Genesis 1:1 (NKJV)
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”

The Bible does not begin by trying to prove God. It does not begin by explaining where God came from. It does not begin with man, the earth, sin, salvation, or even heaven.

It begins with God.

“In the beginning God…”

Before there was a universe, God was there.
Before there was light, God was there.
Before there were angels, God was there.
Before there was time, God was there.
Before there was matter, God was there.
Before there was humanity, God was there.

Everything that follows in Scripture rests upon this tremendous declaration:

IN THE BEGINNING GOD.

PART I — The Foundation of Faith

1. THE BIBLE BEGINS WITH GOD

The first four words of Genesis 1:1 establish the foundation upon which the entire revelation of Scripture rests:

“In the beginning God…”

Notice what Scripture does not say.

It does not say:

“In the beginning man.”

It does not say:

“In the beginning the earth.”

It does not say:

“In the beginning matter.”

It does not say:

“In the beginning religion.”

It says:

“IN THE BEGINNING GOD.”

God must occupy first place in our understanding of everything.

If we remove God from Genesis 1:1, we lose the foundation for understanding creation.

If we remove God from our lives, we lose the foundation for understanding our own existence.

The great question of life is not merely:

“Where did I come from?”

The greater question is:

“Who created me, and why did He create me?”

Genesis answers the first question.

God created us.

The remainder of Scripture unfolds the second.

We were created for His glory.

Isaiah 43:7
“Everyone who is called by My name, Whom I have created for My glory…”

Your existence is not meaningless.

You are living on a planet that God created, breathing air God provided, under a sun God made, sustained every moment by the power of God.

2. GOD EXISTED BEFORE THE BEGINNING

Genesis 1:1 says:

“In the beginning God…”

Notice carefully.

It does not say:

“In the beginning God began.”

God was already there.

The beginning mentioned in Genesis is the beginning of creation—not the beginning of God.

God has no beginning.

Psalm 90:2
“Before the mountains were brought forth, Or ever You had formed the earth and the world, Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God.”

Everything we know has a beginning.

We had a birthday.

Nations had beginnings.

Mountains had beginnings.

Stars had beginnings.

The earth had a beginning.

But God did not have a beginning.

Before the first second of created time existed—

God was.

Before the first star burned—

God was.

Before the first angel worshiped—

God was.

God is eternal.

That is why He declared to Moses:

Exodus 3:14
“I AM WHO I AM.”

God does not say merely, “I was.”

He does not merely say, “I will be.”

He says:

“I AM.”

He is the eternal, self-existent God.

3. FAITH BEGINS BY BELIEVING GOD

Hebrews takes us directly back to the truth of Genesis.

Hebrews 11:3
“By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God…”

There are realities about creation that human beings cannot discover simply by observation.

None of us stood beside God when He created the heavens.

Job discovered this when God asked him:

Job 38:4
“Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?”

God was reminding Job:

You are the creature. I am the Creator.

Faith does not mean abandoning reason. Biblical faith means trusting the God who has revealed Himself and recognizing that His knowledge infinitely exceeds ours.

The believer approaches Genesis 1:1 and says:

“God has spoken. I believe Him.”

4. THE CREATION REVEALS THE GREATNESS OF GOD

Look at the heavens.

Look at the stars.

Look at the oceans.

Look at the mountains.

Look at the complexity of life.

David looked upward and declared:

Psalm 19:1
“The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork.”

Creation is not God.

But creation points toward its Creator.

Every star declares:

God is powerful.

Every galaxy declares:

God is majestic.

Every living creature declares:

God is wise.

Every breath we breathe reminds us:

We are dependent upon Him.

If the universe is magnificent, how much greater must its Creator be?

5. THE GOD WHO CREATED EVERYTHING IS WORTHY OF EVERYTHING

Once Genesis 1:1 becomes real in our hearts, worship takes on a deeper meaning.

Why should we worship God?

Because He created us.

Why should we obey Him?

Because He is our Creator.

Why should He have authority over our lives?

Because everything belongs to Him.

Psalm 24:1
“The earth is the LORD’S, and all its fullness, The world and those who dwell therein.”

You do not belong ultimately to yourself.

You belong to God.

Your life belongs to God.

Your abilities belong to God.

Your possessions belong to God.

Your future belongs to God.

Therefore the appropriate response to Genesis 1:1 is not merely intellectual agreement.

It is worship and surrender.

Closing

Saints, never forget where the Bible begins:

“IN THE BEGINNING GOD.”

Put God first in your family.

Put God first in your decisions.

Put God first in your ministry.

Put God first in your finances.

Put God first in your plans.

Put God first in your future.

Because before anything else existed—

GOD WAS THERE.

Maranatha! Come Lord Jesus!