Ep. 1 Creation- The Beginning of Life
February 1, 2026 • Rev. Jason Shambach • Genesis 2:15–17, Genesis 3:1–8, Genesis 2:8
Pictures have a way of telling part of the truth, but never the whole story. In this message, we were reminded how easily we can remember what is beautiful while forgetting what was difficult. That tendency does not just shape our memories, it also shapes how we understand ourselves.
The opening chapters of Genesis tell a story that is both breathtaking and brutally honest. Humanity was created “very good,” made in God’s image and entrusted with the privilege of reflecting His character and stewarding His world. This calling was an extraordinary gift, one meant to fill creation with God’s glory and flourishing life.
Yet Genesis refuses to soften what comes next. When Adam and Eve chose to eat from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, they were not committing a small mistake or a naïve misstep. They were choosing independence over trust and autonomy over relationship. In essence, they wanted God’s authority without God Himself. What followed was not merely brokenness, but rebellion that fractured humanity’s relationship with God, with one another, and with creation itself.
Scripture is clear-eyed about the human condition. We are not merely wounded victims in need of minor repair. We are rebels in need of mercy. And yet the good news is this. God has not abandoned His purpose. He remains committed to restoring us as His image-bearers. The call before us now is simple but profound, to lay down our defenses, stop making excuses, and trust not in ourselves, but in the mercy of a gracious God who still desires to make all things new.
