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.
So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them, male and female he created them.
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.
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.
They will be yours for food.
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.
And it was so.
God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.
And there was evening, and there was morning, the sixth day.
Well, let's pray.
Let's see what we can learn from God's word today.
Let's pray.
The God who spoke this universe into being, out of nothing,
creating life, creating mankind, making us.
Father God, we ask that you now will speak to us
through your word in such a way
that it grabs a hold of us
and helps us to see clearly
who we are,
how we should live,
and what it means to be
your image bearers.
Father, I pray that you will change us today,
change us for good,
change us so that we would
reflect your glory
better.
We pray this
in Jesus' name.
Amen.
Look with me at
chapter 1, verse 1,
the first verse of the Bible.
In the beginning,
God created
the heavens and the earth.
Now go to verse 26,
where we started our reading.
Then God said,
let us make mankind in our image,
in our likeness,
so that they may rule over the fish,
the sea,
and the birds of the sky.
Did you notice a change
in those two verses?
We've been given some new information
about God.
Look again closely
at verse 26.
Then God said,
let us
make mankind
in
our
image.
So,
who is the us
and the
our?
It seems that God
is a lot more complex
than we first thought.
While we're not given
all the details
at this point in Scripture,
we are being given
an insight
into who God is.
As we read
through the Bible,
God is always referred to
God as one.
There is only one God,
but yet this God
can speak of himself
as us
and our.
As we read the Bible
progressively,
bit by bit,
God reveals
that God is
one
in
three persons.
The us
and the our
will become
identified as
the Father,
the Son,
and the Spirit.
So,
when God says
in verse 26,
then God said,
let us
make mankind
in
our
image,
God is declaring
that he is a
relational
kind of
God.
He already
enjoys an
eternal
loving relationship
within himself.
He talks
within himself.
They come
to an agreement
that we're going
to make
mankind.
The Father,
the Son,
and the Spirit
are united
in perfect
harmony.
So,
when God
creates mankind,
he doesn't do it
because he needs
anyone.
It's not as if
God is bored
or that he's
somehow lonely,
but God
longs to share
the joy
he has
within himself
with
mankind.
God takes
delight in
creating
mankind.
He creates
us.
He's created
you
to welcome
us
that we
would share
in his
eternal
loving
relationship.
So,
this morning
we're going
to look
together at
who we
are made
to be.
Made
to be
in relationship
with God.
First,
made in
God's
image.
We're really
going to be
focusing on
verses 27
and 28.
So,
look at
verse 27.
God
created
mankind
in his
own
image.
In the
image of
God,
he created
them.
Male
and female,
he created
them.
So,
three things
we're going
to see
from this
verse.
First,
look at
image.
An image
is a
reflection.
Like when
you looked
in the
mirror
this
morning
in the
bathroom,
you see
a reflection
of yourself.
It's not
your true
self,
but an
image
of
yourself.
Now,
God
creates
us
to be
his
image
bearers,
to
reflect
him.
God
can't
be seen,
he's not
a physical
being like
us,
but his
intention
is,
is that
he would
be reflected
in human
form and
character.
We are
to be
a visible,
representation
of the
invisible
God.
Think of
it like
this,
it's really
quite
extraordinary.
Think of
the sun
and its
brilliant
light
shining by
day.
At night,
the sun
is still
shining on
the other
side of
the world
to where
we are,
and its
light is
reflected on
the surface
of the moon,
which in
turn shines
back down
on the
earth.
So the
sun
reflects its
light off
the moon
back down
to earth.
Now,
the reflected
light is not
the same as
the sun's
light.
We can't
see the
sun,
but it's
a reflection
of that
light.
So as
God's
image
bearers,
we are
to reflect
the beauty
and greatness
of God.
We were
created and
designed in
such a way
that we
would shine
forth his
glory,
that we
would display
his love,
his justice,
his mercy,
his purity.
God
wonderfully
creates an
image of
himself,
and you
and I
were created
to be that
very image.
So,
image.
But,
verse 27,
in the
image of
God,
he created
them,
male and
female,
he created
them.
God's
reflection is
to be seen
in mankind,
and the
different kinds
of mankind,
if we want
to put it
like that,
are male
and female.
Both
equally
reflect the
image of
God.
One is not
better,
and one is
not less
than the
other.
Men and
women are
equal in
value,
worth,
and dignity.
There's no
inferiority,
and no
superiority.
Now,
while male
and female
are equally
God's image
bearers,
that doesn't
mean to
say that
God is
somehow
50% male,
and 50%
female,
and he
kind of
makes images
of half
and half.
No,
we saw
last week,
didn't we,
that God
is distinct
from humanity.
He's not
like us.
He's not
restricted to
a physical
body.
But yet,
we are to
reflect his
image.
Men and
women are
to display
his
character.
Now,
before we
move on,
it's important
to underline
here that
God has
created
gender.
We are
either male
or female.
We're not
interchangeable
beings.
And it's
important because
gender is
being redefined,
we'll read
about it and
hear about it,
as something
that is
fluid,
not fixed.
In other
words,
we are not
assigned our
gender at
birth,
but we
choose our
gender at
will.
This ideology
is summed up
in a picture
book written
for four-year-old
children called
The Gender
Fairy.
It tells the
children,
quote,
Only you
know if
you are a
boy or a
girl.
No one
can tell
you.
And the
author's
hope is
this,
to quote
again,
Some
children will
realise that
their true
identity is
not the
gender they
were assigned
at birth,
and will
choose to
make a
social transition
to live as
their true
gender.
Picture
book written
for four-year-olds.
You see,
behind this
gender ideology
is essentially
a search for
identity.
Who am I?
Looking for
meaning and
purpose.
And the good
news that we've
been looking at
at the beginning
of Genesis is
that we were
created for
something much
greater than
we could ever
choose or
design for
ourselves.
We were
created by
God to
share in
his joy
and to
reflect his
glory.
This is
where all
humanity
finds our
true happiness
and purpose.
Of course,
gender
struggles are
a very real
issue, and
they shouldn't
be ignored.
We need to
lovingly
listen and
show
compassionate
care.
We need to
gently come
alongside
people of
all ages and
all backgrounds.
parents.
We need to
support parents
whose children
may struggle.
We are to
show very
simply and
clearly that
we were
designed and
created by
God to
share in
his joy and
reflect his
glory as
male and
female.
To help us
more on
this, I
highly recommend
a book by
Sharon James
called Gender
Ideology.
I have this
little book
here.
The quote
that I read
to you comes
from it.
Really helpful,
very short.
Have a look
at it.
Read it.
Or if you
want to talk
to me further
about these
things, please
do.
We're created,
male or
female, to
be God's
image bearers.
Now this
makes it
wonderfully
unique.
All of us,
male and
female, are
created as
God's image
bearers.
Nothing else
in all
creation has
the privilege
of being
image bearers.
Every single
person, rich
or poor,
abled or
disabled, black
or white, all
of mankind
are equally
and uniquely
made in
God's image.
That means,
and Ralph
touched on
this in
Psalm 8,
that we are
above the
animals, but
under God.
God's image
and we're
all equal, but
we're above
the animals, but
under God.
That is, we're
not the same as
animals.
We were created
to be thinking,
rational human
beings, giving
love and receiving
love with feelings
and emotions.
We were made to
commune with God
and be in
relationship with
God.
So, we are not
the same as
animals.
We're above the
animals, but we're
also under God.
God.
We're not
God with
infinite power
and wisdom.
We're not
autonomous,
independent beings.
We were created
to be like
God and in
relationship with
God, but always
under God.
Now, the
problems begin
when we reduce
human beings to
the status of
an animal.
When we do
that, life is no
longer valued.
Life can be
terminated at will,
like you do to
a pet who's no
longer wanted,
or when the
pet gets sick.
Well, let's put
it down.
After all, we're
just all animals,
aren't we?
It's okay to do
that.
In the same way,
the problems begin
when we take the
place of God or we
put ourselves equal
or above God.
We become the
rule makers and
the decision makers
and we make rules
that are no longer
good for us,
but ultimately
harm us.
Listen, to be
created as God's
image bearers,
that means we are
male and female
and we are
wonderfully unique
in the place of
all creation.
This is God's
design of us and
it's always best
for us.
So, we're made
in God's image
and then second,
we're to live out
this image.
Having created
mankind, God
now shows us
how we are to
live as his
image bearers.
Again, three
things we're going
to focus on
in verse 28.
Here's the first
one.
God blessed
them and said
to them,
be fruitful
and increase
in number.
Go and have
more children,
increase the
number of
people.
In other words,
image bearers
are to go and
make more
image bearers.
God's design
is that it
would be one
man and one
woman who
would enter
into covenant
relationship with
God and with
each other and
make more image
bearers.
Have children so
that they too
will reflect the
glory and
greatness of
God.
That's the
purpose.
If you have
children, their
purpose is to
reflect the
glory and
greatness of
God.
Now, as we'll
see in a
minute, we're
living post-fall.
Life is now
broken.
Physically and
biologically, our
bodies don't
always function as
they should and
sadly, it's
sometimes the
case that
husbands and
wives are not
able to have
children.
And this can be
particularly painful
as wanting
children is a
deep and
natural longing.
So let me say
to those, whatever
age, we can
learn from this.
Or if you plan
to get married in
later years and
have children
yourself and have
a family but you
discover we're not
able to, let me
say a few things.
First, it's right
to grieve.
Children are a
blessing and not
experiencing that
blessing is always
painful.
We shouldn't feel
we should ever have
to hide or excuse
our grief.
It's right to
grieve.
And second, God
doesn't love us
less.
Sometimes we think
God is being mean
or perhaps punishing
us.
No, God never
withholds all that
is good and best
for us.
God's love is not
conditional on
having children.
And third, there
are other ways
people serve.
Couples who
can't have
children often
may feel or
other people will
say, oh well
they're disqualified,
they can't serve
in certain ways
now.
No, God gives
us all gifts
and abilities.
That means we
can serve in
children's ministry
or it may mean
that we serve in
other ways.
We all have a
purpose and a
place.
And lastly, God's
grace is enough.
On the darkest
days when there
are no more
tears to shed,
when the sense
of loss and
emptiness is
crushing, do
not fear.
God walks
with you.
He will never
leave us and
his grace will
always be
sufficient.
So, be
fruitful.
Second, in
verse 28 he
says, be
fruitful, increase
in number, and
fill the earth.
It's God's
intention that the
earth would be
filled with his
image bearers.
You know, in the
ancient world, and
even today we see
it, a king's
image would be
set up in
different parts of
his kingdom.
So you can even
think of a modern
state like today,
like North Korea.
You go anywhere,
and there's images
and pictures and
statues of the
Kims, the ruling
dynasty, representing
the present and
reminding the
subjects who
rule.
Well, God is the
true but good and
kind ruler.
And as the true
king, he has
created a kingdom.
That kingdom is
called the world
in which we live.
And God has
placed his image
in the world
called mankind.
So together, men
and women are to
represent God
throughout the
world.
Here's a quote for
you just to
summarize it.
God is the
sovereign creator
who extends his
kingship over the
world, but he
extends his rule
through human
beings.
For as God's
image bearers,
they must govern
the world for
God's glory.
So whether we're
at home, whether
we're in school,
at work, whatever
we're doing socially,
wherever we are,
whatever is going
on, we bear God's
image.
We are to represent
and reflect God's
goodness and glory
everywhere we step
and everywhere we
speak.
Fill the earth.
And again from
verse 28, be
fruitful, fill the
earth and subdue
it.
Verse 28, be
fruitful, increase
in number, fill the
earth, 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.
Humanity is to
rule the world,
but their rule is
not to be their
own rule, it's to
be a reflection of
God's good and
loving rule.
We are to live
God's way according
to his order and
design and together
we are to extend
that rule throughout
the earth.
But how do we
live out his
rule?
Well, look at
verse 28.
God blessed
them and said
to them.
Verse 29,
and God
said.
God, you see,
communicates his
rule through his
word and so we
are to extend
God's word,
rule through his
word.
As image
bearers, we
should long to
see God's word
shaping and
transforming society
and lives.
Image bearers are
to proclaim the
good and gracious
word of the king.
That's why we're
here, to spread
his word, a word
that will protect
the weak, a word
that will preserve
life, a word that
pursues justice, a
word that ultimately
proclaims a God
who is creator and
Lord over all this
universe, demanding
our loyalty and
deserving our praise.
We rule well when
we live life under
the authority of
God's word.
So we are made in
his image, we are
called to live out
that image.
And third, we're
restored to God's
image.
When God finished
making mankind, there
was delight, wasn't
there?
Look at verse 31.
And God saw all
that he made and
it was very good.
Everything else
we're told up to
this point that God
made was good.
But the creation of
his image bearers
was very good.
God delights and
take pleasure in
what he has done.
Imagine a world full
of his unique image
bearers.
Imagine a world with
nations filled with
people reflecting his
goodness and his
glory, all extending
the gracious rule of
the king.
Can you picture it?
God's name is a
world full of
people.
Well, we only need
to look inside our
own hearts, wander
around the city at
night, turn on the
news and we realize
that something is not
right with the
creation of mankind.
kind.
You see, because of our
selfish and sinful
lives, we've rebelled
against representing
God.
Rather than reflect
God, we much prefer
to reflect our own
desires and wants.
We have no problem
projecting and reflecting
what I want and what I
want to do.
and the image of God
has become distorted.
We have become broken
mirrors, each and
every one of us.
Imagine for a moment
with me, looking in a
mirror, perhaps the one
you looked at this
morning.
Reflecting back at you
is that image.
In fact, the image can
appear identical.
Just gaze at that image
in your mind.
Now take that mirror
off the wall.
And smash it to the
ground.
Right in front of you,
just smash it on the
floor.
Bits fly everywhere.
Chips and cracks and
sharp edges.
Now just take time to
peer into that broken
mirrored glass.
Look at it on the
floor.
Look into it.
It's hard to make out
your face, isn't it?
Our image is distorted
and twisted and out of
shape.
But that's what we've
become.
We no longer reflect the
purity and beauty of God
fully.
It is marred and tainted
by our ugly life of sin.
Instead of extending the
good rule of God, we have
crushed and corrupted one
another by our own words.
Left to ourself, we will
never be able to put it
back together.
another.
But yet change is
possible.
Transformation is
possible.
We may fail, but God's
plan and design for
creation right at the
beginning of Genesis has
not failed.
God in his grace has
sent his son to show
us what an image bearer
should be like.
Colossians chapter 1
reminds us, I have the
quote here on the
screen, the sun is the
image of the invisible
God.
For God was pleased to
have all his fullness
dwell in him.
When we look at the
person of Jesus, we see
the full and glorious
image of God, the purity
and beauty of God on
display.
not just a reflection of
the light, but the
pure and brilliant
light of God itself,
shining forth the
glory of God.
In the sun, we have a
picture of the true
image of humanity
in perfection.
Protecting the weak,
preserving life,
pursuing justice,
proclaiming the good and
gracious word of God of
sins forgiven,
and of new life.
But not only does the
person of Jesus show us
what a true image of God
should be, he restores the
broken image of God in
each one of us.
This restoration is done
definitively, meaning once
and for all, and
progressively, ongoing
over time.
First, as we turn
into Jesus in repentance,
and I want us to think
about how can my
broken image be
restored?
How can I become more
like the image God
created me to be?
Well, first we turn to
Jesus in repentance.
That is, we own our sin
and we take responsibility
for who we are.
And we look in faith to
him for forgiveness.
It's like Jesus has
taken our cracked and
distorted image,
and he's taken it on
himself.
And on the cross, he is
utterly smashed and
destroyed for us.
On the cross, Jesus takes
our image and he is
judged and condemned
for me.
But in its place,
his pure and perfect
image is given to us.
So when God now peers
down and when he looks
at us, he sees the true
image of his Son in us.
The very reflection of God
shining the glory of God
back to himself.
Get your minds around
that.
Picture God.
If you are in Christ
today, looking at you,
the very glory of God
shines back at him
because Christ's image
is in you.
The image of God
restored definitively
once and for all
as we trust in Christ.
But second, the image
is restored progressively,
isn't it, over time.
As we gaze at the image
of God in Christ,
so we look at his
beauty and we say,
I want to be like him.
And with the Spirit's
help, we begin to see
the cracks in our lives
and all those chips
and all those flaws
and we come to him
to be gently renewed.
Colossians reminds us
again,
put on the new self
which is being renewed
in knowledge
in the image
of its creator.
Day by day,
as we take the word
of God
and we look in
and we read
and see the true
image of Christ,
the beauty
of the Lord Jesus,
we see our flaws,
we see how we don't
match up,
we confess our sin
and we seek
his power and help.
Please Lord,
change me,
restore me,
to become like Jesus.
Broken mirrors,
restored,
bit by bit,
his beauty and purity
being conformed
in us.
Let me give us
two little things to do.
In the morning,
I hope you all
get up bright and breezy
and gaze at the mirror.
Don't be ashamed
of what you see
in the mirror.
Have a good look.
Every morning,
I want you to look
at the mirror.
Gaze at the mirror.
And as you gaze,
be reminded
of who you are
in Christ,
that as you look,
think of how God
now looks at you.
He looks at you
as he does
his own son.
The image of
God himself
reflecting back
to God
in all holiness,
in all beauty.
God's love.
That's the first thing
I want you to do.
The second thing,
just as you look
at the mirror
in the morning
and you see
all the cracks
and all the bits
and pieces
that are falling off
and everything else
that's going on,
and you fix yourself up
and make yourself
presentable,
changing bit by bit.
So we come to God
and as we look
at Christ,
we say,
I want to be,
I want to have
the beauty of Christ.
I want to shine
like him.
Lord,
by your Holy Spirit,
will you change me
today
to be like
the Lord Jesus?
His image is restored
once and for all
and he is taking us
bit by bit
to be more like Christ.
Let's pray.
Father,
as we look at ourselves,
we can have
such a distorted view.
We can elevate ourselves
to be something
greater and bigger
than we actually are
and we can look at ourselves
and think less of ourselves
than what we actually are.
So help us
to take our gaze
off ourself
and off the world
in comparing ourselves
to other people
and other things
and would you help us
to gaze
at the beauty
of the Lord Jesus?
To take up his word,
to read it
and to see who he is
and to be amazed
at who we are
in Christ,
the restored image
of God.
But not only that,
Father,
would you be gracious
and change us
so that we are not harsh
in our words,
that we wouldn't treat others
as different
but as equal,
that we would love
each other
as you love us
and we would care
for each other
as you care
for mankind.
Father,
would you do that work
in us all
so that we may disperse
and reflect
the glory of God
wherever we are
tomorrow
and all that we do.
We pray this
for your glory
in Jesus' name.
Amen.