Getting Reacquainted With the Almighty (Part 2)

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=50 BGCOLOR="#333366" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <B>Getting Reacquainted With the Almighty (Part 2)</B></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=165 BGCOLOR="#CCCC99" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <B> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="132" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="VOID" RULES="NONE" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 35 ><NOBR><div> <A HREF="id362.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Getting Reaquainted With the Almighty"><U><B><IMG SRC="007151d0.gif" border=0 width="21" height="29" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> <A HREF="id365.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="A Problem In Paradise"><U><B><IMG SRC="008151d0.gif" border=0 width="21" height="29" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="20"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="35" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="20" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="29" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" WIDTH="13"></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="29" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" WIDTH="27"></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> </TABLE></B></div> <div> Previous/Next Sermon</div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="www.stanbaker.org"><U><B>Home</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id2.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Biblical and Theological Studies"><U><B>Biblical and Theological Studies</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id3.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Church Ministry"><U><B>Church Ministry</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id15.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Sermon Notes"><U>Sermon Notes</U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id4.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Links"><U><B>Links</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id5.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Personal"><U><B>Personal</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> www.stanbaker.org</div> <div> <A HREF="mailto:stan@stanbaker.org" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:stan@stanbaker.org"><U>stan@stanbaker.org</U></A></div> </td> <td valign="top" height=430 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <B>Getting Reacquainted with the Almighty (Part Two)</B></div> <div> <B>Berean Bible Church, March 9, 2003am</B></div> <bR> <div>      What difference does the creation make for life on earth? How is humanity on earth supposed to work? Is it possible our lives could improve with a better understanding of creation? Here are four lessons for human living from the creation of humanity (<A HREF="http://www.biblegateway.com/bible?passage=Gen+1:24-2:25" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.biblegateway.com/bible?passag"><U>Genesis 1:24-2:25</U></A>).</div> <bR> <div> <B>I. We are created with value in God's eyes (</B><A HREF="http://www.biblegateway.com/bible?passage=Gen+1:24-31" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.biblegateway.com/bible?passag"><U><B>Genesis 1:24-31</B></U></A><B>).</B></div> <div>      Humanity was the pinnacle of creation, made in the image of God, to rule over the earth, given the breath of life directly by God (2:7). It was not a matter of "survival of the fittest." Mankind was created purposefully and with value. Humankind was created in the image of God (able to love, to relate, to create, to choose ; as well as having the responsibility as God's agents over the earth). God provided the earth and food for humans.  ("In other religions and traditions in the Ancient Near East, humans were but food for the gods. In the Genesis account, humanity is the crowning point of creation; God provided the earth and food for them." Atkinson, <I>Genesis 1-11</I>, p. 16).</div> <div>      This means that all life is valuable, including the lives of the unborn, the elderly, the disabled, the weak, the sick. It is not appropriate to take a life in the name of convenience. One does not have to "contribute to society" in order to be valuable. </div> <div>      It also impacts self-image issues. We are to see ourselves as valuable in the eyes of God, without comparing ourselves to others. We are not valuable because we are better than others, more gifted, richer, or more beautiful. We are valuable because we are created by God in his image. Others are valuable because they are created by God in his image. This is why are to treat others with dignity and kindness. Because we are created by God, we must avoid a low-self image that suggests we are worthless, and we must also reject pride, which is always a result of inappropriate comparison to others. </div> <div>      Yes, the world and humanity are damaged because of sin. But "God demonstrated his love for us, in that while we were sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8). That's how valuable you are to God.</div> <bR> <div> <B>II. We are created for both work and rest (</B><A HREF="http://www.biblegateway.com/bible?passage=Gen+2:1-3" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.biblegateway.com/bible?passag"><U><B>Genesis 2:1-3</B></U></A><B>, </B><A HREF="http://www.biblegateway.com/bible?passage=Gen+2:15" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.biblegateway.com/bible?passag"><U><B>15</B></U></A><B>).</B></div> <div>      We must <I>balance</I> labor and rest. God based the command of keeping the Sabbath on the day of rest in the creation week (Exodus 20). It is rest with a view to being in God's presence and relating to him. For you that work and are busy all the time, take a rest. Give yourself a break. God did not intend for you to work all the time. He intended for you to regularly experience rest and peace.</div> <div>      Humans have also been given responsibility to work (vs. 15). Because of the Fall, work became laborious, difficult, but work was given before the Fall. For you that are lazy and unwilling to work, get working. Contribute creatively to our society. Do your part. 2 Thessalonians 3:10 tells us that those who are able but unwilling to work should go hungry.</div> <div>      Colossians 3:23 tells us that whatever we do, we must work at with all our hearts, as working for the Lord, not for men. If this was written to slaves, is any line of work excluded? No. Whether you work in financial services, or in human relations, or you dig ditches, do so for the glory of God. Your labors from Monday through Friday are an important part of your humanity and relationship with God, no matter what you do. Exercise diligence and integrity at work, regardless of what you do, and regardless of whether you like it.</div> <bR> <div> <B>III. We are created for relationship with God (</B><A HREF="http://www.biblegateway.com/bible?passage=Gen+2:4-17" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.biblegateway.com/bible?passag"><U><B>Genesis 2:4-17</B></U></A><B>).</B></div> <div>      The garden which God created for humankind was a place of fellowship (vs. 8; see also 3:8-10, 23). It was a special place for God to meet with his people. For the relationship to be the best, there was the need for obedience (vs. 16-17) which results in blessing. Our ultimate purpose is to relate to God, to worship and glorify him, and to obey him. This applies to all people, not just to people of faith in God. But God longs to have this relationship with people because they are willing. Have you entered into a relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ, God's Son? If you have, are you maximizing the relationship and seeing it develop deeper and deeper each day?</div> <bR> <div> <B>IV. We are created for relationship with people (</B><A HREF="http://www.biblegateway.com/bible?passage=Gen+2:18-25" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.biblegateway.com/bible?passag"><U><B>Genesis 2:18-25</B></U></A><B>).</B></div> <div>      In a general sense, it is not good for man to be alone (vs. 18). In a more specific sense, God created the marriage relationship for a man and a woman to have companionship with one another. God's design for marriage is one man and one woman for life. For Adam and Eve, there was complete intimacy and trust. Neither had anything to hide or anything to fear. How different that is from most marriages today. Notice that God intended marriage to be a covenant. They were to leave their parents and be united to one another as one flesh. This suggests a lifelong vow or covenant. Hence, divorce is inappropriate by God's original design. Additionally, sexual activity outside of marriage is inappropriate, as are sexual relations with someone of the same sex. The level of intimacy that is involved in sex is reserved for the marriage relationship between a husband and wife.</div> <bR> <div>      How much better our lives would be if we lived by God's design in these four areas. It starts with a personal relationship with your Creator.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> copyright, 2003, Stanley Baker</div> <div> www.stanbaker.org</div> </td> </tr></table></body>