Christ the Power of God, Christ the Wisdom of God (Proverbs 8:1-36).

• Proverbs 8:1-7 - The call of Wisdom
• Proverbs 8:7-11 - The value of Wisdom
• Proverbs 8:12-21 - The Excellence of Wisdom
• Proverbs 8:22-31 - The Person and Work of Wisdom
• Proverbs 8:32-36 - Wisdom’s warning and exhortation to humanity

Creation is in contrast to New Creation. Creation reveals the acts of wisdom and power of the Creator. New Creation adds and emphasizes the greatness of His wisdom and love.

Genesis 1:1-31 -THE CONSTITUENT PARTS OF THE CREATION DETAILED

God’s verdict on His work:

“it was so”, that is, according to God’s word

“it was good”, that is, according to God’s standard

Cf. Psalm 33:6, 9

1. 1:1-19 - THE FIRST CREATIVE ACT - material constitution, the body cf. Job 38:1-38;
2. 1:20-25 - THE SECOND CREATIVE ACT - moral constitution, the soul: self consciousness; cf. Job 38:39-39:30
3. 1:26-31 - THE THIRD CREATIVE ACT - spiritual constitution, the spirit -God consciousness: cf. 2:7; Job 40:2-10

FOCUS OF THE CREATION:

Genesis 1:26, 27 - Man introduced in God’s third creative act: The pinnacle of God’s creation -introduction of a being with a moral and spiritual constitution.

Genesis 1:31: - God’s verdict: VERY GOOD

THE NEW CREATION: THE CONSTITUENT PARTS

Revelation 21:5 - Behold I make all things new (wholly different).

Ephesians 4:24 - New (wholly different) man; cf. Colossians 3:10 (renewed)

2 Peter 3:13 - New (wholly different) heavens and new earth

cf. 2 Corinthians 5:17: If any man be in Christ, he is new (wholly different) creation old things have passed away; behold! all things have become new (wholly different).

The contrast (1 Corinthians 15:45, 47)

1st Creation: though the pinnacle of this creation, humanity was created last. Everything must be seen to be of God.

New Creation: Man (the resurrected Christ) is introduced first and everything in this creation takes it character from Him

THE FOCUS OF CREATION: The Adam

The place of Adam

Genesis 1:26, 27

1. In relation to God
   • “In our image” -representation (cf. Matthew 22:20)
   • “After our likeness” -similitude (cf. Philippians 2:7; James 3:9)
2. In relation to creation
   1. “Let them have dominion” -authority (cf. Daniel 2:37, 38; James 3:7, 8)

God’s plan and purpose for Adam (cf. Proverbs 8:31)

ADAM’S FAILURE AND ITS RESULT

Romans 5:12-21 - the effect of Adam’s sin

1 Corinthians 15:22, 45 - Sin and death

THE FOCUS OF THE NEW CREATION: The last Adam, (1 Corinthians 15:45), the Lord Jesus Christ

• Romans 5: 12-21 - the work of the last Adam and its effect
• 1 Corinthians 11:3 - the headship of Christ over humanity
• 1 Corinthians 15:22, 45 - the life-giving Christ
• Ephesians 1:22 - the Head of all things
• Ephesians 5:23 - The Head of the Church (cf. Colossians 1:11; 2:10)

N. B. The contrasts between the First man Adam and the last Adam.

THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE CREATION: manifest the glory of God (Psalm 19:1, 2)

Genesis 1:1-31 - The work of God = Good, very Good

Psalm 19:1-3 - The splendour and response of creation to the Creator.

Psalm 146-148 - Response to the Creator

THE DOCUMENTARY - “The Wonders of Creation”.

Romans 1:20 - God’s poem, His masterpiece: Natural and Physical -audible message from God (Psalm 19:1-4), now contaminated by sin and death, become transient

THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE NEW CREATION: manifest the Glory of Christ Jesus

Ephesians 2:10 - GOD’s poem, His masterpiece: moral and Spiritual and eternal created in Christ Jesus

cf. 2 Corinthians 3:17, 18

2 Corinthians 5:17 - In Christ Jesus, new (wholly different) Creation

Galatians 6:15 - What matters is being in Christ Jesus

Ephesians 4:22-24; Colossians 3:10 - the new man; the renewed man

THE CREATION IS SEPARATED FROM GOD THE CREATOR THROUGH SIN

Genesis 3:1-8 - man sinned, covered himself and hid from God (Adam)

Genesis 3:23, 24 - man sinned, and God drove out the man

Genesis 4: 16 - man murdered, and went out from the presence of God (Cain)

Cf. Isaiah 59:1, 2-8; Habakkuk 1:13 (a)

NEW CREATION CANNOT BE SEPARATED FROM GOD; FOR IT IS IN CHRIST JESUS

Romans 8:1-4 - No condemnation for those in Christ Jesus

Romans 8:5-27 - The work of the Spirit in the new Creation

Romans 8:28-39 - No separation for those in Christ Jesus

THE PRACTICAL EXPRESSION OF THE

NEW

CREATION

2 Corinthians 5:14-17

v. 14: LOVE -the basis of His work; DEAD -the universal condition

v. 15: His death to give life to all -universal remedy for all, not to return to the conditions of the creation, but to introduce to New Creation conditions (privilege), Lordship conditions (responsibility).

v. 16: In that New Creation sphere, the flesh is superseded by the Spirit; even Christ after the flesh (Christ on earth) gives away to Christ Jesus (glorified Man).

v. 17: Believers belong to this wholly different sphere, old things have passed away, BEHOLD, all things have become new (not the same old car with a fresh paint job)

vv. 18-20: There it is a totally different focus and exercise

v. 21: God’s work in Christ -the basis of this wholly different focus and exercise