Creation Sunday

Created for each Other

Genesis 1:3 - 2:3

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

We begin at the beginning, where God speaks the entire creation into existence. God says it and it happens. We can see this right away with verse 3. "And God said, 'Let there be light,' and there was light." But this is not the only thing that is shown in the Good Creation of God.

God creates for his creation. You will note that God does not start with Man and then figure out that man needs oxygen, so he then creates atmosphere. Likewise, he does not realize Man needs food so after creating man create a means of food. God makes sure that he has everything prepared for Man, likewise for the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and the beast of the field.

On the Second Day God created, Atmosphere and the sea. He creates an expanse between the waters above us and the waters below us. God calls this expanse Heaven or sky. It is here where he makes the atmosphere where we live. The Water above us is that which protects us from outer-space.

On the Third Day God created dry land. He gathers the water below to one place, and this specifically reveals the land that is already prepared below the water. This dry land is given to produce plants, and vegetation. Though not expressed specifically, this is where you also get alleges and other submersive vegetation. God is providing food for fish, birds, and other animals yet to be created.

God prepared the atmosphere and the air for the birds to fly in, as well as the sea for fish to dwell in, and even the dry land for beasts of the field. God also provides vegetation for these animals to eat and gain nourishment. He even makes it so these plants can bear fruit and seed, in order to replenish the food supply.

It is then on Day Five when God will create the birds of the air and the fish of the sea, the environments he provided on day two. It is then on Day Six when God will create the beasts of the field, the environment he provided on day Three.

Similarly, the bodies of the heavens that are only known to us by the light that they either continue to produce or reflect. These bodies of light produce the light that allows photosynthesis to provide food and growth for plants. Yet, the light is produced on day one, the bodies that will convey this light are created on day four. So you can very easily connect day one to day four, day two to day five, and day three to day six.

But this does not just mean that God has outlined his creation in an orderly fashion. He has designed order within his creation, and created everything for an express purpose. It means that God knows what his creation will need before it does. God has already provided for his creation that which is necessary.

St Peter writes, "[Christ] was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you ..." St Paul writes, "Even as he chose us in [Christ] before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him."

The Father prepared Christ from the beginning, as St John writes, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made." He prepares what we need ahead of time. He knows what we need before we do.

But this is only the beginning. In the beginning God has prepared everything. All that is necessary for your life eternal the Word of God has done, whether through the speaking or through his sacrifice on the cross for your sins. But this is a part of a greater lesson for us.

As we begin this new school year, and start hearing Creations story once again from the beginning. We should remember the command that is given. "God said to them, 'Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.'"

God provides his creation for his creation. God has created us to work with one another. He has designed us to help one another and take care of one another. This does not just mean caring for hungry children, it means that PLUS caring for animals, plant life, fish, and environmental concerns. We have been provided to take care of this creation. You may remember that God had Adam name all the animals, because they were like his first children.

We have this command to take care of each other, and the environment in which we live. But we do not always live up to this command. This why God has had Christ in his plan from the beginning. God knew that the Word would become flesh and die for the forgiveness of all sin. He would also rise from the dead.

Adam and Eve led the entire creation into sin, bringing death, disease, and suffering into the creation. We continue to bread death, disease, and suffering through our sinful actions, and as a consequence for our sins. Thus, Christ did not only die but rose again. He is the first fruits of the new creation.

St Paul writes, "For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God." Likewise, he writes, "For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead."

God has provided you for his creation, to take care of it, weed it, and help it grow. God has provided the Word made flesh for you, to redeem you from your sin. God has also provided the Word that spoke creation into existence, in order to restore, renew, and cleanse his creation from sin, death, disease, suffering, and all unrighteousness. This is done through Christ's death and resurrection. Amen.

The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.