The Fall And Restoration Of Man – A Call For Freedom From The Dominion Of Sin | Rev Samson Adewumi

Listen To The Sermon Below:

Click Here To Download The Sermon

Bible Passage:  Genesis 3: 6-15, 21-22

Preamble: The Annual Bible Study is a privilege for all churches under the umbrella of the Nigerian Baptist Convention to set time aside, especially at the beginning of each year, to study at least a book of the Bible in-depth. Indeed it could be considered as a spiritual vaccine that all members are given to make us rooted as the “people of the Book” before going on in each year. The last year 2020 we examined various characters across a few books of the Bible under the theme – Unsung Heroes. This year is an in-depth study of the book of Genesis.

The theme for consideration this year is “The Fall and Restoration of Man” as our focus will be on understanding, accessing and enjoying freedom from the dominion of sin. The writer of the book, this year, is Rev. Sam Okoro, a staff of the Sunday School Division of the Christian Education Department of the NBC. The children section was written by Pastor Mrs Ibironke E. Afolabi, F.B.C., Ikotun, Lagos. I will like to encourage every member to be part of the study between 5 pm-6:30 pm from tomorrow Monday 11^th January through Wednesday 13^th January 2021 at the EMBC premises. The cost of the book is N450 and there are copies available at the church resource centre in both English and Yoruba languages. It promises to be a time of great blessing as we gather to eat together at the divine table where the word that sustains us in our pilgrimage is being dished. Please be a part of it actively. There will be sessions for children also like all the protocols for the season will be adhered to.

Prayer:

Let us pray…… Our Heavenly Father, we thank you for the table is set this year again. Please feed and fill us with your Word divine. In Jesus name

Ice Breaker– A young boy was asking his father how he came about a conspicuous scar on the father’s body that has been there over the years. The man sat down with him and told him how troublesome and careless the boy was when he was much younger. He said one day you fell into a ditch and no one could help. I quickly jumped in to rescue you because it was a deadly ditch. The man explained that that was where he got the scar. The man said to the boy – “What is paining me till now is not what happened then, but you are still troublesome and careless till now”.

I would not know what if you have heard someone say “ If Adam and Eve did not eat the fruit, we will not be in this mess today . we would have been enjoying God’s divine provision in the garden”. However, the study this year is not all about Adam and Eve, but about You and me. How do I mean? The study is to restore us after knowing the truth which shall set us free.

Introduction:

1. The Rich Creation

The book of Genesis, also known as the book of beginnings, answers etiological questions about human existence. Indeed, it is a narrative that explains the origin of man, the original nature of man from creation and the divine intention of man. Much of this divine intention is unravelled by further study in the book of Isaiah 14:12-17 when the writer gave a behind the curtain of the creation story. However, God’s intention was to create a being of the seemingly lesser frame but will be bestowed with free will to worship and endowed with the communicable nature of God as God’s image. Please note that this being was intended to be “a being with eternity in focus”. This made God to willingly decide in Genesis 1:26 and said:” Let us make man in our image and in our likeness so that they can rule…….”

Some issues of study are: Who was God talking with? Who are us?  Who is this man- Adam? { basically, Adam means humankind}

What is the image of God?  { Is God a man or a woman? Is God black, yellow or white in complexion? Is God short or tall in stature? Does he have two eyes, two legs, one mouth like you and me? {Come let us study together}

What is the likeness of God? Is the mad man on the street in the likeness of God? What indeed is this image, likeness all about?

Another issue raised in the study is the matter of “rule…”. What does it mean to rule or have dominion?

Indeed, there is a need to note that we are in his image make us know we have some qualities of God. However, these qualities bestow on our responsibilities.

Referring to our text or write-up material on this year’s study, the writer divides our study into 6 rich sections. They are

• Man in the Image of God
• The fall of Man
• The Planned Redemption
• The Effects of Sin
• The Freedom from Sin
• Victory over Sin

All these will be studied in-depth during this week Annual Bible study.

However, let us lay an effective foundation for the week.

Genesis 1:27ff reiterated that God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God created he them. { signifying successful creation}

Having created and blessed humankind then sets the stage for our study on the fall and restoration of man.

1. Events around the Fall

When Adam and Eve were in the garden, Gen3:1-5 gives insight into the foundation of the fall.

What is fall? It is a distraction from the original. It is also a distortion, deformation, digression, detour and indeed destruction.

Notably, the passage talks of the snake becoming an instrument of the enemy working for the fall of humankind by connecting with humanity through Eve.

How?

• Gen.3v1  A crafty twisting of the word of God
• Serpent/snake introduced doubt.
• V2-3 Miss-presentation of the word of God
• V4 Wrong verdict { you will not certainly, die}
• V5 “ For God knows….” Serpent painting wrong picture about God

Genesis 3: 6 {The action that brought the fall}

Eve saw the fruit of the tree was good for food; pleasing to the eye; desirable for gaining wisdom

Reflection(s):

# The trigger for fall was already within Eve awaiting an opportune time

# The focus on self away from God was a stimulant for fall

# The desire and action to become something outside God is a recipe for fall and destruction

An attention on Gen.3:6:

Where was Adam when she ate the fruit? {He was with her}

Could it be that he was with her physically but not mentally, emotionally, spiritually, etc?

Was Eve right or justified to have given Adam the fruit?

{ You may study more before your response}

( C.) Consequences of Sin in Gen.3: 7

*Loss of Original nature: Their eyes opened; they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves.

Note : Every sin will open your eye, make you naked and desire you should cover it

*Loss of fellowship with God: They could not hear God’s word, pray, stand in God’s presence

*Attracts Judgment: After the blame game in v9-13, V14- 19 brings down the judgment on all stakeholders of creation distortion.

(D) The Restoration

Genesis 3:20-21 opens up the prototype of the restoration plan. This means

God is redemptive in his plans and actions; He will not let the enemy prevail over his creation

The Lord God made a garment of skin to start the redemption plan.

What you must note in the study includes:

God created you magnificently in his image and after His likeness

God created you to rule

Sin is destructive

God’s salvation plan is complete in Jesus as the study makes clear

There is restoration for you no matter what you have experienced.

Conclusion:

The fall did not come as a surprise to God because God is all-knowing and ever prepared. However, just as Adam and Eve played a critical role in their fall, you also have a critical role to play not to fall today and indeed for your restoration in God’s plan through Jesus Christ.

Concluding illustration: I own you twice

Call(s) :  Salvation call, Rededication call

Deliverance call: O Lord, deliver me from all that has held me captive

Prayer:

* Everything you created with me taken away, Lord restore them { reject nakedness and shame}

* Every good thing the enemy has tampered within my life, Lord restore them

* Every good place that I have been evicted from, Lord restores me

* O Lord, Let not sin reign over me any longer.