1. Sin has done much more damage than we really realize.
2. We suffer in this world… because of sin. – Read 8:18
• We experience pains & problems in this world… because of sin.
• Fears, anxieties, hurts & bitterness… because of sin.
As we go back to the Garden of Eden.
• Adam & Eve learned in an instant that if you roam away from God’s will, you will quickly begin to groan.
• Sin brings on pains & problems… every time, all the time.
Looking back to Romans 5:12ff, we learned about the Adam Bomb!
• How Adam’s sin exploded into all of humanity!
• Adam’s sin brought devastating damage to every human being to ever walk the face of the earth. Why?
Because Adam was our representative… standing in the place of humanity.
• Adam was a perfect representative of human beings.
• When he sinned, it was just as A man, but as THE man.
• Really, Adam was OUR man… So when he sinned, we sinned.
#1 – v12,19 – Adam’s Failure brought SIN Into the world.
#2 – v12-15 – Adam’s Failure brought DEATH into the world.
#3 – v16-17 – His Failure brought CONDEMNATION into the world.
NOW SOME SAY, “That’s not fair for God condemn the whole world just because of one man’s disobedience.”
• It was not only fair, but it was also wise and gracious!
• The truth is that if God tested every human being individually, the results would have been exactly the same: disobedience.
• But even more than that, by condemning the whole human race through one man (Adam), God was then able to save the human race through one man (Jesus Christ).
If I believe in Jesus today… His finished work of forgiveness and salvation, I will be saved. Is that fair? NO.
• But God has made a way for you to esacape… take it.
SO it makes sense that all of humanity was touched by Adam’s sin but his sin did more than that…
• Adam’s sin didn’t just affect humans, but all of creation.
• Let’s go back to Genesis 3:1ff
• At the fall, a curse came upon the earth, upon creation.
• Notice Genesis 3:17ff
• The curse came upon the whole world by the sin of Adam.
• But thank God that relief is coming through Jesus Christ!
1. (8:19) Earnest expectation.
a. There is this eagerness in creation waiting for God’s revelation!
b. There is this anxious longing with intent expectancy.
c. You could say that the creation is standing on tiptoes, as it were, as it waits…
NOTE: The promise of a redeemed world, a renewed creation is something that the Jews would be familiar with.
Isaiah 65:17 (NKJV) 17 “For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; And the former shall not be remembered or come to mind.
• It was a time when all pain, oppression, slavery, anxiety, sorrow and persecution would end and the Lord would rule & reign!
Colossians 3:4 (NKJV) 4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.
John was given a glimpse of this time… look at Revelation 21:1ff
AND so creation eagerly waiting, expecting… a glorious day?
Why? What did sin do to creation? 3 Things…
#1 – v20 – Creation was SUBJECTED TO FUTILITY (EMPTINESS)
• Before the fall, no weeds or thistles or poisonous plants.
• Roses had no thorns. Adam & Eve both had green thumbs!
• BUT AFTER THE FALL, no part of God’s creation exists as God intended.
THE MORE YOU STUDY NATURE, along with its beauty, the more you see it’s cruelty and pain.
• Doesn’t take long to go from beautiful flowers to horrible floods.
• Rain & snow are wonderful, but earthquakes & tornadoes hurt.
• THAT’S WHY nature groans and waits for the day when the KING comes back…
Isaiah 55:12 (NKJV) 12 “For you shall go out with joy, And be led out with peace; The mountains and the hills Shall break forth into singing before you, And all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
#1 – v20 – Creation was SUBJECTED TO FUTILITY (EMPTINESS)
#2 – v22 – Creation began to GROAN IN PAIN.
• This groaning is compared to labor pains.
• Turn over to Matthew 24:7-8
NOW our fellowship has been fortunate to see many women give birth. It’s a wonderful time & difficult at the same time.
When a woman is going to give birth there are certain signs.
• FIRST… she gets bigger, in ONE PLACE.
• THEN… she feels movement, as that baby stretches & grows.
• THEN… there is that general growth over a 9-month period.
• TOWARD THE END she knows as labor pains come.
• Small & infrequent in the beginning but over time.
• They become more intense and closer together.
• It’s the frequency and intensity of those pains that tell us that the baby will soon be here! WHOA!!!
That’s what Jesus is saying here… these signs are obvious and have been over the centuries… but toward they end they will become more frequent & more intense.
And what will creation be showing us toward the end?
• False Teachers (v5), Wars & Rumors of Wars (v6), Earthquakes, pestilences (7-8), persecution… chaos throughout the world.
• And as the end approaches there will be an increase in both frequency and intensity, just like the Scripture says.
#1 – v20 – Creation was SUBJECTED TO FUTILITY (EMPTINESS)
#2 – v22 – Creation began to GROAN IN PAIN.
#3 – v22 - Creation became a SLAVE TO CORRUPTION.
• The earth is under effects of the 2nd Law of Thermodynamics.
• Everything is running down and wearing out.
• Scientists say there is no way to reverse this but all their saying is what the Bible already has taught us!
It’s interesting to watch the HUMANISTS today want to lift the curse through green legislation and laws.
• They don’t’ believe in God and what He’s said in His word.
• As the world gets older, things begin to thin out… ozone layers, ice masses,… hairlines…
• They would try to save the spotted owl & the jumping kangaroo rat, but kill innocent babies every day in the name of choice!
• Listen, this world is not going to last as it is.
• The curse will not be lifted by legislation but by the Kingdom Rule and Reign of Jesus Christ! AMEN?!
• Jump over to Isaiah 65.17-23
• There is coming a day when this world is relived from its curse.
• Turn over to 2 Peter 3.10-13
• BUT it’s not just creation that groans… we groan too!
3. (8:23-25) We ourselves groan!
a. We totally understand this don’t we?
b. I mean every morning I wake up… and groan!
c. As I’m walking down the stairs my feet and knees sound like breaking and snapping sticks! OUCH!
d. How and when did I get so old?!?!!?
NOTE: Our bodies are wearing out. They aren’t what they once were
• They are wearing out and wearing thin.
• The Bible calls these bodies TENTS.
2 Corinthians 5:1 (NKJV) 1 For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
CAMPING… I know a lot of you like it. CAMPING.
• Getting outdoors. Do a little fishing. Some hiking.
• Then after a long day of outdoor fun, let’s collapse down for the night in our TENT!
• But tents aren’t comfortable. I wouldn’t want to live in one.
• I mean… camping isn’t even up my alley you know.
• I would like to camp with some of those RV’s YES!!!
• Our bodies… like those tents. Temporary & uncomfortable!
• But we praise the Lord that although they aren’t what they once were they’re also not what they one day will be.
1 Corinthians 15:42-44 (NKJV) 42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption. 43 It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. 44 It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.
Yet we groan over more than just our bodies.
• We groan as we see and feel the effects of sin.
o We hate sin and it’s awful effects around us.
• We groan when I see people hurting and dying.
• We groan over the struggles people are in the midst of.
• We groan over our own failures and faults.
While we are in this tent we groan… but notice we groan in Hope.
1 John 3:2 (NKJV) Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.
GET Your EYES On eternity Paul says, John says, Jesus says…
• In light of eternity, it wont’ even tip the scales compared to all of the glory of God heaped upon us.
• Flip back to Matthew 6:19-21
NOTE: The treasures you have, small or large, deposit them in the FIRST WORLDWIDE BANK OF GOD.
• I believe giving is not God’s way of raise cash. NO
• It’s God’s way of raising growing, strong, spiritual kids!
NOTE: Every time I give, I am giving away a part of my stinginess, a part of my selfishness, a part of my control over my life.
• God really doesn’t need my money.
• I’m the one that needs to give consistently and generously.
• Because Jesus says where my treasure is, my heart will follow.
NOTE: Often my heart will wander… it will stray. I don’t feel good today. I don’t sense the Lord’s presence. My heart… it drifts
• It happens in every Christian’s life.
• Jesus’ answer would be: “What do you treasure and where is that treasure? Here on earth or in the heavenlies?”
Matthew 6:33 (NKJV) 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
AND This groaning will one day END in GLORY.
Creation… you, me, in the presence of Jesus Christ.
1 John 3:1-3 (NKJV) 1 Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. 2 Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. 3 And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.
