What Does God Look Like?

Big Idea

Seeing God by looking at Jesus.

Key Verse

Colossians 1:15 NIV

The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.

We

What Does God Look Like?

Video Clip: What does God look like? | 2:00

Knowing Who God is

We believe that there is only one God, who is infinitely perfect, the Creator, Preserver, and Governor of all things, and who is the only proper object of religious worship. (2nd Article of Faith).

We believe that there are three persons in the Godhead—the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost—undivided in essence and co-equal in power and glory. (3rd Article of Faith)

We believe that in the person of Jesus Christ the Divine and human natures are united, so that He is truly and properly God and truly and properly man. (4th Article of Faith)

Who we worship is pivotal to our faith. / It is essential to know who God is, his nature and his purposes.

God

Colossians 1:15-23, p.1182

Colossians 1:15–23 NIV

The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation—if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.

The Image of the Invisible God

Colossians 1:15 NIV

The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.

From beginning, People of God - Israel > God is the only true God. / Instructed to worship him only. / Israel - other religions/other gods/worshipping more than one god at a time! / Today: other religions/idols that would distract.

God = spiritual being/no physical body/invisible. / But see him in J - tells us who he is, explains him to us. / Image = eikon = icon = “an image or representation” = portrait of God but idea of revealing personal character of God: goodness to us./Reveals what God is really like.

Aware of God’s presence/“somebody or something out there”. / Only look at Jesus > looking at the one true God himself. / More we look at Jesus > see God’s character, of his utter self-giving love.

You

Look to Christ and Be Made Like Him

Colossians 1:23 NIV

if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.

Jesus Christ shows you who God is. / Through him > new relationship with God. / Relationships never static > forward, or die. / True of your relationship with God too. / Neglect, distracted > dies.

Train to become like Christ. / Take responsibility for spiritual growth. / Ensure maturing in the faith. / NTW - picture of a house: keep building brick- by-brick./Foundations are laid on Christ himself./Life of faith, hope and love is built on him./As building grows and takes shape, you begin to show that foundations are there — you start to reflect Christ.

Feed mind on Christ and his Word. / Heart must focus on him in love. / Will must bend to his will. / Life — what you do — must reflect what he would do. / Fill your life every day with him. / That is how you will reflect the image of Christ.

Next Steps

SB 328 - To be like Jesus!

To be like Jesus! This hope possesses me, In every thought and deed, This is my aim, my creed; To be like Jesus! This hope possesses me, His Spirit helping me, Like him I’ll be. John Gowans (1934-2012) © The General of The Salvation Army. Used By Permission. CCL Licence No. 30158 Copied from The Song Book of The Salvation Army Song Number 328