Text: Genesis 2:15, Psalm 24:1, Romans 8:22
"The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it." (Genesis 2:15)
Introduction
Good morning, everyone.
Today I'd like to ask a simple question:
Who is warming the Earth?
Every year we hear more news about extreme heat, stronger typhoons, floods, droughts, and wildfires.
We see unusual weather patterns all around the world.
Scientists have been studying this for many years, and today they are telling us something very clear:
the Earth is getting warmer, and human activity is the main reason.
But as Christians, we want to ask a deeper question.
What does God think about this?
And what is our responsibility as followers of Christ?
Today, let's look at what the Bible teaches us about God's creation and our role in caring for it.
1. The Earth Belongs to God
The Bible says in Psalm 24:1:
"The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it."
That verse changes our perspective.
The world does not belong to us.
The oceans belong to God.
The forests belong to God.
The animals belong to God.
Even the air we breathe belongs to God.
Sometimes we act as if we own everything and can use it however we want.
But the Bible reminds us that we are not owners.
We are stewards.
A steward is someone who takes care of something that belongs to someone else.
God has entrusted His creation to us.
One day, we will give an account to Him for how we cared for what He gave us.
So we need to ask ourselves:
Are we taking good care of God's creation?
Or are we simply using it for our own convenience?
2. God Told Us to Care for Creation
Genesis 2:15 says:
"The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it."
Notice God's instruction.
He didn't say, "Use it until there's nothing left."
He didn't say, "Destroy it for your own benefit."
He said, "Take care of it."
From the very beginning, caring for creation was part of humanity's calling.
God gave us intelligence, technology, and resources.
These things are blessings.
The problem is not technology.
The problem is when we use God's gifts without wisdom and responsibility.
Sometimes our desire for comfort becomes more important than our responsibility.
Sometimes profit becomes more important than people.
Sometimes convenience becomes more important than caring for God's world.
When that happens, we forget that we are stewards.
3. Creation Is Suffering
Paul says in Romans 8:22:
"We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains
of childbirth right up to the present time."
What a powerful picture.
Paul says creation is groaning.
Creation is crying out.
Today we can see that suffering around us.
We see rivers becoming polluted.
We see forests disappearing.
We see animals losing their habitats.
We see stronger storms and hotter temperatures.
Creation is telling us that something is wrong.
Of course, not every environmental problem is caused by one person.
But together, humanity has had a huge impact on God's creation.
The Bible teaches that sin affects everything.
It affects our relationship with God.
It affects our relationship with one another.
And it even affects our relationship with creation.
4. Repentance Means Changing the Way We Live
When we hear about global warming, it is easy to point fingers at governments, companies, or other countries.
But God always starts with our own hearts.
John the Baptist said:
"Produce fruit in keeping with repentance." (Matthew 3:8)
Real repentance changes the way we live.
As Christians, we should ask:
How can I be a better steward?
How can I reduce waste?
How can I use resources more wisely?
How can I help protect God's creation for future generations?
We may not be able to solve every problem.
But each of us can make choices that honor God.
Small acts of faithfulness matter.
When we care about what God cares about, we reflect His heart.
5. There Is Hope in Christ
The good news is that this story does not end with destruction.
It ends with hope.
Colossians 1:20 says:
"Through him to reconcile to himself all things... by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross."
Jesus came not only to save people.
God's plan is to restore all creation.
One day there will be a new heaven and a new earth.
One day everything broken will be made new.
That is our hope.
And while we wait for that day, we are called to live as people of God's Kingdom.
We are called to care for what God has made.
We are called to be part of His work of restoration.
Conclusion
Brothers and sisters,
Science tells us that human activity is warming the Earth.
The Bible tells us that God has entrusted the Earth to our care.
These two truths lead us to one important responsibility:
To be faithful stewards of God's creation.
We may not be able to change the whole world by ourselves.
But we can start where we are.
We can live responsibly.
We can care for God's creation.
We can teach the next generation to do the same.
And we can do it all for the glory of God.
May the Lord help us to be faithful stewards of everything He has entrusted to us.
May we honor Him not only with our worship, but also with the way we care for His creation.
God bless you all.
Amen.