October 19, 2025 Living His Image: Embracing God’s Design

Devotional

Day 1: Created in God’s Image for Relationship

You are uniquely created in the image of God, not in a physical sense, but with the characteristics and capacity for relationship that reflect His nature. This means you are designed for deep connection with your Creator, to walk with Him and experience His presence in your daily life. Even though humanity has fallen, God’s original intent for relationship with you has not changed; He still desires closeness, love, and communion with you. Take time today to consider how being made in God’s likeness shapes your sense of identity and purpose, and let it draw you into a more intimate relationship with Him. [32:03]

Genesis 1:26-28 (NIV)
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, 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.”

Reflection: When you look in the mirror today, can you pause and ask God to remind you of one specific way you reflect His image in your character or relationships?

Day 2: Called to Influence and Subdue

God has given you a calling not just to exist in the world, but to influence it for His purposes. The command to “subdue” and “rule” is not about domination, but about bringing God’s peace, order, and presence into every area of your life—your heart, your family, your work, and your community. This means actively confronting anything that resists God’s will and making space for His peace to reign. Ask God to show you what needs to be cleared from your “land” so that His presence can fill it more fully. [44:46]

Numbers 32:20-22 (NIV)
Then Moses said to them, “If you will do this—if you will arm yourselves before the Lord for battle and if all of you who are armed cross over the Jordan before the Lord until he has driven his enemies out before him—then when the land is subdued before the Lord, you may return and be free from your obligation to the Lord and to Israel. And this land will be your possession before the Lord.”

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you sense resistance to God’s will, and how can you take a concrete step today to invite His peace and presence there?

Day 3: Stay Connected to the Vine

Fruitfulness in your life comes not from striving on your own, but from staying deeply connected to Jesus, the true Vine. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit unless it remains attached to the vine, you cannot fulfill your purpose or spread God’s presence apart from Him. Remaining in Christ through prayer, Scripture, and community allows His life to flow through you, producing fruit that blesses others and multiplies His presence in the world. Remember, apart from Him, you can do nothing—so make it your aim to abide in Him today. [49:46]

John 15:4-5 (NIV)
“Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

Reflection: What is one practical way you can intentionally “remain in Jesus” today—perhaps through prayer, worship, or a specific act of obedience?

Day 4: Extending God’s Presence in the World

You are not only made in God’s image for your own sake, but to be an extension of His holy presence within creation. Wherever you go—at home, at work, in your neighborhood—you carry the opportunity to reflect God’s character and bring His light into dark places. This is a high calling: to influence your environment so that others can sense God’s love, peace, and purpose through you. Consider how your words, actions, and attitudes can make God’s presence tangible to those around you today. [40:23]

Matthew 5:14-16 (NIV)
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

Reflection: Who is one person you will encounter today who needs to experience God’s presence through you, and how can you intentionally reflect His love to them?

Day 5: Reproducing God’s Blessing and Multiplying Faith

God’s command to “be fruitful and multiply” is a call to reproduce His image and blessing in the world—not just physically, but spiritually. As you stay connected to Christ and allow His life to flow through you, you become a carrier of His Word and His presence, able to plant seeds of faith in others. Imagine a world filled with people who reflect God’s character and love; this is the mission you are invited into. Ask God to use you today to multiply His blessing and help others discover their purpose in Him. [52:55]

2 Timothy 2:2 (NIV)
And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.

Reflection: Who is someone in your life you can encourage or disciple this week, helping them to see their identity and purpose in Christ?

Sermon Summary

Today, we took a step back to the very beginning, to the creation story in Genesis, to rediscover the foundational purpose for our lives. In a world where so many sense a higher purpose but struggle to find it, God’s Word offers clarity and hope. We are not accidents or afterthoughts; we are intentionally made in the image of the one true God. This means that every person carries a unique reflection of God’s character—not in physical form, but in our capacity for relationship, creativity, and spiritual depth. Our purpose is rooted in relationship: God created us to know Him, to walk with Him, and to be an extension of His holy presence in the world.

But our calling doesn’t stop at relationship. God also calls us to influence the world around us. The command to “subdue” or “rule” the earth is not about domination, but about bringing God’s peace, order, and goodness wherever we are placed. Just as Moses was called to lead the people into the Promised Land, we are called to clear out anything in our lives—be it sin, bitterness, or distractions—that resists God’s will, so that His peace can reign in our hearts, families, workplaces, and communities.

Finally, we are called to reproduce God’s image and presence. This is more than physical multiplication; it’s about multiplying faith, hope, and love. Jesus teaches us that fruitfulness comes from staying connected to Him, the true vine. As we remain in Christ, His life flows through us, and we bear fruit that blesses others and spreads His presence. Like seeds in an apple, our lives are meant to plant the reality of God’s love and truth wherever we go.

As we respond, let’s remember: we are made in God’s likeness, called to influence our world for His glory, and invited to reproduce His presence by staying connected to Jesus. May we allow the Holy Spirit to remind us of our true identity and purpose, and may we courageously clear out anything that hinders God’s peace and presence in our lives.

Key Takeaways

1. You are intentionally made in God’s image for relationship. The foundation of your existence is not random or accidental; you are crafted to reflect God’s character and to walk in close relationship with Him. This relationship is not based on your performance, but on God’s original design and ongoing desire to be with you, even after the fall. Embracing this truth shifts your perspective on your worth and purpose. [32:03]
2. God’s likeness in you is not erased by sin, but your heart must choose to respond. Though humanity’s fall brought brokenness, it did not remove the image of God from us. God’s love and desire for relationship remain unchanged, but we must choose to respond, allowing Him to restore and renew us. This calls for honest reflection: do you truly believe you are still made in His image, and are you living from that identity? [36:58]
3. Influence your “land” by clearing out what resists God’s will. The biblical call to “subdue” is a call to influence, not to dominate. Just as Israel was called to clear the land for God’s peace to dwell, we are called to remove anything in our lives—habits, attitudes, or relationships—that oppose God’s purposes. Only then can God’s peace and presence fill the spaces He has entrusted to us. [44:46]
4. Fruitfulness flows from staying connected to Jesus, the true vine. Our ability to reproduce God’s presence and blessing in the world is entirely dependent on our connection to Christ. Apart from Him, we can do nothing of lasting value. Remaining in Him through prayer, Scripture, and obedience allows His life to flow through us, producing fruit that multiplies His presence in our world. [49:46]
5. Your life is a vessel for multiplying God’s presence and blessing. Just as an apple carries seeds for new life, your life is meant to carry and spread the reality of God’s love, truth, and hope. This is not just about personal growth, but about filling the earth with God’s presence—at home, at work, and in your community. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you where He wants to reproduce His image through you today. [52:55]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[23:37] - Greeting and Introduction
[24:24] - Awe of God’s Creation
[25:31] - Searching for Purpose
[27:00] - Back to the Basics: Genesis 1
[28:24] - Made in God’s Image
[29:20] - The Trinity and Our Uniqueness
[31:24] - Characteristics of God in Us
[32:03] - Created for Relationship
[33:32] - The Fall and God’s Unchanging Desire
[36:46] - Still Bearing God’s Likeness
[40:01] - The Imago Dei: Image of God
[41:02] - Called to Influence, Not Dominate
[44:46] - Clearing Out What Resists God
[47:08] - Reproducing God’s Presence
[49:01] - Staying Connected to the Vine
[52:55] - Multiplying God’s Blessing
[53:44] - Responding with Action
[57:01] - Closing Prayer and Worship

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Genesis 1:26-28 (NIV) — > 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, 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.”

John 15:4-5 (NIV) — > Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
>
> “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

Observation Questions

According to Genesis 1:26-28, what does it mean that humans are made in God’s image? What specific roles or responsibilities does God give to people in these verses? [28:24]
In the sermon, what are some of the unique characteristics that set humans apart from the rest of creation? [31:24]
How does Jesus describe the relationship between Himself and His followers in John 15:4-5? What is the result of staying connected to Him? [49:16]
What does the word “subdue” or “rule” mean in the context of Genesis 1, according to the sermon? [41:28]

Interpretation Questions

The sermon says our purpose is rooted in relationship with God, not in what we do or achieve. How does this understanding challenge the way people often search for meaning in life? [32:03]
The pastor shared that even after the fall, God’s image in us is not erased, but our hearts must choose to respond. What does it look like to respond to God’s invitation for relationship, especially when we feel unworthy or distant? [36:58]
The sermon connects the command to “subdue” the earth with the story of Moses and the Promised Land. What might it mean for someone today to “clear out” things in their life so that God’s peace can reign? [44:46]
Jesus says, “Apart from me you can do nothing.” What are some ways people try to be fruitful or make a difference apart from Jesus, and why does the sermon say this won’t work? [49:46]

Application Questions

The pastor used a mirror as a reminder that we are made in God’s likeness. When you look at yourself, do you see someone made in God’s image? If not, what would help you embrace this truth? [54:26]
Is there a specific area in your life—like a habit, attitude, or relationship—that you sense is resisting God’s will? What would it look like to “clear it out” so God’s peace can fill that space? [55:39]
The sermon talked about being an extension of God’s holy presence at home, work, and in the community. Where do you feel God is calling you to bring His peace and goodness this week? [46:02]
Jesus says we must stay connected to Him to bear fruit. What are some practical ways you can stay connected to Jesus daily? Is there a spiritual practice (like prayer, reading Scripture, or worship) you want to focus on this week? [52:28]
The apple illustration showed that our lives are meant to “plant seeds” of God’s love and truth. Who is one person in your life who needs to experience God’s love through you? What is one thing you can do for them this week? [51:31]
The sermon mentioned that many people believe there is a higher purpose but don’t know how to find it. How can you help someone in your life discover their purpose in God? [56:25]
The pastor encouraged the church to respond with action, not just words. What is one step you feel led to take after hearing this message? [53:44]

Sermon Clips

It's important because you were made out of the one true God, the one holy being that is the creator of the entire universe. Your perspective in this moment should shift. You're made for something bigger. [00:30:26] (19 seconds) #MadeForSomethingGreater

If you think about all of creation, the land and the sea and the birds of the air, we are the only being that he created that has the ability to articulate, to reason, to dialogue. We have the fruits of the spirit. [00:31:28] (20 seconds) #UniqueInCreation

We're made in his likeness so that we can have a relationship with him. Do you understand that one of our main purposes on this earth is to be in relationship with the one true God? [00:31:55] (16 seconds) #PurposeInRelationship

If you don't have Jesus in your life, you may not understand that you're made in God's image. Only the Holy Spirit will allow us to see that fruit. In our sinful nature, we can't see it without the beauty of the Holy Spirit. [00:48:28] (18 seconds) #SpiritRevealsImage

We're called to reproduce God's image. When people look at brothers and sisters of the faith, they should see the likeness of God in every aspect of our life. We are called to reproduce his blessing, to multiply the faith, to fill the earth with his presence. [00:52:49] (19 seconds) #ReproduceGodsImage

Ask a question about this sermon

Chatbot

What does being made in God's image imply?

How can believers influence their surroundings for God's purpose?

What role does remaining connected to Jesus play in reproduction?

October 19, 2025 Living His Image: Embracing God’s Design - Genesis 1:26-28