Living as God's Image Bearers: A Life of Ministry
Summary
Each of us is given one wild and precious life, and deep within, we long to know that our lives matter—that we have made a difference, that our existence has value. Yet, so often, we wrestle with doubts about our significance, wondering if we have done enough or become enough. The world tempts us to seek meaning and identity apart from God, but Scripture calls us back to our true purpose: to live as image bearers of our Creator, serving under His authority and reflecting His glory in all we do.
From the very beginning, God designed us for ministry—not as a job title, but as a way of being. Ministry is the offering of our ordinary, everyday lives to God, allowing Him to use our joys and struggles, our small acts of service, to bring His presence into the world. Even the simplest gesture, like offering a cup of water in Jesus’ name, is sacred and noticed by God. Our value is not measured by status or achievement, but by our willingness to live in obedience and love, just as Jesus did—born in obscurity, living humbly, yet changing the world.
The story of the widow’s offering reminds us that God alone sees the true worth of what we bring. Our lives, when surrendered to Christ, become a ministry that fills the earth with the fragrance of His love and the beauty of His presence. As we follow Jesus, we are invited into a new way of inhabiting the world—living out our identity as God’s beloved, loving one another, working for peace, and bringing order to chaos through Spirit-led action.
This ministry is threefold: a ministry of love, a ministry of action, and a ministry of multiplication. We are called to love deeply, to serve faithfully in the ordinary moments, and to allow the Holy Spirit to multiply our efforts, making us ambassadors of reconciliation. Our authority is Christ, our influence is the Spirit, and our ministry is wherever we are, in whatever we do. As we open our lives to Jesus, we become agents of restoration, bringing hope and healing to a world in need. Let us invite the Holy Spirit to continue His work in us, building a legacy of love and faith that will echo into eternity.
Key Takeaways
- True significance is found not in achievement or status, but in living as God’s image bearers, serving under His authority. The world’s narrative urges us to create our own meaning, but our deepest fulfillment comes from embracing the purpose for which we were created: to reflect God’s glory in every aspect of our lives. [38:28]
- Ministry is not a role reserved for a select few, but the sacred offering of our ordinary lives to God. Every act of service, no matter how small or unseen, is holy when done in obedience to Christ. The story of the widow’s offering teaches us that God alone perceives the true value of our faithfulness, even when we feel insignificant. [44:54]
- Our lives are meant to be a sweet aroma of Christ, spreading the knowledge of Him wherever we go. As we experience God’s love and goodness, we are compelled to share it, filling the earth with His presence through our words, actions, and relationships. This is the ongoing ministry of every believer, regardless of circumstance. [47:05]
- The ministry of love is foundational: we are called to love one another deeply, to work for peace, and to restore relationships in the ordinary moments of life. In times of challenge and pain, drawing near to God allows us to minister to others from a place of genuine compassion and hope, shining light in the darkness. [52:31]
- Multiplication is Spirit-led; we are ambassadors of reconciliation, empowered by the Holy Spirit to bring others to Christ. Our authority comes from Jesus, and our influence is not dependent on our abilities but on our willingness to be led by the Spirit. In our daily lives, we are called to share the good news, bringing order and flourishing wherever we are planted. [59:48]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[37:09] - Sharing Our Stories: What Are You Reading?
[38:28] - The Search for Significance
[39:49] - Created in God’s Image: Our True Calling
[41:28] - Ministry as a Way of Being
[43:44] - Jesus’ Humble Example and Our Value System
[44:54] - The Widow’s Offering: God Sees the Heart
[45:51] - Filling the Earth with God’s Glory
[47:05] - Our Lives as a Sweet Aroma
[48:33] - Returning to Our Calling in Christ
[49:27] - Living as Image Bearers: A New Identity
[51:04] - The Ministry of Love and Community
[52:31] - Loving in the Ordinary and Difficult Moments
[54:28] - Ministry of Action: Bringing Order to Chaos
[55:55] - The Kingdom’s Influence: Flourishing and Growth
[57:44] - Multiplication: Spirit-Led Mission
[58:43] - The Apostles’ Transformation
[59:48] - Ambassadors of Reconciliation
[01:00:58] - Living as Sent People
[01:02:30] - Prayer for Obedience and Legacy
[01:03:57] - Closing Blessing
Study Guide
Small Group Bible Study Guide: "Your One Wild and Precious Life—Living as God’s Image Bearers"
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### Bible Reading
1. Genesis 1:26-28
Then God said, “Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground.” So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. Then God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it…”
2. Luke 21:1-4
While Jesus was in the temple, he watched the rich people dropping their gifts in the collection box. Then a poor widow came by and dropped in two small coins. “I tell you the truth,” Jesus said, “this poor widow has given more than all the rest of them. For they have given a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has.”
3. 2 Corinthians 5:17-20
This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him… So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us.
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### Observation Questions
1. In Genesis 1:26-28, what specific responsibilities does God give to humans as his image bearers?
2. According to the story of the widow’s offering in Luke 21:1-4, what does Jesus notice about the widow’s gift that others might overlook?
3. In 2 Corinthians 5:17-20, what new identity and task does Paul say believers receive when they belong to Christ?
4. The sermon described ministry as “the offering of our ordinary, everyday lives to God.” What are some examples given of what this looks like in practice? [[41:28]]
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think God values the small, unseen acts of service—like the widow’s offering—more than large, visible achievements? [[44:54]]
2. The sermon says, “Our value is not measured by status or achievement, but by our willingness to live in obedience and love, just as Jesus did.” How does this challenge the way people usually measure significance? [[43:44]]
3. What does it mean to be an “ambassador of reconciliation” in everyday life, according to 2 Corinthians 5:17-20 and the sermon? [[59:48]]
4. The sermon talks about “filling the earth with the fragrance of Christ.” What does this metaphor suggest about the impact of a believer’s life? [[47:05]]
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### Application Questions
1. The world often tells us to find meaning in achievement, status, or possessions. Where do you most often look for your sense of significance? How can you shift your focus to living as God’s image bearer this week? [[38:28]]
2. Think about a recent “ordinary” moment in your week. How could you have offered that moment to God as ministry? What would it look like to do so next time? [[41:28]]
3. The widow gave all she had, even though it seemed small. Is there something in your life that feels insignificant, but that you sense God is asking you to offer to Him? [[44:54]]
4. The sermon describes a “ministry of love” and asks what legacy of love and faith we are building in the ordinary moments. Who is one person you can intentionally love or serve this week, and how? [[52:31]]
5. The idea of “multiplication” is Spirit-led, not based on our abilities. Where do you feel inadequate or unqualified to serve God? How might the Holy Spirit want to use you anyway? [[59:48]]
6. The sermon encourages us to “bring order to chaos” in our daily lives. What is one area—at home, work, or in your community—where you can bring God’s peace or goodness this week? [[54:28]]
7. The pastor prayed for God to show us who to connect with and share His goodness. Is there someone God is putting on your heart to reach out to this week? What is one step you can take? [[01:03:57]]
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Close in prayer, asking God to help each person live out their “one wild and precious life” as an offering to Him, reflecting His love and presence in every moment.
Devotional
Day 1: Created for Purpose as God’s Image Bearers
Each of us is created in the image of God, designed to reflect His character and bring honor to Him through our lives. Our value is not found in our achievements, status, or the world’s standards, but in living under God’s authority and serving as His representatives in the world. The call to ministry is not about a title or position, but about a way of being—serving God and others in the ordinary moments of life. When we embrace our identity as image bearers, we discover the true meaning and significance of our “one wild and precious life.” [39:49]
Genesis 1:26 (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.”
Reflection: In what ordinary area of your life can you intentionally reflect God’s character and honor Him today?
Day 2: The Sacredness of Small Acts
God sees and values even the smallest acts of service done in His name, elevating the ordinary to the sacred. The world may overlook humble offerings, but Jesus teaches that even a simple act, like giving a cup of water or a widow’s two coins, is precious in God’s sight and has eternal significance. You may not always perceive the value of what you do, but God does, and He uses these moments to build His kingdom and inspire others. [44:54]
Luke 21:1-4 (ESV)
Jesus looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the offering box, and he saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. And he said, “Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”
Reflection: What small, unnoticed act of kindness can you offer today, trusting that God sees and values it?
Day 3: Filling the World with God’s Glory
As followers of Jesus, we are called to fill the earth with the beauty and presence of God, spreading the knowledge of Christ like a sweet perfume wherever we go. This ministry is not reserved for a select few but is the calling of every believer, as we live out our faith in daily life and allow God’s glory to shine through us. Our significance is found in participating in this vision—letting our lives be a part of God’s plan to fill the world with His glory and goodness. [47:05]
Habakkuk 2:14 (ESV)
For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.
Reflection: Where have you been this week that you can intentionally bring the “sweet aroma” of Christ’s presence?
Day 4: The Ministry of Love and Peace
The heart of our ministry is to love one another deeply, reflecting the Father’s heart and bringing light into the world. Jesus calls us to be peacemakers and to restore relationships, building a legacy of love and faith in the ordinary moments of our lives. When we allow God’s love to fill us, we are compelled to act, to be present for others, and to bring order and healing to the chaos around us. This is holy work, and it is how we shine God’s light in the darkest places. [52:31]
1 John 4:7 (ESV)
Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.
Reflection: Who is one person you can reach out to today to bring peace or restore a relationship, reflecting God’s love?
Day 5: Multiplying God’s Kingdom as Ambassadors
We are called to be Christ’s ambassadors, carrying the message of reconciliation and new life wherever we go. The work of multiplying God’s kingdom is not about our abilities but about being led by the Holy Spirit, sharing our experience of Jesus in the context of our ordinary lives. As we open ourselves to the Spirit’s influence, we bring a kingdom culture to our families, workplaces, and communities, participating in God’s work of restoration and redemption. [59:48]
2 Corinthians 5:17-20 (ESV)
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
Reflection: What is one way you can intentionally represent Jesus and share His message of reconciliation in your daily context this week?
Quotes
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