For our time then this morning, let us go to Genesis chapter 3 for our text. The first book in the Old Testament, Genesis chapter 3. And again, we want to look there at verse 15 and choose it as our text. Genesis chapter 3 and verse 15. And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed. It shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. For the time left to us then, this morning, we wish to focus again somewhat upon this verse here, Genesis 3, 15. And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed. It shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. The title I want to give to our meditation is The New Birth. the new birth. How do we get to this point then? We've been going through the book of Genesis, taking our time, going through chapter one and two. We looked at chapter three for a number of times, but how do we get to this point here? Well, our first parents have been placed in the Garden of Eden, a garden that was prepared for them by their creator God, and everything was laid on for them. And they had been given a very clear and simple command that they could eat of the fruit from all the trees in the garden apart from one. They were not permitted to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. That fruit was forbidden them. They were in the garden. The evil one comes. The evil one is there. He speaks through a serpent to our first parents. Instantly, Eve should have said, there's something not right here. This does not happen. A snake speaking? No, it shouldn't happen. She should have realized that she has dominion over the animals, over the animal kingdom, and they do not communicate with mankind. And this should have been a red light to her immediately. But she listened. She listened, and as a result, Eve succumbed to the deception. She took the fruit and she gave it to her husband. Eve, who had been appointed as a helper, sadly became a hindrance to Adam. That's what sin does. Sin turns the world upside down. That's exactly what happened at the Garden of Eden. We noticed last week that the Lord God questions our first parents. He asks Adam. He provides excuses. Basically, he is saying at the end, it's your fault. You give me the woman. The woman gave me the fruit. You're to blame. Same for Eve. God questions her. It's a snake. You've created the snake. You're to blame. Excuses. It's always the same. Nothing's new. The natural man is just like our first fallen parents. Excuses. Always. It's someone else's fault. It's God's fault. I was made this way. Is this not what they're trying to tell us today? The homosexual says, I was made by God to do this. Blaming God. That's all it is. Nothing has changed. But friends, we notice for our encouragement, I might not have stated it, but we notice for our encouragement, although God interrogates our first parents, not because he needed to find out information, he knew all things, but he wanted them to realize what they had done. But do you notice for our encouragement, he doesn't interrogate the serpent at all. He doesn't question Satan. Satan has got to be shown no grace, nothing whatsoever. Instead, a curse has been pronounced upon the serpent, which ultimately relates to the one behind the serpent. And here we are today, friends. We're in a Christian church. We're under the means of grace. We're here to worship the one true and the living God. And let's be clear on this matter that Satan is our worst enemy. and he's out to destroy us but God has put a curse upon him and we say hallelujah to that hallelujah he is powerful he is mighty we know but he is not omnipotent and he's not everywhere but wherever he is and upon all his cohorts there is a curse upon them And this would tell us that ultimately Christ shall have that complete and final victory. Those whom God has cursed are truly cursed. And those whom God blesses are truly blessed. Oh Christian, are you a Christian this morning? Do you love the Lord Jesus Christ? Well, you truly have been blessed. You have the blessing above all blessings. You cannot get a higher blessing than that, to have Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, to have that great benediction from heaven. to be in the family of the living God, to have your sins forgiven, and to know that your eternal future is secure. There's nothing greater than this, friends. And today, if you're a Christian, you have this in seed form, and one day you shall know the full realization of what it means to be an adopted child of God. And although you might have conflict in the world with the devil, with your own sin, and you may have many conflicts, you shall be victorious. If God be for us, who can be against us? Is that not what Romans tells us? Well, the devil's out for you. He's against you. He's against every single one here. He's against the minister. He's against the people outside the church. He knows his time is short and he wants to bring everyone to the lake of fire where he's going. And he's making a good job, we have to say, because many people are deluded today. Many people are. Many people are just like Adam and Eve, they're listening to this one, this malevolent spirit. But friends, we want to encourage ourselves today that we would grasp and that we would realize the full force of this text that we have chosen. and I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed. It shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel." Ultimately, friends, we noticed last week that this is the gospel being proclaimed to our first parents, the gospel, and it's promising a Savior, and we know that the Savior has come, and He's building His cause, His church, His kingdom, and it cannot be overthrown. And we noticed last week that the devil was humiliated, and we have here this glorious message for mankind. And despite it all, verse 20 tells us that Eve was the mother of all living. Eve was the one who first fell, who brought sin into this world, but through higher seed was going to come one who would destroy the works of the devil. For this purpose, the Son of God was manifested that he might destroy the works of the devil. That's what he has been doing. That's what he is doing. That's what he will continue to do. Therefore, let us be encouraged. and let us embrace him. Let us have him as our Lord and Savior. Let us follow this great master who will have us. Well, before we look at our text, friends, I want to impress something upon you, especially the young in our midst. This is not a fable. You know, you'll go to school and they'll tell you, this is a fable. There was no real person called Adam or Eve. There was no snake in the garden. There's no paradise. None of that. It's all fable. It's just telling us a story. Nonsense. Absolute nonsense. What we have here is historical fact. There was a person called Adam who was created out of the dust, and Eve was created out of Adam. They are real historical figures, and what we read here actually happened, and what we find here is the fall of mankind. It's not a fable. It's obvious that the writer of Genesis He would have us know that it was not a fable. It's obvious that all the other authors in the Old Testament and the New Testament, they would have us to understand that Adam was a real historical figure. And of course, our ultimate authority is the eternally begotten Son of God. And he would have us to know about Adam, about the beginning, about what happened. And of course he is the second Adam. The one who did what Adam couldn't do. Stood up to temptation. When he was tempted for 40 days and 40 nights, he stood up against the evil one. And the evil one could not cause him to succumb because he's the God-man. He could not sin. He could be tempted. That's remarkable in itself. He was tempted, but he could not sin. And therefore he was victorious. over the evil one. And if we like, his ultimate victory was on the cross, when we noticed he basically made a fool of the devil. The devil thought he had the victory. We could see the devil rubbing his hands. Oh, it's all over. The son of God has been crucified. He's dead. We won't hear anything more from him again. It's all over. It's curtains. Nonsense, the third day he arose. Out of the grave he came, because death could not hold him." Oh, we worship the Savior. We worship Him who has conquered death and destroyed death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. What a message we have for this world. What a message we have for this sin-cursed world. What a wonderful message of hope. Why are we so quiet? Why do we not proclaim this, whatever we can? He might destroy the works of the devil. That's what he's doing. Well, basically, I have two brief things that I wish to highlight. First of all, I want us to notice here man's plight. We'll never understand this unless we grasp the plight of man. The devil, what did he promise? He promised them they would know good from evil. He was trying to tell them that, well, What you've got at the moment is okay, but there's more. There's more knowledge. And you're kind of fettered. You're being kept behind. You are retarded. God is holding you back. He hasn't got your best interests at heart, whereas I have. And you'll know, if you eat the forbidden fruit, you'll know, knowing good and evil. Is that not what verse nine tells us? And the Lord Verse 5, For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. Well, that's what happened. When they ate the forbidden fruit, they knew evil. They knew it. They experienced it. They were looking at life now from an evil position. Their eyes had truly been opened up. They had been deceived. Before, they were able to discern between good and evil. But now, they lost that ability. Things had been reversed. Now they're just like many people today, they call good evil an evil good. They lost that discernment, and we find that in our own society today. You only have to read your newspapers or look at the media. People are calling things that are good that the Bible calls evil. There's been a complete reversal. And the knowledge that they thought they would get, they didn't get. He deceived them. You see, the moment that they sinned, they died. They died spiritually. Before, they had a wonderful relationship with God. We don't know how long that lasted. We can speculate, but the Bible doesn't tell us. But nevertheless, we know, for the time of their innocency, they had a wonderful relationship. They loved God, they served him, they enjoyed his presence. Everything was well and everything was harmonious. But the moment that they sinned, that relationship was transformed. They were dead spiritually. They became enemies of God. There was now enmity in their hearts towards their great Creator God. And the evidence of death was all around them. Verse 7. The eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked, and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves aprons." What did they try to do? They tried to save themselves. That's what they tried to do there, and that's what people try to do today. They try to save themselves. That's why we have so many religions. The number is growing day after day. What are they but attempts for mankind to save themselves? This is what our first parents did because they knew that their relationship had been changed. And they hid from God, we're told in verse eight again. Do we not find that in our own society today? People running from God, they'll go everywhere, but they will not run to God. and they were afraid of God. Verse 10, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid. Before he heard the voice of God, and he wasn't afraid, he would run, but now things have all changed. He is now spiritually dead. And that's what death is, friends. Death is separation from God, and we see it there. Even in that very brief incident that happened, separation from God. We are born spiritually dead. Physical death is the separation of the body and soul. Eternal death, or the second death as the Bible calls it, is to be eternally separated from the gracious presence of God. And death is all around us. all around us in this world. Death, because of our first parents, because of what they did. And Adam, therefore, and Eve at this time, because they were spiritually dead, they were powerless, they were unable to break free, they were absolutely helpless, they couldn't in any sense help themselves. And this is something we have to learn. It's very humbling, we know, but that's the reality of it. Because we're spiritually dead and because, by nature, we're under the thralldom of the evil one, that does not mean that we're demon-possessed. No one has seen that for one moment, but nevertheless, we're under his kingdom, we're under his domain, by nature, so that we are unable to break free. We are hopeless and we are helpless. That's what you are today, friend. If you're not a Christian, if you're not one who follows the Lord Jesus Christ, then you are powerless. You cannot help yourself. You have no desire to help yourself. Our catechism tells us, question 17, into what estate did the fall bring mankind? This is what we're talking about here, the fall of mankind into what estate? What is our condition? The fall brought mankind into an estate of sin and misery. You know, people think that this world, in it, going about doing all the things that the world does, you think that's living? That's a living death, that's all it is. Jesus has said, I have come that you might have life and that you might have it more abundantly. The Lord Jesus Christ, the great author of life, the giver of life, he has come in order that we might have life as it really should be. And it will be one day for the Christian Today, as we've said, we know it in germ form, we know it in seed form, and we know something of that liberty and something of that freedom that the gospel brings to us. But there's more to come. Oh, there's much more to come. And this is what should encourage us. The fall brought mankind into an estate of sin and misery. And believer, that's your estate today. That's your condition, sin and misery. Now you might well say to me, well, that was Adam. That was 6,000 years ago or whatever. What's that got to do with me? Well, Adam represented the whole of humanity. We might not like that, but that's the way God deals with us. The whole of humanity was represented there. Adam wasn't acting as a private individual. He was the great head of the human race. And when he fell, we fell. Did all mankind fall in Adam's first transgression? The question is asked, the answer, the covenant be made with Adam, not only for himself, but for his posterity. All mankind descending from him by ordinary generation sinned in him and fell with him in his first transgression. We have said before that if Adam had obeyed that clear and simple command, he not only would have gained eternal life for himself, but for his posterity. And therefore, when he fell, we all fell. That's why this chapter and the things that we are considering over these last few weeks are so important and so vital. Because generally, friends, what the world will tell you is that mankind just needs a bit of help. That mankind is basically good. That's what they'll tell you. That's the dominant philosophy that's dominating the world today, and especially in our own country. Oh, he's not that bad. His heart is really quite good. He's just a bit sick. He just needs a bit of help. It's his background. It's his upbringing. It's his poor education. It's his poor housing. It's his poverty. Or it's the color of his skin, or whatever. No, friends, it's not. It's the heart. That's what's wrong. Because we are estranged and we are separated from God. We fell with Adam. Adam and Eve here sided with God's enemy. That's the way it is with a natural man today. We are siding with God's enemy. Well, that's man's condition. That's man's plight today. And when we say man's, that's the natural man. That's the way all of us were, or maybe all of us still are. That's what it's like. And what have we got? We have the evil one in the back of our minds. We have the evil one, and what's he saying to us? This is not really true. That's what he's saying to you today. It's not really true. Oh, this might have been true 6,000 years ago, but it's not true today. We're far more sophisticated. We're more educated. And what the poor minister is saying to you is, don't believe him. We go back to the very first temptation. Did God really say, you will not die? Ultimately, that's what he said. Friends, we need to humble ourselves. We need to recognize that what God says in his word is true, and if anyone is saying to you something that's contrary to the word of God, you are to dismiss them. There's a very apt and appropriate verse to quote here, because Adam and Eve We're at a crossroads, if you like. And Proverbs chapter 16 verse 25 tells us, there is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. Here was the devil speaking to our first parents, I want to promote you. I want you to know more. I want you to be like God. I want you to pursue independence. I want you to turn your back upon what God has said to you. He wants to fetter you. And what do they say? This way seems right to us. This way seems prosperous. Why? We will have liberty. We will expand our minds. We will grow. We will develop. We will be like God. Everything looks good. There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. And friends, we've all come to that point in our life when there is a crossroads before us. What path are we going to take? Are we going to take the path of the world, of the devil, of the flesh? Or are we going to take the path and the way of the Lord Jesus Christ? Are we going to take up that cross and are we going to follow him? Are we going to have Him as our Lord and Savior? Are we going to humble ourselves and accept what God has said in His Word concerning our natural plight and condition? Or are we going to listen to the philosophers and to the wise men of this world, who, friends, know nothing of the world that is to come? Now, we're at a crossroads. Here we are, young man. You're going to make your way in the world. Are you going to reach out? And are you going to cry to the Lord Jesus Christ? What are you going to follow? The ways of the world. The ways of the evil one. There is a way that seemeth right unto a man. Oh, the way of the devil, it seemed right. It promised so much. And what did it bring? Death. And that's always the way. It will bring death. That's why we read Romans. Verse 12 of that chapter, "'Wherefore, as by one man's sin entered into the world, and death by sin, and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.'" Why is it that death is universal? It's because we're all sinners, that's why. And why did sin come into this world? Because our first parents sinned. That's why. Well, secondly, friends, as we consider man's plight, Oh, we want to finish on a glorious note. Oh, we want to raise the rafters here because we have God's power in this text here. We've already noted last week, but this text is telling us about the Savior and that he has come. But friends, I want you to notice, first of all, the first words that we have in this text. Here's the word of God to the evil one. And I will put enmity. God is going to put enmity. In other words, God is going to break up this newfound relationship. Adam and Eve had entered into a relationship with God's arch enemy, who's out to destroy all the works of God. That's what he wants. and he saw the wonderful relationship that God had with mankind, and he came along and he wanted to destroy it. And he did for a moment, but what do we find here? God is speaking to him, I will put enmity between thee and the woman. In other words, I'm going to break up this relationship. It's going to go nowhere. Nowhere whatsoever. Now you might well say, but there was enmity before. In this relationship there was enmity, and of course there was. Adam was now at enmity with God. Adam was now at enmity with his wife. Eve was at enmity with Adam. Both of them were at enmity with God. There was enmity there, but the enmity was directed at the wrong source. God was going to reverse things. And instead of enmity between man and God, the enmity was going to be between man and the devil. God was going to do something glorious, wonderful, and divine. And I want you to notice, friends, here, because this is what we find in this verse. God does not advise here. He does not advise, Adam, oh, Adam, things are not very good. I advise you, therefore, to look at your relationship with the evil one. No, no, no. He doesn't advise, Adam. He doesn't even command Adam. It would be good to command him. But God does not command Adam. Adam, I command you to break off this relationship that you have with the evil one. No, no, no. He doesn't do that. Why not? Why not? Because, friends, if you've been listening at all, you must realize that Adam is powerless. Adam is dead in trespasses and sins, and he cannot help himself. He cannot do it. He must do it, but he cannot do it. He should do it, but he cannot do it. He has no power. He's under the thralldom of the evil one. And here comes almighty God and he says, I will do it. I will do it. Here is the gospel. God is the one who has done what mankind could never do. We're talking here about a new birth. Adam, you need a complete new birth. You need a change. Your whole personality must change. Your whole nature must change. There must be a dramatic turnaround. You're going in one direction now, but you must go in another direction. And you cannot do it, but I can. And I will, and he didn't. This is really radical. This is revolutionary. This is what Christianity's all about. It is the new life in Jesus Christ. And I will put enmity. Oh, here's mankind's greatest hope. It's our only hope. that God was going to break up this relationship. It was going to go no further. How can we explain this, maybe in a human sense? The illustration I'm going to use is not perfect, but you can see the point. Maybe, I hope, there's a set of parents. They have a daughter. A young daughter, how old is she? 20, 21, 22. She's romancing. She's going out with a young man, maybe a couple of years older, but he's a rogue. He's a vagabond. He's not good. The parents are alarmed. She's taken up with this rascal. They can see what's going to happen in the years ahead. It's going to be a terrible marriage. They don't want anything to do with it. They would like if she would get someone more like herself, somewhere where she could really settle down and be herself instead of that hooligan. What does a man do? What does a father do? He tries to break up the relationship. He might do many things. He might even move away. But you know, sometimes parents can't break up these things. And sometimes daughters marry those that they should not marry, and they live to regret it." Well, friends, we rejoice today that God is in no sense one who cannot accomplish that which he achieves. He has broken up that relationship. He has entered in. It has been severed. And he has put that enmity between thee and the woman and between thy seed and her seed. Are you a Christian today? You will have a holy hatred of Satan. You will. Where did it come from? I will put enmity. You have that hatred because God has worked Do you love the Lord Jesus Christ? How did that come about? It is because God has worked wonderfully, sovereignly, savingly upon you. What a change has come about. You have a new heart. You know the new birth. And that new birth manifests itself in believing upon the Lord Jesus Christ. You receive him as Lord and Savior because there is an enmity that God has implanted in you whereby that you have run from the evil one. You have seen his wickedness. You have seen the outcome of following him. and you have embraced Christ as he is freely offered in the gospel. Let us therefore be assured that this verse, friends, is truly the first proclamation of the gospel. And we give thanks that we are in the full light of the gospel in these New Testament times, There the gospel was somewhat veiled, but our first parents held on to that first triumphant note of the gospel. And through the Old Testament and into the New Testament, the full light of the gospel has been displayed. And now we know about the Savior who has come, who has suffered and died and rose again, and who has now ascended and as it is at God's right hand. waiting for that day when he shall retire. What we want to ask ourselves this afternoon is, do we know this new birth? Do we know it? We only know it when we believe upon Jesus Christ, and therefore you are to come to him cry out to him that he might give you this new birth, this new life, the new birth. Amen. And may God be pleased to bless his word. Let us pray together.