How and why did God create us?

Q: How and why did God create us?

A: God created us male and female in his own image to know him, love him, live with him, and glorify him. And it is right that we who were created by God should live to his glory.

Genesis 1:26–31 ESV

26 Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. 28 And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” 29 And God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food. 30 And to every beast of the earth and to every bird of the heavens and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food.” And it was so. 31 And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.

INTRODUCTION

What is wrong with the world today?

Two questions that drive human behavior: (1) Where did we come from? (2) Where are we going (or; what is the good life)?

The Bible’s answer to this question helps us to clearly see God, ourselves, and God’s redemptive plan.

HOW GOD MADE US

Genesis 1:27 ESV

27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

God made us in his image.

Why do we have a spiritual and moral compass? Why do we love, work, sing, play, and desire fulfillment in other people?

Because we are created in God’s image.

Defining the image of God:

Dominion—our desire to shape chaos into order.

Spirituality—the unseen realm of human nature.

Morality—our ability to distinguish right and wrong.

Relationship—we exist in connection with others by nature and desire.

Dignity—we exist at the top of God’s ordered design for all of creation.

Because we are created in God’s image, when we live for ourselves rather than for his glory, we are operating against our core identity.

God made us male and female.

Genesis 1:27 ESV

27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

Why does it matter that we talk about God’s design in gender differences?

If we miss out on God’s design we miss out on the blessings and goodness of the design.

Why gender differences are important:

1. Our differences are a good gift from God to be celebrated.

Genesis 2:18 NET

18 The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a companion for him who corresponds to him.”

Our differences make humanity whole.

2. Our differences are foundational to God’s charge for humans to be fruitful and have dominion.

3. Our differences help us to learn sacrificial and vulnerable relationship (real love).

Genesis 2:24–25 ESV

24 Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. 25 And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed.

Because we are created in God’s image, when we live for ourselves rather than for his glory, we are operating against our core identity.

WHY GOD MADE US

God made us to be with him.

to know him, love him, live with him

We recognize a deep need to belong in human nature.

You made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless till they rest in you.

Augustine

All human needs (physical, emotional, relational, spiritual) are met in knowing and being loved by God.

God made us to glorify him.

And it is right that we who were created by God should live to his glory.

Psalm 96:1–4 ESV

1 Oh sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth! 2 Sing to the Lord, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day. 3 Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples! 4 For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; he is to be feared above all gods.

The ultimate purpose of humanity is to glorify God by reflecting his image rightly and honoring his name rightly.

To give God glory means to give him great honor and praise.”

Wayne Grudem

Man’s chief and highest end is to glorify God, and fully to enjoy him forever.

The Westminster Larger Catechism

Colossians 3:17 “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

Why we praise people: they do or create something praiseworthy. HOW MUCH MORE should we praise God?

WHY IT MATTERS

Because we are created in God’s image, when we live for ourselves rather than for his glory, we are operating against our core identity.

Understanding our origin in God helps us see what has gone wrong with humanity.

Our brokenness and sin: not “bad choices” but a desire to take God’s place. (Eden only has enough room for one God.)

The world’s answers to the problems of humanity are normally excuses not truths.

Understanding our origin in God helps us see our need for redemption and restoration.

What can we do to free ourselves from the curse of rebellion? Nothing.

Understanding our origin in God helps us see God’s beautiful gospel.

Through Christ, God has made a way for us to know him, love him, and live with him. (Romans 5:8)

Romans 5:8 “but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Through Christ, God has defeated our enemies and declared his victory. (Colossians 2:15)

Colossians 2:15 “He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.”

Through Christ, God has promised a restoration and redemption of all things. (Revelation 21:1-5)

Revelation 21:1–5 “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 was no more. 2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” 5 And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.””

COMMUNION

Luke 22:14–22 ESV

14 And when the hour came, he reclined at table, and the apostles with him. 15 And he said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. 16 For I tell you I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” 17 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he said, “Take this, and divide it among yourselves. 18 For I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” 19 And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 20 And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood. 21 But behold, the hand of him who betrays me is with me on the table. 22 For the Son of Man goes as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom he is betrayed!”