What’s Wrong with the World? We Are!

Devotional

Day 1: The Consequences of the Fall: Brokenness in Relationships

When Adam and Eve disobeyed God, their eyes were opened to their own nakedness, and shame entered their hearts for the first time. This new awareness led them to cover themselves and hide from God, fracturing the perfect intimacy they once enjoyed with both God and each other. Their innocence was lost, and fear, blame, and discord replaced trust and harmony. The effects of sin rippled outward, distorting not only their relationship with God but also with one another, as blame and conflict took root where love and unity once flourished. [16:00]

Genesis 3:7-13 (ESV)
Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths. And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?” And he said, “I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked, and I hid myself.” He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten of the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?” The man said, “The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit of the tree, and I ate.” Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this that you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”

Reflection: Is there a relationship in your life where shame, blame, or fear has created distance? What would it look like to take a step toward honesty and reconciliation today?

Day 2: Sin’s Far-Reaching Impact: Creation Groans

The consequences of human sin extend beyond personal and relational brokenness; even creation itself suffers. The ground is cursed, work becomes toil, and the natural world is subjected to futility and decay. The pain and frustration we experience in our daily labor and the environmental crises we witness are reminders that all of creation groans under the weight of humanity’s rebellion, longing for restoration and freedom. [26:20]

Romans 8:20-22 (ESV)
For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now.

Reflection: As you go about your work or spend time in nature today, how can you practice stewardship and gratitude, remembering that creation itself longs for redemption?

Day 3: God Seeks Us in Our Hiding

Despite humanity’s attempt to hide in shame and cover up with “fig leaves,” God is the one who comes seeking, calling out, “Where are you?” He does not ask because He is unaware, but to invite us to recognize our need, confess, and return to Him. Even when we are most tempted to hide our failures and wounds, God’s love pursues us, offering grace and the opportunity to step out from behind our self-made coverings into His presence. [27:40]

Genesis 3:8-9 (ESV)
And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?”

Reflection: What is one area of your life you are tempted to hide from God or others? How might you respond to God’s gentle invitation to step into the light today?

Day 4: The Promise of Redemption: Covered by Christ

From the very beginning, God provided a way to cover our shame and restore us. The promise of an offspring who would crush the serpent’s head points to Jesus, born of a woman, who would ultimately defeat sin and death. God’s act of clothing Adam and Eve with garments of skin foreshadows the costly sacrifice of Christ, whose righteousness now covers all who trust in Him. In Jesus, we are invited to lay down our self-made coverings and receive the gift of forgiveness, acceptance, and new identity as God’s beloved children. [33:58]

Genesis 3:15, 21 (ESV)
I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel. … And the Lord God made for Adam and for his wife garments of skins and clothed them.

Reflection: What “fig leaves” are you still trying to use to cover your shame or insecurity? What would it mean for you to let Christ clothe you in His righteousness today?

Day 5: No Longer Ashamed: Living in Restored Relationship

Because of Jesus’ sacrifice, we are no longer defined by our shame, guilt, or failures. He was stripped and exposed so that we could be clothed in His perfect righteousness and welcomed into God’s family. Now, we can approach God with confidence, knowing we are fully seen, fully known, and fully loved. The invitation is to stop striving to meet impossible standards and instead rest in the acceptance and joy of being God’s beloved child, living out of that new identity each day. [36:42]

Hebrews 2:10-11 (ESV)
For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering. For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers.

Reflection: Where do you still feel the need to prove yourself or hide your true self? How can you embrace the truth that Jesus is not ashamed of you, and live in the freedom of His acceptance today?

Sermon Summary

Genesis 3 reveals the deep roots of what’s wrong with our world, but more importantly, it exposes what’s wrong within each of us. The brokenness we see in the news—wars, injustice, family strife, and environmental decay—are not just “out there,” but are symptoms of a deeper problem in the human heart. The story of Adam and Eve’s disobedience is not a distant myth, but a mirror for our own lives. Their choice to distrust God and reach for autonomy brought immediate and far-reaching consequences: shame, alienation, relational conflict, spiritual separation, and even the groaning of creation itself.

When Adam and Eve’s eyes were opened, innocence was lost. They felt exposed, ashamed, and began to hide—not just from each other, but from God. The joy of walking with God was replaced by fear and hiding. Their relationship fractured, blame entered, and the harmony of creation was disrupted. Work, once a source of satisfaction, became toil and frustration. Even the earth itself bears the scars of human rebellion, groaning under the weight of our choices.

Yet, in the midst of judgment, God’s grace shines through. God does not abandon Adam and Eve in their shame. He seeks them out, calling, “Where are you?”—not because He doesn’t know, but to invite confession, repentance, and restoration. God’s response is not to leave humanity in self-made coverings of fig leaves, but to provide a covering Himself, foreshadowing the ultimate sacrifice that would come through Jesus Christ. The promise of a future Redeemer, the offspring of the woman who would crush the serpent’s head, points us to Christ—the one who would be stripped so we could be clothed in righteousness.

We all know the impulse to hide, to cover up, to blame others, or to strive for worth through our own efforts. But God’s invitation is to step out from hiding, to bring our real selves—broken, ashamed, exhausted—and receive forgiveness and new life in Christ. In Jesus, shame is replaced with acceptance, alienation with adoption, and striving with rest. The call is to stop making fig leaves and to let God clothe us with the righteousness of Christ, restoring us to the relationship we were always meant to have.

Key Takeaways

1. The root of the world’s brokenness is not merely external circumstances, but the internal reality of sin in every human heart. The story of Adam and Eve teaches that the problem is not “out there,” but “in here”—in our own souls. True transformation begins when we recognize our own need for grace, rather than blaming others or our environment. [12:59]
2. Sin’s first fruits are shame, fear, and relational breakdown. When trust with God is broken, we instinctively hide, cover up, and blame others, fracturing our relationships and losing the innocence and joy we were created for. The emotional and relational fallout of sin is a daily reality, but it also points us to our need for restoration. [17:22]
3. Spiritual separation from God is the most devastating consequence of sin. The loss of intimacy with our Creator leaves us restless, insecure, and constantly seeking to prove ourselves. Only in Christ can this alienation be healed, as He invites us to return, confess, and be restored to friendship with God. [21:41]
4. The effects of sin ripple outward, even to creation itself. Our failure to steward God’s world has led to ecological damage and futility, reminding us that our choices have cosmic consequences. Yet, creation’s groaning is not the end of the story—God’s plan is to redeem not just individuals, but the whole created order through Christ. [26:36]
5. God’s grace always precedes our repentance. Even as Adam and Eve hid, God sought them out, providing a covering and promising a Redeemer. In Jesus, God steps into our shame, bears our guilt, and clothes us in righteousness. The invitation is to stop hiding, bring our true selves to God, and receive the healing and acceptance only He can give. [39:16]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[10:15] - Introduction: The Consequences of the Fall
[11:27] - What’s Wrong with the World?
[12:46] - The Problem Within: Chesterton’s Insight
[13:38] - The First Sin and Its Deception
[15:31] - Consequences for Adam and Eve
[16:00] - Relational and Emotional Fallout
[17:00] - Hiding from God and Each Other
[18:28] - Blame and Brokenness in Relationships
[19:00] - The Curse and Gender Conflict
[20:01] - Spiritual Consequences: Alienation from God
[22:09] - The False Promise of Sin
[24:10] - Consequences for Creation
[27:28] - God’s Pursuit and the Invitation to Confess
[32:44] - The Promise of a Redeemer
[33:58] - The Cost of Covering: Sacrifice and Substitution
[35:30] - Clothed in Christ’s Righteousness
[39:16] - God’s Invitation: Step Out from Hiding
[41:49] - Prayer and Response
[44:11] - Closing Invitation

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Genesis 3:1-24 (ESV) — (If time is limited, focus on verses 6-13, 16-21)

Romans 8:20-22 (ESV) — “For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now.”

Psalm 51:3-5 (ESV) — “For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment. Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.”

Observation Questions

When Adam and Eve sinned, what were the immediate changes in how they saw themselves and each other? (Genesis 3:7-8; [16:00])
According to the sermon, what specific consequences did God pronounce for Adam, Eve, and the serpent after the fall? ([18:49] and [24:10])
How does the sermon describe the way creation itself was affected by human sin? (Romans 8:20-22; [26:36])
What did God do for Adam and Eve after they tried to cover themselves with fig leaves? (Genesis 3:21; [33:58])

Interpretation Questions

The sermon says the problem is not just “out there” in the world, but “in here”—in our own hearts. Why is it important to recognize this, and how does it change the way we view the world’s problems? ([12:59])
The first reaction of Adam and Eve after sinning was to hide and cover up. What does this reveal about the effects of sin on our relationship with God and with each other? ([17:22])
The sermon mentions that God’s question, “Where are you?” is not about geography but about relationship. What does this teach us about God’s heart toward us when we fail? ([27:47])
The promise of a future Redeemer is introduced right after the fall. Why do you think God gives hope in the midst of judgment? ([32:44])

Application Questions

The sermon says we all have the impulse to hide, cover up, or blame others when we feel shame or guilt. Can you think of a recent time when you did this? What would it look like to step out from hiding and bring your real self to God? ([29:08])
Adam and Eve’s relationship with each other broke down after sin entered. Are there relationships in your life that have been affected by blame, shame, or hiding? What is one step you could take this week to move toward honesty or reconciliation? ([18:28])
The message points out that even creation “groans” because of human choices. Are there ways you see the effects of sin in the world around you? How might you participate in caring for God’s creation as an act of stewardship? ([26:36])
The sermon says God’s grace always comes before our repentance—He seeks us out even when we’re hiding. How does this truth affect the way you approach God when you’ve messed up? ([39:16])
The idea of “making fig leaves” is about trying to cover our flaws or prove our worth. What are some “fig leaves” you tend to use in your own life (e.g., overwork, people-pleasing, self-criticism)? What would it look like to let God clothe you with Christ’s righteousness instead? ([29:45])
The pastor asked, “Will you keep trying to cover yourself up, or will you answer God’s call?” What is holding you back from fully accepting God’s invitation to forgiveness and restoration? ([41:10])
For those who have been Christians a long time, the sermon warns that we can slip back into old patterns of hiding or striving. What helps you remember to rest in God’s acceptance rather than your own efforts? ([43:07])

Sermon Clips

But there is an answer. God's amazing answer to our alienation. Yet note it is the Lord who comes to seek them out. The Lord who knows what's happened. The Lord who knows what they've done. It is the Lord that comes looking for them, saying, Adam, where are you? The God of our great Savior, our Lord Jesus, is the God who initiates the seeking after you and I as much as for Adam. [00:27:28] (33 seconds) #GodSeeksTheLost

When we accept his invitation to put our faith in him, Jesus, repenting of our sin and seeking to follow as he leads in spiritual union by faith, our spiritual connection is restored with God. We are adopted into his family. Our sins are forgiven because he died for them all. Our nakedness before God is covered because we are clothed in his righteousness. [00:35:13] (27 seconds) #FaithRestoresFamily

So now I no longer need to fear rejection because of my failure to meet my own standards or your standards or self-expectations. The perfection that drives me to be something I can never maintain on an ongoing basis, because Jesus loves me, I am not ashamed of me. And I hope you're not ashamed of you this morning. [00:36:07] (27 seconds) #LoveErasesShame

If you feel ashamed this morning, he's not ashamed of you. He is calling out to you again, just as the Lord did that day. Adam, where are you? Put your name there. Where are you in respect of me? Jesus in love becomes one of us. He took our judgment in dying on the cross for our sin. Your sin, my sin, so that we might become clean and holy in the sight of God. [00:37:07] (29 seconds) #JesusCallsYouByName

He was stripped and exposed naked in humiliation on the cross. So that you and me could be clothed, clothed in his perfect righteousness, clothing our nakedness. [00:37:52] (17 seconds) #ClothedInRighteousness

Maybe you've spent years covering up. Maybe you still believe that if you just work a bit harder and you try a bit more and you do a bit more, you'll finally be enough. Or at least you'll look like that to the people around you. But deep down, fig leaves that you keep sowing together never really work. You still feel exposed. You try to get new ones, better ones, but the feeling doesn't budge. Shame and fear still come back. But God is not content to leave you hiding behind a tree. He comes to you. He comes to you in your messiness. And even this morning, he says, where are you? Where are you? Come. Not because he doesn't know. It's because he does know. But because he loves you and cares for you. And no matter what you've done, his love still wants to seek you out. [00:38:34] (62 seconds) #FigLeavesFail

``In Jesus, God doesn't just call out from a distance. He stepped into skin, into history, into the aching story of you and me. He let himself be stripped naked. He let himself be stripped naked on a cross so that you could be clothed with forgiveness. He carried every ounce of your shame and guilt and failure to the grave and he left it there. But he was resurrected. He left it there so that you might be covered with his righteousness and restored to that perfect relationship that you were always meant to have. [00:39:39] (40 seconds) #GodSeeksInLove

This is the offer. Step out from hiding. Bring him the real you. The broken. The broken you. The wounded you. The exhausted you. The ashamed you. The angry you. The scared you. And exchange, receive forgiveness and the righteousness of Christ. Become the person you were always made to be through our Lord Jesus Christ. You don't need to keep hiding. You don't need to pretend. Jesus died and rose again so you could come home to your true home. Your heavenly home. No forgiveness that covers everything. And you start a restored relationship. A place in God's family. [00:40:18] (57 seconds) #JesusTakesOurShame

Will you keep trying to cover yourself up? Will you keep trying to make your own fig leaves? Or will you answer God's call this morning? Come to me. Will you bring him your sin? That he might clothe you in righteousness? Will you come home to the Father? Who, like the prodigal son, has been looking for you all the time. Waiting. Because the invitation is open. [00:41:17] (32 seconds) #StepOutFromHiding

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