Creation Account in Biblical Usage for Evangelism and Discipleship
APPLYING CREATION:
BIBLICAL USAGE OF THE CREATION ACCOUNT
FOR EVANGELISM AND DISCIPLESHIP
Christopher Cone, Th.D, Ph.D, Ph.D
drcone.com
calvary.edu
APPLICATION OF CREATION
IN THE HEBREW BIBLE
•
Underscores His power and glory
•
Implies personal accountability to the Creator
APPLICATION OF CREATION
IN THE HEBREW BIBLE
•
Isaiah 43:1 But now, thus says the
Lord
, your
Creator, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O
Israel, “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I
have called you by name; you are Mine!
APPLICATION OF CREATION
IN THE HEBREW BIBLE
•
Isaiah 43:7 …Everyone who is called by My
name, And whom I have created for My glory,
Whom I have formed, even whom I have
made.”
APPLICATION OF CREATION
IN THE HEBREW BIBLE
•
Isaiah 45:7 The One forming light and creating
darkness, Causing peace and creating evil; I
am the
Lord
who does all these.
APPLICATION OF CREATION
IN THE HEBREW BIBLE
•
Amos 4:13 For behold, He who forms
mountains and creates the wind And declares
to man what are His thoughts, He who makes
dawn into darkness And treads on the high
places of the earth, The
Lord
God of hosts is
His name.
APPLICATION OF CREATION
IN THE HEBREW BIBLE
•
Malachi 2:10 Do we not all have one father?
Has not one God created us? Why do we deal
treacherously each against his brother so as to
profane the covenant of our fathers?
APPLICATION OF CREATION
IN THE NEW TESTAMENT
•
At least
43 direct references
in the NT either to
the creative act, creation itself, or immediate
results of creation
•
Has implications for unbelievers, and for
believers interacting with unbelievers in
evangelism
•
Has implications for believers, and for believers
interacting with believers in
discipleship
APPLICATION OF CREATION
IN DISCIPLESHIP
•
Matthew 19:4 And He
answered and said,
“Have you not read
that He who created
them
from the
beginning
made them
male and female
…
•
How we view our
identity including
gender, sexuality and
marriage is rooted in
Him
APPLICATION OF CREATION
IN DISCIPLESHIP
•
Matthew 19:8 He *said to
them, “Because of your
hardness of heart Moses
permitted you to divorce
your wives; but
from the
beginning
it has not been
this way.
•
Mark 10:6 “But
from the
beginning of creation
,
God
made them male and female
.
•
Models the
importance of
patterns ”from the
beginning.”
APPLICATION OF CREATION
IN DISCIPLESHIP
•
Matthew 24:21 For then there
will be a great tribulation,
such as has not occurred
since
the beginning of the
world
until now, nor ever will.
•
Mark 13:19 “For those days
will be a
time of
tribulation
such as has not occurred
since
the beginning of the
creation
which God created
until now, and never will.
•
Disciples prepared for
the future, so they
can confidently act in
the present
APPLICATION OF CREATION
IN EVANGELISM
•
Mark 16:15 And He
said to them, “Go into
all the world and
preach the gospel
to
all creation
.
•
Evangelism = a
stewardship of and
expression of
responsibility to His
creation
APPLICATION OF CREATION
IN EVANGELISM
•
Luke 3:38 the son of
Enosh, the son of
Seth, the son of
Adam, the son of
God.
•
Jesus’ lineage
demonstrates He is
Son of God and Son
of Man uniquely
qualified to save.
•
The core of the
Gospel dependent on
the creation account
APPLICATION OF CREATION
IN EVANGELISM
•
Luke 16:31 But he said
to him, ‘If they do not
listen
to Moses
and
the Prophets, they will
not be persuaded
even if someone rises
from the dead.’
•
An application of
Biblical history to
persuade unbelievers.
APPLICATION OF CREATION
IN DISCIPLESHIP
•
Luke 24:27 Then
beginning
with Moses
and with all the
prophets, He
explained to them
the things concerning
Himself in all the
Scriptures.
•
An application of
Biblical history to
teach about Him and
His plan
APPLICATION OF CREATION
IN EVANGELISM
•
John 1:1-3 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 came into being
through Him,
and apart
from Him nothing came
into being that has
come into being.
•
His identity
connected to His
creative work. If one
not reliable, then the
other is not.
APPLICATION OF CREATION
IN DISCIPLESHIP
•
Acts 4:24 And when
they heard
this,
they
lifted their voices to
God with one accord
and said, “O Lord, it is
You who
made the
heaven and the earth
and the sea
,
and all
that is in them
…
•
Provides occasion for
praise, confidence in
Him and His plan.
APPLICATION OF CREATION
IN EVANGELISM
•
Acts 14:14-15 But when the
apostles Barnabas and Paul
heard of it, they tore their
robes and rushed out into the
crowd, crying out and saying,
“Men, why are you doing
these things? We are also
men of the same nature as
you, and preach the gospel
to you that you should turn
from these
c
vain things to a
living God,
who made the
heaven and the earth and the
sea and all that is in them
.
•
Points to common
origin
•
Points to something
meaningful and
powerful
APPLICATION OF CREATION
IN EVANGELISM
•
Acts 17:24 The God
who
made the world
and all things in it
,
since He is Lord of
heaven and earth,
does not dwell in
temples made with
hands;
•
Paul’s starting point,
contrasting power
with impotence,
relationship with
relics.
APPLICATION OF CREATION
IN EVANGELISM
•
Acts 17:26 and He
made
from one
man
every nation of
mankind to live on all
the face of the earth,
having determined
their
appointed times
and the boundaries
of their habitation.
•
Basis of common
origin, order within
nature
APPLICATION OF CREATION
IN EVANGELISM
•
Romans 1:20 For since the
creation of the world His
invisible attributes, His
eternal power and divine
nature, have been
clearly seen, being
understood
through what
has been made
, so that
they are without excuse.
•
Evangelism is necessary
on the basis of creation,
without which there
might be excuse.
APPLICATION OF CREATION
IN EVANGELISM AND DISCIPLESHIP
•
Romans 5:14
Nevertheless death
reigned from Adam
until Moses, even over
those who had not
sinned in the likeness of
the offense of Adam,
who is a
b
type of Him
who was to come.
•
Explains the need for
evangelism
•
Helps disciples
appreciate what God
has accomplished
APPLICATION OF CREATION
IN EVANGELISM
AND DISCIPLESHIP
•
Romans 8:19-22
•
19 For the anxious
longing of the
creation
waits eagerly for the
revealing of the sons of God.
•
20 For
the creation
was subjected
to futility, not willingly, but because
of Him who subjected it, in hope
•
21 that
the creation itself
also will
be set free from its slavery to
corruption into the freedom of the
glory of the children of God.
•
22 For we know that
the whole
creation
groans and suffers the
pains of childbirth together until
now.
•
Redemption is
needed, will be
provided
•
Future certainty =
present confidence
APPLICATION OF CREATION
IN DISCIPLESHIP
•
Romans 8:39 nor
height, nor depth, nor
any other created
thing, will be able to
separate us from the
love of God, which is in
Christ Jesus our Lord.
•
Creation is a point of
reference,
demonstrating His
power, inspiring trust
in Him
•
Eternal security
APPLICATION OF CREATION
IN EVANGELISM
•
1 Corinthians 15:22 For
as in Adam all die, so
also in Christ all will be
made alive.
•
Literal creation, literal
fall, literal salvation.
•
Note hermeneutic
implications
APPLICATION OF CREATION
IN DISCIPLESHIP
•
1 Corinthians 15:45 So also
it is written, “The first
man
,
Adam,
became a living
soul
.” The last Adam
became
a life-giving spirit.
•
Certainty of hope,
explanation of the
contrast
APPLICATION OF CREATION
IN DISCIPLESHIP
•
2 Corinthians 5:1 For we
know that if the earthly
tent which is our house
is torn down, we have
a building from God, a
house not made with
hands, eternal in the
heavens.
•
Literal old creation,
literal new creation:
hope, certainty
APPLICATION OF CREATION
IN DISCIPLESHIP
•
2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore if anyone is in
Christ,
he is
a new
creature; the old things
passed away; behold,
new things have come.
•
The reality of His
creative acts sets our
identity and our
freedom
APPLICATION OF CREATION
IN DISCIPLESHIP
•
Galatians 6:15 For
neither is circumcision
anything, nor
uncircumcision, but a
new creation.
•
A spiritual, inner
reality, that will one
day have physical
fulfillment
APPLICATION OF CREATION
IN DISCIPLESHIP
•
Ephesians 5:31-32
For this
reason a man shall leave
his father and mother and
shall be joined to his wife
,
and the two shall become
one flesh
. This mystery is
great; but I am speaking
with reference to Christ
and the church.
•
His creation is
purposeful, illustrative
•
Demands trust and
obedience
APPLICATION OF CREATION
IN EVANGELISM AND DISCIPLESHIP
•
Colossians 1:15 He is
the image of the
invisible God, the
firstborn of all creation.
•
Our great God and
Savior has authority to
save, because He is,
and has created.
•
As Sovereign, we can
continue to look to
Him
APPLICATION OF CREATION
IN EVANGELISM AND DISCIPLESHIP
•
Colossians 1:23 if indeed you
continue in the faith firmly
established and steadfast,
and not moved away from
the hope of the gospel that
you have heard, which was
proclaimed in all creation
under heaven,
and of which I,
Paul, was made a minister.
•
The good news of
Christ is a universal
truth
APPLICATION OF CREATION
IN DISCIPLESHIP
•
1 Timothy 2:13-14 For it
was Adam who was
first created,
and
then
Eve. And
it was
not
Adam
who
was
deceived, but the
woman being
deceived, fell into
transgression.
•
History impacts our
present identity and
standing
APPLICATION OF CREATION
IN EVANGELISM AND DISCIPLESHIP
•
Hebrews 1:2 in these
last days has spoken to
us in His Son, whom He
appointed heir of all
things,
through whom
also He made the
world.
•
Christ, as instrument
of creation, is also
heir – His authority is
communicated in
connection with His
role in creation
APPLICATION OF CREATION
IN DISCIPLESHIP
•
Hebrews 1:10 And,
“
You
,
Lord
,
in the
beginning laid the
foundation of the earth
,
And the heavens are the
works of Your hands
;
(Ps 102)
•
He is superior, as
evidenced by His
creative act. Thus we
should focus on Him
(Heb 12:1-2)
APPLICATION OF CREATION
IN DISCIPLESHIP
•
Hebrews 4:13 And
there is
no creature
hidden from His sight
,
but all things are open
and laid bare to the
eyes of Him with whom
we have to do.
•
He is superior, as
evidenced by His
creative act. Thus we
should focus on Him
(Heb 12:1-2)
APPLICATION OF CREATION
IN DISCIPLESHIP
•
Hebrews 9:11 But when
Christ appeared
as
a high
priest of the good things
to come,
He entered
through the greater and
more perfect tabernacle,
not made with hands, that
is to say,
not of this
creation;
•
He is superior, as
evidenced by His
creative act. Thus we
should focus on Him
(Heb 12:1-2)
APPLICATION OF CREATION
IN EVANGELISM AND DISCIPLESHIP
•
Hebrews 11:3 By faith
we understand that the
worlds were prepared
by the word of God
, so
that what is seen was
not made out of things
which are visible.
•
He is superior, as
evidenced by His
creative act. Thus we
should focus on Him
(Heb 12:1-2)
•
Faith= method of
pleasing God
APPLICATION OF CREATION
IN EVANGELISM AND DISCIPLESHIP
•
1 John 1:1 What was
from the beginning,
what we have heard,
what we have seen
with our eyes, what we
have looked at and
touched with our
hands, concerning the
Word of Life…
•
He is from the
beginning.
•
He has been
experienced, and has
revealed the Father.
APPLICATION OF CREATION
IN EVANGELISM AND DISCIPLESHIP
•
1 John 2:13-14
•
13 I am writing to you, fathers, because
you know
Him who has been from the
beginning.
I am writing to you, young
men, because you have overcome the
evil one. I have written to you, children,
because you know the Father.
•
14 I have written to you, fathers,
because
you know Him who has been
from the beginning
. I have written to
you, young men, because you are
strong, and the word of God abides in
you, and you have overcome the evil
one.
•
History testifies to His
identity
APPLICATION OF CREATION
IN DISCIPLESHIP
•
2 Peter 3:4 and saying,
“Where is the promise
of His coming? For
ever
since the fathers fell
asleep, all continues
just as it was
from the
beginning of creation
.”
•
Just as He was faithful
in creation, He will be
faithful in fulfillment
•
The mystery of His
timing demands trust
APPLICATION OF CREATION
IN DISCIPLESHIP
•
Jude 14
It was
also
about these men
that
Enoch,
in
the
seventh
generation
from Adam
,
prophesied, saying,
“Behold, the Lord
came with many
thousands of His holy
ones…
•
Adam as literal is key
historical reference
point for
understanding God’s
work
APPLICATION OF CREATION
IN EVANGELISM AND DISCIPLESHIP
•
Revelation 3:14 To the
angel of the church in
Laodicea write:
•
The
Amen, the faithful
and true Witness,
the
Beginning of the
creation of God,
says
this…
•
Christ was the
executor of the
creative acts, and
thus has authority to
speak truth
APPLICATION OF CREATION
IN EVANGELISM AND DISCIPLESHIP
•
Revelation 12:9 And the
great dragon was thrown
down,
the serpent of old
who is called the devil
and Satan, who deceives
the whole world; he was
thrown down to the earth,
and his angels were
thrown down with him.
•
Both sides of the
“good and evil”
equation are
explained through the
literal creation
account and what
follows
APPLICATION OF CREATION
IN EVANGELISM AND DISCIPLESHIP
•
Revelation 14:7 and he
said with a loud voice,
“Fear God, and give Him
glory, because the hour
of His judgment has
come; worship Him
who
made the heaven and
the earth and sea and
springs of waters.
”
•
He has authority to
judge.
•
He is worthy of
worship, deserving of
glory because of His
creative act.
APPLYING CREATION:
EVANGELISM AND DISCIPLESHIP
•
These themes are all dependent on literal
grammatical historical understanding of the
creation account
•
Has implications for unbelievers (evangelism)
•
Has implications for believers (discipleship)
APPLYING CREATION:
EVANGELISTIC THEMES
•
Jesus’ lineage and qualifications
•
All creation accountable
•
Biblical history presented to persuade unbelievers
•
Jesus’ identity illustrated by His creative work
•
We have common origin
•
Life is not meaningless
APPLYING CREATION:
EVANGELISTIC THEMES
•
The gospel demonstrates power not impotence,
relationship, not religion
•
There is order in nature
•
Evangelism necessary based on what is observed in
creation
•
Redemption needed, will be provided
•
His identity and His provision of salvation rises and falls on
the truth of creation
•
We can trust Him as Savior
•
Faith is the vehicle the Creator has provided
APPLYING CREATION:
DISCIPLESHIP THEMES
•
All aspects of our identity are rooted in Him, and in
His design
•
Patterns established “from the beginning” are
important
•
We are given truth about the future for trust today
•
Biblical history provided so we can know Him
better
•
His creative work gives cause for praise and trust
•
The details are given to increase our appreciation
for Him
APPLYING CREATION:
DISCIPLESHIP THEMES
•
His sovereignty has implications (e.g., eternal
security)
•
Hope and hermeneutics go hand in hand
•
He has authority as Creator to set us free
•
Present spiritual implications that will have future
physical fulfillments
•
His creation is purposeful, illustrative, and demands
trust in Him
•
He is superior, thus we should have faith in Him
Explore the application of the creation account in the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament for evangelism and discipleship. Discover key verses such as Isaiah 43:1 and Amos 4:13 emphasizing God's power, glory, and purpose in creating humanity. Uncover the significance of creation in fostering personal accountability to the Creator and its implications for believers in interacting with both unbelievers and fellow believers.
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Presentation Transcript
APPLYING CREATION: BIBLICAL USAGE OF THE CREATION ACCOUNT FOR EVANGELISM AND DISCIPLESHIP Christopher Cone, Th.D, Ph.D, Ph.D drcone.com calvary.edu
APPLICATION OF CREATION IN THE HEBREW BIBLE Underscores His power and glory Implies personal accountability to the Creator
APPLICATION OF CREATION IN THE HEBREW BIBLE Isaiah 43:1 But now, thus says the LORD, your Creator, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel, Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine!
APPLICATION OF CREATION IN THE HEBREW BIBLE Isaiah 43:7 Everyone who is called by My name, And whom I have created for My glory, Whom I have formed, even whom I have made.
APPLICATION OF CREATION IN THE HEBREW BIBLE Isaiah 45:7 The One forming light and creating darkness, Causing peace and creating evil; I am the LORD who does all these.
APPLICATION OF CREATION IN THE HEBREW BIBLE Amos 4:13 For behold, He who forms mountains and creates the wind And declares to man what are His thoughts, He who makes dawn into darkness And treads on the high places of the earth, The LORD God of hosts is His name.
APPLICATION OF CREATION IN THE HEBREW BIBLE Malachi 2:10 Do we not all have one father? Has not one God created us? Why do we deal treacherously each against his brother so as to profane the covenant of our fathers?
APPLICATION OF CREATION IN THE NEW TESTAMENT At least 43 direct references in the NT either to the creative act, creation itself, or immediate results of creation Has implications for unbelievers, and for believers interacting with unbelievers in evangelism Has implications for believers, and for believers interacting with believers in discipleship
APPLICATION OF CREATION IN DISCIPLESHIP Matthew 19:4 And He answered and said, Have you not read that He who created them from the beginning MADE THEM MALE AND FEMALE
APPLICATION OF CREATION IN DISCIPLESHIP Matthew 19:8 He *said to them, Because of your hardness of heart Moses permitted you to divorce your wives; but from the beginning it has not been this way. Mark 10:6 But from the beginning of creation, God MADE THEM MALE AND FEMALE.
APPLICATION OF CREATION IN DISCIPLESHIP Matthew 24:21 For then there will be a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will. Mark 13:19 For those days will be a time of tribulation such as has not occurred since the beginning of the creation which God created until now, and never will.
APPLICATION OF CREATION IN EVANGELISM Mark 16:15 And He said to them, Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.
APPLICATION OF CREATION IN EVANGELISM Luke 3:38 the son of Enosh, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God.
APPLICATION OF CREATION IN EVANGELISM Luke 16:31 But he said to him, If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.
APPLICATION OF CREATION IN DISCIPLESHIP Luke 24:27 Then beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures.
APPLICATION OF CREATION IN EVANGELISM John 1:1-3 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 came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.
APPLICATION OF CREATION IN DISCIPLESHIP Acts 4:24 And when they heard this, they lifted their voices to God with one accord and said, O Lord, it is You who MADE THE HEAVEN AND THE EARTH AND THE SEA, AND ALL THAT IS IN THEM
APPLICATION OF CREATION IN EVANGELISM Acts 14:14-15 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their robes and rushed out into the crowd, crying out and saying, Men, why are you doing these things? We are also men of the same nature as you, and preach the gospel to you that you should turn from these cvain things to a living God, WHO MADE THE HEAVEN AND THE EARTH AND THE SEA AND ALL THAT IS IN THEM.
APPLICATION OF CREATION IN EVANGELISM Acts 17:24 The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands;
APPLICATION OF CREATION IN EVANGELISM Acts 17:26 and He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation.
APPLICATION OF CREATION IN EVANGELISM Romans 1:20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.
APPLICATION OF CREATION IN EVANGELISM AND DISCIPLESHIP Romans 5:14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over those who had not sinned in the likeness of the offense of Adam, who is a btype of Him who was to come.
APPLICATION OF CREATION IN EVANGELISM AND DISCIPLESHIP Romans 8:19-22 19 For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now.
APPLICATION OF CREATION IN DISCIPLESHIP Romans 8:39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
APPLICATION OF CREATION IN EVANGELISM 1 Corinthians 15:22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive.
APPLICATION OF CREATION IN DISCIPLESHIP 1 Corinthians 15:45 So also it is written, The first MAN, Adam, BECAME A LIVING SOUL. The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.
APPLICATION OF CREATION IN DISCIPLESHIP 2 Corinthians 5:1 For we know that if the earthly tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
APPLICATION OF CREATION IN DISCIPLESHIP 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.
APPLICATION OF CREATION IN DISCIPLESHIP Galatians 6:15 For neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation.
APPLICATION OF CREATION IN DISCIPLESHIP Ephesians 5:31-32 FOR THIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER AND SHALL BE JOINED TO HIS WIFE, AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH. This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church.
APPLICATION OF CREATION IN EVANGELISM AND DISCIPLESHIP Colossians 1:15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.
APPLICATION OF CREATION IN EVANGELISM AND DISCIPLESHIP Colossians 1:23 if indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, was made a minister.
APPLICATION OF CREATION IN DISCIPLESHIP 1 Timothy 2:13-14 For it was Adam who was first created, and then Eve. And it was not Adam who was deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression.
APPLICATION OF CREATION IN EVANGELISM AND DISCIPLESHIP Hebrews 1:2 in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world.
APPLICATION OF CREATION IN DISCIPLESHIP Hebrews 1:10 And, YOU, LORD, IN THE BEGINNING LAID THE FOUNDATION OF THE EARTH, AND THE HEAVENS ARE THE WORKS OF YOUR HANDS; (Ps 102)
APPLICATION OF CREATION IN DISCIPLESHIP Hebrews 4:13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.
APPLICATION OF CREATION IN DISCIPLESHIP Hebrews 9:11 But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things to come, He entered through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation;
APPLICATION OF CREATION IN EVANGELISM AND DISCIPLESHIP Hebrews 11:3 By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible.
APPLICATION OF CREATION IN EVANGELISM AND DISCIPLESHIP 1 John 1:1 What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the Word of Life
APPLICATION OF CREATION IN EVANGELISM AND DISCIPLESHIP 1 John 2:13-14 13 I am writing to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I have written to you, children, because you know the Father. 14 I have written to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one.
APPLICATION OF CREATION IN DISCIPLESHIP 2 Peter 3:4 and saying, Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation.
APPLICATION OF CREATION IN DISCIPLESHIP Jude 14 It was also about these men that Enoch, in the seventh generation from Adam, prophesied, saying, Behold, the Lord came with many thousands of His holy ones
APPLICATION OF CREATION IN EVANGELISM AND DISCIPLESHIP Revelation 3:14 To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God, says this
APPLICATION OF CREATION IN EVANGELISM AND DISCIPLESHIP Revelation 12:9 And the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.
APPLICATION OF CREATION IN EVANGELISM AND DISCIPLESHIP Revelation 14:7 and he said with a loud voice, Fear God, and give Him glory, because the hour of His judgment has come; worship Him who made the heaven and the earth and sea and springs of waters.
APPLYING CREATION: EVANGELISM AND DISCIPLESHIP These themes are all dependent on literal grammatical historical understanding of the creation account Has implications for unbelievers (evangelism) Has implications for believers (discipleship)
APPLYING CREATION: EVANGELISTIC THEMES Jesus lineage and qualifications All creation accountable Biblical history presented to persuade unbelievers Jesus identity illustrated by His creative work We have common origin Life is not meaningless
APPLYING CREATION: EVANGELISTIC THEMES The gospel demonstrates power not impotence, relationship, not religion There is order in nature Evangelism necessary based on what is observed in creation Redemption needed, will be provided His identity and His provision of salvation rises and falls on the truth of creation We can trust Him as Savior Faith is the vehicle the Creator has provided
APPLYING CREATION: DISCIPLESHIP THEMES All aspects of our identity are rooted in Him, and in His design Patterns established from the beginning are important We are given truth about the future for trust today Biblical history provided so we can know Him better His creative work gives cause for praise and trust The details are given to increase our appreciation for Him
APPLYING CREATION: DISCIPLESHIP THEMES His sovereignty has implications (e.g., eternal security) Hope and hermeneutics go hand in hand He has authority as Creator to set us free Present spiritual implications that will have future physical fulfillments His creation is purposeful, illustrative, and demands trust in Him He is superior, thus we should have faith in Him
