Reflecting God

1 Kings 10:1–10 NIV84

1 When the queen of Sheba heard about the fame of Solomon and his relation to the name of the Lord, she came to test him with hard questions. 2 Arriving at Jerusalem with a very great caravan—with camels carrying spices, large quantities of gold, and precious stones—she came to Solomon and talked with him about all that she had on her mind. 3 Solomon answered all her questions; nothing was too hard for the king to explain to her. 4 When the queen of Sheba saw all the wisdom of Solomon and the palace he had built, 5 the food on his table, the seating of his officials, the attending servants in their robes, his cupbearers, and the burnt offerings he made at the temple of the Lord, she was overwhelmed. 6 She said to the king, “The report I heard in my own country about your achievements and your wisdom is true. 7 But I did not believe these things until I came and saw with my own eyes. Indeed, not even half was told me; in wisdom and wealth you have far exceeded the report I heard. 8 How happy your men must be! How happy your officials, who continually stand before you and hear your wisdom! 9 Praise be to the Lord your God, who has delighted in you and placed you on the throne of Israel. Because of the Lord’s eternal love for Israel, he has made you king, to maintain justice and righteousness.” 10 And she gave the king 120 talents of gold, large quantities of spices, and precious stones. Never again were so many spices brought in as those the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon.

To reflect means to show or express the qualities, characteristics, or nature of something. In the context of this text, reflecting God means to live in a way that shows or expresses the qualities and character of God, such as wisdom, love, holiness, and creativity.

Introduction

We are all created in God's image. As Christians, we are called to reflect God's character in our daily lives. But how can we do that?

1. Reflecting God's Wisdom in our service

God is all-knowing and wise

We can reflect God's wisdom in our lives by

Seeking wisdom from God through prayer and studying the Bible Making wise decisions based on God's principles Sharing wisdom with others

Sub Point 1: Seeking Wisdom

We can seek wisdom from God by asking Him for it in prayer and studying the Bible

Proverbs 3:5-6 “5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”

Sub Point 2: Making Wise Decisions (hard questions)

We can make wise decisions based on God's principles

James 1:5 “5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.”

Sub Point 3: Serving Others

We can serve others as God serves us

Mark 10:45 “45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.””

2. Reflecting God's Love in our interactions with others

God is love

We can reflect God's love in our lives by:

Loving others as God loves us Forgiving others as God forgives us Serving others as God serves us

Sub Point 1: Loving Others

We can love others as God loves us

John 13:34-35 “34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.””

Sub Point 2: Forgiving Others

We can forgive others as God forgives us

Ephesians 4:32 “32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

Sub Point 3: Sharing Wisdom

We can reflect God's wisdom by sharing it with others

Proverbs 11:30 “30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise.”

3. Reflecting God's Holiness in our obedience to Him

God is holy

We can reflect God's holiness in our lives by:

Living a life of obedience to God Pursuing purity in our thoughts and actions Avoiding sin and temptation

Sub Point 1: Living a Life of Obedience

We can reflect God's holiness by living a life of obedience to Him

1 Peter 1:15-16 “15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.””

Sub Point 2: Pursuing Purity

We can pursue purity in our thoughts and actions

Philippians 4:8 “8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”

Sub Point 3: Avoiding Sin and Temptation

We can reflect God's holiness by avoiding sin and temptation

James 4:7 “7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

4. Reflecting God's Generosity by having a good attitude

God is the Creator of the universe

We can reflect God's creativity in our lives by:

Using our creativity to glorify God Appreciating the beauty of God's creation Using our talents and gifts to serve God and others

Sub Point 1: Using Our Creativity

We can use our creativity to glorify God

Exodus 35:35 “35 He has filled them with skill to do all kinds of work as craftsmen, designers, embroiderers in blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen, and weavers—all of them master craftsmen and designers.”

Sub Point 2: Appreciating God's Creation

We can appreciate the beauty of God's creation

Psalm 19:1 “1 The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.”

Take a moment to smell the roses

God is all over us

Sub Point 3: Using Our Talents and Gifts

We can use our talents and gifts to serve God and others

1 Peter 4:10 “10 Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.”

Stop complaining

Don’t worry be happy

We are created in God's image, and we are called to reflect His character in our daily lives

By reflecting God's wisdom, love, holiness, and creativity, we can glorify God and serve others. Let us strive to reflect God in all that we do