19th July 2010

God's creation - the river Thames as you can only see it from a boat!

Creation - Care
The Bible tells us that in creation God has established three fundamental relationships:
First to himself.
Then to each other.
Finally to the earth and all the creatures in it.
All relationships were messed up by the fall – we live in a fallen world.
Therefore logically God’s plan of restoration includes our reconciliation to God and to each other but also to creation.
2 Peter 3:13 “But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.”
Revelation 21:1 “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea.”
Psalm 24:1 “The earth is the Lord’s.”
Psalm 115:16 “The earth he has given to the human race.”
Think about this statement:
“For the earth belongs to God by creation and to us by delegation.”
We are to preserve and develop the earth on his behalf.
We respect nature because of its creator; we do not worship the creation only the creator. We must be responsible stewards and be in cooperation with God.
We find our identity in God whom we are to worship as the creator of this amazing world.
What a mess man has made!
World population growth.
Depletion of earth’s resources.
Waste disposal.
Climate change.
A challenge to us who follow Jesus.
Chooses sustainable forms of energy if possible. Switch off unused appliances. But food, goods and services from ethically sound environmental companies. Avoid over consumption and unnecessary waste and recycle as much as possible.
God intends our care of the creation to reflect our love f the creator.
Deuteronomy 10:14, “To the Lord your God belongs the heavens, even the highest heavens, the earth and everything in it.”
Questions:
1. How are we going to live in light of the above?
2. What do we need to pray about?
3. What one thing can we do today that begins to reflect the way of live we should have?