Description

Episode 74 - God's World

Practical Theology

Genesis 1:1-2:3

We love God’s World:

1. Because He is our Eternal Creator

• a. Let’s celebrate the Creation Story today – Gen 1:1-2:3

• b. Our God did that! Our Eternal God created beauty and function, while ordaining our rest and renewal. And, it was all good – Very Good! He created and established an order and rhythm to life. He created us uniquely for a life of worshipping our Divine, Eternal Creator through our stewardship of the Earth and everything on it.

• c. All of this was marred by sin in the Fall of Genesis 3. And yet, in the midst of the degradation and deterioration of sin, we can still live for His glory, and for the betterment of the society where He has placed us – That is our right and responsibility as Kingdom Citizens. Romans 8:19-25

This leads to our next Truth.

2. We love God’s World because He has given us (placed us in) stewardship of (dominion over) Creation. That is, He has charged us and equipped us to have positive influence in the World where He has placed us. Both in terms of how we manage creation, and, how we influence the culture for His Name’s sake.

• a. We are to do this as Salt & Light – Matthew 5:13-16

i. Salt arrests Decay

ii. It preserves the Good

iii. It adds Flavor – We should bring the aroma of God! – 2 Corinthians 2:14-16

iv. Shine His Light of Love and Truth upon our spheres of influence.

1. Eph 5:1-12

• b. We are to be Salt & Light in whatever we do – Colossians 3:17, 22-23

i. All work has value – Your stewardship of your influence wherever you are can have Kingdom Impact for Christ in your spheres of influence – at the Bank, in the School, on the Board, at the Dr’s office, in a support group, delivering meals…

• c. We are to faithfully be Salt & Light in whatever we do.

i. It is required of a steward to be found faithful - 1 Cor 4:1-2

ii. 1 Peter 4:10

1. Pray for our Leaders – 1 Timothy 2:1-4

2. Vote – when we don’t; or when we don’t vote our biblical values – we are neglecting this God-given role of influence in the culture.

3. Serve/Participate in local leadership – politics, rotary, business, social clubs, theater…

4. Advocate – especially for the marginalized in society

a. Orphanages, Pregnancy Care Centers, Hospitals

b. Baptists on Mission; A Feeding Center in Israel; Disaster Relief; Samaritan’s Purse…

5. Evangelize – our greatest influence - as we read earlier in our responsibility to the Social Order – Means and methods used for the improvement of society and the establishment of righteousness among men can be truly and permanently helpful only when they are rooted in the regeneration of the individual by the saving grace of God in Jesus Christ. We bring the Gospel and the opportunity to repent and believe the Gospel into every area of life – that is our primary stewardship in the Great Commission – Go – means as you Go – make disciples.

6. This is our stewardship, our calling, and our responsibility – to Love God’s World – His Creation and His social structures – Family, Church, Community, Marketplace, Government... – and to steward our Gospel influence into every sphere in which He sends us.

Other podcasts from Woodpile Ministries:

Rings To Tags - w/ Isaac & Amanda Wood - Marriage. Family. Home. God's Way.

Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rings-to-tags/id1634856692