Embracing Our Identity: The Theology of the Body

Devotional

Day 1: Divine Image Bearers by Design

We are all created with a profound purpose that transcends our abilities, circumstances, or life choices. This inherent identity as image bearers of the divine is not something that can be earned or lost; it is a fundamental truth of our existence. Recognizing this can transform how we view ourselves and others, fostering a sense of worth and dignity that is rooted in our Creator. As image bearers, every aspect of our lives is an opportunity to reflect the character and love of God, which includes how we treat our bodies, interact with others, and make decisions. This understanding calls us to live with intentionality, knowing that our value is not contingent on external validation but is affirmed by the very nature of our creation. [33:19]

Genesis 1:26-27 (ESV)
"Then God said, 'Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.' So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them."

Reflection: How does understanding your identity as an image bearer of God influence the way you view yourself and interact with others in your daily life?

Day 2: Unity of Body and Soul

The Christian perspective challenges the prevalent cultural narrative that often separates the physical from the spiritual. This dualistic approach is at odds with the biblical view that our bodies and souls are an integrated unity. Our physical selves are not merely vessels or shells but integral to who we are and how we serve God's purposes. This integrated view compels us to steward our bodies responsibly, recognizing them as gifts from God and temples of the Holy Spirit. It calls for a holistic approach to spirituality that includes physical health, mental well-being, and the pursuit of holiness in all aspects of life. [38:28]

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (ESV)
"Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body."

Reflection: In what ways can you honor God through the stewardship of your body, and how might this holistic approach affect your spiritual practices?

Day 3: The Incarnation and Resurrection Affirm Our Physicality

The incarnation and resurrection of Jesus are central to Christian faith, and they also affirm the value of our physical bodies. Jesus' choice to take on human flesh and his bodily resurrection highlight the eternal significance of our physical existence. This truth provides hope and a promise of resurrection for believers, indicating that our bodies are part of God's redemptive plan. The implications of this are profound, as they suggest that our physical lives are not just temporary or insignificant but are destined for eternal purposes. [46:30]

Colossians 1:19-20 (ESV)
"For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross."

Reflection: How does the reality of Jesus' incarnation and resurrection shape your understanding of the significance of your own body and its role in God's plan?

Day 4: Eternal Perspective on Suffering and Purpose

Living with an eternal perspective transforms our approach to suffering and our search for purpose. Recognizing that our ultimate healing and fulfillment are found in Jesus allows us to navigate life's challenges with hope. This perspective helps us to understand that our present struggles are not the end of our story and that there is a greater reality beyond our current experiences. By focusing on the eternal kingdom, we can find meaning in our suffering and use it as a platform to demonstrate the transformative power of the gospel. [49:20]

2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (ESV)
"For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."

Reflection: How can maintaining an eternal perspective help you to find purpose in your current struggles, and what practical steps can you take to cultivate this mindset?

Day 5: Our Bodies as Living Sacrifices

As followers of Jesus, we are called to offer our bodies as living sacrifices, which is an act of worship and surrender to God's will. This means that our bodies are not our own to do with as we please but are to be used for God's glory. Offering ourselves as living sacrifices involves daily decisions to live according to God's ways, allowing Him to shape us into His likeness. It is a commitment to live not for our own desires but for the purposes of the One who created us and redeemed us. [40:52]

Romans 12:1 (ESV)
"I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you can begin to offer your body as a living sacrifice to God, and what are some specific actions you can take to live out this commitment?

Sermon Summary

In my sermon, I began by welcoming everyone to Menlo Church and introducing our new series, "Wonderfully Made," which focuses on the theology of the body, gender, and sexuality. I emphasized the importance of engaging in these conversations with compassion, civility, and conviction, aiming to be cultural ambassadors rather than warriors or capitulators. I acknowledged the diversity of beliefs within our community and our commitment to generous orthodoxy, making space for differing views while remaining centered on Jesus and the Bible.

I shared my personal background, growing up in an abusive home with learning challenges and a stutter, and navigating relationships within the LGBTQ+ community. I reflected on the negative impact of purity culture and the need for honest conversations about our bodies, gender, and sexuality.

I then delved into the theology of the body, starting with the creation narrative in Genesis, where humanity is described as being made in God's image, male and female. I stressed that every person is an image bearer of the divine, made on purpose for a purpose, regardless of their faith or life circumstances.

I discussed historical and modern views of the body, from ancient philosophies like Plato's and the Stoics to contemporary materialism and hedonism. I contrasted these with the Christian view that the body and soul are an integrated unity, and that our bodies are part of God's eternal plan.

I addressed the cultural narrative that prioritizes personal desires and the body as the ultimate authority, challenging this with the biblical perspective that as followers of Jesus, we are called to submit to God's will and ways, including how we steward our bodies.

I highlighted the profound implications of the incarnation, where Jesus took on a human body, and the resurrection, where he retained his body, demonstrating the eternal significance of our physical existence. I encouraged listeners to live in light of eternity, showing hope beyond our circumstances and finding purpose even in suffering.

I concluded by inviting the congregation to participate in communion, an embodied reminder of Jesus' sacrifice, and to consider how we might glorify God with our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to Him.

Key Takeaways

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Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

According to Genesis 1:26-28, what specific roles and responsibilities were given to humanity at creation?
In Romans 12:1, what does Paul urge believers to do with their bodies, and why is this significant?
How does John 1:14 describe the incarnation of Jesus, and what does this imply about the value of the human body?
In the sermon, what personal experiences did the pastor share to illustrate the complexity of conversations around body, gender, and sexuality? ([27:42])

Interpretation Questions

What does it mean to be made in the image of God, and how does this identity impact our understanding of purpose and value? ([31:57])
How does the concept of presenting our bodies as living sacrifices challenge the cultural narrative of personal autonomy and pleasure? ([40:52])
Why is the incarnation of Jesus, as described in John 1:14, a significant affirmation of the value of the human body in God's redemptive plan? ([46:30])
How does living in light of eternity transform our perspective on suffering and purpose, according to the sermon? ([49:20])

Application Questions

Reflect on the idea that you are made in the image of God. How does this truth affect the way you view yourself and others, especially those with differing beliefs or lifestyles? ([33:19])
The pastor mentioned the negative impact of purity culture and the need for honest conversations about our bodies, gender, and sexuality. How can you foster more compassionate and honest discussions in your community? ([28:23])
Romans 12:1 calls us to present our bodies as living sacrifices. What specific steps can you take this week to honor God with your body, considering your daily habits and choices? ([40:52])
The sermon highlighted the importance of living in light of eternity. How can this perspective help you navigate current challenges or suffering in your life? ([49:20])
The pastor shared his personal background and struggles, including his experiences with the LGBTQ+ community. How can you show empathy and support to those who feel marginalized or misunderstood in your church or community? ([27:42])
Considering the cultural narratives around body and personal desires, what practical ways can you resist these pressures and align your life more closely with biblical teachings? ([39:30])
The sermon concluded with an invitation to participate in communion as an embodied reminder of Jesus' sacrifice. How can you incorporate this sense of embodied worship into your daily spiritual practices? ([52:09])

Sermon Clips

"We're not trying to be culture warriors where we make our position more important than people. We're also trying to make sure that we don't become cultural capitulators that simply change with the currents of culture. That actually our goal should be that we are cultural ambassadors. That if you're a follower of Jesus, you live in a world that looks nothing like the kingdom of heaven." [22:47](Download clip | Download cropped clip | Download captioned clip)

"We are a community centered on Jesus and the Bible. This conversation represents our best understanding of these topics through the whole of scripture, not a handful of passages to prove a point. I'm not trying to debate or argue. I believe that clarity is kindness in this conversation of a generous orthodoxy." [24:36]( | | )

"You are an image bearer of the divine. And he made you on purpose for a purpose. This isn't just true at a universal human level for all of us. This is at the specific and personal level for you too. This is about your story and our story simultaneously." [33:57](Download clip | Download cropped clip | Download captioned clip)

"Christianity holds that body and soul together are an integrated unity, that the human being is an embodied soul. By contrast, personhood theory entails a two-level dualism that sets the body against the person, as though they were two separate things merely stuck together." [38:28]( | | )

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God. This is your true and proper worship. Paul is talking to a group of people about what it means that their individual bodies and collective bodies are a part of our unified worship." [40:52]( | | )

"Living in light of eternity is the only real option that makes any sense. Last week, I was talking with someone after service who's older in our church. And in the last year, he lost his wife. And he was telling me, saying, this is probably likely my last Easter. And I just reminded him kindly, I said, this is not anywhere near your last Easter." [46:30]( | | )

"In Jesus, followers of Jesus, eternity is not some token line that we say to feel better in bad situations. It's the reality we live in light of today, and we will live in the presence of someday. Jesus took eternity so seriously for you and me, that he took on a body to give us eternity." [48:02]( | | )

"Your body and mine, with all of its internal conflicts, the reminders of the sinful world that we all live in, the elements that we wish we could change, our bodies were made by God on purpose. We are made by God on purpose for a purpose." [50:40]( | | )

"Even if you're not a Christian, even if you would say you're not a person of faith, you are an image bearer of the creator of the universe. No matter what you've done, or maybe what's been done to you, no matter where you've been, no matter who you are, you are an image bearer of the divine." [33:19]( | | )

"This line, to be fruitful and multiply, is what is often referred to as the, creation mandate. We were made, we were called to be faithful, fruitful, and fostering care for the world. Now, for some people, that means that you've had children. For others of you, you're single, or that was something you decided not to do." [34:38](Download clip | | )

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