Shapeless and empty land – Preaching
Preaching Outline on Genesis 1:1-2 – “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep; and the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.”
Introduction to Genesis 1:1-2
When we read Genesis 1:1-2, we are introduced to the beginning of everything – the moment when God created the heavens and the earth. The word “created” in Hebrew, “bara”, is powerful. It means to bring something into existence out of nothing. It is an act of God alone, for only he can create something out of nothing.
The text also reveals something profound about who God is. In Hebrew, the word “Elohim” is in the plural, but the verb “created” is in the singular. This already points to the Trinity – Father, Son and Holy Spirit – involved in creation. John 1:3 confirms this by saying: “All things were made through him [Jesus], and without him nothing was made that has been made.” (Colossians 1:16 and Hebrews 1:2 also reinforce this role of Christ as Creator).
But something catches our attention in verse 2: “And the earth was without form, and void.” This description not only speaks of the physical creation, but also serves as a powerful metaphor for the spiritual condition of human beings before they come to know God. Today, we want to explore this idea and reflect on how our hearts can be “formless and empty” until Jesus comes into our lives.
Development
The earth was formless and empty – Man’s heart far from God
The expression “without form and void” gives us a clear image of the chaotic and undefined state of the earth before God’s intervention. This same concept can be applied to the heart of man far from God.
- Formless:
A formless heart is one that has no definite purpose or direction. Before coming to know Jesus, many people live their lives without a clear sense of meaning. They seek to fill this void with momentary pleasures, material success or superficial relationships, but never find true satisfaction. - Emptiness:
This emptiness represents the absence of God. When man is separated from his Creator, he experiences a constant feeling of lacking something essential. It’s like trying to fill a empty cup – no matter how hard you try, it never gets full. Only God can fill this emptiness with His presence, love and purpose.
In Song of Songs 1:15, the church is called “beautiful”. When the Holy Spirit enters our lives, He transforms and shapes us. He defines us as children of God, with clear purposes and an identity based on Christ.
On the other hand, the “formless and empty” man is the one who lives far from God, trapped in the consequences of the sin of disobedience. The only certainty he has is eternal death, as Romans 6:23 reminds us: “For the wages of sin is death.”
Darkness over the face of the abyss – Man far from God lives in darkness
Verse 2 also mentions that “darkness was upon the face of the deep.” This image portrays the spiritual state of man who is far from God.
- Darkness represents separation from God:
Darkness symbolizes the absence of light, which is Jesus (John 8:12). When we are far from God, we walk in darkness, unable to see the right path. Proverbs 4:19 says: “The way of the wicked is as darkness; they know not wherein they stumble.” - Subjection to destruction and death:
Living in darkness means being subject to spiritual destruction and death. Sin blinds us and leads us to choices that destroy our lives. But God does not leave us alone in this state.
The Spirit of God was hovering – The work of the Holy Spirit in transforming the heart
Genesis 1:2 goes on to say: “And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.” This is a beautiful image of the Holy Spirit’s action. Just as He hovered over the chaotic earth to bring order and life, He acts in our lives to transform us.
- In the last days, the Spirit has been poured out:
Acts 2:17-18 prophesies that in the last days, God would pour out His Spirit on all flesh. Today, the Holy Spirit is working in the heart of man, convicting him of sin, righteousness and judgment. He is the one who delivers us from darkness and leads us into the light. - God said: Let there be light – The moment of encounter with Jesus:
Just as God said “Let there be light” in the beginning, there is a moment when He enlightens our hearts through the Gospel. John 1:4-5 states: “In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not prevailed against it.”
When we accept Jesus, we begin to see the path that leads to life. We are in the light, separated from darkness, because light and darkness cannot coexist (2 Corinthians 6:14).
Conclusion of Genesis 1:1-2
Man without God lives a “formless and empty” life – without purpose, direction or fulfillment. He is lost in darkness, trapped by the consequences of sin and the certainty of eternal death.
But there is good news! Jesus came to change this reality. He is the light that illuminates our path, the Creator who shapes our life and the Savior who fills our emptiness. When we allow him into our hearts, he transforms our chaos into order, our emptiness into fullness and our darkness into light.
May we, today, give our hearts to Jesus and allow him to do in us the creative work that only he can do.
Preaching Outline on Genesis 1:1-2 – “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep; and the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.”
More Preaching Outlines
- Compact Bible Study – Genesis 1:1-27
- Action of the Holy Spirit – Genesis 1:2-3
- The time to wake up – Isaiah 29:8
