"We Rejoice in God, Maker of Heaven and Earth"

A sermon preached by the Rev. Christopher E. Yopp at Edgemont Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) based on Genesis 1:1-4 and Mark 1:4-11.

Perhaps you heard about the argument that the doctor, the architect, and the lawyer had over which one had the oldest profession. The doctor said, “Well the first operation was performed on Adam, so the medical profession is, without a doubt, the oldest.” “I’m afraid you are mistaken,” said the architect, “Architectural planning and design was needed to create the earth and the universe out of chaos, so I represent the oldest profession.” “Both of you are wronged” said the lawyer, “Where do you think the chaos came from?”
In the first chapter of book of Genesis we are given the beautiful litany of creation. And, without a doubt, these words have caused a great deal of controversy in light of modern science. However, we should recognize the fact that the author was not concerned with science as we understand it. He knew nothing of our scientific approach or method, nor was not concerned with it. He certainly was not attempting to produce a detailed account which centuries later might be said to be correct or incorrect, judged by the scientific method. His concern was not merely the scientific, but the religious emphasis. He was interested in God’s part in the creation of the universe. In the first chapter of Genesis the expression “and God” is found some thirty times. In fact, almost every sentence in the chapter is a statement of what God did or said. The writer does not specify the method or even the process used in the creation of the world. To him the important fact is that the eternal God is the sole creator. Matter is not eternal, God alone is eternal. God is not confined to the universe; God is over all and in all.
As Disciples, we do not adhere to any set creed. In fact, we affirm; “No Creed but Christ.” While we feel that creeds are somewhat restricting and limiting when it comes to matters of faith, we do understand the value and the significance creeds can play on faith. In fact, the late Colbert Cartwright wrote in his book; People of the Chalice: Disciples of Christ in Faith and Practice, that “in recent years we, as the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) have recognized the significance of creedal statements… the continuing value of creeds lies not in their containing the essence of faith, for that lies in a living relationship to Christ. Rather, they remind us that the gospel does have a basic shape which is lost at our peril. They have stood at different points in history to guide, guard and keep us faithful to the biblical story. For it is important that we be reminded by historic creeds that God is the Creator, the Redeemer and the Sustainer of all life.”
Since the fourth century the church has professed through the Nicene Creed:

“We believe in one God,
the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ...
Through him all things were made.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of life.”

As Disciples we affirm through our Preamble of Design, “We rejoice in God, maker of heaven and earth.” The story is told that Sir Isaac Newton, who had a model of the solar system in his office, had a friend and colleague, who was an atheist, stop by his office one day. The fellow scientist upon seeing this model said; “My! What an exquisite thing this is! Who made it?” Sir Isaac Newton replied, “Nobody.” The scientist looked amazed as he said skeptically, “You must think I’m a fool. Of course someone made it, and whoever that person is, is a genius.” Sir Isaac Newton got up, walked around his desk, put his hand on the shoulder of his friend and said earnestly, “This thing is but a puny imitation of a much grander system whose laws you and I know. I am not able to convince you that this mere toy is without a designer and maker; yet you profess to believe that the great original from which the design is taken has come into being without a designer or maker. Now tell me, by what sort of reasoning do you reach such an absurd conclusion?”
Within the opening verses of Genesis we are told that God calls the universe into existence, and all of creation responds to God’s call. Creation has order and structure. It is transfigured and reveals God’s presence, but it is natural, not divine. It is dependent upon God.
We can’t help but notice the beautiful parallelism and connection between our First Reading from Genesis and our Gospel Lesson this morning. Both stories incorporate water, the ruah, which is to say the wind or Spirit of God, and creation. The image of the Spirit of God moving over the waters at creation, remind us of Jesus’ baptism. The only difference is one speaks of Creation and the other speaks of Re-creation. Theologically speaking, baptism as new creation can be seen against the backdrop of the original creation, in that, just as the original act of God inaugurated the first creation, so the baptism of Jesus inaugurated re-creation. In Genesis it is creation that is being born, in Mark it’s creation that is being re-born in Jesus.
Some of you may remember an episode from the old Andy Griffith television show in which the Women’s Historical Society discovered that a living descendant of a Revolutionary War hero was living right in Mayberry. The news generated excitement and curiosity throughout the town as people made plans for recognizing the hero’s relative. Barney Fife, of course, twisted his own family tree to the point that he put himself in line for the honor. The rest of the townspeople felt special just because someone among them was related to a hero.
However, everyone was shocked when the person was finally revealed. A careful analysis of the records determined that the hero’s descendent was none other than, Otis Campbell, the town drunk. Despite suggestions to find a “substitute Otis” for the presentation, the real Otis showed up for the ceremony true to form. When the ladies finally give him the plaque, Otis holds it in his hands for a moment, and then decides instead to give the plaque to the town. He tells them, “Just because you’re the descendent of a hero doesn’t make you one too. So I would like to present this plaque to the town of Mayberry, to which I am just proud to belong.”
The same God who called creation into existence, who descended on Jesus in the waters of the Jordan River and affirmed “This is my beloved son, in whom I am well-pleased,” is the same God who meets us in the waters of baptism and affirms that we are God’s beloved children, that we belong to God’s family - to God’s kingdom.
The creation story is not over - it’s not finished. God is still creating and has declared us as co-creators. In the words of that hymn we sang this morning by Jane Parker Huber:

“Creator God, creating still, by will and word and deed,
Create a new humanity to meet the present need.
Redeemer God, redeeming still, with overflowing grace,
Pour out your love on us, through us, make this a holy place.
Sustaining God, sustaining still, with strength for every day,
Empower us now to do your will. Correct us when we stray.
Great Trinity, for this new day we need your presence still.
Create, redeem and sustain us now to do your work and will.”

The description found in Genesis of the earth as it existed in the beginning was similar to our own lives - formless, with no shape or matter, void of meaning, joy or satisfaction, empty and dark. But through water and word, God created us into a new creation. As Paul writes in II Corinthians chapter 5; “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, they are a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!”
And so, as we begin a new year and look at the mostly empty calendar in front of us, our Scripture Lessons this morning invite us to allow the Spirit of God to invade our lives; that God may fill our emptiness with purpose and meaning. God will bring order out of the chaos and God will illuminate the darkness with light!
And so, may we affirm:

“We rejoice in God,
maker of heaven and earth,
and in God’s covenant of love
which binds us to God and to one another.
Through baptism into Christ
we enter into newness of life
and are made one with the whole people of God.
In the communion of the Holy Spirit
we are joined together in discipleship
and in obedience to Christ.
At the Table of the Lord
we celebrate with thanksgiving
the saving acts and presence of Christ.
Within the universal church
we receive the gift of ministry
and the light of scripture.
In the bonds of Christian faith
we yield ourselves to God
that we may serve the One
whose kingdom has no end.
Blessing, glory, and honor
be to God forever. Amen.”