THE WHOLE STORY IN 30 MINUTES

Sermon Notes, September 15, 2013

Rev. C.M. Pruitt

 

Pastor Pruitt’s message was titled “The Whole Story in 30 Minutes,” and was based on Genesis 1-3 and Matthew 26-28.  Imagine nothingness.  Then there is a light behind you and a Voice says, “Let there be light.” 

Before there was anything, there was God.  Genesis 1:2 says the Spirit of God was “hovering” over the water.  God spoke everything into existence.  God was personally involved.  He still is.  He got very specific—a particular galaxy with sun, moon and stars.  He created a world perfect for us. “Open your eyes and look what I want to do for you.” 

 When it came time to create His masterpiece, he quit talking and formed man.  Then breathed on Adam—the breath of life.  His own soul, a living being, in His own image. (He took a useless glove, jammed his hand in it, and made it useful.) God saw Adam’s need: he took a bone from under his heart to make Eve.  Not from his foot for him to stomp on her, or from his head for him to lord it over her, but from his side for her to walk beside him.  God gave gave them a job: they were to take care of His garden.  Work makes us worthwhile.

God is love.  God is holy.  Love demands responsibility.   Adam and Eve walked with God in perfect harmony.  God gave them the ability to choose.  He told them “You can have everything, but not from one tree.”  Enter the serpent who says, “You shall not die,” creating doubt: you cannot trust God.  But God can be trusted!  Do we really believe that?  God’s plan is best. 

Satan’s lie, still being told today, “You will be just like God.”  (If God’s so good why doesn’t he fix this mess?)  All creation stopped and mourned when Adam and Eve made the choice to disobey God and eat the forbidden fruit.  God came back to walk with them, calling to them, but they hid.  Adam blamed Eve; Eve blamed the serpent, but  WE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR OUR OWN CHOICES.

Time moves forward to another Garden.  The second Adam, Jesus, knelt and prayed, “If it is possible, let this cup pass from me.”  But Jesus accepted the cup.  He died so we could live.  Did all of heaven hold its breath again? 

Three days later He rose!  He cancelled the power of sin and death!

Do you need newness?  In Jesus is victory.  He can live in you, a useless glove—and make you useful, power in a glove.  There is forgiveness, joy, peace, and hope in Jesus.  Here and now, not just in eternity.  Everything Jesus has is for you!