Paradise Lost

The big idea from this text is that the blessing of paradise was cursed through sin, but God promised to restore it to blessing again. Genesis 1-2 tells us that God created the world and it was very good. Creation was the very blessing of God. But our day-to-day experience seems so different. What’s happened to the blessing? Natural disasters, violent crimes, people struggling with marriage, looking for work, grieving loss, fighting cancer. And we all struggle with our hearts. Why can’t I shake that anger or lust? Why can’t I rise above that depression? Why am I so self-interested and prideful? Why do I hold a grudge when I know I should forgive? Why do I marginalize people? Everything’s supposed to be different.

Scripture: Genesis 2:4-3:24