Paradise Valley Community Church
Sunday, October 11, 2026
- Is it a point after one’s birth?While a person is in the womb?Before a person is conceived?Answer- Before the Foundation of the WorldEphesians 1:3–4 (LSB) 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, 4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him in love,What does “before the foundation of the world mean?”4 καθὼς ἐξελέξατο ἡμᾶς ἐν αὐτῷ πρὸ καταβολῆς κόσμου εἶναι ἡμᾶς ἁγίους καὶ ἀμώμους κατενώπιον αὐτοῦb ἐν ἀγάπῃ,“before the foundation of the world” is used two other times in the New Testament.John 17:24 (LSB) 24 “Father, I desire that they also, whom You have given Me, be with Me where I am, so that they may see My glory which You have given Me, for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.Who is the subject?What is the subject doing?Who the object?When was this taking place?John 17:5 (LSB) 5 “Now, Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was.John 1:1 (LSB) 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.Conclusion: John’s use of “before the foundation of the world” means God the Father’s love for God the Son before the world was created.Before the Foundation of the world means before God created the world.The second place that “before the foundation of the world” is used is1 Peter 1:17–21 (LSB) 17 And if you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your sojourn, 18 knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things like silver or gold from your futile conduct inherited from your forefathers, 19 but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ. 20 He was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but appeared in these last times for the sake of you 21 who through Him are believers in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.What is the context?Who was foreknown?When was he foreknown?Who appeared in these last times?Conclusion: 1 Peter 1:20 teaches that God the Father knew (intimate loving relationship) God the Son before the creation of the world.Therefore, when Paul saysEphesians 1:3–4 (LSB) 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, 4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him in love,When did God Choose to Save Some Humans?Is it a point after one’s birth? NoWhile a person is in the womb? NoBefore a person is conceived? NoBefore the Creation of the WorldWhat about other passages that use phrases like “before the foundation of the world?”There are 7 passages that say “the foundation of the world” without the preposition “pro” (before) preceding it.Matthew 13:34–35 (LSB) 34 All these things Jesus spoke to the crowds in parables, and He was not speaking to them without a parable 35 so that what was spoken through the prophet might be fulfilled, saying, “I will open My mouth in parables; I will utter things hidden since the foundation of the world.”Conclusion: It was prophesied that Jesus would teach in parables hidden things before the world was made.Matthew 25:31–34 (LSB) 31 “But when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne. 32 “And all the nations will be gathered before Him; and He will separate them from one another, as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats; 33 and He will put the sheep on His right, and the goats on the left. 34 “Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom, which has been prepared for you from (apo) the foundation of the world.Jesus when he sits on His glorious throne will separate the sheep from the goats.Conclusion: The sheep will inherit the kingdom which was prepared for them from the foundation of the world.Luke 11:47–51 (LSB) 47 “Woe to you! For you build the tombs of the prophets, but your fathers killed them. 48 “So you are witnesses and approve the deeds of your fathers; because it was they who killed them, and you build their tombs. 49 “For this reason also the wisdom of God said, ‘I will send to them prophets and apostles, and some of them they will kill and some they will persecute, 50 so that the blood of all the prophets, shed since the foundation of the world, may be charged against this generation, 51 from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who was killed between the altar and the house of God; yes, I tell you, it shall be charged against this generation.’This has to be understood differently.It would not make sense in this context to understand that the blood of all the prophets shed from the foundation of the world would be charged against this generation.It is better to understand Luke here saying that it was since the foundation of the world- meaning since the beginning of the world not before the world began.Important truth to remember: Context, Context, ContextHebrews 4:1–7 (LSB) 1 Therefore, let us fear, lest, while a promise remains of entering His rest, any one of you may seem to have fallen short of it. 2 For indeed we have had good news proclaimed to us, just as they also; but the word that was heard did not profit those who were not united with faith among those who heard. 3 For we who have believed enter that rest, just as He has said, “As I swore in My wrath, They shall not enter My rest,” although His works were finished from the foundation of the world. 4 For He has spoken somewhere in this way concerning the seventh day: “And God rested on the seventh day from all His works”; 5 and again in this passage, “They shall not enter My rest.” 6 Therefore, since it remains for some to enter it, and those who formerly had good news proclaimed to them failed to enter because of disobedience, 7 He again determines a certain day, “Today,” saying through David after so long a time just as has been said before, “Today if you hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts.”This highlights that God had finished his work of creation and is now resting.He has been resting from or since the foundation of the world.The focus here is not before the foundation of the world but since the completion of God’s world.Revelation 13:1–8 (LSB) 1 And the dragon stood on the sand of the seashore. Then I saw a beast coming up out of the sea, having ten horns and seven heads, and on his horns were ten diadems, and on his heads were blasphemous names. 2 And the beast which I saw was like a leopard, and his feet were like those of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. And the dragon gave him his power and his throne and great authority. 3 And I saw one of his heads as if it had been slain fatally, and his fatal wound was healed. And the whole earth marveled and followed after the beast. 4 And they worshiped the dragon because he gave his authority to the beast, and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast, and who is able to wage war with him?” 5 And there was given to him a mouth speaking great boasts and blasphemies, and authority to act for forty-two months was given to him. 6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemies against God, to blaspheme His name and His tabernacle, that is, those who dwell in heaven. 7 And it was also given to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them, and authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation was given to him. 8 And all who dwell on the earth will worship him, everyone whose name has not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who has been slain.We need to look at verse 8 closely8 And all who dwell on the earth will worship him, everyone whose name has not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who has been slain.And allwho dwellon the earthwill worship himeveryonewhose name has not been writtenfrom the foundation of the worldin the book of lifeof the Lambwho has been slain.Now there is a difficult translation issue in this passage.Revelation 13:8 (NKJV) 8 All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.In this way the Bible translator took it is that the Lamb that is Jesus is the one who was slain from the foundation of the world.This would teach that the plan for Jesus to die and redeem sinners was planned from the foundation of the world.That is true.The question before us is what does from the foundation of the world modify?Is it the names written?Or Christ who was slain?In the greek language it could modify either.Now I am going to give reasons for understanding from the foundation of the world modifying the names written meaning believers not Christ slain before the foundation of the world.Now everyone understands that I am not saying we get to add or subtract anything from God’s Word.Are you we in agreement?What we are trying to understand is what does this phrase modify grammatically.This is why the NKJV and the NIV says what it says.This is why the LSB, NASB, ESV, CSB, NET say what they say.Reasons I believe the best way to translate this phrase “from the foundation of the world” modifies the names written not Jesus.Theological: Though it is true that the plan of God’s redemption through Jesus Christ was planned in eternity past his death was not before the foundation of the world.Context: the focus of the passage is on those who will worship the beast and those who will not worship the beast. This would be a strange time to insert that Jesus was slain before the foundation of the world. The context seems to fit better that the people who will not worship the beast are those people whose names have been written in the book of life before the foundation of the world.Cross Reference: There is a text in Revelation that is not a challenge to translate that says that people’s names were written in the book of life before the foundation of the world.Revelation 17:8 (LSB) 8 “The beast that you saw was, and is not, and is about to come up out of the abyss and go to destruction. And those who dwell on the earth, whose name has not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, will wonder when they see the beast, that he was and is not and will come.So what is our conclusion from God’s Word, when did God choose to save some humans?God wrote down, chose, to save certain individuals before the creation of the world.1 Corinthians 2:7 (LSB) 7 But we speak God’s wisdom in a mystery, the wisdom which has been hidden, which God predestined before the ages to our glory,1 Corinthians 2:7 (NKJV) 7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory,1 Corinthians 2:7 (NET 2nd ed.) 7 Instead we speak the wisdom of God, hidden in a mystery, that God determined before the ages for our glory.2 Timothy 1:8–10 (LSB) 8 Therefore do not be ashamed of either the witness about our Lord or me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God, 9 who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus from all eternity, 10 but now has been manifested by the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,Predestination: An Introduction Responding with a Prayer
Thank you, God, for choosing to save me before you created the world. It is humbling and encouraging that I am part of “the eternal purpose that [you have] realized in Christ Jesus our Lord” (
- Holy Holy Holy
- All Of Our Tomorrows
Psalm 27NASB95
Psalm 27NASB95
- Speak O Lord
Genesis 2:15–17GS-NETBIBLE
Genesis 2:15–17GS-NETBIBLE
Genesis 2:15–17GS-NETBIBLE
1 Timothy 4:7–8GS-NETBIBLE
1 Timothy 4:7–8GS-NETBIBLE
- IntroductionWhy does Creation Matter?Creation by God’s design directs our hearts to bow in humble adoration of Him.Look at this passageRomans 1:19–20 (LSB) 19 because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, both His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.Creation reveals God’s Great Power!Romans 1:19–20 (LSB) 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, both His eternal powerCreation reveals God’s Wisdom!Creation reveals God’s goodness!
Romans 1:19–20 LSB both His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen,So how am I going to approach Genesis 1 and early chapter 2?I had at least two options.I could preach it from the scientific perspective and on the back of the outline I have a recommended resource that opens up Genesis from that angle. It was wonderful and helpfulI could preach this with a focus upon the literary emphasis of this text, which is not a scientific textbook but instead exulting in God as the Creator.This does not mean that what is revealed in Genesis is unscientific but its not written as a Science textbook.It is written purposefully and wonderfully to reveal God!So I have as my objective for each of us to bow in worship of God as we contemplate…..His Great PowerHis Great WisdomHis Great GoodnessLet’s prayDay 1: Material Ordered and Delivered (Genesis 1:1-5)Genesis 1:1–5 (LSB) 1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 And the earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters. 3 Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. 4 And God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. 5 And God called the light day, and the darkness He called night. And there was evening and there was morning, one day.Genesis 1:1 (NASB95) 1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.Created Out of NothingTimeIn the beginningSpacesBiblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia Chapter 1הַשָּׁמַ֖יִם
Term means heavens or spacesDual- legs, arms, eyes, etcGod created dual spaces (heavens)What this means is that space is a created thing, space is not nothing, a vacuum or void, space is a real, physical substance but different from matter.- Amunrud.MaterialGenesis 1:1 (NASB95) 1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.the term earth or land here is not given its common usage until later in the creation week.In Genesis 1:9-10Now look at what is said about this earth or material 2 The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters.formless – no structure to it at all.void – nothing could live there in its initial condition.dark – there was no electrical-magnetic radiation in the original matter. This and the formlessness suggest that it was not in atomic structure yet.deep – it was all the physical matter of the entire universe. Everything will come from this mass.The land was liquids (waters) – the material was not solid, but a liquid.3 Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. 4 God saw that the light was good; and God 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, one day.Light is CreatedLight is separated from the darknessLight is called day and darkness is nightSo where does this light originate?It could be God himself who is described as light in John 1:5, Revelation 21:23-25.John 1:5 (NASB95) 5 The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.Revelation 21:23–25 (NASB95) 23 And the city has no need of the sun or of the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God has illumined it, and its lamp is the Lamb. 24 The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it. 25 In the daytime (for there will be no night there) its gates will never be closed;I dont think so because…3 Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light.God creates this light instead of it being His qualityTherefore it seems that God lit the land (earth) from which all things will be formed.Summary Day 1God speaks into existencetime, spaces, material, lightAll the building blocks from which he will form and fashion.Which of us can speak and it be?? Who is our God?Day 2: Everything in its Place (Genesis 1:6-8)6 Then God said, “Let there be an expanse in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters.” 7 God made the expanse, and separated the waters which were below the expanse from the waters which were above the expanse; and it was so. 8 God called the expanse heaven. And there was evening and there was morning, a second day.Waters refers to liquid earth/land materialsExpanse refers to spaces dividing waters below and waters aboveGod called the expanse heavenThis is facinating when you read passages likeIsaiah 42:5 (NASB95) 5 Thus says God the Lord, Who created the heavens and stretched them out, Who spread out the earth and its offspring, Who gives breath to the people on it And spirit to those who walk in it,Isaiah 45:12 (NASB95) 12 “It is I who made the earth, and created man upon it. I stretched out the heavens with My hands And I ordained all their host.Isaiah 44:24 (NASB95) 24 Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, and the one who formed you from the womb, “I, the Lord, am the maker of all things, Stretching out the heavens by Myself And spreading out the earth all alone,Summary: Day 2God has divided water earth/land material some above and some belowGod has stretched out the spaces and calls it heavenDay 3: Earth, Sea, and Plants(Genesis 1:9-13)9 Then God said, “Let the waters below the heavens be gathered into one place, and let the dry land appear”; and it was so. 10 God called the dry land earth, and the gathering of the waters He called seas; and God saw that it was good.The liquid material is gathered togetherThe dry land appearsGod defines termsdry land=earth/landwaters=seas11 Then God said, “Let the earth sprout vegetation, plants yielding seed, and fruit trees on the earth bearing fruit after their kind with seed in them”; and it was so. 12 The earth brought forth vegetation, plants yielding seed after their kind, and trees bearing fruit with seed in them, after their kind; and God saw that it was good. 13 There was evening and there was morning, a third day.The earth sprouts vegetation designed to reproduce with seeds in them- by designI take for granted seeds designed within plants so that they reproduce?Who came up with that? Why do they function like that? Why do some trees only release seed if it gets hot?Stop and think how infinitely powerful He is and wise to create. Why when the seed goes in the ground does it produce?Unbelievable!!!Summary: Day 3Dry land appeared= earthwaters gathered= seasvegetation sprouted, seed within themselves, according to their kind.What wisdom!! What Design!! What a Designer!!!Day 4: Sun, Moon, and Stars (Genesis 1:14-19)14 Then God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night, and let them be for signs and for seasons and for days and years; 15 and let them be for lights in the expanse of the heavens to give light on the earth”; and it was so.The Lights in the expanse of the heavens for…signsseasonsdaysyearsGod’s Use of SignsGod used a star to declare the Birth of JesusMatthew 2:9–11 (NASB95) 9 After hearing the king, they went their way; and the star, which they had seen in the east, went on before them until it came and stood over the place where the Child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11 After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.The Crucifixion of Jesus for 3 hours darkness covered the landMatthew 27:45–46 (NASB95) 45 Now from the sixth hour darkness fell upon all the land until the ninth hour. 46 About the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”Jesus’s Second Coming will bring with it Signs from the HeavensMatthew 24:29–30 (NASB95) 29 “But immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30 “And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory.14 Then God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night, and let them be for signs and for seasons and for days and years;seasonsSpaceplace.nasa.govWhat Causes the Seasons?Answer: Earth's tilted axis causes the seasons. Throughout the year, different parts of Earth receive the Sun's most direct rays. So, when the North Pole tilts toward the Sun, it's summer in the Northern Hemisphere. And when the South Pole tilts toward the Sun, it's winter in the Northern Hemisphere.The earth in combination with the Sun produces seasons.daysdefined as one complete rotation of the earth on its axis. Composed of an evening and morning (periods of light and darkness)yearsNASA- a year is determined by the time it takes the earth to complete one orbit around the Sun, which is approximately 365 days. This period is known as a tropical year and is used to keep track of seasons and time.16 God made the two great lights, the greater light to govern the day, and the lesser light to govern the night; He made the stars also. 17 God placed them in the expanse of the heavens to give light on the earth, 18 and to govern the day and the night, and to separate the light from the darkness; and God saw that it was good. 19 There was evening and there was morning, a fourth day.Summary: Day 4God made the Sun, moon, and starsPurposefully for signs, seasons, days, and yearsGod is purposeful in every detail!Power, wisdom, and Goodness for His creation.Day 5: Sea Creatures and Birds (Genesis 1:20-23)20 Then God said, “Let the waters teem with swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth in the open expanse of the heavens.” 21 God created the great sea monsters and every living creature that moves, with which the waters swarmed after their kind, and every winged bird after its kind; and God saw that it was good.What did God create?Sea creaturesBirds in the heavensGreat sea monsters2. God createdbara- used all the way back in Genesis 1:1.Not only fashioned and formed but gave life.22 God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.” 23 There was evening and there was morning, a fifth day.Unlike vegetation they are to be fruitful and multiply.Their are male and female.They are to reproduce and fill the seas and sky to the glory of their creator!!Summary: Day 5God made Sea Creatures and birds.Different than what has been formed and fashioned.They have life given by God.Sea Creatures and birds of all kinds.Day 6: Land Animals and Humans (Genesis 1:24-31)24 Then God said, “Let the earth bring forth living creatures after their kind: cattle and creeping things and beasts of the earth after their kind”; and it was so. 25 God made the beasts of the earth after their kind, and the cattle after their kind, and everything that creeps on the ground after its kind; and God saw that it was good.Domestic Animals- cattlecreeping thingsand beasts of the earthWhy does God repeat “after their kind”?God did not form every speciesGod did form every “kind” or familyFor example the family when thinking of cows is Bovine- this includes cattle, bison, water buffalo etc- they can breed and produce off spring according their family or kinds.But different families/kinds cannot breed and produce.Cats and dogs etc.26 Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” 27 God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. 28 God blessed them; and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”Mankind is the only created being in God’s imageOnly created being in God’s likenessOur likeness why plural?- Triune God hint right here!Created to rule and exercise dominionMankind is made in God’s image male and female.Reproduce and have children populate the earth fill it with Image bearers!!Rule and have dominion over God’s Earth29 Then God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the surface of all the earth, and every tree which has fruit yielding seed; it shall be food for you; 30 and to every beast of the earth and to every bird of the sky and to every thing that moves on the earth which has life, I have given every green plant for food”; and it was so. 31 God saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.God has produced and given food to sustain his creatures.God says it was not just good but very good!!!Summary: Day 6God made…Land animals according to their kind.Humans in his image male and femaleThey are to be fruitful and multiplyThey are to rule and have dominion over his world.Day 7: Day of Rest (Genesis 2:1-3)1 Thus the heavens and the earth were completed, and all their hosts. 2 By the seventh day God completed His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. 3 Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made.God does not grow tired or weary but He rested establishing the work week as we saw in Exodus 20 last week.Created- out of nothingmade- formed and fashionedConclusionAs we conclude Genesis 1-2:3 let us stand in awe of what is before us.Do you see God’s infinite power to speak all of this into existence?His Power is unmatched the one who created all of this.Do you see God’s infinite wisdom- the complexity of the world in which we live.He came up with our bodies and how they work, the animals, the insects, the plants, every detail.Do you see a God who is purposeful in all he does?No mistakes, no throw away, all purposeful, details matter to Him not chaos.Do you see God as the ultimate artist?He takes the raw materials, then forms and fashions them into great beauty and wonder!We are artistic and creative because our God is!!Do you see God as abundantly good??Why the order of Creation like it is? Why blob to spread out to land and vegetation, sun moon and stars, why fish and birds, why animals and then finally humans made in his image to rule over them?Do you see the order? The purpose? The beauty? Food was made so that when the animals were made they could eat. The food, birds, fish, and animals are made before man so that man will exercise domonion.All that was done before it had to happen so that they could all survive and thrive.God is so gracious who provided everything for his creation in the correct order.The God of grace who provides all we need for life both physical and spiritual life in Him.Does this not blow your mind? Does it humble your heart? Does it not lead your heart to a posture of awe??Psalm 8:3–9 (LSB) 3 When I see Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have established; 4 What is man that You remember him, And the son of man that You care for him? 5 Yet You have made him a little lower than the angels, And You crown him with glory and majesty! 6 You make him to rule over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet, 7 All sheep and oxen, And also the animals of the field, 8 The birds of the heavens and the fish of the sea, Whatever passes through the paths of the seas. 9 O Yahweh, our Lord, How majestic is Your name in all the earth!Let us fall down and worship - All Glory Be To Christ
Paradise Valley Community Church
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