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Northside Church
Gen #2
Jamey Mills
10/8/22
Good MORNING Northside… My name is Jamey Mills, I’m the lead pastor here at Northside. It’s always good to be with you guys.
We are in the second week of our new sermon series on Genesis… Bringing Chaos to Order… You can catch it online on YT or FB if you missed it. I do think it would be helpful for getting the most out of the rest of this series…
Last week we talked about how important our study in Genesis is…
We talked about how without starting in the right place, it's hard to end up in the right place. How what we believe about Genesis changes the way we see and interpret everything else… The rest of the Bible, Life, truth, morality, relationships, God’s design, and even the truth about who we are…
Genesis is an incredibly important and powerful book…
We all know what this is… (Mirror)
Pretty much every home in America has more than one… It basically has one job… right… a good mirror will accurately reflect whatever is before it.
And I’m sure I’m not the only one who’s woken up early… looked in the mirror and thought… Come ON… YOU HAD ONE JOB… do better… that’s offensive.
But a good mirror reflects truth… and sometimes, the truth is offensive. It reveals things we don’t want to see or things we don’t want to believe… and at times we go to great lengths to avoid it or we learn to manipulate it… to find the perfect lighting or stand at just the right angle or if no one is looking we suck it in… so that somehow the “truth” is easier to deal with.
And we’ve seen what happens when we altar a mirror right… it alters the image…
It can make us crazy tall and skinny… or really shorty and handsomely husky…(Mirror Image)
It reminds me of what it says in James… James 1:22–25 (NLT)
James 1:22–25 (NLT)
But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.
22 But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. 23 For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. 24 You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. 25 But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.
Powerful truth that complements what we read in Genesis today in powerful ways.
We talked about this last week… When God speaks, and it is obeyed… It’s good.
James says… that it leads to being blessed by God.
The truth can be offensive… God knows that and that’s why in 1 Cor 1 it talks about how God’s word is foolish and offensive to those who Reject Him, His truth, and His design… It’s offensive when it confronts me… something about me or something that I want or desire…
If we read through the Bible and aren’t ever offended… it is a good sign that we aren’t applying it… we aren’t paying attention… or… that we’ve come to this place of thinking it only applies to other people.
And it's easy… to get mad at God or blame God… but being offended by God’s truth is a gift that brings with it an important choice. Will I get mad and hold on to my will and my way… or will I acknowledge and submit to God’s will, way and design for my life. That is a big part of what it means to know Him as the Lord of your life.
Today we are going to talk about some stuff that might be hard for some of us. I’m not gonna apologize for that… but I am going to tell you I don't do this because it's fun or to pick teams or for some sort of “political cause”. I teach these things because I believe it's what the Bible says… because I care about you… and because I honestly believe that the fullness and freedom that Jesus came to bring… is found knowing and living the truth of God and His design for humanity.
These conversations are incredibly important to have. The church cannot lose its voice here. Part of the role that God has for you and I to play as the Church is to be salt and light… to preserve and shine the light on God, His truth, and His design and again… that really lines up with some of what we are talking about in today’s passage.
These conversations are happening… right now… all around us. In media, social media, in our schools, in video games, in cartoons, in politics, in books… the church cannot lose it’s voice… parents… you cannot lose your voice within them.
If the Church decides not to engage in these conversations with grace, love and integrity, we are giving up sacred ground. Northside will not be that kind of Church.
With that being said who's ready to jump in…
The outline today looks something like this… Gen 1: 26-31 talks about
4 key relationships that reveal important truth about God, humanity, and His design for creation.
With yourself
With creation
With each other
With Creator God
Genesis 1:26–31 (NLT)
Then God said, “Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground.”
So God created human beings in his own image.
In the image of God he created them;
male and female he created them.
Then God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it. Reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the animals that scurry along the ground.”
Then God said, “Look! I have given you every seed-bearing plant throughout the earth and all the fruit trees for your food. And I have given every green plant as food for all the wild animals, the birds in the sky, and the small animals that scurry along the ground—everything that has life.” And that is what happened.
Then God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was very good!
And evening passed and morning came, marking the sixth day.
26 Then God said, “Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground.”
27 So God created human beings in his own image.
In the image of God he created them;
male and female he created them.
28 Then God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it. Reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the animals that scurry along the ground.”
29 Then God said, “Look! I have given you every seed-bearing plant throughout the earth and all the fruit trees for your food. 30 And I have given every green plant as food for all the wild animals, the birds in the sky, and the small animals that scurry along the ground—everything that has life.” And that is what happened.
31 Then God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was very good!
And evening passed and morning came, marking the sixth day.
There is no way we can do justice to the deep deep theology in the passage in the time we have. I’m going to move fairly quickly.
Right out of the gate Vs. 26… God says let US make mankind in OUR image…
A couple things there.
That language is a shout out to the Trinity again… One God in three persons that shape the way we see, understand and relate to God… God the father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit…
It speaks into God’s relational nature… The trinity does, but also making humanity in His image…
God is relational.
God created us, we didn’t create or invite God…that understanding has the power to change your whole perspective on God… the world… and humility…
Several people have tried to make that claim.
Freud suggests that we invented God because of our deep brokenness
Nietzsche said that we created God to serve as a crutch
Karl Marx said we created God as a way to control people
God created and designed humanity… and right away we see something is different.
There is something different about humanity… and I know that there are groups and religions that deny this… but if we take an honest and rational look… it’s more than opposable thumbs… even though those are pretty fancy and cool.
There is a pretty major difference between humanity and the rest of creation… and that is by God’s design… and you can see that early on.
Gen 1 talks about how in 6 days God created everything… stepping back and calling it “good”. Every day but what day? Monday… so the next time someone gets on you for being grumpy on Monday… tell them back off its Biblical.
On day 6 God made all the aniclas and the people… and then once humans are on the scene God steps… and looks over it all and says… it’s very good.
This idea that there is something different about humanity is supported by all kinds of scripture… It speaks of God’s heart, care and intentionality… Here are a couple…
Psalms 139 talks about how we are…
Fearfully and wonderfully made.
Constantly in His presence
It talks about the detail and intention God put in you as you were knit together in your mothers womb
God knew you before you were born
He knew the number of days before you lived one.
That God’s thoughts about you cannot be numbered
That is nuts to me… God… creator and sustainer… thinks about me. That truth is backed up by the entirety of the Bible.
Ephesians 2:10 (NLT)
For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
There is something different about humanity… and it all points to what we read in Genesis…
Out of all creation humanity is the only part that bears the image of God.
And that is incredibly significant.
You are made, created, designed and imprinted with the very image of God… and it is the most powerful truth you will ever hear and hopefully believe about yourself.
I’m sure you’ve heard… but the world has all kinds of things to say right now when it comes to your identity… and it is one more reminder as to why its so important that we start with God…
People have tried to find it in all kinds of places…
By looking inside yourself… as if the answer somehow lies there.
A lot of people find it in achievement…
What I have accomplished defines my worth and who I am.
We allow culture or public opinion to form it
This is who others or culture says that I am so… ok
For some it's things that have happened to them…
This is true of me so it must be who I am.
For some it's mistakes…
For some it is unchecked feelings and desires.
And I’d bet all of us struggle with one or more of those things…
But the danger is… they are a foundation of sand when it comes to your identity.
You are made in the image of God… there is something wonderfully different about you… and that is… there is an aspect of God’s image woven into your very being.
His image… having a body, soul, and spirit… the ability to reason, problem-solve, Imagine, create, and the capacity to have relationships that reflect the character and design of our creator.
Being designed in His image…
Humanity has this massive innate worth, value and meaning as image bearers of the almighty.
It is ingrained and impressed into who you are… Part of the reason that the Church is big on the sanctity of life and stands against abortion is right there. Not only does it feel like the most loving and compassionate thing for the most helpless of all, but it comes from this deep conviction that The image of God is worth defending and protecting… That God knew and formed… knit us together in His image as the masterpiece of all creation… before we lived a day.
That is one of the major reasons why Northside is proud to support and partner with Options right here in Albany… an amazing life affirming ministry that everyday defends and fights for the image of God… with grace and integrity, even in the lives of those who have never heard about it.
Being made in God’s image… 100% should impact the way you see yourself and the value and worth and purpose that God has put there.
It also impacts our relationship with creation.
Two things I’ll note here…
God says that part of bearing His image is ruling or having dominion over the rest of creation…
To me this means caring for, managing and stewarding God’s creation… caring for it well. Playing a leadership role within it.
God has given all of these things to us for resources… I feel like God is saying use them… use them in god honoring ways… be responsible… manage them… in my image…as I would.
Can we see the God given uniques in humanity in this? Humanity alone in all of creation has the capacity to do this. Hmm…
Bearing His image means reflecting His image to creation
Reflecting His image… is a big part of what is being made in His image about.
Reflecting Him, His truth, His design, His values…
It’s a tough but important question… Are you reflecting the image of God, His truth and His design with grace and integrity?
The latin words for it… are Imago Dei.
That’s what it means to be Christlike… reflecting Christ… reflecting the creator.
Several times and in several ways the bible talks about how Jesus is the image of the invisible God… (Col 1:15). That if we’ve seen Jesus we’ve seen the father (John 14:9)... Jesus reflects the truth… purpose… priorities… design… of God
Jesus is the tangible example of what it looks like to bear the image of God.
To reflect God, his truth, his values, his love, his grace and his design to creation…
And to do it His way.
I think it’s what we hear in passage that talk about how…
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We love because He first loved us
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We forgive because we are forgiven in Him
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We serve because He’s come to serve
Matt and I had a short conversation on Thursday… this stuff is part of what he’s studied… There is neuroscience out there that’s proven this…
I thought it would be worth our time to hear some of the stuff that Matt has learned and studied… down this line.
Matt will share about how like mirrors we sort of absorb and project…
And the role that culture, parents, sin play in that.
We, as people, are imagers.
imprinted/designed by a creator… it is hardwired into us.
There is a reason Deon’s sunglasses sold out in a couple weeks…
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Jamey will share
Is your life reflecting Creator God, His values, His truth, His design to the world around us.
Our lives absorb and reflect… and to me that is one of the major reasons we keep God, His truth and His design fresh in our minds… through Church, reading His word and walking in fellowship with one another.
Last one for today…
Bearing His image bearer informs our relationships with each other.
Again this is absolutely under attack in the world right now.
It says that God created them… Male and Female… in His image.
They are equal, distinct and interdependent.
Men and women are both made in God’s image… in fact I believe they reflect a fuller version of God’s image together… they are interdependent… They compliment each other in ways that reflect a fuller portion of God’s image. That is part of the reason marriage is so incredibly sacred to God… a part of His image that’ s worth fighting for and defending. (Paul makes it incredibly clear that God calls some to singleness and there is great strength for the Kingdom in that)
They are wonderfully and beautifully distinct… designed differently. There are parts of the bible where it addresses men/husbands and parts that address women/wives.
The most basic level… they are often a different size, shape and strength…
And even now, despite public option… when it comes to gender… factually there are two. It is the way that God designed it. You can argue all you want, let's stop by the bank and go to the hospital. I'm willing to lay some serious money down that each one… will be either male or female. I’ve yet to have anyone take me up on that… Do you know why… Because that is God’s design and it will not be swayed by the opinion, thought and feeling of his creation.
There are all kinds of things that cause people to struggle there. One author I read talked about how some of what we absorb… impacts our perception of self…
He mentions trauma and abuse, Cultural normative brainwashing, and struggles with pornography as some of the most common.
Not to much further, in Genesis 2 is says that God saw that it wasn’t good for man to be alone… so God created women and thats why a man leaves his fathers and mother and will be joined to his wife…
Again, not trying to be rude or crude… but you can tell by the way that God designed humanity… that men and women belong together. God’s design… is marriage and sex is between one man and one women in a committed relationship of marriage.
We are made in the image of God… and there is a very purposeful and intentional design within that… and there is an all out war on it.
WORSHIP TEAM and ROBYN come up
I found this in my glovebox… it's a manual for my car that was written by the engineer that designed it. I And as I flipped through it realized i'm in the market for a good mechanic… we can all stack hands on how dumb it would be for me to try to tell the one who designed… how it should work…
I could say… no… my car wasn’t designed for oil, it likes water.
It’s really not that different.
Starting with God matters.
Choosing to live outside of God's design… to embrace and reflect and image other than the one God has put in you is sin… is to distort our true identity as image bearers as well as God’s design and purpose.
God’s design… is not against you. It is not antagonistic to “you”.
Every single one of us are born with a sinful nature… this pronation to sin… to think and do things that don’t reflect His image and design… and with that have the to make a choice… will we surrender those things over to the Lord… to His truth… and to His design… will I reflect His image.
There is no loophole… there is not twisting scripture to make it say what you want it to say. God’s eternal power, invisible qualities, and divine nature… are clearly seen through what was made…
When God speaks… and it obeyed… It is good.
It says that God spoke humanity in place and blessed them…
It’s interesting that here in Genesis as God is teaching about His design… He mentions blessing over 80 times. More than any other book of the Bible.
God design… and submitting to it… lead to His blessing. IT IS FOR YOU.
Ignoring it… leads to chaos… (fun house mirror pic)
Jesus said…
Matthew 11:28–30 (NLT)
Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”
28 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”
Made in His image… to reflect His image… to creation.
As you look at your life… What is it reflecting?