The Gospel in Isaac and the Sacrifice: The Substitute Provided
God provides a ram in place of Isaac, foreshadowing Jesus, the Lamb of God, sacrificed in our place.
The Gospel in Isaac and the Sacrifice: The Substitute Provided
The Gospel in Isaac and the Sacrifice: The Substitute Provided
The Gospel in Abraham: Justification by Faith
Abraham is declared righteous by faith, pointing to how we are saved by faith in Christ, not by works (Romans 4).
The Gospel in Abraham: Justification by Faith
The Gospel in Abraham: Justification by Faith
The Gospel in Babel: Human Effort vs. God's Redemption
When we think of tall buildings today, we admire human achievement—the Burj Khalifa reaching over half a mile into the sky, the Shanghai Tower with its twisted facade, or the Empire State Building's iconic silhouette. But the world's first skyscraper had a far more ambitious goal than breaking height records. In Genesis 11, humanity sought to build a tower "with its top in the heavens" not merely as an architectural achievement, but as a defiant statement: we will reach God on our terms; we will make a name for ourselves; we will determine our own destiny. The Tower of Babel wasn't just a building project—it was humanity's attempt to create a self-made religion, a self-determined salvation. And in God's response to this tower, we find a profound Gospel message: we cannot reach heaven through our own efforts, but God has come down to us in Jesus Christ, building a true bridge between heaven and earth that we could never build ourselves.
The Gospel in Babel: Human Effort vs. God's Redemption
The Gospel in Babel: Human Effort vs. God's Redemption
The Gospel in Noah: Judgment & Redemption
The story of Noah and the flood is often reduced to a children's tale with cute animals and a rainbow. But Genesis 6-9 tells a far more sobering story—one of humanity's complete corruption, God's righteous judgment, and the salvation of just eight souls from global catastrophe. This isn't just ancient history; it's a profound picture of the Gospel itself. In the waters that covered the earth and the ark that rose above them, we see the pattern of judgment and redemption that would ultimately be fulfilled in Jesus Christ. The flood narrative reveals that sin must be judged, but God always provides a way of salvation for those who trust Him. Noah's story isn't just about a man who built a boat; it's about how God preserves a remnant through judgment, pointing to the greater salvation that would come through Christ.
The Gospel in Noah: Judgment & Redemption
The Gospel in Noah: Judgment & Redemption
The Gospel in Cain & Abel: The Need for True Worship
Two brothers bring their offerings to God. One is accepted, the other rejected. This isn't just a story about sibling rivalry that ended in history's first murder—it's a vivid picture of how we relate to God. Many assume they can approach God on their own terms, bringing whatever seems right in their own eyes. But Genesis 4-5 reveals a profound truth: God determines how we approach Him, and true worship has always been a matter of faith, not religious performance. The story of Cain and Abel shows us why we need something more than our own efforts to be right with God—we need the perfect sacrifice that would ultimately be provided in Jesus Christ.
Most of us think of the Gospel as something that begins in the New Testament—with the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, His death on the cross, and His resurrection three days later. And that’s true—it’s the heartbeat of our faith. But what if I told you that the Gospel was first preached long before the manger, before the prophets, before Moses parted the Red Sea, or Abraham looked up at the stars? What if I told you that the good news of God’s plan to save us echoes all the way back to the very beginning—to a garden, a choice, and a promise? Welcome to Genesis 3, where the story of sin begins—but more importantly, where the story of redemption is first unveiled. This is ‘The Gospel in the Fall: The First Sin & the First Promise.’
Genesis 3 isn’t just a chapter about failure—it’s a chapter about hope. It’s the turning point of the Bible’s narrative, where everything changes. It explains why our world is broken, why we feel pain, why death casts its shadow over us all. But it also reveals a truth far greater: sin and death don’t get the final word. God does. And right here, in the ashes of humanity’s rebellion, He plants a seed of hope—a promise that will grow through every page of Scripture until it blooms in the person of Jesus Christ. Today, we’re going to unpack four key aspects of the Gospel hidden in this chapter: First, God’s character and purpose—how even in judgment, He’s merciful and relational. Second, human sin and our desperate need for redemption—why we’re separated from Him. Third, Christ’s presence in the promise—a prophecy of a Savior who will undo what sin has done. And fourth, the call to faith and repentance—God’s invitation to trust Him, even in exile. This is where the Gospel story begins, and everything that follows—Abraham’s covenant, the Law, the prophets, and the cross—flows from this moment in Eden. Let’s step into the garden and see how it all unfolds.
Eden Before the Fall
Before we get to Genesis 3, we need to set the stage. In Genesis 1 and 2, God creates a world of beauty and order. He speaks, and light pierces the darkness. He forms the seas, the sky, the land—and then, as the crown of His creation, He makes humanity. Adam and Eve are placed in Eden, a paradise where they walk with God in perfect harmony. Genesis 2:25 tells us, ‘The man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed.’ No guilt, no fear, no separation—just intimacy with their Creator. God gives them purpose: to tend the garden, to rule over creation, to reflect His image. And He gives them freedom, with one boundary:
“And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, ‘You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.’”
This is Eden before the fall—a world we can barely imagine. God walks with them in the cool of the day, as Genesis 3:8 hints. He’s not a distant deity but a relational God, delighting in His people. The garden is alive—rivers flow, fruit ripens, animals roam in peace. Everything is as it should be—until a shadow slithers into the picture. Enter the serpent, described in Genesis 3:1 as ‘more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made.’ This isn’t just an animal; this is Satan, the adversary, stepping onto the stage to challenge God’s word and tempt humanity’s heart. The question he poses to Eve will change everything: ‘Did God actually say…?’ And with those words, the battle for our souls begins.
Temptation and the Fall
The Gospel in the Fall: The First Sin & the First Promise
The Gospel is often associated with Jesus' life, death, and resurrection in the New Testament. But what if I told you that the Gospel was first preached in the very beginning of the Bible? Before Abraham, Moses, or the prophets - before even the Law was given - God revealed His plan of redemption in the Garden of Eden.
Genesis 3 is not just about humanity's fall into sin; it's about the good news that sin and death will not have the final say. This is where the promise of redemption begins.
Most of us think of the Gospel as something that begins in the New Testament—with the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, His death on the cross, and His resurrection three days later. And that’s true—it’s the heartbeat of our faith. But what if I told you that the Gospel was first preached long before the manger, before the prophets, before Moses parted the Red Sea, or Abraham looked up at the stars? What if I told you that the good news of God’s plan to save us echoes all the way back to the very beginning—to a garden, a choice, and a promise? Welcome to Genesis 3, where the story of sin begins—but more importantly, where the story of redemption is first unveiled. This is ‘The Gospel in the Fall: The First Sin & the First Promise.’
Genesis 3 isn’t just a chapter about failure—it’s a chapter about hope. It’s the turning point of the Bible’s narrative, where everything changes. It explains why our world is broken, why we feel pain, why death casts its shadow over us all. But it also reveals a truth far greater: sin and death don’t get the final word. God does. And right here, in the ashes of humanity’s rebellion, He plants a seed of hope—a promise that will grow through every page of Scripture until it blooms in the person of Jesus Christ. Today, we’re going to unpack four key aspects of the Gospel hidden in this chapter: First, God’s character and purpose—how even in judgment, He’s merciful and relational. Second, human sin and our desperate need for redemption—why we’re separated from Him. Third, Christ’s presence in the promise—a prophecy of a Savior who will undo what sin has done. And fourth, the call to faith and repentance—God’s invitation to trust Him, even in exile. This is where the Gospel story begins, and everything that follows—Abraham’s covenant, the Law, the prophets, and the cross—flows from this moment in Eden. Let’s step into the garden and see how it all unfolds.
Eden Before the Fall
Before we get to Genesis 3, we need to set the stage. In Genesis 1 and 2, God creates a world of beauty and order. He speaks, and light pierces the darkness. He forms the seas, the sky, the land—and then, as the crown of His creation, He makes humanity. Adam and Eve are placed in Eden, a paradise where they walk with God in perfect harmony. Genesis 2:25 tells us,
“And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed.”
No guilt, no fear, no separation—just intimacy with their Creator. God gives them purpose: to tend the garden, to rule over creation, to reflect His image. And He gives them freedom, with one boundary:
“And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, ‘You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.’”
This is Eden before the fall—a world we can barely imagine. God walks with them in the cool of the day, as Genesis 3:8 hints. He’s not a distant deity but a relational God, delighting in His people. The garden is alive—rivers flow, fruit ripens, animals roam in peace. Everything is as it should be—until a shadow slithers into the picture. Enter the serpent, described in Genesis 3:1 as
“Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, ‘Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?’”
This isn’t just an animal; this is Satan, the adversary, stepping onto the stage to challenge God’s word and tempt humanity’s heart. The question he poses to Eve will change everything: ‘Did God actually say…?’ And with those words, the battle for our souls begins.
Temptation and the Fall
So here we are in Eden—paradise in full bloom. Adam and Eve have everything they need: beauty, purpose, and God Himself walking beside them. But then comes the serpent, crafty and cunning, with a question that drips with doubt: ‘Did God actually say, “You shall not eat of any tree in the garden”?’ (Genesis 3:1). Notice the twist—he’s not just asking; he’s distorting. God had said they could eat from every tree except one, but the serpent paints Him as restrictive, stingy, holding out on them. It’s the first lie humanity hears, and it’s a lie we’re still tempted to believe today: that God’s commands are burdens, not blessings.
Eve responds, correcting him but adding her own flourish:
‘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 midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die”’ (Genesis 3:2-3).
God never said ‘don’t touch it’—that’s Eve’s addition, maybe a sign she’s already wavering, exaggerating the rule to make it feel oppressive. The serpent pounces:
‘You will not surely 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 3:4-5).
Bold, isn’t it? He calls God a liar and dangles a prize: divine knowledge, independence, power. It’s the same temptation we face—doubting God’s goodness, chasing control.
Now watch what happens in Genesis 3:6:
‘So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate.’
This verse is packed with insight. Eve sees the fruit’s appeal—good for food, beautiful, promising wisdom—and she acts. But where’s Adam? Right there with her, silent. He doesn’t intervene, doesn’t lead, doesn’t say, ‘Wait, let’s trust God.’ He eats too. This isn’t just Eve’s fall; it’s humanity’s fall—both are complicit, both choose rebellion over trust.
The temptation mirrors what we face today. The Apostle John calls it
‘the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life’ (1 John 2:16)
And it’s all here. The fruit satisfies hunger (flesh), it’s pleasing to look at (eyes), and it offers wisdom like God’s (pride). Satan doesn’t force them; he nudges, and they leap. It’s a choice, a tragic one, driven by desire over devotion. And the moment they eat, everything shatters.
Genesis 3:7: ‘Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths.’ Their eyes open, just as the serpent promised—but not to divine wisdom. To shame. To vulnerability. To the realization that something’s terribly wrong. Nakedness, once a symbol of innocence, now screams exposure. They scramble to cover themselves with fig leaves—humanity’s first attempt to fix its own sin. But fig leaves don’t last; they wither, just like our efforts to hide from God today.
Then Genesis 3:8: ‘And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden.’ This verse breaks your heart. God comes as He always has, seeking them in love, but now they hide. Sin doesn’t just break a rule; it breaks a relationship. They trade intimacy for isolation, running from the One who made them. It’s our story too—sin makes us hide, whether behind excuses, good deeds, or distractions.
This is the fall: not just an act, but a fracture. Shame replaces innocence. Hiding replaces fellowship. And separation from God begins. They’re still in Eden, but it’s not paradise anymore. The world shifts under the weight of their choice, and the consequences are about to unfold. But here’s the hope—even as humanity falls, God doesn’t abandon them. He’s coming after them, and in His pursuit, the Gospel starts to take shape.
God’s Response: Justice and Mercy
Adam and Eve are hiding, fig leaves trembling in their hands, hearts pounding with shame. But listen to Genesis 3:9: ‘But the Lord God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?”’ This isn’t God playing hide-and-seek—He knows exactly where they are. This is a question of the heart, a call to come out of hiding. Before judgment, before consequences, God seeks them. It’s astounding—sin breaks the relationship, but God doesn’t walk away. He pursues. Jesus echoes this thousands of years later: ‘The Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost’ (Luke 19:10). Right here, in the garden, we see God’s character: relational, merciful, unwilling to let sin have the final say.
Adam answers, ‘I heard the sound of You in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked, and I hid myself’ (Genesis 3:10). Fear has replaced trust, nakedness has become shame. God probes deeper: ‘Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten of the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?’ (Genesis 3:11). The confrontation begins—not with anger, but with questions, inviting confession. Adam deflects: ‘The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me fruit of the tree, and I ate’ (Genesis 3:12). Blame shifts to Eve, even to God—‘You gave her to me!’ Eve follows suit: ‘The serpent deceived me, and I ate’ (Genesis 3:13). Sin distorts everything—responsibility turns to finger-pointing, unity to division.
Now comes judgment, but watch how mercy weaves through it. God starts with the serpent: ‘Because you have done this, cursed are you above all livestock and above all beasts of the field; on your belly you shall go, and dust you shall eat all the days of your life’ (Genesis 3:14). The serpent’s craftiness earns a curse—humiliation and defeat. But God doesn’t stop there; He speaks the first Gospel promise, which we’ll unpack soon.
To Eve, He says, ‘I will surely multiply your pain in childbearing; in pain you shall bring forth children. Your desire shall be contrary to your husband, but he shall rule over you’ (Genesis 3:16). Pain enters the world—childbirth, once a joy, now laced with struggle. Relationships fracture—desire and dominance replace harmony. To Adam, ‘Because you have listened to the voice of your wife and have eaten of the tree of which I commanded you, “You shall not eat of it,” cursed is the ground because of you; in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life; thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you… By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return’ (Genesis 3:17-19). Work becomes toil, the earth rebels, and death looms—‘to dust you shall return.’ Sin’s consequences are real, relentless, universal.
But look closer—God doesn’t destroy them. Death is promised, yes, but not immediate annihilation. He could’ve ended it right there, but He doesn’t. Why? Because justice is real, but mercy is greater. The curses are severe, yet they come with a lifeline. Genesis 3:15, nestled in the serpent’s judgment, hints at hope: ‘I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.’ This isn’t just punishment—it’s prophecy. God’s plan is already in motion. Even as thorns sprout and dust settles, He’s weaving redemption into the story. Judgment falls, but mercy rises.
The Protoevangelium: The First Gospel Promise
Let’s zoom in on Genesis 3:15—it’s the heartbeat of this chapter, the moment the Gospel dawns. God says to the serpent, ‘I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.’ Scholars call this the Protoevangelium—the ‘first Gospel.’ It’s the earliest declaration of God’s plan to defeat sin and restore humanity. In the middle of judgment, God proclaims victory. Let’s break it down.
First, ‘I will put enmity’—God Himself sets the stage for a cosmic battle. Enmity means hostility, a war between the serpent—Satan—and the woman’s offspring. Who’s the woman? Eve, yes, but she represents humanity. Her offspring isn’t just her children; it points to One who will come. The serpent’s offspring? Evil, sin, those aligned with Satan’s rebellion. This isn’t a vague feud—it’s a promise of conflict with a purpose.
Then the key line: ‘He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.’ Notice the shift—it’s not ‘they’ but ‘he.’ A single offspring. The serpent will strike, bruising his heel—a wound, painful but not fatal. But this ‘he’ will crush the serpent’s head—a decisive, deadly blow. Who is this ‘he’? From this moment, the Bible becomes a treasure hunt for the promised offspring. Is it Cain? Abel? Seth? Noah? Abraham? The line narrows through covenants and prophecies, until we reach a stable in Bethlehem. This is Jesus—born of a woman, Galatians 4:4 says, to undo what the serpent did.
The heel-bruising? That’s the cross. Satan strikes—Jesus suffers, dies, bloodied and broken. The serpent thinks he’s won. But the head-crushing? That’s the resurrection. Jesus rises, trampling sin and death, shattering Satan’s power. Colossians 2:15 says He ‘disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them’ on the cross. Genesis 3:15 isn’t random—it’s the Gospel in seed form, planted in Eden to bloom at Calvary.
Every page of Scripture builds on this. Abel’s blood cries out, but Jesus’ blood speaks a better word (Hebrews 12:24). Abraham’s offspring blesses the nations, but Christ is the true seed (Galatians 3:16). The sacrificial system covers sin, but Jesus is the Lamb who takes it away (John 1:29). The prophets foresee a king, but Jesus is the King of kings. Even here, in Genesis 3, the story points to Him. The serpent’s defeat isn’t wishful thinking—it’s God’s decree.
And it’s personal. This promise isn’t just theology; it’s hope for us. The enmity God puts between the serpent and humanity means we’re born into this battle. Sin tempts us, just like it did Eve. But the crushed head means victory is assured. Romans 16:20 echoes it: ‘The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.’ Through Christ, we share in the triumph first promised in Eden.
The First Sacrifice and Exile
Judgment’s been spoken, the promise declared—but God’s not done. Genesis 3:21: ‘And the Lord God made for Adam and Eve garments of skins and clothed them.’ It’s a quiet verse, easy to skip, but it’s profound. Their fig leaves—flimsy, fading—couldn’t cover their shame. So God steps in. Skins mean death—an animal dies, blood is shed. This is the first sacrifice, a shadow of what’s to come. Leviticus will codify it, priests will practice it, but it starts here. And it points to Jesus, the ‘Lamb of God’ whose blood doesn’t just cover sin—it removes it (Hebrews 10:4-10).
Then Genesis 3:23-24: ‘Therefore the Lord God sent him out from the garden of Eden to work the ground from which he was taken. He drove out the man, and at the east of the garden of Eden He placed the cherubim and a flaming sword that turned every way to guard the way to the tree of life.’ Exile. Eden’s gates slam shut. The garden—God’s presence—is lost. Cherubim and a sword bar the way, protecting the tree of life—not out of spite, but mercy. If they ate now, they’d live forever in sin, separated from God. Exile is judgment, but it’s also grace, keeping hope alive for redemption.
This is our spiritual state—east of Eden, longing for home. Ephesians 2:12-13 says we were ‘separated from Christ… having no hope,’ but now ‘brought near by the blood.’ Genesis 3:21 and 3:24 are two sides of the Gospel: a sacrifice to cover us, an exile to drive us back to God.
The Call to Faith and Repentance
Genesis 3 doesn’t end with despair. God’s call—‘Where are you?’—still echoes. Adam hid, but God sought. That’s the Gospel: God pursues sinners. Instead of hiding like Adam, we’re invited to come—to repent, to trust the promise of Genesis 3:15. Faith isn’t blind; it’s resting in God’s plan, revealed from the start. Hebrews 11:1 calls it ‘the assurance of things hoped for.’ Adam and Eve had to hope in the offspring; we see Him—Jesus.
Repentance means turning from sin’s fig leaves to God’s provision. Trust means believing the serpent’s head is crushed, even when we feel the heel’s bruise. Genesis 3 is our story—sin separates, but God restores.
The Gospel’s Trajectory
Genesis 3 sets the Gospel in motion. Cain’s sin mirrors Adam’s, but God offers mercy (Episode 3). Isaac’s ram reflects Genesis 3:21, pointing to Jesus (Episode 7). Christ reveals God fully, reversing the fall (Episode 188). Revelation 21 undoes Genesis 3—curse lifted, presence restored (Episode 225). Sin enters, but a Savior is promised. Exile begins, but restoration awaits.
Conclusion
The Gospel starts in Genesis 3—sin’s problem, God’s solution. Trust the promised offspring—Jesus. Next time, we’ll see how the story continues.
The Gospel in Creation: God's Design for Relationship
In 'Shav: Name Power', Pastor Austin W. Duncan examines the third commandment from Exodus 20:7, exploring the deep meaning of God's name. Drawing from linguistic, historical, and biblical contexts, the sermon illustrates how God's name embodies His character, authority, and invitation to relationship. Austin warns against both obvious and subtle misuses of God's name, from casual exclamations to manipulative prayer practices. He challenges listeners to move beyond mere avoidance of misuse to actively hallowing God's name in daily life. The message emphasizes how our treatment of God's name reflects our relationship with Him, culminating in the ultimate revelation of God's name in Jesus Christ. Balancing scholarly insight with practical application, this sermon invites believers to a deeper reverence for and intimacy with the God who has graciously revealed His name to us.
Imagine standing at the edge of the Grand Canyon for the first time. What's your first thought? It's probably not, "I wonder how this erosion happened" or "What geological processes formed this?" No—your first response is likely wonder. Awe. A sense that you're experiencing something magnificent that existed long before you arrived.
That's exactly how we should approach Genesis. The Bible doesn't begin with rules. It doesn't begin with sin. It doesn't even begin with humans. It begins with God creating a magnificent world—a world designed for relationship.
Welcome
Welcome to 66 Gospels. I'm Austin W. Duncan, and I'm thrilled you're joining us for this journey through the entire Bible, where we'll discover how every book points us to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Today, we're starting right at the beginning with Genesis 1-2, exploring "The Gospel in Creation: God's Design for Relationship." And I know what you might be thinking: "Wait, the Gospel in Genesis 1-2? But Jesus isn't even mentioned there! Isn't the Gospel about Jesus dying for our sins—and sin doesn't appear until Genesis 3?"
That's exactly why we need to start here. Because the Gospel—the good news of Jesus Christ—isn't just about solving the problem of sin. It's about restoring us to what we were created for in the first place: relationship with God. And to understand that relationship, we need to go back to the beginning.
1. The Gospel Starts with Relationship, Not Sin
So often when we talk about the Gospel, we start with sin. We say things like, "We've all sinned and fallen short of God's glory, so Jesus came to save us." And that's absolutely true! But it's not the whole story.
The first chapters of the Bible tell us something profound: Before there was a problem to solve, there was a relationship to enjoy.
What It Meant Then
Genesis opens with these simple yet profound words: "In the beginning, God created..." (Genesis 1:1). From verse 1, the focus is on God's creative action, culminating with humanity. After each day of creation, God declares what He's made to be "good." But after creating humans in His image, in Genesis 1:31, God steps back and declares everything "very good."
This isn't just casual approval. This is the Creator of the universe delighting in what He's made—especially in the creatures designed for relationship with Him.
T. Desmond Alexander, in his book "From Eden to the New Jerusalem," points out something fascinating about Genesis. He notes that these chapters don't just describe God making a world to rule over but creating a space where He can dwell with people. The creation account isn't mainly about how everything came to be—it's about why everything came to be: for relationship.
What It Reveals About God
Think about this: God didn't need us. The Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—existed in perfect harmony and love for all eternity past. God wasn't lonely. He wasn't bored. He was completely sufficient in Himself.
Yet He chose to create us. Not out of need, but out of want.
John Piper, in his sermon "God Created Man Male and Female," calls this a "grand thing." God's delight wasn't just in making stuff—it was in sharing His life with us. He wanted creatures who could know Him, enjoy Him, and reflect His character.
That tells us something profound about God's heart: He is relational to His core.
What It Means for Us Today
So what does this mean for us? It means life isn't about fixing our mistakes first—it's about knowing God.
Jesus Himself defined eternal life this way in John 17:3: "This is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent." Notice Jesus doesn't define eternal life as "living forever" or even "going to heaven." He defines it as knowing God.
Jesus came on a relationship rescue mission. Sin is certainly the barrier that needed to be removed, but relationship is the goal. That changes everything about how we understand the Christian life.
Everyday Example
Think about it like this: Imagine a parent who doesn't just want obedient kids but genuinely enjoys their company. They don't just create rules to control behavior—they create a home where relationship can flourish.
That parent might say, "Yes, I want you to follow our family rules, but what I really want is to know you, to spend time with you, to share life with you." That's God's heart toward us, from the very beginning.
Simple Gospel Tie
Here's the beautiful truth: The Gospel isn't just about what we're saved from, but what we're saved for—relationship with God.
Sin interrupted that relationship, but it was never the main story. The main story is that God created us for Himself, and through Jesus, He's bringing us back to that original design.
2. Created in God's Image: Our Original Purpose
Now let's look more closely at how God made us. Genesis 1:26-27 contains some of the most important words ever written about human identity: "Then God said, 'Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness...' So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them."
This idea—that we are made in God's image—sets the foundation for our purpose.
What It Meant Then
What did it mean to be made "in God's image"? The Hebrew word used here is "tselem," which implies being a representative or reflection. Scholar Gordon Wenham explains that this refers to our capacity to reflect God's character—our ability to love, create, and relate to others and to God.
In the ancient Near East, kings would set up images or statues of themselves throughout their kingdoms to represent their rule in places they couldn't physically be. In a similar but much more profound way, humans were designed to be God's representatives on earth—living, breathing reflections of the Creator.
This made humans utterly unique in all creation. Nothing else in Genesis is described as bearing God's image. Only us.
What It Reveals About God
Think about how generous God is here. He's sharing His likeness with us! R.C. Sproul, in his "Themes from Genesis," emphasizes that this reflects God's desire for us to represent Him on earth.
It's like a parent passing on not just physical traits to their children, but character, values, and purpose. God wanted creatures who would participate in His nature and reflect His goodness in the world.
This reveals God's incredible humility and generosity. The all-powerful Creator of the universe chooses to share His image with creatures made from dust. It's mind-boggling when you really think about it.
What It Means for Us Today
If we're made in God's image, then our true purpose is found in mirroring His character. We find our meaning not in what the world tells us to value—success, appearance, wealth, power—but in reflecting God's love, creativity, and goodness.
Jesus, described in Colossians 1:15 as "the image of the invisible God," shows us what this looks like perfectly. He is the ultimate image-bearer, revealing God's character through His love, compassion, truth, and sacrifice.
When we look at Jesus, we see what humans were always meant to be—perfect reflections of God's heart. And through the Gospel, He's restoring that image in us. As 2 Corinthians 3:18 tells us, "We all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another."
Everyday Example
It's like a child who naturally resembles their parents—not just in appearance but in mannerisms and character. Maybe you've heard someone say, "You laugh just like your mother" or "You have your father's sense of humor."
In the same way, we're meant to "look like" God in how we love, create, and relate to others. People should see something of God's character when they interact with us. That's what it means to be made in His image.
Simple Gospel Tie
Jesus didn't come just to forgive us, but to show us what it looks like to live as true image-bearers.
The Gospel is about Jesus restoring God's image in us, helping us become who we were always created to be.
3. The Garden: Where God and Humans Lived Together
After creating humans, God placed them in a garden. But Eden wasn't just any beautiful location—it was where God and humans shared space.
What It Meant Then
Genesis 2:8-15 describes this special garden that God planted and where He placed the humans He had formed. It was lush, beautiful, full of good things to eat, with rivers flowing through it. But most importantly, it was where God walked with Adam and Eve.
Genesis 3:8 tells us that Adam and Eve "heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day." This casual mention suggests this wasn't unusual—God regularly walked there with them! Can you imagine that kind of intimacy with the Creator?
T. Desmond Alexander, in his book "Heaven on Earth," describes Eden as essentially a "Temple"—a place where God's presence dwelled with humanity. The garden wasn't just a pretty place to live; it was sacred space, the meeting point between heaven and earth.
What It Reveals About God
This shows us that God longs to be near us. He's not a distant deity who winds up the universe and then walks away. He's not an impersonal force. He's a God who creates beautiful spaces to share with the creatures He loves.
The BibleProject's overview of Genesis highlights this as God's core design—He created a world where heaven and earth overlap, where He could be present with His people.
This reveals God's desire for closeness, for conversation, for walking together through the garden of life. He's a God who comes close.
What It Means for Us Today
We were built for God's presence. There's a garden-shaped hole in our hearts that nothing else can fill. As Augustine famously said, "Our hearts are restless until they rest in You."
Jesus fulfills this desire by becoming human—"The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us" (John 1:14). The Greek word for "made his dwelling" literally means "to tabernacle" or "to set up a tent"—it's temple language! Jesus became the place where God and humans meet.
And Revelation 21:3 promises that one day, God will dwell with us forever: "Look! God's dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them." The story that began in a garden will culminate in a city where God lives with His people permanently.
Everyday Example
It's like how we create special places in our homes to connect with loved ones. Maybe it's the dinner table where family gathers each night. Maybe it's the living room where you have deep conversations with friends. Maybe it's the porch swing where you and your spouse catch up at the end of the day.
Eden was God's special meeting place with humanity—the space He designed specifically for connection and relationship.
Simple Gospel Tie
The same God who walked with Adam and Eve in the garden became human to walk with us again.
The Gospel is about God restoring His presence among us—first through Jesus, then through His Spirit, and ultimately in the new creation.
4. Work and Rest: The Rhythm of Relationship
One of the surprises in Genesis 1-2 is that work and rest were part of God's design before sin entered the picture. Both were gifts, not burdens.
What It Meant Then
In Genesis 2:15, God gave Adam work to do: "The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it." This happened before sin made work difficult.
Gordon Wenham notes that this work was joyful, not stressful—it was fulfilling stewardship of God's creation. Adam wasn't working to survive; he was working to cultivate beauty and order as God's representative.
Genesis 2:2-3 shows God Himself resting after creation: "By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done."
God set a rhythm—six days of creative work followed by refreshing rest. This pattern was woven into creation before sin distorted it.
What It Reveals About God
This shows us that God values both purpose and peace. He's not a taskmaster demanding endless toil, nor is He promoting idle laziness. He designed a beautiful rhythm of meaningful work and joyful rest.
John Piper points out that God's rest wasn't due to fatigue—it was a delight in completed work. God rested not because He needed to recover but because He wanted to enjoy what He had made. And He invites us into that same enjoyment.
This reveals God's wisdom in designing human flourishing. He knows we need both productive activity and restorative rest to thrive.
What It Means for Us Today
Our best life flows from doing what we're made for (meaningful work) and resting in God (rejuvenating rest). Sin has twisted work into drudgery and rest into either laziness or anxious distraction, but Jesus restores both to their proper place.
Jesus' finished work on the cross (John 19:30) gives us true rest—not just physical relaxation but soul-deep peace with God. As He said in Matthew 11:28-30: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
The Gospel frees us from working to earn God's favor and restores work to its proper purpose—participating in God's creative and redemptive purposes in the world.
Everyday Example
Think about work you love—maybe gardening, cooking, writing, teaching, building, or creating. When you're doing work that aligns with how God made you, it doesn't feel like a burden, even when it's challenging. There's joy in using your gifts for their intended purpose.
That's a glimpse of what work was meant to be from the beginning—not a necessary evil but a fulfilling expression of our God-given creativity and purpose.
Simple Gospel Tie
The rest that God modeled in creation is the same rest Jesus offers us through the Gospel.
Jesus restores both work and rest to their proper places—meaningful purpose without crushing burden, and refreshing peace without anxious distraction.
5. Trust and Choice: The Foundation of Love
In Genesis 2, we encounter something that might initially seem strange: a forbidden tree. Why would God place a tree in the garden and then tell Adam and Eve not to eat from it? Because real love requires real choice.
What It Meant Then
Genesis 2:16-17 presents both tremendous freedom and one clear boundary: "And the LORD God commanded the man, 'You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.'"
Notice the generosity here—access to every tree but one! Enduring Word's commentary calls this a test of trust, not a trick or trap. God was giving Adam and Eve the opportunity to choose relationship with Him based on trust in His goodness and wisdom.
The tree wasn't there to tempt them to fail; it was there to invite them to trust. Without this choice, their love for God would have been programmed, not freely given.
What It Reveals About God
This shows us that God desires authentic relationship, not robotic obedience. He is a lover, not a dictator.
T. Desmond Alexander notes that this freedom demonstrates God's relational heart. He wanted Adam and Eve to choose Him not because they had to, but because they wanted to. That's the only kind of love that's really love.
Think about it: God took the risk of giving us free will because a forced relationship isn't a relationship at all. This reveals His desire for authentic connection, even when that meant humans could reject Him.
What It Means for Us Today
Real love still means choosing God. The essence of sin isn't just breaking rules—it's choosing to trust ourselves instead of God.
Jesus' sacrifice on the cross (Romans 5:8) gives us the freedom to trust God anew. The Gospel doesn't remove our ability to choose; it liberates us to make the right choice based on God's demonstrated love and faithfulness.
Every day, we face the same basic choice Adam and Eve faced: Will we trust God's way or our own? Will we believe He is good and His commands are for our flourishing, or will we doubt His heart and try to define good and evil for ourselves?
Everyday Example
It's like how trust works in any relationship. When you trust a friend, that trust deepens your bond. But when you constantly doubt them, questioning their motives and intentions, it creates distance and damages the relationship.
God wanted that trust from Adam and Eve from the beginning—not to control them but to deepen their relationship with Him. And He still desires that trust from us today.
Simple Gospel Tie
The tree in the garden presented a choice; the cross of Jesus presents us with the same choice—will we trust God's way or our own?
The Gospel invites us back to the trust that was broken in the garden, offering us a second chance to choose relationship with God.
6. God's Vision: From Garden to City
Genesis 1-2 isn't the end of the story—it's just the beginning. God always had a bigger vision in mind.
What It Meant Then
The creation account in Genesis 1-2 is a starting point for a much larger narrative. Adam was told to "be fruitful and multiply, fill the earth and subdue it" (Genesis 1:28)—suggesting that the garden was meant to expand as humans extended God's loving rule throughout the world.
T. Desmond Alexander's book "From Eden to the New Jerusalem" traces this arc from the garden in Genesis to the city in Revelation. He shows how the Bible isn't a random collection of stories but a unified narrative with a clear destination.
The garden was never meant to be static—it was the seed of something meant to grow and develop as humans partnered with God to extend His presence throughout creation.
What It Reveals About God
This shows us that God's plans are big and forward-looking. He's a dreamer for us, with visions greater than we could imagine.
R.C. Sproul ties creation's purpose directly to redemption's goal—God was never surprised by sin or scrambling to come up with a fix. The Gospel was always the plan, and creation was always heading toward the glorious conclusion we see in Revelation.
This reveals God's sovereignty and wisdom. He doesn't just react to circumstances; He works through all things to accomplish His ultimate purpose of dwelling with a redeemed humanity in a renewed creation.
What It Means for Us Today
Our story isn't stuck in the past; it's headed somewhere glorious with Jesus. As He promised in John 14:2-3: "My Father's house has many rooms... I am going there to prepare a place for you... I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am."
The Gospel isn't just about getting back to the garden—it's about moving forward to the city God has been preparing since before time began. We're not just going back to Eden; we're heading to New Jerusalem.
This gives us tremendous hope. No matter how broken our world seems, God's vision is still unfolding, and He will bring it to completion through Christ.
Everyday Example
It's like planting a garden with the vision of it growing into something much bigger. A master gardener doesn't just plant seeds and hope for the best—they have a clear vision of what those seeds will become and work patiently toward that end.
God started with Eden, but He was always aiming for a thriving city where His presence would fill every corner and His relationship with humanity would reach its fullest expression.
Simple Gospel Tie
Jesus takes us from the garden to a city where we'll live with God forever.
The Gospel isn't just about restoring what was lost; it's about fulfilling what was always intended.
Conclusion: The Beginning of Good News
As we close this first episode of 66 Gospels, I hope you see that Genesis 1-2 isn't just ancient history—it's the beginning of good news.
The Gospel doesn't start with sin; it starts with relationship. It begins with a God who created us for Himself, who designed us to bear His image, who walked with us in the garden, who established patterns of work and rest for our flourishing, who invited us to trust Him, and who has always had a glorious future in mind for His creation.
Sin interrupted that story, as we'll see in Genesis 3. But it didn't derail God's ultimate purpose. Through Jesus Christ, God is restoring everything that was broken and fulfilling everything that was promised. The Gospel brings us back to God's original design for relationship.
Next time, we'll explore "The Gospel in the Fall: The First Sin and the First Promise," discovering how God's redemptive plan begins to unfold even in humanity's darkest moment.
But for now, I invite you to marvel at this truth: Before sin, before salvation, before the cross and the empty tomb—there was relationship. And that's what Jesus came to restore.
Let's pray.
Lord, thank You for creating us for relationship with You. Thank You that the Gospel isn't just about solving the problem of sin but about restoring us to our original purpose—knowing You, reflecting Your image, enjoying Your presence, finding meaning in the work You've given us, trusting Your goodness, and looking forward to the future You're preparing. Help us to see Genesis not just as history but as the beginning of the good news that finds its fulfillment in Jesus. In His name we pray, Amen.
[OUTRO SEQUENCE]
Thank you for joining us for this first episode of 66 Gospels. I'm Austin Duncan, and I invite you to continue this journey with us as we discover how every book of the Bible points us to the good news of Jesus Christ.
Remember, the Gospel isn't just about what we're saved from—it's about what we're saved for: relationship with God, now and forever.
Until next time, may you experience the wonder of being created for relationship with the God who made you, loves you, and is restoring you through Jesus Christ.
Additional Notes for Austin:
Key Scriptures to Reference:
Genesis 1:1-31 - The creation account
Genesis 1:26-27 - Humans created in God's image
Genesis 2:2-3 - God rests on the seventh day
Genesis 2:7 - God forms man from dust and breathes life
Genesis 2:15 - Man placed in garden to work it
Genesis 2:16-17 - Freedom and boundary with the tree
John 1:14 - Word became flesh and dwelt among us
John 17:3 - Eternal life is knowing God
Colossians 1:15 - Jesus is the image of the invisible God
Revelation 21:3 - God's dwelling place will be with people
Transition Suggestions:
Use rhetorical questions between sections to maintain engagement
Refer back to the "relationship" theme throughout to maintain continuity
Use brief personal anecdotes where appropriate to illustrate points
Consider adding brief audience interaction moments ("Take a moment to think about...")
Delivery Notes:
Emphasize the "Simple Gospel Tie" statements to reinforce the main message
Slow down during Scripture readings to allow audience to absorb the text
Use voice inflection to highlight contrasts (e.g., "not just what we're saved from, but what we're saved for")
Consider using strategic pauses after profound statements to let them sink in
Visual Elements to Consider:
Key verses displayed on screen during Scripture references
Simple imagery representing each section (garden, image/mirror, etc.)
Brief quotes from scholars mentioned (Alexander, Piper, Sproul, etc.)
Timeline graphic showing the "Garden to City" progression