Creation and Fall

Welcome to Southwest!

• Recap: The Bible is a unified story that culminates with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus.
• Last Week: God’s ultimate goal is to dwell with his people forever. 

Today’s Message: “Creation and Fall”(Genesis 1-3). Sin fundamentally changed the good world God created by separating us from him and turning people against each other in suspicion and hostility.

• What does Genesis 1-2 reveal about the good world God made?
• What does Genesis 3 teach us about the effect sin had on our world and our lives?
• What challenges will need to be overcome for us to dwell with God, the way he wants?

The Story of Creation (Genesis 1)

“In the Beginning, God Created…”

• A fundamentally different worldview and explanation of our origins compared to the secular, evolutionary perspective.
• We are not an accident; we are intentionally formed by a God who transcends time and space.

God Creates the World (Genesis 1:3-25)

• God spoke the world into existence (Psalm 33:6-9; Hebrews 11:3)
• “God saw that it was good” — Repeated six times in the story of creation. 
• God’s world is fundamentally good.

God Creates Humans (Genesis 1:26-31):

• Created in the image of God—we somehow reflect God, are connected with God, and are designed for his purposes.
• Notice the plural language God uses: “Let us…” and “in our image.” God exists in community.
• The world with humans in it is not just good — it is “very good” (1:31). We are the crowning achievement of God’s creation.

God Reveals Our Purpose (Genesis 1-2):

• Increase in number (Gen. 1:28)
• Rule over God’s creation (Gen. 1:28)
• Work and care for the Earth (Gen. 2:5, 15)
• Follow God’s commands (Gen. 2:16)
• Leave our mark on the world (Gen. 2:19-20)
• Live in community (Gen. 2:21-24) 

The Importance of Community — Genesis 2:18-25 

• “It is not good for man to be alone.” (2:18)
• God creates Eve — a partner, helper, and complement to Adam, and the two are joined as one flesh.
• Adam and Eve experienced total intimacy, safety, and vulnerability (naked and unashamed).

God’s Original Plan for Our Lives: Perfect union with God, close relationships with others, and living out his purpose.

Identity, Purpose, Belonging

• Who are we? God’s beloved creation, created in the image of our Heavenly Father.
• Where do we fit? In a close relationship with God and God’s people.
• Why are we here? To obey God and serve his purposes.

Satan’s Counterfeit Narrative (Genesis 3)

• Satan comes into the scene with his own story and his own perspective on our identity, belonging, and purpose.

What Satan Does:

• Questions, contradicts, and misrepresents what God has said.
• Portrays God as unreasonable.
• Makes promises he can’t fulfill.

The Immediate effects of Sin:

• Fear, shame, the desire to hide from God and others.
• God’s gift of grace: Clothing (Genesis 3:21)

The Long-Term Effects of Sin:

• Sin separates us from God. Isaiah 59:2.   We need to be restored.
• Sin makes us guilty. Leviticus 5:14-19.    We need to be forgiven. 
• Sin takes us captive. Romans 6:15-18.    We need to be set free.
• Sin creates hostility. Galatians 5:19-20.   We need to be reconciled.
• Sin ultimately leads to death (Romans 6:23; James 1:13-15), so we need to be given new life.

Looking Ahead: 

• The rest of the Bible shows us how God implemented his plan to overcome the power of sin, reverse its damaging effects, and restore us to the life we were created to live.
• Jesus is the key to that plan of salvation (1 Timothy 1:15-17). 

Study & Reflection

Read Galatians 5:13-26.

1. Adam and Eve were given freedom and free will in the Garden of Eden. With that in mind, how does their story connect with Paul’s teaching about freedom in Galatians 5:13?
2. Bryan mentioned that one of the consequences of sin is the hostility it creates between people. Where do you see evidence of that in the world today?
3. Paul talks about being led by the Spirit and the flesh in this passage. What sort of “fleshly” desires did Satan appeal to when he tempted Adam and Eve in the Garden? 
4. What are the implications of the Spirit being in conflict with the flesh, and desiring what is contrary to it? 
5. Satan seems to make big promises about what we will receive if we follow him while conveniently leaving out the consequences we will have to deal with if we do. What kinds of consequences is a person likely to endure if they live to please their flesh?
6. What stands out to you about the things the Spirit is trying to cultivate in our lives (i.e. the Fruit of the Spirit)?
7. One of the things Paul talks about in this passage is the importance of loving and serving other people. How does focusing on  serving other people help us in our own walk with God? How does it help us resist the Devil’s attacks?
8. According to this passage, what are you doing well in your walk with God? What is something you need to focus on?