LIFE IS A STRUGGLE
(GEN. 3)
The word “Genesis” means orgin/beginnings.
When we say, “The book of Genesis” we mean the book of beginnings. The book of origins.
IF
WE WANT TO LIST THE TOP FIVE BOOKS IN THE BIBLE THAT TELL US ABOUT MAN AND
LIFE, THE BOOK OF GENESIS WOULD MAKE THE LIST.
Genesis gives us a first hand look at the human race and life.
Though this book it is part of the New Testament, it has stories that relate to each one of us.
Much of this book is helpful in learning how to live and serve God.
Tonight let’s start to take some of the highlights from the book of origins.
Our beginning place is genesis 3.
This chapter begins by referring to a serpent, and an explanation about this may be helpful.
The word “serpent” means snake.
Satan appeared to eve in the form of or through a snake.
The New Testament tells us that Satan has used disguises.
Concealing himself as or through a snake was sneaky.
The fist verse uses the words “more subtle” to describe this snake.
The word “clever” might better express the idea.
Out of all the creatures that Satan could have used, the cleverest and sneakiest was the snake.
Satan used the best tool at his disposal.
We are well aware of the fact that Satan succeeded.
According to the text, Adam also committed sin some time later.
Midway through this chapter we learn that God “called to the man” (verse 9).
God wanted Adam to come forward and acknowledge his sin.
Have we ever thought about the fact that Eve was the first to sin but Adam was called?
Why wasn’t Eve called instead of Adam?
From our standpoint Eve would seem to be the most blameworthy.
Didn’t she start the whole thing?
Why not start with where sin originated?
Perhaps the explanation is found in the New Testament.
Paul wrote that the husband is the head of the wife.
The one who shares ultimate responsibility in a marriage is the man.
I once had a radio preacher make an interesting observation.
He said that when adultery occurs the man bears the greater responsibility for the sin.
The
woman cannot be excused, but the man bears the greater responsibility.
This is apparently the thought
in Gen. 3.
Though Eve sinned first, and even though she brought the fruit to her husband, Adam was the head.
Thus, the first thing to take note of in Gen. 3 relates to men.
In the sight of God we have an added sense of responsibility.
Our standard of accountability is broader than of our wives.
This is a sobering and solemn truth.
ALTHOUGH THIS POINT COULD BE DEVELOPED IN MORE DETAIL, I AM GOING TO MOVE ON TO A MATTER THAT WILL CONSUME THE BULK OF OUR TIME.
Gen. 3 tells us that Adam and Eve sinned.
The text says that both were held accountable for their actions.
The accountability faced by these two may be summed up with four words: life became a struggle.
For Eve, the mother of the human race, bearing children becam ea struggle.
Adam also found out that life was going to be hard.
Gen. 3:17-19.
Till Adam’s dying day, life was a struggle.
Afflictions of all kinds, including death, made things complicated.
Is Genesis 3 a fair commentary on life today?
Is it relevant to say that life is a struggle?
I have always enjoyed programs starring Michael J. Fox.
Fox is 38 years old, just a bit shy of 40.
In spite of his still being fairly young he has Parkinson’s disease.
This disease has a degenerative effect on the brain.
It causes muscle stiffness and tremors. There is no cure for the twitching.
Medicine and treatments can only reduce the effects of this disease.
Life is so difficult for Mr. Fox he has reduced his acting engagements.
Famous people have struggles. Rich people have struggles.
The
average couple in
If our struggles are not somehow related to health, or a lack of money, it may be in education.
There may be a struggle to complete schooling or get good grades.
Maybe we move to anew school and struggle to make new friends.
As parents we may struggle to raise our children well.
Many struggle to buy a home.
Others hate their job and each workday is a struggle.
Some struggle to keep a marriage together.
Others struggle to recover from the effects of a fire, flood, or tornado.
Gen. 3 says that the human race will struggle.
Most of us wish at times that we didn’t need to struggle.
It would be nice if everything went smoothly.
GENESIS
THREE TEACHES THAT THIS KIND OF HOPE IS UNREALISTIC. LET’S LOOK AT VERSES 21-24.
The first couple now needed to start wearing clothing.
Verse 21 says that god provided the initial clothing.
Have we ever wondered if God continued to provide their clothing?
I cannot say for sure, but I doubt that Adam and Eve were given a lifetime supply.
Gen. 5:5 says that Adam lived for 930 years.
Unless God made him clothing which lasted close to 1000 years,
O Adam was given clothing for nearly 1,000 years, He had to come up with new clothing.
This man and his wife had to struggle to make new clothes.
A new environment (outside the garden) was also a struggle.
There is no doubt that life is a struggle.
In fact, this is at the heart of the theory of evolution.
A main premise for those who rejection creation by God is survival of the fittest.
The more powerful but lower forms of life struggled to live.
Through the struggles and passage of time man has arrived.
If evolution is true we should be very depressed.
Evolution says that man struggles and struggles but in the end there is nothing but death.
There is no hope. There is no possibility of a reward.
There is no chance of going on to something better.
Ultimately every single struggle we endure is meaningless.
If evolution is true, whatever we endure is without meaning.
Because Christianity is true our struggles can be viewed in an entirely different light.
We struggle, but we struggle in hope.
We are pained by various things, but there is a promise of rest and peace.
We are weighed down at times, but things will get better.
One of the greatest struggles in life is the loss of a loved one.
If someone is really close to us, their death is a harsh setback.
At many funerals, as people are struggling with a death, preachers read from 1 Cor. 15 or Rom. 8.
Tonight I will read from both passages; 1 Cor. 15 will be used first.
Throughout this chapter Paul answered some questions about death.
He told the Corinthians about the coming resurrection.
He made known that there are different kinds of bodies and flesh.
Then we have some of his final words in verses 50-57.
We all struggle with death.
Inspiration says that this struggle can be overcome.
Paul said to death, “Where is your victory”?
The answer is that death will not win. In the end death cannot be victorious.
We will win the struggle again death through Jesus Christ.
Because struggling can end in hope verse 58 says, READ.
Christians who struggle have hope.
We have a promise that makes struggling worthwhile.
Now to the book of Romans, chapter 8.
Many here could surely quote Rom. 8:18.
It is perhaps one of the most appreciated verses in the bible. Quote it.
No matter what our struggles, there is a glorious end that awaits us.
Now to
With a group this large it is reasonable to conclude that at least some are struggling.
I do not know all the struggles those here are experiencing.
I can say that Gen. 3 teaches we all struggle with something.
If we believe that being rich and famous would make life perfect we’re wrong. All struggle.
The question is no, “Who struggles”?, but whose struggles will be worthwhile?
The Bible says that Christians will find their struggles to be worthwhile.
I want my struggles to count for something. Do you?
If anyone here is not a ‘Christian, there is a great hope you can embrace.