Reflecting God's Image: Our Divine Mandate and Hope

 

Summary

Grace and peace be multiplied to each of you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus Christ our Lord. Today, we reflect on the profound truth of being made in the image of God, focusing on Genesis 1:28, which speaks to our divine mandate to exercise dominion over creation. This passage marks the culmination of creation, highlighting humanity as the pinnacle of God's creative work. We are reminded that our existence is not a product of evolution but the intentional handiwork of God, crafted in His image, which bestows upon us dignity, personality, morality, and spirituality.

God's creation of humanity as male and female is a deliberate act of divine wisdom, underscoring the unique roles and responsibilities we hold. Genesis 1:28 reveals two fundamental truths: God blessed humanity and commanded us. These blessings reflect God's character—His goodness, kindness, and benevolence—and remind us that our chief end is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. The commands, on the other hand, affirm divine revelation, authority, and purpose, calling us to live in accordance with God's will.

The five commands in Genesis 1:28—be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, subdue it, and have dominion—emphasize both the dignity and duty of humanity. Our dominion is not a result of human achievement but a divine gift, reminding us that God is the ultimate ruler. We are stewards of His creation, entrusted with the responsibility to manage all that He has given us. This stewardship extends beyond material possessions to encompass our time, talents, relationships, and the world itself.

In exercising dominion, we must worship God, live responsibly, work heartily, proclaim Christ, and live in hope. Worship acknowledges our Creator and our accountability to Him. Living responsibly means doing everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, while working heartily reflects our commitment to excellence in all we do. Proclaiming Christ addresses the corruption of dominion by sin, pointing to Jesus as the second Adam who restores us to right relationship with God. Finally, living in hope anchors us in the assurance of Christ's ultimate victory and reign.

Key Takeaways:

- Divine Image and Dignity: Being made in God's image bestows upon us a unique dignity, reflecting His personality, morality, and spirituality. This understanding calls us to live lives that honor the Creator, recognizing our worth and purpose in His grand design. [02:29]

- Blessing and Command: God's blessings and commands are intertwined, revealing His character and our purpose. True blessedness is found not in autonomy but in submission to God's Word, as we delight in His law and meditate on it day and night. [09:14]

- Stewardship and Accountability: Our dominion over creation is a stewardship entrusted by God. We are called to manage all aspects of our lives—time, talents, relationships—as gifts from God, living with the understanding that "God owns it all." [18:23]

- Proclaiming Christ: The fall has corrupted our dominion, but Christ's redemptive work restores us. We are called to proclaim the gospel, fulfilling the Great Commission, and pointing others to the hope found in Jesus, the second Adam. [27:16]

- Living in Hope: Despite the brokenness of the world, we live in hope, trusting in Christ's ultimate victory. Our faith anchors us in the assurance that Jesus, crowned with glory and honor, reigns and will bring all things under His control. [28:21]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:19] - Introduction to the Image of God
- [00:51] - The Climax of Creation
- [01:31] - God's Unique Creation of Humanity
- [02:29] - Dignity in the Image of God
- [03:29] - Male and Female: Divine Wisdom
- [04:04] - God's Blessing and Command
- [05:04] - Purpose of Humanity
- [06:17] - Divine Revelation and Authority
- [07:55] - The Interconnection of Blessing and Command
- [09:52] - The Five Commands
- [11:24] - Implications of Dominion
- [12:12] - Source of Human Dominion
- [14:18] - Scope of Dominion
- [16:47] - Stewardship of Dominion
- [20:04] - Worship and Accountability
- [22:43] - Living Responsibly
- [24:18] - Working Heartily
- [25:29] - Proclaiming Christ
- [28:21] - Living in Hope
- [30:04] - Closing Prayer

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Genesis 1:28
- Psalm 8:3-6
- Colossians 3:17

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Observation Questions:

1. What are the five commands given by God in Genesis 1:28, and how do they reflect the dignity and duty of humanity? [09:52]

2. According to the sermon, what is the significance of being created in the image of God, and how does this relate to our personality, morality, and spirituality? [02:29]

3. How does the sermon describe the relationship between God's blessings and commands in Genesis 1:28? [08:35]

4. What does the sermon say about the source of human dominion, and how is it different from human achievement? [12:12]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the concept of stewardship, as discussed in the sermon, extend beyond material possessions to include time, talents, and relationships? [17:16]

2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the fall has corrupted our dominion, and how does Christ's redemptive work restore it? [25:29]

3. How does the sermon interpret the command to "live responsibly" in Colossians 3:17, and what does it mean to do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus? [22:43]

4. What does the sermon imply about the connection between worship and acknowledging our accountability to God as our Creator? [20:38]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on the five commands in Genesis 1:28. Which of these commands do you find most challenging to live out in your daily life, and why? [09:52]

2. The sermon emphasizes the dignity of being made in God's image. How does this understanding impact the way you view yourself and others? [02:29]

3. Consider the idea that "God owns it all." How does this perspective change the way you manage your resources, including time and talents? [18:23]

4. The sermon calls us to proclaim Christ as part of our dominion. Identify one person in your life who needs to hear the gospel. How can you share the hope of Christ with them this week? [27:16]

5. In what ways can you incorporate the practice of living responsibly, as described in Colossians 3:17, into your work or family life this week? [22:43]

6. The sermon encourages us to live in hope despite the brokenness of the world. What specific steps can you take to anchor your hope in Christ's ultimate victory? [28:21]

7. How can you cultivate a heart of worship in your daily routine, acknowledging God's sovereignty and your accountability to Him? [20:38]

Devotional

Day 1: Divine Image and Dignity
Being made in the image of God bestows upon humanity a unique dignity that reflects God's personality, morality, and spirituality. This understanding calls individuals to live lives that honor the Creator, recognizing their worth and purpose in His grand design. The image of God in humanity is not merely a theological concept but a profound truth that shapes how we view ourselves and others. It challenges us to see every person as valuable and worthy of respect, regardless of their status or achievements. This divine image also calls us to live in a way that mirrors God's character, embracing virtues such as love, justice, and mercy. [02:29]

"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 does recognizing the image of God in yourself and others change the way you interact with people today?


Day 2: Blessing and Command
God's blessings and commands are intertwined, revealing His character and our purpose. True blessedness is found not in autonomy but in submission to God's Word, as we delight in His law and meditate on it day and night. The blessings reflect God's goodness, kindness, and benevolence, reminding us that our chief end is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. The commands, on the other hand, affirm divine revelation, authority, and purpose, calling us to live in accordance with God's will. This dynamic relationship between blessing and command invites us to trust in God's wisdom and to find joy in obedience. [09:14]

"Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night." (Psalm 1:1-2, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you delight in God's commands today, and how might this change your perspective on obedience?


Day 3: Stewardship and Accountability
Our dominion over creation is a stewardship entrusted by God. We are called to manage all aspects of our lives—time, talents, relationships—as gifts from God, living with the understanding that "God owns it all." This stewardship extends beyond material possessions to encompass our time, talents, relationships, and the world itself. It is a call to live responsibly, acknowledging that we are accountable to God for how we use what He has given us. This perspective challenges us to consider how we can best serve God and others with the resources at our disposal. [18:23]

"As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace." (1 Peter 4:10, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you can practice better stewardship today, and what steps can you take to improve in this area?


Day 4: Proclaiming Christ
The fall has corrupted our dominion, but Christ's redemptive work restores us. We are called to proclaim the gospel, fulfilling the Great Commission, and pointing others to the hope found in Jesus, the second Adam. This proclamation is not just about words but about living a life that reflects the transformative power of the gospel. It involves sharing the message of Christ's love and redemption with those around us, inviting them to experience the same hope and restoration we have found in Him. [27:16]

"And he said to them, 'Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.'" (Mark 16:15, ESV)

Reflection: Who is one person you can share the hope of Christ with today, and how can you approach this conversation with love and grace?


Day 5: Living in Hope
Despite the brokenness of the world, we live in hope, trusting in Christ's ultimate victory. Our faith anchors us in the assurance that Jesus, crowned with glory and honor, reigns and will bring all things under His control. This hope is not a passive waiting but an active living out of our faith, confident in the promises of God. It encourages us to persevere through challenges, knowing that our labor in the Lord is not in vain. Living in hope means looking forward to the day when Christ will make all things new, and allowing that future reality to shape our present actions. [28:21]

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead." (1 Peter 1:3, ESV)

Reflection: How can you actively live out the hope you have in Christ today, especially in the face of challenges or uncertainties?

Quotes

"First, we are to be reminded that God created man. God created man Himself. In fact, distinct and different from the rest of creation, the Bible tells us that God declared, 'Let us make man in our own image and after our own likeness.' God created man. Our existence is not the result of some evolutionary process. We are the handiwork of almighty God." [00:01:39]

"There is a dignity with which God has created mankind that is unique in all of creation. We have been created in the very image of almighty God. This denotes personality. Sharing the image of God indicates mind, will, and emotion, but not just personality but morality and even spirituality. God created us. God created us in His own image." [00:02:33]

"The statement that begins verse 28 about the blessings of God on humanity, on mankind, is on one hand a statement about the character of God, is it not? It's a statement about His goodness, and His kindness, and His benevolence. From the moment He created us, God in His good pleasure has leaned His compassion toward us to bless us. God blessed us." [00:04:30]

"God, beginning of the verse, issues blessings and then in the rest of the verse God issues commands. The Bible says in verse 28, 'And God blessed them,' and then it says, 'God said.' God blessed them, and then God began to issue commands. Here, we have a reference to divine revelation. God at the very beginning of His relationship to man reveals Himself to be a speaking God." [00:06:22]

"In the self-centered culture that we live in, even the superficial mindset of professing Christians would think that a life of blessedness is freedom to do your own thing. But here we are reminded that the blessings of God and the commands of God go together. In fact, the opening Psalm, Psalm 1, describes the blessed life saying, 'Blessed is the man that does not walk in the counsel of the ungodly.'" [00:08:35]

"These five commands reflect a twofold emphasis. These five commands here on one hand affirm again the dignity of mankind. God commands mankind to be fruitful and to multiply and fill the earth. There is a whole message here just on the dignity of mankind tied to marriage and family and childbearing and child raising, and then there's also the duty of mankind." [00:09:57]

"God gave mankind dominion, gave them rule, assigned for the purpose of mankind to be, if you will, co-regents with Him over the earth that He created, but God did it. This is not a result of some evolutionary process. Mankind does not win dominion because they've won some contest of the survival of the fittest. This is the work of God. God gave man dominion over the works of His hands." [00:12:12]

"Stewardship is management. What we possess does not belong to us. It belongs to God. When I was a boy in my father's church, when stewardship would come up, it was typically about money, about offerings. But studying the sacred Scriptures, it is obvious that stewardship is a matter that is much bigger than just financial matters, even though, of course, it includes that." [00:16:37]

"To be faithful stewards, we of this dominion that God has entrusted to us, it must be our first and foremost priority to worship God, to worship God, to give honor to whom honor is due. To honor, to praise the One who is God alone, who is from everlasting to everlasting. Again, the psalmist says, 'Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness!'" [00:19:48]

"Whatever you do, you should work heartily, with all of your heart. If I may say it in succinct terms, if it bears God's name it deserves our best. We are to work heartily as of to God and not as to man. We are accountable to God in everything we do. We are accountable to God with everything we have." [00:24:22]

"There is a second Adam, the righteous One, who lived a righteous life in full obedience to all of the commands of God and who died at the cross so that His blood would make an atonement for rebellious sinners like you and me and restore us into right relationship with God. Paul says, 'For our sake He (God) made Him (Christ) who knew no sin to become sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.'" [00:26:43]

"The Lord Jesus Christ who died at the cross and rose from the dead and is seated at the Father's right hand is our Savior, is our Lord, and He is our hope. And even now we trust in Him." [00:29:04]

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Transcript
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