is far, far from new. That didn't start with evolution. People have always said they knew better. Matthew Henry was running into it every day and he says, the humble faith of Christians knows more about it than the smartest people. Number four.

Listen to what they say in heaven. Revelation 4 verse 11. Four living creatures, the twenty-four elders, bow down and they say, You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power for you created all things and by your will they exist and were created. This is what we'll be saying in heaven. You're worthy to receive glory and honor and power because you created it all.

And they exist because you want it to exist by your will. They exist and were created. Brothers and sisters, this is your God, infinitely worthy. He will receive the glory for creating receive the glory for creating all things. Why wait?

Why wait? Let theology overflow into doxology. You know, that's what theology is for. Not so we get proud of ourselves because we're good Bible students. It's so that we would take in God's self-revelation.

He's showing us who He is and we go, oh, it's you. I can't believe there's a God that transcends, a divine one that transcends it all, that doesn't need anyone or anything to exist. When I look into the past, there's no end point. And when I look into the future, there's no end point. And you made it all and you're good.

It's what theology is for. Is just the study of God and it is just to set us in a frame of praise. We should praise God. God receive honor. You are worthy to receive glory and honor and power for you created all things and by your will they exist and were created.

We don't want to wait to heaven. Receive praise. Thank you that you haven't left us wondering where we came from. You told us exactly. I pray that you would give us hearts that believe.

Jesus name, Amen.