SIN MARS CREATION

 MARS CREATION

1. Creation Defiled by Our Sin (Genesis 3:17-19; Isaiah 24:5-6; Hosea 4:1-3) 

2. Creation Suffers and Travails (Romans 8:18-25) 

3. A New World Is Coming (Colossians 1:15-20; 2 Peter 3:10-13) 

Central Truth: Human sinfulness defiles God’s creation, but He will make it new again. 

Focus: Assess and acknowledge the far-reaching consequences of our sin on Creation and live wholly for God. 

Evangelism Emphasis: Jesus came to reconcile sinful people to God. 

Text: “Having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven” (Colossians 1:20). 

INTRODUCTION 

When Eve partook of the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil and persuaded Adam to do so, they could not know the far-reaching effect of their action. The Apostle Paul looked back on this event and made a connection between Adam’s sin and the sin and condemnation of the human race. He wrote: “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned” (Rom. 5:12). Paul goes on to show that Christ alone has the remedy for the redemption of humankind: “For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous” (v. 19). 

Not only did the Fall affect men and women; it also marred creation. When the Lord pronounced a curse on Adam, He also said, “Cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life” (Gen. 3:17). The fruit of the ground had been a pleasure to harvest and added to human comfort and happiness. Because of the effects of sin on creation, it would now be produced by the sweat of the brow. What a difference sin has made even on creation!   

1. CREATION DEFILED BY OUR SIN 

A. Adam Fails God (Genesis 3:17-19) 

 17 And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; 18 Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; 19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return. 

 The Lord had already dealt with the punishment of the serpent and the woman for their part in this scheme against God to eat forbidden fruit (see vv. 14-16). The Lord now turned His attention to the man, Adam. He made no allowances for the thought that the woman was responsible for what Adam had done. Adam was responsible for his own acts and would be held accountable. He had obeyed Eve and disobeyed God! And for that, ultimately he would be expelled from the Garden of Eden. The punishment meted out to Adam and Eve extended to all their posterity—the entire human race. Although humankind is under a curse, there is hope. Verse 15 says the Seed of the woman, Christ, would bruise the head of the serpent, the devil, which He did at Calvary. Mercy stepped in at the Cross, and mercy endures from generation to generation (Pss. 18:50; 100:5). 

Because of Adam’s disobedience, even the ground came under the judgment of God. Picture Adam and Eve, before the Fall, waking up in the morning eager to work with the fruit and vegetables. Everything they touched was good and plentiful. They must have found pleasure in their daily chores. After the Fall, the produce was still good; but, thorns and thistles now grew up in the midst of the produce. This made their task much more difficult. Much of the pleasure work brought was replaced by pain and discomfort. 

 From the time of God’s pronouncement of judgment in Eden, the scepter of death has hung over men and women. Death is a daunting reality, no matter how many euphemisms we use to make it sound better. 

The Blessing of Work 

Be grateful for your tasks and their demands. If it were not for your work, no matter how distasteful it may seem, you could neither eat so much, nor relish so pleasantly, nor sleep so soundly, nor be so healthful, nor enjoy the secure smiles of gratitude from those who love you for what you are: not for what you do.—Og Mandino, The Greatest Success in the World  

B. The Curse Spreads (Isaiah 24:5-6; Hosea 4:1-3) 

 Isaiah 24:5 The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant. 6 Therefore hath the curse devoured the earth, and they that dwell therein are desolate: therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men left. 

 Hosea 4:1 Hear the word of the Lord, ye children of Israel: for the Lord hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land. 

If any Biblical passage speaks of a curse on the earth and its inhabitants, it is this message from Isaiah. The prophet points to a day of worldwide destruction attributed to the judgment of God. Earth’s entire population will face the consequences of their sin. All classes of people, rich and poor, will face this travesty. A complete moral breakdown will lead to divine judgment coming on the whole earth that God called “very good” when He created it. It represents a time when people refuse to follow God’s teachings, disobey His laws, and fail to keep their covenant agreement with Him that was intended to last forever. 

“The everlasting covenant” (v. 5) is likely a reference to the Noachian covenant made between God and every living creature on the face of the earth. Under this covenant, people were to abide by certain moral laws, the violation of which resulted in divine judgment (see Gen. 9:8-17). Although this curse was fulfilled to some extent in Isaiah’s day, some have identified the ultimate fulfillment of this time of devastation as taking place during the coming Great Tribulation. 

If Isaiah’s picture of Israel’s misgivings is strong, Hosea’s description of the sins of the people of God is just as stern. Hosea 4 opens with an indictment against the nation for breaking their covenant with God. This is a “covenant lawsuit” (v. 1 NET) where three charges are handed down. The people are guilty of unfaithfulness, lack of love, and a failure to acknowledge God. 

Their lack of faithfulness stands in contrast to God’s unswerving faithfulness. To show how unfaithful they had been, Hosea names five of the Ten Commandments the people had broken: “cursing, lying, murder, stealing, and adultery” (v. 2 NET). There can be no true fellowship between people and God as long as such lack of faithfulness exists. The second charge against the people was their lack of love. They showed no love for God and, consequently, no love for their fellow man. No mercy could be found in the people of the land; instead, violence and bloodshed were common. What was especially egregious was a failure even to acknowledge God. They were in the same perilous position as the people described in Judges 2:14: “So the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel, and he gave them over to plunderers, who plundered them” (ESV). As a result of people’s rebellion, the whole creation will suffer: the land will dry up, and “the beasts of the field . . . the fowls of heaven; yea, the fishes of the sea” will perish (Hos. 4:3). 

• How is creation currently being impacted by the sins of people? 

2. CREATION SUFFERS AND TRAVAILS 

A. The Curse of Sin (Romans 8:18-22) 

 18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. 

The Apostle Paul calls on us to think about and contrast the suffering we face in this life with the glory that will be revealed to us in the world to come. He is not belittling the hardships life brings our way. Suffering can be extremely painful; it can hurt us deeply. But, however great our sufferings may be, they cannot even be “compared to the coming glory that will be revealed to us” (v. 18 NET). Paul knew what he was talking about; he suffered as deeply and severely as anyone else (see 1 Cor. 4:9-13; 2 Cor. 4:8-12; 6:4-10; 11:16-33). But he had also been “caught up into paradise” and given a glimpse of the eternal glory Heaven offers (2 Cor. 12:4). He knew Heaven would be worth it all. Paul looked beyond the perils of this world and embraced the hope that the future holds for believers. We know what the end looks like, and it is marvelous. It is written in the Book, and it is worth faithfully following the Lord. The power of God’s mercy and love will carry us through. 

Paul said that the whole creation waits in eager longing for that day of future glory when the children of God will receive their inheritance. A better, brighter day is coming for the whole creation—a day when the curse will be removed and the creation will be returned to a time when it does not groan and travail in pain. “The whole creation is on tiptoe to see the wonderful sight of the sons of God coming into their own” (Rom. 8:19 Phillips). 

In verses 20-21, we see the earth was “made subject” and was in “bondage of corruption.” 

Through the introduction of sin into the world, the God-created natural order was disturbed, starting a cascade of

consequences. The entire natural order suffered because of Adam’s disobedience, giving way to a world of futility, suffering, and hardship. Paul personalizes creation and says that it longs to be free from decay and corruption. Creation, however, was subjected to the consequences of Adam’s sin “in hope” (v. 20). 

What is the reason for the hopeful waiting? The object of creation’s hope is “the revealing of the sons of God” [v. 19

NKJV] at which time creation will be set free from the bondage of change and decay. “We [Christians] know” (v. 22) and can see the discord and decay in the natural world, and that it has been groaning in agony until now. This groaning, which is similar to a woman’s groans during the process of giving birth (Mark 13), is a sign of creation’s bondage and hope. So, as Paul suggests, creation utters concerted groans under the burden and consequence of sin (French Arrington, The Greatest Letter Ever Written). 

• What is different between the suffering of believers and the suffering of unbelievers? 

B. The Believer’s Hope (Romans 8:23-25) 

 23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. 24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? 25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. 

If creation has an expectation of better things to come, so do we as believers. The Holy Spirit lives within us. The firstfruits of His presence are righteousness, peace, and joy (Rom. 14:17). His presence within is a foretaste of the future glory we will enjoy. Although we have already been adopted into the family of God, we eagerly await the full and rich enjoyment of the rights that are ours as adopted children, including “the redemption of our body” (v. 23). When our full adoption comes, we will not have these poor, frail, dying bodies, subject to weakness and decay, but spiritual bodies. The believer’s body “is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: it is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: it is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body” (1 Cor. 15:42-44). So, we look forward to that glorious day. 

By the grace of God, we look beyond the disappointments of this life and see something better than anything we have now. We look beyond the state of the world, and see what God’s redeeming power can do. In the darkness of this age, we can stand steadfast in the hope we have in the sovereign God. With that perspective, we live in hope of what the future holds. Hope encourages patience, and patience strengthens hope. The patience of hope enables us to endure whatever comes our way, anticipating the coming again of our Lord. 

A Living Hope 

Christians live in the hope of the resurrection, at which time they will be reunited with loved ones who have gone before them. While all the dead will be resurrected, this offers no hope to unbelievers. They are denied the hope that believers have to be reunited with their loved ones in Heaven.—Homer Rhea 

3. A NEW WORLD IS COMING 

A. The Divine Reconciler (Colossians 1:15-20) 

 15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. 19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; 20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. 

How do we know what God is like? Jesus came into the world to make known to us what the Father is like. Hebrews 1:3 says, “The Son reflects the glory of God and shows exactly what God is like” (NCV). All the character traits of God are seen in Christ, including His love, grace, and mercy. So if you want to know what God is like, look at Jesus, who is “the image of the invisible God” (Col. 1:15). Christ is the eternal Word, the only begotten Son of God, and He perfectly represents His Father. Christ existed before Creation; before any creature was called into existence; before time, from eternity. John wrote: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made” (John 1:1-3). 

The hierarchy of heavenly beings were created by Christ: “thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers” were all created by Him and for Him, and He is above them all (Col. 1:16). He is the preserver and governor of all things; for by Him “all things consist” (v. 17). It is He who keeps the order and arrangement of the universe in tact. He is said to uphold “all things by the word of his power” (Heb. 1:3). 

In addition to being the image of the invisible God and the Creator and Sustainer of all creation, He is “the head of the body, the church” (Col. 1:18). His church is the universal body of believers enjoying the blessings of the living Lord. By the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit living within, we know Him and His will is made known to us. We are not in lockstep with the Lord when we are not in a right relationship with the Comforter, the Holy Spirit within. It is through Him that we minister through the gifts Christ has made available to His church and grow the fruit He desires us to develop in our daily walk. 

 Verse 18 refers to Christ as “the firstborn from the dead.” In his commentary on Colossians, William Barclay wrote, “By His resurrection He has shown that He has conquered every opposing power and that there is nothing in life or death which can bind Him.” 

Christ is the source of reconciliation between God and man. “God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in the Son and through him to reconcile all things to himself by making peace through the blood of his cross” (vv. 19-20 NET). 

He Shall Return 

When Douglas MacArthur left the Philippines at the beginning of World War II, He walked out into the sea to board the landing boat. Turning back to the frightened people of the island, he said assuredly, “I will return.” His promise gave them hope. We have a greater general, the captain of our salvation who tells us in the midst of a troubled world, “I will return.”—David. C. Cooper 

B. A Righteous World (2 Peter 3:10-13) 

 11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, 12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?  

“The last days” (2 Peter 3:3) began with the birth of the Messiah and will continue until the visible, bodily return of Christ. In verse 10, Peter speaks of “the day of the Lord”—a reference to end-time events that will transpire after the rapture of the Church. These include the Tribulation, the Millennium, the Great White Throne Judgment, and the dissolution of the present Heaven and earth. 

  Christ will come as unexpectedly as “a thief in the night” (v. 10). Jesus himself affirmed this truth: “But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father” (Mark 13:32). He further declared, “This know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through. Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not” (Luke 12:39-40). 

Not only will the Lord’s return be unexpected; what follows will be catastrophic. At some point after the Millennium, the earth’s atmosphere and the starry sky will “pass away with a great noise,” burn up, and be “dissolved” (2 Peter 3:10-11). The earth and everything in it will be burned up. Out of this upheaval and dissolution, a changed world will arise. 

Those who truly believe in the return of our Lord will demonstrate their belief by leading lives of holiness and godliness (v. 11). Paul wrote: “The grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works” (Titus 2:11-14). 

The last days will end with the dawning of the Day of God. At that time, eternity begins and “new heavens and a new earth” will be ushered in (2 Peter 3:13). It will be the dwelling place of righteousness permanently, because the Righteous One will be there. 

• As believers, why should our lives be filled with anticipation (vv. 12-13)? 

RECONCILIATION COMING 

The consequences of sin are seen everywhere. Its greatest impact is felt by human beings. It moved God’s noblest creature from a place of paradise to a sin-cursed world. Not only did humans feel its effects, the whole creation suffered. Thank God, He has provided a remedy for the plight of sin through the shed blood of Jesus Christ. At Calvary, He paid the price for our sins, a debt we could not pay. Through Christ, we have been reconciled to God and enjoy full redemption. Likewise, the whole creation will be restored to its rightful place, culminating in a new Heaven and a new earth. 

Daily Devotions 

M.  Warning of Sin’s Consequence (Genesis 2:15-17) 

T.  God’s Judgment on Wickedness (Genesis 6:5-13) 

W.  Sinful Actions Confessed (Psalm 51:1-10) 

T.  The Plan to Redeem (John 1:1-12) 

F.  All People Sin (Romans 3:10-18) 

S.  Examples of Sin’s Consequences (Hebrews 6:4-9) 

Adopted from the Evangelical Sunday School Lesson Commentary 2021-2022.