Message Notes

Series Intro: There are many, many factors shaping who we are and how we answer questions like, “Who am I?” “Why am I the way that I am?” And, “how will I live?” In this series, we are exploring what Scripture says about these questions of identity: who we are and who God made us to be.

• It’s easy to get down on our world. But beside the bad, there’s also a lot of good happening—like the ongoing cleanup of our oceans and water ways.

Big Idea: Part of our work in the world is our stewardship of creation.

• Steward = someone who manages or looks after on behalf of another
• The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it…. (Psalm 24.1 NIV)

Genesis on Stewardship

• Genesis tells us that creation is good (Gen 1.4, 9, 12, 18, 21, 25, 31)
• Genesis tells us that humanity plays a special role in creation (Gen 1.27)
• Genesis tells us that part of our uniqueness involves our role as steward
• God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.” Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds in the sky and all the creatures that move along the ground—everything that has the breath of life in it—I give every green plant for food.” And it was so. (Genesis 1.28-30 NIV)
• Humanity called to care for creation, not with domination but with cultivation.

Paul on Stewardship

• For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. (Rom 8.19-22 NIV)
• We are called to care for creation as stewards—those working while we wait for God’s return and restoration.

Apply

• Start with something small and sustainable before stepping up your stewarding.
• Go Outside
• Equip Yourself (see below)
• Plant a Tree

Suggested Resources for Creation Care

• BioLogos (website)
• The Evangelical Environmental Network (website)
• Cornwall Alliance for the Stewardship of Creation (website)
• Climate Caretakers (website)
• Energy for Purpose Survey (web tool)
• A Rocha (serving opportunities)
• Loving the Least of These: Addressing a Changing Environment (ebook)
• Should Christians Care about Earth Day? (article)
• Creation Care: A Biblical Theology of the Natural World (book)
• For the Beauty of the Earth (book)

Series Suggested Resources

• Image of God, The Bible Project (video)
• The Freedom of a Christian, Gilbert Meilaender (book)
• An Introduction to Theological Anthropology, Fuller Seminary (article)
• Whatever You Do, Luke Bobo (book)
• My Body is Not a Prayer Request, Amy Kenny (book)
• On the Soul and Resurrection, Gregory of Nyssa (book)

For Reflection

• How does today’s message resonate with you?
• What questions does this message raise for you?
• What actions does this message encourage you to take?
• How can you dig deeper into today’s message?

Take Your Next Steps

Remember: Jesus loves you right where you are, but He loves you too much to leave you there.

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