October 4, 2021
This week we read Genesis 1-9. In Genesis 1 God creates the earth and everything in it. In Genesis 1:26-, he creates man. “ 26 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,[a] and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” 27 So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. 28 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.” 29 Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. 30 And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds in the sky and all the creatures that move along the ground—everything that has the breath of life in it—I give every green plant for food.” And it was so. 31 God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day.”
Today let’s discuss what it means to be created in God’s image. We are unique from anything else God made.
The word “image” and “likeness” in the Hebrew means resemblance. The exact same two words of image and likeness are used in Genesis 5:3, when Adam has a son named Seth. Thus, Adam’s son bears resemblance to his dad like we bear resemblance to our Father, God. God created humans in a unique manner, unlike any other creature that God created and we have spiritual attributes similar to God (God is Spirit; John 4:24). God created mankind to represent Him and to declare His glory
What does “created in the image of God” mean for you. It means that you are a reflection of God’s image. Every person in the world has attributes of God, and reflects His image. It does not matter what a person looks or acts like. It does not matter how low a person feels. Everyone has value. Everyone is beautiful. God did not make any mistakes when you were created. Ecclesiastes 3:11 says, “11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet[a] no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.” God has made everything beautiful and that includes you!
What does, “created in the image of God” mean for how we treat other people? Because all people are created in God’s image, we need to treat them respectfully, with kindness and goodness. This means both all types of people; nice and mean. James 3:9 says, “9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.”
What are some of the attributes of God that in the initial sinless world are reflected in Him? He was righteous and holy. Ephesians 4:24 says, “4 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” God was relational. He wanted people in relation with one another and with Him. Every time God created something He said, “It is good.” After God made Adam, “18 The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” (Genesis 2:18). God made Eve to be in relationship with Adam. God also made man to be in relationship with Him. He walked in the Garden of Eden and had fellowship with Adam and Eve after creation.
Then what happened? Sin entered the world. In Genesis 3, we see that Adam and Eve ate fruit from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. This was the only tree they were not to eat from, yet, after being tempted, they disobeyed God and ate the fruit. As a consequence, God no longer let them eat from the tree of life and live forever. They were banished from the garden, and now sin was in the world.
What does that do for us? We are still God’s glory from creation, but now we are all sinners and mortal.
Does that mean we can’t have a relationship with God? Thankfully, no! God has created a way for us to be reconciled to Him, and that is through His Son Jesus Christ. We can see who God is through His Son. Colossians 1:15 says, “The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.” Hebrews 1:3 says, “3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word.” God has allowed us to see Him through Jesus. It is not through his looks, but from His spiritual features; love, grace, compassion, mercy, and holiness.
We can know God’s will through Jesus as well. John 3:16 says, “16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” Thus, God’s will for us is that we would not perish but have eternal life. God’s will is also that we be made in His image. We are to be transformed into His likeness. Romans 12:2 says, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Galations 3:27 says, 27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.”
Question: Would you like a relationship with God so you can see Him through Jesus? Romans 10:9 says, “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
Next week we will read Genesis 10-18
References: Sermons by Tim Keller, Mike Leake, Alan McCann ,Jerico Layugan
Diving into the Bible 