Beyond Sunday
Welcome to Beyond Sunday, the Podcast that takes you deeper into the Word of God throughout your week, with your Hosts Pastors' Lee and Jim.
It's Time to Inspire, Uplift, and dig deeper. Beyond Sunday starts now!
Beyond Sunday
The Fall
What if the simple act of questioning a command could reshape the course of humanity? Join pastors Lee and Jim on Beyond Sunday as we unravel the intricate layers of the fall in Genesis 3. Witness how the world, once brimming with perfection, was irrevocably altered by a single act of disobedience. This episode offers a deep dive into the serpent's devious tactics, revealing how subtle distortions of truth can wreak havoc on relationships, particularly between husbands and wives. The conversation serves as a powerful reminder to recognize and resist these temptations in our own lives, acknowledging that Satan's intentions are nothing short of destructive.
The episode further highlights themes of accountability and redemption, providing a profound exploration of sin's consequences and the hope offered through Christ. Reflecting on scripture from Romans 5 and 1 Peter 1, Lee and Jim discuss the necessity of personal responsibility and repentance, encouraging listeners to foster a committed relationship with God. As you engage with their insightful dialogue, discover how these ancient truths continue to hold profound meaning in our modern spiritual journeys. The transformative power of the gospel is within reach, urging you to embrace a life led by grace and truth.
Welcome to Beyond Sunday, the podcast that takes you deeper into the Word of God throughout your week With your hosts, pastors Lee and Jim. It's time to inspire, uplift and dig deeper. Beyond Sunday starts now. Hey, what's going on everybody? Welcome back to Beyond Sunday.
Speaker 1:Today we're going to be diving into really what I think is one of the most pivotal moments in all of Scripture, and it happens to be in the very, very beginning of the text in Genesis, and we're going to be talking today a little bit about the fall, you know, that moment where everything changed. And we're not just talking about Adam and Eve's story, but we're also going to be applying it to what it means to us today. So, as always, grab your Bibles. We're going to be reading from the ESV, but you use which one you have closest to you, which one you're comfortable with, and I want to get into it. We're going to be in Genesis, chapter three, but before we even get into the fall, pastor Lee's going to read from chapter three.
Speaker 1:But I want to start with something that's a very important truth to remember, and that is this Genesis 131 really says that God made everything good. It says and God saw everything that he made and behold, it was good, and that's key. So I want you to take that and I want you to think about that and hold on to it as we get into the fall, because God didn't create a broken world, he created a perfect one. He created it full of life and full of joy and unbroken fellowship with Him. Right, there wasn't any pain, there was no death, there was no separation until man, until you, me, until we messed it up. So, with that in mind, let's get started with Genesis, chapter 3. Pastor Lee.
Speaker 2:Yeah, man, I'd like to quickly point out this kind of hit me as you were talking about this. You know the system did not start out broken. You know it was not a broken system, and so that's what we're going to be getting into today. So here we go. Genesis, chapter 3. We're going to start out with just the first seven verses. Here we go.
Speaker 2:Now the serpent was more crafty than chapter 3. We're going to start out with just the first seven verses. Here we go. 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. But the serpent said to the woman 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. 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. Then the eyes of both were open and they knew that they were naked and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves lowing cloths. So here we see the very first move in Satan's playbook. Right, and it's a play that the devil still uses to this very day.
Speaker 2:Satan attacks the marriage. He attacks husbands and wives. He looks to get into the relationship with one purpose, pastor Jim it's to divide, it's to separate, it's to get in the way of or in between the husband and the wife. And in John 10, 10, jesus said Satan comes only Okay. So here's the, here's the main play, right, here's the main play of the enemy. Satan comes only to steal and kill and destroy. And I need our listeners to understand that before we go any deeper. Today, satan offers nothing good. We know that because Jesus himself says Satan comes only right to steal, kill and destroy. So here's the deal. Satan wanted to get Adam and Eve away from God's plan for their lives. So he attacks, he makes his move right here, in the beginning of time for Adam and Eve's life. He makes his move, eve falls for it, adam goes along with it and before you know it, we see Adam is blaming both Eve and God.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I think when you look at how the serpent twists God's word there in verse 1, where he says Now, the serpent was more crafty than any other beast in the field that the Lord had made. He said to the woman did he actually say, right, you shall not eat from the tree in the garden? So many times the enemy will mix truth with deception. Right, he doesn't outright I'm sorry, he doesn't outright deny what God said, did he? What he was doing was he was distorting the truth. And it's just exactly how temptation works in our life. It doesn't usually start with this blatant lie. Orit's always this small shift, something that makes us question what we know to be true. Let me show it to you like this, because it's easy to fall into the trap but look at the consequence here. And the woman said to the serpent look at. In verse two. And the woman said to the serpent we may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, but God said you shall not eat from the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die. Now here's the thing I want everyone to listen to real quick. Did you notice that in verse two, at the very end of it, where it said neither shall you touch it lest you die. God never said anything about that. They couldn't touch it. He said don't eat it. So already Eve is adding to the word that God commanded. And then, of course, the serpent jumps right in there with a direct contradiction and he says but the serpent said to the woman you will not surely die, for God knows that when you eat of it, your eyes will be open and you will be like God, knowing good and evil. And that's the hook right, that's hook line sinker. This is the promise of being like God.
Speaker 1:Satan presents sin as something that's desirable, maybe even beneficial. Right, that's the same trick that he uses on us even today. And we learn about that in James 1, 14 and 15, where James says but each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. And then that desire is conceived and gives birth to sin, and sin, when it is fully grown, begins or brings forth death. See, temptation looks appealing, but the end result it's always destruction. Eve sees that the fruit is good for food, she sees that it's a delight to the eyes and it's a desire to make one wise. And that same pattern plays out over and over and over in our lives and our desires. They get twisted, we begin to rationalize it, and that is when we fall.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I mean, here we see the devil using deception, right, and that's everything that you just said in a nutshell, really, one word deception. He's twisting God's word just enough, just enough to convince Eve to fall for his plan. And we see the enemy doing the same thing today, right, Twisting God's word in an effort to accept sin and foolishness. And I want to remind the people today God's word is God's word. Time's not going to change it, society's not going to change it. Any type of advancements we have is not going to change that fact that God's word is God's word, always has been and always will be. So Satan took what God said and he twisted it just a little bit. He put a spin on it just a little bit, just enough, convincing Eve to go against the instructions of God. So you know, just as a little recap here. But God said Genesis 3, 3, 3, 3 through 4, it says 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. But the serpent said to the woman you will not surely die, for God knows that when you eat of it, your eyes will be open and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.
Speaker 2:Two points I quickly want to make here, pastor Jim. Number one hey, satan, isn't that exactly what got you kicked out of heaven in the first place? Right, for wanting to be like God and then wanting to be better than God. And then point number two it was a spiritual death that took place. You know, and the enemy knows that. He says you're not surely going to die, right? So he's not even so much worried about this physical peace. Right now. You know there's a spiritual peace going on. He says you surely won't die, so there's a spiritual death that's getting ready to take place. Just to back up a touch, we find in Genesis, chapter 2, verse 24,. We find the plan of God for the man and woman being on the same team. And in Genesis 2, 24, it says therefore, a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife and they shall become one flesh, amen. So right from the jump, satan at the, the very beginning in the garden, goes after creation.
Speaker 1:Yeah, and that really speaks to the consequence of their sin, that initial sin. Genesis 3-7, if we're moving forward here says that their eyes were opened and they knew that they were naked. So they sewed big leaves together and that's shame entering into the world. Before that there wasn't any fear, there wasn't any hiding, but now that they're starting and beginning to cover up, they're both literally and spiritually, because in verse 8 and 10, we get one of the most heartbreaking moments, which is this and then they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and then the man and the wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God.
Speaker 1:I want you, if you're listening to this, and Pastor Lee, I want you to think about this they had a direct, unhindered relationship with God and now they're hiding from him. Could you imagine being in the presence of God but hiding from it? God didn't have to leave him there. He calls him out and he says where are you guys? And not because he doesn't know where they're at, but because he's inviting them to come back in. And this is really where things take that serious turn, because God's going to lay out the consequences, which is childbirth and toil in their work and broken relationships and ultimately death.
Speaker 2:Yeah, you know God says, hey, where are you? You know, and he's looking for, he's also looking for accountability. You know, they've got to own up to where they are, why they're running. You know, we all know that God obviously knows where Adam and Eve are hiding. Uh, but, but look, let's, let's have a confession here. You know, there there needs to be some, some repentance.
Speaker 2:Um, you know, I I want to point out that Satan tempts them with a thought of go ahead and do it now. You know, I don't, I don't want to miss that piece, because we we've all struggled with that if we're honest with ourselves in our personal lives. You know the go ahead and do it now, pay for it later. You know you won't surely die. Go ahead and sin now. Go ahead and fail to that, you know, fall to that temptation now. Go ahead and enjoy that sin now. You won't surely die today for doing that right, like, go ahead and just enjoy it, pay for it later, ask forgiveness later.
Speaker 2:How many times has that thought process gotten all of us into trouble before as well? You know, I'll do what I want now, I'll ask for forgiveness later, and that's a plan that just straight up leads to failure, and so I believe that Genesis 3, 8 through 10 that you just referenced does speak to the accountability piece. You know God does know where they are. He asked them because there needs to be some accountability. Hey, god, we're hiding from you and this is why and can I just encourage all of our listeners today no matter how far you've run from God, no matter how deep into the garden or the wilderness of life that you've hidden yourself, all you have to do is turn around and I promise you God's right there. And not only is God there, god's been there the entire time as you have tried to advance and run away. God has been there and followed faithfully all the time. His word says he is faithful even when we are not.
Speaker 1:Yeah, and the consequence doesn't just apply to the moment, it's for eternity. Romans 5.12 says Therefore, just as sin came into the world right all the way back then through one man and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sin and that's the weight of the fall it doesn't just affect Adam and Eve, it affects every single one of us. But here's really, really good news God didn't leave us there. Right In Genesis 3.15, we get the first glimpse of the gospel. Genesis 3.15 says this I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring, you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring. He shall bruise your head and you shall bruise his heel.
Speaker 1:That is a prophecy about Jesus. See, from the very, very beginning, god had a rescue plan in place and that's what we see fulfilled in Christ. Romans 5, 18 and 19 ties all of it together like this will be made righteous, and that's the hope that we hold on to. Yes, the fall broke everything, but Jesus came to restore what was lost. And let's not forget that it all started in a perfect world. God designed this thing to be good. The fall was never God's plan, but his plan for redemption was already in motion.
Speaker 2:Yeah, you know, as we're talking about the fall and how, you know we are all tempted and you know we all sin and have fallen short of the glory of God, I want to remind our listeners of 1 Peter, chapter 1, 13 through 16, where it says therefore, preparing your minds for action and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Speaker 2:As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance. And so I just want to remind everyone that God is expecting us to live holy lives, pure lives, and we can do this through the blood of Jesus Christ, our repentance, asking for the forgiveness of our sins, and by the power of God's Holy Spirit living inside of us as Christians. When that garden moment, if you want to call it that, comes up where the enemy is tempting us, the Bible plainly clearly lets us know in the New Testament that God is always offering us a door out. Every single time there's a door out of temptation, it's our job to just turn and look for it.
Speaker 1:Yeah. So if you're feeling the weight of sin today, don't hide like Adam and Eve did in the garden. When they had an opportunity to be in the presence of God, they hid. If you're feeling the weight of your sin today, man, just come to Christ. He's already made the way back.
Speaker 2:Amen, amen. You know it's interesting because in Genesis, chapter 3, 9 through 13,. You know it's like, here we go, Everyone's pointing fingers at everyone. You know, everybody's blaming the other person. On the other side, adam blames Eve and then blames God. He says you know that woman that you gave me, you know. And Eve, she blames the devil, saying he deceived me. And neither Adam nor Eve are owning up to their personal decisions, you know.
Speaker 2:So here come two words for everyone. Write this on your heart personal accountability. And, pastor Jim, as you just mentioned, you know the gospel presentation, that all can turn and come to Christ. The first thing to turning and coming to Christ is personal accountability. God, I am a sinner and I am recognizing that. I am tired of living on this wheel, just replacing one thing after another thing, after another thing, and I'm just tired of it all being about myself. I recognize that I have missed the mark, I have fallen short and I cannot hit the mark until I humble myself, repent, accept Jesus Christ and what he did on the cross so that I could be saved, and ask the Lord to forgive me of my sin. This is what it's all about, and then walking with Him daily through a committed prayer life and reading God's Word. That's the what it's all about. And then walking with him daily through a committed prayer life and reading God's Word. That's the relationship we're talking about.
Speaker 1:Amen, brother, and that is going to do it for today on the Beyond Sunday podcast. We appreciate you joining us as we looked at the fall. If it spoke to you, would you consider sharing it with a friend? Let's keep the conversation going. We'll see you next time. Pastor Lee, would you like to close us in prayer?
Speaker 2:Absolutely, father. We recognize that you are the one living, true God. You are Alpha and Omega, beginning and end. First and the last, you are the Almighty Lord. We just ask, in the name and the blood of Jesus, that you would encourage these listeners, father, that they would be strengthened by your word and be in step with your Holy Spirit. We ask all this in the name and the blood of Jesus Christ and all God's people said together friends.
Speaker 1:Amen, amen. We'll see y'all next time on Beyond Sunday. Thank you.
