Fall of Man

1. The Reason of the Fall

The fall of the man is due to his own decision and rebellion against God. Man himself is the cause for his fall. He was not made to fall but was tempted by the tempter. For the Bible says God never tempt, temptation never come from God (James 1: 13 – 15). James explains here that Adam was not tempted by God, nor made to be tempted. God kept the tree of the knowledge of good and evil to test his love and faith for Him. Temptation is an evil thing, and therefore cannot be from God. God can not use evil thing to tempt any one. He cannot and will not take the help of evil for His purpose. Rather he turns the evil towards the good of His children. Paul says in Romans where the sin increases the grace of God increase much more. (Rom 5:20). Evil and temptation comes from the devil. Bible clearly says that devil came and tempts the woman. God only test His children.

In the story the fall of man, Adam and Eve were given a test of obedience from God and a temptation to disobey from the devil. Thus, neither God is responsible nor the devil to be blamed for the fall of man.

Man decided to disobey God and obey devil. He to choose rebelled against God’s grace and love. Man decided to become like God and lost the image & likeness of God. It is he who wanted to be become like God. Eve listed to the tempter and obliged Adam to participate. Eve listened to the devil and Adam loved Eve than the love of God. Eve was tempted and Adam rebelled against God. Both of them heard the voice of devil and forsook the commandment of the Lord. Thus man himself is his reason for his fall.

2. The Result of the Fall

The consequences of the fall are broken relationship:

The Relationship with God was broken.

Sin made man the enemy of God (Rom 5:10). Bible declares with a majestic statement that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (Rom 3: 23). It is to say where there is sin there is fall. Sin is nothing but missing the standard of God. Man kind cannot match the standard and mark of God because he is sinful.

When God came to meet Adam and Eve they hide themselves and were fearful. They failed to cover their nakedness by their own works of the hands.

They could not meet the standard of God by which they use to walk with Him. The reason is the relationship was broken.

The Relationship with Fellow creatures was broken.

When God came down and asked why they hide themselves and ate the fruit Adam and Eve began to blame each other. They were not prepared to take their fault on themselves nor were willing to confess their sin to God. It is to say they did not trust each other and become selfish. Their relationship as husband and wife was ruined due to their rebellion. The creation is against him now. Violence, vengeance, rebellion came into the creation due to man and man could not have the same relationship with the creation any more.

3. The Remedy of the Fall

God called Adam & Eve : The Sovereign Knowledge  of God

In his sovereign knowledge God knew the fall of mankind thus cam to rescue His creature.  We notice in the Genesis that Adam and Eve went away from the presence of God hide themselves instead of seeking God’s help in confession. It is God who came seeking them and called them by name.

When ever mankind is in trouble and bondage of Satan and world, it is God who sends his servants, leaders to redeem them. Jesus said, “I came to seek which was lost and save...” (Luke 19:10).

God clothed Adam & Eve : The Grace of God

This is wonderful picture of God grace in Jesus Christ. He clothed them with the skin of a lamb. God shed an innocent blood to cover the weakness of man. In the same way Jesus shed His blood on the cross to cover all our sin and save us from His wrath. This shows his grace of God.

God punished Adam & Eve : The Love of God

Adam and Eve were punished by God and the devil was cursed too. Adam had to work hard to live and Eve had to go through the pain of child birth. Ground brought out thistles, thorns and troubles to them.

Though death immediately entered in to world, God promised man to save him from the death.

Death came in to the world in 3 kinds :

1.      Spiritual death: Separation from God

2.      Physical death : Separation from Body

3.      Eternal death :  Separation from Heaven

And the love of God was portrayed in 3 ways:

1. The love of God was proved by punishing them. (Heb 12: 5 – ff). God did not alienate them nor condemned them to hell immediately, for He had planned for man an eternal life.

2. The love of God was provided by promising them a Savior (Gen 3: 27). God’s love was sown to them with an eternal plan of salvation. God promise that the Savior would come and save them from the curse of sin.

3. The love of God protected them by prophesying. The devil was cursed and condemned to eternal defeat by the Seed of Woman, i.e. Messiah born through the virgin would crush the head and defeat the devil. Jesus Christ came to this world defeated the devil and His works; he died on the cross and defeated the enemy.

Two Kinds Series

Outline of the Series

1. Two Kinds of Worshiper
2. Two Kinds of House
3. Two Kinds of Prayers
4. Two Kinds of Service / Ministries
5. Two Kinds of Son




Introduction

God created everything two kinds. God created light and darkness, sun and moon, night and day, life and death, heaven and hell, male and female, land and sea, good and bad, hot and cool, hard and soft, etc. but God alone Himself is One and only true living Creator.

In the Bible we see such two kinds of events, people and things. These things are mentioned in the Bible to guide us towards the right and right choice. God always gives us choice and never force His people to follow Him. He desires humble and willing sacrifice rather than forceful worship. This is the reason Paul request to Romans to offer their body as living and holy sacrifice, which is the right kind of worship (Rom 12:1).

Joshua brought the people of Israel from the bank of the promise land to into the promise land and given the choice and asked them to make their own decision. In josh 24:15, he gave the option of to follow and serve the gods of the other side of the Jordan or God the Jehovah who delivered them from the bondage and power of Egypt.

Jesus similarly taught His disciples that no one serve two master. There must be one Master, who is true, faithful and good in our life. Because a double minded person is not stable and not in the will of God (James 1:6).

Let us look some of such illustration from the Bible.






G Prasad Rao
June 13th 2009







Chapter One
Two Kinds of Worshipers
Genesis 4, Proverbs 15:8

God created man to worship Him. The first story of worship we find in the Bible is about Cain and Abel. Cain was farmer and Abel as shepherd. Both of them knew the Creator living God and offered Him what they had. God did not honor the worship of Cain and accepted the sacrifice of Abel.

There are different interpretations on why God rejected Cain’s sacrifice:-

1. Poor Quality ( offered from the cursed ground)
2. Wrong Type ( offered without blood)
3. Wicked Heart ( offered without holiness and respect)

• A traditionally known explanation is that God rejected Cain’s sacrifice because there was no blood in it. Based on book of Leviticus and Hebrews 9:22 the theory says the absence of the blood in it did not justify his worship. It also trace back to the event when God had to kill an animal and cloth was shed as an example of acceptable sacrifice to God.

The first face I would like to trace here is, Abel offered what he had and so also Cain, even if Cain could wish to offer an animal, he could not have, for he had no animals for he was a farmer by profession anyway.

How can and why should God demands anything which we don’t have? God ask us to give what we have; He knows what we are able to give Him. He will never demands from us beyond our capacity. Therefore, I strongly believe God did not reject Cain’s offering because of the absence of blood in his fruits and crops for it was work of his hands and given for mankind to eat and live. Remember God said Adam and Eve to work of fields and to eat the fruits of the ground as a punishment for their disobedience. It is to say that Cain was doing what he supposes to do to live on this earth. In fact God is happy to receive from us what we have.

• The second reason about the rejection of Cain’s offering is the absence of blood.

In the Book of Leviticus it is written without blood there is no remission of sin. And it is true because God Himself commanded it and gave His people through Moses. The blood sacrifice and fats were the types of Messiah and His works of redemption on earth for the mankind. But the Law was yet to be revealed yet in the case of Cain and Abel. Nor we have any records of Adam offering any blood sacrifice. In this case we do not have any proper basis on which God demanding blood in Cain’s offering.

God killed an animal and clothed Adam and Eve with its skin. This was to cover neckedness, which ofcourse a type of God sacrificing His beloved Son in the Cross to cover all our sin by His blood. The killing or sacrificing of blood and covering their nakedness show God’s grace in forgiving their sin. But in the story of Cain and Abel it is an act of worship. In fact the Law records no only the requirement of blood in the sacrifices for the forgiveness, but it also says the God’s people should bring their first fruit and harvest as thanksgiving to God for His blessings.

Cain and Abel went to present their first fruit offering, a thanksgiving offering to God, not in seeking forgiveness for their sin, for we do not have any clue or records of they sinning against God before they offer the offerings but in thanking God for His blessing.

In either case, whether it was a poor quality offer, brought out from the cursed ground or a bloodless offering, Bible does not records any supporting reference to it that the argument can be based on.

• The third interpretation of why God rejected the offering of Cain is based on Bible, on what God Himself answered to Cain.

Cain was angry, not on Abel but on God and that anger led him to be jealous against his brother Abel. His countenance fallen. This is the consequences of sin. Sin brakes our relationship first from God and then from our co-fellows as well as from ourselves. Sin made Cain unhappy with himself and his countenance fallen. Sin is always lies at the door to destroy our relationship with God and lead us into eternal death. God said to Cain that sin was always present at the door as result of man’s sin. Sin always desires of him to devour and destroy. But God expected us to rule over it with His power of holiness. Cain supposes to do the same.

God brought before Cain that it was not wrong with his offering but with himself. Cain was not good and heart was not right before God. Read verse 7, we see what real God expected from Cain. “If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it." (Gen 4:7) NKJV.

God Himself answers us why he refused Cain’s offering and indicates that it is always humbleness and righteousness God seeks than the blood offerings. Cain heart was wicked, he was not able to master and rule over the sin in his daily life. His heart was already away from God.

His was heart was wicked.

I call Cain’ heart a wicked heart because, as God said he did not over came the sin. His heart was wicked heart because he did not do well (4:7). Moreover Bible says Cain was a wicked person (1John 3:12), not because he was born sinner, but rather he entertained the sin in his heart. I call his was heart was wicked because his sacrifice was without faith, a holy faith in God. (Heb 11: 4).It does not mean that Cain did not know God and had no faith in Him. He knew God of his parents, thus he offered. He had faith that God will accept his offering. But his faith was not acceptable to God. His faith was without holiness in heart. He tried to please God with a faith without righteousness. Since he did not do good before God and entertained sin in him, he suppose to ask forgiveness to God before he would come offering Him the thanksgiving offering. He offers first of his labor and tried to please God so that God will not punish his sinful life. In the words of Paul Cain tried to mock or cheat God by denying the fact that what a man sow shall reap also. (Gal 6:7). His heart was wicked because he tried to please god for his won profit like prophet Balaam (Jude 11). I call his heart wicked because, even after God revealing his weakness and sin, Cain did not seek forgiveness from God rather became jealous of his brother and committed anther sin by killing his brother. Sin without confessed before God grows and gives birth to death




In conclusion I would like put the following passage,

But those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins, 4 because it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.

Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said:

"Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me; with burnt offerings and sin offerings you were not pleased.

Then I said, 'Here I am-it is written about me in the scroll-I have come to do your will, O God.'"

First he said, "Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them" (although the law required them to be made).Then he said, "Here I am, I have come to do your will." He sets aside the first to establish the second. And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. (Heb 10:3-10) NIV



































Chapter Two
Two Kinds of House
Matthew 7:24 – 27

1. The second major section of the Sermon on the Mount begins here with this practical parable of Jesus. First part would be Preaching Part and the Second would be Practical Part. One part is hearing and another part is doing
2. It was after the preaching the sermon on the mount, Jesus said “therefore” ..whosoever hearing these saying of Mine and doing them….
3.

To be Continue..........

Enoch ( Gen 5:21-24)

1. Enoch Walked with the Righteous One (Gen 5:21-23)

Enoch was a common man like us of those days. He had family and lived with them for many years. Bible says he walked with God 300 years and had sons and daughters. His lived altogether for about 365 years, which is to say he lived with his family 65 years and began to walk with God while he was 65 years old. This too does not mean that he did not live with his family after 65 yeas of age. It only means to say that he began to live and walk with God while he was just 65 years and continued till 300 years more. He lived with his family as well as with God for such long and was a testimony to all of those of his wicked generation.

Today the world would be worst or become more, yet the standard of God is the same as He is and wants His children to walk worthy of His calling in season and out of season.

Christian walk is 3 kinds:

o Waking with God : Friendship / Romantic Walk ( Love ) – John ‘s Gospel
o Walking before God : Soldier / Obedient Walk ( Hope ) – Peter’s Gospel
o Walking in God : Saintly / Mysterious Walk ( Faith) – Paul’s Gospel

We are God’s friend and told to walk personal and close walk with Him on this earth; We are God’s soldier and had fight with this world and walk worthy of His calling in obedience; we are His saints on the earth and commanded to walk blameless and holy walk.

2. Enoch Prophesied about the Righteous One (Jude 14 – 15)

While God Himself is the first One to prophecy about the First Coming of the Messiah, (3:15), Enoch is first one to prophecy about the Second Coming the Lord.

Enoch while walking with the Lord, he served Him for about 300 years. He preached the yet future Coming of the Lord. He prophesied that the Lord will come with His ten thousand saints. He was given the revelation that even he will be one among the ten thousands who will come with Lord and reign on the earth for a thousand years. It is to say :-

o He preached about his and other saints’ Rapture (see the next heading) to heaven.
o He preached about the Coming back to the earth for the Millennium Kingdom, which is to say again,…
o He preached indirectly about the 7 years of tribulation prior to Second Coming and Millennium Kingdom
o He preached about the Great White Throne Judgment after the Millennium Kingdom.

What was received by John and recorded in Revelation has been preached long before recorded in Genesis.

3. Enoch Ruptured as Righteous ones.

I believe in Rapture of the saints as separate events before the Second Coming of Christ to this world (1 Thess 4: 16 – 18). Rapture is the hope of Christianity. Enoch was translated/ rapture to heaven and had faced no death, is a vivid sign and type of coming rapture of believers alive on this earth.

May the lord leads us to walk worthy of his calling among this evil generation and serve Him faithfully till we are taken away to our blessed home, like Enoch.

In the Beginning

‘In the beginning God created theheavens and earth’ (Gen. 1: 1).

These very first 10 words build the foundation for every one who wants to knowGod. This lays the first step for rest of the doctrines of the Bible. This isthe first act of God recorded in the Bible for the redemption of mankind fromsin, Satan and eternal damnation. Bible with very first verse nullifies thetheories and knowledge of this world. This verse is says :-


i. To Atheist who does not believe in God : GOD created…
ii.To Cosmismist who believes that belief that thecosmos is a self-existing whole: God CREATED…
iii.To Polytheist who believes there are many gods & goddesses: GOD(singular) created.
iv.  To Pantheist who believes that Universe is God : God CREATED THEHEAVENS AND EARTH.
v.To panentheist who believes that world is the partof God not all of God’s being : God CREATED …


There are many other worldly views about God and His person, which are notBiblical not mentioned here, are defused by Gen.1:1. What can be stringer foundationfor man to know about God and His person than the very first verse of the HolyBible?


Lets examine a bit deeper level this verse…


This verse talks about God’s several attributes directly and indirectly:-


 a.       Inthe beginning God…  It tells every man that God has nobeginning. If God has a beginning He cannot be the God. God began thebeginning. It is to say that God was before the beginning. Beginning meansbeginning of time and ages. Since God began the beginning or the time He is notbounded to the circle of time. He is beyond the 24 hours of day. Because Henever required time or hours. It is mankind created to be within the limit of24 hours. No man can neither increase the 24 hours nor decrease it by anymeans. Only God has the absolute control over the time and ages of the world.God is the author of time and finisher of it.


b.       Godcreated…It tells that God exists and He exists in Himself. Godnever lived, but He always exists. It is man who lives because he is created orborn to this world. He lives till he dies on this earth. God existence isself-existence. It means to say God never needs anything or anybody for Hisexistence. And because He is self-exists He is not created. If He is created Heshould have a Creator; and since God is the Creator of whole universe He cannotbe created but remains both as the Creator and sustainer of the whole universe.


c.       Created…Ittells that God is Person. God created the whole universe and sustains it withHis own power and will. Creation of God is a action of God which displays Hispower, wisdom and will. And only a person can have all these characteristics.Since God has His power, wisdom and will He is a Person. God is never a forceor a power but always a Person. Because a force or a power alone cannot createsuch a vast, immeasurable and unimaginable universe. And only the divine Personis behind it and sustains it.


d.       Createdthe Heavens and Earth…It tells that God has His plan and time. Itis not possible to have the exact date of creation. But at the same time itcannot be deny that creation is a fact and it was created, created on a certaintime by God. Since God is all-knowing God, he knew the time, purpose and designof creation before the creation exists. It is to say God had and has definiteplan and purpose when He created the Universe. Bible records this fact that Godnever created or done anything without any purpose. Thus creation is not anaccident action of God’s power, wisdom and will. It is not that God wish some tingin His mind to do and He then created this universe. Creation of not play ( leea ) of God. He created and He sustainsit because he has plan and purpose for each and every body and things in theuniverse.


e.       Godcreated the heavens and earth…It tells that God is the absolute. Heis the author and the authority of the whole creation. It means to say Godshould not and cannot be questioned for His creation. Man who question God forany reason of/about His creation denies and against God’s authority and Person.God is not answerable to anyone in heavens and earth. He is above all theheavens and earth. His creations suppose to be humble before its Creator andnot asking questions of His authority and plan. Because God is the absolute !


Conclusion

Creation isfact that cannot be hidden or denied. For making it is the first thing toaccept that God created the heavens and earth, in order to know the plan andpurpose God has made for him or her.

The Creation of Man

1. It was the Decision of God

God said Let Us make man... ( Gen 1:27). It was His own initiateive decision. It was the dicision of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. To say the whole creation too was the dicision of God that it come to exist, where as in the case of creation of man the decision of God is recorded.

2. It was the Design of God

Man is created in the image and likness of God. Man is the representaive of God on earth. While the creation declares His glory, Man displays His image & likeness on earth. Bible says man is given authority, power and dominion over the rest of the creation and has been made a littel loswe than the angel.

3. It was the Desire of God

Desire, here we mean the plan of God. God had definitly plan before He created man. Paul in Ephesians says we were chosen in Jesus christ even before the foundation of the world was laid. It is to say God had plan for man before evev the beginning began.