Living Out the Image of God: Pure Religion Sunday

Devotional

Day 1: Every Person Bears the Image of God

Each person you encounter, regardless of their background, beliefs, or actions, carries the indelible imprint of their Creator. This truth is not just a theological concept but a reality that should shape how you see and treat others. Whether it’s your family, friends, strangers, or even those you disagree with, each one is a co-image bearer, marked with God’s own likeness. When you recognize this, it transforms your interactions, calling you to honor and value every individual as someone deeply loved by God. [33:18]

Genesis 1:27 (ESV)
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

Reflection: Who is one person you find difficult to value or respect—how might seeing them as an image bearer of God change your next interaction with them?

Day 2: Our Words Reflect How We See God’s Image in Others

The way we speak to and about others reveals whether we truly believe they are made in God’s likeness. It is easy to bless God with our mouths and then turn around and curse or belittle people, forgetting that they too reflect His image. This inconsistency is a challenge to examine our hearts and tongues, ensuring that our words honor the divine value in every person, even those we find challenging or different from ourselves. [36:02]

James 3:8-9 (ESV)
…but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God.

Reflection: Think of a recent conversation or social media post—did your words reflect the value of the person as God’s image bearer? How can you speak differently today?

Day 3: Serving Others Is Serving Christ

When you serve those who are vulnerable, overlooked, or in need, you are not just performing a good deed—you are serving Jesus Himself. Christ identifies so closely with the “least of these” that whatever you do for them, you do for Him. This perspective elevates every act of compassion and service, reminding you that your love for others is a direct expression of your love for Christ. [39:15]

Matthew 25:34-40 (ESV)
Then the King will say to those on his right, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.” Then the righteous will answer him, saying, “Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?” And the King will answer them, “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.”

Reflection: Who is someone in your life who might be considered “the least of these”? What is one tangible way you can serve them this week as if you were serving Jesus?

Day 4: Pure Religion Means Caring for the Vulnerable

True faith is not just about personal piety but is demonstrated in practical care for those who are often forgotten—orphans, widows, and the vulnerable. God calls His people to step into the hard and messy places, to offer support, love, and presence to those in need. This is not a calling for a select few, but for all who follow Christ, inviting you to consider how you might participate in caring for the vulnerable in your community and beyond. [40:24]

James 1:27 (ESV)
Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.

Reflection: What is one step you can take this month to support or care for someone who is vulnerable or overlooked in your community?

Day 5: We Are Adopted by God’s Grace

Before knowing Christ, each of us was spiritually orphaned, but through Jesus’ sacrifice, we have been adopted into God’s family. This adoption is not based on our merit but on the riches of God’s grace, making us co-heirs with Christ and deeply loved by the Father. Remembering this truth should fill you with gratitude and inspire you to extend that same love and welcome to others, especially those who feel alone or without a place to belong. [01:03:28]

Ephesians 1:7 (ESV)
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace.

Reflection: How does remembering your own adoption into God’s family shape the way you view and reach out to those who feel left out or alone?

Sermon Summary

Today’s focus was on what it means to live out “pure religion” as described in James 1:27—caring for orphans and widows, and keeping ourselves unstained from the world. We celebrated the legacy of Gary and Debbie Schneider, who launched Every Orphan’s Hope in Zambia, and highlighted the ongoing call for all believers to participate in God’s heart for the vulnerable. This is not just a special Sunday, but a reminder of a foundational truth: every person bears the image of God, and this reality should radically shape how we see and treat others.

We explored the theological concept of the “image of God” in humanity, not as an abstract doctrine, but as a practical lens for daily life. The image of God is not limited to Christians or people we agree with; it is present in every person—our friends, our opponents, even those we struggle to love. This truth elevates the value of every human being, reminding us that when we serve or neglect others, we are, in a sense, serving or neglecting Christ Himself.

Jesus’ words in Matthew 25 challenge us to see our acts of compassion toward “the least of these” as acts done unto Him. The world may label some as “less than,” but Jesus calls them brothers and sisters. Our call is not to stoop down in pity, but to recognize the divine imprint in every person and respond with love and action.

We heard from several members of our church family who are living out this calling in different ways—through foster care, adoption, support programs, and mentoring. Their stories remind us that stepping into the lives of the vulnerable is often messy and costly, but it is also deeply rewarding and transformative. The church is called to be a community that supports, encourages, and walks alongside those who step into these ministries.

Ultimately, this is a call for all of us. Before we knew Christ, we were spiritual orphans, but God adopted us through Jesus, making us co-heirs and beloved children. Our response to this grace is to extend it to others, participating in God’s work of redemption and love. The invitation is open: ask God how He would have you step into caring for the vulnerable, whether through prayer, giving, direct involvement, or support. As we take communion and remember the price paid for our adoption, let us also consider how we might say “yes” to God’s call to love our co-image bearers.

Key Takeaways

1. The Image of God in Every Person Every human being, regardless of background, belief, or behavior, bears the image of God. This truth is not just theological but deeply practical—it means that every interaction is an opportunity to honor God’s imprint in another. When we recognize this, it transforms how we speak, act, and even think about others, especially those we find difficult to love. [34:25]
2. Serving Others Is Serving Christ Jesus teaches that acts of compassion toward the vulnerable are received by Him as if done to Himself. This reframes service from mere charity to sacred participation in Christ’s own ministry. When we care for the “least of these,” we are not just helping people; we are encountering Christ in them. [39:15]
3. The Call to Step Into the Messy and Hard The world values comfort and ease, but followers of Jesus are called to step into the hard and messy places—into the lives of orphans, widows, and the vulnerable. This is not about pity, but about recognizing value and responding with sacrificial love. True discipleship often leads us into discomfort, but it is there that we find the heart of God. [41:16]
4. Community Is Essential in Living Out Pure Religion Caring for the vulnerable is not a solo endeavor. The stories shared today highlight the importance of community—support, encouragement, and practical help from the church family are vital. When we walk together, we reflect God’s design for His people and make the journey sustainable and joyful. [49:36]
5. Our Adoption in Christ Fuels Our Mission Before knowing Jesus, we were spiritual orphans, but God adopted us through Christ, making us beloved children. This experience of grace is the foundation and motivation for our care for others. As we remember the cost of our adoption, we are compelled to extend that same love and welcome to those in need. [62:55]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[29:01] - Honoring Gary and Every Orphan’s Hope
[29:18] - Trunk or Treat Community Outreach
[29:36] - From Orphan Sunday to Pure Religion Sunday
[30:15] - Prayer for Missionaries and Service
[31:37] - The Global Call to Care for the Vulnerable
[32:56] - Parents, Children, and the Image of God
[33:49] - The Image of God: Theology and Application
[35:51] - James 3: The Power of Our Words
[36:43] - Seeing God’s Image in Everyone
[38:33] - Jesus’ Teaching: Serving the Least of These
[40:24] - James 1:27 and Pure Religion
[41:34] - Panel Introduction: Living Out Pure Religion
[46:55] - Overcoming Barriers to Foster and Adoption
[49:36] - Community Support in Foster Care
[51:47] - A Child’s Perspective on Adoption
[56:34] - The “Don’t Go Alone” Program
[59:04] - Blessings of Serving the Vulnerable
[61:18] - Responding to God’s Call
[62:55] - Our Adoption in Christ
[64:03] - Communion and Baptism
[70:54] - Next Steps and Opportunities
[71:39] - Closing Prayer and Dismissal

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Genesis 1:27 (ESV) — > So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

James 1:27 (ESV) — > Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.

Matthew 25:40 (ESV) — > And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’

Observation Questions

According to Genesis 1:27, in whose image are all people created? What does this mean about every person you meet?
In James 1:27, what two things does James say make up “pure and undefiled religion”?
In Matthew 25:40, who does Jesus say we are really serving when we care for “the least of these”?
The sermon mentioned that the image of God is not just in Christians, but in every person. What examples did the pastor give to show this? ([36:32])

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think God chose to put His image in every person, not just those who follow Him? How does this change the way we see people who are different from us? ([36:43])
The sermon said that serving others, especially the vulnerable, is like serving Christ Himself. Why do you think Jesus makes this connection in Matthew 25? ([39:15])
The pastor talked about how stepping into the lives of orphans, widows, and the vulnerable is often “messy and costly.” Why do you think God calls us into these hard places instead of just letting us stay comfortable? ([41:16])
The sermon highlighted the importance of community when caring for the vulnerable. Why is it important not to do this work alone? ([49:36])

Application Questions

The sermon challenged us to see every person as an image bearer of God, even those we disagree with or find hard to love. Is there someone in your life right now who is difficult for you to see this way? What would it look like to treat them as someone made in God’s image? ([36:43])
James 1:27 says that pure religion is caring for orphans and widows. What is one practical way you could step into caring for someone vulnerable in your community this month? ([40:24])
The pastor shared stories from church members involved in foster care, adoption, and support programs. Did any of these stories stand out to you? Why? Do you feel God nudging you toward a specific way to get involved? ([41:34])
Serving the vulnerable can be “messy and costly,” but also deeply rewarding. What fears or barriers might keep you from stepping into this kind of ministry? How could you ask God or your small group for help with these fears? ([47:09])
The sermon reminded us that before we knew Christ, we were spiritual orphans, but God adopted us through Jesus. How does remembering your own adoption into God’s family motivate you to care for others? ([01:02:55])
The pastor said that community is essential in living out pure religion. Who in your church or small group could you partner with to support or serve the vulnerable together? ([49:36])
As you take communion or reflect on Jesus’ sacrifice, what is one way you can say “yes” to God’s call to love your co-image bearers this week? ([01:04:03])

Sermon Clips

``See, my issue was, I knew conceptually and theologically about this idea of the image of God in man, but I had not really considered that the image of God was in every man. I love to think about how it was in me, but it's also in my family that I disagree with. It's in Americans, and it is in people all around the world. It's in people like me and those not like me. That includes my friends. That includes my opponents. It includes my kids. It includes my parents. And did you know that the image of God is even in the politician you didn't vote for? [00:36:13] (35 seconds) #ImageOfGodInEveryone

A brand name or a trademark of some kind placed upon a piece of clothing or a purse or a bag or an item of any kind immediately ups its value. It could be made in the same place they make Kirkland and great value. It doesn't matter. If you put a certain logo on it, it is more expensive and your teenager will want it. That's just how it works. It's more expensive because of the name. And that's what this aha moment ought to do because the image of God, that name, is in some way on every person. His trademark, his logo imprinted on them in some way. [00:37:38] (42 seconds) #ValueBeyondLabels

I want you to note that Jesus only calls them the least of these, not because he saw them as less than, but because that's how they were viewed in the world. He gives them a different title. He calls them brothers. They aren't less than so that we can stoop down and help the less thans. No, we are serving co-image bearers, brothers, sisters, as if we were serving the God who made them. [00:39:25] (24 seconds) #LoveTransformsInteractions

It's the same, Jesus is saying, when we serve people who bear his image. So here's the question. How would your daily interactions change if you truly believed that the image of God was in every person you posted about, talked to, and interact with? [00:39:58] (17 seconds) #HandsThatServeAndWorship

We want to be people who step into the hard and messy because we see the value of God in them. The supreme ethic of our world is comfort and ease and moving away from the hard, hard conversations, and truth, things that make us feel bad, but Christians are different. We step in because we see the value and because we're called to it. [00:41:02] (23 seconds) #StepIntoTheHard

The supreme ethic of our world is comfort and ease and moving away from the hard, hard conversations, and truth, things that make us feel bad, but Christians are different. We step in because we see the value and because we're called to it. [00:41:09] (16 seconds) #LivingJames127

In Him, Jesus, we have redemption through His blood. We just sang about that. The forgiveness of sins in accordance with the riches, not of our ability, not of how good we are, but in accordance with the riches of God's grace. He paid the price. He made a way. So that you could be part of His family. [01:03:19] (21 seconds) #ParticipateInLove

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