WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:16.059 Then God said, Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish, in the sea, in the birds, in the sky, and over the livestock, and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground. 00:00:16.059 --> 00:00:25.519 So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them, male and female he created them. 00:00:26.759 --> 00:00:38.700 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. 00:00:38.700 --> 00:00:47.960 Then God said, I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth, and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. 00:00:48.540 --> 00:00:50.340 They will be yours for food. 00:00:51.440 --> 00:01:03.380 And to all the beasts of the earth, and all the birds in the sky, and all the creatures that move along the ground, everything that has the breath of life in it, I give every green plant for food. 00:01:04.140 --> 00:01:05.240 And it was so. 00:01:05.239 --> 00:01:09.500 God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. 00:01:10.359 --> 00:01:13.819 And there was evening, and there was morning, the sixth day. 00:01:15.479 --> 00:01:16.560 Well, let's pray. 00:01:16.939 --> 00:01:20.500 Let's see what we can learn from God's word today. 00:01:20.679 --> 00:01:21.699 Let's pray. 00:01:26.439 --> 00:01:31.500 The God who spoke this universe into being, out of nothing, 00:01:31.500 --> 00:01:39.480 creating life, creating mankind, making us. 00:01:41.780 --> 00:01:45.859 Father God, we ask that you now will speak to us 00:01:45.859 --> 00:01:48.840 through your word in such a way 00:01:48.840 --> 00:01:53.620 that it grabs a hold of us 00:01:53.620 --> 00:01:56.980 and helps us to see clearly 00:01:56.980 --> 00:01:59.400 who we are, 00:02:00.400 --> 00:02:01.579 how we should live, 00:02:03.380 --> 00:02:05.380 and what it means to be 00:02:05.380 --> 00:02:08.200 your image bearers. 00:02:10.159 --> 00:02:12.819 Father, I pray that you will change us today, 00:02:13.819 --> 00:02:14.939 change us for good, 00:02:16.400 --> 00:02:17.960 change us so that we would 00:02:17.960 --> 00:02:20.000 reflect your glory 00:02:20.000 --> 00:02:21.419 better. 00:02:23.500 --> 00:02:24.719 We pray this 00:02:24.719 --> 00:02:26.199 in Jesus' name. 00:02:26.860 --> 00:02:27.340 Amen. 00:02:31.659 --> 00:02:32.800 Look with me at 00:02:32.800 --> 00:02:34.400 chapter 1, verse 1, 00:02:34.960 --> 00:02:36.560 the first verse of the Bible. 00:02:37.599 --> 00:02:38.460 In the beginning, 00:02:39.300 --> 00:02:40.420 God created 00:02:40.420 --> 00:02:42.580 the heavens and the earth. 00:02:42.580 --> 00:02:46.740 Now go to verse 26, 00:02:47.660 --> 00:02:49.320 where we started our reading. 00:02:50.480 --> 00:02:51.260 Then God said, 00:02:51.439 --> 00:02:53.280 let us make mankind in our image, 00:02:53.480 --> 00:02:54.320 in our likeness, 00:02:54.380 --> 00:02:56.240 so that they may rule over the fish, 00:02:56.780 --> 00:02:57.200 the sea, 00:02:57.260 --> 00:02:58.600 and the birds of the sky. 00:02:59.980 --> 00:03:01.560 Did you notice a change 00:03:01.560 --> 00:03:02.700 in those two verses? 00:03:03.600 --> 00:03:05.640 We've been given some new information 00:03:05.640 --> 00:03:06.420 about God. 00:03:06.860 --> 00:03:08.020 Look again closely 00:03:08.020 --> 00:03:09.200 at verse 26. 00:03:10.180 --> 00:03:11.200 Then God said, 00:03:11.199 --> 00:03:12.839 let us 00:03:12.839 --> 00:03:14.519 make mankind 00:03:14.519 --> 00:03:15.159 in 00:03:15.159 --> 00:03:16.239 our 00:03:16.239 --> 00:03:17.719 image. 00:03:18.780 --> 00:03:19.259 So, 00:03:19.539 --> 00:03:20.699 who is the us 00:03:20.699 --> 00:03:21.319 and the 00:03:21.319 --> 00:03:21.859 our? 00:03:22.780 --> 00:03:23.679 It seems that God 00:03:23.679 --> 00:03:25.060 is a lot more complex 00:03:25.060 --> 00:03:26.780 than we first thought. 00:03:27.839 --> 00:03:28.799 While we're not given 00:03:28.799 --> 00:03:29.679 all the details 00:03:29.679 --> 00:03:31.060 at this point in Scripture, 00:03:31.560 --> 00:03:32.539 we are being given 00:03:32.539 --> 00:03:33.419 an insight 00:03:33.419 --> 00:03:35.199 into who God is. 00:03:35.599 --> 00:03:36.439 As we read 00:03:36.439 --> 00:03:37.120 through the Bible, 00:03:37.280 --> 00:03:38.759 God is always referred to 00:03:38.759 --> 00:03:40.099 God as one. 00:03:40.099 --> 00:03:41.799 There is only one God, 00:03:42.239 --> 00:03:43.199 but yet this God 00:03:43.199 --> 00:03:44.539 can speak of himself 00:03:44.539 --> 00:03:45.560 as us 00:03:45.560 --> 00:03:47.359 and our. 00:03:48.659 --> 00:03:50.060 As we read the Bible 00:03:50.060 --> 00:03:50.959 progressively, 00:03:51.620 --> 00:03:52.400 bit by bit, 00:03:52.519 --> 00:03:53.340 God reveals 00:03:53.340 --> 00:03:54.359 that God is 00:03:54.359 --> 00:03:55.259 one 00:03:55.259 --> 00:03:56.419 in 00:03:56.419 --> 00:03:57.659 three persons. 00:03:58.659 --> 00:03:59.099 The us 00:03:59.099 --> 00:03:59.659 and the our 00:03:59.659 --> 00:04:00.280 will become 00:04:00.280 --> 00:04:01.439 identified as 00:04:01.439 --> 00:04:02.479 the Father, 00:04:03.419 --> 00:04:04.099 the Son, 00:04:05.199 --> 00:04:06.000 and the Spirit. 00:04:06.000 --> 00:04:08.080 So, 00:04:08.180 --> 00:04:09.379 when God says 00:04:09.379 --> 00:04:10.580 in verse 26, 00:04:11.199 --> 00:04:12.000 then God said, 00:04:12.259 --> 00:04:13.060 let us 00:04:13.060 --> 00:04:14.539 make mankind 00:04:14.539 --> 00:04:15.020 in 00:04:15.020 --> 00:04:15.819 our 00:04:15.819 --> 00:04:16.639 image, 00:04:17.560 --> 00:04:18.540 God is declaring 00:04:18.540 --> 00:04:19.540 that he is a 00:04:19.540 --> 00:04:20.639 relational 00:04:20.639 --> 00:04:21.540 kind of 00:04:21.540 --> 00:04:22.139 God. 00:04:22.839 --> 00:04:23.660 He already 00:04:23.660 --> 00:04:24.680 enjoys an 00:04:24.680 --> 00:04:25.279 eternal 00:04:25.279 --> 00:04:26.560 loving relationship 00:04:26.560 --> 00:04:28.060 within himself. 00:04:28.259 --> 00:04:29.579 He talks 00:04:29.579 --> 00:04:30.480 within himself. 00:04:30.660 --> 00:04:31.540 They come 00:04:31.540 --> 00:04:32.480 to an agreement 00:04:32.480 --> 00:04:33.259 that we're going 00:04:33.259 --> 00:04:33.759 to make 00:04:33.759 --> 00:04:34.279 mankind. 00:04:34.279 --> 00:04:34.679 mankind. 00:04:37.679 --> 00:04:38.799 The Father, 00:04:39.000 --> 00:04:39.519 the Son, 00:04:40.039 --> 00:04:40.799 and the Spirit 00:04:40.799 --> 00:04:41.579 are united 00:04:41.579 --> 00:04:42.559 in perfect 00:04:42.559 --> 00:04:43.119 harmony. 00:04:43.819 --> 00:04:44.219 So, 00:04:44.279 --> 00:04:44.679 when God 00:04:44.679 --> 00:04:45.739 creates mankind, 00:04:46.279 --> 00:04:47.179 he doesn't do it 00:04:47.179 --> 00:04:48.179 because he needs 00:04:48.179 --> 00:04:48.619 anyone. 00:04:48.919 --> 00:04:49.699 It's not as if 00:04:49.699 --> 00:04:50.779 God is bored 00:04:50.779 --> 00:04:52.019 or that he's 00:04:52.019 --> 00:04:53.059 somehow lonely, 00:04:54.099 --> 00:04:54.619 but God 00:04:54.619 --> 00:04:55.739 longs to share 00:04:55.739 --> 00:04:56.599 the joy 00:04:56.599 --> 00:04:57.679 he has 00:04:57.679 --> 00:04:58.679 within himself 00:04:58.679 --> 00:04:59.599 with 00:04:59.599 --> 00:05:00.479 mankind. 00:05:00.480 --> 00:05:01.879 God takes 00:05:01.879 --> 00:05:02.700 delight in 00:05:02.700 --> 00:05:03.280 creating 00:05:03.280 --> 00:05:03.759 mankind. 00:05:04.280 --> 00:05:05.040 He creates 00:05:05.040 --> 00:05:05.259 us. 00:05:05.340 --> 00:05:06.060 He's created 00:05:06.060 --> 00:05:06.800 you 00:05:06.800 --> 00:05:09.020 to welcome 00:05:09.020 --> 00:05:09.580 us 00:05:09.580 --> 00:05:10.700 that we 00:05:10.700 --> 00:05:11.400 would share 00:05:11.400 --> 00:05:11.920 in his 00:05:11.920 --> 00:05:12.620 eternal 00:05:12.620 --> 00:05:13.879 loving 00:05:13.879 --> 00:05:15.240 relationship. 00:05:16.580 --> 00:05:17.259 So, 00:05:17.379 --> 00:05:17.780 this morning 00:05:17.780 --> 00:05:18.300 we're going 00:05:18.300 --> 00:05:18.740 to look 00:05:18.740 --> 00:05:19.420 together at 00:05:19.420 --> 00:05:20.000 who we 00:05:20.000 --> 00:05:20.840 are made 00:05:20.840 --> 00:05:21.560 to be. 00:05:22.840 --> 00:05:23.520 Made 00:05:23.520 --> 00:05:24.080 to be 00:05:24.080 --> 00:05:25.660 in relationship 00:05:25.660 --> 00:05:26.439 with God. 00:05:26.439 --> 00:05:26.980 First, 00:05:28.759 --> 00:05:29.680 made in 00:05:29.680 --> 00:05:30.240 God's 00:05:30.240 --> 00:05:30.899 image. 00:05:31.939 --> 00:05:32.600 We're really 00:05:32.600 --> 00:05:32.959 going to be 00:05:32.959 --> 00:05:33.620 focusing on 00:05:33.620 --> 00:05:34.620 verses 27 00:05:34.620 --> 00:05:35.540 and 28. 00:05:35.719 --> 00:05:35.860 So, 00:05:35.939 --> 00:05:36.199 look at 00:05:36.199 --> 00:05:37.120 verse 27. 00:05:38.240 --> 00:05:38.620 God 00:05:38.620 --> 00:05:39.259 created 00:05:39.259 --> 00:05:39.699 mankind 00:05:39.699 --> 00:05:40.399 in his 00:05:40.399 --> 00:05:40.660 own 00:05:40.660 --> 00:05:41.100 image. 00:05:41.660 --> 00:05:41.939 In the 00:05:41.939 --> 00:05:42.399 image of 00:05:42.399 --> 00:05:42.699 God, 00:05:42.800 --> 00:05:43.420 he created 00:05:43.420 --> 00:05:43.740 them. 00:05:44.240 --> 00:05:44.659 Male 00:05:44.659 --> 00:05:45.439 and female, 00:05:45.659 --> 00:05:46.279 he created 00:05:46.279 --> 00:05:46.560 them. 00:05:47.240 --> 00:05:47.540 So, 00:05:47.639 --> 00:05:48.159 three things 00:05:48.159 --> 00:05:48.439 we're going 00:05:48.439 --> 00:05:48.759 to see 00:05:48.759 --> 00:05:49.519 from this 00:05:49.519 --> 00:05:49.839 verse. 00:05:50.180 --> 00:05:50.639 First, 00:05:51.120 --> 00:05:51.620 look at 00:05:51.620 --> 00:05:52.420 image. 00:05:53.279 --> 00:05:54.000 An image 00:05:54.000 --> 00:05:54.759 is a 00:05:54.759 --> 00:05:55.319 reflection. 00:05:55.819 --> 00:05:56.300 Like when 00:05:56.300 --> 00:05:56.699 you looked 00:05:56.699 --> 00:05:57.040 in the 00:05:57.040 --> 00:05:57.280 mirror 00:05:57.280 --> 00:05:57.579 this 00:05:57.579 --> 00:05:57.980 morning 00:05:57.980 --> 00:05:58.300 in the 00:05:58.300 --> 00:05:58.660 bathroom, 00:05:58.780 --> 00:05:59.220 you see 00:05:59.220 --> 00:06:00.240 a reflection 00:06:00.240 --> 00:06:00.960 of yourself. 00:06:01.319 --> 00:06:01.780 It's not 00:06:01.780 --> 00:06:02.420 your true 00:06:02.420 --> 00:06:02.860 self, 00:06:02.980 --> 00:06:03.340 but an 00:06:03.340 --> 00:06:03.780 image 00:06:03.780 --> 00:06:04.439 of 00:06:04.439 --> 00:06:04.900 yourself. 00:06:06.420 --> 00:06:06.620 Now, 00:06:06.660 --> 00:06:06.939 God 00:06:06.939 --> 00:06:07.639 creates 00:06:07.639 --> 00:06:08.160 us 00:06:08.160 --> 00:06:09.120 to be 00:06:09.120 --> 00:06:09.480 his 00:06:09.480 --> 00:06:10.300 image 00:06:10.300 --> 00:06:11.060 bearers, 00:06:11.220 --> 00:06:11.439 to 00:06:11.439 --> 00:06:12.460 reflect 00:06:12.460 --> 00:06:12.900 him. 00:06:13.400 --> 00:06:13.740 God 00:06:13.740 --> 00:06:14.199 can't 00:06:14.199 --> 00:06:14.660 be seen, 00:06:14.759 --> 00:06:15.280 he's not 00:06:15.280 --> 00:06:15.939 a physical 00:06:15.939 --> 00:06:16.740 being like 00:06:16.740 --> 00:06:17.120 us, 00:06:17.480 --> 00:06:18.060 but his 00:06:18.060 --> 00:06:18.680 intention 00:06:18.680 --> 00:06:19.139 is, 00:06:19.379 --> 00:06:19.819 is that 00:06:19.819 --> 00:06:20.220 he would 00:06:20.220 --> 00:06:21.220 be reflected 00:06:21.220 --> 00:06:22.500 in human 00:06:22.500 --> 00:06:23.160 form and 00:06:23.160 --> 00:06:23.660 character. 00:06:24.360 --> 00:06:24.939 We are 00:06:24.939 --> 00:06:25.340 to be 00:06:25.340 --> 00:06:26.180 a visible, 00:06:26.180 --> 00:06:28.319 representation 00:06:28.319 --> 00:06:29.980 of the 00:06:29.980 --> 00:06:30.939 invisible 00:06:30.939 --> 00:06:32.100 God. 00:06:33.079 --> 00:06:33.600 Think of 00:06:33.600 --> 00:06:33.879 it like 00:06:33.879 --> 00:06:34.100 this, 00:06:34.120 --> 00:06:34.500 it's really 00:06:34.500 --> 00:06:34.840 quite 00:06:34.840 --> 00:06:35.400 extraordinary. 00:06:35.840 --> 00:06:36.160 Think of 00:06:36.160 --> 00:06:36.620 the sun 00:06:36.620 --> 00:06:37.480 and its 00:06:37.480 --> 00:06:37.900 brilliant 00:06:37.900 --> 00:06:38.480 light 00:06:38.480 --> 00:06:39.420 shining by 00:06:39.420 --> 00:06:39.840 day. 00:06:41.120 --> 00:06:41.960 At night, 00:06:42.399 --> 00:06:42.879 the sun 00:06:42.879 --> 00:06:43.300 is still 00:06:43.300 --> 00:06:44.620 shining on 00:06:44.620 --> 00:06:44.920 the other 00:06:44.920 --> 00:06:45.420 side of 00:06:45.420 --> 00:06:46.199 the world 00:06:46.199 --> 00:06:46.600 to where 00:06:46.600 --> 00:06:47.120 we are, 00:06:47.720 --> 00:06:48.199 and its 00:06:48.199 --> 00:06:48.980 light is 00:06:48.980 --> 00:06:50.259 reflected on 00:06:50.259 --> 00:06:50.819 the surface 00:06:50.819 --> 00:06:51.500 of the moon, 00:06:51.879 --> 00:06:52.439 which in 00:06:52.439 --> 00:06:53.379 turn shines 00:06:53.379 --> 00:06:54.019 back down 00:06:54.019 --> 00:06:54.319 on the 00:06:54.319 --> 00:06:54.500 earth. 00:06:54.579 --> 00:06:54.899 So the 00:06:54.899 --> 00:06:55.219 sun 00:06:55.219 --> 00:06:56.319 reflects its 00:06:56.319 --> 00:06:56.759 light off 00:06:56.759 --> 00:06:57.159 the moon 00:06:57.159 --> 00:06:58.060 back down 00:06:58.060 --> 00:06:58.540 to earth. 00:06:59.199 --> 00:06:59.519 Now, 00:06:59.920 --> 00:07:00.639 the reflected 00:07:00.639 --> 00:07:01.459 light is not 00:07:01.459 --> 00:07:02.300 the same as 00:07:02.300 --> 00:07:02.819 the sun's 00:07:02.819 --> 00:07:02.980 light. 00:07:03.060 --> 00:07:03.500 We can't 00:07:03.500 --> 00:07:04.000 see the 00:07:04.000 --> 00:07:04.199 sun, 00:07:04.339 --> 00:07:05.100 but it's 00:07:05.100 --> 00:07:05.959 a reflection 00:07:05.959 --> 00:07:06.800 of that 00:07:06.800 --> 00:07:07.199 light. 00:07:08.060 --> 00:07:08.519 So as 00:07:08.519 --> 00:07:09.259 God's 00:07:09.259 --> 00:07:09.719 image 00:07:09.719 --> 00:07:10.480 bearers, 00:07:10.579 --> 00:07:10.860 we are 00:07:10.860 --> 00:07:11.959 to reflect 00:07:11.959 --> 00:07:13.319 the beauty 00:07:13.319 --> 00:07:14.540 and greatness 00:07:14.540 --> 00:07:15.019 of God. 00:07:15.019 --> 00:07:15.399 We were 00:07:15.399 --> 00:07:16.319 created and 00:07:16.319 --> 00:07:17.199 designed in 00:07:17.199 --> 00:07:18.019 such a way 00:07:18.019 --> 00:07:18.879 that we 00:07:18.879 --> 00:07:19.759 would shine 00:07:19.759 --> 00:07:20.699 forth his 00:07:20.699 --> 00:07:21.360 glory, 00:07:22.759 --> 00:07:23.060 that we 00:07:23.060 --> 00:07:24.120 would display 00:07:24.120 --> 00:07:25.060 his love, 00:07:25.360 --> 00:07:26.079 his justice, 00:07:26.300 --> 00:07:27.479 his mercy, 00:07:27.879 --> 00:07:28.860 his purity. 00:07:30.079 --> 00:07:30.479 God 00:07:30.479 --> 00:07:31.479 wonderfully 00:07:31.479 --> 00:07:32.879 creates an 00:07:32.879 --> 00:07:34.379 image of 00:07:34.379 --> 00:07:35.079 himself, 00:07:36.039 --> 00:07:37.019 and you 00:07:37.019 --> 00:07:37.659 and I 00:07:37.659 --> 00:07:39.439 were created 00:07:39.439 --> 00:07:40.360 to be that 00:07:40.360 --> 00:07:42.079 very image. 00:07:44.219 --> 00:07:45.079 So, 00:07:45.680 --> 00:07:46.339 image. 00:07:47.740 --> 00:07:48.279 But, 00:07:48.599 --> 00:07:49.699 verse 27, 00:07:50.699 --> 00:07:51.279 in the 00:07:51.279 --> 00:07:51.819 image of 00:07:51.819 --> 00:07:52.339 God, 00:07:52.699 --> 00:07:53.399 he created 00:07:53.399 --> 00:07:53.719 them, 00:07:54.199 --> 00:07:55.399 male and 00:07:55.399 --> 00:07:56.300 female, 00:07:56.479 --> 00:07:57.060 he created 00:07:57.060 --> 00:07:57.279 them. 00:07:57.639 --> 00:07:58.079 God's 00:07:58.079 --> 00:07:58.860 reflection is 00:07:58.860 --> 00:07:59.500 to be seen 00:07:59.500 --> 00:08:00.759 in mankind, 00:08:01.279 --> 00:08:01.539 and the 00:08:01.539 --> 00:08:02.699 different kinds 00:08:02.699 --> 00:08:03.839 of mankind, 00:08:04.120 --> 00:08:04.480 if we want 00:08:04.480 --> 00:08:04.839 to put it 00:08:04.839 --> 00:08:05.360 like that, 00:08:05.480 --> 00:08:06.779 are male 00:08:06.779 --> 00:08:08.000 and female. 00:08:09.199 --> 00:08:09.659 Both 00:08:09.659 --> 00:08:10.399 equally 00:08:10.399 --> 00:08:11.159 reflect the 00:08:11.159 --> 00:08:11.579 image of 00:08:11.579 --> 00:08:11.759 God. 00:08:11.860 --> 00:08:12.379 One is not 00:08:12.379 --> 00:08:12.819 better, 00:08:13.199 --> 00:08:13.680 and one is 00:08:13.680 --> 00:08:14.240 not less 00:08:14.240 --> 00:08:14.620 than the 00:08:14.620 --> 00:08:14.819 other. 00:08:15.379 --> 00:08:15.980 Men and 00:08:15.980 --> 00:08:16.500 women are 00:08:16.500 --> 00:08:17.180 equal in 00:08:17.180 --> 00:08:17.639 value, 00:08:17.860 --> 00:08:18.120 worth, 00:08:18.199 --> 00:08:18.759 and dignity. 00:08:18.980 --> 00:08:19.519 There's no 00:08:19.519 --> 00:08:20.599 inferiority, 00:08:20.699 --> 00:08:21.500 and no 00:08:21.500 --> 00:08:22.339 superiority. 00:08:24.439 --> 00:08:24.680 Now, 00:08:24.719 --> 00:08:25.339 while male 00:08:25.339 --> 00:08:25.879 and female 00:08:25.879 --> 00:08:26.779 are equally 00:08:26.779 --> 00:08:27.620 God's image 00:08:27.620 --> 00:08:28.319 bearers, 00:08:28.800 --> 00:08:29.439 that doesn't 00:08:29.439 --> 00:08:29.779 mean to 00:08:29.779 --> 00:08:30.259 say that 00:08:30.259 --> 00:08:30.699 God is 00:08:30.699 --> 00:08:31.039 somehow 00:08:31.039 --> 00:08:32.580 50% male, 00:08:32.899 --> 00:08:34.059 and 50% 00:08:34.059 --> 00:08:34.519 female, 00:08:34.700 --> 00:08:34.939 and he 00:08:34.939 --> 00:08:35.319 kind of 00:08:35.319 --> 00:08:36.439 makes images 00:08:36.439 --> 00:08:37.200 of half 00:08:37.200 --> 00:08:37.759 and half. 00:08:38.360 --> 00:08:38.600 No, 00:08:38.679 --> 00:08:39.039 we saw 00:08:39.039 --> 00:08:39.559 last week, 00:08:39.620 --> 00:08:39.799 didn't we, 00:08:39.819 --> 00:08:40.220 that God 00:08:40.220 --> 00:08:41.480 is distinct 00:08:41.480 --> 00:08:42.460 from humanity. 00:08:42.620 --> 00:08:43.019 He's not 00:08:43.019 --> 00:08:43.580 like us. 00:08:43.819 --> 00:08:44.200 He's not 00:08:44.200 --> 00:08:45.159 restricted to 00:08:45.159 --> 00:08:45.860 a physical 00:08:45.860 --> 00:08:46.439 body. 00:08:47.399 --> 00:08:47.960 But yet, 00:08:48.059 --> 00:08:48.819 we are to 00:08:48.819 --> 00:08:49.580 reflect his 00:08:49.580 --> 00:08:50.020 image. 00:08:50.180 --> 00:08:50.600 Men and 00:08:50.600 --> 00:08:51.460 women are 00:08:51.460 --> 00:08:52.300 to display 00:08:52.300 --> 00:08:52.680 his 00:08:52.680 --> 00:08:53.560 character. 00:08:56.379 --> 00:08:56.960 Now, 00:08:57.000 --> 00:08:57.420 before we 00:08:57.420 --> 00:08:57.840 move on, 00:08:57.900 --> 00:08:58.520 it's important 00:08:58.520 --> 00:08:59.340 to underline 00:08:59.340 --> 00:09:00.440 here that 00:09:00.440 --> 00:09:01.240 God has 00:09:01.240 --> 00:09:01.900 created 00:09:01.900 --> 00:09:03.100 gender. 00:09:03.759 --> 00:09:04.379 We are 00:09:04.379 --> 00:09:05.280 either male 00:09:05.280 --> 00:09:07.320 or female. 00:09:07.900 --> 00:09:08.379 We're not 00:09:08.379 --> 00:09:09.440 interchangeable 00:09:09.440 --> 00:09:10.120 beings. 00:09:11.139 --> 00:09:11.540 And it's 00:09:11.540 --> 00:09:12.440 important because 00:09:12.440 --> 00:09:13.280 gender is 00:09:13.280 --> 00:09:14.480 being redefined, 00:09:14.580 --> 00:09:15.180 we'll read 00:09:15.180 --> 00:09:15.800 about it and 00:09:15.800 --> 00:09:16.540 hear about it, 00:09:16.539 --> 00:09:17.279 as something 00:09:17.279 --> 00:09:17.719 that is 00:09:17.719 --> 00:09:18.299 fluid, 00:09:19.139 --> 00:09:19.959 not fixed. 00:09:20.839 --> 00:09:21.259 In other 00:09:21.259 --> 00:09:21.500 words, 00:09:21.559 --> 00:09:22.139 we are not 00:09:22.139 --> 00:09:23.000 assigned our 00:09:23.000 --> 00:09:23.620 gender at 00:09:23.620 --> 00:09:23.980 birth, 00:09:24.299 --> 00:09:24.719 but we 00:09:24.719 --> 00:09:25.919 choose our 00:09:25.919 --> 00:09:27.120 gender at 00:09:27.120 --> 00:09:27.419 will. 00:09:28.559 --> 00:09:29.740 This ideology 00:09:29.740 --> 00:09:30.539 is summed up 00:09:30.539 --> 00:09:31.199 in a picture 00:09:31.199 --> 00:09:32.679 book written 00:09:32.679 --> 00:09:34.740 for four-year-old 00:09:34.740 --> 00:09:36.459 children called 00:09:36.459 --> 00:09:37.759 The Gender 00:09:37.759 --> 00:09:38.519 Fairy. 00:09:39.120 --> 00:09:39.959 It tells the 00:09:39.959 --> 00:09:40.439 children, 00:09:41.379 --> 00:09:41.699 quote, 00:09:41.700 --> 00:09:44.120 Only you 00:09:44.120 --> 00:09:45.460 know if 00:09:45.460 --> 00:09:45.980 you are a 00:09:45.980 --> 00:09:46.720 boy or a 00:09:46.720 --> 00:09:46.960 girl. 00:09:47.740 --> 00:09:48.120 No one 00:09:48.120 --> 00:09:48.640 can tell 00:09:48.640 --> 00:09:48.879 you. 00:09:49.560 --> 00:09:49.940 And the 00:09:49.940 --> 00:09:50.420 author's 00:09:50.420 --> 00:09:50.879 hope is 00:09:50.879 --> 00:09:51.160 this, 00:09:51.280 --> 00:09:51.680 to quote 00:09:51.680 --> 00:09:52.060 again, 00:09:52.740 --> 00:09:53.060 Some 00:09:53.060 --> 00:09:53.759 children will 00:09:53.759 --> 00:09:54.540 realise that 00:09:54.540 --> 00:09:55.080 their true 00:09:55.080 --> 00:09:55.840 identity is 00:09:55.840 --> 00:09:56.240 not the 00:09:56.240 --> 00:09:56.759 gender they 00:09:56.759 --> 00:09:57.300 were assigned 00:09:57.300 --> 00:09:57.900 at birth, 00:09:58.920 --> 00:09:59.280 and will 00:09:59.280 --> 00:09:59.720 choose to 00:09:59.720 --> 00:10:00.120 make a 00:10:00.120 --> 00:10:01.080 social transition 00:10:01.080 --> 00:10:02.379 to live as 00:10:02.379 --> 00:10:03.180 their true 00:10:03.180 --> 00:10:04.340 gender. 00:10:05.600 --> 00:10:06.140 Picture 00:10:06.140 --> 00:10:06.800 book written 00:10:06.800 --> 00:10:08.860 for four-year-olds. 00:10:09.820 --> 00:10:10.180 You see, 00:10:10.280 --> 00:10:11.100 behind this 00:10:11.100 --> 00:10:13.379 gender ideology 00:10:13.379 --> 00:10:14.300 is essentially 00:10:14.300 --> 00:10:15.480 a search for 00:10:15.480 --> 00:10:16.540 identity. 00:10:17.320 --> 00:10:18.060 Who am I? 00:10:19.300 --> 00:10:20.019 Looking for 00:10:20.019 --> 00:10:20.820 meaning and 00:10:20.820 --> 00:10:21.300 purpose. 00:10:21.759 --> 00:10:22.379 And the good 00:10:22.379 --> 00:10:23.220 news that we've 00:10:23.220 --> 00:10:23.879 been looking at 00:10:23.879 --> 00:10:24.420 at the beginning 00:10:24.420 --> 00:10:25.480 of Genesis is 00:10:25.480 --> 00:10:26.440 that we were 00:10:26.440 --> 00:10:27.200 created for 00:10:27.200 --> 00:10:28.060 something much 00:10:28.060 --> 00:10:29.159 greater than 00:10:29.159 --> 00:10:29.759 we could ever 00:10:29.759 --> 00:10:30.779 choose or 00:10:30.779 --> 00:10:31.860 design for 00:10:31.860 --> 00:10:32.440 ourselves. 00:10:32.440 --> 00:10:33.399 We were 00:10:33.399 --> 00:10:34.500 created by 00:10:34.500 --> 00:10:36.060 God to 00:10:36.060 --> 00:10:36.920 share in 00:10:36.920 --> 00:10:37.980 his joy 00:10:37.980 --> 00:10:38.860 and to 00:10:38.860 --> 00:10:40.259 reflect his 00:10:40.259 --> 00:10:41.279 glory. 00:10:42.240 --> 00:10:42.720 This is 00:10:42.720 --> 00:10:43.819 where all 00:10:43.819 --> 00:10:44.539 humanity 00:10:44.539 --> 00:10:45.580 finds our 00:10:45.580 --> 00:10:46.419 true happiness 00:10:46.419 --> 00:10:47.919 and purpose. 00:10:49.179 --> 00:10:49.759 Of course, 00:10:49.879 --> 00:10:50.159 gender 00:10:50.159 --> 00:10:50.860 struggles are 00:10:50.860 --> 00:10:51.600 a very real 00:10:51.600 --> 00:10:52.419 issue, and 00:10:52.419 --> 00:10:52.960 they shouldn't 00:10:52.960 --> 00:10:53.620 be ignored. 00:10:54.939 --> 00:10:56.080 We need to 00:10:56.080 --> 00:10:56.679 lovingly 00:10:56.679 --> 00:10:58.379 listen and 00:10:58.379 --> 00:10:58.659 show 00:10:58.659 --> 00:10:59.360 compassionate 00:10:59.360 --> 00:10:59.840 care. 00:11:00.259 --> 00:11:00.759 We need to 00:11:00.759 --> 00:11:01.620 gently come 00:11:01.620 --> 00:11:02.360 alongside 00:11:02.360 --> 00:11:04.700 people of 00:11:04.700 --> 00:11:05.620 all ages and 00:11:05.620 --> 00:11:06.519 all backgrounds. 00:11:06.519 --> 00:11:06.740 parents. 00:11:07.659 --> 00:11:08.360 We need to 00:11:08.360 --> 00:11:09.379 support parents 00:11:09.379 --> 00:11:10.159 whose children 00:11:10.159 --> 00:11:10.919 may struggle. 00:11:11.879 --> 00:11:12.319 We are to 00:11:12.319 --> 00:11:13.899 show very 00:11:13.899 --> 00:11:14.679 simply and 00:11:14.679 --> 00:11:15.340 clearly that 00:11:15.340 --> 00:11:15.720 we were 00:11:15.720 --> 00:11:16.620 designed and 00:11:16.620 --> 00:11:17.399 created by 00:11:17.399 --> 00:11:18.960 God to 00:11:18.960 --> 00:11:19.539 share in 00:11:19.539 --> 00:11:20.299 his joy and 00:11:20.299 --> 00:11:21.000 reflect his 00:11:21.000 --> 00:11:22.379 glory as 00:11:22.379 --> 00:11:23.419 male and 00:11:23.419 --> 00:11:23.939 female. 00:11:25.439 --> 00:11:26.559 To help us 00:11:26.559 --> 00:11:27.059 more on 00:11:27.059 --> 00:11:28.600 this, I 00:11:28.600 --> 00:11:29.439 highly recommend 00:11:29.439 --> 00:11:31.220 a book by 00:11:31.220 --> 00:11:32.240 Sharon James 00:11:32.240 --> 00:11:33.379 called Gender 00:11:33.379 --> 00:11:34.179 Ideology. 00:11:34.179 --> 00:11:34.719 I have this 00:11:34.719 --> 00:11:35.139 little book 00:11:35.139 --> 00:11:35.379 here. 00:11:35.459 --> 00:11:35.919 The quote 00:11:35.919 --> 00:11:37.139 that I read 00:11:37.139 --> 00:11:37.699 to you comes 00:11:37.699 --> 00:11:38.279 from it. 00:11:38.719 --> 00:11:39.739 Really helpful, 00:11:39.959 --> 00:11:40.699 very short. 00:11:41.539 --> 00:11:42.019 Have a look 00:11:42.019 --> 00:11:42.379 at it. 00:11:42.739 --> 00:11:43.299 Read it. 00:11:44.059 --> 00:11:44.479 Or if you 00:11:44.479 --> 00:11:44.939 want to talk 00:11:44.939 --> 00:11:45.599 to me further 00:11:45.599 --> 00:11:46.219 about these 00:11:46.219 --> 00:11:47.059 things, please 00:11:47.059 --> 00:11:47.419 do. 00:11:48.179 --> 00:11:49.000 We're created, 00:11:49.799 --> 00:11:50.279 male or 00:11:50.279 --> 00:11:51.559 female, to 00:11:51.559 --> 00:11:52.339 be God's 00:11:52.339 --> 00:11:54.059 image bearers. 00:11:55.259 --> 00:11:55.819 Now this 00:11:55.819 --> 00:11:56.559 makes it 00:11:56.559 --> 00:11:57.599 wonderfully 00:11:57.599 --> 00:11:58.679 unique. 00:11:59.219 --> 00:12:00.000 All of us, 00:12:00.559 --> 00:12:01.519 male and 00:12:01.519 --> 00:12:02.500 female, are 00:12:02.500 --> 00:12:03.599 created as 00:12:03.600 --> 00:12:04.560 God's image 00:12:04.560 --> 00:12:05.080 bearers. 00:12:05.500 --> 00:12:06.180 Nothing else 00:12:06.180 --> 00:12:06.620 in all 00:12:06.620 --> 00:12:08.240 creation has 00:12:08.240 --> 00:12:08.899 the privilege 00:12:08.899 --> 00:12:09.560 of being 00:12:09.560 --> 00:12:10.519 image bearers. 00:12:10.860 --> 00:12:11.600 Every single 00:12:11.600 --> 00:12:12.860 person, rich 00:12:12.860 --> 00:12:13.379 or poor, 00:12:13.820 --> 00:12:14.480 abled or 00:12:14.480 --> 00:12:15.480 disabled, black 00:12:15.480 --> 00:12:16.820 or white, all 00:12:16.820 --> 00:12:17.540 of mankind 00:12:17.540 --> 00:12:19.000 are equally 00:12:19.000 --> 00:12:20.500 and uniquely 00:12:20.500 --> 00:12:22.159 made in 00:12:22.159 --> 00:12:22.980 God's image. 00:12:24.100 --> 00:12:24.759 That means, 00:12:24.920 --> 00:12:25.560 and Ralph 00:12:25.560 --> 00:12:26.180 touched on 00:12:26.180 --> 00:12:27.259 this in 00:12:27.259 --> 00:12:27.940 Psalm 8, 00:12:28.040 --> 00:12:28.639 that we are 00:12:28.639 --> 00:12:29.779 above the 00:12:29.779 --> 00:12:31.800 animals, but 00:12:31.800 --> 00:12:32.720 under God. 00:12:32.720 --> 00:12:33.680 God's image 00:12:33.680 --> 00:12:33.720 and we're 00:12:33.720 --> 00:12:35.259 all equal, but 00:12:35.259 --> 00:12:35.740 we're above 00:12:35.740 --> 00:12:37.759 the animals, but 00:12:37.759 --> 00:12:38.620 under God. 00:12:39.740 --> 00:12:40.360 That is, we're 00:12:40.360 --> 00:12:41.240 not the same as 00:12:41.240 --> 00:12:41.639 animals. 00:12:42.120 --> 00:12:43.040 We were created 00:12:43.040 --> 00:12:44.160 to be thinking, 00:12:44.399 --> 00:12:45.279 rational human 00:12:45.279 --> 00:12:46.440 beings, giving 00:12:46.440 --> 00:12:47.440 love and receiving 00:12:47.440 --> 00:12:48.540 love with feelings 00:12:48.540 --> 00:12:49.279 and emotions. 00:12:49.759 --> 00:12:50.740 We were made to 00:12:50.740 --> 00:12:51.840 commune with God 00:12:51.840 --> 00:12:52.379 and be in 00:12:52.379 --> 00:12:53.259 relationship with 00:12:53.259 --> 00:12:53.620 God. 00:12:54.279 --> 00:12:55.620 So, we are not 00:12:55.620 --> 00:12:56.420 the same as 00:12:56.420 --> 00:12:56.800 animals. 00:12:56.940 --> 00:12:57.639 We're above the 00:12:57.639 --> 00:12:58.519 animals, but we're 00:12:58.519 --> 00:13:00.040 also under God. 00:13:00.039 --> 00:13:00.079 God. 00:13:00.719 --> 00:13:01.559 We're not 00:13:01.559 --> 00:13:02.719 God with 00:13:02.719 --> 00:13:03.899 infinite power 00:13:03.899 --> 00:13:04.620 and wisdom. 00:13:04.939 --> 00:13:05.419 We're not 00:13:05.419 --> 00:13:06.219 autonomous, 00:13:06.579 --> 00:13:07.879 independent beings. 00:13:08.240 --> 00:13:09.159 We were created 00:13:09.159 --> 00:13:10.019 to be like 00:13:10.019 --> 00:13:11.339 God and in 00:13:11.339 --> 00:13:12.179 relationship with 00:13:12.179 --> 00:13:13.279 God, but always 00:13:13.279 --> 00:13:14.759 under God. 00:13:16.259 --> 00:13:16.980 Now, the 00:13:16.980 --> 00:13:18.079 problems begin 00:13:18.079 --> 00:13:19.799 when we reduce 00:13:19.799 --> 00:13:20.939 human beings to 00:13:20.939 --> 00:13:21.719 the status of 00:13:21.719 --> 00:13:22.159 an animal. 00:13:22.919 --> 00:13:23.759 When we do 00:13:23.759 --> 00:13:24.860 that, life is no 00:13:24.860 --> 00:13:25.799 longer valued. 00:13:27.000 --> 00:13:27.799 Life can be 00:13:27.799 --> 00:13:29.139 terminated at will, 00:13:29.139 --> 00:13:30.279 like you do to 00:13:30.279 --> 00:13:31.199 a pet who's no 00:13:31.199 --> 00:13:31.980 longer wanted, 00:13:32.179 --> 00:13:32.840 or when the 00:13:32.840 --> 00:13:33.620 pet gets sick. 00:13:33.899 --> 00:13:34.860 Well, let's put 00:13:34.860 --> 00:13:35.439 it down. 00:13:36.259 --> 00:13:36.960 After all, we're 00:13:36.960 --> 00:13:38.340 just all animals, 00:13:38.580 --> 00:13:39.000 aren't we? 00:13:39.480 --> 00:13:40.539 It's okay to do 00:13:40.539 --> 00:13:40.919 that. 00:13:42.699 --> 00:13:43.759 In the same way, 00:13:43.840 --> 00:13:44.720 the problems begin 00:13:44.720 --> 00:13:45.500 when we take the 00:13:45.500 --> 00:13:46.419 place of God or we 00:13:46.419 --> 00:13:47.899 put ourselves equal 00:13:47.899 --> 00:13:48.919 or above God. 00:13:49.220 --> 00:13:50.299 We become the 00:13:50.299 --> 00:13:51.199 rule makers and 00:13:51.199 --> 00:13:52.220 the decision makers 00:13:52.220 --> 00:13:54.100 and we make rules 00:13:54.100 --> 00:13:54.919 that are no longer 00:13:54.919 --> 00:13:56.000 good for us, 00:13:56.559 --> 00:13:57.460 but ultimately 00:13:57.460 --> 00:13:58.419 harm us. 00:13:59.139 --> 00:14:02.000 Listen, to be 00:14:02.000 --> 00:14:03.879 created as God's 00:14:03.879 --> 00:14:04.939 image bearers, 00:14:05.179 --> 00:14:06.259 that means we are 00:14:06.259 --> 00:14:07.659 male and female 00:14:07.659 --> 00:14:08.639 and we are 00:14:08.639 --> 00:14:10.759 wonderfully unique 00:14:10.759 --> 00:14:12.080 in the place of 00:14:12.080 --> 00:14:12.939 all creation. 00:14:14.039 --> 00:14:15.120 This is God's 00:14:15.120 --> 00:14:16.120 design of us and 00:14:16.120 --> 00:14:17.480 it's always best 00:14:17.480 --> 00:14:18.840 for us. 00:14:20.600 --> 00:14:22.059 So, we're made 00:14:22.059 --> 00:14:23.299 in God's image 00:14:23.299 --> 00:14:25.319 and then second, 00:14:25.500 --> 00:14:26.500 we're to live out 00:14:26.500 --> 00:14:27.779 this image. 00:14:27.779 --> 00:14:28.980 Having created 00:14:28.980 --> 00:14:29.879 mankind, God 00:14:29.879 --> 00:14:30.600 now shows us 00:14:30.600 --> 00:14:31.279 how we are to 00:14:31.279 --> 00:14:32.039 live as his 00:14:32.039 --> 00:14:33.039 image bearers. 00:14:33.279 --> 00:14:33.939 Again, three 00:14:33.939 --> 00:14:34.559 things we're going 00:14:34.559 --> 00:14:35.419 to focus on 00:14:35.419 --> 00:14:36.980 in verse 28. 00:14:38.179 --> 00:14:38.980 Here's the first 00:14:38.980 --> 00:14:39.319 one. 00:14:40.319 --> 00:14:40.879 God blessed 00:14:40.879 --> 00:14:41.939 them and said 00:14:41.939 --> 00:14:42.360 to them, 00:14:42.939 --> 00:14:43.679 be fruitful 00:14:43.679 --> 00:14:45.100 and increase 00:14:45.100 --> 00:14:45.639 in number. 00:14:46.220 --> 00:14:46.919 Go and have 00:14:46.919 --> 00:14:47.839 more children, 00:14:48.019 --> 00:14:49.360 increase the 00:14:49.360 --> 00:14:49.959 number of 00:14:49.959 --> 00:14:50.319 people. 00:14:50.639 --> 00:14:51.339 In other words, 00:14:51.519 --> 00:14:52.620 image bearers 00:14:52.620 --> 00:14:53.839 are to go and 00:14:53.839 --> 00:14:54.699 make more 00:14:54.699 --> 00:14:56.360 image bearers. 00:14:56.360 --> 00:15:03.940 God's design 00:15:03.940 --> 00:15:04.480 is that it 00:15:04.480 --> 00:15:04.919 would be one 00:15:04.919 --> 00:15:05.680 man and one 00:15:05.680 --> 00:15:06.480 woman who 00:15:06.480 --> 00:15:06.960 would enter 00:15:06.960 --> 00:15:07.680 into covenant 00:15:07.680 --> 00:15:08.779 relationship with 00:15:08.779 --> 00:15:10.139 God and with 00:15:10.139 --> 00:15:11.639 each other and 00:15:11.639 --> 00:15:13.200 make more image 00:15:13.200 --> 00:15:14.019 bearers. 00:15:14.399 --> 00:15:16.100 Have children so 00:15:16.100 --> 00:15:16.840 that they too 00:15:16.840 --> 00:15:17.740 will reflect the 00:15:17.740 --> 00:15:19.120 glory and 00:15:19.120 --> 00:15:19.820 greatness of 00:15:19.820 --> 00:15:20.200 God. 00:15:20.779 --> 00:15:21.320 That's the 00:15:21.320 --> 00:15:21.820 purpose. 00:15:22.019 --> 00:15:22.440 If you have 00:15:22.440 --> 00:15:23.880 children, their 00:15:23.880 --> 00:15:25.800 purpose is to 00:15:25.800 --> 00:15:26.420 reflect the 00:15:26.420 --> 00:15:27.100 glory and 00:15:27.100 --> 00:15:27.880 greatness of 00:15:27.880 --> 00:15:28.240 God. 00:15:29.460 --> 00:15:30.220 Now, as we'll 00:15:30.220 --> 00:15:30.640 see in a 00:15:30.640 --> 00:15:32.760 minute, we're 00:15:32.760 --> 00:15:33.940 living post-fall. 00:15:35.280 --> 00:15:36.180 Life is now 00:15:36.180 --> 00:15:36.600 broken. 00:15:37.600 --> 00:15:38.320 Physically and 00:15:38.320 --> 00:15:39.420 biologically, our 00:15:39.420 --> 00:15:40.120 bodies don't 00:15:40.120 --> 00:15:42.060 always function as 00:15:42.060 --> 00:15:42.700 they should and 00:15:42.700 --> 00:15:43.700 sadly, it's 00:15:43.700 --> 00:15:44.360 sometimes the 00:15:44.360 --> 00:15:44.800 case that 00:15:44.800 --> 00:15:45.460 husbands and 00:15:45.460 --> 00:15:46.500 wives are not 00:15:46.500 --> 00:15:47.220 able to have 00:15:47.220 --> 00:15:47.620 children. 00:15:49.320 --> 00:15:50.040 And this can be 00:15:50.040 --> 00:15:51.200 particularly painful 00:15:51.200 --> 00:15:52.460 as wanting 00:15:52.460 --> 00:15:53.400 children is a 00:15:53.400 --> 00:15:54.040 deep and 00:15:54.040 --> 00:15:55.040 natural longing. 00:15:57.220 --> 00:15:58.240 So let me say 00:15:58.240 --> 00:15:59.180 to those, whatever 00:15:59.180 --> 00:16:01.400 age, we can 00:16:01.400 --> 00:16:02.400 learn from this. 00:16:03.259 --> 00:16:04.220 Or if you plan 00:16:04.220 --> 00:16:05.900 to get married in 00:16:05.900 --> 00:16:06.759 later years and 00:16:06.759 --> 00:16:07.420 have children 00:16:07.420 --> 00:16:08.240 yourself and have 00:16:08.240 --> 00:16:09.000 a family but you 00:16:09.000 --> 00:16:10.340 discover we're not 00:16:10.340 --> 00:16:12.879 able to, let me 00:16:12.879 --> 00:16:13.900 say a few things. 00:16:14.960 --> 00:16:16.879 First, it's right 00:16:16.879 --> 00:16:18.220 to grieve. 00:16:19.460 --> 00:16:20.420 Children are a 00:16:20.419 --> 00:16:21.279 blessing and not 00:16:21.279 --> 00:16:22.439 experiencing that 00:16:22.439 --> 00:16:23.479 blessing is always 00:16:23.479 --> 00:16:24.019 painful. 00:16:25.059 --> 00:16:25.879 We shouldn't feel 00:16:25.879 --> 00:16:26.679 we should ever have 00:16:26.679 --> 00:16:28.039 to hide or excuse 00:16:28.039 --> 00:16:28.919 our grief. 00:16:29.240 --> 00:16:30.979 It's right to 00:16:30.979 --> 00:16:31.419 grieve. 00:16:33.679 --> 00:16:34.539 And second, God 00:16:34.539 --> 00:16:35.240 doesn't love us 00:16:35.240 --> 00:16:35.479 less. 00:16:35.839 --> 00:16:36.639 Sometimes we think 00:16:36.639 --> 00:16:37.779 God is being mean 00:16:37.779 --> 00:16:39.319 or perhaps punishing 00:16:39.319 --> 00:16:39.599 us. 00:16:39.939 --> 00:16:40.899 No, God never 00:16:40.899 --> 00:16:42.199 withholds all that 00:16:42.199 --> 00:16:43.139 is good and best 00:16:43.139 --> 00:16:43.740 for us. 00:16:44.779 --> 00:16:45.839 God's love is not 00:16:45.839 --> 00:16:48.099 conditional on 00:16:48.100 --> 00:16:48.860 having children. 00:16:51.259 --> 00:16:51.920 And third, there 00:16:51.920 --> 00:16:52.700 are other ways 00:16:52.700 --> 00:16:53.879 people serve. 00:16:54.220 --> 00:16:54.759 Couples who 00:16:54.759 --> 00:16:55.240 can't have 00:16:55.240 --> 00:16:56.300 children often 00:16:56.300 --> 00:16:56.940 may feel or 00:16:56.940 --> 00:16:57.720 other people will 00:16:57.720 --> 00:16:58.519 say, oh well 00:16:58.519 --> 00:16:59.240 they're disqualified, 00:16:59.399 --> 00:17:00.259 they can't serve 00:17:00.259 --> 00:17:01.180 in certain ways 00:17:01.180 --> 00:17:01.519 now. 00:17:01.879 --> 00:17:02.680 No, God gives 00:17:02.680 --> 00:17:03.779 us all gifts 00:17:03.779 --> 00:17:04.440 and abilities. 00:17:04.799 --> 00:17:05.519 That means we 00:17:05.519 --> 00:17:06.360 can serve in 00:17:06.360 --> 00:17:07.380 children's ministry 00:17:07.380 --> 00:17:08.500 or it may mean 00:17:08.500 --> 00:17:09.279 that we serve in 00:17:09.279 --> 00:17:10.180 other ways. 00:17:10.740 --> 00:17:12.380 We all have a 00:17:12.380 --> 00:17:13.120 purpose and a 00:17:13.120 --> 00:17:13.559 place. 00:17:13.559 --> 00:17:17.899 And lastly, God's 00:17:17.899 --> 00:17:18.879 grace is enough. 00:17:20.059 --> 00:17:21.059 On the darkest 00:17:21.059 --> 00:17:21.899 days when there 00:17:21.899 --> 00:17:22.519 are no more 00:17:22.519 --> 00:17:23.539 tears to shed, 00:17:24.700 --> 00:17:25.579 when the sense 00:17:25.579 --> 00:17:26.500 of loss and 00:17:26.500 --> 00:17:27.240 emptiness is 00:17:27.240 --> 00:17:29.139 crushing, do 00:17:29.139 --> 00:17:29.779 not fear. 00:17:31.000 --> 00:17:32.659 God walks 00:17:32.659 --> 00:17:33.419 with you. 00:17:34.519 --> 00:17:35.099 He will never 00:17:35.099 --> 00:17:37.000 leave us and 00:17:37.000 --> 00:17:38.519 his grace will 00:17:38.519 --> 00:17:39.279 always be 00:17:39.279 --> 00:17:39.859 sufficient. 00:17:39.859 --> 00:17:43.439 So, be 00:17:43.439 --> 00:17:43.979 fruitful. 00:17:45.699 --> 00:17:47.740 Second, in 00:17:47.740 --> 00:17:48.759 verse 28 he 00:17:48.759 --> 00:17:49.399 says, be 00:17:49.399 --> 00:17:51.099 fruitful, increase 00:17:51.099 --> 00:17:52.259 in number, and 00:17:52.259 --> 00:17:53.419 fill the earth. 00:17:53.599 --> 00:17:54.399 It's God's 00:17:54.399 --> 00:17:55.500 intention that the 00:17:55.500 --> 00:17:57.059 earth would be 00:17:57.059 --> 00:17:58.379 filled with his 00:17:58.379 --> 00:17:59.619 image bearers. 00:18:00.479 --> 00:18:01.039 You know, in the 00:18:01.039 --> 00:18:01.979 ancient world, and 00:18:01.979 --> 00:18:03.079 even today we see 00:18:03.079 --> 00:18:03.899 it, a king's 00:18:03.899 --> 00:18:05.219 image would be 00:18:05.219 --> 00:18:05.859 set up in 00:18:05.859 --> 00:18:06.740 different parts of 00:18:06.740 --> 00:18:07.219 his kingdom. 00:18:07.619 --> 00:18:08.240 So you can even 00:18:08.240 --> 00:18:09.079 think of a modern 00:18:09.079 --> 00:18:10.480 state like today, 00:18:10.559 --> 00:18:11.460 like North Korea. 00:18:11.879 --> 00:18:12.679 You go anywhere, 00:18:12.879 --> 00:18:13.559 and there's images 00:18:13.559 --> 00:18:14.519 and pictures and 00:18:14.519 --> 00:18:16.559 statues of the 00:18:16.559 --> 00:18:18.039 Kims, the ruling 00:18:18.039 --> 00:18:20.139 dynasty, representing 00:18:20.139 --> 00:18:21.179 the present and 00:18:21.179 --> 00:18:21.960 reminding the 00:18:21.960 --> 00:18:22.639 subjects who 00:18:22.639 --> 00:18:22.919 rule. 00:18:24.039 --> 00:18:25.079 Well, God is the 00:18:25.079 --> 00:18:26.519 true but good and 00:18:26.519 --> 00:18:28.419 kind ruler. 00:18:29.339 --> 00:18:30.220 And as the true 00:18:30.220 --> 00:18:30.919 king, he has 00:18:30.919 --> 00:18:32.039 created a kingdom. 00:18:32.460 --> 00:18:33.279 That kingdom is 00:18:33.279 --> 00:18:34.159 called the world 00:18:34.159 --> 00:18:35.079 in which we live. 00:18:35.359 --> 00:18:36.119 And God has 00:18:36.119 --> 00:18:37.480 placed his image 00:18:37.480 --> 00:18:38.380 in the world 00:18:38.380 --> 00:18:40.620 called mankind. 00:18:41.960 --> 00:18:43.120 So together, men 00:18:43.120 --> 00:18:43.980 and women are to 00:18:43.980 --> 00:18:45.360 represent God 00:18:45.360 --> 00:18:46.480 throughout the 00:18:46.480 --> 00:18:46.900 world. 00:18:48.099 --> 00:18:49.019 Here's a quote for 00:18:49.019 --> 00:18:49.579 you just to 00:18:49.579 --> 00:18:50.200 summarize it. 00:18:50.279 --> 00:18:50.839 God is the 00:18:50.839 --> 00:18:52.079 sovereign creator 00:18:52.079 --> 00:18:53.900 who extends his 00:18:53.900 --> 00:18:54.980 kingship over the 00:18:54.980 --> 00:18:56.160 world, but he 00:18:56.160 --> 00:18:57.360 extends his rule 00:18:57.360 --> 00:18:58.220 through human 00:18:58.220 --> 00:18:58.880 beings. 00:18:59.519 --> 00:19:00.279 For as God's 00:19:00.279 --> 00:19:01.000 image bearers, 00:19:01.039 --> 00:19:01.839 they must govern 00:19:01.839 --> 00:19:02.640 the world for 00:19:02.640 --> 00:19:04.140 God's glory. 00:19:04.140 --> 00:19:06.040 So whether we're 00:19:06.040 --> 00:19:07.300 at home, whether 00:19:07.300 --> 00:19:08.100 we're in school, 00:19:08.180 --> 00:19:09.000 at work, whatever 00:19:09.000 --> 00:19:10.360 we're doing socially, 00:19:10.840 --> 00:19:11.840 wherever we are, 00:19:11.940 --> 00:19:12.700 whatever is going 00:19:12.700 --> 00:19:15.940 on, we bear God's 00:19:15.940 --> 00:19:16.380 image. 00:19:17.320 --> 00:19:18.800 We are to represent 00:19:18.800 --> 00:19:20.259 and reflect God's 00:19:20.259 --> 00:19:21.500 goodness and glory 00:19:21.500 --> 00:19:24.000 everywhere we step 00:19:24.000 --> 00:19:25.820 and everywhere we 00:19:25.820 --> 00:19:26.360 speak. 00:19:27.300 --> 00:19:28.440 Fill the earth. 00:19:30.560 --> 00:19:31.360 And again from 00:19:31.359 --> 00:19:33.639 verse 28, be 00:19:33.639 --> 00:19:34.619 fruitful, fill the 00:19:34.619 --> 00:19:36.799 earth and subdue 00:19:36.799 --> 00:19:37.179 it. 00:19:38.259 --> 00:19:39.679 Verse 28, be 00:19:39.679 --> 00:19:41.299 fruitful, increase 00:19:41.299 --> 00:19:42.379 in number, fill the 00:19:42.379 --> 00:19:43.319 earth, subdue it, 00:19:43.779 --> 00:19:44.619 rule over the 00:19:44.619 --> 00:19:45.679 fish in the sea and 00:19:45.679 --> 00:19:46.599 the birds in the 00:19:46.599 --> 00:19:47.699 sky and over every 00:19:47.699 --> 00:19:48.659 living creature that 00:19:48.659 --> 00:19:49.939 moves on the 00:19:49.939 --> 00:19:50.299 ground. 00:19:51.059 --> 00:19:52.059 Humanity is to 00:19:52.059 --> 00:19:52.959 rule the world, 00:19:53.859 --> 00:19:55.079 but their rule is 00:19:55.079 --> 00:19:55.899 not to be their 00:19:55.899 --> 00:19:57.039 own rule, it's to 00:19:57.039 --> 00:19:58.019 be a reflection of 00:19:58.019 --> 00:19:58.759 God's good and 00:19:58.759 --> 00:19:59.259 loving rule. 00:19:59.539 --> 00:20:00.279 We are to live 00:20:00.279 --> 00:20:01.379 God's way according 00:20:01.379 --> 00:20:02.480 to his order and 00:20:02.480 --> 00:20:04.039 design and together 00:20:04.039 --> 00:20:05.240 we are to extend 00:20:05.240 --> 00:20:06.379 that rule throughout 00:20:06.379 --> 00:20:07.079 the earth. 00:20:08.139 --> 00:20:09.279 But how do we 00:20:09.279 --> 00:20:10.519 live out his 00:20:10.519 --> 00:20:10.799 rule? 00:20:11.339 --> 00:20:11.720 Well, look at 00:20:11.720 --> 00:20:12.559 verse 28. 00:20:14.039 --> 00:20:15.039 God blessed 00:20:15.039 --> 00:20:16.480 them and said 00:20:16.480 --> 00:20:17.160 to them. 00:20:18.500 --> 00:20:19.399 Verse 29, 00:20:19.899 --> 00:20:20.480 and God 00:20:20.480 --> 00:20:21.420 said. 00:20:21.740 --> 00:20:22.519 God, you see, 00:20:22.660 --> 00:20:23.799 communicates his 00:20:23.799 --> 00:20:24.879 rule through his 00:20:24.879 --> 00:20:26.660 word and so we 00:20:26.660 --> 00:20:27.599 are to extend 00:20:27.599 --> 00:20:28.799 God's word, 00:20:29.579 --> 00:20:31.259 rule through his 00:20:31.259 --> 00:20:31.919 word. 00:20:32.639 --> 00:20:33.639 As image 00:20:33.639 --> 00:20:34.279 bearers, we 00:20:34.279 --> 00:20:35.059 should long to 00:20:35.059 --> 00:20:36.159 see God's word 00:20:36.159 --> 00:20:37.319 shaping and 00:20:37.319 --> 00:20:38.779 transforming society 00:20:38.779 --> 00:20:39.519 and lives. 00:20:40.099 --> 00:20:41.819 Image bearers are 00:20:41.819 --> 00:20:43.000 to proclaim the 00:20:43.000 --> 00:20:43.759 good and gracious 00:20:43.759 --> 00:20:44.699 word of the king. 00:20:45.000 --> 00:20:45.939 That's why we're 00:20:45.939 --> 00:20:48.740 here, to spread 00:20:48.740 --> 00:20:50.639 his word, a word 00:20:50.639 --> 00:20:51.500 that will protect 00:20:51.500 --> 00:20:53.139 the weak, a word 00:20:53.139 --> 00:20:54.019 that will preserve 00:20:54.019 --> 00:20:56.219 life, a word that 00:20:56.220 --> 00:20:58.000 pursues justice, a 00:20:58.000 --> 00:20:59.339 word that ultimately 00:20:59.339 --> 00:21:01.200 proclaims a God 00:21:01.200 --> 00:21:02.519 who is creator and 00:21:02.519 --> 00:21:03.980 Lord over all this 00:21:03.980 --> 00:21:05.539 universe, demanding 00:21:05.539 --> 00:21:07.700 our loyalty and 00:21:07.700 --> 00:21:09.100 deserving our praise. 00:21:10.860 --> 00:21:13.759 We rule well when 00:21:13.759 --> 00:21:15.539 we live life under 00:21:15.539 --> 00:21:16.620 the authority of 00:21:16.620 --> 00:21:17.420 God's word. 00:21:20.059 --> 00:21:21.519 So we are made in 00:21:21.519 --> 00:21:24.059 his image, we are 00:21:24.059 --> 00:21:25.039 called to live out 00:21:25.039 --> 00:21:25.759 that image. 00:21:28.099 --> 00:21:29.299 And third, we're 00:21:29.299 --> 00:21:30.440 restored to God's 00:21:30.440 --> 00:21:30.839 image. 00:21:32.119 --> 00:21:33.220 When God finished 00:21:33.220 --> 00:21:35.480 making mankind, there 00:21:35.480 --> 00:21:37.099 was delight, wasn't 00:21:37.099 --> 00:21:37.339 there? 00:21:37.460 --> 00:21:38.659 Look at verse 31. 00:21:40.119 --> 00:21:41.259 And God saw all 00:21:41.259 --> 00:21:42.099 that he made and 00:21:42.099 --> 00:21:44.059 it was very good. 00:21:44.579 --> 00:21:45.359 Everything else 00:21:45.359 --> 00:21:46.180 we're told up to 00:21:46.180 --> 00:21:47.240 this point that God 00:21:47.240 --> 00:21:49.099 made was good. 00:21:49.920 --> 00:21:51.139 But the creation of 00:21:51.139 --> 00:21:52.159 his image bearers 00:21:52.159 --> 00:21:54.159 was very good. 00:21:54.160 --> 00:21:56.279 God delights and 00:21:56.279 --> 00:21:57.240 take pleasure in 00:21:57.240 --> 00:21:58.040 what he has done. 00:21:58.540 --> 00:22:00.160 Imagine a world full 00:22:00.160 --> 00:22:01.720 of his unique image 00:22:01.720 --> 00:22:02.240 bearers. 00:22:02.640 --> 00:22:04.000 Imagine a world with 00:22:04.000 --> 00:22:05.360 nations filled with 00:22:05.360 --> 00:22:07.160 people reflecting his 00:22:07.160 --> 00:22:08.200 goodness and his 00:22:08.200 --> 00:22:10.380 glory, all extending 00:22:10.380 --> 00:22:11.720 the gracious rule of 00:22:11.720 --> 00:22:12.160 the king. 00:22:13.300 --> 00:22:14.440 Can you picture it? 00:22:14.440 --> 00:22:15.440 God's name is a 00:22:15.440 --> 00:22:16.440 world full of 00:22:16.440 --> 00:22:17.440 people. 00:22:17.440 --> 00:22:18.600 Well, we only need 00:22:18.600 --> 00:22:19.640 to look inside our 00:22:19.640 --> 00:22:22.700 own hearts, wander 00:22:22.700 --> 00:22:23.740 around the city at 00:22:23.740 --> 00:22:24.880 night, turn on the 00:22:24.880 --> 00:22:26.019 news and we realize 00:22:26.019 --> 00:22:27.880 that something is not 00:22:27.880 --> 00:22:29.759 right with the 00:22:29.759 --> 00:22:30.900 creation of mankind. 00:22:30.900 --> 00:22:31.200 kind. 00:22:34.019 --> 00:22:35.200 You see, because of our 00:22:35.200 --> 00:22:36.420 selfish and sinful 00:22:36.420 --> 00:22:39.600 lives, we've rebelled 00:22:39.600 --> 00:22:41.200 against representing 00:22:41.200 --> 00:22:41.780 God. 00:22:42.660 --> 00:22:44.360 Rather than reflect 00:22:44.360 --> 00:22:46.400 God, we much prefer 00:22:46.400 --> 00:22:47.960 to reflect our own 00:22:47.960 --> 00:22:49.960 desires and wants. 00:22:50.740 --> 00:22:52.280 We have no problem 00:22:52.280 --> 00:22:54.800 projecting and reflecting 00:22:54.800 --> 00:22:56.519 what I want and what I 00:22:56.519 --> 00:22:57.259 want to do. 00:22:57.259 --> 00:22:59.160 and the image of God 00:22:59.160 --> 00:23:00.440 has become distorted. 00:23:00.980 --> 00:23:02.640 We have become broken 00:23:02.640 --> 00:23:04.240 mirrors, each and 00:23:04.240 --> 00:23:05.299 every one of us. 00:23:06.619 --> 00:23:07.759 Imagine for a moment 00:23:07.759 --> 00:23:08.940 with me, looking in a 00:23:08.940 --> 00:23:09.900 mirror, perhaps the one 00:23:09.900 --> 00:23:10.680 you looked at this 00:23:10.680 --> 00:23:11.079 morning. 00:23:13.299 --> 00:23:14.420 Reflecting back at you 00:23:14.420 --> 00:23:15.299 is that image. 00:23:16.160 --> 00:23:17.460 In fact, the image can 00:23:17.460 --> 00:23:19.400 appear identical. 00:23:21.039 --> 00:23:22.619 Just gaze at that image 00:23:22.619 --> 00:23:23.480 in your mind. 00:23:24.599 --> 00:23:25.879 Now take that mirror 00:23:25.879 --> 00:23:26.680 off the wall. 00:23:27.259 --> 00:23:29.180 And smash it to the 00:23:29.180 --> 00:23:29.440 ground. 00:23:29.519 --> 00:23:30.059 Right in front of you, 00:23:30.099 --> 00:23:31.180 just smash it on the 00:23:31.180 --> 00:23:31.480 floor. 00:23:33.740 --> 00:23:35.359 Bits fly everywhere. 00:23:36.019 --> 00:23:37.480 Chips and cracks and 00:23:37.480 --> 00:23:38.379 sharp edges. 00:23:39.779 --> 00:23:41.180 Now just take time to 00:23:41.180 --> 00:23:43.500 peer into that broken 00:23:43.500 --> 00:23:45.039 mirrored glass. 00:23:45.539 --> 00:23:46.240 Look at it on the 00:23:46.240 --> 00:23:46.460 floor. 00:23:46.599 --> 00:23:47.379 Look into it. 00:23:48.980 --> 00:23:50.359 It's hard to make out 00:23:50.359 --> 00:23:51.440 your face, isn't it? 00:23:52.460 --> 00:23:54.480 Our image is distorted 00:23:54.480 --> 00:23:57.039 and twisted and out of 00:23:57.039 --> 00:23:57.500 shape. 00:23:58.500 --> 00:23:59.579 But that's what we've 00:23:59.579 --> 00:24:00.000 become. 00:24:00.379 --> 00:24:01.960 We no longer reflect the 00:24:01.960 --> 00:24:03.539 purity and beauty of God 00:24:03.539 --> 00:24:03.899 fully. 00:24:03.899 --> 00:24:05.819 It is marred and tainted 00:24:05.819 --> 00:24:07.879 by our ugly life of sin. 00:24:08.960 --> 00:24:10.839 Instead of extending the 00:24:10.839 --> 00:24:12.220 good rule of God, we have 00:24:12.220 --> 00:24:14.639 crushed and corrupted one 00:24:14.639 --> 00:24:16.220 another by our own words. 00:24:17.619 --> 00:24:19.359 Left to ourself, we will 00:24:19.359 --> 00:24:20.899 never be able to put it 00:24:20.899 --> 00:24:22.420 back together. 00:24:22.420 --> 00:24:22.539 another. 00:24:24.100 --> 00:24:25.519 But yet change is 00:24:25.519 --> 00:24:26.019 possible. 00:24:27.519 --> 00:24:29.279 Transformation is 00:24:29.279 --> 00:24:30.120 possible. 00:24:31.080 --> 00:24:32.720 We may fail, but God's 00:24:32.720 --> 00:24:34.000 plan and design for 00:24:34.000 --> 00:24:35.140 creation right at the 00:24:35.140 --> 00:24:36.560 beginning of Genesis has 00:24:36.560 --> 00:24:37.279 not failed. 00:24:37.759 --> 00:24:39.080 God in his grace has 00:24:39.080 --> 00:24:41.840 sent his son to show 00:24:41.840 --> 00:24:44.860 us what an image bearer 00:24:44.860 --> 00:24:46.080 should be like. 00:24:46.079 --> 00:24:49.319 Colossians chapter 1 00:24:49.319 --> 00:24:50.439 reminds us, I have the 00:24:50.439 --> 00:24:51.939 quote here on the 00:24:51.939 --> 00:24:55.179 screen, the sun is the 00:24:55.179 --> 00:24:57.699 image of the invisible 00:24:57.699 --> 00:24:58.319 God. 00:24:58.599 --> 00:25:00.079 For God was pleased to 00:25:00.079 --> 00:25:01.659 have all his fullness 00:25:01.659 --> 00:25:03.599 dwell in him. 00:25:04.599 --> 00:25:05.939 When we look at the 00:25:05.939 --> 00:25:07.539 person of Jesus, we see 00:25:07.539 --> 00:25:09.079 the full and glorious 00:25:09.079 --> 00:25:11.059 image of God, the purity 00:25:11.059 --> 00:25:12.619 and beauty of God on 00:25:12.619 --> 00:25:13.099 display. 00:25:13.099 --> 00:25:15.079 not just a reflection of 00:25:15.079 --> 00:25:17.240 the light, but the 00:25:17.240 --> 00:25:18.819 pure and brilliant 00:25:18.819 --> 00:25:20.259 light of God itself, 00:25:20.639 --> 00:25:22.019 shining forth the 00:25:22.019 --> 00:25:22.980 glory of God. 00:25:23.639 --> 00:25:25.759 In the sun, we have a 00:25:25.759 --> 00:25:27.219 picture of the true 00:25:27.219 --> 00:25:29.339 image of humanity 00:25:29.339 --> 00:25:31.119 in perfection. 00:25:33.419 --> 00:25:34.719 Protecting the weak, 00:25:35.639 --> 00:25:36.779 preserving life, 00:25:37.259 --> 00:25:38.399 pursuing justice, 00:25:38.919 --> 00:25:40.240 proclaiming the good and 00:25:40.240 --> 00:25:41.799 gracious word of God of 00:25:41.799 --> 00:25:42.779 sins forgiven, 00:25:43.099 --> 00:25:44.419 and of new life. 00:25:46.839 --> 00:25:48.159 But not only does the 00:25:48.159 --> 00:25:50.079 person of Jesus show us 00:25:50.079 --> 00:25:51.740 what a true image of God 00:25:51.740 --> 00:25:54.599 should be, he restores the 00:25:54.599 --> 00:25:56.000 broken image of God in 00:25:56.000 --> 00:25:57.059 each one of us. 00:26:00.079 --> 00:26:03.519 This restoration is done 00:26:03.519 --> 00:26:06.139 definitively, meaning once 00:26:06.139 --> 00:26:08.000 and for all, and 00:26:08.000 --> 00:26:10.079 progressively, ongoing 00:26:10.079 --> 00:26:11.579 over time. 00:26:13.220 --> 00:26:15.299 First, as we turn 00:26:15.299 --> 00:26:17.319 into Jesus in repentance, 00:26:17.519 --> 00:26:18.379 and I want us to think 00:26:18.379 --> 00:26:19.399 about how can my 00:26:19.399 --> 00:26:20.859 broken image be 00:26:20.859 --> 00:26:21.679 restored? 00:26:21.819 --> 00:26:22.939 How can I become more 00:26:22.939 --> 00:26:24.359 like the image God 00:26:24.359 --> 00:26:25.559 created me to be? 00:26:26.439 --> 00:26:27.659 Well, first we turn to 00:26:27.659 --> 00:26:28.779 Jesus in repentance. 00:26:29.539 --> 00:26:31.679 That is, we own our sin 00:26:31.679 --> 00:26:33.019 and we take responsibility 00:26:33.019 --> 00:26:34.339 for who we are. 00:26:34.339 --> 00:26:36.679 And we look in faith to 00:26:36.679 --> 00:26:37.659 him for forgiveness. 00:26:39.759 --> 00:26:41.000 It's like Jesus has 00:26:41.000 --> 00:26:42.899 taken our cracked and 00:26:42.899 --> 00:26:44.279 distorted image, 00:26:45.000 --> 00:26:47.099 and he's taken it on 00:26:47.099 --> 00:26:47.779 himself. 00:26:50.119 --> 00:26:51.899 And on the cross, he is 00:26:51.899 --> 00:26:53.899 utterly smashed and 00:26:53.899 --> 00:26:55.339 destroyed for us. 00:26:55.720 --> 00:26:57.339 On the cross, Jesus takes 00:26:57.339 --> 00:26:58.699 our image and he is 00:26:58.699 --> 00:26:59.879 judged and condemned 00:26:59.880 --> 00:27:01.180 for me. 00:27:02.660 --> 00:27:04.060 But in its place, 00:27:05.060 --> 00:27:07.160 his pure and perfect 00:27:07.160 --> 00:27:09.000 image is given to us. 00:27:09.240 --> 00:27:11.020 So when God now peers 00:27:11.020 --> 00:27:12.280 down and when he looks 00:27:12.280 --> 00:27:14.260 at us, he sees the true 00:27:14.260 --> 00:27:17.880 image of his Son in us. 00:27:19.520 --> 00:27:22.720 The very reflection of God 00:27:22.720 --> 00:27:24.880 shining the glory of God 00:27:24.880 --> 00:27:25.780 back to himself. 00:27:26.020 --> 00:27:27.180 Get your minds around 00:27:27.180 --> 00:27:27.560 that. 00:27:27.800 --> 00:27:28.620 Picture God. 00:27:28.619 --> 00:27:29.659 If you are in Christ 00:27:29.659 --> 00:27:31.319 today, looking at you, 00:27:32.859 --> 00:27:35.199 the very glory of God 00:27:35.199 --> 00:27:36.719 shines back at him 00:27:36.719 --> 00:27:39.379 because Christ's image 00:27:39.379 --> 00:27:40.459 is in you. 00:27:43.179 --> 00:27:44.719 The image of God 00:27:44.719 --> 00:27:46.879 restored definitively 00:27:46.879 --> 00:27:47.979 once and for all 00:27:47.979 --> 00:27:49.399 as we trust in Christ. 00:27:51.039 --> 00:27:52.039 But second, the image 00:27:52.039 --> 00:27:53.379 is restored progressively, 00:27:53.559 --> 00:27:54.799 isn't it, over time. 00:27:54.799 --> 00:27:58.099 As we gaze at the image 00:27:58.099 --> 00:27:59.259 of God in Christ, 00:27:59.559 --> 00:28:00.619 so we look at his 00:28:00.619 --> 00:28:01.339 beauty and we say, 00:28:01.399 --> 00:28:02.700 I want to be like him. 00:28:03.720 --> 00:28:05.000 And with the Spirit's 00:28:05.000 --> 00:28:06.159 help, we begin to see 00:28:06.159 --> 00:28:07.599 the cracks in our lives 00:28:07.599 --> 00:28:09.059 and all those chips 00:28:09.059 --> 00:28:10.159 and all those flaws 00:28:10.159 --> 00:28:11.680 and we come to him 00:28:11.680 --> 00:28:13.639 to be gently renewed. 00:28:14.139 --> 00:28:15.419 Colossians reminds us 00:28:15.419 --> 00:28:15.819 again, 00:28:16.879 --> 00:28:18.480 put on the new self 00:28:18.480 --> 00:28:21.139 which is being renewed 00:28:21.140 --> 00:28:22.240 in knowledge 00:28:22.240 --> 00:28:23.740 in the image 00:28:23.740 --> 00:28:24.780 of its creator. 00:28:26.380 --> 00:28:27.660 Day by day, 00:28:28.240 --> 00:28:29.520 as we take the word 00:28:29.520 --> 00:28:30.000 of God 00:28:30.000 --> 00:28:30.960 and we look in 00:28:30.960 --> 00:28:31.759 and we read 00:28:31.759 --> 00:28:32.980 and see the true 00:28:32.980 --> 00:28:34.240 image of Christ, 00:28:34.940 --> 00:28:35.880 the beauty 00:28:35.880 --> 00:28:37.040 of the Lord Jesus, 00:28:37.600 --> 00:28:39.100 we see our flaws, 00:28:39.200 --> 00:28:40.340 we see how we don't 00:28:40.340 --> 00:28:40.920 match up, 00:28:41.220 --> 00:28:42.420 we confess our sin 00:28:42.420 --> 00:28:43.259 and we seek 00:28:43.259 --> 00:28:44.620 his power and help. 00:28:44.980 --> 00:28:45.720 Please Lord, 00:28:45.920 --> 00:28:46.680 change me, 00:28:47.560 --> 00:28:48.460 restore me, 00:28:48.460 --> 00:28:50.680 to become like Jesus. 00:28:51.819 --> 00:28:53.079 Broken mirrors, 00:28:54.720 --> 00:28:55.340 restored, 00:28:55.880 --> 00:28:56.960 bit by bit, 00:28:57.059 --> 00:28:58.579 his beauty and purity 00:28:58.579 --> 00:29:00.380 being conformed 00:29:00.380 --> 00:29:01.559 in us. 00:29:04.920 --> 00:29:06.000 Let me give us 00:29:06.000 --> 00:29:07.440 two little things to do. 00:29:08.720 --> 00:29:09.740 In the morning, 00:29:09.920 --> 00:29:10.799 I hope you all 00:29:10.799 --> 00:29:12.680 get up bright and breezy 00:29:12.680 --> 00:29:14.259 and gaze at the mirror. 00:29:14.380 --> 00:29:15.340 Don't be ashamed 00:29:15.340 --> 00:29:16.100 of what you see 00:29:16.100 --> 00:29:16.600 in the mirror. 00:29:17.100 --> 00:29:17.860 Have a good look. 00:29:17.859 --> 00:29:18.799 Every morning, 00:29:19.259 --> 00:29:20.319 I want you to look 00:29:20.319 --> 00:29:21.439 at the mirror. 00:29:23.019 --> 00:29:24.099 Gaze at the mirror. 00:29:25.099 --> 00:29:26.159 And as you gaze, 00:29:26.539 --> 00:29:27.319 be reminded 00:29:27.319 --> 00:29:28.299 of who you are 00:29:28.299 --> 00:29:28.779 in Christ, 00:29:28.879 --> 00:29:29.819 that as you look, 00:29:30.459 --> 00:29:31.619 think of how God 00:29:31.619 --> 00:29:32.740 now looks at you. 00:29:33.059 --> 00:29:33.939 He looks at you 00:29:33.939 --> 00:29:34.559 as he does 00:29:34.559 --> 00:29:35.319 his own son. 00:29:36.659 --> 00:29:37.500 The image of 00:29:37.500 --> 00:29:38.879 God himself 00:29:38.879 --> 00:29:40.019 reflecting back 00:29:40.019 --> 00:29:40.759 to God 00:29:40.759 --> 00:29:42.819 in all holiness, 00:29:43.699 --> 00:29:45.079 in all beauty. 00:29:45.079 --> 00:29:46.079 God's love. 00:29:46.079 --> 00:29:48.639 That's the first thing 00:29:48.639 --> 00:29:49.379 I want you to do. 00:29:49.619 --> 00:29:50.339 The second thing, 00:29:50.439 --> 00:29:51.240 just as you look 00:29:51.240 --> 00:29:51.679 at the mirror 00:29:51.679 --> 00:29:52.299 in the morning 00:29:52.299 --> 00:29:53.279 and you see 00:29:53.279 --> 00:29:54.079 all the cracks 00:29:54.079 --> 00:29:54.939 and all the bits 00:29:54.939 --> 00:29:55.460 and pieces 00:29:55.460 --> 00:29:56.500 that are falling off 00:29:56.500 --> 00:29:57.339 and everything else 00:29:57.339 --> 00:29:58.119 that's going on, 00:29:58.679 --> 00:29:59.939 and you fix yourself up 00:29:59.939 --> 00:30:00.639 and make yourself 00:30:00.639 --> 00:30:01.299 presentable, 00:30:01.699 --> 00:30:03.059 changing bit by bit. 00:30:04.299 --> 00:30:05.659 So we come to God 00:30:05.659 --> 00:30:06.379 and as we look 00:30:06.379 --> 00:30:06.799 at Christ, 00:30:06.879 --> 00:30:07.159 we say, 00:30:07.160 --> 00:30:07.820 I want to be, 00:30:08.140 --> 00:30:08.720 I want to have 00:30:08.720 --> 00:30:09.800 the beauty of Christ. 00:30:09.940 --> 00:30:11.820 I want to shine 00:30:11.820 --> 00:30:12.540 like him. 00:30:14.040 --> 00:30:14.519 Lord, 00:30:14.720 --> 00:30:16.279 by your Holy Spirit, 00:30:16.920 --> 00:30:18.080 will you change me 00:30:18.080 --> 00:30:18.620 today 00:30:18.620 --> 00:30:20.680 to be like 00:30:20.680 --> 00:30:21.720 the Lord Jesus? 00:30:24.620 --> 00:30:26.200 His image is restored 00:30:26.200 --> 00:30:28.279 once and for all 00:30:28.279 --> 00:30:30.300 and he is taking us 00:30:30.300 --> 00:30:31.180 bit by bit 00:30:31.180 --> 00:30:33.360 to be more like Christ. 00:30:34.480 --> 00:30:35.200 Let's pray. 00:30:35.200 --> 00:30:48.000 Father, 00:30:48.559 --> 00:30:50.380 as we look at ourselves, 00:30:50.559 --> 00:30:51.180 we can have 00:30:51.180 --> 00:30:53.000 such a distorted view. 00:30:54.779 --> 00:30:56.880 We can elevate ourselves 00:30:56.880 --> 00:30:57.920 to be something 00:30:57.920 --> 00:30:59.480 greater and bigger 00:30:59.480 --> 00:31:00.580 than we actually are 00:31:00.580 --> 00:31:02.720 and we can look at ourselves 00:31:02.720 --> 00:31:04.299 and think less of ourselves 00:31:04.299 --> 00:31:05.579 than what we actually are. 00:31:07.099 --> 00:31:08.279 So help us 00:31:08.279 --> 00:31:10.299 to take our gaze 00:31:10.299 --> 00:31:11.079 off ourself 00:31:11.079 --> 00:31:11.960 and off the world 00:31:11.960 --> 00:31:13.240 in comparing ourselves 00:31:13.240 --> 00:31:14.059 to other people 00:31:14.059 --> 00:31:15.000 and other things 00:31:15.000 --> 00:31:17.159 and would you help us 00:31:17.159 --> 00:31:17.839 to gaze 00:31:17.839 --> 00:31:18.559 at the beauty 00:31:18.559 --> 00:31:20.720 of the Lord Jesus? 00:31:22.419 --> 00:31:24.039 To take up his word, 00:31:24.299 --> 00:31:25.159 to read it 00:31:25.159 --> 00:31:26.839 and to see who he is 00:31:26.839 --> 00:31:30.259 and to be amazed 00:31:30.259 --> 00:31:32.259 at who we are 00:31:32.259 --> 00:31:32.939 in Christ, 00:31:33.939 --> 00:31:35.720 the restored image 00:31:35.720 --> 00:31:36.759 of God. 00:31:38.839 --> 00:31:40.199 But not only that, 00:31:40.379 --> 00:31:40.639 Father, 00:31:41.720 --> 00:31:42.759 would you be gracious 00:31:42.759 --> 00:31:45.059 and change us 00:31:45.059 --> 00:31:47.659 so that we are not harsh 00:31:47.659 --> 00:31:48.699 in our words, 00:31:49.839 --> 00:31:51.819 that we wouldn't treat others 00:31:51.819 --> 00:31:52.779 as different 00:31:52.779 --> 00:31:53.980 but as equal, 00:31:55.339 --> 00:31:56.579 that we would love 00:31:56.579 --> 00:31:57.180 each other 00:31:57.180 --> 00:31:59.480 as you love us 00:31:59.480 --> 00:32:02.079 and we would care 00:32:02.079 --> 00:32:02.899 for each other 00:32:02.899 --> 00:32:04.940 as you care 00:32:04.940 --> 00:32:05.879 for mankind. 00:32:07.859 --> 00:32:08.399 Father, 00:32:08.500 --> 00:32:09.440 would you do that work 00:32:09.440 --> 00:32:10.079 in us all 00:32:10.079 --> 00:32:12.720 so that we may disperse 00:32:12.720 --> 00:32:14.180 and reflect 00:32:14.180 --> 00:32:16.539 the glory of God 00:32:16.539 --> 00:32:19.180 wherever we are 00:32:19.180 --> 00:32:19.819 tomorrow 00:32:19.819 --> 00:32:21.339 and all that we do. 00:32:22.779 --> 00:32:23.879 We pray this 00:32:23.879 --> 00:32:24.939 for your glory 00:32:24.939 --> 00:32:27.139 in Jesus' name. 00:32:27.899 --> 00:32:28.399 Amen.