Week Two: Our True Identity
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· 18 viewsWhat does it mean that I'm created in God's image? From Genesis 1.26, we see five results from God creating humans in His image.
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01/10/21
Dominant Thought: Since we are created in the image of God, the better we know God, then the better we know ourselves.
Objectives:
I want my listeners to understand the five results from God creating us in His image.
I want my listeners to feel encouraged and empowered by the image of God.
Today, we begin week two of our Core 52 journey. Again, I want to encourage you to read the Core 52 book that contains five days of material: an essay, a memory verse, a scripture reading, scriptures for mediation, and an action step. In addition to reading the book, we’ll teach on the weekly themes throughout 2021. Occasionally, we’ll step aside from the study, but the majority of the year’s plan will go through Core 52. Third, share this material with a group. It could be your family or one of the groups we are starting.
In our Declaration of Independence in 1776, our founders expressed that “all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights.” They were affirming a truth that is found on the opening pages of our Scriptures. We would say that all humans are created in the image of God.
Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”
In Genesis 1.26, we encounter five results from God creating us in His image.
Since we are created in God’s image, we live in community. Did you notice the words in Genesis 1.26, “us” and “our”? “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness.” That is a clear reference to Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. God lives in community and expects His people to live in community, too.
Can you image the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit ever arguing with one another or fussing or fighting with one another? No, we hear things at the baptism of Jesus when the Father says, “This is my son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased.”
Since, we are created in God’s image, we live in community. We are identified by our relationship with our Father. We are children of God. We are identified by our family relationships. We are identified by our church family. We were not made to live in isolation. God has created us all in His image to encourage one another, support one another, challenge one another.
Something that we’ve said a long time in church is that “Jesus is my personal Lord and Savior.” While it is true that we can have a personal relationship with Jesus, Christianity is not a solo experience. Our faith is designed after the model of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We are members of the church and the kingdom of God.
This week’s action step is to “identify one area of your life where you’re flying solo, and then invite someone into that area of your life” (Mark Moore, Core 52, p. 18). What is one area where you could benefit from someone coming alongside of you?
Since we are created in God’s image, we reflect God’s glory. This result of God creating us in His image gives us value. You are not a mistake. The evil one may try to tell you that you are worthless or you’ll never amount to anything, but that is a lie. Human beings are the pinnacle of God’s creation. There’s some beautiful refrains throughout Genesis chapter one. One of those refrains is, “And God saw that it was good” (Genesis 1.4, 10, 12, 18, 21, 25). After He created the light, He called it good. After the land and seas, God called it good. Seed bearing plants and trees…good. Sun, moon, stars…good. Birds and sea creatures…good. Wild animals, livestock, and all other critters…good. Then you come to Genesis 1.31 and the script changes. Not until after mankind is created on day six, does God call it very good.
God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day.
Our younger two kids and I really enjoyed reading a countdown to Christmas book by Ann Voskamp, Unwrapping the Greatest Gift. In it she writes, “God the Father gathered close with God the Son, Jesus Christ, and God the Holy Spirit, and all the glory of the Trinity gathered close when They imagined the masterpiece of you. And God in three persons scooped a handful of dust together and knelt down, and together They kissed warm life into God’s children with the breath of His love (page 13).”
Since, we have value then we can love ourselves. Because when we love and care for ourselves in a healthy and holy way, then we honor God because we are created in His image. Since, we have value, then we can treat others well, too, which leads us to our third result of God creating us in His image.
Since we are created in God’s image, we see others reflect God’s glory. We can treat others with dignity and respect because they are our fellow divine image bearers. That’s a term I heard several years ago at a Nationwide Youth Roundup: D.I.B. = Divine Image Bearer. As you read later in the Bible in Exodus, God makes some very clear commands for his people. A couple of those commands center on idols and images. Don’t make an idol or any images of God. All the other nations and cultures had images and idols of their gods. However, the God of the Bible, our God said no images? Why? Because all of us are His image. We represent His glory.
So, that is why Jesus says in Matthew 5.21 if you hate your brother it is equivalent to murder.
“You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’
But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister, will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.
“Whoever sheds human blood, by humans shall their blood be shed; for in the image of God has God made mankind.
Why the harsh penalties? You are destroying someone special that God has created. Since we all reflect God’s glory, then we are worthy of respect. God’s image gives value to us all. A respect that should carry through throughout one’s entire life. This respect for God’s value for life addresses the bully on the playground, the mother who’s deciding whether to carry out her pregnancy, and to the care giver for the elderly who needs assistance for her daily needs.
Since we are created in God’s image, we rule the world. One result that often gets overlooked in this image of God discussion is God’s command for mankind to rule. It is repeated twice in Genesis 1.26, 28. In Genesis, 1.28, it is used with subdue. Derek Kidner says, “In both the opening chapters of Genesis man is portrayed as in nature and over it” (Genesis, An Introduction and Commentary).
Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”
God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”
These words carry with it a type of wrestling for control. The NIV even describes these animals as “wild animals.” Mankind is called to subdue the earth and rule over the animals. I want to remind you that we have been given a trust of authority from God. Again, as created in His image, God has empowered us. He is the one with ultimate authority and creative power. He has given us a portion of that power and authority to rule and lead.
We generally have a hard time exercising authority properly. We’ll find in chapter three of Genesis that Adam and Eve were not able to rule over that crafty serpent. It has been downhill ever since. Too much of the time that power and authority has been abused, neglected, or abandoned.
This week we saw historic examples in our nation’s capitol of what happens when we do not rule well. We could point fingers at political parties, leaders, rioters, law enforcement, but when the day is done we have both an individual and a community responsibility to carry our God’s image and likeness well. One of authority and peace, truth, and grace.
Let’s take a moment now and pray for our nation. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, we praise you for ruling the universe. Thank you for sharing your authority with us. We confess that we do not always rule well. Lord, we pray for our nation and ask for your mercy. We pray for President Trump and Vice President Pence and their team. Lord, we pray for a peaceful transition for President Elect Biden and Vice President Elect Harris and their team. King Jesus, we ask for your help to lead peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. In the name of the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, we pray. Amen.
Thankfully, the good news is that God still has compassion and will subdue our sins. The word for subdue in Genesis 1.28 is used by the prophet Micah to describe how God “treads our sins underfoot.”
You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.
Since we are created in God’s image, we see Jesus better. If you want the best picture of God, then I invite you to look to Jesus. Paul tells us in Colossians 1.15, that Jesus “is the image of the invisible God.”
Near the end of the ministry of Jesus, He visits with the Twelve disciples and gives one of the great “I am” statements recorded in the gospel of John. Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14.6).
Then, comes this exchange between Jesus and Philip.
If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”
Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.”
Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?
Jesus said, “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.” The divine image helps us to see Jesus better which helps us see the Father better which leads us to our theme for today: Since we are created in the image of God, the better we know God, then the better we know ourselves. Remember we are created in God’s image. We get into trouble when we try to fashion God into our image.
In Jesus, we see God’s perfect image. One who speaks the truth, respects human life, enjoys time with friends and those on the fringe of society. One who is not afraid to confront authority or sacrifice His life for friends and foes. He showed us how to love. That is the greatest example and characteristic of God’s image. And He did all that for the world to see.
Week Two in Core 52 by Mark Moore
(These daily guides accompany the book, Core 52 by Mark Moore.)
Day 1: Read the essay.
Day 2: Memorize Genesis 1.26
Day 3: Read Ephesians 1.
Day 4: Meditate on Psalm 8.4-5; 139.13-14; Hebrews 2.6-8
Day 5: Identify one small thing you could do today to help restore Eden where you live.
Overachiever Challenge: Memorize Psalm 8.4-5
Bonus Read: John Piper, Desiring God: Meditations of a Christian Hedonist
