REFLECT

Introduction

Several weeks ago I challenged each of you to prayerfully identify one word you believe God wants you to focus on in 2018. Rather than having a list of resolutions for the new year, it is much more attainable to focus on and allow God to work in our lives around a single word...

Last Sunday, several of you shared the word God has laid on your heart.

This morning, we will be considering the word I felt drawn to… there were about a dozen words that initially resonated with me - some that were not on the list of suggestions provided. As I considered the various definitions of the words, I fairly quickly narrowed it to two or three.

The word and the title of the sermon this morning is REFLECT

Defining REFLECT

What do you think when I say the word reflect? What descriptions or definitions come to mind??

Two primary aspects...

throw back (heat, light, or sound) without absorbing it.

(of a surface or body) throw back (heat, light, or sound) without absorbing it. "when the sun's rays hit the earth a lot of the heat is reflected back into space"synonyms:send back, throw back, cast back"the snow reflects light" (of a mirror or shiny surface) show an image of. "he could see himself reflected in Keith's mirrored glasses"synonyms:send back, throw back, cast back"the snow reflects light"embody or represent (something) in a faithful or appropriate way. "stocks are priced at a level that reflects a company's prospects"synonyms:indicate, show, display, demonstrate, be evidence of, register, reveal, betray, disclose; More (of an action or situation) bring (credit or discredit) to the relevant parties. "the main contract is progressing well, which reflects great credit on those involved"bring about a good or bad impression of. "the incident reflects badly on the operating practices of the airlines"synonyms:discredit, disgrace, dishonor, shame, put in a bad light, damage, tarnish the reputation of, give a bad name to, bring into disrepute"stunts like these reflect badly on our school"

synonyms:send back, throw back, cast back"the snow reflects light"

synonyms:send back, throw back, cast back"the snow reflects light"

(of a mirror or shiny surface) show an image of.

embody or represent (something) in a faithful or appropriate way.

2. think deeply or carefully about. "he reflected with sadness on the unhappiness of his marriage"synonyms:think about, give thought to, consider, give consideration to, review, mull over, contemplate, cogitate about/on, meditate on, muse on, brood on/over, turn over in one's mind; archaicpore on

think deeply or carefully about. synonyms:think about, give thought to, consider, give consideration to, review, mull over, contemplate, cogitate about/on, meditate on, muse on, brood on/over, turn over in one's mind

think deeply or carefully about.

synonyms:think about, give thought to, consider, give consideration to, review, mull over, contemplate, cogitate about/on, meditate on, muse on, brood on/over, turn over in one's mind

REFLECT - embody or represent in a faithful or appropriate way

                show an image of

show an image of

                think deeply or carefully about

think deeply or carefully about

While REFLECT includes the aspect of considering the past, that is not my focus this morning (or this year)

Two physical examples characterize the word REFLECT as I have been thinking about this

MIRROR - we use mirrors every day without second thought… historically, polished metal was used for mirrors… more recently glass with a mirror finish is used

Have you ever attempted to comb your hair check yourself in a mirror of polished metal? Maybe your car or a kettle or plate??

have you ever attempted to comb your hair check yourself in a mirror of polished metal?

It works (almost), and while you can see shapes and outlines, details are very vague

When Paul describes “seeing in a mirror dimly” I believe that is what he is referring to… a mirror of polished metal

(ESV) For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.

A mirror today gives very accurate replication to what is placed in front of the mirror

We see mirrors in nature… sometimes less accurately and more vaguely than other times

photographs of reflections in nature

When our boys were babies, it was not uncommon to hear comments from friends or relatives… Oh, he is definitely a Schrock or you can tell he is a Nisly (or Burkholder)

What was interesting, both of these statements were made about the same baby… depending who our friends knew best, they said he looked like _____________

Babies REFLECT who their parents are… and we REFLECT who our parents are… not so much like a mirror, but similarities in attributes - not an identical twin, but clearly related

In a similar way, I believe another aspect of REFLECT that we should consider is those characteristics and attributes shared with another

Take the ACORN & OAK TREE

The acorn doesn’t resemble the oak tree in any way… yet, it REFLECTS the oak tree when it sprouts and is allowed to grow… in time, it has the potential to be a towering oak tree

Every oak tree began as an acorn… and every acorn has the potential to become an oak

Born-again believers reflect Jesus Christ... sometimes in a way best illustrated by a mirror and other times more like a young oak tree

How do I (in an ongoing day-in and day-out way) embody or represent Jesus Christ in a faithful or appropriate way?

How do we as a group of believers embody or represent Jesus Christ in a faithful or appropriate way?

We are Created in the Image of God

Man was created in the image of God

(ESV) 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.

Genesis 1:26–27 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.

That does not mean man looks exactly like God… however it means there are characteristics embodied in humans that REFLECT aspects of God

(ESV) He [Jesus] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.

(ESV) In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

Christians are being transformed into the image of Jesus Christ

(ESV) Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, as some do, letters of recommendation to you, or from you? 2 You yourselves are our letter of recommendation, written on our hearts, to be known and read by all. 3 And you show that you are a letter from Christ delivered by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.

4 Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. 5 Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, 6 who has made us sufficient to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

7 Now if the ministry of death, carved in letters on stone, came with such glory that the Israelites could not gaze at Moses’ face because of its glory, which was being brought to an end, 8 will not the ministry of the Spirit have even more glory? 9 For if there was glory in the ministry of condemnation, the ministry of righteousness must far exceed it in glory. 10 Indeed, in this case, what once had glory has come to have no glory at all, because of the glory that surpasses it. 11 For if what was being brought to an end came with glory, much more will what is permanent have glory.

12 Since we have such a hope, we are very bold, 13 not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face so that the Israelites might not gaze at the outcome of what was being brought to an end. 14 But their minds were hardened. For to this day, when they read the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted, because only through Christ is it taken away. 15 Yes, to this day whenever Moses is read a veil lies over their hearts. 16 But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

Under the old covenant, Moses’ close proximity to God created such a reflection that it required him to veil his face… the people could not have looked at him without the veil

Under the new covenant, when one is born again, the veil over our hearts is removed and the glory of the Lord is channeled directly into our hearts

18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord,

All of us born-again believers… have the veil removed so we can gaze into the glory of God

As we gaze into the glory of the Lord, it will REFLECT or radiate from us

are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another.

What an amazing and wonderful reality for all believers

… ARE BEING transformed

it is present… it is ongoing… we are being changed radically (not simply getting older)… we are being TRANSFORMED - made into a NEW CREATURE… being made into the image of JESUS CHRIST Himself

… and it doesn’t stop… twenty years from we “ARE BEING TRANSFORMED”

we are being transformed into (we REFLECT) the image of Jesus

… it happens over time, but the transformation occurs from one degree of glory to another (from glory to glory) … from the earthly to the eternal

This REFLECTION and TRANSFORMATION come through the Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ himself

(ESV) Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. 18 They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. 19 They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity. 20 But that is not the way you learned Christ!— 21 assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, 22 to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, 23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

Here Paul describes the new self being CREATED AFTER THE LIKENESS OF GOD in true righteousness and holiness

The NEW SELF (born again believer) REFLECTS the likeness of God in their lives

(ESV) If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. 5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 On account of these the wrath of God is coming. 7 In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. 8 But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. 11 Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.

The new self… which is being (present continuous tense) RENEWED in KNOWLEDGE after the IMAGE OF ITS CREATOR!

The NEW SELF will REFLECT the IMAGE OF OUR CREATOR in our knowledge and our understanding of that knowledge

(ESV) For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

What do our lives embody and represent to those around us?

Our lives REFLECT something or someone…

(ESV) 2 Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.

We reflect what is closest to us / what we value most

If we lost our job/career, our family, money

We can choose whether we stay an acorn - or whether we allow God to transform us into an oak tree… we can’t have it both ways

We grow into the kinds of trees

(ESV) 19 my little children, for whom I am again in the anguish of childbirth until Christ is formed in you!

Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament based on Semantic Domains 58.4 μορφόω

58.4 μορφόω: (derivative of μορφήa ‘nature, character,’ 58.2) to cause something to have a certain form or nature—‘to form the nature of.’ μέχρις οὗ μορφωθῇ Χριστὸς ἐν ὑμῖν ‘until Christ’s nature is formed in you’ Ga 4:19. It may be possible in some languages to render Ga 4:19 as ‘until you become like Christ was’ or ‘… like Christ is.’

Christians are being transformed into the image of Jesus Christ

                show an image of

                think deeply or carefully about

(ESV) 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

(ESV) 49 Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven.

Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament based on Semantic Domains 58.35 εἰκών, όνος

58.35 εἰκώνb, όνος f: that which has the same form as something else—‘same form, likeness.’ καὶ καθὼς ἐφορέσαμεν τὴν εἰκόνα τοῦ χοϊκοῦ, φορέσομεν καὶ τὴν εἰκόνα τοῦ ἐπουρανίου ‘since we bear the likeness of that which is typical of the earth, we will also bear the likeness of that which is typical of heaven’ 1 Cor 15:49. Since the expressions τοῦ χοϊκοῦ and τοῦ ἐπουρανίου refer to individuals, it is much more satisfactory to translate 1 Cor 15:49 as ‘just as we have the likeness of the man made of earth, so we will have the likeness of the Man from heaven.’

In 1 Cor 15:49 εἰκών designates similarity in class or kind, while in Ro 1:23 εἰκών indicates a fashioned object (see 6.96).

Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations 2195 A Better Likeness Soon

C. H. Spurgeon received one day a copy of Andrew Bonar’s Commentary on Leviticus. It so blessed him that he returned it, saying, “Dr. Bonar, please place herein your autograph and your photograph.” The book was returned to him with the following note from Dr. Bonar:

“Dear Spurgeon, here is the book with my autograph and with my photograph. If you had been willing to wait a short season, you could have had a better likeness, for I shall be like Him; I shall see Him as He is (1 John 3:2).”

—A. Naismith

(ESV) 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.

Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament based on Semantic Domains 6.96 εἰκών, όνος; τύπος, ου; χάραγμα, τος

6.96 εἰκώνa, όνος f; τύποςb, ου m; χάραγμαb, τος n: an object (not necessarily three dimensional) which has been formed to resemble a person, god, animal, etc.—‘likeness, image’ (see 58.35).

εἰκώνa: τίνος ἡ εἰκὼν αὕτη ‘whose likeness is this?’ Mt 22:20; εἰκόνος φθαρτοῦ ἀνθρώπου καὶ πετεινῶν ‘likeness of mortal man and birds’ Ro 1:23.

τύποςb: τοὺς τύπους οὓς ἐποιήσατε προσκυνεῖν αὐτοῖς ‘idols that you made to worship’ Ac 7:43.

χάραγμαb: οὐκ ὀφείλομεν νομίζειν χρυσῷ ἢ ἀργύρῳ ἢ λίθῳ, χαράγματι τέχνης καὶ ἐνθυμήσεως ἀνθρώπου, τὸ θεῖον εἶναι ὅμοιον ‘we should not think that the divine nature is like a gold, silver, or stone image fashioned by the skill and art of man’ Ac 17:29.

In certain contexts the referents of εἰκώνa, τύποςb, and χάραγμαb may have special religious significance in that they may refer to idols, but the focal component for the translator is that of a likeness or resemblance. In contexts such as Mt 22:20 an equivalent translation may be simply ‘a picture,’ but in Ro 1:23 and Ac 7:43 one may use the same expression as is employed to render εἴδωλονa ‘idol’ (6.97).

(ESV) 27 To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament based on Semantic Domains 83.13 ἔσω; ἐν; εἰς

83.13 ἔσω; ἐνa; εἰςd: a position defined as being within certain limits—‘inside, within, in.’8ἔσω: ἀνοίξαντες δὲ ἔσω οὐδένα εὕρομεν ‘when we opened (the gate), we did not find anyone inside’ Ac 5:23; εἰσελθὼν ἔσω ‘he went into (the courtyard)’ Mt 26:58.

ἐνa: ὃς τὴν κατοίκησιν εἶχεν ἐν τοῖς μνήμασιν ‘who lived in the tombs’ Mk 5:3. Some translations render Mk 5:3 as ‘he lived among the graves,’ but it is likely that the Greek expression refers to living within relatively elaborate tombs. κηρύσσων ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ τῆς Ἰουδαίας ‘preaching in the desert of Judea’ Mt 3:1; ὅτι οὕτως διαλογίζονται ἐν ἑαυτοῖς ‘because they were reasoning this way within themselves’ Mk 2:8. In Mk 2:8 it is also possible to understand the phrase ἐν ἑαυτοῖς as meaning ‘among themselves’ (see ἐνb, 83.9). ἔγραψα ὑμῖν ἐν τῇ ἐπιστολῇ ‘I wrote to you in the letter’ 1 Cor 5:9. It may not be possible in some languages to speak of a part of a document as being ‘in’ something. It may, therefore, be necessary to render this expression in 1 Cor 5:9 as ‘part of what I wrote to you about was …’

εἰςd: τὰ παιδία μου μετ’ ε’μοῦ ει’ς τὴν κοίτην εἰσίν ‘my children are with me in bed’ Lk 11:7; πρῶτον δὲ ἐπίτρεψόν μοι ἀποτάξασθαι τοῖς εἰς τὸν οἶκόν μου ‘but first let me say goodbye to those in my home’ Lk 9:61.

Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament based on Semantic Domains 58.4 μορφόω

58.4 μορφόω: (derivative of μορφήa ‘nature, character,’ 58.2) to cause something to have a certain form or nature—‘to form the nature of.’ μέχρις οὗ μορφωθῇ Χριστὸς ἐν ὑμῖν ‘until Christ’s nature is formed in you’ Ga 4:19. It may be possible in some languages to render Ga 4:19 as ‘until you become like Christ was’ or ‘… like Christ is.’

Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament based on Semantic Domains 64.1 οἷος, α, ον; ὅμοιος, α, ον; ὁμοίως

64.1 οἷοςa, α, ον; ὅμοιος, α, ον; ὁμοίως: pertaining to being similar to something else in some respect—‘like, such as, likewise, similar.’2

οἷοςa: θλῖψις μεγάλη οἵα ου’ γέγονεν α’π’ α’ρχῆς κόσμου ἕως τοῦ νῦν ‘great tribulation such as has not taken place from the beginning of the world until now’ Mt 24:21; λευκὰ λίαν οἷα γναφεὺς ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς οὐ δύναται οὕτως λευκᾶναι ‘very white, such as no fuller on earth could make them so white’ Mk 9:3.

ὅμοιος: ἀλλὰ ὅμοιος αὐτῷ ἐστιν ‘but he is like him’ Jn 9:9; καὶ ὁ καθήμενος ὅμοιος ὁράσει λίθῳ ἰάσπιδι ‘and he who sits (on the throne) is like in appearance to a jasper stone’ (perhaps in the sense of ‘colorful radiance’) Re 4:3; ἐὰν φανερωθῇ ὅμοιοι αὐτῷ ἐσόμεθα ‘when he appears, we shall be like him’ 1 Jn 3:2.

ὁμοίως: καὶ ὁ ἔχων βρώματα ὁμοίως ποιείτω ‘and whoever has food, let him do likewise’ Lk 3:11; ὁμοίως καὶ ὁ δεύτερος καὶ ὁ τρίτος, ἕως τῶν ἑπτά ‘similarly, also the second and the third, until the seven (brothers)’ Mt 22:26.

Romans 1:23 ESV

23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.

300 Quotations for Preachers from the Puritans The Spirit Stamps God’s Image on Believers

The Spirit Stamps God’s Image on Believers

Romans 8:15–17; 2 Corinthians 1:21–22; 3:18; Ephesians 1:13–14

Preaching Themes: Adoption, Holy Spirit, Image of God

When God sets his seal on a man’s heart by his Spirit, there is some holy stamp, some image impressed, and left upon the heart by the Spirit, as by the seal upon the wax. And this holy stamp, or impressed image, exhibiting clear evidence to the conscience that the subject of it is the child of God, is the very thing which in Scripture is called the seal of the Spirit, and the witness or evidence of the Spirit. And this mark stamped by the Spirit on God’s children is his own image. That is the evidence by which they are known to be God’s children; they have the image of their Father stamped upon their hearts by the Spirit of adoption.

JONATHAN EDWARDS

Dictionary of Bible Themes 5034 likeness

likeness

The similarity between objects or persons. Humanity is created in the likeness of God. Jesus Christ possesses a likeness to both God and humanity, which is expressed and safeguarded by the doctrine of the incarnation.

Human beings are created in the likeness of God

Ge 1:26-27 See also Ge 5:1; 9:6; Col 3:9-10; Jas 3:9

Redemption includes being conformed to God’s likeness

The likeness of God the Father Mt 5:48 See also Eph 4:20-24

The likeness of God the Son Ro 8:29 See also 1Co 2:16; 2Co 3:18; Eph 4:11-13

Jesus Christ was in the likeness of God and humanity

Jesus Christ is like God Col 1:15 While stating that Jesus Christ is like God, Scripture also insists that this likeness is grounded in the fact that Jesus Christ is God. See also 2Co 4:4; Php 2:6; Heb 1:3

Jesus Christ is like human beings Ro 8:3 While stating that Jesus Christ is like humanity Scripture also insists that this likeness is grounded in the fact that Jesus Christ is human. Yet Christ did not share human sinfulness 2Co 5:21; Heb 4:15. See also Php 2:6-7

Dictionary of Bible Themes 5023 image of God

5023

image of God

Humanity is created in the image or likeness of God. This image of God, given in creation, was damaged in the fall, but may be restored through Jesus Christ.

Humanity created in God’s image

Ge 1:26-27 Image and likeness are probably synonymous terms in Hebrew parallelism. No physical likeness between God and humanity is intended. See also Ge 5:1-2

Paul implies that the divine image is associated in the first place with men

Although Paul at points seems to imply that the image of God is especially associated with males, he does not imply that this involves male supremacy: 1Co 11:7,11-12

Respect for human life in God’s image Ge 9:6; Jas 3:9

The divine image implies partnership with God in the stewardship of creation Ge 1:26 See also Ps 8:3-8

The divine image includes imitating God’s love and justice Mt 5:48 See also Dt 10:17-19

The image of God disfigured, though not totally destroyed, in the fall

Ro 3:23

Fallen humanity in contention with creation See also Ge 3:17-19

Fallen humanity and the exploitation of nature Dt 22:6-7; Isa 7:23-25

Jesus Christ the image of God

Php 2:6; Col 1:15 See also 2Co 4:4

He is the exact representation of God Heb 1:3

He reveals God Jn 1:18

Jesus Christ is the perfect human being

Jn 1:4 See also Jn 1:9,14; Php 2:7; Heb 2:17

Restoration of the divine image through Jesus Christ

The divine image is renewed in all who are united with him by faith Ro 8:29 See also 2Co 3:18; Eph 1:13-14; 4:22-24; Col 3:9-10

The promise of complete restoration in the future 1Co 15:49; 1Jn 3:2 See also 1Co 15:42,45-48; Php 3:21

The Christian life as a process of transformation 2Co 3:18

Colossians 1:15 ESV

15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.

2 Corinthians 4:4 ESV

4 In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

2 cor

2 Corinthians 2:16 ESV

16 to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things?

1 Corinthians 2:16 ESV

16 “For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.

1 Peter 2:21 ESV

21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.

Ephesians 5:1 ESV

1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.

1 Corinthians 11:1 ESV

1 Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.

2 Corinthians 11:1 ESV

1 I wish you would bear with me in a little foolishness. Do bear with me!