Day Six of Creation
Prepared by Bobby Stafford of the church of Christ at Granby, MO

Day Six of Creation

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. Over the past few weeks, we've examined the first five days of creation, seeing how God brought forth light, sky, land, vegetation, and sea and air creatures. Everything was made perfectly, purposefully, and with divine order. God declared each day’s work to be good. The world He created was flawless, with each part serving His will. Now, we come to the sixth day—a climactic moment in the creation narrative.

Creation of Land Animals

Genesis 1:24–25 describes God’s creation of all land-dwelling animals. These were made according to their kind, which is a broader term than modern "species." The land creatures were categorized into three main groups: livestock (large domesticated animals like camels and cattle), creeping things (insects, reptiles, and small animals), and beasts of the earth (wild animals such as giraffes, elephants, and lions). Once again, God saw that it was good. Each was made with precision, fitted to serve its role in the environment, and designed to ultimately benefit mankind.

The Pinnacle of Creation: Mankind

Then God did something completely unique. In Genesis 1:26, God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness." Note the plural pronouns: Us and Our. This is a consultation within the Godhead—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. No other life form was made this way. Mankind was created in the spiritual image of God. God is spirit (John 4:24), so we know this is not a physical likeness. Our physical bodies were made to live in this physical world, but it is the inner man—the soul, the spirit—that bears God's image.

Unlike animals, birds, or fish, mankind is moral, rational, relational, and creative. We can think abstractly, love deeply, and reason with conscience. Zechariah 12:1 says God "forms the spirit of man within him," and Hebrews 12:9 calls Him the "Father of spirits." These spiritual capacities distinguish us from all other life. Every person has an eternal soul, given at creation, which will live forever.

Man's Dominion and Responsibility

Mankind was given dominion over the rest of creation (Genesis 1:28). Psalm 8:5–8 emphasizes how God crowned man with glory and honor, placing all creation under his feet. We are God’s stewards on earth, accountable for how we rule over animals, plants, and natural resources.

Male and Female Creation

Genesis 1:27 declares that God created mankind "male and female." This was God’s original design. Jesus affirmed this in Matthew 19:4 when discussing marriage. There were no generations before Adam and Eve—they were the first, and were told to "be fruitful and multiply" (Genesis 1:28).

The Original Diet

Genesis 1:29–30 shows that mankind was originally given only plants to eat. Meat was not part of the diet until after the flood, as seen in Genesis 9:3. Even carnivorous animals were originally able to live on vegetation (Psalm 104:14–15). The change came only after God permitted it, and even then, He restricted the consumption of blood (Genesis 9:4).

Perfection and the Need for Redemption

God saw everything He had made and declared it "very good" (Genesis 1:31). Man was created sinless, pure, and holy. But sin entered later, and with it, separation from God. Ephesians 4:24 says the new man must be created "in righteousness and true holiness." Colossians 1:15–20 explains how Christ, the image of the invisible God and agent of creation, reconciles all things through His blood.

We are all born with a pure soul, but at some point, we sin and need redemption. The blood of Christ, accessed through baptism (Romans 6:3–4), restores our fellowship with God. As 1 John 1:7–9 teaches, that cleansing continues as we walk in the light and confess our sins.

Sermon Outline: Day Six of Creation

Prepared by Bobby Stafford of the church of Christ at Granby, MO

1. The Climax of Creation Week
   • Genesis 1:24–25
   • God creates land-dwelling creatures in three major groups: livestock, creeping things, and wild beasts.
   • All created “according to their kinds”—a broader category than modern taxonomy.
2. The Pinnacle of God’s Creation: Mankind
   • Genesis 1:26–27
   • Mankind is created in the image of God—unique among all life.
   • Use of plural pronouns (“Us,” “Our”) reveals the presence of the Godhead (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit).
3. What It Means to Be Made in God’s Image
   • John 4:24; Zechariah 12:1; Hebrews 12:9
   • Not a physical likeness, but a spiritual one.
   • Attributes include morality, reason, creativity, love, and relationship—none of which exist in animals or plants.
4. The Spiritual Nature of Man
   • Each human is given a spirit at creation.
   • That spirit is pure and sinless at birth (Ephesians 4:24).
   • Sin separates us from God and demands reconciliation through Christ.
5. God’s Intended Diet for Mankind and Animals
   • Genesis 1:29–30; Psalm 104:14–15
   • Original diet was plant-based for both humans and animals.
   • Genesis 9:3 marks the first divine permission to eat animal flesh after the Flood.
6. Dominion Over the Earth
   • Genesis 1:28; Psalm 8:5–8
   • Humanity is given authority and responsibility to govern creation.
   • We are God’s stewards on earth.
7. Male and Female: Created by God
   • Genesis 1:27; Matthew 19:4
   • God’s design for gender and marriage goes back to the beginning.
   • There were no humans before Adam and Eve—they were the first.
8. The Perfection of Day Six
   • Genesis 1:31
   • Everything God made was “very good.”
   • Mankind, possessing a soul and spirit, was the crowning moment of creation.
9. The Eternal Destiny of the Soul
   • Colossians 1:15–20
   • Christ is the Creator and Reconciler.
   • Sin breaks fellowship; only the blood of Christ can restore it (1 John 1:7–9).

Call to Action

You are not an accident. You are made in the image of God. You have a soul that will live forever. God made you pure, but sin has separated you from Him. Will you be reconciled through the blood of Christ? Obey the gospel, be baptized, or return to the Lord if you've fallen. The Creator calls you back to the purpose for which you were made.

Scripture Reference List

• Genesis 1:24–31 – Creation of land animals and mankind
• Zechariah 12:1 – God forms the spirit of man
• Hebrews 12:9 – Father of spirits
• Ephesians 4:24 – Created in righteousness and holiness
• Psalm 8:5–8 – Man’s dominion
• Matthew 19:4 – Male and female creation
• Psalm 104:14–15 – Provision of vegetation
• Genesis 9:3–4 – Meat permitted after flood
• Colossians 1:15–20 – Christ the Creator and Reconciler
• John 4:24 – God is spirit
• 1 John 1:7–9 – Cleansing through Christ’s blood