SERMON | Jesus is coming, plant a tree

B-Sides

Romans 8:19-23

For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God, or the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its enslavement to decay and will obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning together as it suffers together the pains of labor, and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies.

The word of God for the people of God.
Thanks be to God.

Questions:

(1) Check in with yourself or the group, how was your week?

(2) Where did you see God this week?

(3) We read Paul's letter in context with Genesis 3 (The original sin + consequences). The first humans are kicked out of the Garden of Eden and the whole earth (creation) is cursed. We must all now labor for something new (a baby, a harvest, a new business, etc). Where are you laboring for something new in your life?
(4) When have you looked at the world around you, or what is required of you, and been overwhelmed? When has it been difficult to take the next best step?

(5) Why do you think God is redeeming all of creation and not just humans? (

6) How does this vision of the future redemption differ from other Christian ideas of the end times? (ex: the rapture)