Who is God? Part 1 “Creator”

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S.O.A.P. – “Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer”

Have you ever considered that you are creative because you were created by a Creator?

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters.

Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. And God saw that the light was good. Then he separated the light from the darkness. God called the light “day” and the darkness “night.” And evening passed and morning came, marking the first day. Genesis 1:1–5 NLT

The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship. Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known. They speak without a sound or word; their voice is never heard. Psalm 19:1–3 NLT

He is the God who made the world and everything in it. Since he is Lord of heaven and earth, he doesn’t live in man-made temples, and human hands can’t serve his needs—for he has no needs. He himself gives life and breath to everything, and he satisfies every need. From one man he created all the nations throughout the whole earth. He decided beforehand when they should rise and fall, and he determined their boundaries.

His purpose was for the nations to seek after God and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him—though he is not far from any one of us. For in him we live and move and exist. As some of your own poets have said, “We are his offspring.” And since this is true, we shouldn’t think of God as an idol designed by craftsmen from gold or silver or stone.

God overlooked people’s ignorance about these things in earlier times, but now he commands everyone everywhere to repent of their sins and turn to him. For he has set a day for judging the world with justice by the man he has appointed, and he proved to everyone who this is by raising him from the dead. Acts 17:24-31 NLT

Sermon Insights:

God shows his glory as Creator through nature.

Based on these Scriptures, what are two new thoughts or questions you have about God?

Have you repented of your sins and turned to God?

Take a moment and look into the sky—how is the sky displaying God’s “craftsmanship” right now?

“From one man he created all the nations throughout the whole earth.” Every human who has ever lived is a part of one extended family. How can this help us combat division within the one human family?

Lord, sometimes we forget to praise and honor you as Creator for the stunning and majestic world around us and even the physical bodies you have given us. Teach us to enjoy you!

What needs do you find yourself focusing on most in your life?

Scripture:

So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. Then God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it. Reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the animals that scurry along the ground.”

And that is what happened. Then God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was very good! And evening passed and morning came, marking the sixth day. Genesis 1:27-31 NLT

So the creation of the heavens and the earth and everything in them was completed. On the seventh day God had finished his work of creation, so he rested from all his work. And God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy, because it was the day when he rested from all his work of creation.

This is the account of the creation of the heavens and the earth. When the Lord God made the earth and the heavens, neither wild plants nor grains were growing on the earth. For the Lord God had not yet sent rain to water the earth, and there were no people to cultivate the soil. Instead, springs came up from the ground and watered all the land.

Then the Lord God formed the man from the dust of the ground. He breathed the breath of life into the man’s nostrils, and the man became a living person. Then the Lord God planted a garden in Eden in the east, and there he placed the man he had made. Genesis 2:1-8 NLT

Sermon Insights:

God created humans as spiritual beings, not just physical beings.

Here is our problem: because we do have physical needs, we fixate on those needs, and because soul care is spiritual, it gets squeezed out in favor of the physical. Your physical needs still have a spiritual dimension. God wants you to know in Christ you are his loved child, and he—the God of the universe—will feed, clothe, and provide for you.

What are some needs that humans have, both spiritual and physical, that God provides for?

Do you find yourself focusing more on your physical or your spiritual needs?

If you were certain all your needs would be met, what would you enjoy focusing on?

Lord, thank you for creating me. Thank you for allowing me to take part in not only your physical world, but also your spiritual world. Teach me how to balance my focus so I can honor you and help others!

What creates a sense of “wonder” in your life?

Scripture:

But God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness. They know the truth about God because he has made it obvious to them. For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature.

So they have no excuse for not knowing God. Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused. Claiming to be wise, they instead became utter fools. And instead of worshiping the glorious, ever-living God, they worshiped idols made to look like mere people and birds and animals and reptiles. Romans 1:18-23 NLT

For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him. There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son. And the judgment is based on this fact: God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil. All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed. But those who do what is right come to the light so others can see that they are doing what God wants.” John 3:16-21 NLT

Sermon Insights:

The existence of the world is not an accident. The physical world in itself is not evil. God wants us to worship him – not creation.

How do we respond to God, the Creator? First, embrace wonder!

Challenge: look around and see the magnificence of a creation that reflects the Creator.

Have you ever thought about how differently people react to simple dandelions? They can be considered an indigestion-inducing nuisance to be eliminated or they can bring utter delight to the child who blows the seeds and chases them into the wind. Are you enjoying the wonder of living life?

If Jesus (the Creator of our universe) took time to create delicate flowers which do not last long, how much more did he enjoy making you to enjoy a relationship with him forever? Are you connecting with Jesus regularly through reading his words in the Bible and praying and talking to friends about your journey?

Lord, thank you for creating a magnificent universe and allowing me to enjoy you and what you have made. Help me to learn more about your love for me and enjoy the wonder of your creation!

What is your favorite animal and why?

Scripture:

Then God said, “Let the earth produce every sort of animal, each producing offspring of the same kind—livestock, small animals that scurry along the ground, and wild animals.” And that is what happened. God made all sorts of wild animals, livestock, and small animals, each able to produce offspring of the same kind. And God saw that it was good.

Then God said, “Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground.” So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. Then God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it. Reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the animals that scurry along the ground.”

Then God said, “Look! I have given you every seed-bearing plant throughout the earth and all the fruit trees for your food. And I have given every green plant as food for all the wild animals, the birds in the sky, and the small animals that scurry along the ground—everything that has life.” And that is what happened. Then God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was very good! And evening passed and morning came, marking the sixth day. Genesis 1:24-31 NLT

The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to him. For he laid the earth’s foundation on the seas and built it on the ocean depths. Who may climb the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? Only those whose hands and hearts are pure, who do not worship idols and never tell lies. They will receive the Lord’s blessing and have a right relationship with God their savior. Such people may seek you and worship in your presence, O God of Jacob. Psalms 24:1-6 NLT

Sermon Insights:

How do we respond to God, the Creator? Second, we are responsible to steward/manage God’s creation.

Challenge: do something with your family to steward/manage this world we live in.

How has God made you responsible for the care of animals, plants, or land? Are you honoring him in your stewardship/management of his creation?

God blesses those “whose hands and hearts are pure, who do not worship idols and never tell lies.” Does this describe you? If you need to make changes, what are they and when will you?

Lord, it is an awesome responsibility to care for your creation. Thank you for your love and guidance. Help me to have a pure heart and hands, worship only you, and always tell the truth.

Do you remember a time in your life when having light was essential?

Scripture: Yes, truth is gone, and anyone who renounces evil is attacked. The Lord looked and was displeased to find there was no justice. He was amazed to see that no one intervened to help the oppressed. So he himself stepped in to save them with his strong arm, and his justice sustained him. He put on righteousness as his body armor and placed the helmet of salvation on his head. He clothed himself with a robe of vengeance and wrapped himself in a cloak of divine passion.

He will repay his enemies for their evil deeds. His fury will fall on his foes. He will pay them back even to the ends of the earth. In the west, people will respect the name of the Lord; in the east, they will glorify him. For he will come like a raging flood tide driven by the breath of the Lord.

“The Redeemer will come to Jerusalem to buy back those in Israel who have turned from their sins,” says the Lord. “And this is my covenant with them,” says the Lord. “My Spirit will not leave them, and neither will these words I have given you. They will be on your lips and on the lips of your children and your children’s children forever. I, the Lord, have spoken! Isaiah 59:15-21 NLT

Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20 NLT

Jesus said, “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” Matthew 5:14-16 NLT

Sermon Insights: The culture had fallen far from God, anyone who did shun evil became a prey. So, God took matters again into his own hands…and came to earth…and spread his hands…stained a cross with his blood…a sacrifice for our sin.

How do we respond to God, the Creator? Third, we are to embrace the posture of a fighter in spiritual warfare!

Challenge: invite a friend or family to come to one of our cool Antioch events this summer!

God fights for those who turn from their sin. How does this increase your confidence in doing good?

What encouragement do you receive from what Jesus promised?

What is your next step of faith?

Lord, thank you for your amazing protection. Help us as Antioch Christian Church to be a city on a hill spreading your light and life to the world!

Who is God? Part 1 “Creator”

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