In the Beginning: Studies in Genesis 1–11
In the Beginning: Studies in Genesis 1–11
Sundays, June 18 through Sunday, July 30
June 18, 2017
Rev. Dr. David Gushee
Interim Pastor, First Baptist Church Decatur
Distinguished University Professor of Christian Ethics and Director of the Center for Theology and Public Life at the Mercer University McAfee School of Theology
Sermon
"In the Beginning"
Genesis 1:1–2:3
“Then God said, “Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the wild animals of the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth.”
—Genesis 1:26
June 25, 2017
Rev. Dr. David Gushee
Interim Pastor, First Baptist Church Decatur
Distinguished University Professor of Christian Ethics and Director of the Center for Theology and Public Life at the Mercer University McAfee School of Theology
Sermon
"Not Good to Be Alone"
Genesis 2:18-25
“And the rib that the Lord God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man. Then the man said,
‘This at last is bone of my bones
and flesh of my flesh;
this one shall be called Woman,
for out of Man[c] this one was taken.’ ”
—Genesis 2:22-23
July 2, 2017
Rev. Dr. David Gushee
Interim Pastor, First Baptist Church Decatur
Distinguished University Professor of Christian Ethics and Director of the Center for Theology and Public Life at the Mercer University McAfee School of Theology
Sermon
"Did God Really Say?"
Genesis 3:1-7
"The woman said to the serpent, ‘We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden;’ but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the middle of the garden, nor shall you touch it, or you shall die.’ But the serpent said to the woman, ‘You will not die; for God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.’ ”
—Genesis 3:2-5
Green button links to a printable version (pdf) of this week's sermon.
July 9, 2017
Rev. Dr. David Gushee
Interim Pastor, First Baptist Church Decatur
Distinguished University Professor of Christian Ethics and Director of the Center for Theology and Public Life at the Mercer University McAfee School of Theology
Sermon
"East of Eden"
Genesis 3:8-24
"By the sweat of your face
you shall eat bread
until you return to the ground,
for out of it you were taken;
you are dust,
and to dust you shall return.”
—Genesis 3:19
Green button links to a printable version (pdf) of this week's sermon.
July 16, 2017
Rev. Dr. David Gushee
Interim Pastor, First Baptist Church Decatur
Distinguished University Professor of Christian Ethics and Director of the Center for Theology and Public Life at the Mercer University McAfee School of Theology
Sermon
"Raising Cain"
Genesis 4:1-16
"If you do well, will you not be accepted?
And if you do not do well, sin is lurking at the door; its desire is for you,
but you must master it.”
—Genesis 4:7
Green button links to a printable version (pdf) of this week's sermon.
July 23, 2017
Rev. Dr. David Gushee
Interim Pastor, First Baptist Church Decatur
Distinguished University Professor of Christian Ethics and Director of the Center for Theology and Public Life at the Mercer University McAfee School of Theology
Sermon
"A Brokenhearted God"
Genesis 6:5-8, 7:11-24
"The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And the Lord was sorry that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart. So the Lord said, “I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the ground, man and beast and creeping things and birds of the air, for I am sorry that I have made them.” But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.”
—Genesis 6:5-8
Green button links to a printable version (pdf) of this week's sermon.
July 30, 2017
Rev. Dr. David Gushee
Interim Pastor, First Baptist Church Decatur
Distinguished University Professor of Christian Ethics and Director of the Center for Theology and Public Life at the Mercer University McAfee School of Theology
Sermon
"New Covenant"
Genesis 8:20-9:17
"God blessed Noah and his sons, and said to them, 'Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth. The fear and dread of you shall rest on every animal of the earth, and on every bird of the air, on everything that creeps on the ground, and on all the fish of the sea; into your hand they are delivered. Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you; and just as I gave you the green plants, I give you everything.'"
-- Genesis 9:1-3