In The Beginning, God

Beginnings matter. The origin of the cosmos and of humanity is not insignificant. It is in roots, histories, and ancestries that identity, culture, and meaning are found. So much energy is spent seeking answers for questions that stretch back to that mysterious time when everything began, because humanity’s search for significance is indeed found at the genesis of all things. Thankfully, the Creator provided humanity with a record of that time in the book of Genesis, revealing just what we needed to know. In this 16-week series, The Things that are Revealed, we will find all that we need to satisfy the deep longing in our hearts to know who God is, who we are, and why it all matters. It is the story of the good creation, humanity’s descent into sin and death, and God’s plan, through Christ, to redeem it all. It is recorded that, “The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law” (Deuteronomy 29:29). That is to say, God has revealed the story of the origin for our good and to lay the foundation for everything we are and believe.

As we prepare to gather this Sunday, remember to pray for Brad Ellis, our elder candidate. You can find info on Brad and on the elder candidate process here. We also have Christine Carruthers, Oluwaseun Toyo, and Meg Eisbrenner, who are in the process of becoming church members. Part of the membership process at Harvest includes publishing the names of the applicants to ensure there are no outstanding issues within the church. In keeping with the spirit of Matthew 18:15-17, we ask you to resolve any personal matters that may exist between you and the applicants, which, if ignored, would hinder their fruitful service to Christ among us. And our month of Sign Up to Serve continues with a focus this week on Harvest Helps and Hospitality. If your happy place is behind the scenes, if you have experience in the food industry, if you’re talented in light home repair or could give someone a ride to an appointment, or if you love to cook and serve others, then we need you on these teams. Drop by the tables in the lobby on Sunday to get all the details.

Series: Genesis – The Things that are Revealed
Message: 1 – In the beginning, God
Text: Genesis 1: 1-2
Todd Dugard
Harvest Bible Chapel
May 17, 2026

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
– The Apostles’ Creed

Deuteronomy 29: 29

In God’s world…

…I bow to the Creator (v. 1)

Romans 1: 19-20

Colossians 1: 16-17

There are only two kinds of people in the end: those who say to God, “Thy will be done,” and those to whom God says, in the end, “Thy will be done.” All that are in Hell, choose it. Without that self-choice there could be no Hell. No soul that seriously and constantly desires joy will ever miss it. Those who seek find. Those who knock it is opened.
– C.S. Lewis, The Great Divorce

2 Timothy 4: 3-4

Philippians 2: 9-10

…I see the temporal and eternal (v. 2a)

To explain all nature is too difficult a task for any one man or even for any one age. ‘Tis much better to do a little with certainty and leave the rest for others that come after you, than to explain all things by conjecture without making sure of anything.
– Sir Isaac Newton

God is the sort of God who comes into confusion and makes things new. He hovers over your darkness and says, “Let there be light!.”
– David Atkinson

…I await his greater work (v. 2b)

It cost God nothing, so far as we know, to create nice things, but to convert rebellious wills cost him crucifixion.
– C. S. Lewis, Mere Christianity

Revelation 21: 1

The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the Holy Spirit
and born of the Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting.
Amen.