24-0107a - Detailed Summary

A greeting is extended to those present in person and those participating via phone.

A new year has started six days ago, and the theme of the service is "a new beginning."

The speaker plans to discuss the concept of "beginning" using three scriptural references focusing on the word.

Two scriptures use "in the beginning" and one uses "at the beginning."

The discussion will explore the concept of beginnings in relation to time, life, and God, who has no beginning or end.

Genesis 1:1 states "In the beginning God," highlighting the belief in God’s eternal existence.

References to Moses calling God the eternal God in Deuteronomy and Psalms describing God from everlasting to everlasting are made to underscore God’s timeless nature.

God’s creation of the heavens and earth in six days is discussed, challenging the notion of these days being eons.

Each day of creation is described as having an evening and morning, indicating literal days.

The speaker addresses atheistic views that exclude God from creation and contrasts them with theistic beliefs where God actively created everything.

Genesis 1:31 and Genesis 2:1-3 are read, detailing the completion of creation and God’s rest on the seventh day, which sanctified that day for rest.

The speaker refutes interpretations of days as eons, using the Sabbath command to the Israelites as an example of literal days.

Genesis 1:26-30 is cited where God decides to make man in His image, giving man dominion over all creatures and providing plant life for food.

The speaker contrasts the evolutionary theory with the biblical account of creation, emphasizing God’s direct creation of man.

Man is described as being made in the image of God, who is spirit, thus giving man a spiritual essence.

Genesis 2:7 is reiterated, describing how God formed man from dust and gave him life by breathing into his nostrils.

The narrative continues with Adam naming the animals, highlighting that no suitable helper was found for him among them, leading to the creation of Eve from Adam’s rib.

The speaker challenges the evolutionary ascent from animals to humans, questioning how man could evolve such intelligence and dominion if not created by God.

John 1:1 is introduced, where "The Word" (identified as Jesus) was with God and was God from the beginning, emphasizing Jesus’s role in creation.

Matthew 1:21-25 is referenced, discussing the prophecy and birth of Jesus, who is named Emmanuel ("God with us"), fulfilling biblical prophecy.

John 1:14 is cited, stating that "the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us," and Jesus is described as the only begotten Son of God, full of grace and truth.

Reiteration of Jesus being the creator, referencing Colossians 1:16-17, mistakenly introduced as Colossians 16.

Clarification that all things visible and invisible, including thrones, dominions, principalities, and powers, were created by and for Jesus.

Jesus is described as being before all things and all things consist by Him, further emphasizing His role in creation and His preeminence.

Discussion on the Godhead, acknowledging that some struggle with the concept of God’s triune nature.

Refers to Jesus as the only begotten Son of the Father, indicating two persons in the Godhead.

John the Baptist’s account from John 1:32-33 is recounted where he witnessed the Holy Spirit descending upon Jesus, affirming the presence of the Holy Spirit in the Godhead.

Genesis 1:2 is mentioned where the Spirit of God moved upon the waters, suggesting the involvement of the Holy Spirit in creation.

The phrase "Let us make man in our image" from Genesis is brought up to imply plurality in God.

The speaker interprets these references to confirm the existence of three persons in the Godhead: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Matthew 28:19 is referenced where Jesus instructs His disciples to baptize in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, confirming the trinitarian formula.

An invitation is extended for individuals to respond to the gospel: