EASTER: RESTORING EDEN – THE STORY OF GOD

 Pastor Jonathan Falwell 

The story of God that spans from the beginning of creation to the last word of Revelation. This is not just a record of history—it’s the story we are all in. Creation, Fall, Promise, Redemption, and Restoration. Let’s walk through the story of God—and see what it means on this Resurrection Day! 

1. In the beginning…was the end! 

Genesis 2:1-7 (NKJV) Thus the heavens and the earth, and all the host of them, were finished. 2 And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. 3 Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made.4 This is the history of the heavens and the earth when they were created, in the day that the Lord God made the earth and the heavens, 5 before any plant of the field was in the earth and before any herb of the field had grown. For the Lord God had not caused it to rain on the earth, and there was no man to till the ground; 6 but a mist went up from the earth and watered the whole face of the ground. 7 And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.

• Gen 1:31 – ”…indeed, it was very good”
• God created with the end in mind – perfect communion with Him
• Adam was given “dominion” over everything on the earth
• No sickness, destruction, no crime, no government

2. Satan told us we could do better

Genesis 3:1a (NKJV) Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made…

• The idea of the serpent being created by God tells us Satan used this creature
• Satan used the 3-fold narrative he continues to use until this present day…
  • Did God really say?
  • That’s not true, it’s not really going to hurt you
  • You can do better
• Their rebellion against God broke God’s perfect plan
• The first picture of death – Cain and Abel

Genesis 4:6–7 (NKJV) So the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? 7 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.”

Genesis 4:6–7 (NLT) “Why are you so angry?” the Lord asked Cain. “Why do you look so dejected? 7 You will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master.”

• Cain rejected the plan God gave to him and he sinned

3. Our bad decision created a world of chaos

Isaiah 59:2–3 (NKJV) But your iniquities have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hear. 3For your hands are defiled with blood, And your fingers with iniquity; Your lips have spoken lies, Your tongue has muttered perversity.

• A statement on current state of man
• Chaos and death entered into the world as a result of sin
• What happened in the Garden in Genesis 3 set in motion the chaos we currently experience

Romans 5:12 (NKJV) Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned—

Romans 3:23 (NKJV) for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God

• No one is immune from the effects of sin 

4. God created again 

• But from the very moment sin entered into the world, God began to restore His original plan –
  • Gen 4 – statement to Cain
  • Gen 12 – covenant with Abraham
  • Ex 24 – giving the law to Moses
  • 2 Sam 7 – covenant with David

Numbers 24:17 (NKJV)  I see Him, but not now; I behold Him, but not near; A Star shall come out of Jacob; A Scepter shall rise out of Israel, And batter the brow of Moab, And destroy all the sons of tumult.

• The prophets of old pointed the people to the coming Messiah, God’s plan of redemption

Micah 5:2 (NKJV) “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Though you are little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, From everlasting.”

• Messiah came, not in the form or fashion of a king, but as a baby

Luke 2:11 (NKJV) For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

• That baby lived a sinless life, and then became the sacrificial lamb…once and for all
• John 19 – It is finished

Matthew 27:50–53 (NKJV) And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit. 51 Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, 52 and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; 53 and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many.

5. God restored

Matthew 28:1–6a (NKJV) Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. 2 And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it. 3 His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. 4 And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men. 5 But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here; for He is risen, as He said… 

The story of God

• God’s perfect plan
• Satan’s “cunning” deception
• Sin’s guaranteed brokenness
• God’s redemption plan
• The Gospel – “the lamb of God who came to take away the sins of the world”
• Change for now, perfection for eternity