A Salvation Worth Celebrating

Genesis chapter 3 is at the same time one of saddest and most joyful passages found in Scripture. The chapter begins with man’s willful rebellion against his lawful, sovereign, wise, good and loving Creator. In the moment Adam bit of the forbidden fruit all of the blessings recorded in Gen. 2 were lost. And yet, in perhaps the most surprising turn of events recorded in Scripture God refuses to execute His full, fair judgment on the man He created. Instead He promises to save Adam and his race, destroy Satan and restore the creation to its good order by sending Jesus Christ.

Thus, Genesis three rather than recording our ultimate doom presents us with a great salvation worth celebrating. Why? Despite our own sin and rebellion God has saved us by His Son and insured that we will forever enjoy His presence lifting our voices in song forever.

Our salvation is worth celebrating because God didn’t leave us in the clutches of his enemy Satan. Gen. 3:1-6.

 

Satan’s goal is to rob God of His rightful worship, obedience and glory and take it for himself. Isaiah 14:12-14 (ESV) "How you are fallen from heaven, O Day Star, son of Dawn! How you are cut down to the ground, you who laid the nations low! You said in your heart, 'I will ascend to heaven; above the stars of God I will set my throne on high; I will sit on the mount of assembly in the far reaches of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.'

Satan is not fixated on keeping you poor, sick and joyless. Rather he wants to keep you from coming to and enjoying a worshiping relationship with the Lord. One of his main weapons is that of deception. His primary deception is to have you believe that you can live a life of rebellion against God while avoiding God’s judgment.

Are you still caught in Satan’s deception? Are you willfully living apart from a worshiping, obedient relationship with God yet still believing that He won’t judge you?

Our salvation is worth celebrating because Adam rebelled against God’s rightful authority, earned His condemnation for him and his entire race and yet rec‘d mercy instead of justice. Vs. 6.

Vs. 6.

Romans 5:18 Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men.

Adam was charged to obey God’s command without wavering. God’s command was right. Since God owned everything He had the right to set the terms of Adam’s existence. God’s command was clear. Adam knew exactly what he could and could not do. God’s command was relevant. It applied directly to every aspect of Adam’s existence. God’s command was life giving. To obey granted life, to disobey brought death. When Adam rebelled, he directly and blatantly challenged God’s sovereign authority to His face. When Adam rebelled he rejected God’s lovingkindness. In this way he acted much like the prodigal son recorded in Luke 15.

Do you want to experience God’s love in Christ? Are you afraid to approach Him because of your sin? Like the prodigal Jesus spoke of in Luke 15 you too can come to the Father who will welcome you with open arms. You can receive full, free and permanent forgiveness and enjoy an eternal place in the family of God.

Our salvation is worth celbrating because we’ve found that sin all that it’s cracked up to be. Vss. 7-12

 

Adam did not become like God, instead he became very aware of his puny, frail humanity. His rebellion ruptured the relationship he had with his creator. Adam’s rebellion spoiled the perfect relationship he had with his wife.

Adam didn’t get what he bargained for. His sin brought him fear, alienation, hostility, shame and guilt. What would we do when we discovered that sin wasn’t all that, but there was no way out?

Our salvation is worth celebrating because while God must judge sin, punish the rebellious and restore holy order to His creation . Vss. 14, 16-19.

. Vss. 14, 16-19.

God cursed the evil one, pronouncing his complete destruction. He promises pain to the woman in childbirth and the end of total, perfect intimacy in marriage. On account of Adam God curses the earth making work and life hard. Finally, God allows Adam’s rebellion to take its natural course which ends with his death.

Those who continue to rebel and live as though there is no God will face His just punishment. Yet, by His grace those who turn from sin and believe in Christ can avoid God’s final judgment.

Our salvation is worth celebrating because it is by grace and grace alone.

 

God didn’t give Adam all that he deserved on the account of his rebellion. Christ is the reason we celebrate because He faced all of Satan’s temptations successfully. Christ lived a perfect life and thus earned the right to enjoy the Father’s presence. Christ went to the cross to endure God’s punishment for our sin. In doing so He defeated Satan completely and saved us utterly. Christ rose from the grave and now God offers a free salvation to all those who trust in Him.

To Him Who Loves Us...

Pastor Lance