Old Llantrisant Hill
- Genesis 3
- Perhaps the most important chapter in the entire Bible
- It is the foundation of the Bible and of life
- Previously:
- Considered the deceitfulness of the serpent/Satan - explanation
- Considered how Satan's ways have not changed - explanation
- God's ways are beyond finding out
- The best way to learn about God is from God Himself (through His word)
- Now:
- Considering the peril when Adam and Eve did not listen to God's word
- They became sinners
- We are sinners - by nature
- To understand the depth of their fall is very important
- Chapter 1 - the eternal might and power of God,
- Chapter 2 - Adam and Eve face to face with God in delight
- Chapter 3 - this relationship is shattered
- v7 - illustrates the depths of their fall
- Unless we understand how far we have fallen - we will not understand our need for a Saviour
- We must understand how far Adam and Eve fell
- No longer innocent
- Their eyes open to their guilt and shame
- Their conscience was opened
- Their eyes were opened - v5
- Satan speaks deceit - he is the father of trickery
- Satan and evil became their master and not God
- They saw and spoke evil
- They saw their nakedness
- Physically
- Spiritually - stripped of communion with God, stripped of their freedom
- They could not undo their crime
- cf Gen 2:16-17
- They were suffering the disobedience of their fall - separation from God
- They died that day
- Physically - decay started
- Spiritually - completely separated from God
- This is our state
- Our earthly lives are futile and meaningless without God
- They sought refuge under a covering of leaves
- They could no longer take refuge and shelter in God
- They did no cry out in repentance - but sought to cover their own shame
- They could not make themselves presentable to God
- Do we try to cover ourselves in religion, science, intelligence
- They hid from their creator (v8-10) [because of fear]
- No longer in reverent awe of God
- Filled with a terrify fear of God
- They saw wisdom in hiding from God, though this was foolish
- They dared not stand trial before God
- The voice of the judge was too much
- This is their nature - this is our nature
- Rom 5:12
- We are descended from Adam - his nature is our nature
- Adam's guilt is counted as ours - we are sinners
- Our hearts are marred by sin - Mark 7: Examples
- Do we think that we are not as sinful as we really are?
- We would rather cover our sin that have it exposed before God and man
- Do we reject God as He calls to us?
- Are we terrified at the prospect of a sovereign God?
- We cannot meet the standard of God's holiness and perfection
- Death is the penalty for our sinfulness
- We have hope in the Triune God - v8
- God did not approach Adam and Eve in thunder and lightning but calmness and mercy
- Even though the deserved the full force of His fury
- Even in their nakedness, guilt and shame
- God gives the opportunity to openly confess their shame and to repent
- Rom 5:15-16
- In Him we can have everlasting life
- God sought Adam in his nakedness and shame
- This is how we are to go to God - simply of ourselves
- This is how God will forgive us
- Jesus took our nakedness and shame on the cross
- He took the full force of God's wrath and anger in our place
- Do not hide like Adam but come to God as you are (in Christ Jesus)
- Do not squander God's free gift of salvation
- Let us turn to God and confess our condition
- Closing Quote