Battle For The Truth (Part 2)
Battle For The Truth • Sermon • Submitted
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· 6 viewsGod Created the entire universe out of nothing or ex nihilo
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1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. 2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. 3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.
This series examines the Book of Genesis. Genesis means beginning, so technically we are studying the Book of Beginnings. Within it we find the Creation of the universe, the creation and Fall of man, and many more historical events like the Great Flood. So, hold on tight and put your thinking -cap on as we explore these critical truths. Again, it is here where the battle-line for Truth is drawn.
Today, we pickup where we left off last Sunday, which was v.1, “In the beginning God.” Quite frankly, we could stop right there and explore this statement more deeply. Because, it is right here, dealing with the existence of God where most people struggle—especially so-called educated people. The fact is, if you do not believe that there is such a Being as God, nothing else the Scriptures say really matters. Again, this simple yet profound foundational statement is ground-zero for the Christian faith and establishing a right understanding of the world in which we live.
As we move forward through this historical narrative, we will answer some fundamental questions that haunt the human conscience: How did the universe (the earth, sun, moon, planets, and stars) come into being?; What is the origin of life? Where did human life come from?; Why is there evil and suffering in the world? Is there any real hope in this world? Through science, man attempts to answer some of these questions; however, since he was not there in the beginning he can only postulate and conjure up unprovable theories. The Bible is the only reliable source to rightly answered these questions.
Let us look at the text. v.1, says, “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” There is no ambiguity there nor any attempt to defend God’s existence. Created means ex nihilo or out of nothing. Context demands that God’s creative activity is accomplished without any preexisting material. We read a parallel text in the book of Isaiah 45:18, “For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, He created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD; and there is none else.”
Someone may be asking why I am making such a big deal out of what appears to be so straightforward and simple. The plain answer is because I have learned not to take anything for granted when it comes to people’s understanding and acceptance of the Scriptures as true and authoritative for their lives. The issue of God being the Creator of the heavens and the earth is not a secondary or tertiary issue, but primary, which is why God confronts man with this truth at the beginning and made it plain. As Alistair Begg often says, “The plain thing is the main thing and the main thing is the plain thing.”
Let me try to show you why this Battle For The Truth is so very vital. The Apostle Paul in his epistle to the church at Rome traced the degradation of humanity and God’s wrath against sinful man to this very issue of rejecting the truth claims of biblical Creation. Listen to the Apostle Paul. Follow along as we look at Romans 1:18-25, and 26-32.
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; 19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. 24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
Did you hear the apostle? He charged that men by their unrighteousness are holding or suppressing the truth. For or because, what can be known of about God is manifest or evident or plain to them, because God has shown it or made it clear to them. Paul makes his appeal to Creation. God’s invisible attributes are on full display through the revelation of the earth and the heavenly bodies, which is all the evidence that a person needs to know that God exists. These truths cause a man to be without excuse.
26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: 27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. 28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; 29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: 32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
Does any of this sound familiar? Is it just me or do you also recognize not only the manifestation but the proliferation of these issue within our culture today? What is being described here can be seen in every city, town, community, and neighborhood across America and beyond. All pointing back to God’s truth concerning Creation. This is why we must be engaged in this Battle For The Truth.
Now I understand that many may still deny or reject what the Bible declares as truth. I get it, and I am not mad at you. You are not my enemy. In fact, it’s quite the contrary, I have nothing but love for you and am praying for you. Nevertheless, this is why I had to preach the previous series, “Just Keeping It Real,” because, I’m getting too old and I don’t have time to play with you. So, let me lovingly remind you, there are two universal truths that apply to you—personally, and everybody else as well: (1) You gon’ run outta’ time; and, when you run outta time; (2) You goin’ somewhere. The only questions are, how much time do you have and where are you going. Amen somebody. Just keeping it real.
Well, my time is up, but I am not finished. I will conclude with this. I understand that most of you listening to me already understand and believe these truths, and that is wonderful. But let me ask you something—do you know somebody who needs to be exposed to this truth? Have you invited them to listen? Have you told them about the previous series or this one? I challenge you to engage them on these issues, because, as you well know, the security of their souls depend on it. May the Lord bless and keep you is my earnest prayer.