Are We Stranded on the Outside of Paradise Forever?
Genesis 3:16-24; 4:1-3
April 27, 2025
Pastor Craig Ledbetter
Bible Baptist Church, Ballincollig, Cork, Ireland
I. Introduction
A. Studying Genesis
1. We have seen all that God did in creation of this entire universe
a. Not a series of accidents, lasting billions of years
b. But absolute miraculous instances of creation
c. God started with nothing, and created everything, from sand to stars, and from giraffes to galaxies
2. We read how God marvellously created the first man and a woman
3. Then the bringing together of that man and his wife into a perfect relationship called marriage
4. They lived in a Garden – in a Paradise
a. Called, the Garden of Eden
b. A perfect place
c. Perfect weather
d. All the animals were vegetarians! Including lions and tigers and bears
e. Both Adam and Eve had a fruitful purpose, and a closeness to their Creator
f. Everything was good!
g. It was Heaven on earth
B. But in Chapter 3, something happened
1. A Serpent - A sneaky, lying serpent, literally walked into the Garden, and deceived Eve into thinking she and her husband could live without God
2. A Lie - He convinced her that she could be a god just like Jehovah if she exercised her free will and just did what SHE wanted
3. A Decision
a. And so she did
b. She disobeyed God’s clear simple command to not eat of one tree in that Garden
c. And at first, it seemed like everything was fine
d. And so she went and got her husband Adam to go ahead and disobey God and do what he KNEW he shouldn’t
4. And everything changed
5. There were Serious Consequences
a. The main consequence was death
1) God had warned both Adam and Eve of the consequences of disobeying His commandment to not eat of just ONE tree in that Garden – the tree of the knowledge of Good and Evil
2) You have the freedom to choose your own way
3) But you do not have the freedom to choose the consequences
4) Genesis 2:16,17 And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.
b. And there were more consequences than that!
1) Adam and his wife had lost their closeness to God
2) They lost their innocence
3) They lost their place of dominion over this world – Satan now has it
4) And they lost Paradise
5) Genesis 3:22-24 And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever: Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken. So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.
c. And now mankind lives and dies on THIS side of Paradise – on the outside, barred from enjoying it now
II. Message
A. God’s Judgements Are Serious (Genesis 3:16-21)
1. The Curses Are Real (Genesis 3:16-19)
a. Because of ONE sin, God punished all men and women
b. On all women
1) Genesis 3:16 Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.
2) Because you believed the devil’s lies…
3) You will have a lot of emotions! Loads of times you will be tricked into believing what you feel is true
a) Lots of Sorrow in life – battling emotions
b) Sorrow in pregnancies
c) Sorrows in watching your children struggle against sin in this world
4) You will be under your husband’s leadership
a) You now are under your husband – he is in charge or you and your family
b) Not many wives are happy about that
c) They want a husband, but not man
5) But, those punishments were passed upon all women – not just the poor unfortunate ones
6) It is so sad how many women fight those curses!
7) Blame Eve, not God!
c. And on all men
1) God said that “Because you obeyed your WIFE instead of God…”
2) Your work, your career, your labours are cursed, and even the ground is cursed with thorns and thistles and bugs and drought, and storms!
a) Genesis 3:17,18 And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field;
3) You will work so hard, and sweet, and weep just to sit down at your table to eat some bread sometimes!
4) And after everything is said and done, after working all your life
5) You will crumble to the ground, and return to the dirt that you came from!
a) Genesis 3:19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.
d. So… Don’t mock God – don’t mess with God’s rules!
e. And don’t mock His curses either
1) The most unhealthy person is the person who sits in front of their computer all day every day and never gets his or her hands dirty, never stresses the muscles and backbone, never sweats, never carries any weight other than that of a fork!
2) And all the drugs women put in themselves these days have basically ruined their health – all because they can’t stand to be a wife or a mom, or at home!
3) AMEN!
2. Clothing was a Judgment – a curse (Genesis 3:21)
a. Genesis 3:21 Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them.
b. This was a “statement” God made
1) That a man cannot cover his sins (Proverbs 28:13) He that covereth [HIDES] his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.
2) Cannot hide his sins from God’s sight
3) And cannot just continue to live like he used to in the garden – like nothing happened
c. So God handed both Adam and Eve a covering of skin and wool
d. God did not give them a loin cloth, but a full covering of their nudity –
1) COATS of animal skins – not polyester, or plastic
2) Leather clothes that covered them from the neck to the knee
3) Not like aborigines, or cave men
4) But men and women who now cover their nudity, and honour their bodies by not displaying what
e. Their nakedness was a shame to be exposed now
f. By the way, it still is a shame to expose your or anyone’s nakedness!
1) Pornography – OnlyFans - Almost every modern movie!
2) Not that you should be ashamed of your body – no! Marvellously made
3) But that your nakedness out in the open, in public view, is a shame
4) Is sin out in the open!
5) Not in your marriage, but out in the open it is!
3. Barred from Paradise (Genesis 3:22-24)
a. This is the point
b. Genesis 3:22-24 And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever: Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken. So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep [BLOCK] the way of the tree of life.
c. This was bad
d. They no longer were going to enjoy the perfect life
e. They were now kicked out of the ONLY place they had ever known
f. God DROVE them out like you would a fox in a chicken coop!
g. Out into a world where storms would rage, where the sun would beat down on them, where winds would destroy both crops and houses
h. With no way back in!
i. Several top angels called Cherubims swinging their swords like light sabres to keep them and any of the children from just walking back in
j. They were stopped from accessing the tree of life
k. At least not yet
4. Lastly, they were Headed to a Grave (Genesis 3:19)
a. Genesis 3:19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.
b. Death would haunt them every day of their lives
c. Never knowing when it would come
d. But death always comes
e. Romans 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man [ADAM] sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.
f. James 1:14,15 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
g. It is a spiritual law as absolute as the law of gravity!
h. But death was not all bad – can you imagine living forever as a rebel, with sin in you and around you? God graciously introduced death to separate us from our sinful natures
i. If only we would be first separated unto God in faith and obedience!
B. Adam’s Reaction - How would YOU react to all those judgments?
1. Accepted God’s Judgment
a. Adam didn’t argue or put up any fight when God passed judgment upon him and Eve
b. He accepted HE was the one who had done wrong – not just his wife, or the serpent
c. He accepted God’s punishments
d. Did you know that THAT is a great step OUT of God’s judgments?
e. It is a little-known secret that the best way to remove the curses of God on your life are to first ACCEPT them
f. That shows wisdom
g. And it shows RESPECT towards God’s rule over your life
h. And it shows God you can be trusted with greater freedom, and longer life!
1) Seriously!
2) Obey your parents, and what does God promise us? Long life!
3) If you humble yourself under authorities, God gives you greater freedom!
2. Attempted to Live Life (Genesis 3:20)
a. Even in a fallen world, Life is STILL worth living
1) I wish you believed that! Enjoyed life!
2) Genesis 3:20 And Adam called his wife's name Eve; because she was the mother of all living.
3) Not the mother of all dying, or all the cursed!
b. He did not fear the future now
1) Did not fear death now – should have before, but God had taken away the sting of death for he and his wife
2) He did not just give up and die
3) He did not become bitter
c. Instead, he renames his wife, from “woman”, to EVE (much better name)
d. And then takes her by the hand and heads off into the will of God, and lived, and loved, and leaned once again on God’s grace!
1) Started having a family – having kids! Loads of them!
2) Firstborn was a son named Cain
3) Genesis 4:1 And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD.
3. Accepted God’s Covering (Genesis 3:21)
a. Genesis 3:21 Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them.
b. The coats of animals – in place of “fig leaves”
1) The right kind of covering
2) Psalm 32:1 Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.
3) Psalm 85:2 Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people, thou hast covered all their sin. Selah.
4) HOW?
c. By the death of Innocent Lambs (Cf Genesis 4:2-5)
1) Genesis 4:2 And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.
2) Genesis 4:3 And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD.
3) Genesis 4:4 And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering:
4) Genesis 4:5 But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.
d. Adam and Eve had to wear the skins of animals that died at the hand of God right in front of their eyes
e. The first sacrifice for sin – not money, not a good work, but the death of an innocent animal in place of a gulty sinner
f. A shadow of the future coming of the promised Messiah
1) Genesis 3:14,15 And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life: And I will put enmity [WAR] between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
2) John 1:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
3) Jesus takes away the sin of the entire world by HIS death!
4) Hebrews 10:11,12 And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: But this man [JESUS], after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;
g. The skins were a reminder of the consequences of their sin and rebellion against God
h. Exposed them to real death
i. No option to go naked - there was no one else around, yet God said still to cover up!
j. Cover up in more ways than one
1) Cover their nakedness, yes
2) Cover their guilt and shame as well
3) NOT covered like a burka – but from the neck to the knee
4) And POINTING to a time when a believer will be clothed with better clothes!
k. Better Coverings are Promised Believers
1) Isaiah 61:1-3 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.
2) Isaiah 61:10 I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.
3) Romans 13:14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.
4) Philippians 3:9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith.
4. Adored and Loved His Wife (Genesis 4:1)
a. Adam stayed married to Eve all the days of his life!
b. Eve stayed with Adam – it takes TWO to have a home
c. Adam loved Eve – even after their fall
d. Eve submitted to Adam – didn’t run off and live her own life’s dreams now
1) She took HIS name (Genesis 5:2) Male and female created he them; and blessed them, and called their name Adam, in the day when they were created. Mr and Mrs ADAM!
2) She had HIS children – not another man’s
3) She worked with him in His fields
4) She let HIM lead the home – Eve didn’t take the lead any more after being tricked by the devil to tell her husband what he should do!
e. Best of all, Eve believed God WITH Adam (4:1)
1) Genesis 4:1 And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD.
2) That the baby was not an accident, but a gift from God
3) And that baby was just the START!
4) Adam started a huge family (Genesis 5:1-5) – the entire human race!
C. What is God’s Design for Marriage? (Genesis 4:1) (from the divinely inspired manual)
1. Marriage is two people becoming ONE flesh – not one soul, but one flesh
a. Genesis 4:1 And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD.
b. Genesis 2:24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.
c. Matthew 19:6 Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.
d. Physical Intimacy – sex is a big deal in a marriage – keep it that way
2. Marriage always has history – baggage
a. Marriage is NOT paradise!
b. Both the man and the woman sinned against God
c. Both will sin again and again – even against each other
d. Expect it, prepare for it, and work with it
e. Never quit on each other – you are one now!
f. Marriage is for both the good AND the hard times!
3. Marriage MUST have hope
a. Job 7:6 My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle, and are spent without hope.
b. Romans 15:4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
c. Even though their marriage was rocky, and had problems
d. Adam and Eve had a lot of hope
1) In a coming Messiah who would repair all the wrongs
2) Who would defeat and crush the serpent
3) Who would enable two sinful people to stay together till death!
4) In their children being able to walk with God and glorify God
5) They were NOT fatalists
4. Marriage needs REAL, STRONG, enduring love (more in a moment)
a. Love one another!
b. I don’t know why I am impressed to emphasis this
c. Ask God for His amazing grace to forgive, to overlook, to love one another
d. Especially those in your home
e. AND in this church
f. Love one another… act like you are back in the garden
g. Like Adam and Eve loved one another when they were back in the Garden!
h. And love one another Simply for Jesus’ sake – because you love Him and He loves YOU!
1) John 13:34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
2) John 15:12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
3) John 15:17 These things I command you, that ye love one another.
4) Romans 13:8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
5) 1Thessalonians 4:9 But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.
6) 1Peter 1:22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned [REAL] love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:
7) 1John 3:23 And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.
8) 1John 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
9) 1John 4:11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.
D. Because, there is a Way Back – a Way Back In to Paradise / Heaven
1. Through the DOOR! John 10:9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
2. It is a GIFT! John 10:27,28 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
3. Jesus is the WAY! John 14:4-6 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
4. What is waiting for a believer…?
a. Heaven – Paradise Again
b. Revelation 22:1-4 And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.
c. Revelation 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
5. Don’t neglect it! Revelation 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
III. Conclusion
A. Are We Stranded on the Outside of Paradise Forever?
B. Yes and No
C. Yes, forever stranded outside if…
1. If you just keep living like God and His laws do not matter
2. Like God can be ignored
3. Like sin does not matter
4. If you believe that, then yes, you will be die in your sins, and be stranded forever outside of God’s presence in heaven
5. John 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
D. But No, you don’t have to remain outside if…
1. If you repent of YOUR sins
2. If you just believe in what Jesus did for you as a substitute in your place in death
3. If you ask Him to save you, He promises that He will
4. He lives to save all who will believe in Him
5. John 3:16,17 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
E. YOU need to Decide
F. The way back is open!