Arrow 4

Introduction

Last week was the beginning of the Application Arrows. So Arrow 1 and Arrow 2 were to help us aim toward and understand what each passage is actually saying as we journey through the Bible and through each book, each paragraph, each verse, each sentence. Arrows 3 through 7 are all aimed toward how we start applying the verses to ourselves both mentally and in practice through daily living. So our first application arrow started us aiming in the right direction. (what does this passage say about God?) and after we search the passage of God’s character now we can move on to figuring out what the passage says about man because we fit in the narrative of the story of God. So…what does the story of man look like? How does it fit in with the story of God?

Main Idea: In the context of God’s story he is working to recreate his people and his creation. We have been made in God’s image, we have rebelled against him, and how we have been recreated in Christ by faith in his finished work to serve Him while still drawing breath

Image Bearers

We were made in the image of God (Imago Dei)() and we were made distinctly different than any of the other created being because of this.

God didn’t create us out of need because he was lonely, but he created us for his own glory because he deserves worship and honor as people fulfill what He has asked them to do (Be fruitful and multiply).

Our purpose in life is to live lives of worship to God, focused on displaying his greatness and glory for our benefit, joy, and pleasure.

Quote by Wayne Grudem “The fact that man is in the image of God means that man is like God and represents God.”

So, “worship is not what we do or our relationships with others but rather by who we are…Additionally, no person bears more of the image of God than another.” -Donny Mathis

But if we are made in God’s image why does everything seem to be so messed up? We rebelled.

Rebels

Adam and Eve rebelled against God’s command to stay away from the fruit of the knowledge of good and evil. Their relationship with God is fractured.

God does not take away their commands to be fruitful and multiply, but the curses on man just make accomplishing those commands harder and more difficult. While work brings satisfaction, it also brings weariness. Being fruitful is still a command and brings joy, the pain of childbirth is multiplied. Man and woman will rebel against their God-ordained roles in the marriage relationship. And the ultimate curse is death.

There is catastrophe and chaos ( and the story of Noah

When we ask the questions “what does this passage say about God?” then we ask “what does this passage say about man?” we will continually see the holiness of God, the sinfulness of humanity, and ultimately God’s grace on us. This makes bible reading both joyous at times and painful other times.

When we read the bible we get an increasing understanding of our sinfulness and an increasing understanding of God’s glory and grace.

God set apart Israel with the commands at Mt. Sinai so they could live as a holy nation on display of God’s greatness to all the other nations …but there was a central problem: Israel is sinful just like every other nation and won’t obey God for long.

Quote by Wayne Grudem “It is not just that some parts of us are sinful and others are pure. Rather, every part of our being is affected by sin-our intellects, our emotions and desires, our hearts (the center of our desires and decision-making processes), our goals and motives, and even our physical bodies.”

Redeemed

“If you are a Christian, your life is hidden with Christ in God (), which means that God’s story really is your story.”

The answer to humanity’s problem is Jesus, the true human, the true Israelite, God in the flesh. In his life, Jesus models what living in perfect communion with God looks like.

“Jesus comes as the true Israelite king and bears the righteous judgment of God against sin, and in his resurrection defeats death, so that believers can know God and live abundantly.”

Believer in Christ=New Creation

There are two groups of people: those who are restored in Christ and those who are still in Adam.

In Paul explains that “Being redeemed by Christ and receiving life from Christ carries the responsibility of no longer living for yourself but living ‘for the one who died and was raised for them’”

“We must remember that redeeming and forgiving us are not the goal of God’s work to save us. They make us fit for the blessing of communing with the God who has made us and brings true satisfaction.”

“When we ask this question we have to determine what (if anything) that the passage says about who God has made us to be in Christ—>who redeemed us from death, filled us with God’s Spirit, and empowered us by God’s Spirit to endure until our hope is realized in Christ’s final victory (Romans 8).”

Ambassadors

We transition from what God has made us to be (Redeemed) to what God has called us to do.

Kingdom Obedience and Kingdom Mission: The New Testament authors tell believers to display Kingdom Obedience because Jesus has transformed them and given them a place in the kingdom. The Kingdom obedience merges with God’s purpose for his people to be a part of the Kingdom mission.

Kingdom Obedience: Christ transforms us to demonstrate the greatness of the salvation that he provides. Then grow in holiness. Love for the church and that we were made for community (church). This increasing love pushes us towards a missional motive.

Kingdom Mission: To proclaim the gospel of the Kingdom of God to all nations so that God will receive the worship he deserves from every tribe and tongue and people and nation.

“In Christ, we have a new heart, a new behavior, and a new community through which the Spirit will strengthen us in the fight against sin and empower us to pursue holiness!”- Donny Mathis

Conclusion