TITLE: God’s First Commandment
TEXT: Genesis 1:26-28
PROPOSITION: God’s first instructions are important ones for us today.
QUESTION: What?
KEY WORD: Commandments
SCRIPTURE READING: Same

INTRODUCTION:

1. Many think the 1^st command was – “Don’t eat of the tree in the garden.”
2. Our text contains the first command from God to Adam and Eve.

Reap – “be fruitful”

1. God wants us to be useful, productive
2. All should make a contribution to society
3. If any will not work, neither should he eat
4. When sin entered – (sweat, labor, pain)

Reproduce – “multiply”

1. Have children.
2. This world was not built for Adam and Eve only.
3. Not homosexual – lesbian relationships.

Replace – “replenish”

1. Literally – to fill and keep full
2. Take care of the environment – replace what you use.
3. Let land rest, rotate crops, plant trees
4. Keep the land available for future generations

Responsible – “subdue”

1. Be responsible for your actions.
2. Assume some responsibility – not let others do your part.
3. Bring under control all parts of your life- Control
   Emotions, drugs, alcohol, anger, tongue, violent actions

Regulate – “have dominion”

1. Exercise influence over the creation.
2. Oversee = see that things are done correctly, properly
3. Fish / Sea; Birds / Air; Living things / Earth
4. Government, law, police, elders in the church