Calvary Church
Environment
Main Idea: In this teaching we want to understand the difference between the Biblical view of the environment and the political movement known as environmentalism.
Locations & Times
Calvary Church
4700 53rd St, Moline, IL 61265, USA
Sunday 8:30 AM
Sunday 10:30 AM
1. The Bible is clear that the Earth and everything in it was given by God to man to rule over and SUBDUE (meaning that if something is not right, Adam has the ability to change it).
2. In God’s incredible GRACE and POWER, He’s placed on this planet everything needed to feed, clothe and house the billions of people who have lived on it since the Garden of Eden.
3. The environmental movement is consumed with trying to PRESERVE the planet forever, and we know this is not God's plan.
4. How should Christians view CLIMATE CHANGE? We should be concerned about our EFFECT on our environment. God appointed man to be the steward of this world, Genesis 1:28, and not the destroyer of it.
But we should not allow ANYONE to make us think that the rights of an inanimate object or non-human creatures are held in equal or higher regard than mankind created in God’s image.
5. The idea of earth “WEARING OUT” is appropriate. This entire world has been continually decaying since the fall.
6. The question of HUMAN activity in climate change should not divide Christian believers from each other.
7. Environmental issues are important, but they’re not anywhere near as important as the ETERNAL issues facing mankind.
8. Likely the closest Biblical EXAMPLES of what could be considered climate change would be the End Times DISASTERS prophesied in Revelation 6–18.
A. These prophecies have nothing to do with GREENHOUSE GAS emissions; rather, they’re the result of the wrath of God, pouring out justice on an increasingly wicked world.
B. How much effort should be made "SAVING" a planet that God is eventually going to obliterate and replace with a planet so amazing and wonderful that the current earth pales in comparison?
C. As Christians, our FOCUS should be proclaiming the truth of the gospel, the message that has the power to save souls.
B. How much effort should be made "SAVING" a planet that God is eventually going to obliterate and replace with a planet so amazing and wonderful that the current earth pales in comparison?
C. As Christians, our FOCUS should be proclaiming the truth of the gospel, the message that has the power to save souls.
9. SIN makes it difficult for humans to exercise Godly stewardship, but the work of Christ in, on, and through His people makes it possible.
10. To REJECT human stewardship is to embrace no stewardship.
A. Good and Godly PRINCIPLES are reflected in the Constitution of the United States. Crucial to the Christian understanding of Civil Government is the fact that God has ordained it to do justice by punishing those who do wrong and praising those who do right, Rom 13:1—4; 1 Pet 2:13—14.
B. These principles indicate that a BIBLICALLY sound environmental stewardship is fully compatible with private-property rights and a free economy, as long as people are held accountable for their actions.
C. STEWARDSHIP can best be accomplished by a carefully limited government and through a commitment to virtuous human action in the marketplace and in Civil Government.
B. These principles indicate that a BIBLICALLY sound environmental stewardship is fully compatible with private-property rights and a free economy, as long as people are held accountable for their actions.
C. STEWARDSHIP can best be accomplished by a carefully limited government and through a commitment to virtuous human action in the marketplace and in Civil Government.
Talk About It
Discussion Questions:
1. From a Biblical standpoint, what makes mankind different from all other creations of God?
2. In what Biblical ways do you believe Christians should treat the environment?
3. Biblically and from an eternal standpoint, what is way more important that climate change? Why?
Next Step:
• Has your degree of personal stewardship of the earth changed as a result of this teaching? If so, in what way?
1. From a Biblical standpoint, what makes mankind different from all other creations of God?
2. In what Biblical ways do you believe Christians should treat the environment?
3. Biblically and from an eternal standpoint, what is way more important that climate change? Why?
Next Step:
• Has your degree of personal stewardship of the earth changed as a result of this teaching? If so, in what way?