Slides to accompany special Bible address

1. Understanding God- Our Creator Laindon Special Bible Presentation 27th April 2011

2. TODAY: Understanding God – Our Creator Our ‘Understanding God’ Series

3. The most fundamental question How did we get here?

4. Observing the here and now

5. Only two possible explanations A Creator There is a God The world is a product of design There is order at the heart of the world and its processes There is a purpose to life No Creator There is no God The world is a product of chance There is chaos at the heart of the world and its processes There is no purpose to life

6. Only one logical explanation Something that began this sequence??? A slow series of evolutionary changes Today No starting point! God A process of creation through God’s power Today In the beginning God…

7. God, Our Creator – An outline Reasons to believe The Bible says that God is the Creator The 7 day creation makes logical sense The Lord Jesus Christ endorsed creation We see wonderful design in the Universe (Our genetic programming) Understanding God Why did God create? God’s plan and purpose with the earth Is there one? If so, what is it? What the future holds What you should do about this A final question...

8. A word about the Bible... A revelation from God “All scripture is given by inspiration of God...” (2 Timothy 3 v 16) “The Spirit of the Lord spake by me, and his word was in my tongue.” (2 Samuel 23 v 2) “...he [God] spake by the mouth of his holy prophets...” (Luke 1 v 70) “...whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning...” (Romans 15 v 4) “...the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy [Spirit].” (2 Peter 1 v 21) “...ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God...” (1 Thessalonians 2 v 13)

9. The Bible says God is the Creator “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:” (Romans 1 v 20, King James Version) “For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities-his eternal power and divine nature-have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.” (Romans 1 v 20, New International Version)

10. The Bible says God is the Creator “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.” (Psalms 19 v 1-3) “Have ye not known? have ye not heard? hath it not been told you from the beginning? have ye not understood from the foundations of the earth?...Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number: he calleth them all by names by the greatness of his might, for that he is strong in power; not one faileth.” (Isaiah 40 v 21,26)

11. The 7 day creation makes sense! Day 1 – Light/Dark Day 2 – Sky/Sea Day 3 – Sea/Dry land & Vegetation Day 4 – Sun, moon & stars Day 5 – Sea animals & flying creatures Day 6 – Land animals & humans Day 7 – A day of rest (Sabbath) (From Genesis 1 v 1 – 2 v 3)

12. Jesus Christ endorsed creation “And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these sayings, he departed from Galilee, and came into the coasts of Judaea beyond Jordan; And great multitudes followed him; and he healed them there. The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause? And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.” (Matthew 19 v 1-6)

13. Wonderful design in the Universe

14. (Our genetic programming) The inclination to ask “Why?”

15. Summary so far... Only creation answers the question of beginning The Bible, a divine message, describes God as the Creator Creation is credible and certainly not unscientific! Jesus endorsed creation, so must Christians At every level we see design and order

16. WHY did God create? “And the earth was without form [tohuw: purposeless], and void [bohuw: empty]; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.” (Genesis 1 v 2) “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 [tohuw: purposeless], he formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD; and there is none else.” (Isaiah 45 v 18) “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.” (Revelation 4 v 11)

17. God’s plan & purpose in a nutshell “But as truly as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the Lord.” (Numbers 14 v 21) “For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.” (Habakkuk 2 v 14) WHAT “After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.” (Matthew 6 v 9-13) HOW

18. What the future holds “And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.” (Revelation 21 v 3-5) A new creation!

19. What you should do about this “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” (Revelation 3 v 20) “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” (John 17 v 2)

20. Our ‘Understanding God’ Series NEXT (God willing): Understanding God – Our Loving Father

21. Thank you for coming & listening Chance? Design?