Prayer - Matt Chandler - week 3 - Life

Life - Matt Chandler

Matt talks about the thing that “jacks us up” and moves us toward wanting Justice, is when someone messes with kids. Using the example of the mass shooting in the Conn. Elementary school and the Penn State coach.

What is your initial reaction to injustice?

What is your initial emotional response to injustice?

What sorts of things “jack you up” like this?

What do you think about

Science vs faith?

- Are they combative?

- Are they opposites?

Genesis 1:26–27 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.

Genesis 1:26–2:4 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. So the creation of the heavens and the earth and everything in them was completed. On the seventh day God had finished his work of creation, so he rested from all his work. And God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy, because it was the day when he rested from all his work of creation. This is the account of the creation of the heavens and the earth. When the Lord God made the earth and the heavens,

What are the implications of the fact that we are made in the image of God?

in our interaction with other people?

in our interaction with animals?

in our interaction with Christians?

in our interaction with Non-Christians?

we should never judge non christians - because in reality - they do not know better. BUT they are no different in their creation value as christians are. They are loved by God, wanted by God, and treasured by God. They just don’t know any better.

The created order shows us that the Created Imageo Dei is passed through the Father to the Son/daughter - starting with Adam.

Genesis 5:3 NLT

When Adam was 130 years old, he became the father of a son who was just like him—in his very image. He named his son Seth.

Genesis 5:3

Theological Implications - follow this track of thinking and present it like this - line by line.

Adam and Eve were made in the image of God - and were created perfect.

Because of their Sin, the image of God that they bare is still present but functionally imperfect - being the Sinful Nature

When Adam and Eve had their children - they passed both the Image Baring Mark of God - and also the Sinful nature.

This is called “Seminal Headship” - the responsibility for Sin is placed on Adam. And as his seed is created and a new person born they are marked with the same imperfections

Romans 5:12–14 NLT

When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned. Yes, people sinned even before the law was given. But it was not counted as sin because there was not yet any law to break. Still, everyone died—from the time of Adam to the time of Moses—even those who did not disobey an explicit commandment of God, as Adam did. Now Adam is a symbol, a representation of Christ, who was yet to come.

Romans 5:12-14

The Reason that Jesus had to be the atoning sacrifice - and why He has to be God’s only son is that Jesus. was not born from a man - therefore he did not carry the imperfect marked seed of a father.

Jesus was able to be the sacrifice for sin only because he was born of a virgin - conceived by the Holy Spirit.

Jesus was created in the incarnation - wholly other - “holy” from every other man because there was no seed of sin passed from a father to his offspring in this situation.

How do we move from here

what should we do - what should the church do in light of these realities.

in how we interact with people who disagree on this issue aborted children?

Example - a young girl starts coming to our church - she builds relationships with people and starts to become more a part of our church family - but she is not a christian - gets pregnant and tells a friend at church shes thinking about an abortion - what should we do?

our response as a church to these situations is to step out in favour of the “least of these” like Matt was talking about.

and to support this girl - and help her find options and opportunities.

How else can we help in this controversial area?

How should this conversation lead us to pray differently?

Are we praying for things like this to be made right?

Are we praying for God to intervene in terrible situations?

Are we expectant that God can use us to help people who are in horrible situations and in need of help.