Welcome to Dingwall Baptist Church The Whole Creation Groans Sunday 25th November 2018 The Whole Creation Groans Romans 8:18-27

Act 1 - Creation Act 2 - Fall Act 3 - Israel Act 4 – Jesus Act 5 – The Church: starting with the New Testament writers. Ending with Jesus returns

Creation and fall We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time… (Romans 8:22)

…The one who is not circumcised physically and yet obeys the law will condemn you who, even though you have the written code and circumcision, are a lawbreaker… (Romans 2:27) Israel and Jesus

The words “it was credited to him” were written not for him alone,  but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness— for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification… (Romans 4:25) Israel and Jesus

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… (Romans 8:20-21)

Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory… (Romans 8:17)

(Romans 8:24-25)

Conclusion I would argue, however, that passages such as Romans 8:19 – 22 should lead believers to be environmentalists…Creation now is not what God intended it to be… To be sure, human beings continue even in this passage to be the focus of God’s plan. But Paul reveals that God is also concerned about the entire world he has made. Simply understood, this leads to environmentalism, that is, concern for the environment in which we live. Douglas J. Moo: NIV Application Commentary

Conclusion - Lend a Hand