Reflecting God's Image: Community and Liberation in Christ
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, everyone. Today, we delve into the theme of community, identity, and the liberating power of Jesus Christ. We begin by exploring Genesis 1:1 and 1:26-27, where God creates humanity in His image. This concept of being made in God's image, or "selem," is profound. It signifies that we are not just random beings but reflections of God's character and essence. This image-bearing is not about creating idols but about embodying God's attributes in our lives and communities.
In the ancient Near East, idols were seen as conduits to the gods they represented. However, God forbade the creation of such images because He had already made us as His image-bearers. This is a significant point because it underscores our role in reflecting God's glory and authority in the world. We are called to be divine gardeners, cultivating and nurturing the world around us, just as God intended from the beginning.
Moving forward, we see that God systematically dismantles the oppressive systems that enslave us. Each plague in Egypt was an attack on a specific deity, demonstrating God's supremacy and His desire to liberate His people. This liberation is not just physical but also spiritual. Jesus, the ultimate liberator, came to set us free from all forms of bondage. His kingdom operates on principles that are often counterintuitive to worldly systems. In God's kingdom, to be strong is to be weak, to be humble is to be exalted, and to serve is to lead.
We are reminded that community is essential to our identity as image-bearers. Isolation can lead to spiritual and emotional death, but community brings life and flourishing. This is particularly relevant in our current context, where the pandemic has forced many of us into isolation. Yet, even in these challenging times, God calls us to find ways to connect and support one another.
As we navigate through life, we must remember that our actions, words, and even our faith have power. We are given a proverbial scepter to rule and cultivate the world around us. This means creating systems of peace, justice, and mercy, rather than systems of oppression. Our work, whether inside or outside the home, is a divine calling to reflect God's character and bring about His kingdom on earth.
Jesus is not just the brand; He is the logo, the perfect representation of God's character. As His followers, we are His trademarks, called to live out His brand promises of love, mercy, and justice. This means that our lives should reflect the values of God's kingdom, not just in words but in actions. When people encounter us, they should see a glimpse of God's love and grace.
In conclusion, our identity as image-bearers calls us to live in community, to cultivate and nurture the world around us, and to reflect God's character in all that we do. This is our divine calling and our ultimate purpose.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Image of God in Us: Being made in God's image, or "selem," means we are reflections of God's character and essence. This identity calls us to embody God's attributes in our lives and communities, not creating idols but living as His image-bearers. This profound truth shapes our understanding of our purpose and role in the world. [24:09]
2. Liberation Through Jesus: God systematically dismantles oppressive systems to liberate His people, as seen in the plagues of Egypt. Jesus, the ultimate liberator, sets us free from all forms of bondage. His kingdom operates on principles that are counterintuitive to worldly systems, emphasizing humility, service, and community. [28:20]
3. The Importance of Community: Isolation can lead to spiritual and emotional death, but community brings life and flourishing. Even in challenging times like the pandemic, God calls us to find ways to connect and support one another. Our identity as image-bearers is deeply tied to our communal relationships. [35:58]
4. Power to Cultivate and Create: Our actions, words, and faith have power. We are given a proverbial scepter to rule and cultivate the world around us, creating systems of peace, justice, and mercy. This divine calling extends to all areas of our lives, from parenting to professional work, reflecting God's character in every sphere. [43:52]
5. Living Out God's Brand: Jesus is the perfect representation of God's character, and as His followers, we are His trademarks. Our lives should reflect the values of God's kingdom, demonstrating love, mercy, and justice. When people encounter us, they should see a glimpse of God's love and grace, fulfilling our role as His image-bearers. [53:42]
### YouTube Chapters
1. [0:00] - Welcome
2. [18:29] - Introduction and Announcements
3. [23:01] - Genesis and the Image of God
4. [24:09] - The Concept of "Selem"
5. [25:54] - Idolatry and Image-Bearing
6. [28:20] - Liberation from Oppression
7. [29:55] - The Kingdom of God
8. [31:00] - The Plagues and Liberation
9. [35:58] - The Importance of Community
10. [37:49] - Jesus as the Divine Gardener
11. [43:52] - Power to Cultivate and Create
12. [46:38] - Systems of Oppression vs. Shalom
13. [49:23] - Authenticity in Community
14. [51:31] - The Brand of God
15. [53:42] - Living Out God's Brand
16. [57:12] - The Aroma of Christ
17. [59:31] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Genesis 1:1, 26-27
2. Isaiah 61:1
3. Colossians 1:15-20
### Observation Questions
1. What does Genesis 1:26-27 say about humanity's creation and purpose?
2. How does the sermon describe the significance of the word "selem" in Genesis 1:26-27? [24:09]
3. According to the sermon, what was the purpose of the plagues in Egypt? [28:20]
4. How does the sermon explain the importance of community in the context of being image-bearers of God? [35:58]
### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean to be made in the image of God, and how should this understanding shape our daily lives and interactions with others? [24:09]
2. How does Jesus' role as the ultimate liberator challenge our understanding of power and leadership in today's world? [28:20]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that isolation can lead to spiritual and emotional death, and how can community bring life and flourishing? [35:58]
4. How can we practically live out the values of God's kingdom, such as love, mercy, and justice, in our everyday actions and decisions? [53:42]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life: How do you see yourself as an image-bearer of God? Are there specific attributes of God that you feel called to embody more fully? [24:09]
2. Think about a time when you felt oppressed or in bondage. How did you experience liberation, and how can you help others find freedom through Jesus? [28:20]
3. During the pandemic, many of us have experienced isolation. What are some practical ways you can reconnect with your community and support others who may be feeling isolated? [35:58]
4. Consider your daily actions and words. How can you use your "proverbial scepter" to create systems of peace, justice, and mercy in your family, workplace, or community? [43:52]
5. Jesus is described as the perfect representation of God's character. How can you be a better "trademark" of Jesus in your interactions with others? What specific steps can you take to reflect His love and grace more clearly? [53:42]
6. Identify one area in your life where you feel called to cultivate and nurture, whether it's a relationship, a project, or a community initiative. What steps can you take this week to begin this work? [43:52]
7. Reflect on the concept of living out God's brand. How can you ensure that your actions align with the values of God's kingdom, and what changes might you need to make to avoid giving others "frozen tater tots" instead of the true representation of God's love? [51:31]
Devotional
### Day 1: Reflecting God's Character
Description:
Being made in God's image, or "selem," means that we are reflections of God's character and essence. This identity calls us to embody God's attributes in our lives and communities. Unlike the idols of the ancient Near East, which were seen as conduits to the gods they represented, we are living representations of God's glory and authority. This profound truth shapes our understanding of our purpose and role in the world. We are not random beings but intentional creations meant to reflect God's love, justice, and mercy in every aspect of our lives. [24:09]
Bible Passage:
"So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them." (Genesis 1:27, ESV)
Reflection:
How can you embody God's attributes in your daily interactions today? Think of one specific way you can reflect His love, justice, or mercy in your community.
### Day 2: Jesus, Our Liberator
Description:
God systematically dismantles oppressive systems to liberate His people, as seen in the plagues of Egypt. Each plague was an attack on a specific deity, demonstrating God's supremacy and His desire to free His people from bondage. Jesus, the ultimate liberator, sets us free from all forms of bondage, both physical and spiritual. His kingdom operates on principles that are counterintuitive to worldly systems, emphasizing humility, service, and community. In God's kingdom, to be strong is to be weak, to be humble is to be exalted, and to serve is to lead. [28:20]
Bible Passage:
"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed." (Luke 4:18, ESV)
Reflection:
What is one area of your life where you feel bound or oppressed? How can you invite Jesus into that area to experience His liberating power today?
### Day 3: The Power of Community
Description:
Isolation can lead to spiritual and emotional death, but community brings life and flourishing. Our identity as image-bearers is deeply tied to our communal relationships. Even in challenging times like the pandemic, God calls us to find ways to connect and support one another. Community is essential to our identity and spiritual health. It is within the context of community that we can fully live out our calling as image-bearers, reflecting God's character and nurturing the world around us. [35:58]
Bible Passage:
"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV)
Reflection:
Who in your community can you reach out to today to offer support or encouragement? How can you foster deeper connections despite physical distancing?
### Day 4: Cultivating Peace and Justice
Description:
Our actions, words, and faith have power. We are given a proverbial scepter to rule and cultivate the world around us, creating systems of peace, justice, and mercy. This divine calling extends to all areas of our lives, from parenting to professional work. We are called to reflect God's character in every sphere, creating environments where His kingdom values are evident. This means actively working against systems of oppression and fostering environments of shalom—peace, justice, and wholeness. [43:52]
Bible Passage:
"He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?" (Micah 6:8, ESV)
Reflection:
What is one specific way you can promote peace and justice in your immediate environment today? How can you use your influence to create a more just and merciful world?
### Day 5: Living Out God's Brand
Description:
Jesus is the perfect representation of God's character, and as His followers, we are His trademarks. Our lives should reflect the values of God's kingdom, demonstrating love, mercy, and justice. When people encounter us, they should see a glimpse of God's love and grace. This means that our actions, words, and even our faith should align with the brand promises of God's kingdom. We are called to live authentically, embodying the principles of love, mercy, and justice in every aspect of our lives. [53:42]
Bible Passage:
"Therefore, be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." (Ephesians 5:1-2, ESV)
Reflection:
How can you be a more authentic representation of God's love and grace today? Think of one specific action you can take to live out the values of God's kingdom in your daily life.
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Our identity is not to swindle them but to serve them, to not take advantage but to serve, not for our own gain but for their great pleasure in God. Also, in this space of this design of community, I'll leave you with a couple things from author Marty Newmeier. He says that a brand is not what you say it is; it's what they say it is. It's not what you say; this is what they say it is. Some of us are like, 'I'm amazing,' and other people are like, 'No, you're not.'" [54:19]
2. "We all won't agree politically. We all won't agree whether squash tastes good or it tastes bad or if cilantro tastes like soap or not. But we're called together. We're called as a body, as one body, as a community. The world will know us by our love for one another. And the key phrase is they will know. So why do they not know right now? Because fam, we have been doing a terrible job at loving one another. So the more and more we continue to grow and learn in this and love one another, the more beautiful the witness of Jesus is." [57:12]
3. "So you have power. Your words have power. Your works, your actions have power. Your faith has power. Why? Because God has given us all a proverbial scepter to rule and has given us different things and different gifts in who we are to help this world flourish and cultivate it. We are called to cultivate and create communities of flourishing and shalom, which is peace and mercy and grace." [43:52]
4. "The kingdom of God in the gospel is about physical space and spiritual space. They are not to be divorced from one another; they are to go together. So does our gospel care about taking care of the poor? Yes. Does it mean helping injustice, fighting for racial equity, all those? Yes. Does it also mean praying? Yes. Reading our Bibles? Yes. Gathering in community? Yes. It's both. It's a both and. It's not an either or. They go together." [41:39]
### Quotes for Members
1. "Our design and community is to image and is to continue in the work of creation, is to intercede on behalf of it. Again, remember that the kingdom of God is different than the kingdom of man. Ruling over His creation is not ruling in the way that we often interpret. Again, in society, it's power, fame, and even individualism. This is another thing about community: we're not created to be alone." [33:51]
2. "When we do not live in the design of God's image bearers, united to Him and united to Christ to serve the world, we will continually live in a space of amnesia. And I have a background in design and a passion for marketing and branding. A brand is a reputation; it's a person's gut feeling about a product, service, or company. So a brand gap is what happens when a brand does not fulfill its promises and the customer doesn't stay true to the business's core vision, mission, and values." [50:24]
3. "We are called to cultivate and create communities of flourishing and shalom, which is peace and mercy and grace. That means in our parenting, our children, our relationships, our church community, our friendships, our work—every single space is an opportunity for you as you have power to cultivate it, to not create systems of oppression but to think about what happens if you have a problem in your family. God has given you the power to create something, to invent something." [44:30]
4. "Jesus is our logo. He is the brand, and we are His trademarks, called to partner with Him and faithfully deliver on His brand promises of the kingdom by being divine gardeners and cultivators of all of His creation, both physical and spiritual, together. That is our work. That's our identity. That's our design: created to create. So what will they say our brand is about? Are they seeing Christ or are they seeing us?" [58:22]
5. "So God is a God of justice, a God of spiritual liberation from the enemy and liberation from our fallen bodies and our messed-up system of creation, the pollution, all of that. So people, if you feel like you know you got to recycle, yes, as divine gardeners, recycle, man. It's scriptural. But some of us, we lean into certain things and we just, and then we sometimes we disconnect these things." [41:39]
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