Genesis

• 

  The Origin of Love (Genesis 22)

  May 18, 2025

  Many people are familiar with the story of Abraham and Isaac. Genesis 22:1-5: 

  1 Now it came to pass after these things that God tested Abraham, and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” 2 Then He said, “Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.” 3 So Abraham rose early in the morning and saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son; and he split the wood for the burnt offering, and arose and went to the place of which God had told him. 4 Then on the third day Abraham lifted his eyes and saw the place afar off. 5 And Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey; the lad and I will go yonder and worship, and we will come back to you.” 

  It sometimes horrifies us to think how God could require human sacrifice. Yet, the point of this story is to show God testing Abraham’s faith and loyalty; nothing more. Genesis 6-12:

  6 So Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife, and the two of them went together. 7 But Isaac spoke to Abraham his father and said, “My father!” And he said, “Here I am, my son.” Then he said, “Look, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” 

  8 And Abraham said, “My son, God will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering.” So the two of them went together. 9 Then they came to the place of which God had told him. And Abraham built an alter there and placed the wood in order; and he bound Isaac his son and laid him on the alter; upon the wood. 10 And Abraham stretched out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. 11 But the Angel of the LORD called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” So he said, “Here I am.” 

  12 And He said, “Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.” 

  

  We may never know if God would have allowed Abraham to follow through and kill his son, Isaac. Fortunately, we have the privilege of knowing how this story ends. 

  One of the areas of focus for this story is looking at what the Bible has to say about love and where it originated. In today’s society, we throw around the word “love” rather loosely. It is not so much a Christianized idea and because of this, love can often be associated with “tolerance,” “affirmation,” and “acceptance.” Even within the walls of progressive Christianity, there is a connection with a worldview of love. This makes us wonder; Where did love originate?

  William McDonald, author and former president of Emmaus Bible College, stated “the first occurrence of a word in the Bible often sets the pattern for its usage throughout Scripture.” The Hebrew word for “love,” אָהַב (˒âhab, aw-hab,) was first used in Genesis 22:2: 

  2 Then He said, “Take now your son, your only son Issac, whom you love…

  We know from reading Genesis 21 that Isaac was almost a miracle child for Abraham and Sarah, because of their older age. There was likely a lot of hope for them that through their offspring, their lineage would continue. Therefore, we are left wondering why God would require Abraham to give up his only son when He knew how important this child was to them. And, on top of that, let’s not forget the request to kill Isaac.

  Within the context of defining love, we look at Abraham’s love for his child. Warren Wiersbe, author of With the Word Bible Commentary, explains that this was a test of love: 

  Abraham loved his son, but he loved God more. Isaac was God’s gift to Abraham, but the gift had to become a sacrifice to God. If the gift becomes more important than the Giver, it becomes an idol.   

  We have no evidence that Abraham told God outright, “I love you,” but we know from this text that Abraham passed the test which proved to God, through action and obedience, that God meant more to him than anything. He may have ever realized that if it were not for God, he wouldn’t have Isaac. Furthermore, his actions exemplify the love that a parent has for their children. Later in Genesis 25, we see Isaac with his children, Esau and Jacob. 

  27 So the boys grew. And Esau was a skillful hunter, a man of the field, but Jacob was a mild man, dwelling in tents. 28 And Isaac loved Esau because he ate of his game, but Rebekah loved Jacob. 

  As parents, we rarely show favoritism to our children. However, Isaac showed favoritism toward Esau, the older twin brother of Jacob. We see this continue to Genesis 27: 

  1 Now it came to pass when Isaac was old and his eyes were so dim that he could not see, that he called Esau his older son and said to him, “My Son.” And he answered him, “Here I am.” 2 Then he said, “Behold now, I am old. I do not know the day of my death. 3 Now therefore, please take your weapons, your quiver, and your bow, and go out to the field and hunt game for me. 4 And make me savory food, such as I love, and bring it to me that I may eat, that my soul may bless you before I die.” 

  The same word “love” is used in this scripture but its meaning is different. We all have a favorite food that we love. It might be apple pie, chocolate cake, or cookies. If you don’t have a sweet tooth, maybe you love mashed potatoes, turkey, and green bean casserole. Whatever it is, most of us have a love for food. Even in the Bible, we find that people had a love for certain foods. 

  

  Another kind of love is romantic or sexual love. We see an example of this in Genesis 29:30 (NKJV):   

  30 Then Jacob also went in to Rachel, and he also loved Rachel more than Leah. And he served with Laban still another seven years.

  This time, love is interpreted to mean love between two people. In this example, we are given a biblical model of romance and sexual love between a man and a woman. This kind of love is one of God’s greatest gifts to humanity. In today’s society, many try to minimize the significance of this blessing by forcing the acceptance of other types of sexual and romantic love upon us. Unfortunately, this has been one of the reasons romantic and sexual love are often disregarded with couples refusing to commit to the marriage vows or even breaking marriage vows in time. 

  Looking at the origin of love is an exciting journey. God allowed humankind to develop feelings of certain things. All these various kinds of love, whether it be romantic love or love for certain foods, it was all placed within the boundaries that always put God first. Even for Abraham, it was to put God first. Some might even read Genesis and say that love toward God was implied, but that’s not always explained. Jumping into the book of Exodus 20:4-6, we see an example of this (NKJV): 

  4 “You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; 5 you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, 6 but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.

  We see another example of loving God in Deuteronomy 6:4-5 (NKJV): 

  4 “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one! 5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.

  While there are many other examples of loving God throughout the Bible, another example, this time stated by our Lord Jesus Christ, is in Mark 12:28-30 and Matthew 22:34-40. Matthew 12:28-30 reads: 

  28 Then one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, perceiving that He had answered them well, asked Him, “Which is the first commandment of all?” 29  Jesus answered him, “The first of all the commandments is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment.

  The origin of love is encompassed within the boundaries of the Kingdom of God. Its purpose is to love God and to put God first. By doing this, we can be sure that everything else will fall into place. When the world tries to redefine the meaning of love and sexuality the results will always end in heartache. Even for those who indulge in the love of food, it still brings all kinds of problems, including health issues, obesity, addiction, etc. However, the biggest difference with food is that we need food to survive. I don’t think God intended for us to not have a favorite food, but food cannot become one’s God. 

  People can love their families and should love their families. But people who do not love God do not always know how to love their families. Or to turn it around, people who do not love their families cannot love God. This is not to say that people do not get hurt by their families, and sometimes we have to forgive people but remain distant. And in many cases, we have to love people at a distance.

  The Bible has something to say about love in just about every book. Sometimes, people struggle with studying their Bible because they think they need to read the book starting with Genesis, all the way through. It can be really helpful and rewarding to do a word study, and in this case, take a word (like love) and identify where and how that word is used in the Bible. One can gain a great deal of spiritual understanding just by reviewing that word and seeing how it repeats itself, what different versions of the word are used, and how it unfolds through the scriptures. Love is certainly a gift from God and true love is from God. We can seek out love throughout the Bible and every time we find God, we will also find love.  

  Title: Formerly “The Origin of Love” | Sermon: October 8, 2023, Shubert Christian Church, Shubert, Nebraska

• 

  Does Everlasting Still Mean Everlasting?

  May 4, 2025

  In Hebrew, the word for everlasting is עֹלָם˓ôlâm, o-lawm’ which  means eternity, forever future, or a time unending.   So when God makes a promise to Abraham in Genesis 17, is this promise good for eternity? Or was God exaggerating? Genesis 17:1-2 reads

  1 When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am Almighty God; walk before Me and be blameless.  2 And I will make My covenant between Me and you, and will multiply you exceedingly.” 

  Does everlasting still mean everlasting? In today’s society, we could say the Jews and the nation of Israel are God’s people. Many people have tried to remove the Jews from having any claim to a covenant with God. The nation of Israel and the bloodline of the Jewish people still make the Jews descendants of Abraham. Yet, the focus of this chapter is on the term “everlasting” and does everlasting still mean everlasting for today’s society?

  

  Abram surely knew that God, The Almighty God (El Shaddai), was the creator of the universe and therefore had no limitations to power or strength. In Genesis 17: 1, the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am Almighty God;” (NKJV).

  As God made promises to Abram, Abram must have realized that God was serious. His immediate response was that he fell on his face before God. He was showing God respect and indicating his unworthiness to be in the presence of God. To which God replies in Genesis 17:3-6: 

  3 Then Abram fell on his face, and God talked with him, saying: 4 “As for Me, behold, My covenant is with you, and you shall be a father of many nations. 5 No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I have made you a father of many nations. 6 I will make you exceedingly fruitful; and I will make nations of you, and kings shall come from you.

  God said Abram was “blameless” which meant for him to maintain his integrity, to walk before God obeying God. His reward was that God would multiply him exceedingly. God continues in Genesis 17:7-8:

  7 And I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you in their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and your descendants after you. 8 Also I give to you and your descendants after you the land in which you are a stranger, all the land of Canaan, as an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.”

  Then, God changes Abram’s name. The name Abram means “high father,” and his new name, Abraham, meant “father of a multitude.” We also learn later in Genesis 17:16 that Sarai also receives a new name; Sarah, the “mother of nations.” And, every time their names are spoken, it is a reminder of the promises of God’s covenant. This covenant was not just a covenant that would be terminated upon the death of the recipients. This covenant was now an “everlasting covenant”; an eternal covenant, a covenant without end. 

  Whenever one reads the books of the Old Testament one gets the idea that the story plot is about God’s people coming to God, turning away from God, coming back to God, and then rejecting God. The Israelites (known as the Hebrew children) also known as the Jews have a hot and cold relationship with the Almighty. They reject the Almighty and in return; the Almighty rejects them. 

  Because they are God’s chosen people, God is always there to welcome them back into the fold. Therefore, this nation shouldn’t be discounted from the Biblical message. Our nation, the United States of America, should support Israel. If our nation turns away from Israel, God will certainly turn away from us. Yet, the most troubling part is there are millions of people in this nation that turned away from God already; they simply no longer care. 

  Those practicing the Jewish faith today likely feel they are well-connected to God. Whereas, people of our faith, our Christian faith believe that since the Jews rejected Jesus Christ, they lost their rights to be considered as the people of God; the true chosen people of God. There’s that little problem again about the “everlasting covenant.” Does everlasting still mean everlasting? Hosea 4:1, 6-7 (NKJV) explains:

  4 Hear the word of the Lord, 
  You children of Israel, 
  For the Lord brings a charge against the inhabitants of the land: 
  “There is no truth or mercy
  Or knowledge of God in the land.
  6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.
  Because you have rejected knowledge,
  I also will reject you from being priest for Me;
  Because you have forgotten the law of your God,
  I also will forget your children.
  7 “The more you increased,
  The more they sinned against me; 
  I will change their glory into shame. 

  It is clear that God, through the prophet, is addressing Israel. Without including a lengthy portion of Hosea 4, Hosea 4:1 clarifies that it is addressing Israel, and 4:6 details how God is rejecting his people. “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge…” (Hosea 4:6) clearly emphasizes that if you do not know something, then you are vulnerable to being destroyed.

  An example of this could be like flying an airplane. Imagine you’re traveling on a commercial jet at an altitude of 35,000 feet when the pilot suddenly hands you the controls. They tell you to just “fly the plane.” Of course, most of you’d likely reply, “But I don’t know how to fly the plane!” But the pilot does not rescind the command and instead replies, “Just fly the plane!” Then, the pilot puts on a parachute,  opens the door, and jumps out. 

  You were told to fly the plane and now you are left flying the plane. What do you think the results will be? It’s pretty likely you are going to crash the plane, and while there are cases where people survive plane crashes, this is likely not going to be one of those cases. The point here is you lack the knowledge for how to fly a plane and therefore are destroyed for your lack of knowledge. 

  Of course, the knowledge implied is the “knowledge of God.” In Hosea 4:7, “the more they increased, the more they sinned against me.” Some would assume that because the people of Israel sinned against God, God is saying to them “Okay, the deal is off, you are no longer my people.” But God does not say this. God is a merciful God who is long-suffering. He is a God who is ready to forgive when people sin. The only real problem between Christianity and today’s Judaism is that today’s Jews do not accept Jesus Christ as the Messiah; the Savior. What becomes problematic is, how can one be saved without a savior. The answer, one cannot! At the same time, Jews claim they do not accept Jesus Christ…yet. 

  We still cannot rule out the possibility that God may give his people a special opportunity, a last-ditch opportunity to acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord. Whether or not they reject Jesus, the covenant of God still stands. The covenant is everlasting and is good for all future generations. 

  Which brings another question, how much land will be claimed? Genesis 17:8 says “All the land of Canaan.” If you look up a map of Canaan, and go back to about 2000 BC, how much of this land is given to God’s people? 

  Looking at this from the perspective of the twenty-first century, as of 2024, Hamas is working toward destroying Israel. We hear about the Gaza Strip and wonder, when will the Hamas and Israel stop fighting? Only time will tell. However, under the promise of the everlasting covenant, if Israel truly returns to God, then Israel should have a claim to the land of Canaan. This could include the Gaza Strip, possibly parts of Saudi Arabia, and a large portion of Jordan. There are a lot of other complications here. There are cultural differences, religious differences, political differences; all kinds of complex issues to give reason for fighting a war. 

  At the end of the day, it’s best to be on the side of God. The God who is eternal and gives eternal covenants. Eternal life is a promise that is every bit as good as a covenant. As Israel claims the rights to their land, through our Savior Jesus Christ, we claim our rights to eternal life. There is a land that is being prepared for us, and it will be glorious. 

  _{Title: Does Everlasting Still Mean Everlasting? | Sermon: April 28, 2024, Shubert Christian Church, Shubert, Nebraska}

• 

  The Risks of Faith: Exploring Abraham’s Journey as a Biblical Patriarch

  April 28, 2025

  One of the major characters in the Bible that many would call a patriarch is Abram, better known as Abraham. Like many Bible characters who lived before the time of King David (before 1040 BC), it is hard to know much about these patriarchs. We not only lack what is referred to as reliable historical information but there also isn’t any archaeological evidence that proves the existence of Abraham. Along with Moses, we believe that Abraham lived because the Bible tells us so, in Genesis 12 (NKJV): 

  1 Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee: 2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and though shalt be a blessing: 3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. 

  Genesis 12 begins a new division in the book of Genesis. The first eleven chapters are called “primeval history.” These chapters convey the story of the first years of the world’s existence and are usually divided into three main parts: the creation and fall of humankind (chapters 1-6); the Flood (chapters 6-9); and the Flood to Abraham (chapters 9-11). The last chapters of Genesis are known as “patriarchal history.” Pastor Bob Deffinbaugh writes:

  While the effect of man’s sin has become increasingly widespread, the fulfillment of the promise of God in Genesis 3:15 has become more selective. The Redeemer was to come from the seed of the woman (Genesis 3:15), the from the descendants of Seth, then Noah, and now Abraham (Genesis 12:2-3). 

  Theologically, Genesis chapter 12 is one of the key Old Testament passages, for it contains what has been called the Abrahamic Covenant. This covenant is the thread which ties the rest of the Old Testament together. It is critical to a correct understanding of Bible prophecy.

  Rabbi Joseph Telushkin also has an interesting observation about Abraham and writes: 

  The Torah nowhere explains why God chooses Abraham for this mission, though Jewish tradition claims it is because he is the first monotheist since the time of Noah. A Jewish legend teaches that Abraham’s father, Terakh, owned an idol shop. One day, while his father was away and Abraham was in charge of the store, he smashed all the idols but the biggest with an ax, and then put the ax in the remaining idol’s hand. To his outraged father’s question as to what had happened, Abraham explained that the large idol became upset at the other idols and destroyed them. 

  “You know these idols can’t move,” Terakh shouted.

  “If they can’t save themselves,” Abraham answered, “then we are superior to them. So why should we worship them?” 

  Because this rabbinic tale is taught to almost all children in Jewish schools, many Jews mistakenly believe that it is in the Torah itself.

  As we continue reviewing the text, Yahweh speaks to Abram, and his words are: 

  1 The LORD had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. (NIV)

  What does it mean for Abram to leave his country? In some ways, we can imagine what it would be like telling a young man or woman, “Now is the time for you to go and pursue a college education.” Depending on what field of study one chooses, and how badly one wants to leave their parents, some students might pick a college several states away. 

  But Abram is not a young man going off to college. He is 75 years old. This is a different culture compared to what we know. 75-year-old people are usually not thinking about leaving home, unless, of course, it is a nursing home. Many 75-year-olds we know are enjoying a peaceful lifestyle living in their retirement communities, not thinking of taking off and leaving their family behind. Yet, here we have Abram faced with this task, as Yahweh continues:

  2 I shall make a great nation, I shall bless you and make your name famous; you are to be a blessing! 3 I shall bless those who bless you, and shall curse those who curse you, and all clans on earth will bless themselves by you. (NIV)

  

  Abram surely knew that what was promised to him was not going to be something that he would live to see in its entirety or even his lifetime. But it did not matter because the promise was enough for Abram to step out and obey. Abram was willing to take that risk. 

  How are we doing when it comes to taking risks? Our culture teaches us that once we’ve reached 75 it’s time to settle down, not get up and start out on a whole new journey. But the Christian faith is a new journey. Nowhere in the Bible does it mention “retired Christians.” Yet some have that attitude. 

  Some may try to justify being a retired Christian. They might stop being involved in church activities or not participate in the gospel message. But the Bible doesn’t give a pass. Christians continue to live by faith and take risks as they are led by God. 

  Abram took a risk by leaving his homeland to journey off into unfamiliar territory. Jesus Christ also took many risks, as he continued to preach the message and help the sick while going to Jerusalem where he’d be crucified. Let’s consider modeling our lives after Abram (and Jesus) who are risk takers. Let each of us ask ourselves; what risks does God have for me to take today? 

  Title: Taking a Risk | Sermon: February 28, 1999 First Christian Church, LaJunta, Colorado

  Sources:

  • Bob Deffinbaugh. May 12, 2004. “12. The Call of Abram (Genesis 11:31-12:9).” Bible.org.

  • Rabbi Joseph Telushkin, Jewish Literacy (New York:  William Morrow and Company, Inc., 1991, 30.

• 

  Exploring the Significance of Noah and the Ark in Genesis 6-12

  April 6, 2025

  One of the more difficult stories in the Old Testament for people to accept as factual is the story of Noah and the Ark. In Genesis 6:5-8 (NKJV): 

  5 Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man as great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. 6 And the LORD was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. 7 So the LORD said, “I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth, both man and beast, creeping thing and birds of the air, for I am sorry that I have made them. 8 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.

  Think about it. You have one man, one family, one large boat, two of every animal, and a rainstorm that causes the entire world to flood. It rains for forty days and forty nights. Most of us have seen it rain for several days in a row, maybe even forty days, and have never seen enough flooding to destroy the earth. 

  

  Some of the more modern Bible scholars have written the story off as merely an example of a Jewish fable. On the other hand, there have been rumors for the past four decades that someone has found Noah’s Ark, some even say on Mt. Ararat. Theories have been explained to show how the ark was once on top of the mountain, which is believed to be a volcano. The volcano erupted around a thousand years ago and carried the ark down through a flow of lava. 

  Most recently, archaeologists believe they have discovered the final location on Turkey’s Mount Ararat through soil samples which reveal human activity and marine materials during the time of the flood (dating around 5500 to 3000 BC). Yet, many researchers disagree and even disagree on the extent of the flood saying that “those events naturally made their way into the world’s oral and written lore.” Andrew A. Snelling, a geologist and Director of Research for Answers in Genesis says, “We do not expect the Ark to have survived and been available to find after 4,350 years.” 

  While such theories continue to exist, there is no credible archaeology done to prove that Noah’s Ark exists. However, there are people who desperately want to find it. Christians and Jews would most certainly rejoice if Noah’s Ark were found. 

  As a Bible story, we accept Noah and the Ark on faith, believing that because it is in the Bible, it has to be true. This story is not told in the form of a historical lesson. It’s an example of God’s salvific act. We are not left standing on the sidelines wondering why God, who is an all-loving God, would carry out this horrendous act of destroying His creation. Instead, we should be grieved as God was grieved seeing His creation only desiring to perform evil acts. This here is an example in the history of humanity where God’s heart was broken. 

  In Genesis 6:13-14, God proposes a plan: 

  13 And God said to Noah, “The end of all flesh has come before Me, for the earth is filled with violence through them; and behold, I will destroy them with the earth. 14 “Make yourself an ark…”

  The Bible gives the description and measurements in “cubits.” Modern comparisons describe the ark as being about half the size of an ocean liner, the Queen Elizabeth (which is about double the size of the Titanic), and about 450 feet long. Imagine if you took one of each animal from the face of the earth and placed it aboard the Queen Elizabeth. This glorious ship would still not be large enough to hold all the a animals. So, again, there are always people waiting to dispute what the Bible claims. 

  The Hebrew word, tebah (teebayh) is translated as “ark” from the Latin word “arca.” This translation is often debated, as well as the shape of the ark. Most Bible scholars agree the ark was shaped more like a chest or box-shaped but others believe it to be more of a “floating palace.” Clyde Francisco, a Bible scholar, says “it was certainly not built for sailing but for surviving.” What’s important to note is that there is value in seeing that God had a specific vehicle in mind by which to save Noah, his family, and the birds and animals. God could have placed them all on a raft, and yet still God could have saved them. 

  The fact is, this event occurred over 4,000 years ago. We do not have a methodology for a reconstruction of how this might have occurred. Some people feel comfortable writing this story off as fiction. But, if one reduces this story to be only a Jewish myth or fable, then does one really believe in God? 

  God does not seem the least concerned about coming forward to prove His ark existed. One can choose to believe or not believe. The basic synopsis stands: Noah was told to build an ark. Using this ark, God would establish his covenant with Noah. We now see a greater purpose to the Noah and the Ark story. It’s not only about a man, his family, some animals, and a flood. It is about God’s righteous judgment passed against all that is evil. It is about God’s wondrous grace given to save that which is good. And, with this, God was not merely saving a few people aboard an ark. He was saving a multitude of generations of people to follow. 

  In the Dickson study Bible, The New Analytical Bible (1973), Dickson states “Noah is the last member of the Sethite line of the Antediluvian Age. From Seth to Noah, nine members of that line are given. The race is to be all but obliterated, but it is not only preserved but also the Messianic line. It is of special interest that the preservation of the race is in the line of the Messiah, hence the history of a Savior will be fulfilled in the historical line that has been selected.”.

  Luke’s gospel traces the genealogy of Jesus all the way back through Noah in Noah 3:36-38 (NIV): 

  36 the son of Cainan, the son of Arphaxad, the son of Shem, the son of Noah, the son of Lamech, 37 the son of Methuselah, the son of Enoch, the son of Jared, the son of Mahalalel, the son of Kenan, 38 the son of Enosh, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God.

  In short, we see God’s plan of salvation extends to multiple generations–not limited to one. If people today were to take away the story of Noah and the Ark, then one is destroying one of the basic roots of God’s salvation plan. Furthermore, to not believe in Noah and the Ark is to not believe in God’s plan of salvation. Still, there is another reason we review this story. It’s to remind us that Noah and the Ark symbolize new beginnings. 

  Noah obeyed God. He built the ark. People probably laughed at him, “Hey, look at that old man, Noah, up there building an ark. Want us to come up and show you how to build a real boat, Noah?…Hey, Noah, where’s the flood…That’s quite the house you are building up there, Noah. You planning on having more kids? You’re crazy Noah!”

  Noah built the ark. He did everything God asked him to do. He loaded up the animals and his family. God shut the door and turned on the rain. It rained and rained. And all those people who had no vehicles for survival sank. They all drowned. 

  The rain stopped, but the waters continued to cover the earth for 150 days. Image by now, everyone was probably getting cabin fever. I mean, “Get those sheep over there some deodorant!” Noah started sending birds out to find land. Then, imagine the day when Noah and his family first stepped out of the ark. It is like an undiscovered country, a whole new world. It was a new beginning. A new opportunity to begin again. 

  ^{Title: Noah and the Ark | Sermon: January 5, 2003, First Christian Church (Paradise, California)}

• 

  Uncovering the Dysfunction: A Deep Dive into the Family Dynamics of Genesis 3-5

  April 4, 2025

  Not a day goes by in America where the political parties accuse each other of violating ethics. Some of the most common examples from today are the Republicans accusing Hunter Biden, son of President Joe Biden, of using his father’s position for personal gain when conducting business deals in Ukraine and China. The Republicans frequently accuse Hillary Clinton, former Secretary of State and Democratic presidential nominee, of misusing classified information in her private email server. 

  Of course, the Democrats aren’t off the hook either. The Democrats have criticized former President Donald Trump for various things ranging from conflicts of interest in business deals to mixing personal financial interests with presidential duties. Additionally, the Democrats have accused the Trump administration for a variety of ethical rules, including conflicts of interest, misuse of resources, and more. 

  The blame game isn’t just a part of our political government, it’s played in every area of society. From medical professionals denying they prescribed the wrong treatment, a teacher giving out answers for standardized tests, and even in the church, where they deny the responsibility for driving away a family; or even worse, driving someone away from the Kingdom of God. 

  With Adam vs. Eve or Adam and Eve vs. The Serpent, God held all parties accountable. In Genesis 3:8-9 (NIV), we read:

  8 Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. 9 But the Lord God called to the man, "Where are you?"

  This gives us an indication of what God’s judgment is like. If Adam would have said, “Father I have sinned,” or Eve would have said, “Father, I have sinned against you,” we might wonder how God may have responded. 

  Of course, the Serpent in the story was not going to admit it had sinned. But knowing who the Serpent is (from Revelation 20:2), he has a long history of being incapable of repenting. Still, God held all parties accountable and therefore, Adam and Eve were driven out of the garden (v. 24). 

  In Genesis 4, we learn that Adam and Eve went on to produce a family. (Genesis 4:1-2, NIV):

  Adam made love to his wife Eve, and she became pregnant and gave birth to Cain. She said, "With the help of the Lord, I have brought forth a man." 2 Later she gave birth to his brother Abel.

  

  They may have had high hopes for making a new start in life. Yet, the life they had come to be adjusted to would drastically change. Their sons, Cain and Abel, had grown up. Abel was a shepherd. Cain was a farmer. But something between them happened, we don’t know, and if we were to operate under today’s court system, we would have no evidence to prove that Cain was an abused child, which drove him to murder his brother. 

  Some might blame God for being too favorable towards Abel. But, it is difficult for us to judge God, because God had an awareness of the intentions of Cain’s heart–something we never have. We never know what lies within a person’s heart. Nevertheless, Cain was filled with a passion to commit murder. So, he schemed against his brother, Abel, luring him out to a field: 

  8 Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him. 

  If they’d lived in the 20th century, the newspapers would have headlined:

   “Man Kills His Own Brother In a Violent Attack

   Parents Are Baffled at One Son Dead, The Other a Murderer”

  It was reported that sometime in the late afternoon, a father, Adam, went out to the fields to look for his sons. To his horror, he discovered his younger son lying out in the field, dead, lying in a pool of blood, and suffering from severe internal injuries. Going back to his local village, he reported the crime and discovered that his other son was in custody being tried for murder:

  Genesis 4:9 (NIV) “Then the Lord said to Cain, ‘Where is your brother Abel?’ / ‘I don’t know,’ he replied. ‘Am I my brother’s keeper?”

  Unlike his parents, when God confronted Cain, he didn’t cry out to God and say, “Oh Father, please have mercy upon me! I don’t know what came over me.” Instead, it was more of a smug statement, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” 

  There seems to be no Scriptural evidence at this point as to if Cain was truly sorry for the sins he committed. Again, under our laws, he would probably be given life without parole or possibly placed on death row. And while some may feel our God is unmerciful; God sentenced Cain to be banished from his homeland:  

  11 Now you are under a curse and driven from the ground, which opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand. 12 When you work the ground, it will no longer yield its crops for you. You will be a restless wanderer on the earth.” 13 Cain said to the Lord, “My punishment is more than I can bear. 14 Today you are driving me from the land, and I will be hidden from your presence; I will be a restless wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me.” (Genesis 4:11-14, NIV)

  Like Adam and Eve were thrown out of their home in the Garden, Cain was driven away from his home. And the lives of his family members remained changed forever. Adam, Eve, Cain, and Abel, were the people of God. God created his people in his own image (Genesis 1:27). Whereas today, we are God’s people. We are his creation. Yet, are we just as dysfunctional? 

  Maybe some of us have come from dysfunctional families. Those are families who have damaged their own members in some way. And then, once we have been damaged, at what point do we gain the ability to function again? 

  Some churches are like dysfunctional families. In particular, some have had drastic events that occur that cause a great amount of damage, and the damage continues to build on itself. Or, the problem may be there has been one person, or a small handful of people, who have operated under the spirit of Cain. They begin to develop a fit of jealousy that drives them to sin. Maybe not murder in the physical sense but certainly murder in the spiritual sense. And, then following the murder, they still will not own up that they have done any wrongdoing. They smooth it out and sweep any evidence under the rug. 

  We might wonder, how does one move on? Adam and Eve were able to move on. They had another child, Seth (Genesis 5:3-8): 

  3 When Adam had lived 130 years, he had a son in his own likeness, in his own image; and he named him Seth. 4 After Seth was born, Adam lived 800 years and had other sons and daughters. 5 Altogether, Adam lived a total of 930 years, and then he died.

  6 When Seth had lived 105 years, he became the father of Enosh. 7 After he became the father of Enosh, Seth lived 807 years and had other sons and daughters. 8 Altogether, Seth lived a total of 912 years, and then he died.

  There is always the hope of a new beginning. This hope has certainly kept the church alive and going for the past 2,000 years. If you know anything about church history, you must know that there have been many battles, and many disputes down through the ages. Furthermore, God has worked through and will continue to work through many people who have come from dysfunctional families. Each of us must commit our own life–that we are not going to be dysfunctional. And, that we will allow God’s Spirit to function in us and through us. 

  Title: A Dysfunctional Family | Sermon: January 5, 1997 / First Christian Church, LaJunta, Colorado

• 

  Exploring the Creative Spirit: How can we embrace our purpose as creators? (Genesis 1-2)

  April 1, 2025

  26 Then God said, “Let us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” 27 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. 28 Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth. (Genesis 1:26-28, NKJV)

  When looking at the text in Genesis 1, we see that God says, “Let us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness…” You might be thinking, “who is the ‘us’” in this scripture? Scholars today have interpreted this in various ways. Terence Fretheim, author of The New Interpreter’s Bible (1994) suggests God, along with a “divine realm” was responsible for this creative process and many scholars agree with him. However, others, like myself, would interpret the “us” as a reference to God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit. This is believed through interpreting the text from the Gospel of John: 

  1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. (NKJV).

  This is interrupted to say that Christ was present before the world began and assisted in the process of creation. Assuming now that God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit are present in the creation of humankind, what seems equally important is that we were created in the image of God. 

  A whole area of theology has been devoted to the study of the “image of God,” where some scholars even throw around the term, imago Dei, which is Latin for “image of God.” Further, we know that there are several popular religions in the world that go beyond man being created in the “image of God,” to say that humanity will eventually become God. Of course, the idea that humankind will evolve to become a god is not Biblical, and is bothersome to traditional Christians. We are also repulsed by the suggested theory of evolution, because none of us want to see our God as a glorified ape-man. 

  To be created in the image of God is more interpreted as “likeness.” Man is not God, but is like God. Man “reflects the divine nature [of God] within his humanity. Man, mankind, womankind, humankind are created in the image and likeness of God. Whereas, one could probably spend a great deal of time and energy focusing on this idea and the multitude of ways our lives reflect the life of God, or Creator, and our Father. The main attribute, we have been created to create.” 

  When we think of creation, we think of artists. Artists are not merely those who paint or draw. Artists are people who create, compose, and write music. Artists are people who make designs that lead toward advanced technology. Artists may be the people who make quilts, who create delicious meals, and who put together lovely arrangements of flowers. Artists may be the mechanics who are gifted at fixing things or the carpenters who are gifted at building things. 

  Artists are equally as well people who create new methodologies for doing effective ministry. Mentioning the doings of effective ministry, leads into the frustration some pastors experience with the church today. This frustration is witnessing the church as a place that destroys creativity. 

  If humans were created in the image of God, we see quite plainly that we have been created to create. For most of us, we can quite plainly say at some point in our life: “I made that,” or “I created that!”

  Here is where the traditional churches destroy creativity. At one time there was creativity. Someone came up with an idea, or a program; it was tried; it was successful; and everyone liked it. But then, someone decided this is the way it has to be done and year after year, decade after decade, someone else would say “this year, let’s try doing this.” They were immediately cut down by a person or group of persons who proclaimed in unison: “This is the way we’ve always done it. This is the way it has to be done.” The biggest issue with this is that when people act this way toward another, we are not simply destroying creativity, we are killing the person God created them to be. 

  It’s almost like murder. God created us to create. He gifted us with creativity, and placed within us a burning desire to go forth and make accomplishments. Then, God started us down the road of creativity, he said “Be fruitful and multiply” (Genesis 28). Then, Jesus said in Mark 16:15 (NKJV): 

  15 Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 

  But, then someone decided if you’re going to preach the gospel, your sermon needs an introduction, three main points, and a conclusion. Someone decided the sermon would be delivered in a church building. A building with pews, a pulpit, a choir oft, an organ, and a piano. A church has have a narthex, a place for greeters and a guest book to sign. A church has to have a cross hanging on the wall, a baptistery, and a communion table. And on the communion table, there is a proper way of setting the table, and by golly, you’d never not goof that up. And, so with all this arrangement by which we call the church, if someone came up with a creative idea for change, we would say, “this is the way we’ve always done it. This is the way it has to be done.” 

  In Genesis 1:28 (NKJV), 28 Then God blessed the, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth. 

  Mankind was given dominion over all the other creatures of the earth. Defining the word, dominion, we could also add power and authority. The creator has created a special creation, humankind, to create and have power and authority over the rest of God’s creation. 

  At one point in my ministry career, we lived in a parsonage in La Junta, Colorado. After living there a year, we discovered a terrible problem. We had an overpopulation of pigeons. These pigeons were terribly messy. They left droppings all over the roof, the sidewalks, our cars, and everywhere else. So when I sought out help, there was no Save the Pigeons society (that I was aware of). There was no one willing to relocate these pigeons to a more suitable environment. I called an exterminator and was informed with a hefty price, he would come and poison the pigeons with poisoned food. The drawback to that was that other birds might be poisoned in the process and the poison would only last for a time. 

  Being a person raised in a farming community, I instead elected to buy a BB gun and proceeded to have dominion over these pigeons. At the end of the year, the pigeon population was under control, as I had officiated over the funerals of at least nineteen pigeons that year. 

  Is this story a confession of my sins? Not really. I have no remorse over saying farewell to these pigeons. While I do like animals, I’m not an animal rights activist over pigeons. My faith will remain to believe that I am a special part of God’s creation – doing what I was called to do as part of the dominion, care, and authority of the human race. 

  In conclusion, it is our purpose to create! The ministries and the church should exist to inspire people to continue to create. Considering the great commission of taking the gospel into all the world, we need the creativity of the saints to invent new ways for getting the job done. God has assigned us all a gift, and he will hold us accountable for it. If we don’t use our creativity, God will see us as non-productive. Even worse, if we don’t use our creativity, we are going against what God has created us to be.  So, let’s commit ourselves to be all that we can be or our Lord. 

  Title: Formerly “Created to Create” | Sermon: March 23, 2003, First Christian Church Paradise, California