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?