Journey Through the Bible
Lesson 2 – The Book of Genesis, Part 1
8:30 Service
Since Genesis deals with such things like the beginning of creation, mankind, animals and the Hebrew race, the name “Genesis” is given this book. It means, “beginning” or “origin.” Very often the name of a book in the Bible will give you a clue of what the book is all about. It is not the purpose of Genesis to tell us how or why God did what He did, but to show us who.
Outline of Genesis
1. The Beginning of Mankind (Chs. 1-11)
A. The Creation (Chs. 1-2)
B. The Fall of Man (Chs. 3-4)
C. Noah and the Flood (Chs. 5-10)
D. The Tower of Babel (Ch. 11)
2. The Beginnings of Israel (Chs. 12-50)
A. The Life of Abraham (Chs. 12-25)
B. The Life of Isaac (Chs. 21-35)
C. The Life of Jacob (Chs. 25-49)
D. The Life of Joseph (Chs. 30-50)
The Beginning of Mankind (Chs. 1-11)
A. The Creation (Chs. 1-2).
· The Creator. Genesis begins not with telling us how or why creation came about, the WHO. The name for God is “Elohim,” which means, “infinite strength.” In Ch. 2, we are first introduced to the word “LORD” which comes from the Hebrew word for Jehovah. The name “Elohim” is most often used when God is dealing with the physical universe. However, when God is dealing with His people or people in general, the word “Jehovah” (Yahweh) is most often used.
Note: Read Gen. 6:22 and 7:1, 16 and note the two names used for God.
When dealt with animals, the name God (Elohim) is used, but when God shut Noah in the Ark, the name Jehovah was used).
· The Seven Days of Creation. The Hebrew word for “day” in Genesis 1 is “Yom” and does not necessarily mean a 24 hour period. God could have created the world through a process that took millions of years, or He could have done so through 24 hours, six day process. Which was it? The word “day” used by itself can mean “age.” But when “Yom” is used with a numerical adjective such as, “one, two, three,” etc., it means 24 hours.
Note: God may have created a universe with the appearance of age. For example, when God created Adam and Eve, what were they at the time of creation? They had the appearance of age and maturity, but they were just created and therefore quite new or young.
First Day – 1:3-5: ______________________________
Second Day – 1:6-8: ____________________________
Third Day – 1:9-13: _____________________________
Fourth Day – 1:14-19: ___________________________
Fifth Day – 1:20-23: _____________________________
Sixth Day – 1:24-31: _____________________________
Seventh Day – 2:2-3: _____________________________
B. The Fall of Man (Chs. 3-4)
· The Temptation. God is not the author or sin. Temptation is the work of Satan (3:1-6).
· The Sin. Eve yielded to the temptation of Satan, she involved Adam and the human race fell.
· The Results. Immediately there was a lost of innocence and a sense of guilt. There was also a lost of desire for fellowship with God. Neither Adam nor Eve wanted to take the blame. But God held them accountable (3:17-19).
· The Promise of a Redeemer. Genesis 3:15 is the first reference in the Bible to the coming Messiah.
· The Progression of Sin. In Chapter 4, we see anger, jealousy, hatred and finally murder.
___________killed__________(4:8). Sin leads to more sin)
C. Noah and the Flood (Chs. 5-10) This section teaches us about the universal flood of mankind and the faith of Noah. It would be helpful to understand what happened in Noah’s day, if we are to understand when Christ is coming.
What will be the similarities between the days of Noah and the days preceding the coming of Jesus? (Matt. 24:37-39)
D. The Tower of Babel (Ch. 11) After the Flood, God commanded the people to replenish the earth, but they had other plans. What did the people do? _____________________________________
____________________________________________________
In order to get the people to spread out over the earth as He first intended, God caused the people to speak in different languages. The word “babel” means “confusion.”
Applications: Three Closing Thoughts -
1. Since God created the world out of nothing, can I trust Him to give me a new beginning?
2. Since Satan tempted man and he fell, can I submit to God and allow Him to empower me to overcome?
3. Since God sent a universal flood to wipe out mankind, will I warn others that the Lord is a God of justice and the need to repent is most urgent?
The Work of Christ in His Church, Part 1
Rev. 1:9-16a
Dec. 4, 2011 / 10:30
Jesus wants His church to be encouraged and strengthened.
1. He will reveal a vision of Himself and His present work among His people – Chs. 1-3
2. He will judge the world that has so often persecuted Christians – Chs. 4-18
3. He will usher in His own kingdom in which the church will rule and reign with Him forever – Chs. 19-22
V. 9 - I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.
v. 10 - On the Lord’s Day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet, 11which said: “Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea.”
Ten Great Works of Christ in His Church
1. Christ Empowers His Church – vv. 12-13a, 20b: I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and among the lampstands was someone like a son of man. . . and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Phil. 4:13).
2. Christ Intercedes For His Church – 1:13b: And among the lampstands was someone like a son of man, dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest.
3. Christ Purifies His Church – 1:14-15a: The hair on his head was white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. 15 His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace
Heb. 4:13: Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.
4. Christ Speaks Authoritatively To His Church – 1:15b: His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters.
“This is My Beloved Son! Listen to Him!” (Matt. 17:5).
5. Christ Controls His Church – vv. 16a, 20a - In his right hand he held seven stars. . . The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches
Three Personal Questions
1. When was the last time you had a Vision of Christ?
2. When was the last time you heard the Voice of Christ?
3. When was the last time you passed on a personal Message from Christ to someone else?
"As I look ahead, far ahead, two to three years down the road, I do see God doing it, even though I may not know all of the details today. That’s what vision is. Vision is not a crystal ball or hearing audible voices. It is the belief in one’s heart that God is going to do something that is consistent with His Word and consistent with His will, and believing that what God is going to do will have an amazing impact on your life. Having vision is having the confident belief that the promises of God are going to be realized in the future of our church” - Pastor Tony Miano
