Psalm 24:1-2; Genesis 1:22, 28-30; Psalm 19; 2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 21:1; Colossians 1:15-20
Introduction
State of creation.
Does God care?
Ps 24:1-2 – belongs to him!
Is it our problem? Do we care?
God blessed the earth (water creatures and birds), Gen 1:22
God blessed us, Gen 1:28-30
We have been gifted this earth, Gen 1:29ff
To ‘rule’ it (1:28) – but like God rules – benevolently, for all
- Creation Exists to Speak God to the World, Ps 19
v1 – what glories of God’s creation do you value?
vv2-6 – When you see nature in all its glory, how do you feel and what is your response to God?
Valuing creation is participating in God’s direct evangelism campaign
vv7-9 In what ways have we ignored God’s precepts in our use of the world’s resources?
We have abused his gift: Destroying; Not caring; Nor renewing; Some unrecoverable
V12 – The Psalmist admits that he did not realise he was doing wrong. How does that apply to our generation?
Fossil fuels – not clear at start. Clear now; Since 1850s; Eunice Foote
v13 What might be ‘ruling over us’ that we need to change?
Consumer mindset; Exploitation masquerading as growth mindset; Did we learn anything from slow down of pandemic?
v14 – The Psalm ends by reminding us that God is our Rock and our Redeemer. There is hope
- Followers of Jesus Care for Creation Because He Has a Vision of a Renewed Creation, Colossians 1:15-20
God has a vision for his creation — natural world & the people
2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 21:1 – ‘new’ = ‘renewed’ (neos/kainos).
How will this be achieved? By Jesus.
Why does this matter now? Because we are called to help usher in this kingdom by the way we live.
V15 — He is in charge of creation
vv16-17 — He is creator & sustainer: Heb 1
V18 — He is in charge of his church (family on earth)
Vv19-20 — He is the restorer (reconciler) of all things, bringing peace and healing through his blood.
Jesus is the re-creator.
Bringing the ultimate new creation, and starting it now through his newly recreated people – us!
We live in the already-but-not-yet.
The way we treat people and creation is a foreshadowing vision of what is coming. Jesus did this while here on earth, now he does it through his family.
We show people where we are going by how we live now. That is why we care about the vulnerable and the lost.
To follow Jesus is to honour him and that includes what he made and sustains and will renew
Two reasons we care about creation:
It is God’s evangelism campaign – in partnership with us
Jesus is renewing it – in partnership with us
Conclusion
Lord’s Supper:
Jesus is renewing all things, including us & our world.
We are thankful, but do we bless creation in the same way we are blessed?
Let the world know that God is worthy of awe by preserving and healing his awe-inducing creation.
We have peace with God because of Jesus
Let us bring peace to the earth where we can
“…making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.” Colossians 1:15-20
Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community.
Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: malcolm@malcolmcox.org.
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“Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” (Psalms 100:2 NIV11)
God bless, Malcolm
