Creation | Week 1 Spotlight

*This audio teaching is part of the Training for an Eternal Crown Podcast. This episode was published on August 16, 2020.

Introduction to the Spotlight

Some may say that the Gospel of John begins with just some poetic language, but we believe that John's insight to how the cosmos was created connects us with this glorious gospel through Jesus more than it may appear. After reading the creation account in Genesis, see this spotlight in John.

Spotlight Scripture

Genesis 1:1-5

(1) In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. (2) Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.

(3) And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. (4) God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. (5) God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day.

John 1:1-5

(1) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (2) He was with God in the beginning. (3) Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. (4) In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. (5) The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

Conversation Starters

1) In what way did God create the heavens and the earth?

2) Who is “the Word” in John 1:1? What is that title saying about him?

3) Why is it important that “the Word” was with God in the beginning?

4) Compare Genesis 1:3 and John 1:4-5.

5) We are created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27), but have a capacity to sin. Why? What does “made in the image of God” actually mean then?

6) What was Adam and Eve told not to do in the Garden of Eden? What would happen if they did it? 

7) If everything was made good (go back and count how many things were made “good”), why does the world seem so messed up now?

Helpful Commentary

During this first week of the Genesis Journal, we read that God created the heavens, the earth, and everything in it - what science calls “the cosmos.” When we get to the New Testament in John’s gospel account, we see that Jesus is the embodiment of God’s very word. He is “the Word,” or the way in which all things came into existence. Whoa... that’s deep stuff... right? The Word was the way every creature was manifested - every molecule was made by the Father’s work accompanied by the Holy Spirit through Jesus! Every bit!

Then, we see in verse five in John 1 that says “darkness has not overcome it”. Jesus is that light that can and will never be overcome by darkness of any kind. Did God say that the darkness was good when he separated it from light? Nope. It’s gotta go! The light didn’t just shine around 2,000 years ago when Jesus walked the earth. He is shining through his people with the power of the Holy Spirit. The light is active and penetrating darkness every day. How can we join in on shining that light?

Just like the beginning, Jesus offers us to be a new creation today as we believe in him and submit to his authority. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” When you believe in Jesus, you are made new and become an active light in darkness as well. Add to the luminescence and aid the church in infiltrating the darkness!