WHY I DON’T SWEAT GLOBAL WARMING
This past week, many news outlets reported that President Bush, going into the G 8 summit, changed his position on global warming and now recommends that immediate steps be taken to reduce green house gases, in an effort to stem global warming. This week, NASA Administrator Mike Griffin, apologized over comments he made last week, where he stated in a NPR interview that he wasn’t certain global warming was something that had to be dealt with. This week, an article came out warning that many of the world’s monuments may suffer because of global warming; and the leading title on the cover of latest issue of National Geographic, says, “The Big Thaw: Ice on the run, Seas on the Rise”.
It seems that hardly a day goes by when we don’t hear, see, or read something about global warming. Some claim it’s hogwash, while others believe it is a serious problem that must be immediately addressed.
Christians are divided on the subject. Some leading evangelical preachers say that global warming is a serious threat, and it is part of our Christian responsibility to address it. Others, say it is the Devil’s greatest distraction. There are preachers and Christians I respect, on both sides of the argument.
Now listen, I am not a scientist. I am a preacher. As a preacher, it is my responsibility to teach and equip the saints. It is my responsibility to share what God’s Word says. It is my responsibility to share and teach the truth. For that reason, this morning I would like to share some truths about global warming and the Bible.
I. TRUTHS WE KNOW
1. THE SCIENCE OF GLOBAL WARMING IS UNCERTAIN
First I would like you to know that the science behind global warming is uncertain. Most scientists today will tell you that the earth has warmed between .6 and 1.4 degrees during the last 130 years. Few dispute this. There are several areas, however, where there is disagreement.
Some scientists believe that global warming is due to an increase in CO2 levels, while others believe it is caused by increased solar activity. Of those who believe, increased CO2 levels cause it, there is disagreement over whether mankind and industrialization is the cause of the increased greenhouse gases.
We do know that the temperature of the earth has fluctuated over time. Parts of the earth have been covered with great ice sheets, but at one time; most of the earth was temperate. Many are unaware that much of Siberia is filled with the bones and fossils of massive herds of Mammoths, rhinos, and other animals that once lived there. In order for enough plants to grow to support those massive herds, it had to be much warmer than it is now. Antarctica has some of the largest coal deposits, which come from plants and animals, on earth. [Charles Coulston Gillispie Genesis and Geology (Harper & Row, 1951); Byron C. Nelson, The Deluge Story in Stone, (Augsburg Publishing House, 1931)] “Russian farmers farmed northern Siberia for centuries. When the area became cold and desolate, the farmers moved south.”[John Stossel, The Global Warming Myth (Story on ABC News, April 20, 2007] Although Greenland’s temperature has risen in the last 10 years, it was warmer in the 1920’s and 1930’s than it is now. [Petr Chylek et al., Geophysical Letters, 13 June, 2006] The earth has seen temperature changes over time.
I do not have, in the short time allotted to me this morning, to go into all of the science behind both sides of the debate so I will share a couple of web addresses with you, you can see on your outline, that have a number of papers on the subject. I encourage you to check out these papers if you have a real interest in the subject.
http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/financialpost/comment/story.html?id=c47c1209-233b-412c-b6d1-5c755457a8af
http://www.liberty.edu/academics/communications/champion/index.cfm?PID=10609&CAID=175
2. WE MUST NOT FEAR
This past April, the Washington Post interviewed a 9-year-old who said the Earth is “just starting to fade away.” In 20 years there will be “no oxygen” he said, and he’ll be dead. The Post went on to say, “for many children and young adults, global warming is defining their generation.”
My friends, our children are being taught that the earth is being destroyed; the animals are all dying, and its all our fault. Many of our children and young people are living in fear.
When I was in school, the great fear was the population explosion. I was taught that by today, there would not be enough food grown in the world to continue to support the world’s growing population. My 9th grade science teacher even encouraged us all to become vegetarians because she said it took less land to grow vegetables than it did to support livestock. Today, they’re using food to make fuel; our government pays farmers not to grow crops, (Including some in this state who are paid not to grow peanuts, cotton, and soybeans) and I know of farmland in Mississippi and Arkansas that is being taken out of food production and is having trees planted on it.
Before that, it was the cold war. Listen difficulties will come. There will be wars and rumors of wars. There will be storms, floods, and famine, but the Bible makes it very clear that we are not to fear. Again and again, through the pages of the Bible, God says, “Do not fear. Do not be afraid.”
> Romans 8:15 For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out, “ Abba, Father!”
> 2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fearfulness, but one of power, love, and sound judgment.
You recognize these verses. We looked at them last week. God told us not to be afraid. The God that brings you to the Red Sea will carry you through the sea. The God, Who allows a storm to hit the Sea of Galilee, can stop the storm. And, the God Who provides for the sparrow, will provide for you.
Do not be afraid. Why are we not afraid, because of the third truth we know.
3. GOD IS IN CONTROL
A third truth I want to remind you of is that “God is in control”. God is in control.
- Genesis 1:1
- Job 38:1-13
> Psalm 24:1-2 The earth and everything in it, the world and its inhabitants, belong to the Lord; for He laid its foundation on the seas and established it on the rivers.
> Genesis 8:22 As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, and day and night will not cease.
My friends, God is the One Who created this whole place. He is the creator not only of the earth, but also of the sun and moon, the stars, and the heavens. God built it, He runs it, and He is in control.
4. ONE DAY THE EARTH WILL BE MORE THAN WARMED
> Revelation 21:1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea existed no longer.
- 2 Peter 3:10-13
My friends, there are greater things for the world to be worried about, than a little global warming. The Bible says that one day, the heavens and the earth will be destroyed by fire. Everything being built today, everything people place their trust and hope in, besides Jesus Christ; will one day be destroyed. Both Isaiah and Revelation tell us that this earth, and these heavens will cease and be replaced by a new heaven and a new earth.
One day, the earth will be more than warmed. It will be destroyed.
These truths we know. Now, how shall Christians respond?
II. CHRISTIANS RESPOND BY
Teaching your children the truth
> Acts 17:11 The people here were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, since they welcomed the message with eagerness and examined the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.
When Paul preached in Beroea, the people there checked out everything he said, by the Bible. Here was Paul, a man of God, a man who went through one of the most amazing transformations in the history of Christianity, who was checked out by the people listening to him preach. They wanted to make sure that was he preached jived with the Bible; and Luke praised them.
When I am preaching, check out what I’m saying. I pray about what I’m going to preach. I pray the Lord will give me not only the right message, but also the right words. But listen, I’m human. I’m not infallible. I make mistakes, so check out what I say. Don’t let your salvation rest on what I say. Check it out for yourselves.
If that is true of preachers, it’s also true of the world.
One of the greatest struggles Gladys and I have with Drew, is trying to convince him that not everything his friends tell him, not everything he hears on TV, or that he reads, is true. We especially have to remind him of that when he watches the Discovery Channel or Animal planet, or when he goes to a zoo or national park. We try to teach him to look at everything through the lense of the Bible.
Folks, teach your children to check things out. Don’t take everything at face value. Teach them what the Bible says.
Resting easy in God’s arms
> Romans 8:31-39
> John 15:1-8
What are you doing man? I’m abiding in the Vine. Aren’t you worried about …? Aren’t you worried about …? No, the Bible says nothing can separate me from God’s love. I’m sitting here, just abiding in the Vine.
Understanding your responsibility – Be good stewards. Yes,
Take care of the earth, and animals, but invest your life, your time and resources in things that are going to last.
- Ephesians 5:14-17
Telling others
> Matthew 28:19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
God has given us a mission. He has given us a job. Yes, we are to use well what He has given us. Yes, we are to be concerned about social issues. We are to minister to others in a way that they may see our good works and glorify our Father in heaven. Yes. But our primary responsibility is to make disciples. Our primary job is to tell other people about a God Who loved them so much that He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to take their place.
We must be about our Father’s business, and that, primarily, is to love other people to Jesus Christ.
Do you realize the opportunity this global warming stuff has given us? Do you realize the doors it opens for us? You’re at work in the break room, and some one brings up global warming. You respond, “I don’t worry near as much about global warming as I do the fire that comes after that.” “What do you mean”, they ask. Then you have the perfect opportunity to tell them God’s plans for this earth, and His plans for the next one. Tell them how this one is going to be destroyed, but how God is preparing a better one, and He has room for them. Tell them about a God Who loved them so much that He sent His Only begotten Son to take their place.
Dear friends, this is not a social club we’re running here. It’s not a Bingo parlor. This is a mission station. It is a rescue station. Don’t get distracted by all of the things and news going on around you, and all of the difficulties you go through each day that you forget why you’re here.
You are an Ambassador of Jesus Christ. Tell somebody, “I am an AMBASSADOR OF JESUS CHRIST”. Naw, now. Say it again like you mean it. Tell somebody, “I am a Man, I am a Woman, on a mission”. You may be a roofer, but that’s just what you do to support yourself. You’re really an ambassador. You may be a salesman, but that’s just how you make a living. You are where you are because God put you there to represent Him. You may be a housewife, but keeping house is just part of your job. You are molding young lives and teaching young people that this life is just preparation for the next. You may be a student, but while you are learning, you are teaching others what a follower of Jesus Christ looks like and how much God loves them. You may be a hospital patient, but you are teaching others about a Shepherd Who guides and comforts you.
Hold on till He gets here
Lastly, H, hold on till He gets here.
- John 14:1-3
Listen folks, Jesus, right now, is preparing a place for us. He is coming back to get us. And when He comes, He will take us to a place where there is no pain, there is no suffering, there are no wars, there is no famine, there are no bills, and there is no global warming to be concerned about. Be busy with what God has called you to, and hang on till He gets here.
