Developing a Biblical Worldview

Old Testament Reading: Psalm 136:1-26 – New Testament Reading Colossians 1:9-18

Developing a Biblical Worldview
“A Place to Begin”
Genesis 1:1

Wayne J. Edwards, Pastor

   The “battle of the ages” is between the two worldviews as defined by God in His prophecy concerning the promise of the coming of the Messiah in Genesis 3:15:

• • The first worldview is in the “seed” of Satan, the seed of rebellion against God, which leads to paganism.
    • In Romans 1:25, the Apostle Paul wrote: “They changed the truth of God into a lie and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator!”
  • The second worldview is in the “seed” of Eve; the Seed of submission unto God; the seed of promise.
    • In Titus 1:2, the Apostle wrote: “Even before the world began, God, who cannot lie, promised us eternal life!”

 1.  The Contrast of the Two Worldviews – Deuteronomy 30:19-20 – “I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore, choose life that both thou and thy seed may live!”

Everyone has a worldview, a “grid” through which they view the world and everything in it. That “grid” is a system of beliefs we develop from our parents, our peers, and our pursuit of knowledge, from which we establish our values.

2.  The Covenant of the One True God – John 17:3 – “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent!”

  In the Hebrew, Genesis 1:1 reads: “In beginning, God created!”

• • The Book of Genesis tells us about the beginning of everything except God – His existence is not argued, explained, or defended – He is simply presented as the One who was before the beginning of all things.
  • In the first 11 chapters, there is the origin of time, action, space and matter, the solar system, the atmosphere, the hydrosphere, all forms of life; mankind, marriage, family, sin, guilt, redemption and forgiveness; the origin of nations and the various languages.
  • In chapter 12, there is the “Genesis” (generations) of the Israelites, through whom the Word of God would be written; the plan of God revealed, and the Son of God would be given as the Savior of lost mankind.
  • From Genesis 12 to the end of the Old Testament, the focus of the Bible is upon God’s interaction with the Israelites, as God revealed His plan of redemption in the way He dealt with.
  • As the New Testament opens, the Bible reveals how the Israelites failed to be God’s witnesses and how He set them aside temporarily. But it also reveals how God, through Christ, began to call out a new people – both Jew and Gentile – to be His “Church,” through which the gospel of our salvation could be proclaimed.
  • There is no attempt to explain the existence of God or to defend Him as a Person. The Bible simply presents Him as being the “Creator” of all things, including His plan for man’s redemption, and lays out the details of His promise for all to see and to be fulfilled.
  • Those who reject the evidence are living in paganism.
  • Those who accept the evidence are living in His Promise.

3.  The Creator Who Deserves to be Worshipped – Revelation 4:11 – “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure, they are and were created!”

• • How did the universe come into being? God created the heavens and the earth!
  • How do we know that God created the heavens and the earth? The Hebrew word for “create” (ex-nihilo) means “out of nothing” – only God can make something out of nothing and make it sustainable forever.
  • How did God create the heavens and the earth? By His Word: He spoke it into being – God said, “let there be,” and it was.
  • When did God create the heavens and the earth? In six literal days, around 6000 years ago.
    • From Adam to the flood was 1656 years and from the flood to Abraham was 225 years, which makes about 2000 years. (Genesis 5 and 11)
    • From Abraham to the Jews to return to Jerusalem was about 1500 years. Adding the 400 silent years, you have another 2000 years or so.
    • From Jesus to today, we have another 2000 years, so God’s creation is about 6000 years old.
  • Why did God create the heavens and the earth? God created the world and everything that is in it, “for His pleasure” – to bring Him glory for all eternity! (Isaiah 45:18, Isaiah 43:7, Romans 11:36)
  • God created all that is to prove His power.
    
  • God created it the way He did to prove His purpose.
    
  • God sustains His creation in such a way to prove He is personally involved in it, and therefore in our lives.
  • If what is said in Genesis 1:1 is true, and it is, what else can we do but surrender unto the One who has created us – in His image!