The Glory of Creation: Faith, Light, and the Power of God

2. 39But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.Hebrews 10:39 ESV

3. Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 2 For by it the people of old received their commendation. 3 By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.Hebrews 11:1-3 ESV

4. What happened before that? • Genesis 1:1 ESV - In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. • Hebrews 11:3 ESV - 3 By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible

5. …the entire universe, jumping into existence in a trillionth of a trillionth of a second, out of nothingness in an unimaginably intense flash of light, is how he would expect the universe to respond if God were to actually utter the command in Genesis 1:3, “Let there be light.” In other words, the origin of the universe unfolded exactly how one would expect after reading GenesisGeorges Lemaitre

6. Resounding Glory • Psalm 19:1-2 ESV - The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. 2 Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. • Romans 1:20 ESV - For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.

7. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power.Hebrews 1:3a ESV

8. 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 was not any thing made that was made.John 1:1-3 ESV

9. 15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. 21 And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him,23 if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister. Colossians 1:15-23 ESV

10. Created & Recreated • Genesis 1:1 ESV - In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. • 2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV - 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. • Revelation 21:5 ESV - 5 And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”

11. Lord Over All • Ephesians 4:4-7 ESV - 4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.