Sermon - "First Things" (Genesis)

Today, Rev. Joshua Patty preached about the general theme of Genesis in "First Things."  Drawing primarily from the story of the covenant of God with Abraham in Genesis 17 (but also partially told in Genesis chapters 12 and 15), he highlighted the desire that God has in building and keeping a relationship with human beings, starting with Abraham and his family.  This also guides God's hand in creating the universe, particularly humans who are made in God's image.

The challenge, of course, is that free-thinking and free-acting people have a habit of doing things that interfere with this relationship with God (in theological terms, with this covenant).  How God allows this, and how God attempts to work with respect to human freedom and human mistakes (in theological terms, sin), is a key part of Genesis, too.  It is particularly notable in the identity given to God's chosen people by the end of Genesis, Israel - one who struggles/wrestles with God.

You can listen to the sermon here.

You can also listen to the related communion meditation and the closing benediction.