Image Is Everything

Intro – I want to talk tonight about image.  In fact, if your taking notes, the sermon is titled, “Image is everything”

·                     Not the outside appearance

·                     Not hair/makeup/lipstick/dress

·                     Not your type of car

·                     The image on the inside of each and everyone of us is what we’re talking about.  Why?  Because we were created in the image and likeness of God.

Point 1

[Read Genesis 1:26-27]

We were created in the likeness and image of our Father.  Now, what is the image of God? 

The image is made up of two parts:

a.      Our mind

b.      Our spirit

We know this is so because God is a spirit and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth.

Something happened after the fall of man in the garden of eden.  Our minds became carnal or bent towards evil and our spirits became disconnected from God.  However, to them that believe on the name of Jesus goes the gift of a renewed mind focused on Christ which allows God’s spirit to conform our spirit to the image of His son.

Point 2

a.         Once we believe in Him, we have power as sons and daughters of God to overcome all obstacles (John 1:22)

b.         And because we are sons and daughters, God has sent forth the spirit of His Son into our hearts crying ABBA, FATHER!

c.            The Bible says in 1 Cor. 10:13 [Read – There hath no temptation taken you…]

Point 3

God loves us for who we are and not for what we’ve done.  There is joy in heaven over 1 sinner that repenteth more than over 90 and 9 just persons which needeth no repentence!! [luke 15:7]  And just as we have borne this earthly image, once we receive God into our lives, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. [1 Cor. 15:49]

Breakdown

So what prevents us from accepting God?  Don’t we all want to a new image?  If we all accept God today right here and now, He will forgive us our sins and then, just that quickly our faces will show through w/ the image of the glory of God! (2 Cor. 3:18) 

Write this down:

I am somebody

M ade in His image and likeness

A ccepted by Him just as I am

G od’s son and daughter, possessing power to overcome

E ternally saved by Christ Jesus

It doesn’t matter what you’ve done before:

Drugs

Alcohol

Lying cheating, fornicating

It doesn’t matter what you’ve been through

Abuse

Pain, suffering

God will take you up in His arms and let you abide in His secret place! (Psalms

He’ll gird your body w/ strength and power to overcome all obstacles

He’ll be a present help in times of trouble

He’ll be a strong tower when you looking for safety!