In order to prepare for our upcoming series in the Gospel of Luke, we will be examining each Old Testament era in relationship to Jesus Christ the coming King. In this week’s message, Patrick highlights God’s grace to not only create us and provide for us in creation, but to pursue us in response to our willful independence.

Patrick’s Main Points

• The primary theme of Creation is God gave humanity a home, family, and purpose.
• The prevailing sin of Creation is independence.
• The promise to come of Creation is the protoevangelium— “the 1st gospel” of a rescuer to come.
• The promise for today of Creation is Jesus is the Bread of Life/Living Water.
  

Key Takeaways

• “The Bible is deep enough for an elephant to swim and shallow enough for a child not to drown.” Augustine

• The Old Testament is the New Testament concealed. The New Testament is the Old Testament revealed.

• The 4 key events of the Creation era are Creation, Fall, Flood, and Babel.

• Here’s the Outline Bible’s chapter-by-chapter outline of Genesis:
  1) Genesis 1-2: “The Creation of All Things”
  2) Genesis 3-5: “The Corruption of All Things”
  3) Genesis 6-10 “The Condemnation of All Things”
  4) Genesis 11: “The Confusion of All Things”
  

• In spite of God giving humanity a home, family, purpose, and identity, man desired independence, or freedom control and influence of the God who created us. Since the Garden, the mantra of fallen humanity has been “I know better.”
  

• God moving towards us begins in the Garden and culminates in Christ, who “tabernacled” with us (John 1:14).
  

• Us thinking we can run our life better than God is not a new idea, but the most ancient of ideas— beginning in the Garden.
  

• No matter how hard you try, you’ll never be the hero of your own story.
  

• Independence drew us away from God but Christ came to pursue us and point us to Himself as the Bread of Life & Living Water.
  

Discussion Questions/Application

Personal application:

• Read Genesis 1-11 and examine the contrast between God’s gracious provision/pursuit and man’s independence.

• In what ways are you still trying to be the hero of your own story? How has your pride hurt you and those around you?

Discuss with your community group:

• In what areas of your life are you most prone to say “I know better” and live independently from God?

• How can you encourage one another today to come to Jesus the Bread of Life for your purpose, provision, and satisfaction?

Additional Passages Referenced 

Luke 24:27; Galatians 4:4-5; Genesis 1-11; 2 Chronicles 16:9; Genesis 3:14-15; Genesis 15:6; John 1:14; John 15:5; John 6:35; John 7:37-38.

Worship Set List

There is a Savior, Better Word, Beautiful, How Deep the Father’s Love for Us, Lord I Need You/I Surrender All