Reflecting God's Image: Our Role in Creation
Summary
In embarking on a new series, we begin by exploring the profound question of how we tell our stories and how they intersect with God's grand narrative. Our stories often start with personal milestones, but today, we zoom out to consider the beginning of God's story as depicted in Genesis 1. This chapter is not just a familiar tale but a dynamic and explosive account of creation, revealing God's perfect design and our intended role within it. Over the next five weeks, we will journey through the Bible, seeking to understand how God's story is intricately woven with ours.
Genesis 1 presents a powerful narrative of creation, where God speaks the universe into existence. Each day of creation unfolds with divine order and purpose, culminating in the creation of humanity in God's image. This chapter challenges us to see creation as a temple, a place where God dwells with humankind. Unlike other ancient creation stories, where humans are created to relieve the gods of their burdens, Genesis portrays humanity as partners with God, called to steward and cultivate creation.
The narrative of Genesis 1 is not just about the physical creation but also about the relational aspect of God's design. We are created to reflect God's character, wisdom, and love, serving as His image bearers in the world. This calling is both a privilege and a responsibility, inviting us to participate in God's work and to live in harmony with His creation.
As we reflect on this story, we are reminded of Jesus, the perfect image of God, who fully embodied what it means to be human. Through Jesus, we see the restoration of our calling to be image bearers, as He invites us to join Him in His ministry. This invitation is not just to hear the story but to live it, to reflect God's image in our daily lives, and to embrace the calling for which we were created.
Key Takeaways:
- Our personal stories are part of a larger narrative, God's story, which begins with creation. Understanding this helps us see our lives in the context of God's grand design, where we are invited to participate in His ongoing work. [53:49]
- Genesis 1 reveals creation as a temple, a place where God dwells with humanity. This challenges us to view our world not just as a physical space but as a sacred place where we are called to reflect God's presence. [01:08:22]
- Unlike other ancient creation myths, Genesis presents humanity as partners with God, not as slaves. We are called to steward creation, reflecting God's character and wisdom in our actions and relationships. [01:14:50]
- Jesus, the perfect image of God, restores our calling to be image bearers. Through His life, death, and resurrection, He shows us what it means to live fully in God's image and invites us to join Him in this mission. [01:18:11]
- The invitation to be God's image bearers is a call to action. We are encouraged to reflect God's image in our work, rest, and relationships, living out the purpose for which we were created. [01:20:43]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[53:01] - Introduction and Personal Reflection
[53:49] - The Beginning of God's Story
[54:35] - Exploring Genesis 1
[56:15] - Reading Genesis 1
[57:13] - The Days of Creation
[57:57] - Creation as a Temple
[59:39] - Humanity in God's Image
[01:00:47] - Patterns in Genesis 1
[01:02:29] - Creation and Science
[01:03:42] - Ancient Worldview
[01:05:20] - Creation Myths and Genesis
[01:07:11] - God's Purpose in Creation
[01:08:22] - Creation as God's Temple
[01:09:56] - God's Rest and Reign
[01:11:58] - From Good Creation to New Creation
[01:14:50] - Humanity's Role as Image Bearers
[01:16:14] - Reflecting God's Character
[01:17:32] - Jesus as the Perfect Image
[01:18:11] - The Gift of the Incarnation
[01:19:20] - Communion and Reflection
[01:20:43] - Living the Story
[01:21:41] - Invitation to Reflect
[01:22:46] - Closing Prayer and Reflection
[01:27:56] - Following Jesus' Example
[01:29:25] - Psalm Reflection
[01:30:06] - Closing and Fellowship Invitation
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Genesis 1:1-2:3
- Colossians 1:15-16
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Observation Questions:
1. What are the repeated phrases in Genesis 1 that highlight the order and purpose of creation? [01:01:37]
2. How does Genesis 1 describe the creation of humanity, and what unique role is given to humans? [59:39]
3. According to the sermon, how does Genesis 1 differ from other ancient creation stories in terms of humanity's purpose? [01:07:11]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the significance of the seventh day in the creation narrative? [01:09:56]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of creation as a temple in Genesis 1 influence our understanding of the world as a sacred space? [01:08:22]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that Jesus restores our calling to be image bearers of God? [01:18:11]
3. How does the sermon interpret the role of humanity as partners with God, and what implications does this have for our daily lives? [01:14:50]
4. What does it mean to reflect God's character, wisdom, and love as His image bearers, according to the sermon? [01:16:14]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your personal story. How do you see it intersecting with God's grand narrative as described in Genesis 1? [53:49]
2. The sermon describes creation as a temple where God dwells with humanity. How can you cultivate a sense of sacredness in your everyday environment? [01:08:22]
3. Considering the sermon’s view of humanity as partners with God, what specific actions can you take to steward and cultivate creation in your community? [01:14:50]
4. Jesus is described as the perfect image of God. How can you strive to embody His example in your work, rest, and relationships this week? [01:18:11]
5. The sermon invites us to live out our calling as God's image bearers. What is one area of your life where you feel called to better reflect God's image, and what steps will you take to do so? [01:20:43]
6. How can you incorporate the practice of reflecting on your role as an image bearer of God into your daily routine? [01:21:41]
7. In what ways can you engage with others to discuss and explore the themes of creation and our role within it, as presented in the sermon? [01:22:46]
Devotional
Day 1: Our Stories in God's Grand Narrative
Our personal stories are not isolated; they are part of a larger narrative that begins with God's creation. Understanding this connection helps us see our lives within the context of God's grand design, where we are invited to participate in His ongoing work. Genesis 1 is not just a historical account but a dynamic and explosive narrative that reveals God's perfect design and our intended role within it. As we embark on this journey, we are encouraged to reflect on how our personal milestones intersect with God's story, recognizing that we are part of something much greater than ourselves. [53:49]
Isaiah 46:9-10 (ESV): "Remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose.’"
Reflection: Think about a recent personal milestone. How does this event fit into the larger story of God's work in your life and the world?
Day 2: Creation as God's Temple
Genesis 1 reveals creation as a temple, a sacred space where God dwells with humanity. This perspective challenges us to view our world not just as a physical environment but as a place imbued with divine presence. Unlike other ancient creation myths, Genesis presents humanity as partners with God, called to steward and cultivate creation. This understanding invites us to see our surroundings as holy and to live in a way that reflects God's presence in the world. [01:08:22]
Psalm 24:1-2 (ESV): "The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein, for he has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers."
Reflection: How can you treat your immediate environment as a sacred space today, reflecting God's presence in your actions and interactions?
Day 3: Humanity as Partners with God
In Genesis, humanity is depicted not as slaves to the gods but as partners with God, entrusted with the responsibility to steward creation. This calling is both a privilege and a responsibility, inviting us to reflect God's character, wisdom, and love in our actions and relationships. As image bearers, we are called to participate in God's work, living in harmony with His creation and each other. This partnership is a unique aspect of the biblical creation narrative, setting it apart from other ancient myths. [01:14:50]
1 Corinthians 3:9 (ESV): "For we are God's fellow workers. You are God's field, God's building."
Reflection: Identify one way you can actively participate in stewarding God's creation today, whether through environmental care, community service, or another form of stewardship.
Day 4: Jesus as the Perfect Image of God
Jesus, the perfect image of God, restores our calling to be image bearers. Through His life, death, and resurrection, He shows us what it means to live fully in God's image and invites us to join Him in this mission. This invitation is not just to hear the story but to live it, embodying God's character in our daily lives. Jesus' example provides a model for us to follow, demonstrating how we can reflect God's love and wisdom in our interactions with others. [01:18:11]
Colossians 1:15-16 (ESV): "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him."
Reflection: In what specific ways can you reflect the character of Jesus in your interactions with others today?
Day 5: Living as God's Image Bearers
The invitation to be God's image bearers is a call to action. We are encouraged to reflect God's image in our work, rest, and relationships, living out the purpose for which we were created. This calling is not passive but active, requiring us to engage with the world in a way that honors God and reflects His love. As we embrace this role, we are reminded of the privilege and responsibility that comes with being created in God's image, and the impact we can have on the world around us. [01:20:43]
Ephesians 2:10 (ESV): "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."
Reflection: What is one specific action you can take today to live out your calling as an image bearer of God in your workplace or community?
Quotes
"Over the next five weeks, we're gonna explore the story of the Bible from beginning to end. Potentially ambitious, but hopefully in this series, we'll see a broad view of God's story and also the way that God's story is in fact our story. Now, the beginning of this story is so familiar that it's easy to just gloss over it when we hear it again. But my hope is this morning in particular, we see how explosive and how dynamic the beginning of God's story is." [00:54:44]
"God, we thank you that you have a perfect story, a story that is continuing to unfold, Lord, but we know that it is an incredible story that we are woven into. We know that the scripture tells us the truth of that story. And so, Lord, as we come to your word this morning and particularly over the next five weeks, Lord, I pray that you would help us to see the way that you're at work, help us to see the big picture, and help us to know how wonderful it is that you invite us into your story, that you have shown us what it means to live as a part of the world that you've created." [00:55:31]
"God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning, the sixth day. Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array. By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing. So on the seventh day he rested from all his work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done." [01:00:39]
"God speaks and things come into being from nothing. Disorder becomes order. That which doesn't exist is brought into existence by God's very word. Wow. Wow. I reckon this chapter is one of the most remarkable passages in Scripture. It's also become one of the most controversial as well. How do we sit this passage alongside the developments in silence, in science? Is this chapter a period of seven days, of 24 hours, or is it not?" [01:02:14]
"Well, why is that important? Well, Genesis 1, scripture tells us that the purpose of God creating all things, and in particular his purpose for creating humanity, which is what we get to shortly, but we see in contrast to other stories of this time that speak of creation as a solution to a problem, Genesis tells us a story of God creating the world freely. God created the world. God created the world. God created the world. God created the world. Not as a necessity to relieve himself of labor, but as an outworking of God's goodness." [01:06:35]
"God creates order from disorder. And what we see in this chapter is that everything points to the fact that creation is spoken of as though it's actually a temple. In the ancient world, temples were the places where the gods were believed to dwell. Every civilization. The temple is the place where the gods live. The very first words in this chapter point to the fact that we're supposed to think of creation as a temple." [01:08:02]
"Creation is not only deeply functional and ordered, day and night separated, water separated from land, fish where they should be, animals where they should be, but what it also was was supposed to be deeply relational. We're supposed to see that from the very beginning, creation is the place, is the God's temple where he rules and he reigns and dwells with his people. Too often, I think we can jump through the first two chapters of Genesis and of Scripture and we miss the goodness of creation." [01:11:29]
"There's one more dynamic which is about you that indicates that we're actually seeing a temple in this chapter. And it's really significant when we think about what our role is, what your role is in God's good creation. The last step that you would take in building any temple would be to place in the Bible a good creation. An image in this temple. An image of the God that this temple is built for." [01:13:08]
"God places humanity as an image of Himself in His temple in creation. This is incredible, right? Absolutely mind-blowing. So, if that is the case, which I think it is, if that is the case, if humanity is the image placed in this temple, then we were or are supposed to represent God as this living image. Not as slaves, as in the other creation accounts. Humanity isn't workers for the gods because they're tired, but instead humanity is partners with God." [01:14:36]
"If the world is God's temple and humans are made in God's image, then humanity's role is to reflect God's character, to reflect his wisdom, and to steward this responsibility well, right? Humanity are called to manage this rule, to be the image in a way that pleases God, that pleases the king who rests on his throne. And we don't have to look very far to see how wrong we've got it, do we?" [01:16:05]
"We see the perfect image of God in who? In Jesus. The true image of God, the Son. In him, in Jesus, we see all that humanity was supposed to be. He is the only human that has fully lived into this calling to be an image bearer. The only one who has truly and fully reflected God's wisdom, his love, his justice, in every moment of his life, right until the very last breath." [01:17:39]
"The invitation to you today is to join Jesus in his ministry. To join him. To join the one who is fully human and fully God. And fully lives into the image of what we were supposed to be and will be. The invitation for you today is not just to hear this story. As remarkable as it is. But to live it. To live into it." [01:20:15]
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