Hi, I'm Darrell Bailey. Thank you for tuning in to our Sunday Night Message, The Phonology of God's Creation. Take your Bibles with us, if you would, to Genesis chapter 1, verse 1, here in our Sunday Night Message, April the 27th, 2025, the 29th of Nisan, 5785 of the Hebrew calendar. You know, it's this time of year that all of us have, are waiting to see Blackberry winter and We're amazed at the seasons of when we plant certain things because God is the one that is created all of this for our blessings. And so as we look at the phenology of God's creation tonight, it's the study of the timing of the natural events and the life cycles of plants and animals, particularly how these events are influenced by environmental factors like the temperature, the rainfall and the changes of the season. And so as we get ready to get into the wonderful word of God, I'm glad that some of the basic questions of creation, when we look and realize that how profound and impressive and stunning that when we read in a few minutes, the opening words of scripture, that we'll read in a minute. We read about here, the Word of God says, in the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth. That's powerful because no one else, a person who reads and thinks truthfully and thinks about this great statement is captivated by its astounding declaration. Why? Because whoever it is realizes that the basic questions of creation are captured in this divine statement. There is so much being said, so much to think about, so much to learn that the Bible declares that God is behind everything. All of the seasons, the plannings, the changing, when everything is on the axis of how God put this universe. The universe is not eternal, nor did it just happen. The universe did not just come into being by some chance. Something did not come out of nothing. Listen to me. Nothing did not produce nor give rise to something. There is a creator, a supreme person, a supreme intelligence and force that has who has created the universe and the creator has given the universe purpose and meaning of all the seasons the changes scripture does not argue God's existence it declares God's existence scripture does not argue that the heavens and the earth have a creator it declares that God created the heavens and the earth and the most significant fact that I could ever say is in this verse Because when we look at this, we see that scriptures answers the basic questions concerning creation. They answer the very questions that man asked about his own personal origin, about the origin and the roots of the universe, because when was the universe created? in the beginning who created the universe god created it what was created the heaven and the earth that is the universe how was the earth created without form and void and so in darkness it covered by the waters and by the spirit's activity you see And so when we read this powerful statement, as I open up with the word of God, in the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth. And so the theology, the theology of God's creation, as we open up with a time of prayer for tonight. Father, we come before you tonight in humble submission, acknowledging that our needs for your forgiveness. And we ask, Lord, that you'll cleanse us from our sins and wash us in the blood of Jesus. Help us today to put on the armor of God so that we may stand firm in your truth. Lord, thank you for the wonderful message Brother Rusty Lanier preached this morning, Father. And Lord, I thank God as we was able to see Brother David from our Bartow Baptist Association that was with us and Lord of all the many that were there. Lord, I lift up our pastor and a first lady. And Lord, I pray especially for Daniel Williams that has just been a new heart recipient. And I pray God that that new heart and what all that it deals with, Father, in the name of Jesus, God, that Lord, that you'll continue to, Lord, just watch over her and her family and her all of her loved ones as they go through the transition of adjusting to this new heart. I want to thank you, Lord, for Becky up in Buchanan, Lord, my wife's cousins. Lord, I pray, continue to pray for, Lord, many, Lord, especially Lord Carol Herring in the name of Jesus. I pray for all of our men and women of God that are out there on the mission fields, our pastors. And I pray, God, for the many that are lost that need Jesus. And Lord, as I talk about this subject of how that you are the creator you set the times and the seasons you give us the calendar of when the plant and when the blooms come out and when the birds begin to uh nest and when they begin to mate and all of the things of nature you control it all you created it all and i want someone out there to hear this tonight because many people lord still today are off kilter They just believe certain things. But God, when I read the word of God, that's all that I need. But there's a lot of other people that needs more than that. I don't know why, but I pray that when they would just open their eyes and see how God Controls everything it didn't just boom and happen. It didn't just Darwin and happen it didn't just big bang and happen God created it God made it happen He created it to happen. He sent the intricates of the time the moon the cycles everything God did it all and so tonight I By preaching this message, I give glory and honor to my creator, the creator of everything, of every season, of everything that we have, all that exists. You are the creator of it all. And I want to give glory and honor to you tonight. And I pray, God, that someone's listening and someone, their eyes, their spiritual eyes will open up tonight and see the facts of the word of God. In Jesus's marvelous mighty name, we pray. Amen. As we look and realize tonight, a story from our Reader's Digest that I was reading this past week, a scientist dedicated to studying nature realized God is the true scientist. Well, you know what? It was about that scientist that dedicated his life to studying the natural world, the plants, the animals, the changing of the seasons and the intricate balance of the ecosystem. He described how that he would often stand at the edge of a forest, watching the changes that came with each season. And he realized that the more that he observed, the more that he saw God's handiwork. And he said, I've spent my life trying to understand the seasons. But what I really learned is that God is the true scientist and the world is his laboratory. In a way, this story illustrates the phenomenon that we see every day. It is the beauty. It is the complexity of God's creation. It is the changing of the seasons, the intricate systems of life, the plants, the animals. All of it points to a creator. And phenology refers to the study of the natural phenomena and the periods in relation to the climate, the changing specifically of the seasons. But when we look at it through the lens of faith, we see that the phonology of God's creation is not just about the physical world. It's a reflection of his divine plan. And so tonight, we're going to explore how God's creation reveals his nature, his purpose, and his love for every one of us. You know, when we look at this tonight, we see a scientist Henry Ponscare, and he said the scientist does not study nature because it's useful. He studies it because he delights in it and he delights in it because it is beautiful. Well, when we look at what Henry was talking about, that because he delights in it and he delights in it because it's beautiful. Well, from 1854 to 1912, Henri Poncaire was a French mathematician and a physicist and an engineer and a philosopher of science. He's regarded as one of the last universalists in mathematics, meaning that he mastered and contributed to nearly every field in his day, including celestial mechanics, typology, and the theory of relativity. and the ideas that influenced Einstein. He was also deeply interested in the philosophy of science and the creative and the aspects of scientific discovery. Under his quote, when we see the scientist does not study nature because it is useful, he studies it because he delights in it and he delights in it because it is beautiful. Well, what does it mean? Well, when we look at what he argues that true scientific inquiry isn't primarily driven by practical applications like making money or solving immediate problems but by wonder and joy in understanding the world he says we delight in the beauty he sees beauty in the natural world and its patterns its order and its harmony and he believes that scientists are drawn to this beauty much like artists are drawn to color and form and so science as an art form and so it isn't just a tool it's a pursuit rooted in all. He elevates scientific endeavor to something poetic and spiritual and so the spiritual reflection you could relate this to Psalms chapter 19 verse 1 where the Bible says the heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament sheweth his handiwork, just as Poncare found beauty in nature that compelled him to study it. You and I, the believers, sees nature as a reflection of God's glory, something to admire, to understand, and to praise. And so, again, what is fundamonology? It is that plant blooming that we get into. And so I'm glad that each and every one of us, as we look at what it means for us, it is about looking at the animal migration, the species appearance, the climatic patterns. And when we look at the phonology of pronouncing, we see the P-H-E-N sounds like fun, O-L sounds like all, and O-G-Y sounds like E, the phonology. Francis Collins said, God is most certainly not threatened by science. He made it all possible. And so I'm glad when we look at his quote and what he's trying to tell us, this renowned American physician, Genesis, best known for leading the human gene project, which successfully mapped out all the genes of the human DNA. He served as the director of the National Institute of Health. NIH from 2009 to 2021, and he's known for being a committed Christian who openly speaks about the harmony between science and faith, understanding his quote, God is most certainly not threatened by science. He made it all possible. You see, faith and science are not enemies. Collins is challenging the idea that science and belief in God are in conflict. Instead, he insists that God is the author of all truth, both spiritual and scientific. Science as a tool to understand God's creation, the laws of physics, biology, chemistry, and genetic Genetics exists because God's designed it and he designed all of it Therefore using science to explore the universe is not a threat to faith. It's an act of worship. God is sovereign over Discovery and so it's reassures every believer that scientific discoveries do not reduce or replace God but rather reveal more about his intelligence, creativity, and his majesty. And so I'm glad all of this when I read this I think of Romans chapter 1 verse 20 for the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen being understood by the things that are made. Science helps us see the invisible handiwork of God and so I'm glad that Francis Collins was one of those because he's got a language of God because well he tells us his personal journey uh from atheism to Christianity because a lot of men like him have come a long ways many of them were just atheists and because of their knowledge of getting into the study they begin to open their eyes and see God for what he really was the harmony of science and biblical faith and so when we look at the divine designer of creation The question that I want to ask you is, what if the universe that you live in wasn't just formed by chance, but intentionally crafted by a mind far greater than your own? And how does this shift the way that you see your life and the world around you? Well, this challenges us to think about whether we see creation as random or something that's purposeful and to consider the implications. of believing in a divine creator and so the divine designer of creation itself when we look and realize that in the beginning God created the heaven and the earth and so when we look at this and we think about When did the universe come into being? When did it first begin? When was matter first formed and energy first activated? When were the heavens and the earth created? Well, listen to me. The Bible tells us, and it tells us in the simplest of ways, in a way that all nations of people can understand. The heavens and the earth were created in the beginning of the Bershith. And so, There was a beginning for the universe. Neither the world nor human life are eternal. You see, the universe has not always existed. And the phrase in the beginning means there was a time when everything first started, when the universe first began. The idea is the absolute beginning of things, the absolute beginning of time. And the great scholar H.C. Leopold says that it means the absolute beginning of created things. And so I'm glad that the universe had a beginning. There was a time when the world did not exist. And then all of a sudden, out of nowhere, out of nothing, The world began. The things of the world had a beginning, and there was a beginning to the things that surround man, that man handles and deals with and possesses, that constitutes man's own being, that are physical and material, that compose the substances of the world, that make up all matter and all energy. As stated, all things had a beginning. There was a time when there was nothing. No heavens, no earth, no physical matter, no physical energy, no atoms, no electrons, no protons or neutrons, and no hydrogen, nor any other gaseous substance. There was nothing in the physical and the material world, our dimension of being. And then, all of a sudden, out of nowhere, And out of nothing the universe began to be made. The process of time began. There was a beginning. The universe, the material, and the physical things began. And then the physical world and the dimension of being was launched. When? In the beginning. In the absolute beginning of creation. And thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth and the heavens are the works of thy hands. The Hebrew writer said in chapter 1 verse 10. And so, in the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. Nothing whatsoever is said about how long ago the universe was created. You know what? When we look back, no dates are given to determine the age of the heavens and the earth. There's not even a hint given as to the age of either. Man must heed this passage of scripture. We must know where he has come from and why he is here, because he can never fulfill his purpose upon earth unless he knows who put him here and why he was placed here. And so this passage stands as a dramatic warning to all mankind. Since man had a beginning, he also has an ending. And therefore, he or she must prepare to face the person who gave him or her their beginning. Man and woman must repent and prepare to face their creator. And so, what do we know about our mission and purpose in life? Listen, I say this often, but I mean it from my heart. Number one, we're to share the Word of God with the world. Number two, to support the belief of the minister and layman in surrendering and understanding and preaching and teaching of God's Word. Number three, prepare everything that we can to lead men, women, boys and girls to give their hearts and lives to Jesus Christ and to secure them for eternal life. Number four, ensure all that we can to minister to the needy of the world. And last but not least, provide Jesus Christ his proper place which the world gives him. He's to sit on the throne of your life. And so, when we look at the divine designer of creation tonight, God's timing is in the seasons. And so, I'm glad that you want to see that timing? Then you read Genesis chapter 1, verses 14 down to verse 19. And you'll be able to see that. Because the Bible says in God sent let there be light in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night and let there be for signs and for seasons and for days and years and let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth. And it was so. Genesis 1 verse 16 and God made two great lights the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night and he made the stars also in verse 17 and God sent them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth in verse 18 and to rule over the day and over the night and to divide the light from the darkness and God saw that it was good and the evening in verse 19 and the morning were the fourth day and God's timing in the seasons tells us right there. And so, the divine designer of creation, we see, first of all, as God shows His glory to every one of us of Psalms 19, verse 1, praise God. And so, I'm glad that the heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament shew His handiwork. But I'm glad that he goes on and he says the divine designer of creation, creation as God's work. And the Hebrew Barah, it was created from nothing. God stepped out on nothing, brought nothing from nowhere and come back in and begin to make it something when it was nothing. You see, the devil had to borrow something from somebody else. And everybody else today that created something had to borrow something from God. And so, I'm glad that when we look, that creation has the work of God's hands. Amen. And so, from the very first verse of the Bible, we're introduced to the Creator and the one that spoke the universe into existence. In the Hebrew language, the word for created is bara. means to create from nothing, and it sparks to the absolute power and the sovereignty of God, hallelujah. And so God exists outside of time of Bereshith. And so in the beginning, the Hebrew word Bereshith, in the beginning. And so it's significant because it shows that God exists outside of time. He is the beginning of all things. He alone holds the power to create. And so, creation is God's eternal masterpiece, painted with his words and moated with his will, quoted and said by James Merritt. And so, the divine designer of creation, creation as the work of God's hands. But secondly, we see God's design in the season. And so, As I read earlier, Genesis chapter 1 verses 14 through 19, that it tells us about the sun, the moon, the stars for the seasons. And I'm glad that we see God's creation of the sun, moon, and stars. These were not just for declaration, but for the purpose of marking seasons and days and years. The natural world operates on a divinely ordained schedule. And just as the seasons change with precision, so too does God's purpose in our lives unfold with the perfect timing. Do we trust God with the timing of our lives or do we try to rush through the seasons missing his divine purpose? And so each and every one of us remember what the earth looked like. It was It was basically hanging in space, unformed and unfinished. The Earth was enveloped in total darkness, a blanket of heavy mist, thick clouds and dense fog engulfed the Earth. And I'm telling you, in addition, the whole surface of the Earth was covered with water, one massive worldwide ocean with huge, surging, raging waves that we see. But God had begun to form the earth to create the things that would be needed to sustain life. And on the first day, God had created life. The heavy mist that had engulfed the earth began to evaporate just enough to let the rays of light begin to penetrate and reach the earth. And on the second day, God had created the firmament, that is, the atmosphere or the air space that hangs right above the earth. God had lifted the heavy mist clouds and fogs and apparently lifted them up into the sky several hundred feet. And the clouds still encircled the earth. But there was a clear airspace between the clouds. and the earth. And on the third day, God created the waters like the seas, the lakes, and the rivers, and he had created the dry land. There was a worldwide convulsive upheaval of the earth's crust, a convulsive upheaval that fired and shot the land masses of the earth upward, and the waters of the world wide ocean rushed madly into the ravines and depressed valleys of the world, thereby the continents and the islands and the fresh and the salt waters of the earth were created. And in addition, on this third day, God created all the plant life, all the grasses, all the flowers, all the vegetables, all the trees, and in all of their color, their beauty and the provision to feed and to sustain life. We come to that fourth day, the creation and the distribution of light upon earth to regulate the seasons, the days and the years. God's word was created and distributed light upon the earth. And so God made the sun, moon and stars that provide light for the earth. And God saw that his creation was good, fulfilled in its function. Hallelujah. And so God's word created, distributed light upon the earth. Praise God. And so I'm glad we see. Do we trust God's timing? Again, how many of us are willing to trust God's timing? and to give him rightfully what we should be doing every day. We need to be trusting him. The moon is said to be a lesser light, and it is. It is smaller, and the light that it gives is only a reflective light from the sun. But despite its small size and bar light, its function is essential to the earth. Its value is enormous. It gives light at night and controls part of the signs, and it influences the tides of the seas. And the moon is not as gifted, nor does it impact the earth as much as the sun. The same is true of believers. Today, there are those gifted less than others, and yet God says every believer is essential to the body of Christ. Every believer is of enormous size and value to the world, and the amount of life and the gifts does not determine the value. Value is determined by the use. The heavenly bodies provide seasons for the earth. How were the seasons created? Well, the Earth not only rotates on its own axis, but it also rotates around the sun. It's journey or orbit around the sun is about 583 400,000 miles or 9 billion, 300, basically about 9 billion kilometers that the Earth travels along its orbit, which is about 66,000 miles per hour or 106,000 kilometers. And it takes about 365 days for the Earth to revolve around the sun. This is how we measure our years and one year is one trip or revolution of the earth around the sun and the axis of the earth tilts about 23 and a half degrees. It is this tilt and the earth revolving around the sun that creates the seasons of the year and because of that tilt that we have different parts of the earth face the sun more directly at different times during the year. You know what one of my favorite things to do? I read through the Farmer's Almanac every single year and of course the more direct that a place faces the sun, the warmer it is, and the more indirectly, the cooler it is. It is this, the warmth and the coolness of the Earth's surface that gives seasons to Earth. And what is the purpose of the seasons upon Earth? Seasons provide periods for agriculture, for farming, and periods for the migration of the animals. And so we look and we realize that Yeah, the stork in the heaven knoweth her appointed times, and the turtle, and the crane, and the swallow observe the time of their coming, but my people know not the judgment of the Lord." Jeremiah chapter 8, verse 7. Periods for religious festivals and other celebrations upon the earth is a very important thing to know. periods for variety and beauty because the temperature of the sun's surface is enormous is about 9,300 Fahrenheit. The temperature at the center is an unimaginable 29 million degrees in the middle of the sun. The sun is one mass of volcanic fire and it is 864,000 miles in diameter. And the fiery red surface is so large that it could hold 1,300,000 Earths. And if we could imagine the distance, it is about 93 million miles away from the Earth. And so if the Earth were closer to the sun, it would be too hot for life, and if it were farther away, it would be too cold for life. God has created the heavenly bodies just right to sustain life, to give light, to give seasons, to give days, to give years. And the sun's rising and setting determines day, Night and its movement toward the axis of the earth determines summer and winter the seasons of the earth God created a purpose for every movement of the Sun and of the earth and so it is with men God Created man, and he created him with purpose his every movement should be therefore listen to have purpose that we're able to say as in Ecclesiastes everything there's a season and a time and a purpose under the heavens and the heavenly bodies provide day and years for the earth one day is one revolution of the earth around its own axis about 24 hours one year is one revolution of the earth around the sun about 365 days and the earth would not have days and nights nor years if it were not for the heavenly bodies in the particular of the sun the days give light upon earth so that man can see and walk and work. And so, out of all of these, listen, are there not 12 hours in the day? And if any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world. John 11, 9. You see, the years give man a way to measure time, a larger measure of time that enables us to keep a better record of time, to better know and to measure the seasons and the events of life. And so the stress of this creative act is purpose. And the lights of heaven do not give light and control day and night, time and seasons for themselves, listen, but for man to enable man to fulfill his purpose upon earth and so I'm glad that the lights of heaven go about fulfilling their function day by day and night by night and they follow the laws set up by God to control their being ever so consistently and faithfully. What a lesson for all of us tonight because the heavenly bodies provide light upon earth and I'm glad that the lights of heaven are created to give light. Their light is clearly seen by all. Believers are called the light of the world. They are to let their light shine as the lights of heaven so that the world can clearly see and not stumble. How much the world needs the clear sight and witness of all believers because the greatest thing that heavenly lights do is fulfill their function consistently. No man worries about their failing to fulfill their function. If they did fail, just think of the devastation. The greatest thing that a man can do is to be consistent in fulfilling his function on earth and let our light shine. And so I'm glad that every one of us, as we move on, we see that the Word of God, as Einstein said in his expression, he said, the Word of God is for me nothing more than the expression and product of human weakness. The Bible, a collection of honorable but still primitive legends, no interpretation, no matter how subtle, can for me change this, Howard Einstein. Now, when we look at this quote, What it means, God as a human concept. Einstein saw God as a psychological coping mechanism created by humans to deal with fear, uncertainty, or suffering, not as a real personal being. and the Bible as ancient literature. He regarded the Bible not as a divine inspired but as a cultural artifact containing moral value and beauty but also outdated ideas shaped by ancient times. You see, Einstein was a Jew. but he really was not a believer like most Jews are. The rejection of religious apologetics. Einstein dismisses attempts to reinterpret scripture in modern terms, and he believed no amount of theological creativity could alter his view. You say, why would you put this up? Because I want you to see that all of our great minds, and a lot of them have been changed, some of them were not changed. They had the greatest minds of all, and yet still, They had a hard time understanding one of the most influential physicists in history, best known for his theory of relativity, the equation E equals MC2. Often associated with the deep, almost spiritual, reflections on the universe, Einstein did not believe in a personal God, as described in the Bible. His views lean more toward patheism, God as nature, or the universe, or agnosticism. Understanding his quote, the word God is for me nothing more than the expression and the product of human weakness. And the Bible is a collection of honorable, but still primitive, legends. Can you imagine? Huh. And so here is a brilliant mind that come up with something awesome. And yet he could not believe in God the way we do today. And so when you look at Francis Collins that we talked about, we look and realize the aspect of a believe in God. Francis Collins had a personal Christian belief. Albert Einstein had nothing. When you look at the view of science, it was complementing faith. with Francis Collins, but Albert Einstein replaces religious myth. When you look at the aspect of the view of the Bible, you see inspired truth by Francis Collins, but Albert Einstein, primitive legend. When you look at faith and reason by Francis Collins that we quoted earlier, he harmonized. When you look at Albert Einstein, he separated. You see what a difference? You see, there's a lot of great minds and a lot of them have been changed, but some of them will not be changed. And no matter what or how great or not great they are, we realize that God is the creator. It doesn't matter if it's the smartest person in the world and they say this or that, because if they don't believe in a God that exists, they're not too smart. and no matter how wisdom and so there's some people in this world you'll never be able to explain to them to open their eyes and look at what we have today of all the times and the seasons and the changes for what it is that that was a creator. They'll always believe lies and they'll always look for the facts and they will be dumbfounded and so when we look and realize thirdly Because as we see, the divine designer of creation, creation as the work of God's hands, God's design in the seasons that we read in Genesis chapter 1 verses 14 through 19. But then thirdly, the reflection of God's glory in Psalms 19, 1. Nature reveals God's handiwork. And I'm glad that each and every one of us, this is a witness of God in the world. Because I'm glad the American president, Abraham Lincoln said, I can see how it might be possible for a man to look down upon the earth and be an atheist, but I cannot conceive how he could look up into the heavens and say, there's no God. Well, David, the psalmist of Psalms 19.1, proclaimed this message of God's existence in what is one of the most treasured Psalms and one of the most, the world's most beautiful Psalms. that's rich in theology. It eloquently illustrates the astounding truth that God, the magnificent artist of the skies, wants people to know him personally. He has made himself known to us through the natural, the general revelation, through the special or the specific revelation of nature and the Bible, his works, his word, that the psalmist makes a significant distinction between the natural and the special revelation. And so, It's amazing of looking at what God has. The heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament shew his handiwork. And so You know what? Just as the seasons change with precision, so too God's purpose in our lives unfold with perfect timing. Do we trust God with the timing of our lives or do we try to rush through the seasons missing that divine purpose? But you know what? There's a story of a farmer that waited patiently for the right season to harvest his crops in the same way God has seasons in our own spiritual growth. And we must trust his timing for the fruit he wants to bring forth in our lives. Many of you will never understand if you obey God, sometimes you'll never understand some of the things that he wants us to do. But you must obey. And it won't be until you get to heaven that maybe it's something that God is wanting to do through our lives. And yet if we let our timetable control everything, we'll mess it up. but if we let God's timetable control it. it'll be right on time. We must trust his timing for the fruit that he wants to bring forth in our lives. And so David said creation is a visible manifestation of God's glory. Every sunrise, every mountain peak, every star in the sky declares that there is a creator, hallelujah. And so do we see God's glory in the world around us when we observe nature, when we're called to worship the one that created it all. You see, I'm glad my longtime and good preacher brother that I love to always listen to, Mays Jackson, would always say that the beauty of creation is an open invitation to experience the creator. And so I'm glad that we see the divine designer of creation. Amen. But then, secondly, the rhythms of God's creation. Boy, I'm going to tell you. here with the writer Ecclesiastes telling us about the seasons and the purpose. What if everything in creation from the smallest atom to the vast galaxies has a rhythm, a pattern set in motion by God? Is that the rocky one? Oh, no, no. Hey, maybe so. Hey, but you know what? Of all the rhythms, I don't know how they go. How does understanding this rhythm change the way you interact with nature and people or even your own life? Because it invites people to reflect on the inherent order and the beauty in creation, making all of us consider how that we fit in to the greater pattern, how that we can align ourselves with it. And so the greatest disappointment of life is God's ultimate plan for the human race. What makes human beings different from every other species of created life? Listen, and I'm telling you when I say this, what points toward or proves that they, all of us, have greater value, amen, and existence than other orders. Is man any better than the rest of God's creatures or is he just another animal like the beast, the birds, and the fish, an abundance of people even that are educated out there, ones that believe that man is just another animal, that there is nothing special about him? What does God have to say on the subject? What is man, that thou art mindful of him, and the son of man, that thou visited him? For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honor. Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands. Thou hast put all things under his feet, all sheep and oxen, yea, and the beast of the field. and the fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passes through the paths of the seas. The psalmist tells us in Psalms chapter 8 verses 4 through 8. God says that man has seen or has been created as a higher being than animals of God's created being. Angels are higher, more powerful order than human beings, and animals occupy a lower order than humans. And God has given man dominion, authority, power over the rest of his earthly creation. And in addition, God has crowned man with a glory and honor that animals do not have. And this greater fact gives meaning and purpose and value to human life that no other created species possesses. Finding purpose and fulfillment in life that begins with understanding that God has added value and significance to our lives that he did not bestow on any of his other creatures. And so, in Ecclesiastes, Solomon teaches us that God's ultimate plan for the human race rises above all of the disappointments and the dissatisfactions that are so common on earth because we see the gifts from God that have set people apart from the rest of God's creation. And so, we look and we see life and death cycles that he tells us, harvests and rest that we see with all of these. And so the rhythm of God's creation, we look and we see that from the creation, I don't know, I kind of just make up something when I think about the rhythm of creation of how God, I wonder if he just spoke it, he just hemmed it, I don't know. But I get to thinking something like this, from the void to the spark, from the dark to the dawn, Ideas begin to form like thunder, and when the silence is gone, in the mind of a maker, every thought is a seed, every word is a hammer, every dream is a need. Creation don't wait, nah, it breaks through the mold, paints futures in colors too, vivid to hold. It's the beat in the chest, it's the fire in the pen, it's the rhythm of now, bringing life back again. And from the canvas to the code, from the verse to the sky, creation is the rhythm that will never run dry. And so, creation has that rhythm about it. I'm glad the rhythm of God's creation. However that might go, first of all, I'm glad that Ecclesiastes chapter 3 verses 1 and 2, to everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under the heaven, a time to be born, a time to die, a time to plant, and a time to plunk up that which is planted according to the reading of the Word of God. Life and death cycle. And so, we see the cycle of life and death. And it tells us that there is a time to be born, a time to die. The cycle of life is one of the most obvious rhythms in nature. Seeds are planted, they grow, they bear fruits, and eventually they return to the earth. And this cycle is both a physical and a spiritual reality. Are we aware of these seasons? I wonder. God works in all seasons. But are we aware of the seasons of our spiritual life? Just as there are seasons in nature, There are seasons in our walk with God, and some seasons are marked by growth and abundance, while others may be a time of pruning or waiting. Trust that God is at work in all seasons. I'm glad I was reading a story about a man who walked through the seasons of his life. Each of them was bringing its own challenges to him. But he found that each season, though different, brought him closer to God's purpose for him. I hope that it does that for you. And so when we look and we see the rhythm of God's creation, we see the cycle of life and death. Amen. And secondly, we see not only the cycle of life and death, but the harvest of God's creation. I'm glad that Galatians 6 9 says reap it if we faint not and let us not be weary and well doing for a new season we shall reap if we faint not just as the natural world operates in seasons of sowing and reaping so too does God's spiritual harvest work in our lives and so are we sowing in faith trusting that in God's time we will reap the key is not to grow weary and doing good Listen to me, but to trust that in God's timing, he will bring the harvest. And so I'm glad that Dr. Ken Trevett used to say, we may sow in tears, but we'll reap in joy when we trust God's timing. And so we look and we see that through the rhythm of God's creation, the cycle of life and death, the harvest of God's creation. But thirdly, the resting of God's creation, because after six days of creation, God rested on that seventh day. This was not because he needed rest, but to establish the rhythm of his work and rest. Rest is a vital part of God's design for all creation. Do we honor God's rhythm of rest in our lives? Just as God rested, we are called to rest in him. This doesn't just mean physical rest. It's about resting in his provision and sovereignty. I know because I know what it's like to get burnt out. I know what it's like to go way too far. And you know what? There ain't no one else out there going to bail you out when you go too far. But when you know that you have, It's too late because you've already burnt yourself out and you've got to trust in God's timing and look to him to restore and to replenish. And so Tony Evans said one time, rest is not a break from God's work. It's a part of it. And so when we look and we see thirdly, that the divine designer of creation the rhythm of God's creation. But thirdly, the purpose of God's creation. In Romans chapter 1 verse 20, For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse. And so creation reveals God. I'm glad that that purpose of God's creation, as Isaiah tells us about, amen. that he says, and one crieth unto another and said, holy, holy, holy is the Lord God of hosts. The whole earth is full of his glory. Creation is a reflection. Now, I'll talk more about each of these as I go. I'm highlighting them. And Genesis 128 is he's called us to stewardship. I'll reiterate each one of these. But listen, let me ask you something. Do you believe that your existence is a part of a bigger story, how would your life change if you understood your purpose as being woven into the very fabric of creation? Every one of us, as we think about our role in creation, how that all of us contribute to a larger narrative of life and what it means to live with purpose. Think about that, the purpose of God's creation. And so again, as I said, God's existence through creation, because I'm glad that when we look and we realize that creation points to God's existence, amen. And so, as Romans 120, for the universe, things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse. And so, it teaches that creation reveals God's eternal power and divine nature. The world around us is evident of a creator who is both powerful and purpose. When we look at creation, we see the invisible attributes of God, his power, his wisdom, his goodness. Listen, do we acknowledge the creator in our daily lives or do we take his creation for granted? You know what? There was a story about a man who, after hiking through the mountains, found himself in awesome of God's power and creativity, that nature opened his eyes to the truth of God's existence in a way that he had never experienced it before. When I lived out in Colorado and me and my landlord would go up to Pikes Peak on the weekends, it looked like the sky was right there and we'd have a prayer meeting together. Man, boy, I'm going to tell you, those were some of the best times. We'd go up there and pray. My landlord was a good Christian man. God put someone as my landlord in Colorado, where I would be living at, that would be my anchor for me. Wherever you go, I was so far away from home. Of course, that hadn't been, I hadn't been to Korea. I hadn't been to a couple other places before that. But God always puts somebody close by. God's existence through creation, amen. But then, do we acknowledge him daily? And so when we look and we realize the purpose of God's creation, creation points to God's existence, as Paul said in Romans chapter 1 verse 20. But also creation reveals God's glory because Isaiah 6, 3, and one cried unto another and said, holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts. The whole earth is full of his glory. You see, creation is a reflection of God's holiness and glory. And when we look at the natural world, We are reminded that God is holy and worthy of our worship. Are we in awe of the creator? Do we take time to acknowledge his glory and the simple beauty of the world that is around us? I stepped off out in some woods and mountains and places that just took my breath away. Our worship should be rooted in a deep reverence for the creator. And so, listen, creation should lead to worship. Man, you ought to break out in a song like I was trying to sing. What kind of rhythm you reckon God got into? Boy, the one that created everything, that spoke it and it happened. I can't even imagine as I was playing around with a rhythm of how that he makes everything go and how that it goes in its proper places and times as he's the creator of it all. God, my mind can't even wrap around that. Boy, I'm telling creation reveals God's glory but also when we look and realize that that all of us the purpose of God's creation that creation points to God's existence of what Paul said in Romans chapter 1 verse 20 and what Isaiah said in creation reveals God's glory of holy holy holy that the Lord the whole earth is full of his glory but when we see thirdly creation invites us to stewardship Because the Genesis chapter 1 verse 28 says, And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it, and have dominion. You see, God gave humanity the responsibility to care for His creation. Stewardship is a part of our purpose in this world. How are we caring for the world that God has entrusted to us? Huh? I wonder. How are we? And so, how do we create? How do we care for the world that God has entrusted? Stewardship goes beyond just caring for the environment. It includes stewarding our time, stewarding our resources and relationships in a way that honors God. You see, nobody else sees what's going on in your life, but God does. God knows what you're holding back. what belongs to him and what you've taken that should be his and what recognition and what consideration should go to him that you're taking for granted and that you're not given that glory and recognition that you should. And so as I get ready to close out on application of things What season of life are you currently in? How can you trust God's timing in that season? Each and every one of us, well, we trust that God's timing is perfect. Whether you're in a season of growth or you're waiting, sometimes God's time doesn't move the way we think it ought to be. When we're in the drive-thru and it gets stuck, we want it to hurry up, but you can't hurry God up. You have got to be patient and wait upon his timing. Secondly, how can you be a better steward of God's creation in your daily life? Huh? When we think about that, we consider ways to care for the environment and our relationships and our resources as a reflection of God's provision. And so each and every one of us, as we go through life, we realize that many of us, we need to consider ways to care, but our relationships, our resources, they ought to reflect as a reflection of God's provision. God's give you that house. God's give you your marriage. God's given you everything that you have right now, and you're to be the steward of it. And then thirdly, how can you honor God's rhythm of rest in your life? Every one of us, We've got to make time for physical rest and spiritual renewal, recognizing that rest is a part of God's design. Sometimes it's hard to slow down. You see, I know, I know you're listening to someone that got burned out after 22 years of pastoring. Nobody else could see it. Not even my wife, but I could. And God let me know that, you know what, in order to be effective, we need to give our all. And I thank God that when we let ourselves get burnt out, when we run and rip, that we have got to give it over to the Lord and trust him. And so as I close out, the phenology of God's creation reveals his nature, his purpose, and his love. And so it teaches us so much about the creator, about his power, his wisdom, His rhythm and His purpose. And as we observe the changing seasons and the cycles of life, we're reminded that God has a plan for everything, including us. His creation reflects His glory. And so I'm glad that each and every one of us, as it does, As we observe the changing seasons and the cycles of life, we're reminded that God has a plan for everything, as I said, including us, but his creation reflects his glory. And we are called to worship him, to steward his world, and to live in harmony with the rhythms that he has established. Let us worship. Let us steward his creation faithfully. Each and every one of us, as I get ready to close out in prayer, I hope and pray, I want you to pray with me this Sunday night. Lord, thank you for the beauty of your creation. Help us to see your handiwork in a world that is around us and recognize your glory in everything that we do. Teach us to live in harmony with your rhythms and to be faithful stewards of all that you have entrusted to us. And may we honor you in all things and grow closer to you each and every day. Amen. I hope and pray tonight that you learn something, amen, about the Lord. As we close out, I hope and pray. As God created the heavens and the earth in six days and on the seventh day, he rested. You know what? I guess that's the original weekend plan. Let's remember. We're not just called to work hard. We're also called to rest in Him. And that's part of God's perfect design for you and I. May God bless you with our prayers.