ADAM: THE FIRST MAN
Intro.
1. Adam was a real person according to Jesus, Paul & Jude - Matt. 19:4-5; Rom. 5:14; Jude 14.
2. Genesis 2 & 3 is a record of his life. Its narrative teaches us lasting truths.
I. SOME "FIRSTS" OF ADAM’S LIFE.
A. First Man - Gen. 2:7.
1. Origin of humanity - 1 Tim. 2:13.
2. Ancestor (progenitor) of all mankind - Acts 17:26; Lk. 3:38.
B. First Position - Gen. 1:28; Psa. 8:6-8.
1. Dominion over all created things / Differentiated from animals.
2. Named the animals - Gen. 2:19.
C. First Fellowship with God - cf. Gen. 2:15; 3:8.
-An intimate relationship with God in Eden is implied by the effect of sin.
D. First Job - Gen. 2:15; 3:17-19.
1. Tend and keep the garden which God had planted (2:8).
2. Cf. Man’s respon. to labor - Gen. 3:17-19; 2 Ths. 3:10 (1 Tim. 5:8).
E. First Marriage - Gen. 2:18-24; Matt. 19:4-6. (First husband)
1. Marriage meets social, emotional & physical needs of man - 2:18-20.
2. Marriage was instituted by God for all men - 2:18, 22-24; Heb. 13:4.
3. Marriage can succeed (Gen. 2:24):
a. Permanency of marriage: "leave…."
b. Commitment of marriage: "cleave…."
c. Union of marriage: "one flesh" ("no more two…" - Matt. 19:6).
F. First Sin - Gen. 3:1-7; Rom. 5:12.
1. Adam’s sin:
a. Source: Temptation - cf. 1 Tim. 2:14 (not directly deceived).
b. Form: Unbelief (lack of faith in God & His word, Gen. 2:17) & disobedience (3:6) - cf. 1 Jno. 3:4.
c. Effect: Spiritual death, shame & guilt - Gen. 2:17; 3:8-10.
2. Same is true of every person!
II. ADAM AND CHRIST - Rom. 5:14.
A. Adam is a Figure of Christ.
1. Type: TUPOS - "A type, figure, pattern."
2. "The mark of a stroke or blow; print...a figure formed by a blow or impression." (Heb. 8:5; Acts 7:44).
3. Figure (type) is a form, model, counterpart; a designed resemblance.
4. Figure of physical & spiritual conditions of mankind.
B. The Spirit of Man: Adam & Christ Contrasted in Romans 5:14-19.
1. Adam: The door to sin and death - Rom. 5:12-15; Gen. 2:17.
Christ: The door to grace and salvation - Rom. 5:15 (5:8-10).
2. Adam: The result of sin: Condemnation - Rom. 5:16.
Christ: The result of grace: Justification - Rom. 5:16.
3. Adam: Dominance of sin & spiritual death - Rom. 5:17.
Christ: Dominance of grace & spiritual life - Rom. 5:17.
4. Adam: Disobedience contributed to man’s sin (& death) - 5:18-19.
Christ: Obedience means of man’s righteousness - Rom. 5:18-19.
C. The Body of Man: Adam & Christ Contrasted in 1 Cor. 15.
1. Adam: Source of life for the physical body - 15:45.
Christ: Source of bodily resurrection - 15:45.
2. Adam: Physical death - 15:21-22; Gen. 3:17-19.
Christ: Bodily resurrection of the dead - 15:21-22.
3. Adam: Prototype of the body of flesh - 15:46-49.
Christ: Prototype of bodily resurrection - 15:46-49, 20; 1 Jno. 3:2.
III. LESSONS TO LIVE BY FROM ADAM.
A. Our Responsibility to God Mirrors the Privileges We Have Received from Him - Psa. 8:4-9 (Rom. 1:18-25).
B. Fellowship with God is Precious: Don’t Take it for Granted - 1 Jno. 1:7.
C. Marriage is Special: Don’t Defile, Discard or Disrespect It - Heb. 13:4.
D. God Always Sees & Knows Our Sin - Heb. 4:13.
E. Don’t Blame Others for Our Sin: Accept Responsibility & Repent! Psa. 51:4; Ezek. 18:4; Lk. 13:5.
F. A Good Beginning must be Followed by Faithful Living - Gal. 5:7.
Conclusion
1. Father Adam teaches us the grandeur of humanity and the horrible effect of sin.
2. Will we learn & live the lessons we learn from him?
