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Elephant in the Room: Week 4

Elephant in the Room: Week 4

HOW DO WE DEAL WITH ISSUES SUCH AS THE CLIMATE CHANGE DEBATE?

      • Why does it matter? Bad ideas either bring fear or cause us to be nonchalant.
      • I am skeptical of climate change for the same reasons I am skeptical of many other conclusions by scientists.
      • But, even if I am wrong about climate change, I am not wrong about the conclusions and solutions of those who’ve made this issue of the utmost importance.

IT ALL STARTS WITH WORLDVIEW—HOW DO YOU SEE THE WORLD?

• Impressionable kids have been taught to see it in a certain way—the way the secular world views their agenda:

o The earth came from natural random processes; it was an accident.
o It is beautiful and complex by accident, therefore it is delicate.
o Humans have become the problem, the invasive species that needs to be thwarted.
o We need to shrink the population whether through abortion or curbing child bearing. Even if we have to do things that hurt humans and the population, it’s ok because we are not that special.
o The earth is all there is, and it has to last.
o The solution, for those who actually believe this…
o Plus the agenda for those who do not believe this but seek to control through fear, uniting the world by creating an enemy, all in order to take control…

THE CHRISTIAN WORLDVIEW
1. Where did we come from? There is a God, and He created us in His image.

Genesis 1:1

2. Humans have been given the role to cultivate, create, and subdue.

Genesis 1:28, Genesis 2:15

3. Sin entered the world, and now the world is decaying.

Genesis 3:16–19

4. Even now, the earth is in decline.

Romans 8:19–23

5. God will hold the earth to get her until He is done with it.

Colossians 1:15–20

6. Then it will get hotter—the real global warming.

2 Peter 3:3–13

7. What do we do in the mean time? We do what God asks us to do.

  • Glorify Him by living according to His design; this includes surrender.
  • Care for our bodies, the earth, and our children as stewards, not owners.
  • Cultivate, create, populate, subdue, and care for the Lord’s earth and animals.
  • Some abuse God’s creation because they want to make a point—don’t!!! (See Proverbs 12:10)
  • Look forward to Jesus’ final solution.
  • Don’t have fear, have hope.1 Peter 3:15, Psalm 127:1–2, Jeremiah 17:5–88. For the rebellious unbelievers, the wrath of God is being revealed.Romans 1:18–25

    THE BATTLE IN THE SCIENCES Articles to consider will be posted on the app if you’d like further reading and research. QUESTIONS TO REFLECT AND DISCUSS:

    Passages to consider: Genesis 1 & 2, Psalm 8

  1. Share from the sermon something that challenges you. How will you respond?
  2. Read Genesis 1, Matthew 28:18, and/or Psalm 8. How does the thought that God created all of creation and Jesus is king over everything impact how you approach this topic? A) How does this perspective impact both stewardship of and fear about the earth?
  3. What have been your thoughts about climate/environmental/creation concerns? A) How does the idea of being a steward of God’s creation impact your thinking?
  4. How can you represent stewardship of God’s creation best?
  5. How do you respond to others with differing views and perspectives? A) What do you need in order to be able to have a conversation about climate/environmental/creation concerns, while being aware of God’s part and the real concerns of our current world?
  6. Where might God being challenging you in stewarding His creation and representing His heart to others?

Next Week: New Sermon Series: “Ever Wonder Why?”
Passages to prepare: Acts 2; 2 Timothy 3:14-17; Hebrews 10:19-25

All Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.