5 ways God is active in creation - orig

8 ways the Bible shows God's activity  •  Sermon  •  Submitted
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God is not passive or remote from his creation but dynamically involved in all that he has made. In the past, this activity was seen in the history of Israel and in the ministry of Jesus Christ. In the present, God’s activity can be seen in the life of believers and of the church.

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5 ways God is active in creation

He actively works out his purposes

John 5:17 LEB
But he answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I am working.”
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His names reflect his activity and involvement in his people’s lives

“The Lord Will Provide”; “The Lord, who heals you”; “The Lord is my Banner”: this title emphasises that God is like a warrior who champions his people’s cause; “The Lord our Maker”: the Hebrew word used does not refer to original creation but to the way in which God is fashioning a people for himself.

His word is active

The Hebrew for “word” can also be translated “deed” or “action”. God’s word is not merely a communication of abstract truth but a powerful force active in the world.
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1) In making the universe

In the creation story
Genesis 1:1 LEB
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth—
Nehemiah 9:6 LEB
“You alone are Yahweh. You alone have made the heavens, the heavens of the heavens, and all of their army, the earth and all that is in it, the waters and all that is in them. You give life to all of them, and the army of the heavens worship you.
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Psalm 102:25 LEB
Long ago you laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands.
Acts 17:24 LEB
the God who made the world and all the things in it. This one, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by human hands,
Revelation 4:11 LEB
“You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, because you have created all things, and because of your will they existed and were created.”
Genesis 1:1 LEB
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth—
Genesis 5:1–2 LEB
This is the record of the generations of Adam. When God created Adam, he made him in the likeness of God. Male and female he created them. And he blessed them. And he called their name “Humankind” when they were created.
Psalm 102:25 LEB
Long ago you laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands.

2) In sustaining the created order

Psalm 103:19 LEB
Yahweh has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all.
Matthew 6:28–30 LEB
And why are you anxious about clothing? Observe the lilies of the field, how they grow: they do not toil or spin, but I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory was dressed like one of these. But if God dresses the grass of the field in this way, although it is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not do so much more for you, you of little faith?
Matthew 6:28-30
Colossians 1:16–17 LEB
because all things in the heavens and on the earth were created by him, things visible and things invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers, all things were created through him and for him, and he himself is before all things, and in him all things are held together,
Acts 14:17 LEB
And yet he did not leave himself without witness by doing good, giving you rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying you with food and your hearts with gladness.”
Colossians 1:16-17
Acts 14:17
Ephesians 1:11 LEB
in whom also we were chosen, having been predestined according to the purpose of the One who works all things according to the counsel of his will,

3) In bringing about changes in the weather

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Acts 14:17 LEB
And yet he did not leave himself without witness by doing good, giving you rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying you with food and your hearts with gladness.”
Ephesians 1:11 LEB
in whom also we were chosen, having been predestined according to the purpose of the One who works all things according to the counsel of his will,
Colossians 1:16–17 LEB
because all things in the heavens and on the earth were created by him, things visible and things invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers, all things were created through him and for him, and he himself is before all things, and in him all things are held together,
Matthew 6:28–30 LEB
And why are you anxious about clothing? Observe the lilies of the field, how they grow: they do not toil or spin, but I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory was dressed like one of these. But if God dresses the grass of the field in this way, although it is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not do so much more for you, you of little faith?

3) In bringing about changes in the weather

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Matthew 5:45 LEB
in order that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven, because he causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust.
Psalm 147:8 LEB
who covers the heavens with clouds, who provides rain for the earth, who causes grass to grow on the mountains.

4) In the stars and other heavenly bodies

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Psalm 104:19 LEB
He made the moon for appointed times; the sun knows its time for setting.
Psalm 147:4 LEB
He counts the number of the stars; he gives names to all of them.
Isaiah 40:26 LEB
Lift your eyes up on high, and see! Who created these? The one who brings out their host by number. He calls all them by name. Because he is great of power and mighty of power, not one is missing.
James 1:17 LEB
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of change.

5) In the animal creation

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Psalm 104:20–27 LEB
You make darkness, and it is night, when all the animals of the forest creep about. The young lions are roaring for the prey and seeking their food from God. When the sun rises, they gather together and lie down in their dens. Humankind goes out to its work, and to its labor until evening. How many are your works, O Yahweh; all of them you have done in wisdom. The earth is full of your creatures. This is the great and wide sea, in which are moving animals without number, living things small and great. There the ships sail. Leviathan is there that you formed to play with. They all wait for you to give them their food at the proper time.
Psalm 147:9 LEB
He gives to the animal its food, and to the young ravens that cry.
Matthew 10:29 LEB
Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And one of them will not fall to the ground without the knowledge and consent of your Father.

In the calling and creation of Israel as a people

Exodus 6:6–8 LEB
Therefore say to the Israelites, ‘I am Yahweh, and I will bring you out from under the forced labor of Egypt, and I will deliver you from their slavery, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great punishments. And I will take you as my people, and I will be your God, and you will know that I am Yahweh your God, who brought you out from under the forced labor of Egypt. And I will bring you to the land that I swore to give to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, and I will give it to you as a possession. I am Yahweh.”
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In saving and delivering his people

This verse introduces a psalm which recounts the history of God’s dealings with his people.
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In judgment

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In bringing victory in battle

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In raising up and sending leaders to the people

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God is active in the nations of the world

His rule over the nations

Psalm 22:28 LEB
Because the kingship belongs to Yahweh, and he rules over the nations.
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Examples of nations through which God acts

Assyria:

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Babylon:

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Persia

God is active in human life

He determines the course of human lives

Acts 17:28 LEB
for in him we live and move and exist, as even some of your own poets have said: ‘For we also are his offspring.’
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Examples of God’s intervention in human lives

Balaam; Hannah; Naaman; Jonah

Paul:

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God is active in Jesus Christ’s ministry

Acts 10:38 LEB
Jesus of Nazareth—how God anointed him with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, because God was with him.
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God is active through the Holy Spirit

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God is active in the church

This verse comes in the context of teaching about the body of Christ and the gifts which the Spirit gives to the church.
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