Stewardship: Balancing Creation Care and God's Sovereignty

Devotional

Day 1: Balancing Creation and Creator

Our relationship with the environment should reflect a balance between caring for creation and recognizing God's sovereignty. The Bible warns against the idolatry of creation, urging us to maintain this balance. Our actions should be guided by truth, not societal approval. This means that while we should be mindful of environmental concerns, our primary focus should remain on glorifying God. By doing so, we avoid the spiritual danger of elevating creation above the Creator, which can lead to idolatry. Instead, we are called to steward the earth responsibly, acknowledging it as a gift from God. [02:06]

"For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things." (Romans 1:21-23, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways might you be prioritizing creation over the Creator in your daily life, and how can you realign your focus to honor God first?

Day 2: Cherishing the Gift of Creation

Our bodies, though temporary, are temples of the Holy Spirit and instruments for glorifying God. Similarly, the earth is a gift meant to serve God's purposes, and we are called to care for it as stewards of His creation. This perspective encourages us to see the earth not as an object of worship but as a precious gift to be cherished and used to reflect God's glory. By caring for the environment, we fulfill our role as stewards, ensuring that the earth continues to serve God's purposes and provide for future generations. [05:23]

"The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein, for he has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers." (Psalm 24:1-2, ESV)

Reflection: How can you actively participate in caring for the environment in your daily routine, recognizing it as a gift from God?

Day 3: Experiencing God's Goodness Through Creation

The earth and our bodies are means through which we experience God's goodness. We are to respond with thankfulness and use them to reflect God's glory through righteous actions. This understanding calls us to appreciate the beauty and resources of the earth as expressions of God's love and provision. By doing so, we cultivate a heart of gratitude and a desire to honor God through our stewardship of His creation. [08:18]

"For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer." (1 Timothy 4:4-5, ESV)

Reflection: What are some specific ways you can express gratitude for God's creation today, and how can this gratitude influence your actions?

Day 4: Subduing the Earth for Righteousness

We are called to subdue the earth and make it an instrument of righteousness, just as we are to master our bodies and use them for God's glory. This divine calling is not driven by worship but by a desire to glorify God. By exercising dominion over the earth responsibly, we align our actions with God's purposes, ensuring that our stewardship reflects His righteousness and love. This approach challenges us to consider how our interactions with the environment can serve as a testament to our faith and commitment to God's will. [09:34]

"And God blessed them. And God said to them, 'Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.'" (Genesis 1:28, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you exercise responsible dominion over the environment in your community, reflecting God's righteousness through your actions?

Day 5: Fulfilling Our Divine Calling

Our stewardship of the earth and our bodies is a reflection of our commitment to God's purposes. By caring for both, we fulfill our divine calling to glorify God through our actions and decisions. This perspective encourages us to view our daily choices as opportunities to honor God, whether through environmental stewardship or personal health. By aligning our actions with God's will, we demonstrate our dedication to His kingdom and our desire to reflect His glory in all aspects of life. [10:23]

"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ." (Colossians 3:23-24, ESV)

Reflection: How can you integrate your commitment to God's purposes into your daily decisions, both in caring for the environment and in maintaining your personal health?

Sermon Summary

In today's discussion, we explored the complex relationship between Christians and environmental concerns, particularly in the context of global warming and ecological stewardship. The question posed was whether global warming should influence how we live as Christians. While I admitted my limitations in providing a definitive answer on the scientific aspects of climate change, I emphasized the importance of addressing the spiritual and biblical dimensions of this issue.

The Bible warns against the spiritual danger of elevating creation above the Creator, which can lead to idolatry. However, it also cautions against dismissing environmental concerns entirely, as this can prevent us from fulfilling our God-given responsibility to care for His creation. Our decisions should not be swayed by societal pressures or the desire to please certain groups but should be rooted in truth and righteousness.

I drew a parallel between caring for our bodies and caring for the earth. Just as our bodies, though destined to decay, are temples of the Holy Spirit and instruments for glorifying God, so too is the earth a precious gift meant to serve God's purposes. Our bodies and the earth are not to be worshipped, but they are to be cherished and used to reflect God's glory.

The earth, like our bodies, is a means through which we experience God's goodness and respond with thankfulness. We are called to subdue the earth and make it an instrument of righteousness, just as we are to master our bodies and use them for God's glory. This divine calling to care for both our bodies and the earth is not driven by worship but by a desire to glorify God through our stewardship.

Key Takeaways

1. The Bible warns against the idolatry of creation, urging us to maintain a balance between caring for the environment and recognizing God's sovereignty. Our actions should be guided by truth, not societal approval. [02:06]
2. Our bodies, though temporary, are temples of the Holy Spirit and instruments for glorifying God. Similarly, the earth is a gift meant to serve God's purposes, and we are called to care for it as stewards of His creation. [05:23]
3. The earth and our bodies are means through which we experience God's goodness. We are to respond with thankfulness and use them to reflect God's glory through righteous actions. [08:18]
4. We are called to subdue the earth and make it an instrument of righteousness, just as we are to master our bodies and use them for God's glory. This divine calling is not driven by worship but by a desire to glorify God. [09:34]
5. Our stewardship of the earth and our bodies is a reflection of our commitment to God's purposes. By caring for both, we fulfill our divine calling to glorify God through our actions and decisions. [10:23]
** [10:23]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:12] - Introduction to the Question
[00:42] - Cultural Pressures and Creation Worship
[01:12] - Limitations and Biblical Clarity
[02:06] - Spiritual Dangers and Cultural Influence
[03:20] - People Pleasers and Truth
[04:19] - Caring for Creation and Our Bodies
[05:23] - The Preciousness of Body and Earth
[06:31] - Body as Little Earth
[07:15] - Experiencing God's Goodness
[08:18] - Body as Portal of Worship
[09:07] - Earth as Bigger Body
[09:34] - Dominion and Righteousness
[10:23] - Divine Calling and Glorifying God
[11:08] - Ministry Support and Conclusion

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:

Romans 8:21 - "That the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God."
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 - "Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies."
Genesis 1:26 - "Then God said, 'Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.'"

Observation Questions:

What are the spiritual dangers mentioned in the sermon regarding the elevation of creation? [02:06]
How does the sermon compare the care of our bodies to the care of the earth? [04:19]
According to the sermon, what is the ultimate purpose of both our bodies and the earth? [05:23]
What does the sermon suggest is the motivation behind our stewardship of the earth and our bodies? [10:23]

Interpretation Questions:

How does Romans 8:21 relate to the idea of creation being set free from its bondage? What implications does this have for how we view environmental stewardship?
In what ways does 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 challenge the way we treat our bodies and the earth? How does this passage inform our understanding of stewardship? [05:44]
How does Genesis 1:26 inform our understanding of dominion and stewardship over the earth? What responsibilities does this passage imply for Christians today?
The sermon mentions the danger of being "people pleasers" (Ephesians 6:6). How does this concept affect our approach to environmental issues? [03:32]

Application Questions:

Reflect on your current lifestyle. Are there areas where you might be elevating creation above the Creator? How can you adjust your perspective to align with biblical teachings? [02:06]
Consider your daily habits. How can you better care for your body as a temple of the Holy Spirit? What specific changes can you make this week? [05:44]
Identify one practical way you can contribute to environmental stewardship in your community. How can this action reflect your commitment to glorifying God through creation care? [10:23]
Think about the societal pressures you face regarding environmental issues. How can you ensure that your actions are guided by truth and righteousness rather than the desire for approval? [03:05]
How can you cultivate a heart of thankfulness for the goodness you experience through your body and the earth? What specific practices can help you maintain this attitude? [08:18]
Reflect on the concept of dominion as presented in Genesis 1:26. How can you exercise this responsibility in a way that honors God and serves His purposes?
In what ways can you use your body and the earth as instruments of righteousness in your daily life? Identify one area where you can make a conscious effort to glorify God through your actions. [09:34]

Sermon Clips

There really is a danger a spiritual danger on the one hand of elevating creation more highly than we should and on the other hand there really is a danger of being so opposed to environmentalist excesses that we're unwilling to affirm or encourage anything any kind of creation care lest we sound like tree huggers. [00:29:39]

In a culture like ours where our decisions about what we will say what we will do is based so much in our culture on which groups will approve of us if we talk a certain way rather than being based on what is really true and good regardless of what people think or say about us. [00:46:09]

The same way we should take care of our bodies even though they are going to rot in the grave that's my answer the body will be raised from the dead and the creation will be set free from its bondage to corruption Romans 8 21 neither the eventual dissolution of the body or the eventual dissolution of the earth makes either of them worthless now. [00:43:48]

The reason they're precious is that both the body and the earth are meant to serve the fullness of Christ exalting God-glorifying life so Paul says in first Corinthians 6 19 do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit within you whom you have from God you're not your own you were bought with a price so glorify God in your body. [00:53:15]

I'm arguing that your body is your little earth let that sink in I'm arguing that your body is your near little earth your nearest earth it's not your soul your body's not your soul Jesus made a distinction Paul made his distinction Paul calls it your tent it is the way your soul puts its decisions and its loves and its desires into action. [01:05:11]

Your body is one of the ways that God's goodness is experienced in the pleasures he gives for example first Timothy 6 17 don't set your hope on uncertain riches but on God who richly provides us with everything to enjoy and a lot of that enjoyment comes through the five senses of the body. [01:11:27]

We receive gifts of beauty and goodness and pleasure through the eyes and ears and nose and skin and tongue of the body Paul says in first Timothy 4 God created these pleasures to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth for everything created by God is good nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving. [01:17:41]

The body is the portal of God's goodness through physical pleasure and then it's turned around and the body becomes the means of thankful worship and faithful obedience the body receives and reflects the glory of God we use the body to put the obedience of our hearts into visible action. [01:22:24]

Not only is your body your little earth your little world where you receive good from God and reflect his goodness in the acts of bodily obedience so also is the earth your bigger body so you see the shift I'm making now the body is your little earth and the earth is your bigger body. [01:28:55]

We have been given a mandate as God's highest earthly creatures to subdue the earth just like we subdue our bodies and make them instruments of righteousness we subdue the earth take dominion over it and make it serve righteousness and justice Psalm 8 6 you have given man dominion over the works of your hands. [01:34:34]

The care of our bodies and the care of the earth are not driven by the worship of the body or the worship of the earth that care is driven by a divine calling to make our body our little earth and to make our earth our bigger body to make them both a means of glorifying God. [01:41:02]

By receiving pleasures through them body and earth we respond with thankfulness to God and we respond by making both of them instruments of Christ exalting righteousness. [01:46:24]

Ask a question about this sermon

Chatbot

Transcript

What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?

Were there any personal stories shared?

Stewardship: Balancing Creation Care and God's Sovereignty

Devotional

Day 1: Balancing Creation and Creator

Day 2: Cherishing the Gift of Creation

Day 3: Experiencing God's Goodness Through Creation

Day 4: Subduing the Earth for Righteousness

Day 5: Fulfilling Our Divine Calling

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

Stewardship: Balancing Creation Care and God's Sovereignty

Share