Genesis Ch1v26-31 - In God's Image

Then God said, Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish, in the sea, in the birds, in the sky, and over the livestock, and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.

So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them, male and female he created them.

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.

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.

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.

God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.

And there was evening, and there was morning, the sixth day.

Well, let's pray.

Let's see what we can learn from God's word today.

Let's pray.

The God who spoke this universe into being, out of nothing,

creating life, creating mankind, making us.

Father God, we ask that you now will speak to us

through your word in such a way

that it grabs a hold of us

and helps us to see clearly

who we are,

how we should live,

and what it means to be

your image bearers.

Father, I pray that you will change us today,

change us for good,

change us so that we would

reflect your glory

better.

We pray this

in Jesus' name.

Amen.

Look with me at

chapter 1, verse 1,

the first verse of the Bible.

In the beginning,

God created

the heavens and the earth.

Now go to verse 26,

where we started our reading.

Then God said,

let us make mankind in our image,

in our likeness,

so that they may rule over the fish,

the sea,

and the birds of the sky.

Did you notice a change

in those two verses?

We've been given some new information

about God.

Look again closely

at verse 26.

Then God said,

let us

make mankind

in

our

image.

So,

who is the us

and the

our?

It seems that God

is a lot more complex

than we first thought.

While we're not given

all the details

at this point in Scripture,

we are being given

an insight

into who God is.

As we read

through the Bible,

God is always referred to

God as one.

There is only one God,

but yet this God

can speak of himself

as us

and our.

As we read the Bible

progressively,

bit by bit,

God reveals

that God is

one

in

three persons.

The us

and the our

will become

identified as

the Father,

the Son,

and the Spirit.

So,

when God says

in verse 26,

then God said,

let us

make mankind

in

our

image,

God is declaring

that he is a

relational

kind of

God.

He already

enjoys an

eternal

loving relationship

within himself.

He talks

within himself.

They come

to an agreement

that we're going

to make

mankind.

mankind.

The Father,

the Son,

and the Spirit

are united

in perfect

harmony.

So,

when God

creates mankind,

he doesn't do it

because he needs

anyone.

It's not as if

God is bored

or that he's

somehow lonely,

but God

longs to share

the joy

he has

within himself

with

mankind.

God takes

delight in

creating

mankind.

He creates

us.

He's created

you

to welcome

us

that we

would share

in his

eternal

loving

relationship.

So,

this morning

we're going

to look

together at

who we

are made

to be.

Made

to be

in relationship

with God.

First,

made in

God's

image.

We're really

going to be

focusing on

verses 27

and 28.

So,

look at

verse 27.

God

created

mankind

in his

own

image.

In the

image of

God,

he created

them.

Male

and female,

he created

them.

So,

three things

we're going

to see

from this

verse.

First,

look at

image.

An image

is a

reflection.

Like when

you looked

in the

mirror

this

morning

in the

bathroom,

you see

a reflection

of yourself.

It's not

your true

self,

but an

image

of

yourself.

Now,

God

creates

us

to be

his

image

bearers,

to

reflect

him.

God

can't

be seen,

he's not

a physical

being like

us,

but his

intention

is,

is that

he would

be reflected

in human

form and

character.

We are

to be

a visible,

representation

of the

invisible

God.

Think of

it like

this,

it's really

quite

extraordinary.

Think of

the sun

and its

brilliant

light

shining by

day.

At night,

the sun

is still

shining on

the other

side of

the world

to where

we are,

and its

light is

reflected on

the surface

of the moon,

which in

turn shines

back down

on the

earth.

So the

sun

reflects its

light off

the moon

back down

to earth.

Now,

the reflected

light is not

the same as

the sun's

light.

We can't

see the

sun,

but it's

a reflection

of that

light.

So as

God's

image

bearers,

we are

to reflect

the beauty

and greatness

of God.

We were

created and

designed in

such a way

that we

would shine

forth his

glory,

that we

would display

his love,

his justice,

his mercy,

his purity.

God

wonderfully

creates an

image of

himself,

and you

and I

were created

to be that

very image.

So,

image.

But,

verse 27,

in the

image of

God,

he created

them,

male and

female,

he created

them.

God's

reflection is

to be seen

in mankind,

and the

different kinds

of mankind,

if we want

to put it

like that,

are male

and female.

Both

equally

reflect the

image of

God.

One is not

better,

and one is

not less

than the

other.

Men and

women are

equal in

value,

worth,

and dignity.

There's no

inferiority,

and no

superiority.

Now,

while male

and female

are equally

God's image

bearers,

that doesn't

mean to

say that

God is

somehow

50% male,

and 50%

female,

and he

kind of

makes images

of half

and half.

No,

we saw

last week,

didn't we,

that God

is distinct

from humanity.

He's not

like us.

He's not

restricted to

a physical

body.

But yet,

we are to

reflect his

image.

Men and

women are

to display

his

character.

Now,

before we

move on,

it's important

to underline

here that

God has

created

gender.

We are

either male

or female.

We're not

interchangeable

beings.

And it's

important because

gender is

being redefined,

we'll read

about it and

hear about it,

as something

that is

fluid,

not fixed.

In other

words,

we are not

assigned our

gender at

birth,

but we

choose our

gender at

will.

This ideology

is summed up

in a picture

book written

for four-year-old

children called

The Gender

Fairy.

It tells the

children,

quote,

Only you

know if

you are a

boy or a

girl.

No one

can tell

you.

And the

author's

hope is

this,

to quote

again,

Some

children will

realise that

their true

identity is

not the

gender they

were assigned

at birth,

and will

choose to

make a

social transition

to live as

their true

gender.

Picture

book written

for four-year-olds.

You see,

behind this

gender ideology

is essentially

a search for

identity.

Who am I?

Looking for

meaning and

purpose.

And the good

news that we've

been looking at

at the beginning

of Genesis is

that we were

created for

something much

greater than

we could ever

choose or

design for

ourselves.

We were

created by

God to

share in

his joy

and to

reflect his

glory.

This is

where all

humanity

finds our

true happiness

and purpose.

Of course,

gender

struggles are

a very real

issue, and

they shouldn't

be ignored.

We need to

lovingly

listen and

show

compassionate

care.

We need to

gently come

alongside

people of

all ages and

all backgrounds.

parents.

We need to

support parents

whose children

may struggle.

We are to

show very

simply and

clearly that

we were

designed and

created by

God to

share in

his joy and

reflect his

glory as

male and

female.

To help us

more on

this, I

highly recommend

a book by

Sharon James

called Gender

Ideology.

I have this

little book

here.

The quote

that I read

to you comes

from it.

Really helpful,

very short.

Have a look

at it.

Read it.

Or if you

want to talk

to me further

about these

things, please

do.

We're created,

male or

female, to

be God's

image bearers.

Now this

makes it

wonderfully

unique.

All of us,

male and

female, are

created as

God's image

bearers.

Nothing else

in all

creation has

the privilege

of being

image bearers.

Every single

person, rich

or poor,

abled or

disabled, black

or white, all

of mankind

are equally

and uniquely

made in

God's image.

That means,

and Ralph

touched on

this in

Psalm 8,

that we are

above the

animals, but

under God.

God's image

and we're

all equal, but

we're above

the animals, but

under God.

That is, we're

not the same as

animals.

We were created

to be thinking,

rational human

beings, giving

love and receiving

love with feelings

and emotions.

We were made to

commune with God

and be in

relationship with

God.

So, we are not

the same as

animals.

We're above the

animals, but we're

also under God.

God.

We're not

God with

infinite power

and wisdom.

We're not

autonomous,

independent beings.

We were created

to be like

God and in

relationship with

God, but always

under God.

Now, the

problems begin

when we reduce

human beings to

the status of

an animal.

When we do

that, life is no

longer valued.

Life can be

terminated at will,

like you do to

a pet who's no

longer wanted,

or when the

pet gets sick.

Well, let's put

it down.

After all, we're

just all animals,

aren't we?

It's okay to do

that.

In the same way,

the problems begin

when we take the

place of God or we

put ourselves equal

or above God.

We become the

rule makers and

the decision makers

and we make rules

that are no longer

good for us,

but ultimately

harm us.

Listen, to be

created as God's

image bearers,

that means we are

male and female

and we are

wonderfully unique

in the place of

all creation.

This is God's

design of us and

it's always best

for us.

So, we're made

in God's image

and then second,

we're to live out

this image.

Having created

mankind, God

now shows us

how we are to

live as his

image bearers.

Again, three

things we're going

to focus on

in verse 28.

Here's the first

one.

God blessed

them and said

to them,

be fruitful

and increase

in number.

Go and have

more children,

increase the

number of

people.

In other words,

image bearers

are to go and

make more

image bearers.

God's design

is that it

would be one

man and one

woman who

would enter

into covenant

relationship with

God and with

each other and

make more image

bearers.

Have children so

that they too

will reflect the

glory and

greatness of

God.

That's the

purpose.

If you have

children, their

purpose is to

reflect the

glory and

greatness of

God.

Now, as we'll

see in a

minute, we're

living post-fall.

Life is now

broken.

Physically and

biologically, our

bodies don't

always function as

they should and

sadly, it's

sometimes the

case that

husbands and

wives are not

able to have

children.

And this can be

particularly painful

as wanting

children is a

deep and

natural longing.

So let me say

to those, whatever

age, we can

learn from this.

Or if you plan

to get married in

later years and

have children

yourself and have

a family but you

discover we're not

able to, let me

say a few things.

First, it's right

to grieve.

Children are a

blessing and not

experiencing that

blessing is always

painful.

We shouldn't feel

we should ever have

to hide or excuse

our grief.

It's right to

grieve.

And second, God

doesn't love us

less.

Sometimes we think

God is being mean

or perhaps punishing

us.

No, God never

withholds all that

is good and best

for us.

God's love is not

conditional on

having children.

And third, there

are other ways

people serve.

Couples who

can't have

children often

may feel or

other people will

say, oh well

they're disqualified,

they can't serve

in certain ways

now.

No, God gives

us all gifts

and abilities.

That means we

can serve in

children's ministry

or it may mean

that we serve in

other ways.

We all have a

purpose and a

place.

And lastly, God's

grace is enough.

On the darkest

days when there

are no more

tears to shed,

when the sense

of loss and

emptiness is

crushing, do

not fear.

God walks

with you.

He will never

leave us and

his grace will

always be

sufficient.

So, be

fruitful.

Second, in

verse 28 he

says, be

fruitful, increase

in number, and

fill the earth.

It's God's

intention that the

earth would be

filled with his

image bearers.

You know, in the

ancient world, and

even today we see

it, a king's

image would be

set up in

different parts of

his kingdom.

So you can even

think of a modern

state like today,

like North Korea.

You go anywhere,

and there's images

and pictures and

statues of the

Kims, the ruling

dynasty, representing

the present and

reminding the

subjects who

rule.

Well, God is the

true but good and

kind ruler.

And as the true

king, he has

created a kingdom.

That kingdom is

called the world

in which we live.

And God has

placed his image

in the world

called mankind.

So together, men

and women are to

represent God

throughout the

world.

Here's a quote for

you just to

summarize it.

God is the

sovereign creator

who extends his

kingship over the

world, but he

extends his rule

through human

beings.

For as God's

image bearers,

they must govern

the world for

God's glory.

So whether we're

at home, whether

we're in school,

at work, whatever

we're doing socially,

wherever we are,

whatever is going

on, we bear God's

image.

We are to represent

and reflect God's

goodness and glory

everywhere we step

and everywhere we

speak.

Fill the earth.

And again from

verse 28, be

fruitful, fill the

earth and subdue

it.

Verse 28, be

fruitful, increase

in number, fill the

earth, 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.

Humanity is to

rule the world,

but their rule is

not to be their

own rule, it's to

be a reflection of

God's good and

loving rule.

We are to live

God's way according

to his order and

design and together

we are to extend

that rule throughout

the earth.

But how do we

live out his

rule?

Well, look at

verse 28.

God blessed

them and said

to them.

Verse 29,

and God

said.

God, you see,

communicates his

rule through his

word and so we

are to extend

God's word,

rule through his

word.

As image

bearers, we

should long to

see God's word

shaping and

transforming society

and lives.

Image bearers are

to proclaim the

good and gracious

word of the king.

That's why we're

here, to spread

his word, a word

that will protect

the weak, a word

that will preserve

life, a word that

pursues justice, a

word that ultimately

proclaims a God

who is creator and

Lord over all this

universe, demanding

our loyalty and

deserving our praise.

We rule well when

we live life under

the authority of

God's word.

So we are made in

his image, we are

called to live out

that image.

And third, we're

restored to God's

image.

When God finished

making mankind, there

was delight, wasn't

there?

Look at verse 31.

And God saw all

that he made and

it was very good.

Everything else

we're told up to

this point that God

made was good.

But the creation of

his image bearers

was very good.

God delights and

take pleasure in

what he has done.

Imagine a world full

of his unique image

bearers.

Imagine a world with

nations filled with

people reflecting his

goodness and his

glory, all extending

the gracious rule of

the king.

Can you picture it?

God's name is a

world full of

people.

Well, we only need

to look inside our

own hearts, wander

around the city at

night, turn on the

news and we realize

that something is not

right with the

creation of mankind.

kind.

You see, because of our

selfish and sinful

lives, we've rebelled

against representing

God.

Rather than reflect

God, we much prefer

to reflect our own

desires and wants.

We have no problem

projecting and reflecting

what I want and what I

want to do.

and the image of God

has become distorted.

We have become broken

mirrors, each and

every one of us.

Imagine for a moment

with me, looking in a

mirror, perhaps the one

you looked at this

morning.

Reflecting back at you

is that image.

In fact, the image can

appear identical.

Just gaze at that image

in your mind.

Now take that mirror

off the wall.

And smash it to the

ground.

Right in front of you,

just smash it on the

floor.

Bits fly everywhere.

Chips and cracks and

sharp edges.

Now just take time to

peer into that broken

mirrored glass.

Look at it on the

floor.

Look into it.

It's hard to make out

your face, isn't it?

Our image is distorted

and twisted and out of

shape.

But that's what we've

become.

We no longer reflect the

purity and beauty of God

fully.

It is marred and tainted

by our ugly life of sin.

Instead of extending the

good rule of God, we have

crushed and corrupted one

another by our own words.

Left to ourself, we will

never be able to put it

back together.

another.

But yet change is

possible.

Transformation is

possible.

We may fail, but God's

plan and design for

creation right at the

beginning of Genesis has

not failed.

God in his grace has

sent his son to show

us what an image bearer

should be like.

Colossians chapter 1

Colossians 1 · chapter mention

reminds us, I have the

quote here on the

screen, the sun is the

image of the invisible

God.

For God was pleased to

have all his fullness

dwell in him.

When we look at the

person of Jesus, we see

the full and glorious

image of God, the purity

and beauty of God on

display.

not just a reflection of

the light, but the

pure and brilliant

light of God itself,

shining forth the

glory of God.

In the sun, we have a

picture of the true

image of humanity

in perfection.

Protecting the weak,

preserving life,

pursuing justice,

proclaiming the good and

gracious word of God of

sins forgiven,

and of new life.

But not only does the

person of Jesus show us

what a true image of God

should be, he restores the

broken image of God in

each one of us.

This restoration is done

definitively, meaning once

and for all, and

progressively, ongoing

over time.

First, as we turn

into Jesus in repentance,

and I want us to think

about how can my

broken image be

restored?

How can I become more

like the image God

created me to be?

Well, first we turn to

Jesus in repentance.

That is, we own our sin

and we take responsibility

for who we are.

And we look in faith to

him for forgiveness.

It's like Jesus has

taken our cracked and

distorted image,

and he's taken it on

himself.

And on the cross, he is

utterly smashed and

destroyed for us.

On the cross, Jesus takes

our image and he is

judged and condemned

for me.

But in its place,

his pure and perfect

image is given to us.

So when God now peers

down and when he looks

at us, he sees the true

image of his Son in us.

The very reflection of God

shining the glory of God

back to himself.

Get your minds around

that.

Picture God.

If you are in Christ

today, looking at you,

the very glory of God

shines back at him

because Christ's image

is in you.

The image of God

restored definitively

once and for all

as we trust in Christ.

But second, the image

is restored progressively,

isn't it, over time.

As we gaze at the image

of God in Christ,

so we look at his

beauty and we say,

I want to be like him.

And with the Spirit's

help, we begin to see

the cracks in our lives

and all those chips

and all those flaws

and we come to him

to be gently renewed.

Colossians reminds us

again,

put on the new self

which is being renewed

in knowledge

in the image

of its creator.

Day by day,

as we take the word

of God

and we look in

and we read

and see the true

image of Christ,

the beauty

of the Lord Jesus,

we see our flaws,

we see how we don't

match up,

we confess our sin

and we seek

his power and help.

Please Lord,

change me,

restore me,

to become like Jesus.

Broken mirrors,

restored,

bit by bit,

his beauty and purity

being conformed

in us.

Let me give us

two little things to do.

In the morning,

I hope you all

get up bright and breezy

and gaze at the mirror.

Don't be ashamed

of what you see

in the mirror.

Have a good look.

Every morning,

I want you to look

at the mirror.

Gaze at the mirror.

And as you gaze,

be reminded

of who you are

in Christ,

that as you look,

think of how God

now looks at you.

He looks at you

as he does

his own son.

The image of

God himself

reflecting back

to God

in all holiness,

in all beauty.

God's love.

That's the first thing

I want you to do.

The second thing,

just as you look

at the mirror

in the morning

and you see

all the cracks

and all the bits

and pieces

that are falling off

and everything else

that's going on,

and you fix yourself up

and make yourself

presentable,

changing bit by bit.

So we come to God

and as we look

at Christ,

we say,

I want to be,

I want to have

the beauty of Christ.

I want to shine

like him.

Lord,

by your Holy Spirit,

will you change me

today

to be like

the Lord Jesus?

His image is restored

once and for all

and he is taking us

bit by bit

to be more like Christ.

Let's pray.

Father,

as we look at ourselves,

we can have

such a distorted view.

We can elevate ourselves

to be something

greater and bigger

than we actually are

and we can look at ourselves

and think less of ourselves

than what we actually are.

So help us

to take our gaze

off ourself

and off the world

in comparing ourselves

to other people

and other things

and would you help us

to gaze

at the beauty

of the Lord Jesus?

To take up his word,

to read it

and to see who he is

and to be amazed

at who we are

in Christ,

the restored image

of God.

But not only that,

Father,

would you be gracious

and change us

so that we are not harsh

in our words,

that we wouldn't treat others

as different

but as equal,

that we would love

each other

as you love us

and we would care

for each other

as you care

for mankind.

Father,

would you do that work

in us all

so that we may disperse

and reflect

the glory of God

wherever we are

tomorrow

and all that we do.

We pray this

for your glory

in Jesus' name.

Amen.