“Restarting Eden”

“Restarting Eden”

Pastor Josiah Nordgren

November 9, 2025

The Lord will surely comfort Zion and will look with compassion on all her ruins; he will make her deserts like Eden, her wastelands like the garden of the Lord. Joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the sound of singing.

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭51‬:‭3‬ ‭(NIV‬‬)

“God making deserts like Eden” – Three fulfillments from this prophecy:

A fulfillment (Historical) 

A fulfillment (Messianic)

An fulfillment (Escatoligical) 

Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. They will see his face and his name will be on their foreheads. There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.

– ‭‭Revelation‬ ‭22‬:‭1‬-‭5‬ ‭(NIV)‬‬

For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.

– ‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭15‬:‭21‬-‭22‬ ‭(NIV‬‬)

In Adam we are into death, in Christ we are into life.

Consequently, just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people, so also one righteous act resulted in justification and life for all people.

– ‭‭Romans‬ ‭5‬:‭18‬ ‭(NIV)‬‬

Adam’s disobedience brought , Jesus’ obedience brought . 

Consequently, just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people, so also one righteous act resulted in justification and life for all people. For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.

– ‭‭Romans‬ ‭5‬:‭18‬-‭19‬ ‭(NIV‬‬)

Eden with the of us. 

Discussion Questions

This weekend, we continued our series “Extending Eden.” 

   In the first week, we talked about how Eden was the overlap of heaven and earth — a place of beauty, order, and unbroken relationship where humanity’s work was worship and God’s presence was home. 

   Eden was meant to spread through humanity. But when Adam and Eve chose sin, Eden stopped expanding — and brokenness spread instead.

   This week, we looked at how Eden restarts through the work of Christ. Through Adam, we were all born into death, but through Christ, we have the opportunity to be reborn into life (1 Corinthians 15:21–22). Adam brought condemnation, but Christ brought justification.

   One day, all of creation will be renewed and restored (Revelation 22). But until that day, Eden restarts in us. As we’re reconciled to God, He invites us to join Him in reconciling the world — people and circumstances — back to His original design.

1. What part of the message stood out to you the most, and how can you live that truth out this week?
2. Read Isaiah 51:3. This prophecy has a near fulfillment (for Israel’s return from exile), a partial fulfillment (what we experience now through Christ), and an ultimate fulfillment (when all things are made right at the end of time). When you think about that partial fulfillment, how have you seen God turn “deserts into Eden” — bringing new life, joy, or healing — in your life right now?
3. Read 2 Corinthians 5:17-21.  What stands out to you? What is exciting about this call on your life? What is daunting or scary?
4. In one simple way how will you “Extend Eden” this week?
5. What’s one “desert area” in your life or someone else’s that we can pray God would make like Eden again? 
6. Pray.