God’s Best Creative Idea

Gen 2:18 "And the Lord God said, 'It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.'"

Of all of the ideas that God came up with in creation, this was, in my mind, the best one.

As you read chapter one, you will see that after God made something he said that it was good. In fact, after He made everything He said it was very good. Only one problem. Something was not good. "It was not good that man should be alone." Sure, man had all of this other stuff. He had the fruit trees, and herbs and plants and animals and birds and fish the garden to tend and the heavens to explore but he was alone. He had no one to share God's creation with. The actual Hebrew word for alone is "bad". It means alone, separate, apart, by itself. It was not only not good for man to be alone…it was bad. It is bad to be by yourself. It is bad to be isolated. It is bad to not have companionship. It is bad to live separate and apart from others. We need each other and frankly, guys don't just need other guys…we need women. We need a companion We needed help so we need a helper that is like us…comparable to us…similar to us but different. So God had this brilliant idea. He created a woman for the man. What is said to be bone of his bone, flesh of his flesh. The one we are to leave our father and mother for. The one we are to become one flesh with. And am I thankful.

Why am I so thankful? Because God knew what I needed. Because God knew who I needed. Because God cared so much about me that He gave me my wife, Georgann. When God said that it was not good for me to be alone, He had in mind my wife…and she is the best. That is why I say that of all of the ideas that God came up with in creation, this was the best one…because He has shown me what He had in mind when He said that men need a helper comparable to him. Georgann is my helper. And the Lord knows, she is comparable. The word here for comparable actually is part of the words "for him". It actually means in front of, conspicuous, corresponding to, parallel to. Our wives are not something that we should take for granted. Our wives are not people we need to lord over. Our wives are not subservient to all of our needs. Our wives correspond to us. They are parallel to us. And it is obvious that we need them. It is obvious that I need Georgann. She really is the best part of who I am.

Let me just say that any man who takes his wife for granted, any man who ignores his wife, or uses his wife, or abuses his wife, or takes advantage of his wife is a total jerk. God did not create women to abuse. God created women to walk with us. To be a part of who and what we are. To be singular with us. Some of us need to take a hard look at how we treat our wives, and we need to repent, big time.

So when I consider the moon and stars and the work of God's hands, when I consider the amazing wonder of the human body, when I think about the structure of DNA, out of all of these things, the best that God made was woman…was my wife. Thank you Lord.

 

Looking like God

Gen 1:26a, 27 "Then God said, 'Let Us make man in Our image, according to our likeness…So God created man in His image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.

This is a wild thing. God created us to be like Him. In the span of these two verses, God stated that He made man in His image according to His likeness and he repeated the word image three times and used a similar word (likeness) once. So this must be a big deal, that we have been made in the image of God.

The word "image" actually means that we resemble God. The word "likeness" means that we are similar to Him. These are words that we usually use when we talk about family. I know that when Maddie was born people were asking: "Who does she resemble? Michelle, Jeremy or one of her grandparents? Actually, when you look at her now she resembles Grandpa Dave (Jeremy's Dad). Last week I was in North Carolina visiting my sister and her family. As I was walking toward her she said to me: "You look like Dad." Funny how that happens.

What about our resemblance to God? What is that like? I am sure that it is God's heart that all mankind look like Him. After all, He made all of us to bear His image. Now that may mean that God actually has a form like ours. But most likely it means more.

Look at this verse. It says: "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness." God was not talking in a singular sense. He is using plural words…Us and Our. That must mean that God is not just one entity, and this makes sense when you consider the trinity. God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit. We have God the Father who is in control of it all. We have God the Son…"in beginning was the word and the word was with God and the word was God…and the word became flesh and dwelt among us…" (John 1) And then we have the Holy Spirit who is the unseen mover and shaker. So we have the Father (mind), Son (body), and Holy Spirit (spirit). Guess what we are like? We also have a mind, body and spirit. We have been made in a trinity…just like God. We bear the tri-part image of God…all of us. No one is left out. Every human being has this three part image where God wants to work.

The problem is, we lose the resemblance when we don't let God control these three areas of our lives. When God does not control my mind, when God does not control my body, when God does not control my spirit, I lose His likeness. I become deformed and I no longer bear the family resemblance.

It is only when God has control of my mind, my body and my spirit that I reflect His image…that I bear a family resemblance…that I look like my Dad and this family resemblance can only begin when we are born again…born into His family and yield every part of who we are to Him…mind, body and spirit.

May I look like God.

In the Beginning

Gen 1:1 "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth."

There are all kinds of questions that are popping in my brain right now as I read the first chapter of Genesis. For example: "Where did God live before He created everything? Was it the place we call heaven or was that a part of His creation?" Also, since I am a six day creationist: "What day of the week did God create the heavens and the earth?" We know that the first day He created light and darkness (v3,4) but did He create the heavens and the earth on that day as well? Another: "What does it mean that the earth was formless and void?" Also, as you keep reading: "Is there water above the water that we know on earth? I mean verse 6 says that God separated the waters with a firmament. Does that mean that there is water somewhere else? Also: "What was the source of light in verse 4 when He created the sun and moon and stars on the fourth day?" Also, verse 24 says that the earth brought forth the living creatures, the cattle and beasts and creeping things. "Does that mean that the DNA that is found in the ground is also found in animal's bodies?" I am sure that people have thought through all of these questions and more. I just have not studied it enough.

The thing is, even in the middle of all of these questions, I know one thing: God created it all. It is kind of interesting, but before this verse was ever written, man did not know about this being called God. It was not until the forth word in this verse was written that we were introduced to God…Elohiym. People intuitively knew that there was something out there that was in charge of everything. Elohiym is a term that people would understand to apply to any deity, but this was different. This was introducing people to the One God…the God of creation. The God who started it all. The God, who created time as we know it (in the beginning). The God who created all that we can see and experience. (The heavens and the earth.) This was the God that Moses was introducing people to. It was not an impersonal God. It was not a being who people cannot relate to. It is a God who is intimately involved with all that we do and all that we know because He started it all. He created it all. He is in control of it all. He was in the beginning and He still is now thousands of years later.

In the beginning…at the first…God created. God formed. God shaped it all.

All Authority

Matt 28:P18b "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth."

 

This is the basis for it all…Jesus. The reason that we do anything in this life is because of Him. The reason that we have this great commission is because of Him. The reason that we pursue making disciples is because of Him. The reason that we baptize is because of Him. The reason that we teach is because of Him. The reason that we obey is because of Him. Get it? It's all about Jesus.

 

And it all starts with this: "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth." That means everywhere. It is kind of weird but I thought that I was going to start a new study in a new book today so I went to Genesis. What does it say right up front? "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." Then I remembered: "Oh yeah, I didn't really finish Matthew yet." But look at the parallel. God created the heavens and the earth and all authority has been given to Jesus. Where? In His entire creation. There is nothing left out. There is nothing missing. Jesus has all authority in all that exists.

 

What is this authority? First, it is all. It is every. It is any. It is the whole…both individually and collectively. This authority is all encompassing. It is everything that God has. Jesus has it. The King James translates this word: "power". It also means the liberty to do as He pleases. Strength. Influence. Privilege. The power to rule or govern universally over all mankind. The authority to make all decisions.

Jesus has it. He has it all.

 

If He were not God do you think that God would usurp His authority and give it to some created being? No way. This is God the Father giving God the Son every bit of authority and power and privilege that could be given. When Jesus came to earth in the flesh, He gave up some of that power. He did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but He came in the form of a servant. (Phil. 2) Guess what? It is back. Jesus is in control...of everything.

 

This is why He could tell His guys what they needed to do next. Go. Or, as you go make disciples of all nations. This is not a suggestion. This is not a request. This is a command. This is an imperative. Based upon His authority make disciples, baptize, teach. Do it. Jesus commanded it. We don't have an option.

 

What am I doing to fulfill this command given from the One who has all authority over all of His creation?

 

Get busy.

Do Not Be Afraid

Matt 28:5b "Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come see the place where the Lord lay."

 

There is so much in the angel's announcement to Mary Magdalene and the other Mary. When they came to visit the tomb where Jesus was buried they encountered something that they did not expect. A bunch of soldiers laying on the ground as if dead and an angel there to greet them whose face was as bright as lightning and his clothes as white as snow. I guess that if I came up to a tomb and saw this scene, I would be pretty fearful as well.

 

Isn't it interesting that the announcement that the angel gave to the women at the tomb "Do not be afraid" is the same announcement that the angel said to the shepherds when Jesus was born: "Do not be afraid. I bring you good tiding of great joy which will be to all people." Luke 2:10

 

Fear is a paralyzing thing. If I am afraid of something, or if I am afraid to do something, or if I am afraid of a certain outcome I tend to avoid it. I would rather run away from it. I want to ignore it. It stops me in my tracks. God tells us, at the beginning and at the end and everywhere in between: "Do not be afraid." "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." Fear should not even be in the believer's vocabulary. Why? Because Jesus came. Jesus lived. Jesus died. Jesus rose from the dead and we have hope. We have victory. There is nothing to be afraid of.

 

Realize this: When we seek the crucified One, He is not dead. He is risen. The proof is an empty grave and fear is gone. Nothing can or should hold us back. We have a risen, living Savior who right now makes intercession for us. Amazing.

 

"Because He lives, I can face tomorrow. Because He lives all fear is gone. Because I know who holds the future and life is worth the living, just because He lives."

 

Truly this was the Son of God

Matt 27:54b "Truly this was the Son of God."

 

The result of Jesus' proclamation: crucifixion. I don't know that I ever really noticed this before, but why did the chief priest and elders take Jesus to Pilate the governor? It really does not make any sense. Jesus claimed to be the Son of God…even God Himself. This, according to Jewish law was blasphemy. (If it were not true.) The punishment for blasphemy was stoning. (I Kings 21:10,13) Why did these religious leaders feel compelled to take Jesus to the Roman authorities? I can only think of one reason: To fulfill prophesy. This is how Jesus was to die. He had to die this way. Is 53 is clear…wounded and pierced. He had to shed His blood. It is the only way that we were going to experience forgiveness and restoration. God laid it out in the OT pretty clearly. An unblemished lamb had to shed its blood for the payment of the people's sins. This did not change. God did not change. An Unblemished Lamb had to shed His blood…and He did. And it happened through crucifixion, not stoning.

 

So the wimp Pilate gets involved. He couldn't figure out why Jesus was in front of him either. But he caved. He washed his hands and said that he was not responsible for what happened and then he turned Jesus over to the mob and his soldiers to be crucified. What a farce of a leader he was. Pilate was not leader. He was a pawn in the hands of the mob. And Jesus died a Roman death.

 

The amazing thing is this: In His death the same confession that He made just the night before was now coming out of the mouths of those who watched what happened. Just the night before Jesus told Caiaphas that He was the Son of God and that He would be sitting at the right hand of God, coming in the clouds of heaven. Now, Jesus hangs on a cross. It looks like a defeat. It looks like He is done. The drama of His life is ending. His followers are gone. It is over. Really? "Then behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom (giving us open access to God); and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised." V52,53 The response of those who observed all of this: Fear…and a confession: "Truly this was the Son of God." There it is. The truth. The confession that we all have to make: "Jesus. You are the Son of God and now on that cross, You are the Savior of the world." Now the realization of who this Man was, who this Man is comes out of our mouths…the Son of God. The Son of God suffering for me. The Son of God dying on a cross for me. The Son of God taking my sin and my separation from the Father for me. The Son of God shedding His blood for me. "Truly this was the Son of God."

Deadly Words

Matt 26:63b,64 "'I put You under oath by the living God: Tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God!' Jesus said to him, 'It is as you said. Nevertheless, I say to you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of The Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven.'"

 

These were deadly words…and Jesus knew it. Judas betrayed Him, Jesus was arrested, his guys ran away and Jesus was taken to a kangaroo court before Caiaphas the high priest and the scribes and elders. Here Jesus was, standing before the high priest, who was basically cross examining Him in front of all these guys. Caiaphas was smart. He knew the key question to ask. If this guy was faking it and really was not the Christ, the Messiah, Caiaphas was giving Him an out. All Jesus had to say at this point was: "Guys, it's been a nice run. I have enjoyed mixing it up with you…but you are right. I am not who these people think I am. I am just a very charismatic leader who attracted a following to challenge your authority." If Jesus would have said this, He may have been given a slap on the wrist and sent home. After all, his guys had already abandoned Him. He didn't have to prove anything else. The fun was over. Now let's get back to real life.

 

On the flip side, if He said: "It is as you said." then He was doomed. This was His death sentence. If it was not true it would be considered total blasphemy and He would be stoned to death. Jesus knew the stakes. He knew the danger in His response. If He were just a liar this was the time to come clean. But if He was Lord and if He was the Christ, the Son of God, then He was in trouble. What did Jesus do? He said: "It is as you said." But He didn't leave it at that. He kind of put an exclamation point on the statement by saying: "Nevertheless, I say to you, hereafter you will see the son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven." It was unmistakable. It was clear. There was no doubt. Jesus was claiming to be the Messiah, the Son of God. He was throwing back at the high priest and those around him Ps 110:1 and Daniel 7:13,14. The Daniel passage is really pointed: "I was watching in the night visions. And behold, One like the Son of Man, coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days, and they brought him near before Him. Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion which shall not pass away, and His kingdom the one which shall not be destroyed." Any questions? The sentence was immediate. "He is deserving of death."

 

I have been told that Jesus never claimed to be the Son of God. Apparently those say this have not read the Bible. Jesus claimed to be the Messiah, the Son of God, the risen Christ, God the Son, and He is sitting at the right hand of the Father right now waiting to come again. Right now, I need to worship Him. My life needs to glorify Him in all that I do…as I watch…as I get ready.