Sermon Prepared by James McCullen
Email Preach Him with Dr. Jim

BEFORE THERE WAS; THERE WAS.
MATTHEW 13:35

NASB   so that what was spoken through the prophet might be fulfilled, saying, "I will open My mouth in parables; I will utter things hidden since the foundation of the world."

KJV    That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world.
 

INTRODUCTION
Did you ever see a display of domino art? I mean the kind where it is arranged so if one domino falls it in turn knocks down all the others? This concept can help illustrate a theological point.

The point of theology I want to emphasize relates to God being the "unmoved mover". What I mean is this; the dominos have some one who moves the first domino. God is the first mover in the universe. He is the "unmoved mover". No one moved God to be; He is eternal from the beginning. He is without beginning or ending.

That brings me to the title of this message; "Before there was; there was."

Yes before there was there was:

1. Before there was a Creation there was . . a Creator.

2. Before there was Sin there was . . Savior.

3. Before there was a Hell there was . . a Heaven.
 

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 He was in the beginning with God.
3 All things came into being by Him, and apart from Him nothing came into
being that has come into being. (NAS)

Heb 1:10
10 And, "Thou, Lord, in the beginning didst lay the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the works of Thy hands; (NAS)

A. An All Wise Creator.
Rom 11:33 Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! (NAS)

Matt 6:10 'Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven.(NAS)

B.An All Powerful Creator. Gen 17:1
Now when Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to Abram and said to him, "I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless.(NAS)

Gen 18:14 "Is anything too difficult for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you, at this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son." (NAS)

Rom 9:22 What if God, although willing to demonstrate His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction? (NAS)

C. An Always Present Creator. Ps 139:7
Where can I go from Thy Spirit? Or where can I flee from Thy presence? (NAS)

ILLUSTRATION
There's a story about a little girl who climbed up on the lap of great- grandmother and looked at her white hair and wrinkles and then asked, "Did God make you?" "Yes," she said. Then she asked, "Did God make me, too?" Grandma said, "Yes."

"Well," said the little girl, "Don't you think He's doing a better job now than he used to?"

APPLICATION Before there was a Creation there was . . a Creator.
 

A. There was a . . Promised Savior. Gen 3:15
5 And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; He shall bruise you on the head, and you shall bruise him on the heel." (NAS)

B. There was a . . Provided Savior. John 1:29
29 The next day he saw Jesus coming to him, and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! (NAS)

C. There was a . . Precious Savior. 1 Pet 1:18-20
18 knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers,
19 but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, {the blood} of Christ.
20 For He was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but has appeared in these last times for the sake of you

ILLUSTRATION
Greek word Tetelestai, which in our version of the Scripture is translated, "It is finished." Archaeologists have repeatedly found its Latin equivalent, consummatum est, scrawled across tax receipts used in those days, indicating it also meant "paid," A renowned Presbyterian professor has conjectured that many standing near the cross probably interpreted the Savior's words as having that connotation. With sin's account settled, our debt of guilt was indeed wiped out!

APPLICATION

Before there was Sin there was . . Savior.
 

Matt 25:41 "Then He will also say to those on His left, 'Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels; (NAS)

A. A Heaven for God's . . Purposes. Matt. 6:10 'Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. (NAS)

B. A Heaven for God's . . People. John 17:24 Father, I desire that they also, whom Thou hast given Me, be with Me where I am, in order that they may behold My glory, which Thou hast given Me; for Thou didst love Me before the foundation of the world. (NAS)

C. A Hell for the Devil and his angels.
Matt 25:41 "Then He will also say to those on His left, 'Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels; (NAS)

ILLUSTRATION
A little boy was offered the opportunity to select a dog for his birthday present. At the pet store, he was shown a number of puppies. From them he picked one whose tail was wagging furiously. When he was asked why he selected that particular dog, the little boy said, "I wanted the one with the happy ending."

If we want to reach out for a life with a happy ending, we have no choice but to accept the living Christ as our Lord and Savior, follow Him daily, and rejoice in the eternal life that awaits us.

APPLICATION

1. Before there was a Creation there was . . a Creator.

2. Before there was Sin there was . . Savior.

3. Before there was a Hell there was . . a Heaven.