First Principles

Lesson 5

Lesson Text—Genesis 1:27-29

Genesis 1:27-2927 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

Lesson Text—Genesis 1:27-29

28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.

Lesson Text—Genesis 1:27-29

29 And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.

Lesson Text—Genesis 1:30

Genesis 1:30And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat: and it was so.

Lesson Text—Psalm 8:3-7

Psalm 8:3-73 When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;4 What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?

Lesson Text—Psalm 8:3-7

5 For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.6 Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet:7 All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field;

Lesson Text—Psalm 8:8-9

Psalm 8:8-98 The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas.9 O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!

Focus Verse—Psalm 8:6

Psalm 8:6 Thou madest him to have

dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things

under his feet.

Focus Thought

God made man-kind in His image with dominion over all His creation. Mankind lost this

dominion through the Fall but regains it through Jesus Christ.

I. Earth Made for MankindCulture ConnectionHave you ever seen the devil

depicted as a funny-looking little man in a red suit with pointed tail and a pitchfork in hand? We often have many misconceptions about the devil, who first was known as Lucifer, an angel in Heaven who led a rebellion against God. He lost his state in Heaven, and now he leads the efforts to entice mankind away from God. Contrary to popular perception, Satan is very limited in his power.

I. Earth Made for MankindUnlike God, Satan is not omnipotent, omniscient, or omnipresent. He does not know our thoughts, is not necessarily in our presence, and has only limited power.

Generally, the devil has only the power that individuals give him within their own lives. Meanwhile, believers have the biblical promise that if we will resist him, he will run away!

What is the true picture of the devil? Read Isaiah 14:12-19. It is hardly a victorious and powerful image!

I. Earth Made for MankindThe prophet pictured the devil as downtrodden, weak, and defeated. Ultimately, he is destined for the lake of fire and he wants to take others there with him.

As we learn from the lesson today, believers are destined for victory through Jesus Christ. Mankind lost his dominion because of sin; however, he has the opportunity through redemption to be freed from sin’s dominion and regain his victorious position through Christ.

I. Earth Made for MankindContemplating The

Topic

The Scriptures firmly declare that God has ultimate authority and dominion over all His creation.

Romans 11:36

“For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things” (Romans

11:36).

Revelation 4:11

“For thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created” (Revelation 4:11).

Job 26:7

“He stretcheth out the north over the empty place, and hangeth the earth upon nothing” (Job 26:7).

Jeremiah 27:5

“I have made the earth, the man and the beast that are upon the

ground, by my great power and by my outstretched arm, and have

given it unto whom it seemed meet unto me” (Jeremiah 27:5).

Isaiah 45:12-13

“I have made the earth, and created man upon it: I, even my hands,

have stretched out the heavens, and all their host have I

commanded. I have raised him up in righteousness, and I will direct

all his ways” (Isaiah 45:12-13).

I. Earth Made for MankindAlthough God is the Creator and Master of all things, He placed the care and dominion of the earth into the hands of mankind. Our lesson today covers how mankind initially failed in that responsibility but how we can regain it through Jesus Christ.

I. Earth Made for Mankind Searching The Scriptures

Earth Made for MankindMankind is the summit or apex of all

God’s creation. God simply spoke all other creatures into being, but Adam was special because God intimately made him: “And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground” (Genesis 2:7). As we studied in a previous lesson, God created mankind in His image and likeness.

A. Dominion over the EarthThis likeness entailed similarity in

personality and character and included an eternal soul. Mankind possesses the rational and moral nature of God. Although God initially created mankind as sinless and without an impulsion or inclination to sin, He did give him the ability to choose and to make decisions.

While many of God’s creatures are stronger and have keener senses than humans, only humans have the ability to think rationally.

A. Dominion over the EarthThe eagle can see farther and better than humans, and the dog can smell and hear better; but God chose mankind to be His best friend. God desired companionship, which demanded that mankind would have the ability to choose whether or not he would love God and have a relationship with Him.

A. Dominion over the EarthA. Dominion over the Earth

God initially placed all creation under the authority and dominion of mankind. (See Psalm 8:3-6.)

Psalm 8:3-6 “When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and

the stars, which thou hast ordained; what is man, that thou art

mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? For thou hast made him a little lower

than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour. Thou

madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast

put all things under his feet” (Psalm 8:3-6).

A. Dominion over the EarthThe psalmist was awed when he

considered the order and immensity of God’s handiwork. He simply marveled that God had entrusted mankind with dominion over His earth and all living things. The author of the Book of Hebrews quoted the psalmist and then added, “Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him” (Hebrews 2:8). (See James 3:7.)

James 3:7

“For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of

things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind”

(James 3:7).

A. Dominion over the EarthGod placed the care of His great and

beautiful creation in the hands of mankind “to dress it and to keep it” (Genesis 2:15). While this was a high honor, with it also came a tremendous responsibility. Since God placed human beings as stewards of His creation, Christians should certainly be the strongest ecologists upon the face of the Earth.

However, we should remember that we are not the owners of creation; we are only the managers, or stewards.

A. Dominion over the EarthWhat an awesome role with which God has entrusted us—the caregivers of His entire creation!

We hear much discussion about the protection of the environment, with people staking out extreme stands on either side. We may have differing opinions about the methods, but we should recognize our responsibility to take care of God’s garden. It is a sacred trust.

A. Dominion over the EarthSome have said, “Mankind is the only creature who dirties his own nest,” but no one should ever be able to make such a statement regarding Christians. We should never be guilty of knowingly defacing His landscape or cruelly destroying any of His creatures.

A. Dominion over the EarthStewardship entails wise use. God

commanded Israel to let the land rest—to go fallow—every seventh year. Even today farmers recognize this to be a wise practice in order for the minerals and water content to be replenished, and for some weeds to die. God has given the plants and animals into our hands for food and for our ongoing use. (See Genesis 9:1-3.)

Genesis 9:1-3 “And God blessed Noah and his

sons, and said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth. And the fear of you and

the dread of you shall be upon every beast of the earth, and upon every

fowl of the air, upon all that moveth upon the earth, and upon all the

fishes of the sea; into your hand are they delivered. Every moving thing

that liveth shall be meat for you; even as the green herb have I given

you all things” (Genesis 9:1-3).

A. Dominion over the EarthGod’s giving of dominion to

mankind is a gift—not a right. Therefore, believers should be careful to exercise the best possible measure of stewardship over all the Earth.

B. Dominion over SpiritsB. Dominion over Spirits

Before the Fall, it was God’s plan that mankind have dominion not only in the physical realm but also in the spiritual realm. God placed two special trees in the Garden of Eden, giving mankind a choice. One tree symbolized eternal life and the other tree symbolized carnal knowledge of good and evil. If they ate of the first tree, they would live; if they ate of the second tree, they would die.

A. Dominion over the EarthAs long as Adam and Eve chose life, they had communion with God and dominion over the forces of evil. However, when they chose to disobey God’s command and partake of the forbidden fruit, these forces of evil captured and dominated their lives. Ever since Jesus’ birth, death, and resurrection, mankind again has the ability to choose the road he will follow. With the help of the Holy Spirit, God’s people can claim dominion over the forces of evil in the spiritual world.

A. Dominion over the EarthWhen Jesus was on Earth, there was a constant spiritual battle occurring in His ministry. Evil spirits constantly confronted Jesus, and He often cast them out. Satan does not give up easily.

To the seventy disciples, Jesus gave authority over physical illness and demonic spirits. (See Luke 10:17-20.) As born-again believers, we also have dominion over all spirits through the name of Jesus Christ.

A. Dominion over the EarthFurthermore, we can anoint with oil and pray in the name of Jesus Christ over those who are sick and God will raise them up (James 5:14-15). Believers have dominion over sin through His name. Paul wrote to the Roman church, “Sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace” (Romans 6:14). (See Psalm 44:5.)

Psalm 44:5

“Through thee will we push down our enemies: through thy name will

we tread them under that rise up against us” (Psalm 44:5).

A. Dominion over the EarthSince Christ’s crucifixion at Calvary and the outpouring of His Spirit on the Day of Pentecost, we can claim dominion over all spiritual principalities and powers. (See Romans 8:37-39.)

II. Dominion LostDominion Lost

When mankind yielded to temptation in the Garden of Eden, sin stripped him of all dominion. Adam and Eve did gain knowledge, but they lost their state of innocence. God’s purpose for mankind was that he should be sovereign under God in the realm of nature. However, mankind never realized his purpose due to sin. In fact, he is now in servitude to his sin and to lust. (See Hebrews 2:8.)

A. Dominion over the EarthOne biblical example where

sovereignty was given and then lost is the case of King Nebuchadnezzar. God told Jeremiah that He would give Nebuchadnezzar dominion over all lands and beasts of the field (Jeremiah 27:6-7), and He promised that all nations, along with their kings, would serve him. After God raised the king up, He warned him in a dream to stay humble and to acknowledge God as the source of his power.

A. Dominion over the EarthEven after the dream and Daniel’s warning, however, Nebuchadnezzar became lifted up with pride and spoke aloud as he walked in the palace: “Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty?” (Daniel 4:30). While the words were still in his mouth, a voice from Heaven pronounced judgment: “The kingdom is departed from thee” (Daniel 4:31).

A. Dominion over the EarthShortly thereafter, Nebuchadnezzar

became insane and his lords drove him from his palace. For seven long years he roamed the fields eating grass like an ox. His hair grew long like eagles’ feathers and his nails like birds’ claws. It was not until he confessed that God was the source of his greatness and all dominion and authority comes from Him that God restored him to power. (See Daniel 4:34-37.)

A. The FallA. The Fall

God gave Adam and Eve the freedom to enjoy all the fruit of the Garden except one. So that mankind would have a choice, God placed the tree of knowledge of good and evil in the midst of the Garden and told Adam and Eve not to eat of it. God further warned, “For in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die” (Genesis 2:17). The day they chose to eat of the forbidden fruit, death entered into Paradise.

A. Dominion over the EarthThe process of sickness and death began its work immediately, and they withdrew from the presence of God.

In the form of a serpent, Satan beguiled Eve by using the same tactics he has used many times since. Eve added power to the temptation by entering into dialogue with Satan and adding to God’s Word. True to His word, God immediately dispersed the consequences of disobedience following Adam and Eve’s willful sin:

A. Dominion over the Earth“Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee” (Genesis 3:16).

Eve lost a measure of her equality the day she sinned. God said that she would be in subjection to her husband and he would rule over her from that day forward. Further, she would conceive and suffer the pain of childbirth.

A. Dominion over the EarthTo the man, God cursed the very

ground that before had yielded its bounty. Thorns and thistles would grow in the same ground that had previously produced only food for the picking. To eat and feed his family would now require digging and tilling the ground by the sweat of his face. God also said that when Adam died physically, he would return to the very dust from which he was formed. Of course, this also applied to the state of Eve when she succumbed to death.

B. The RamificationsB. The Ramifications

Mankind lost his home in the most beautiful and perfect garden God ever made. (See Genesis 3:23-24.) In a radio message that aired in July 2008, evangelist and apologist Ravi Zacharias enumerated the ramifications of the Fall: “Rejection, alienation, substitution, separation, dominion of sin, and condemnation.”

Adam and Eve went from acceptance to rejection, which led them to feel their

alienation from God.

A. Dominion over the EarthSin separates a person from God. In their guilt, Adam and Eve withdrew from God and tried to cover their sense of nakedness and inadequacy with fig leaves. They attempted to substitute a covering from the very foliage of creation to achieve dominion over creation. Today, we still see mankind’s various attempts to substitute the false for the real. In prophetic mercy, God substituted the skins of slain animals for mankind’s flimsy attempt to cover himself with leaves.

A. Dominion over the EarthThe question God asked Adam and Eve is interesting: “Who told you that you were naked?” Could it be the very one who had caused them to fall had turned around and then accused them of being naked? Certainly, Satan is the “accuser of the brethren” and the one who causes individuals to fall. Then he condemns them when they do fail.

A. Dominion over the EarthDue to Adam and Eve’s sin and disobedience, God had to separate them from His presence. From that point onward, mankind was in slavery and under the dominion of sin. The last step downward is the heavy weight of guilt and condemnation.

III. Dominion RegainedDominion Regained

“Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him. But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the

suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of

God should taste death for every man” (Hebrews 2:8-9).

A. Dominion over the EarthThe writer to the Hebrews declared that God had placed all authority under mankind, yet we do not see it in reality because of sin. However, we see Jesus—made lower than the angels—taking on flesh, dwelling with us, and suffering death to redeem mankind and restore him to his place of dominance in God’s kingdom. (See Hebrews 2:7-9.) What the first Adam lost, the Second Adam—Jesus Christ—redeemed when He restored mankind from his fall.

A. Dominion over the EarthBelievers today have the promise that when Jesus Christ returns to rule and reign on this earth for one thousand years, they will rule and reign with Him. What we lost through sin, we will regain through redemption.

A. Fulfillment in LifeA. Fulfillment in Life

We can fulfill our destiny and regain our favored position through Jesus Christ. Jesus has promised us victory over sin: “For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace” (Romans 6:14).

A. Fulfillment in LifeGod has promised His children a full

life of mercy and grace when they fall, peace when they are worried, deliverance and comfort when they are afflicted, healing and divine care when they are sick, and His presence when they are lonely. Furthermore, He has given believers the church body for a family and home, and Heaven for eternity. He further promised that whatever we ask believing, He will give to us. We are not just His subjects, but we are His children individually and His

bride collectively for eternity.

B. Authority over the DevilB. Authority over the Devil

As children of God, believers are no longer helpless but conquerors. He has promised, “Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you” (Luke 10:19).

A. Dominion over the EarthWhen the seventy disciples returned

from their assignment rejoicing that even the devils were subject to them through the name of Jesus, Jesus made a strange statement: “I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven” (Luke 10:18). Clearly, He was observing the fallen state of Lucifer and his subjugated position beneath the authority of God and His ministers.

Just before the Resurrection, Jesus went down into Satan’s territory and took captive the devil’s prisoners.

A. Dominion over the EarthJesus’ resurrection broke Satan’s power of death. God had promised mankind that the day would come when the offspring of the woman would crush the head of the serpent. Satan bruised the heel of the seed of the woman, but the Seed of the woman has smashed Satan’s head.

Jesus rose triumphantly from the grave. Because He overcame, we are overcomers also. (See Romans 8:35, 37.)

Romans 8:35, 37

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? . .

. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him

that loved us” (Romans 8:35, 37).

C. Victory over SinC. Victory over Sin

“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the

flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and

death” (Romans 8:1-2).

A. Dominion over the EarthWe now have victory over sin, and

we have the power to choose whom we will serve. In a sense, the two trees are again in our garden, and we can choose between carnal knowledge and abundant, everlasting life. Paul’s exhortation to the Romans reveals we have a choice: “Let not sin therefore reign . . . but yield yourselves unto God” (Romans 6:12-13). We can choose to be born again of the water and the Spirit, which liberates us from the bondage that had mankind in slavery for four thousand years. (See

Romans 6:14.)

A. Dominion over the EarthWe all serve a master whether it is

the flesh, the devil, mammon, or Jesus Christ. Others will know who our master is by whom we obey and serve. Our liberty comes through our obedience to the doctrine of Jesus Christ, which has the power to deliver. We stand in freedom by our foundation upon the doctrines of the apostles and the prophets.

We once served Satan, but now we have changed masters.

A. Dominion over the EarthAs the servants of righteousness, sin has no more dominion over us: “We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not” (I John 5:18). The verbs of this Scripture indicate continuous action in the present tense, which indicates that sin is not habitual to the child of God.

However, this does not mean that our battle for dominion is over, for we still live in the flesh.

A. Dominion over the EarthOur hearts may be toward Christ, but the flesh desires the former life in the same way the Israelites longed for the onions and garlic of Egypt. We constantly war against a backward pull to the habits and the ways of our past. However, we now have the choice as to whom we serve, which allows us to overcome in the struggle between the Spirit and the flesh.

A. Dominion over the EarthNot only has God promised us victory, but He has also promised us forgiveness if we slip and fall. We may lose a skirmish, but ultimate victory is ours if we continue to rise from where we have fallen. We now have an advocate to help us in this battle—Jesus Christ. (See I John 1:9-10; 2:1-2.)

Romans 8:1-2

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all

unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us” (I

John 1:9-10).

I John 1:9-10

“My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus

Christ the righteous: and he is the propitiation for our sins: and not

for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world” (I John 2:1-2).

D. Destiny by ChoiceD. Destiny by Choice

In the thirtieth chapter of I Samuel, David had just returned from battle to find that the Amalekites had destroyed Ziklag and had taken their wives and children captive. The men were overcome with grief and were ready to stone David. However, David “encouraged himself in the Lord his God” (I Samuel 30:6), and he asked God if he should pursue his enemy. The Lord replied, “Pursue: for thou shalt surely overtake them, and without fail recover

all” (I Samuel 30:8).

A. Dominion over the EarthOn the way to find the enemy, David’s men found a young Egyptian lying near death in a field, sick and without water and nourishment for three days. They brought him to David, who gave him water, bread, figs, and raisins to eat. David inquired as to whom he belonged and why he was there. He answered, “I am a young man of Egypt, servant to an Amalekite; and my master left me, because three days agone I fell sick” (I Samuel 30:13).

A. Dominion over the EarthWhen David asked the young man if he could take him to where the Amalekites were, he replied that he would do it on one condition—that he not be given back to his old master. He had made a choice.

Likewise, we have a choice about whom we will serve. We can either choose the world and its philosophy, or we can choose Jesus Christ and His loving mercy and grace. As our Master, Jesus treats us very well. He never throws us away or leaves us to die when we are down. He is faithful at all

times!

D. Destiny by ChoiceInternalizing The Message

“And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye

will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will

serve the Lord. And the people answered and said, God forbid that we should forsake the Lord, to serve other

gods” (Joshua 24:15-16).

A. Dominion over the EarthMankind is God’s special creation,

created with the choice of whether or not to love and serve Him. Adam and Eve had a special relationship with Him, and He gave them dominion and authority over His creation on Earth. However, they lost their special place both physically and spiritually through disobedience.

Instead of forgetting mankind and leaving him to die alone, God came to where he was and took on flesh to dwell among His special creation.

A. Dominion over the EarthHe lived a sinless life as an example, but He went even further to triumph over death and Hell. He did this to restore mankind to the position for which He had originally created him. Because of Calvary’s work and the outpouring of the Holy Ghost on the Day of Pentecost, we now have a choice of masters. Our old master, sin, caused us to do things of which we were ashamed. It was a cruel taskmaster, only using us and throwing us in the field to die.

A. Dominion over the EarthThen the Good Samaritan came to where we were in life’s ditch. He picked us up, cleaned us, and poured in the healing medicine of His Spirit. He carried us to the church and paid the price for our healing and care.

Our Master has all dominion and power, yet He is a loving God who treats us well and cares for us at all times.