Today’s question: Can you repeat the first verse of the Bible?

Answer: In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.. Genesis 1:1

Today we explore the doctrine of creation and it’s importance in providing identity to humanity.

Whose we are leads to who we are!

There are two, and perhaps three, creation narratives: Gen 1:1, Gen 1:1-2:3, Gen 2:4-25.

All of these narratives contain different perspectives but align in WHO and WHAT. God is the creator.

God as a father is the primary way Wesleyan theology begins. God as the one who initiates is also the one who will sustain and bring to culmination. Assurance, identity and purpose hinges on God as creator or in other words Father to humanize the triune God we worship.

Wesley makes clear the thoroughly personal relationship which he presupposes between God and man. This is quite different from other theologies which stress first the absolute sovereignty of God to the loss of the possibility of true dialogue. - A Theology of Love by Mildred Bangs Wynkoop

A quick few facts about God as Father/Parent/Creator and what it means for our lives.
1. God is the initiator. You won’t miss it!
2. Our response is of stewardship.
3. God is in the role of encourager and discipliner. [Hebrews 12:6]
4. Imparts image upon humanity. Being created in God’s image. [Gen 1.26-27]

Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life.”

A. Gives us an identity. We are made and are not self-determined.

loved, forgiven, counted on, never given up on, never left behind

B. Gives us a purpose. We have a mission of good works which is actions that bring about a common good for not only us but others. Our purpose is determined by three things: passions/gifts, place, people.

C. Gives us a way of life. We are not a fake it until you make it people. We have already made it through faith by the power of the resurrection.