IN THE BEGINNING….

 

The thing about the story of God is we know how it ends. Well…

As we stand here at the beginning of 2026 – a year of change for all of us – I wonder what we can learn from God’s story of beginnings. For its said that history is not linear – a beginning and an end and a series of events lining together in a chain from one to the other – but cyclical – a series of cycles that have a beginning and an end, moving onto the next, new beginning.

Its striking that both the writer of Genesis – Moses? – and of John’s gospel begin with the same words – In the beginning. John specifically roots the trinitarian God of the Father, Son and Spirt in creation – through him all things were made - and famously the plural infers all three in the creation narrative including the ruach Spirit that hovers over the waters.

Father , Son and Holy Spirit were from the beginning – and ever will be – Alpha and Omega – beginning and end.
Genesis begins – in the beginning GOD. Belies the classic primary school question – who made God? No one is the answer – he always has been and always will be. He has no beginning nor end. But he is at the beginning and end of all existence , all creation , which is outside himself but he is in all. And he draws us into his eternality in the end.

But it has to start somewhere. And it starts with God.

Lesson one, let beginnings start with God.

God made all things just by speaking them into being. Including us. Formed from the earth – the meaning of Adam – his Spirit breathed into us , making us in his image. The pinnacle of creation given the task of filling the earth and stewarding it on his behalf.

Lesson two, the beginning of life is his Spirit. Our beginnings need to start with God and be filled by his Spirit.

Then if we move forward a couple of chapters we see a different beginning. The beginning of sin. Temptation was always there – as soon as God set a boundary, not to eat of the fruit, temptation was there. But it was the work of the tempter that the first sin was committed. By listening to the lies of the enemy.

Lesson three, beginnings need to listen to God alone.

Cast out we see the beginnings of the new extra-paradise existence, in the fallen world. The obedience of Adam and Eve to procreate leads to the first family feud and the first murder. Its only chapter 4! Cain’s anger riled by Abel’s obedience and favour as a result.

Lesson four, beginnings need obedience and celebrating the holy.

Within a couple more chapters God sees such evil in the world he determines to destroy it. He cannot live with that evil. Yet he finds one faithful man, Noah. And even after the destruction of the flood a new beginning is possible through his obedience in the face of ridicule – a boat in the desert!? And God promises never to do that again.

Lesson five, beginnings come with God’s patience and compassion.

Then a new promise to a new patriarch – Abraham. To be a father of all nations. A promise fulfilled, despite his age (and Sarai’s ironic laughter!)

Lesson six, beginnings come with promises from God – and he fulfils is promises.

Through Isaac and Jacob and Joseph the Israelites , a chosen people, are enslaved after centuries in Egypt. God sets out to rescue them through a man who is neither wholly Hebrew nor wholly Egyptian. He also thinks himself unworthy and incapable of the task. Yet God equips him and honours him. But it would take not one appeal to the Pharaoh but 10.
Lesson seven, we may feel unsure at the beginning but God supports and equips for his mission. And perseverance may be required – long term faithfulness and trust.

After years in the wilderness having escaped slavery Joshua it is who is tasked with taking the people into the promised land. The angel tells him “Be courageous, do not be afraid , for I am with you”

Lesson eight, God does not abandon us but encourages us and calls us to be certain of his promises and to trust in him.
In the wilderness God provided the law (twice – even though was broken before even delivered!) and sent prophets. The prophets were largely unsure (Jonah, Isaiah, Jeremiah) but God encouraged and used them anyway.

Lesson nine, God does not just start a beginning but speaks to his people by his Word – scripture and prophecy – to encourage and guide along the way.

God spoke to David and Solomon and others providing wisdom. The psalmist and the writer of proverbs both identify the  beginning of wisdom is fear of the Lord. It means being in awe of, not frightened of.

Lesson eleven, remember always that God is awesome – literally!

Then, all other interventions having failed to ensure that God’s people remain faithful, even having sent them into exile and destroying the temple through invaders, God sends his only son. Christmas is a new beginning, the new covenant, the new promise, the new means of salvation. It starts with a birth, it launches with a baptism, it heralds the start of the end with an entry on a donkey, not a chariot, it finishes on a cross. Then a new beginning , a resurrected life, after 3 days. A new beginning with a new commission – God, make disciples, and teach them all I have commanded.

Lesson twelve, God loved the world in this way – by giving his only son, that all who believe in him will not perish, but have eternal life. That overshadows all beginnings as the cycle continues.

Having returned to his Father, God sends the Holy Spirit, as had been promised. This time poured out on all who would believe, not just a few for a particular purpose at a particular time. A universal access to God’s very Spirit to guide and empower.

Lesson thirteen, the church began with an outpouring of the spirit and every new beginning is similarly filled with God’s Spirit – eagerly seek the things of the Spirit.

God spread the word through the disciples, making one more unlikely one – Saul who would become Paul. Arrested on the road to Damascus, as he had violently arrested believers of the way. He became not only convinced of the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, but a church planter who took the message and planted churches throughout the Mediterranean.

Lesson fourteen, God empowers church growth and planting new churches making new converts, by his spirit, through unlikely people.

Finally, John had a vision that is complex and is understood on many levels but includes a vision of Jesus’ return. Every beginning, starting with God’s promise, will come to a fruitful end. Every beginning is a staging post in the overarching story of God’s rescue plan.

Lesson fifteen, it ends well. God is sovereign , trustworthy, faithful, loving, compassionate and wants to save as many as would receive the free gift of his grace.

So what can we learn from all of this at the beginning of a new year?

There will be the beginning of an interregnum.

The beginning of my new tenure in Sanderstead.

The beginning, hopefully this year, of the leadership by my successor.

Let us heed the lessons of the whole story of god as we enter these new beginnings.

In the mighty name of Jesus we pray.

Amen.



WE HAVE AN ANOUNCEMENT TO MAKE….