We Are...Getting Some Things Straight, Pt. 1

“We Are” Message 1

Genesis 1:26-27

ETS: The Bible recorded the creation account of humans.

ESS: We should trust the Bible’s account of who we are.

OSS: [MO: Doctrinal] {SO: I want the hearers to believe the Bible for the account of the creation and fall of man as it pertains to their identity.}

PQ: What doctrinal truths are communicated in this text regarding the creation and identity of humans?

UW: Truths

Intro.: Recently, I saw a picture of a church sign that said this, “Moral confusion; Sexual confusion; Gender confusion; author of confusion: Satan.” It is not surprise that we live in a world that seems to be confused about some issues. In fact, you or someone you know may be confused about some issues. The issues you may be confused on may not relate to morality or sexuality, but they may in one or more ways relate to identity. Thus, it is pertinent that we “get some things straight” today.

TS: Let us now examine together a few doctrinal truths about the creation of humans:

Humans were created by God. (v. 26a; 27)

“Then God said, “Let us make man…so God created man in his own image...”

Derek Kidner commented that the plural form “us” is sometimes said to refer to God’s angels creating with Him. However, he concluded that it is best understood as to refer to the Trinity such as Jesus follows up in John 14:23 and 14:17 (Kidner, note under 1:26)

Humans were created in the image and likeness of God. (vv. 26-27)

“Image” (ṣelem) is used figuratively here... Being in God’s image means that humans share, though imperfectly and finitely, in God’s nature, that is, in His communicable attributes (life, personality, truth, wisdom, love, holiness, justice), and so have the capacity for spiritual fellowship with Him. (Bible Knowledge Commentary, verse 26).

Humans were created male and female. (v. 27b)

Robert Jamieson suggested that specifically in the account of human creation the genders are “expressly mentioned” to show forth their divine “purpose” in multiplying.

Humans were created with purpose. (v. 28)

The Bible knowledge commentary insisted that God created man with a “functional” purpose: “to rule or have dominion.” (BKC, 26 and 28)

Furthermore, the BKC and Tyndale OT Commentary agree that the blessing in this verse was not only the gift of fertility (as was such in the Genesis account), but also the gift of function. This is spelled out in the commands, “be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it. Rule...”

Humans were created with provisions already made. (vv. 29-30)

It should be noted, as the New Bible Commentary 21st Century ed. (D.A. Carson) notes that “not until after the flood was meat-eating expressly sanctioned (9:1-3).

More importantly, though, both the NBC and TOTC (Tyndale) agree that the essence and significance of this verse is not to suggest that originally humans were all vegetarians, but rather to suggest that all food was provided for by God.

Humans were created “very good” in the eyes of God. (v. 31)

Scholars agreed that the Bible declaring the creation as good or very good referred to the whole of creation. Humans, at creation, were very good, complete, like God (in its limited, finite capability to resemble God).

CONCLUSION:

To begin setting things straight, we must begin with the ultimate source of truth, the Word of God which accounts for us the creation of everything, including humans. Humans, at creation, were created by God to reflect God’s image, to fulfill a distinct purpose, to rely upon God’s provisions, and to be good as God designed them. Unfortunately, next week we will see the second part to this. The fall of man. However, to begin understanding who we are we must go back to who we were before the effects of the enemy had any touch in our life...

Today, do you need to be reminded of who you are? I mean, who God created you to be; not who the enemy wants you to believe you are. What lies have you believed about you? What have you allowed the enemy to convince you of? Lay it at the feet of the Creator today! Trust who He made you to be, not who the enemy tries to convince you that you are.