Tag Archives: Genesis 1

Feb 16 2011

CBSM Sermon Video: “Ex Nihilo: That’s What HE Said (Doctrine of Creation)”


I always love to see God do the opposite of what we think might happen. As the snow storm absolutely whited out north Alabama this week, we were wondering whether or not we should cancel our service this Wednesday night for safety concerns. We decided to go ahead and have our Wednesday night worship service, and God brought in so many new visitors and an absolutely huge crowd. God gave us such a powerful night of worship, and I wouldn’t have traded it for anything in the world. We also started this new series “Ex Nihilo” on the doctrine of creation. We kicked it off with a sermon in Genesis 1 called “That’s What HE Said” which was all about how God spoke everything into existence from absolutely nothing. And there is a huge reason why God spoke everything into existence. There’s a huge reason why God the Father and God the Spirit are spoken of explicitly in Genesis 1, but Jesus (God the Son) is not spoken of explicitly. He is in there implicitly, but its that mystery of the creation through Christ and for Christ (Colossians 1:15-16) that brings beauty and meaning to His creation. Check out the sermon mp3 and marvel in the glory of God’s creative design…for Christ.

Jan 20 2011

Ex Nihilo (Doctrine of Creation): 3 Questions to Ask an Evolutionist

Free files for student pastors and small group leaders:
2 – Creation – Evolution (mp3)
2 – Creation – Evolution (handout)
2 – Creation – Evolution (ppt)
2 – Creation – Evolution (outline)
2 – Creation – Evolution (sermon notes)
2 – Creation – Evolution (small groups)
2 – Creation – Evolution (service)
Ex Nihilo Title Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TUEiN6R2ZBw
(We used “Common Designer” from Answers in Genesis as our sermon intro video)
I’ve never preached on evolution before…nor have I ever preached on something that’s not in the Bible! I heavily studied Mark Driscoll’s chapter on “Creation” in his book “Doctrine.” You will see a lot of his material in my notes. I also used a little of Wayne Grudem’s chapter on “Doctrine of Creation” in his book “Systematic Theology” as well. I didn’t want to just preach a sermon on how evolution is wrong and creationism is right. So we went with the angle…how do we talk to evolutionists and engage them in conversation so that over time we can see God move their hearts to Jesus and then eventually to a biblical view of creationism? I want our students encouraged at every single moment to talk to unbelievers about Jesus, the gospel, the Word, etc! Check out all the resources above for a greater understanding on this HUGE issue.

Jan 13 2011

Ex Nihilo (Doctrine of Creation): That’s What HE Said

Free files for student pastors and small group leaders:
1 – Creation – Genesis 1 (mp3)
1 – Creation – Genesis 1 (handout)
1 – Creation – Genesis 1 (ppt)
1 – Creation – Genesis 1 (sermon notes)
1 – Creation – Genesis 1 (small groups)
(We used “Six Days” video from AnswersInGenesis.Org for sermon intro video.)

I always love to see God do the opposite of what we think might happen. As the snow storm absolutely whited out north Alabama this week, we were wondering whether or not we should cancel our service this Wednesday night for safety concerns. We decided to go ahead and have our Wednesday night worship service, and God brought in so many new visitors and an absolutely huge crowd. God gave us such a powerful night of worship, and I wouldn’t have traded it for anything in the world. We also started this new series “Ex Nihilo” on the doctrine of creation. We kicked it off with a sermon in Genesis 1 called “That’s What HE Said” which was all about how God spoke everything into existence from absolutely nothing. And there is a huge reason why God spoke everything into existence. There’s a huge reason why God the Father and God the Spirit are spoken of explicitly in Genesis 1, but Jesus (God the Son) is not spoken of explicitly. He is in there implicitly, but its that mystery of the creation through Christ and for Christ (Colossians 1:15-16) that brings beauty and meaning to His creation. Check out the sermon mp3 and marvel in the glory of God’s creative design…for Christ.

May 13 2010

storyline #80: psalm 8 “apps for iworship: humanity″

Free files for youth pastors and small group leaders:
2 – Psalm 8 – iWorship as Humanity (mp3)
2 – Psalm 8 – iWorship as Humanity (handout)
2 – Psalm 8 – iWorship as Humanity (ppt)
2 – Psalm 8 – iWorship as Humanity (commentary)
2 – Psalm 8 – iWorship as Humanity (sermon)
2 – Psalm 8 – iWorship Humanity (service)
2 – Psalm 8 – iWorship as Humanity (small groups)

sermon intro video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qeyqm9s9_EY

Our new series rolls on with message #2 “iWorship: as Humanity”.  In this message we studied the different Psalms that talk about who we are as humanity, how we’re supposed to worship as humanity, and who we are supposed to worship as humanity.  Psalm 8 and 139 are amazing Psalms that give us deep insight into these themes.  I pray you will be blessed and challenged!

Oct 1 2008

Storyline #25: Numbers 1-10 “WHO’S COUNTING? The promises, place, and people of Christ”

Free files for fellow youth pastors:

25 – Numbers 1-10 (Handout)

25 – Numbers 1-10 (mp3)

25 – Numbers 1-10 (powerpoint)

 

One of my favorite movie series was Home Alone.  You remember, where the family wakes up late in the morning to catch their flight out of town for their Christmas vacation.  The family was so huge and so rushed that they forgot one of their kids: Kevin.  Then Kevin had to stay Home Alone, provide for himself, and fend off burglars.  My favorite scene was the bricks in Home Alone 2.  I’ll try to attach that here.  This movie reminds us: counting is important!

 

            In a similar way, Israel is about to leave for a trip, and they are to be counted.  But they aren’t going on vacation, rather they are leaving the mountain of God and heading towards the land He has promised to give them.  They also aren’t counting just to make sure everyone is present, but God tells them to count to show the people that God is faithful to His promises. Continue reading →

Sep 3 2008

Framework #11 – MACRO Theology – Doctrine of Creation

Free files for my fellow student pastors…

04-creation (ppt)

04-creation (handout)

04-creation (audio)

            What do you think is the most beautiful, incredible, and amazing scene in creation that you’ve personally laid your eyes on?  For me it was most likely Jamaica.  The green mountains, the clear-blue Caribbean Sea, and the glowing waters at night (you’ll have to ask me about this one!) truly displayed the glory of God in His creation and handiwork.  But then again I’ve been to Mexico.  This is a place that is very dirty and dry with a bland scenery.  So when we think about God creating all things, which scenery do you think about?  Does one glorify God over the other?  Is one a more clear and vivid display of His majesty?  How should we view creation?

  Continue reading →

Mar 7 2008

Storyline #07 – Genesis 12-25 – You Must Be Trippin: Calling, Blessing, and Struggling

Free files for youth pastors:

07 – Genesis 12-25 – Abraham (mp3)

07 – Genesis 12-25 – Abraham (handout)

07 – Genesis 12-25 – Abraham (ppt)

 

I often like to think back on the journey God has taken me through to get to where I am now.  I grew up in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.  From there I spent time in Pensacola for college, back in Tuscaloosa for more college, northeast Pennsylvania to graduate college, northwest Michigan for three summers of camps, Detroit for a year long youth ministry internship, Louisville for the masters degree, southeast Indiana for my first full-time youth pastorate, and now I live in the Huntsville area of Alabama for my dream job.  God certainly did not tell me at the beginning that I would end up here, and I’m glad He didn’t.  If He had, I may have been tempted to skip a few stops along the way which would mean I wouldn’t have met all the wonderful people in my life.  Ultimately, I would have not grown from every experience He took me through. 

 

            As we study the life of Abraham, we see that God did tell him the future. Continue reading →

Feb 21 2008

Storyline #06 – Genesis 10-11 – Tearing the Tower Down…Brick by Brick

Free files for fellow youth pastors:

06 – Genesis 10-11 – Tower of Babel (mp3)

06 – Genesis 10-11 – Tower of Babel (ppt)

06 – Genesis 10-11 – Tower of Babel (handout)

Dubai is one of the most amazing cities ever designed on our planet. They have developed islands that are shaped like the 7 continents of the world and islands that are shaped like a palm tree. Dubai has the tallest hotel in the world, an indoor ski slope (since they are in the desert), and much more. They are also in the process of building the tallest building in the world. It is unfinished, but apparently it will be over a half-mile high when they are done. Continue reading →

Feb 7 2008

Storyline #05 – Genesis 5-9 – When God Pressed Reset: Corruption, Destruction, and Reconstruction

Free files for youth pastors:

05 – Genesis 5-9 – Flood (mp3)

05 – Genesis 5-9 – Flood (ppt)

05 – Genesis 5-9 – Flood (handout)

“Whatever you do, don’t press that button!”  Think way back with me and remember the original Nintendo Entertainment System.  You teenagers today have it so easy with your memory cards and hard-drives which save your games for later play!  On the NES, we had to pause it and leave the system on when we left the house.  But the worst was when someone would press the “reset” button when you were in the middle of an important game. Continue reading →

Jan 31 2008

Storyline# 04 – Genesis 4 – Murder One: Murder, Lies, and Life in Christ

Free files for youth pastors:

When the call came through the police scanner, I immediately knew our joyride turned into a very serious matter of life or death.  I had a close friend who was a Tuscaloosa Police sergeant when I was in my mid-twenties (which was longer ago than I like to admit!).  After signing some releases, I rode around in his cruiser with him during the 11pm – 7am shift.  The kicker – it was January 1, 2001.  The call came in that a murder had just taken place somewhere deep in the ghetto.  My friend told me I could either stay in the police car and risk getting shot, or come investigate the crime scene with him and…risk getting shot.  Since I wouldn’t get a gun either way, I went with him to investigate the 1st murder of the millennium in T-town.

 

            Genesis 4 records the first murder in history.  We must understand the storyline here. Continue reading →