Rob's Expository Sermon Preparation | Genesis 1:26–31 (2)

Introduction:

· The spectacles that we all wear answer the deep questions of meaning, purpose in life (Calvin)

· One objection against Christianity: It’s a straitjacket, restrictive, especially in gender/work

A SECULAR WORLDVIEW GIVES UNSATISFYING ANSWERS – A CHRISTIAN WORLDVIEW OFFERS A MORE SATISFYING ALTERNATIVE.

I) The Gospel Gives us An Identity

A. The Problem of Identity: Gender Confusion in a Modern World

i. The Symptoms: From Sports to preschool, to HR, to...

1. Athletes; Women don’t get pregnant, “People” do; preschoolers...

2. There are up to 107 genders, and it’s up to us to choose.

ii. The Problem: Our culture teaches that identity is self-defined

1. Existentialism, tells the lie that we have a moral imperative to self-define

2. QUOTE: One is not born, but becomes a woman.” -- Simone DeBeauvoir

iii. The limits:

1. Why do we jettison biological/scientific realities in favor of ideology?

2. What are the limits of self-identification: Rachel Dolezal

B. God Gives us the Gift of Identity

i. God Creates us in His Image (vs. 26, 27a)

1. Origin stories like Genesis are important because they shape who we are

2. The first piece of our identity is that we are image-bearers of God

3. APPLICATION: Homeless addict? LGBTQ+? 107 genders? IMAGE-BEARER!

ii. God Creates us male & Female (vs. 27b)

1. Two distinct genders rooted in biological realities, both reflecting the image of God

2. women with the potential to create and nurture life

NOW LET’S SHIFT GEARS, BECAUSE IN VS. 28 GOD GIVES HUMAN BEINGS A PURPOSE.

II) The Gospel Gives us a Purpose

A. The Problem of Purpose: Despair in an Avocational World

i. When Work becomes slavery

1. An Ancient creation myth: from the ruins of war, slaves are created

2. Many view work this way – long hours, sacrificing family, health, quality of life – for a crareer

ii. When work becomes pointless

1. But a shift – better balance, but, lack of purpose in work

2. A sense of disconnect – work is just for the weekend, apathy, etc

.

B. The Gift of Purpose: (vv. 28-30)

i. As Image-bearers we represent God’s authority over creation

1. To bear God’s image is to reflect his authority in the world

2. EXAMPLE: In business, finance, whatever – you are

ii. As image-bearers, we are to connect our purpose with God’s purpose

1. What does it mean to be a CHristian worker? (Paperclips/witnessing)

2. In fact: how does your vocation contribute to the flourishing of culture?

WHAT TIES THESE TWO IDEAS ALL TOGETHER?

III) The Gospel Gives an Identity that Liberates Us to Serve

A. What lies beneath?

i. Behind Gender Confusion lies a search for Meaning

1. EXAMPLE: Daisy, seeking a “sigh of relief.

2. Gender confusion is often a search for deeper contentment

ii. Behind distorted work is a push for significance

1. EXAMPLE: Creed illustrates how identity can be tied to what we do

2. Behind our warped sense of work we long for approval, significance

3. SO: to stand in the way of this is to restrict, limit freedom, identity!

B. The Freedom we Have in Christ

i. Jesus Invites us to an identity in Him

1. To “deny ourselves, take up our cross…” means that Jesus defines us

2. In Christ, who laid down his life on a cross, you have the smile and approval of God, who delights in you

ii. The freedom this gives

1. SO: you are free from the incessant need to define yourself by what you do

2. SO: you don’t need to create your own identity on the world’s terms

Transition:

Conclusion

The Story of Daisy