WEBVTT

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 Our sermon text today is Genesis chapter 1 verses 26 through 31.

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 That's page number 1 in the Pew Bible.

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 If you're here and you're new to Christianity or if you're exploring spiritual things, this is a great time to be here at Trinity.

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 This fall we're walking through the opening pages of the Bible to learn who God is, who we are, and what story we find ourselves in.

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 And there's so much in these early chapters of Genesis that we're going to take a couple of weeks for each one just to make sure we don't miss the richness of what is here for us in God's word.

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 So we're back in Genesis 1 this morning, now focusing on verses 26 through 31.

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 So let me pray for us and then I'll read.

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 Let's pray.

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 Lord Jesus, indeed there's no one like you.

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 None greater in majesty, none greater in mercy.

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 We pray that by your spirit this morning we would be able to see more of you and more of who we are and who you've created us to be in your image.

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 We ask this in your name, Lord. Amen.

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 Amen.

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 Genesis 1 verse 26.

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 Then God said,

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 Let us make man in our image after our likeness.

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 And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.

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 So God created man in his own image.

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 In the image of God he created him, male and female he created them.

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 And God blessed them.

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 And said to them,

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 And God said,

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 And God said,

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 And subdue it and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.

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 And God said,

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 And behold,

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 And behold,

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 And behold,

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 I've given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth and every tree with seed in its fruit.

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 You shall have them for food.

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 And to every beast of the earth and to every bird of the heavens and to everything that creeps on the earth,

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 everything that has the breath of life,

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 I have given every green plant for food.

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 And it was so.

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 And God saw everything that he had made.

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 And behold,

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 it was very good.

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 And there was evening and there was morning,

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 the sixth day.

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 Flannery O'Connor,

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 the great southern fiction writer,

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 once said,

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 In the long run,

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 a people is known,

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 not by its statements or its statistics,

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 but by the stories it tells.

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 What story are you telling about you?

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 About us,

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 humans.

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 Or as the ancient Hebrew poet wrote in Psalm 8,

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 What is man?

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 Humanity.

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 That you are mindful of him.

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 Last week we saw that the beginning of the biblical story here in Genesis 1 starts with,

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 God.

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 And a God who's not some distant,

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 cold deity,

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 but a God who brings order from chaos,

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 and a God who fills the lifeless with life,

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 and a God who invites the weary in to rest.

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 But what about us humans?

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 Who are we?

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 Now I probably don't have to convince you

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 that this is an important question.

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 Most of us have asked at one point or another,

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 Who am I?

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 What am I here for?

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 For some of us,

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 it's a fleeting thought that we just sort of brush aside in our busyness.

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 For others,

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 it becomes a gnawing concern.

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 But how we answer that question

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 is sort of like the rudder of a ship

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 turning that seemingly small thing,

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 answering that seemingly small question,

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 vastly changes the direction,

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 the trajectory,

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 the outcome of a life.

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 So who are you?

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 What story are you telling?

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 There are lots of stories

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 on offer today.

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 On the one hand,

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 are you the result of nothing more than time,

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 and matter,

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 and energy,

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 and chance?

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 In other words,

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 are you basically the lucky accident

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 of a cold cosmos,

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 a collection of atoms that just sort of happened?

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 And one day,

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 will dissolve just as meaninglessly?

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 Or on the other end of the spectrum,

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 are you a divine spark

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 trapped in the material world?

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 Trying to get out,

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 maybe caught in a cycle of birth and rebirth?

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 Maybe some kind of spirituality

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 could get you unstuck

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 so that the real you

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 could get out of all this material,

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 dark stuff we call matter?

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 What story are you telling?

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 And you know,

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 the funny thing is,

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 both of those two ideas

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 that I just mentioned,

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 both of them are ancient

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 and modern at the same time.

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 On the one hand,

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 this materialism,

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 that we're just sort of matter and chance,

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 and on the other hand,

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 what we might call Gnosticism,

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 that we're sort of a spirit

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 stuck in this dark world,

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 they've both been around

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 for thousands of years,

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 and both in their own way

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 are still around today.

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 Don't think that one is new

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 and one is old.

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 But the reality is,

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 there's a better story to tell.

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 And one that actually makes better sense

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 of what we see and feel and know.

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 And it's found right here in Genesis 1.

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 The true story of what it means to be human.

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 So this morning,

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 I want to point to three things

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 that we see here

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 about who we are as human beings.

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 who you are.

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 So, first,

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 who are you?

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 You are the result

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 of the intention of God.

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 Look at verse 27.

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 Verse 27 reads,

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 Then God said,

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 Let us make man.

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 Now, the word man here

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 is a general term.

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 It carries the sense of all humanity.

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 So this passage is talking about

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 all humankind.

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 But here in verse 27,

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 something sort of unique happens.

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 Now, up to this point in the chapter,

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 God has just spoken

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 and it was, right?

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 The sky,

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 the seas,

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 the earth,

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 the stars,

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 the animals,

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 let there be,

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 God said,

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 and there was.

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 But here,

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 for the first time

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 in Genesis 1,

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 we hear God

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 deliberating,

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 as it were.

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 We're given a brief glimpse

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 into God's own

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 inner

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 eternal intention.

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 There's this pause

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 in the narrative

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 and we hear God say,

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 let us make humanity.

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 As if to drive home the point

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 that what God is about to do here

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 is done consciously

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 with deep design.

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 There is a rich,

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 personal purpose

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 of God unfolding here.

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 You are the deliberate

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 result

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 of the intention

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 of God.

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 But who is this us

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 that God speaks of?

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 Let us,

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 it says.

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 Who is us?

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 Now,

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 some have thought

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 that God is speaking here

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 to perhaps

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 the heavenly court

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 of angelic beings.

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 God is,

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 after all,

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 the creator

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 of all things seen

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 and unseen.

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 Perhaps God here,

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 presumably having already

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 created those heavenly beings,

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 at some point

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 is now addressing them.

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 Let us.

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 And yet,

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 the problem

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 with that view is,

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 as these verses

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 plainly show,

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 God doesn't create humanity

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 in the image of angels,

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 nor are the angels

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 created in the image of God.

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 No,

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 God creates humanity

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 in the image of God.

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 The us

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 and the our

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 of verse 26

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 refer to God alone.

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 So who is this God?

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 I like how Old Testament scholar

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 Derek Kidner explained it.

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 He said,

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 what we're dealing with here

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 in verse 26

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 with this us

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 and our

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 is a plural

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 of fullness.

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 In fact,

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 the Hebrew word for God

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 is also grammatically plural

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 as well

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 to express the fact

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 that God is,

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 well,

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 God.

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 There's a holy fullness

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 in God.

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 and you see this fullness

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 will be unfolded

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 and revealed

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 throughout the whole

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 of scripture

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 as God progressively

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 reveals more and more

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 of that fullness

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 of who he is to us.

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 Sort of like an acorn

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 that has all of the DNA

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 of a fully grown tree

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 so that DNA

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 packed into this us

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 and our

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 of Genesis 1 26

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 will grow

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 throughout scripture.

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 Or as a mountain range

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 sort of seen from afar

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 grows in detail

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 the closer and closer

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 you get.

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 So God's fullness

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 will become clearer

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 and clearer

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 until

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 in the dawning

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 of the New Testament

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 we get to see

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 the full picture.

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 And what we see

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 from the perspective

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 of the New Testament

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 in the whole Bible

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 is that God's fullness

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 is what we've come

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 to call the Trinity.

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 That the one God

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 eternally exists

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 in three persons,

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 Father,

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 Son,

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 and Holy Spirit.

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 Now,

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 did the human author

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 of Genesis 1

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 intend in his human mind

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 to communicate

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 the fully fledged

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 doctrine of the Trinity here?

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 Maybe not.

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 But standing where we stand

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 from the place

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 of the New Testament,

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 the tree fully grown,

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 the mountain up close

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 and personal,

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 it's not hard

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 to look back at Genesis

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 and see what the Holy Spirit

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 has inspired.

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 because what do we see

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 in Genesis 1?

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 There is God

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 and God's Spirit

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 and God's Word

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 all at work

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 in creation.

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 And this God says

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 in his fullness,

00:10:11.920 --> 00:10:14.020
 let us make humanity

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 in our image.

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 Friends, you see,

00:10:19.580 --> 00:10:20.780
 you are the result

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 of the deliberate intention

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 of the very triune God

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 we worship and praise.

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 And that means

00:10:31.100 --> 00:10:33.440
 that you are not

00:10:33.440 --> 00:10:34.800
 merely the accident

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 of time

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 and matter

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 and chance.

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 The triune God

00:10:39.540 --> 00:10:40.340
 has created you

00:10:40.340 --> 00:10:41.360
 with deep intention.

00:10:41.639 --> 00:10:42.740
 You are here

00:10:42.740 --> 00:10:44.139
 for a reason.

00:10:45.540 --> 00:10:46.720
 You have a place

00:10:46.720 --> 00:10:47.820
 in the divine story.

00:10:48.000 --> 00:10:48.240
 God,

00:10:48.360 --> 00:10:48.860
 the author

00:10:48.860 --> 00:10:49.379
 and director

00:10:49.379 --> 00:10:50.180
 of all things,

00:10:50.440 --> 00:10:51.540
 has not just put out

00:10:51.540 --> 00:10:52.640
 a casting call,

00:10:52.960 --> 00:10:53.759
 but God's actually

00:10:53.759 --> 00:10:54.600
 chosen you

00:10:54.600 --> 00:10:55.259
 for the part

00:10:55.259 --> 00:10:56.460
 that you are to play.

00:10:56.460 --> 00:10:56.560
 humanity.

00:11:00.680 --> 00:11:01.900
 But what is that part?

00:11:04.900 --> 00:11:05.660
 This brings us

00:11:05.660 --> 00:11:06.300
 to the second point

00:11:06.300 --> 00:11:06.700
 we see here

00:11:06.700 --> 00:11:07.379
 in Genesis 1.

00:11:08.160 --> 00:11:08.700
 You are not just

00:11:08.700 --> 00:11:09.340
 a result

00:11:09.340 --> 00:11:11.240
 of the divine intention.

00:11:11.560 --> 00:11:11.759
 Second,

00:11:11.960 --> 00:11:13.580
 you are a bearer

00:11:13.580 --> 00:11:15.460
 of God's image.

00:11:17.000 --> 00:11:18.000
 If verse 26

00:11:18.000 --> 00:11:18.540
 that we just

00:11:18.540 --> 00:11:19.400
 were talking about

00:11:19.400 --> 00:11:20.160
 is God's intention

00:11:20.160 --> 00:11:20.740
 for humanity,

00:11:20.740 --> 00:11:22.100
 then in verse 27

00:11:22.100 --> 00:11:23.840
 we see God's creation

00:11:23.840 --> 00:11:24.480
 of humanity.

00:11:24.480 --> 00:11:26.340
 Look at that verse again,

00:11:26.420 --> 00:11:27.019
 verse 27.

00:11:27.139 --> 00:11:28.340
 So God created man,

00:11:28.440 --> 00:11:29.200
 created humanity

00:11:29.200 --> 00:11:30.379
 in his own image.

00:11:30.779 --> 00:11:31.680
 In the image of God

00:11:31.680 --> 00:11:32.360
 he created him,

00:11:32.779 --> 00:11:34.139
 male and female

00:11:34.139 --> 00:11:35.180
 he created them.

00:11:37.180 --> 00:11:37.720
 Now,

00:11:37.840 --> 00:11:38.960
 you have to imagine

00:11:38.960 --> 00:11:40.539
 how these words

00:11:40.539 --> 00:11:41.840
 would have first sounded

00:11:41.840 --> 00:11:42.840
 to the people of Israel.

00:11:43.360 --> 00:11:44.220
 Living in the wilderness,

00:11:45.019 --> 00:11:45.560
 having spent

00:11:45.560 --> 00:11:47.100
 generations in slavery,

00:11:47.500 --> 00:11:48.379
 still homeless,

00:11:48.600 --> 00:11:49.879
 outside the promised land,

00:11:49.879 --> 00:11:50.960
 and here comes

00:11:50.960 --> 00:11:51.879
 this language

00:11:51.879 --> 00:11:52.399
 language

00:11:52.399 --> 00:11:54.240
 of God's image

00:11:54.240 --> 00:11:54.860
 to them.

00:11:56.519 --> 00:11:57.100
 Well, you see,

00:11:57.179 --> 00:11:58.179
 in the ancient world,

00:11:58.379 --> 00:11:59.700
 that's how kings

00:11:59.700 --> 00:12:00.659
 would have described

00:12:00.659 --> 00:12:01.240
 themselves.

00:12:02.139 --> 00:12:02.980
 The king

00:12:02.980 --> 00:12:03.980
 bore the image

00:12:03.980 --> 00:12:04.580
 of God.

00:12:04.980 --> 00:12:05.939
 He was the offspring

00:12:05.939 --> 00:12:06.659
 of the gods,

00:12:06.779 --> 00:12:07.720
 the son of the gods,

00:12:07.879 --> 00:12:09.080
 ruling on earth

00:12:09.080 --> 00:12:09.659
 in the stead

00:12:09.659 --> 00:12:10.240
 of the gods.

00:12:10.340 --> 00:12:11.240
 He alone

00:12:11.240 --> 00:12:12.139
 possessed

00:12:12.139 --> 00:12:13.200
 that kind

00:12:13.200 --> 00:12:14.419
 of dignity.

00:12:18.620 --> 00:12:19.220
 You know,

00:12:19.259 --> 00:12:19.899
 today it's not

00:12:19.899 --> 00:12:20.659
 that much different.

00:12:22.199 --> 00:12:22.899
 It's still

00:12:22.899 --> 00:12:23.439
 the rich

00:12:23.439 --> 00:12:24.740
 and the famous

00:12:24.740 --> 00:12:25.980
 and the powerful

00:12:25.980 --> 00:12:27.399
 that we think

00:12:27.399 --> 00:12:28.279
 have the real

00:12:28.279 --> 00:12:28.980
 dignity

00:12:28.980 --> 00:12:30.220
 and honor

00:12:30.220 --> 00:12:31.079
 and glory

00:12:31.079 --> 00:12:31.879
 and worth.

00:12:32.939 --> 00:12:33.899
 But that

00:12:33.899 --> 00:12:35.019
 is not

00:12:35.019 --> 00:12:35.879
 true.

00:12:37.379 --> 00:12:37.939
 Friends,

00:12:38.000 --> 00:12:38.879
 we have forgotten

00:12:38.879 --> 00:12:40.379
 who we are.

00:12:41.759 --> 00:12:42.939
 The world says

00:12:42.939 --> 00:12:43.960
 only the kings

00:12:43.960 --> 00:12:45.019
 are made in God's image,

00:12:45.120 --> 00:12:45.799
 but Genesis 1

00:12:45.799 --> 00:12:46.259
 says that

00:12:46.259 --> 00:12:47.100
 every man

00:12:47.100 --> 00:12:48.480
 and every woman

00:12:48.480 --> 00:12:49.419
 is the very image

00:12:49.419 --> 00:12:49.919
 of God,

00:12:50.740 --> 00:12:51.279
 possessing

00:12:51.279 --> 00:12:52.439
 unsurpassed

00:12:52.439 --> 00:12:52.799
 dignity

00:12:52.799 --> 00:12:53.519
 and worth

00:12:53.519 --> 00:12:54.279
 and value.

00:12:54.719 --> 00:12:55.539
 And just to drive

00:12:55.539 --> 00:12:56.000
 it home,

00:12:56.339 --> 00:12:57.419
 the end of verse 27

00:12:57.419 --> 00:12:57.779
 says,

00:12:57.979 --> 00:12:59.479
 male and female.

00:12:59.659 --> 00:13:00.379
 He created them

00:13:00.379 --> 00:13:01.259
 as if to say

00:13:01.259 --> 00:13:02.459
 this dignity

00:13:02.459 --> 00:13:04.139
 of bearing God's image

00:13:04.139 --> 00:13:05.219
 is not limited

00:13:05.219 --> 00:13:06.759
 to only one part

00:13:06.759 --> 00:13:07.459
 of humanity.

00:13:07.679 --> 00:13:09.379
 Male and female

00:13:09.379 --> 00:13:10.019
 equally

00:13:10.019 --> 00:13:10.919
 and fully

00:13:10.919 --> 00:13:11.699
 bear the image

00:13:11.699 --> 00:13:12.179
 of God.

00:13:13.279 --> 00:13:14.019
 This was

00:13:14.019 --> 00:13:15.559
 unheard of

00:13:15.559 --> 00:13:17.259
 in the ancient world.

00:13:17.259 --> 00:13:19.159
 could there be

00:13:19.159 --> 00:13:19.639
 anything

00:13:19.639 --> 00:13:20.720
 more revolutionary

00:13:20.720 --> 00:13:21.960
 and liberating

00:13:21.960 --> 00:13:22.840
 than that thought

00:13:22.840 --> 00:13:23.740
 all of us

00:13:23.740 --> 00:13:24.460
 created

00:13:24.460 --> 00:13:25.379
 in God's image?

00:13:25.899 --> 00:13:26.439
 All of us

00:13:26.439 --> 00:13:26.919
 possessing

00:13:26.919 --> 00:13:27.539
 a dignity

00:13:27.539 --> 00:13:29.019
 beyond imagination

00:13:29.019 --> 00:13:29.819
 and beyond

00:13:29.819 --> 00:13:30.679
 calculation.

00:13:31.080 --> 00:13:31.879
 Whether male

00:13:31.879 --> 00:13:32.580
 or female,

00:13:33.139 --> 00:13:34.159
 young or old,

00:13:34.319 --> 00:13:35.159
 rich or poor,

00:13:35.299 --> 00:13:36.039
 all races,

00:13:36.220 --> 00:13:37.100
 all nationalities,

00:13:37.200 --> 00:13:37.860
 all abilities,

00:13:38.039 --> 00:13:38.559
 all people

00:13:38.559 --> 00:13:39.720
 without exclusion,

00:13:40.179 --> 00:13:40.980
 all of us

00:13:40.980 --> 00:13:42.200
 bear God's image.

00:13:42.200 --> 00:13:46.120
 C.S. Lewis

00:13:46.120 --> 00:13:47.280
 ends his great sermon

00:13:47.280 --> 00:13:48.240
 The Weight of Glory

00:13:48.240 --> 00:13:48.940
 by saying,

00:13:50.180 --> 00:13:51.400
 you've never met

00:13:51.400 --> 00:13:52.940
 a mere mortal.

00:13:56.840 --> 00:13:58.520
 Humans are creatures,

00:13:59.200 --> 00:13:59.480
 yes.

00:13:59.700 --> 00:14:01.120
 We are not God,

00:14:01.360 --> 00:14:02.660
 but we are all

00:14:02.660 --> 00:14:03.480
 creatures made

00:14:03.480 --> 00:14:05.120
 in the image of God.

00:14:08.000 --> 00:14:09.259
 And this has deep

00:14:09.259 --> 00:14:10.980
 ethical implications.

00:14:10.980 --> 00:14:12.500
 This makes all

00:14:12.500 --> 00:14:12.899
 the difference

00:14:12.899 --> 00:14:13.759
 in how we live

00:14:13.759 --> 00:14:14.240
 and act

00:14:14.240 --> 00:14:15.039
 and treat one another.

00:14:15.320 --> 00:14:16.240
 Because all humans

00:14:16.240 --> 00:14:16.759
 are created

00:14:16.759 --> 00:14:17.639
 in God's image,

00:14:17.980 --> 00:14:18.659
 the church

00:14:18.659 --> 00:14:20.460
 says no

00:14:20.460 --> 00:14:21.960
 to racism,

00:14:22.320 --> 00:14:23.159
 to sexism,

00:14:23.300 --> 00:14:24.060
 to ageism,

00:14:24.139 --> 00:14:25.000
 to really any way

00:14:25.000 --> 00:14:25.379
 of thinking

00:14:25.379 --> 00:14:26.080
 that takes one

00:14:26.080 --> 00:14:26.960
 category of people

00:14:26.960 --> 00:14:27.840
 and says they're

00:14:27.840 --> 00:14:29.100
 not worthy

00:14:29.100 --> 00:14:29.720
 of value

00:14:29.720 --> 00:14:30.340
 and respect

00:14:30.340 --> 00:14:30.840
 and worth.

00:14:30.940 --> 00:14:31.940
 We reject that

00:14:31.940 --> 00:14:32.840
 outright.

00:14:35.379 --> 00:14:36.060
 And because all

00:14:36.060 --> 00:14:37.039
 humans are created

00:14:37.039 --> 00:14:38.360
 in God's image,

00:14:38.440 --> 00:14:39.159
 we celebrate

00:14:39.159 --> 00:14:40.000
 the dignity

00:14:40.000 --> 00:14:40.779
 and intrinsic

00:14:40.779 --> 00:14:41.899
 worth of all people,

00:14:42.100 --> 00:14:43.379
 even those the world

00:14:43.379 --> 00:14:44.159
 would deem poor

00:14:44.159 --> 00:14:44.779
 or useless

00:14:44.779 --> 00:14:45.720
 or inconvenient.

00:14:49.460 --> 00:14:50.320
 Isn't it funny

00:14:50.320 --> 00:14:51.320
 that today

00:14:51.320 --> 00:14:52.100
 we live in a time

00:14:52.100 --> 00:14:52.899
 when that idea

00:14:52.899 --> 00:14:53.559
 is loved

00:14:53.559 --> 00:14:54.259
 and celebrated.

00:14:54.399 --> 00:14:55.000
 We want to say

00:14:55.000 --> 00:14:55.600
 yes to that.

00:14:55.679 --> 00:14:56.600
 And here in the Bible

00:14:56.600 --> 00:14:57.679
 is the very ground

00:14:57.679 --> 00:14:58.360
 for being able

00:14:58.360 --> 00:14:59.480
 to say and do that.

00:14:59.480 --> 00:15:04.159
 how must that

00:15:04.159 --> 00:15:04.899
 have struck

00:15:04.899 --> 00:15:06.940
 those Israelites,

00:15:07.379 --> 00:15:07.940
 poor,

00:15:08.600 --> 00:15:09.220
 homeless,

00:15:09.720 --> 00:15:10.399
 knowing nothing

00:15:10.399 --> 00:15:11.420
 in their past

00:15:11.420 --> 00:15:12.200
 but slavery?

00:15:14.259 --> 00:15:15.820
 How does it strike you?

00:15:18.639 --> 00:15:19.240
 Friend,

00:15:19.340 --> 00:15:20.259
 regardless of how

00:15:20.259 --> 00:15:21.220
 your job

00:15:21.220 --> 00:15:22.279
 or your looks

00:15:22.279 --> 00:15:23.200
 or your ability

00:15:23.200 --> 00:15:24.080
 or your wealth

00:15:24.080 --> 00:15:25.060
 stacks up

00:15:25.060 --> 00:15:26.700
 to those around you,

00:15:26.700 --> 00:15:28.100
 you possess

00:15:28.100 --> 00:15:29.120
 something

00:15:29.120 --> 00:15:30.100
 that even

00:15:30.100 --> 00:15:31.040
 the angels

00:15:31.040 --> 00:15:32.100
 do not possess.

00:15:32.840 --> 00:15:33.960
 You bear

00:15:33.960 --> 00:15:35.200
 the very image

00:15:35.200 --> 00:15:36.040
 of God.

00:15:37.180 --> 00:15:38.160
 So lift

00:15:38.160 --> 00:15:39.220
 your head

00:15:39.220 --> 00:15:40.100
 high.

00:15:41.060 --> 00:15:41.560
 You have

00:15:41.560 --> 00:15:42.259
 a dignity

00:15:42.259 --> 00:15:43.340
 that nothing

00:15:43.340 --> 00:15:44.220
 in this world

00:15:44.220 --> 00:15:45.120
 can give

00:15:45.120 --> 00:15:46.840
 and nothing

00:15:46.840 --> 00:15:47.800
 can take away.

00:15:51.280 --> 00:15:52.379
 As evidence

00:15:52.379 --> 00:15:53.040
 of that dignity,

00:15:53.340 --> 00:15:53.879
 look again

00:15:53.879 --> 00:15:55.620
 at verse 27.

00:15:55.620 --> 00:15:56.919
 Do you notice

00:15:56.919 --> 00:15:57.659
 something odd

00:15:57.659 --> 00:15:58.440
 about that verse

00:15:58.440 --> 00:15:58.879
 in the rest

00:15:58.879 --> 00:15:59.580
 of chapter 1?

00:16:01.919 --> 00:16:02.720
 It's written

00:16:02.720 --> 00:16:03.379
 in poetry.

00:16:05.080 --> 00:16:05.980
 Now it doesn't

00:16:05.980 --> 00:16:06.419
 rhyme.

00:16:06.560 --> 00:16:07.179
 Hebrew poetry

00:16:07.179 --> 00:16:07.879
 didn't rhyme

00:16:07.879 --> 00:16:09.419
 but it was about

00:16:09.419 --> 00:16:10.000
 rhythm

00:16:10.000 --> 00:16:10.799
 and repetition.

00:16:11.960 --> 00:16:12.539
 So our English

00:16:12.539 --> 00:16:13.879
 translations rightly

00:16:13.879 --> 00:16:14.679
 set it off

00:16:14.679 --> 00:16:15.220
 in verse.

00:16:17.080 --> 00:16:18.340
 The first poem

00:16:18.340 --> 00:16:19.680
 of the whole Bible,

00:16:19.879 --> 00:16:20.419
 what does it

00:16:20.419 --> 00:16:20.899
 celebrate?

00:16:21.299 --> 00:16:22.100
 The creation

00:16:22.100 --> 00:16:23.480
 of humanity

00:16:23.480 --> 00:16:24.460
 in God's image.

00:16:24.460 --> 00:16:24.500
 church.

00:16:25.080 --> 00:16:26.000
 Something so

00:16:26.000 --> 00:16:26.759
 beautiful

00:16:26.759 --> 00:16:27.440
 is happening

00:16:27.440 --> 00:16:27.840
 here

00:16:27.840 --> 00:16:28.480
 that it can

00:16:28.480 --> 00:16:29.660
 only be expressed

00:16:29.660 --> 00:16:30.400
 in art,

00:16:30.759 --> 00:16:31.320
 in verse,

00:16:31.480 --> 00:16:32.160
 in poetry.

00:16:32.720 --> 00:16:33.800
 God is singing

00:16:33.800 --> 00:16:35.040
 over his people.

00:16:37.460 --> 00:16:37.960
 And near the end

00:16:37.960 --> 00:16:38.519
 of the Old Testament

00:16:38.519 --> 00:16:39.259
 we find the same

00:16:39.259 --> 00:16:39.660
 thing.

00:16:41.560 --> 00:16:42.560
 The little prophetic

00:16:42.560 --> 00:16:43.580
 book of Zephaniah

00:16:43.580 --> 00:16:44.620
 chapter 3

00:16:44.620 --> 00:16:45.280
 verse 17

00:16:45.280 --> 00:16:45.660
 says,

00:16:45.820 --> 00:16:46.700
 God will rejoice

00:16:46.700 --> 00:16:47.300
 over you

00:16:47.300 --> 00:16:48.040
 with gladness.

00:16:48.600 --> 00:16:49.300
 He will quiet

00:16:49.300 --> 00:16:50.379
 you by his love.

00:16:50.720 --> 00:16:51.560
 He will exalt

00:16:51.560 --> 00:16:52.259
 over you

00:16:52.259 --> 00:16:53.819
 with loud singing.

00:16:55.700 --> 00:16:56.960
 You are a bearer

00:16:56.960 --> 00:16:57.980
 of God's own image.

00:16:58.899 --> 00:16:59.620
 You have a dignity

00:16:59.620 --> 00:17:00.240
 that nothing

00:17:00.240 --> 00:17:01.120
 can take away.

00:17:05.259 --> 00:17:05.960
 Now there's been

00:17:05.960 --> 00:17:06.619
 a lot of theological

00:17:06.619 --> 00:17:07.519
 discussion over

00:17:07.519 --> 00:17:08.220
 what exactly

00:17:08.220 --> 00:17:09.039
 this image of God

00:17:09.039 --> 00:17:10.000
 refers to.

00:17:10.799 --> 00:17:11.619
 Is it referring

00:17:11.619 --> 00:17:12.059
 to the way

00:17:12.059 --> 00:17:12.559
 in which we

00:17:12.559 --> 00:17:14.259
 resemble God

00:17:14.259 --> 00:17:15.319
 or does it refer

00:17:15.319 --> 00:17:15.660
 to the way

00:17:15.660 --> 00:17:16.140
 in which we

00:17:16.140 --> 00:17:16.500
 as humans

00:17:16.500 --> 00:17:17.299
 represent God?

00:17:18.140 --> 00:17:19.059
 In other words,

00:17:19.140 --> 00:17:19.879
 as bearers

00:17:19.880 --> 00:17:20.860
 of God's image,

00:17:21.280 --> 00:17:22.220
 do we resemble

00:17:22.220 --> 00:17:23.320
 God in some way

00:17:23.320 --> 00:17:23.880
 that the rest

00:17:23.880 --> 00:17:24.380
 of creation

00:17:24.380 --> 00:17:25.120
 does not?

00:17:25.300 --> 00:17:26.240
 Maybe our capacity

00:17:26.240 --> 00:17:27.060
 for reason

00:17:27.060 --> 00:17:28.420
 or morality

00:17:28.420 --> 00:17:29.700
 or maybe our capacity

00:17:29.700 --> 00:17:30.260
 for beauty

00:17:30.260 --> 00:17:30.860
 and art

00:17:30.860 --> 00:17:32.160
 or for language

00:17:32.160 --> 00:17:33.240
 or for love

00:17:33.240 --> 00:17:33.960
 and relationships?

00:17:36.240 --> 00:17:36.820
 And historically,

00:17:36.960 --> 00:17:37.260
 the church

00:17:37.260 --> 00:17:37.900
 has actually pointed

00:17:37.900 --> 00:17:39.000
 to all these ways

00:17:39.000 --> 00:17:39.840
 in which we

00:17:39.840 --> 00:17:40.700
 resemble God

00:17:40.700 --> 00:17:42.260
 because you see

00:17:42.260 --> 00:17:43.680
 the family traits

00:17:43.680 --> 00:17:45.000
 of the triune God

00:17:45.000 --> 00:17:46.480
 are all over us

00:17:46.480 --> 00:17:46.900
 humans.

00:17:46.900 --> 00:17:49.040
 God is,

00:17:49.259 --> 00:17:49.580
 after all,

00:17:49.660 --> 00:17:50.540
 perfect in knowledge

00:17:50.540 --> 00:17:51.160
 and goodness

00:17:51.160 --> 00:17:51.759
 and beauty

00:17:51.759 --> 00:17:52.380
 and love

00:17:52.380 --> 00:17:52.900
 and we,

00:17:53.019 --> 00:17:53.740
 his image bearers,

00:17:53.840 --> 00:17:54.700
 reflect this

00:17:54.700 --> 00:17:56.519
 in a creaturely way.

00:17:56.700 --> 00:17:57.019
 Yes,

00:17:57.060 --> 00:17:57.800
 we're not God

00:17:57.800 --> 00:17:59.300
 but we reflect this

00:17:59.300 --> 00:18:00.740
 in a unique way

00:18:00.740 --> 00:18:02.400
 amidst all creation.

00:18:02.620 --> 00:18:03.860
 We bear God's image

00:18:03.860 --> 00:18:04.620
 and likeness.

00:18:06.640 --> 00:18:07.560
 But the other way

00:18:07.560 --> 00:18:08.400
 of seeing the image

00:18:08.400 --> 00:18:08.820
 of God

00:18:08.820 --> 00:18:09.580
 is that it refers

00:18:09.580 --> 00:18:10.060
 to the way

00:18:10.060 --> 00:18:10.519
 in which we

00:18:10.519 --> 00:18:11.940
 not just resemble God

00:18:11.940 --> 00:18:12.460
 but the way

00:18:12.460 --> 00:18:13.860
 we represent God.

00:18:14.640 --> 00:18:15.100
 That is,

00:18:15.180 --> 00:18:15.660
 the way

00:18:15.660 --> 00:18:16.860
 in which we

00:18:16.860 --> 00:18:17.580
 as humans

00:18:17.580 --> 00:18:18.300
 are God's

00:18:18.300 --> 00:18:19.000
 representatives

00:18:19.000 --> 00:18:20.200
 amidst creation.

00:18:21.019 --> 00:18:21.259
 You see,

00:18:21.320 --> 00:18:22.019
 when an ancient king

00:18:22.019 --> 00:18:23.019
 would conquer a city,

00:18:23.420 --> 00:18:24.259
 often he erected

00:18:24.259 --> 00:18:25.040
 an image of himself

00:18:25.040 --> 00:18:25.900
 in the middle of town.

00:18:26.180 --> 00:18:26.860
 Put a statue there

00:18:26.860 --> 00:18:27.660
 that looked just like him

00:18:27.660 --> 00:18:28.200
 as if to say,

00:18:28.300 --> 00:18:28.980
 this is now part

00:18:28.980 --> 00:18:29.720
 of my kingdom.

00:18:30.779 --> 00:18:31.840
 The image represented

00:18:31.840 --> 00:18:32.620
 the rule of the king.

00:18:34.840 --> 00:18:35.600
 But when God

00:18:35.600 --> 00:18:36.400
 created the world

00:18:36.400 --> 00:18:37.740
 and wanted to

00:18:37.740 --> 00:18:38.740
 inaugurate his kingdom

00:18:38.740 --> 00:18:39.840
 in the midst of creation,

00:18:40.620 --> 00:18:42.180
 he didn't make a statue

00:18:42.180 --> 00:18:43.320
 or a graven image.

00:18:43.319 --> 00:18:46.259
 He made humans.

00:18:48.579 --> 00:18:49.819
 Humanity would represent

00:18:49.819 --> 00:18:51.839
 God's loving rule.

00:18:52.879 --> 00:18:54.220
 Male and female

00:18:54.220 --> 00:18:55.679
 would take up the office,

00:18:55.859 --> 00:18:56.460
 the role

00:18:56.460 --> 00:18:57.879
 of image bearers.

00:18:58.740 --> 00:18:59.659
 That means we are

00:18:59.659 --> 00:19:00.639
 the envoys,

00:19:01.200 --> 00:19:01.819
 the stewards,

00:19:02.019 --> 00:19:03.220
 the vice regents

00:19:03.220 --> 00:19:03.899
 of the king

00:19:03.899 --> 00:19:06.279
 ruling on his behalf.

00:19:09.159 --> 00:19:10.079
 And that brings us

00:19:10.079 --> 00:19:10.839
 to our third point.

00:19:10.839 --> 00:19:12.879
 Who are you?

00:19:13.679 --> 00:19:14.539
 You are the result

00:19:14.539 --> 00:19:15.579
 of God's intention.

00:19:16.279 --> 00:19:17.399
 You are the bearer

00:19:17.399 --> 00:19:18.259
 of God's image.

00:19:18.359 --> 00:19:18.779
 But third,

00:19:18.919 --> 00:19:19.939
 you are the recipient

00:19:19.939 --> 00:19:22.279
 of God's commission.

00:19:24.559 --> 00:19:25.579
 In verse 28,

00:19:25.699 --> 00:19:27.199
 God blesses humanity

00:19:27.199 --> 00:19:28.720
 and then God

00:19:28.720 --> 00:19:30.279
 gives them this command.

00:19:30.639 --> 00:19:31.119
 Be fruitful

00:19:31.119 --> 00:19:31.879
 and multiply

00:19:31.879 --> 00:19:32.759
 and fill the earth

00:19:32.759 --> 00:19:33.859
 and subdue it

00:19:33.859 --> 00:19:34.819
 and have dominion

00:19:34.819 --> 00:19:35.759
 over the fish of the sea

00:19:35.759 --> 00:19:36.299
 and over the birds

00:19:36.299 --> 00:19:36.819
 of the heavens

00:19:36.819 --> 00:19:37.659
 and over everything

00:19:37.659 --> 00:19:38.439
 that moves on the earth.

00:19:38.440 --> 00:19:39.039
 You see,

00:19:39.160 --> 00:19:40.059
 God created us

00:19:40.059 --> 00:19:40.860
 not just

00:19:40.860 --> 00:19:42.720
 with immeasurable dignity,

00:19:42.720 --> 00:19:43.860
 that is in his image,

00:19:43.980 --> 00:19:45.779
 but also with a thrilling

00:19:45.779 --> 00:19:47.220
 responsibility.

00:19:48.720 --> 00:19:49.200
 Subdue

00:19:49.200 --> 00:19:50.279
 and have dominion,

00:19:50.400 --> 00:19:50.779
 God says.

00:19:50.880 --> 00:19:51.539
 Go forth

00:19:51.539 --> 00:19:52.580
 into this creation

00:19:52.580 --> 00:19:53.820
 and create

00:19:53.820 --> 00:19:54.980
 and steward

00:19:54.980 --> 00:19:55.880
 and enjoy

00:19:55.880 --> 00:19:57.000
 and make something

00:19:57.000 --> 00:19:57.360
 of it

00:19:57.360 --> 00:19:58.259
 for my sake.

00:19:58.820 --> 00:19:59.940
 Use all the dignity

00:19:59.940 --> 00:20:00.759
 and the gifts

00:20:00.759 --> 00:20:01.620
 I've given you

00:20:01.620 --> 00:20:02.980
 and make creation

00:20:02.980 --> 00:20:04.720
 sing my praise.

00:20:05.000 --> 00:20:05.840
 I have sung

00:20:05.840 --> 00:20:06.519
 over you.

00:20:06.519 --> 00:20:08.099
 Now you unleash

00:20:08.099 --> 00:20:08.759
 this creation

00:20:08.759 --> 00:20:09.319
 that I've made

00:20:09.319 --> 00:20:10.299
 and make it sing

00:20:10.299 --> 00:20:10.799
 for me.

00:20:12.079 --> 00:20:13.099
 I'm extending

00:20:13.099 --> 00:20:13.720
 my kingdom

00:20:13.720 --> 00:20:14.420
 through you.

00:20:16.920 --> 00:20:17.440
 Subdue

00:20:17.440 --> 00:20:18.980
 and have dominion.

00:20:20.480 --> 00:20:21.299
 Those words

00:20:21.299 --> 00:20:22.299
 are rich,

00:20:22.480 --> 00:20:23.220
 are they not?

00:20:23.539 --> 00:20:24.839
 With authority.

00:20:26.119 --> 00:20:26.539
 In fact,

00:20:26.579 --> 00:20:27.079
 when you study

00:20:27.079 --> 00:20:28.000
 the use of those words

00:20:28.000 --> 00:20:28.599
 throughout the rest

00:20:28.599 --> 00:20:29.019
 of the Bible,

00:20:29.139 --> 00:20:29.759
 they are words

00:20:29.759 --> 00:20:31.579
 used of kings.

00:20:33.420 --> 00:20:35.079
 It is a royal office

00:20:35.079 --> 00:20:36.500
 God has placed us in.

00:20:36.519 --> 00:20:38.700
 But how are we

00:20:38.700 --> 00:20:39.980
 to use this authority?

00:20:41.259 --> 00:20:41.599
 Well,

00:20:41.619 --> 00:20:42.220
 I think it's pretty clear

00:20:42.220 --> 00:20:42.879
 from Genesis 1

00:20:42.879 --> 00:20:44.339
 as his image bearers,

00:20:44.440 --> 00:20:45.519
 we are meant to carry out

00:20:45.519 --> 00:20:46.259
 this commission

00:20:46.259 --> 00:20:47.019
 in a way

00:20:47.019 --> 00:20:47.940
 that God would.

00:20:49.799 --> 00:20:50.599
 And as we look

00:20:50.599 --> 00:20:51.259
 at Genesis 1,

00:20:51.339 --> 00:20:51.980
 how does God

00:20:51.980 --> 00:20:53.119
 exercise his authority

00:20:53.119 --> 00:20:53.819
 over creation?

00:20:55.720 --> 00:20:56.139
 Well,

00:20:56.579 --> 00:20:57.940
 it's in a way

00:20:57.940 --> 00:20:59.039
 that brings life

00:20:59.039 --> 00:21:00.619
 and flourishing

00:21:00.619 --> 00:21:01.720
 and even joy.

00:21:02.579 --> 00:21:03.539
 The commission here

00:21:03.539 --> 00:21:04.500
 in Genesis 1.28

00:21:04.500 --> 00:21:05.900
 is not a license

00:21:05.900 --> 00:21:06.640
 to use

00:21:06.640 --> 00:21:07.880
 and abuse creation

00:21:07.880 --> 00:21:08.619
 for our own

00:21:08.619 --> 00:21:09.839
 selfish purposes.

00:21:10.000 --> 00:21:10.119
 No,

00:21:10.200 --> 00:21:11.000
 it's a calling

00:21:11.000 --> 00:21:12.359
 to steward

00:21:12.359 --> 00:21:13.380
 the created order

00:21:13.380 --> 00:21:14.019
 on behalf

00:21:14.019 --> 00:21:15.980
 of the one true king,

00:21:16.059 --> 00:21:16.839
 the living God.

00:21:18.140 --> 00:21:19.619
 We have to care

00:21:19.619 --> 00:21:20.759
 for creation

00:21:20.759 --> 00:21:22.019
 because it's not

00:21:22.019 --> 00:21:22.859
 our own,

00:21:22.960 --> 00:21:23.519
 it's his.

00:21:23.519 --> 00:21:26.279
 if I were going

00:21:26.279 --> 00:21:26.980
 away on a trip

00:21:26.980 --> 00:21:28.559
 for a month or two

00:21:28.559 --> 00:21:29.879
 and I asked you

00:21:29.879 --> 00:21:31.059
 to house sit for me,

00:21:31.420 --> 00:21:32.480
 what would I do?

00:21:33.119 --> 00:21:33.500
 Well,

00:21:33.559 --> 00:21:34.200
 I would hand you

00:21:34.200 --> 00:21:34.940
 the keys to the home

00:21:34.940 --> 00:21:35.599
 and probably give you

00:21:35.599 --> 00:21:36.200
 some instructions

00:21:36.200 --> 00:21:37.180
 on how to care for things

00:21:37.180 --> 00:21:37.940
 and feed the fish

00:21:37.940 --> 00:21:39.900
 and then I would give you

00:21:39.900 --> 00:21:40.859
 functional authority

00:21:40.859 --> 00:21:41.539
 over the house.

00:21:41.940 --> 00:21:42.420
 You would have

00:21:42.420 --> 00:21:43.059
 the responsibility

00:21:43.059 --> 00:21:43.879
 and the privilege

00:21:43.879 --> 00:21:44.480
 of living there

00:21:44.480 --> 00:21:45.379
 and making the decisions.

00:21:47.019 --> 00:21:48.119
 But how would you

00:21:48.119 --> 00:21:49.480
 approach this job?

00:21:49.480 --> 00:21:51.940
 would your next step

00:21:51.940 --> 00:21:52.920
 be to call

00:21:52.920 --> 00:21:55.360
 the local construction guy

00:21:55.360 --> 00:21:55.839
 and say,

00:21:55.980 --> 00:21:56.160
 hey,

00:21:56.319 --> 00:21:57.079
 there's a lot

00:21:57.079 --> 00:21:57.779
 of free materials

00:21:57.779 --> 00:21:58.240
 over here,

00:21:58.319 --> 00:21:59.259
 you can come scrap them,

00:21:59.559 --> 00:22:00.180
 tear them down

00:22:00.180 --> 00:22:01.480
 and just give me the money,

00:22:01.559 --> 00:22:02.019
 just forward it

00:22:02.019 --> 00:22:02.759
 right into my account.

00:22:04.099 --> 00:22:04.500
 No,

00:22:04.799 --> 00:22:05.579
 ultimately the house

00:22:05.579 --> 00:22:06.339
 isn't your own,

00:22:06.400 --> 00:22:06.980
 you'd probably take

00:22:06.980 --> 00:22:08.000
 extra good care of it

00:22:08.000 --> 00:22:08.620
 knowing that I was

00:22:08.620 --> 00:22:09.220
 going to return.

00:22:11.360 --> 00:22:12.500
 And that is meant

00:22:12.500 --> 00:22:13.819
 to be our approach

00:22:13.819 --> 00:22:15.400
 to this world

00:22:15.400 --> 00:22:16.140
 that God's made

00:22:16.140 --> 00:22:16.880
 and placed us in,

00:22:16.940 --> 00:22:17.740
 to care for it,

00:22:17.839 --> 00:22:18.740
 to steward it

00:22:18.740 --> 00:22:19.240
 and yes,

00:22:19.240 --> 00:22:20.000
 to have authority

00:22:20.000 --> 00:22:20.700
 and responsibility

00:22:20.700 --> 00:22:21.460
 for it,

00:22:21.720 --> 00:22:23.140
 knowing that it belongs

00:22:23.140 --> 00:22:23.880
 to God

00:22:23.880 --> 00:22:25.500
 to bring out

00:22:25.500 --> 00:22:26.319
 its best

00:22:26.319 --> 00:22:27.400
 for our king.

00:22:31.319 --> 00:22:32.400
 So what do you make

00:22:32.400 --> 00:22:34.359
 of God's commission here?

00:22:36.420 --> 00:22:37.620
 Oftentimes our lives

00:22:37.620 --> 00:22:38.500
 feel like a series

00:22:38.500 --> 00:22:39.620
 of disconnected

00:22:39.620 --> 00:22:41.240
 and ultimately

00:22:41.240 --> 00:22:42.620
 insignificant events,

00:22:42.839 --> 00:22:43.240
 don't they?

00:22:44.319 --> 00:22:45.079
 Many of us,

00:22:45.120 --> 00:22:45.700
 if we're honest

00:22:45.700 --> 00:22:47.120
 or bored

00:22:47.120 --> 00:22:48.620
 or frustrated

00:22:48.619 --> 00:22:50.079
 with our everyday lives

00:22:50.079 --> 00:22:52.679
 and we long

00:22:52.679 --> 00:22:54.259
 for a deeper meaning

00:22:54.259 --> 00:22:55.519
 to what we do.

00:22:58.899 --> 00:22:59.719
 Alan DeBotten,

00:22:59.799 --> 00:23:01.259
 the British essayist,

00:23:01.339 --> 00:23:01.859
 published a book

00:23:01.859 --> 00:23:02.459
 a few years ago

00:23:02.459 --> 00:23:02.699
 called

00:23:02.699 --> 00:23:03.319
 The Pleasures

00:23:03.319 --> 00:23:04.759
 and Sorrows of Work.

00:23:05.179 --> 00:23:05.659
 It's actually

00:23:05.659 --> 00:23:06.279
 a very beautifully

00:23:06.279 --> 00:23:06.879
 written book

00:23:06.879 --> 00:23:08.419
 and at the end

00:23:08.419 --> 00:23:08.859
 of that book

00:23:08.859 --> 00:23:09.639
 he steps back

00:23:09.639 --> 00:23:10.919
 and asks the question,

00:23:11.159 --> 00:23:12.019
 what is our work

00:23:12.019 --> 00:23:13.159
 really for?

00:23:13.160 --> 00:23:16.120
 And DeBotten

00:23:16.120 --> 00:23:16.620
 is actually

00:23:16.620 --> 00:23:17.360
 a very thoughtful

00:23:17.360 --> 00:23:18.180
 unbeliever

00:23:18.180 --> 00:23:19.600
 and he's quite honest

00:23:19.600 --> 00:23:20.240
 at that point.

00:23:20.960 --> 00:23:21.259
 He says,

00:23:21.340 --> 00:23:21.620
 you know that

00:23:21.620 --> 00:23:22.519
 at the end of the day

00:23:22.519 --> 00:23:23.980
 the importance

00:23:23.980 --> 00:23:24.779
 of work

00:23:24.779 --> 00:23:26.500
 isn't

00:23:26.500 --> 00:23:28.400
 its enduring value,

00:23:28.580 --> 00:23:29.000
 he says.

00:23:30.620 --> 00:23:31.600
 Because for him

00:23:31.600 --> 00:23:32.680
 time will eventually

00:23:32.680 --> 00:23:33.940
 wipe everything away.

00:23:35.240 --> 00:23:35.759
 No, he says,

00:23:35.820 --> 00:23:36.640
 perhaps in the end

00:23:36.640 --> 00:23:37.600
 the enduring value

00:23:37.600 --> 00:23:38.040
 of work

00:23:38.040 --> 00:23:39.060
 is in its capacity

00:23:39.060 --> 00:23:40.279
 to distract us

00:23:40.279 --> 00:23:41.139
 from the inevitable.

00:23:42.139 --> 00:23:43.319
 Let death find us,

00:23:43.359 --> 00:23:43.799
 he says,

00:23:44.399 --> 00:23:45.500
 as we are building up

00:23:45.500 --> 00:23:46.759
 our matchstick

00:23:46.759 --> 00:23:47.639
 protests

00:23:47.639 --> 00:23:49.279
 against its waves.

00:23:53.079 --> 00:23:54.000
 Is that all

00:23:54.000 --> 00:23:54.759
 we can say

00:23:54.759 --> 00:23:56.779
 about our future,

00:23:57.579 --> 00:23:58.299
 our labors

00:23:58.299 --> 00:23:58.920
 as humans?

00:24:00.319 --> 00:24:01.180
 Building up

00:24:01.180 --> 00:24:01.940
 matchstick

00:24:01.940 --> 00:24:02.779
 protests

00:24:02.779 --> 00:24:03.859
 against the waves

00:24:03.859 --> 00:24:04.559
 of oblivion.

00:24:07.279 --> 00:24:08.259
 But Genesis

00:24:08.259 --> 00:24:08.859
 gives us

00:24:08.859 --> 00:24:09.379
 a much

00:24:09.380 --> 00:24:10.840
 different story

00:24:10.840 --> 00:24:12.460
 and one

00:24:12.460 --> 00:24:12.880
 that makes

00:24:12.880 --> 00:24:14.380
 much more sense

00:24:14.380 --> 00:24:15.420
 of our desire

00:24:15.420 --> 00:24:16.960
 for significance.

00:24:17.660 --> 00:24:18.820
 Our work

00:24:18.820 --> 00:24:19.580
 is part

00:24:19.580 --> 00:24:20.500
 of God's

00:24:20.500 --> 00:24:21.040
 commission

00:24:21.040 --> 00:24:22.120
 to cultivate

00:24:22.120 --> 00:24:22.840
 creation

00:24:22.840 --> 00:24:23.540
 for his

00:24:23.540 --> 00:24:24.800
 eternal glory.

00:24:25.740 --> 00:24:26.860
 Each of us,

00:24:27.420 --> 00:24:27.920
 whether we

00:24:27.920 --> 00:24:29.000
 want to think

00:24:29.000 --> 00:24:29.880
 it or not,

00:24:30.200 --> 00:24:31.100
 is a culture

00:24:31.100 --> 00:24:31.640
 shaper

00:24:31.640 --> 00:24:32.360
 for the king

00:24:32.360 --> 00:24:33.980
 in our homes,

00:24:34.100 --> 00:24:34.660
 in our offices,

00:24:34.780 --> 00:24:35.360
 in our neighborhoods

00:24:35.360 --> 00:24:36.260
 here at church.

00:24:37.260 --> 00:24:37.840
 And the work

00:24:37.840 --> 00:24:38.480
 that matters

00:24:38.480 --> 00:24:38.980
 to God

00:24:38.980 --> 00:24:39.819
 isn't just

00:24:39.819 --> 00:24:40.339
 what we might

00:24:40.339 --> 00:24:40.980
 call spiritual

00:24:40.980 --> 00:24:42.220
 work or church

00:24:42.220 --> 00:24:42.519
 work.

00:24:42.640 --> 00:24:42.819
 No.

00:24:43.240 --> 00:24:43.740
 Engineers,

00:24:44.279 --> 00:24:44.860
 craftsmen,

00:24:45.160 --> 00:24:45.539
 teachers,

00:24:45.920 --> 00:24:46.299
 artists,

00:24:46.539 --> 00:24:47.180
 manufacturers,

00:24:47.599 --> 00:24:47.980
 managers,

00:24:48.259 --> 00:24:48.579
 builders,

00:24:48.819 --> 00:24:49.339
 cleaners,

00:24:49.480 --> 00:24:50.539
 all of this

00:24:50.539 --> 00:24:51.480
 is the unfolding

00:24:51.480 --> 00:24:52.160
 of God's

00:24:52.160 --> 00:24:53.240
 commission to care

00:24:53.240 --> 00:24:54.360
 and cultivate

00:24:54.360 --> 00:24:55.279
 his world.

00:24:56.140 --> 00:24:56.440
 So friend,

00:24:56.519 --> 00:24:57.200
 take up your work

00:24:57.200 --> 00:24:58.000
 with purpose

00:24:58.000 --> 00:24:59.079
 for if it's done

00:24:59.079 --> 00:24:59.759
 for God,

00:25:00.360 --> 00:25:01.299
 it's no mere

00:25:01.299 --> 00:25:02.140
 matchstick

00:25:02.140 --> 00:25:03.140
 on the shore.

00:25:03.140 --> 00:25:05.620
 it's a monument

00:25:05.620 --> 00:25:06.940
 to the living

00:25:06.940 --> 00:25:08.340
 eternal God,

00:25:09.100 --> 00:25:09.820
 a shaping

00:25:09.820 --> 00:25:11.520
 and stewarding

00:25:11.520 --> 00:25:12.600
 of his

00:25:12.600 --> 00:25:13.520
 world.

00:25:18.759 --> 00:25:19.660
 But here we have

00:25:19.660 --> 00:25:20.120
 to pause,

00:25:20.220 --> 00:25:20.500
 don't we,

00:25:20.520 --> 00:25:21.300
 and take stock.

00:25:23.200 --> 00:25:24.100
 If we're honest,

00:25:24.200 --> 00:25:24.740
 this commission,

00:25:24.940 --> 00:25:25.540
 this responsibility

00:25:25.540 --> 00:25:26.340
 we have

00:25:26.340 --> 00:25:27.280
 as humans

00:25:27.280 --> 00:25:28.240
 made in God's image,

00:25:28.900 --> 00:25:30.020
 we haven't always

00:25:30.020 --> 00:25:30.680
 carried it out

00:25:30.680 --> 00:25:31.460
 the way we should,

00:25:31.540 --> 00:25:31.920
 have we?

00:25:31.920 --> 00:25:35.820
 Genesis 1

00:25:35.820 --> 00:25:36.320
 is the beginning

00:25:36.320 --> 00:25:37.019
 of the story

00:25:37.019 --> 00:25:38.980
 and how have we

00:25:38.980 --> 00:25:39.400
 lived out

00:25:39.400 --> 00:25:40.000
 this dignity

00:25:40.000 --> 00:25:40.820
 and responsibility

00:25:40.820 --> 00:25:41.700
 we've been given?

00:25:44.120 --> 00:25:44.840
 Too often,

00:25:44.960 --> 00:25:45.539
 we've not treated

00:25:45.539 --> 00:25:46.080
 one another

00:25:46.080 --> 00:25:47.220
 as bearers

00:25:47.220 --> 00:25:47.940
 of God's image

00:25:47.940 --> 00:25:50.320
 and too often,

00:25:50.440 --> 00:25:50.860
 we've labored

00:25:50.860 --> 00:25:51.740
 for our own sake

00:25:51.740 --> 00:25:52.740
 and not for God's sake.

00:25:52.820 --> 00:25:54.060
 We've used creation,

00:25:54.720 --> 00:25:55.960
 not cared for it.

00:25:57.640 --> 00:25:58.620
 God created us

00:25:58.620 --> 00:25:59.980
 to rule under him

00:25:59.980 --> 00:26:00.740
 but instead,

00:26:00.900 --> 00:26:01.519
 we've rebelled

00:26:01.519 --> 00:26:02.740
 and we've lived

00:26:02.740 --> 00:26:03.339
 our own way

00:26:03.339 --> 00:26:04.160
 with no reference

00:26:04.160 --> 00:26:04.680
 to God

00:26:04.680 --> 00:26:05.779
 in God's world

00:26:05.779 --> 00:26:08.119
 and the result

00:26:08.119 --> 00:26:08.960
 isn't joy

00:26:08.960 --> 00:26:10.000
 and flourishing,

00:26:10.519 --> 00:26:12.139
 it's decay

00:26:12.139 --> 00:26:13.480
 and death

00:26:13.480 --> 00:26:14.920
 and loneliness.

00:26:16.920 --> 00:26:17.980
 Dignity lost,

00:26:19.099 --> 00:26:20.180
 authority squandered.

00:26:20.180 --> 00:26:23.500
 And so,

00:26:23.620 --> 00:26:24.180
 is that the end

00:26:24.180 --> 00:26:24.740
 of the story?

00:26:25.400 --> 00:26:26.220
 Humanity begins

00:26:26.220 --> 00:26:27.500
 with great expectations

00:26:27.500 --> 00:26:28.460
 but we end

00:26:28.460 --> 00:26:29.360
 in ruin

00:26:29.360 --> 00:26:29.960
 and decay.

00:26:30.779 --> 00:26:31.420
 What starts

00:26:31.420 --> 00:26:32.259
 with a bang

00:26:32.259 --> 00:26:33.759
 ends with a whimper

00:26:33.759 --> 00:26:34.960
 as T.S. Eliot

00:26:34.960 --> 00:26:35.460
 once wrote.

00:26:38.400 --> 00:26:39.400
 Is there any hope

00:26:39.400 --> 00:26:39.880
 for us?

00:26:41.279 --> 00:26:42.240
 Can we begin again

00:26:42.240 --> 00:26:42.480
 maybe,

00:26:42.560 --> 00:26:43.480
 go back to the start?

00:26:43.480 --> 00:26:47.259
 But as we look

00:26:47.259 --> 00:26:48.160
 over human history,

00:26:48.839 --> 00:26:49.500
 has there been

00:26:49.500 --> 00:26:50.339
 anyone

00:26:50.339 --> 00:26:51.299
 able to live

00:26:51.299 --> 00:26:51.799
 like this?

00:26:52.240 --> 00:26:53.140
 The way Genesis 1

00:26:53.140 --> 00:26:53.920
 says we were created

00:26:53.920 --> 00:26:54.299
 to live.

00:26:54.980 --> 00:26:56.160
 Amidst all the wreckage

00:26:56.160 --> 00:26:56.539
 and ruin,

00:26:56.640 --> 00:26:57.839
 maybe if there was one

00:26:57.839 --> 00:26:58.700
 there could be hope

00:26:58.700 --> 00:26:59.200
 for us

00:26:59.200 --> 00:27:00.680
 but where do we find

00:27:00.680 --> 00:27:01.339
 such a one?

00:27:07.440 --> 00:27:08.000
 But friends,

00:27:08.079 --> 00:27:08.500
 the good news

00:27:08.500 --> 00:27:09.059
 of the Bible

00:27:09.059 --> 00:27:12.700
 is that there is.

00:27:14.079 --> 00:27:15.079
 There is one

00:27:15.079 --> 00:27:16.220
 who came

00:27:16.220 --> 00:27:17.899
 and bore the image

00:27:17.899 --> 00:27:18.819
 of God perfectly.

00:27:20.019 --> 00:27:21.079
 Who used all

00:27:21.079 --> 00:27:21.779
 his authority

00:27:21.779 --> 00:27:22.980
 to bring life

00:27:22.980 --> 00:27:24.359
 and to heal creation

00:27:24.359 --> 00:27:25.359
 and to fulfill

00:27:25.359 --> 00:27:25.899
 the commission

00:27:25.899 --> 00:27:26.440
 of God.

00:27:27.159 --> 00:27:28.639
 At long last,

00:27:28.779 --> 00:27:30.779
 a true human.

00:27:34.460 --> 00:27:35.759
 Who is this one?

00:27:37.139 --> 00:27:37.619
 And,

00:27:37.799 --> 00:27:38.720
 could it be

00:27:38.720 --> 00:27:39.880
 that if we were

00:27:39.880 --> 00:27:40.339
 somehow

00:27:40.339 --> 00:27:41.920
 connected to him

00:27:41.920 --> 00:27:42.860
 or united to him

00:27:42.860 --> 00:27:43.660
 or somehow

00:27:43.660 --> 00:27:44.960
 invited into his presence

00:27:44.960 --> 00:27:46.000
 maybe we too

00:27:46.000 --> 00:27:47.079
 could be healed

00:27:47.079 --> 00:27:48.120
 and repaired

00:27:48.120 --> 00:27:49.059
 and maybe even

00:27:49.059 --> 00:27:49.480
 forgiven

00:27:49.480 --> 00:27:50.759
 and maybe put right.

00:27:51.120 --> 00:27:51.680
 Maybe somehow

00:27:51.680 --> 00:27:52.460
 this image of God

00:27:52.460 --> 00:27:53.480
 in us could be repaired.

00:27:57.000 --> 00:27:58.259
 But what would that take?

00:28:00.200 --> 00:28:01.059
 What would this

00:28:01.059 --> 00:28:02.539
 truly human one

00:28:02.539 --> 00:28:03.779
 have to do

00:28:03.779 --> 00:28:05.480
 to rescue us

00:28:05.480 --> 00:28:07.140
 and lift us up

00:28:07.140 --> 00:28:07.779
 with him?

00:28:08.720 --> 00:28:14.259
 That is the story

00:28:14.259 --> 00:28:14.980
 of the New Testament.

00:28:16.620 --> 00:28:17.600
 God the Son,

00:28:18.920 --> 00:28:19.799
 the second person

00:28:19.799 --> 00:28:20.360
 of the Trinity,

00:28:21.240 --> 00:28:22.700
 took our full humanity

00:28:22.700 --> 00:28:23.680
 into himself

00:28:23.680 --> 00:28:25.140
 and he bore

00:28:25.140 --> 00:28:25.779
 the image

00:28:25.779 --> 00:28:26.380
 of God

00:28:26.380 --> 00:28:27.279
 perfectly.

00:28:28.519 --> 00:28:29.519
 Jesus lived

00:28:29.519 --> 00:28:30.519
 a perfect life

00:28:30.519 --> 00:28:31.380
 of dignity

00:28:31.380 --> 00:28:33.059
 and life-giving

00:28:33.059 --> 00:28:33.620
 authority.

00:28:33.619 --> 00:28:35.779
 But after three years

00:28:35.779 --> 00:28:36.819
 of public ministry,

00:28:36.979 --> 00:28:37.559
 he would go

00:28:37.559 --> 00:28:38.279
 to his death

00:28:38.279 --> 00:28:39.619
 and Pilate,

00:28:39.699 --> 00:28:40.379
 the Roman governor,

00:28:40.500 --> 00:28:41.279
 would declare

00:28:41.279 --> 00:28:42.399
 at Jesus' trial,

00:28:42.479 --> 00:28:43.059
 what would he say?

00:28:43.479 --> 00:28:44.039
 Behold

00:28:44.039 --> 00:28:45.119
 the man.

00:28:48.459 --> 00:28:49.839
 Were truer words

00:28:49.839 --> 00:28:50.500
 ever spoken

00:28:50.500 --> 00:28:52.099
 because indeed,

00:28:52.219 --> 00:28:53.739
 Jesus was the true human.

00:28:54.379 --> 00:28:54.919
 Behold

00:28:54.919 --> 00:28:56.159
 the man.

00:28:56.160 --> 00:28:58.460
 And yet,

00:28:58.540 --> 00:28:59.660
 at that moment

00:28:59.660 --> 00:29:00.800
 when Pilate

00:29:00.800 --> 00:29:02.259
 uttered those words,

00:29:02.779 --> 00:29:03.580
 Jesus had actually

00:29:03.580 --> 00:29:04.460
 been stripped

00:29:04.460 --> 00:29:05.720
 of his dignity

00:29:05.720 --> 00:29:06.940
 and his authority.

00:29:10.620 --> 00:29:12.100
 So that our dignity

00:29:12.100 --> 00:29:13.220
 could be restored,

00:29:14.000 --> 00:29:15.759
 Jesus was losing his

00:29:15.759 --> 00:29:17.519
 and then hung naked

00:29:17.519 --> 00:29:18.220
 on a cross.

00:29:18.960 --> 00:29:20.460
 And so that our authority

00:29:20.460 --> 00:29:21.500
 could be repaired,

00:29:22.060 --> 00:29:23.120
 behold the man,

00:29:23.200 --> 00:29:24.360
 he was made powerless

00:29:24.359 --> 00:29:25.699
 and died.

00:29:28.139 --> 00:29:29.559
 But on the third day,

00:29:30.339 --> 00:29:30.619
 Jesus,

00:29:30.819 --> 00:29:31.500
 having laid down

00:29:31.500 --> 00:29:32.199
 his dignity

00:29:32.199 --> 00:29:33.579
 and having laid down

00:29:33.579 --> 00:29:34.279
 his authority,

00:29:35.359 --> 00:29:37.299
 took it up again.

00:29:39.240 --> 00:29:39.479
 Jesus,

00:29:39.659 --> 00:29:40.179
 fully God

00:29:40.179 --> 00:29:40.959
 and fully human,

00:29:41.119 --> 00:29:42.179
 rose from the grave

00:29:42.179 --> 00:29:43.299
 and rising,

00:29:43.939 --> 00:29:44.559
 he began

00:29:44.559 --> 00:29:46.119
 a new creation

00:29:46.119 --> 00:29:47.299
 so that those

00:29:47.299 --> 00:29:48.439
 united to him,

00:29:48.579 --> 00:29:49.519
 connected to him

00:29:49.519 --> 00:29:50.399
 through faith

00:29:50.399 --> 00:29:51.439
 by the Holy Spirit

00:29:51.439 --> 00:29:52.240
 would receive

00:29:52.240 --> 00:29:53.579
 forgiveness of sins

00:29:53.579 --> 00:29:54.259
 and would be

00:29:54.259 --> 00:29:55.299
 renewed in the image

00:29:55.299 --> 00:29:55.839
 of God.

00:29:56.539 --> 00:29:57.379
 And Jesus ascended

00:29:57.379 --> 00:29:58.119
 to the right hand

00:29:58.119 --> 00:29:58.599
 of the Father

00:29:58.599 --> 00:29:59.359
 so that united

00:29:59.359 --> 00:30:00.099
 to him through faith

00:30:00.099 --> 00:30:01.279
 we might be restored

00:30:01.279 --> 00:30:02.539
 in God's commission

00:30:02.539 --> 00:30:03.700
 to care

00:30:03.700 --> 00:30:04.720
 and steward

00:30:04.720 --> 00:30:05.680
 for God's creation

00:30:05.680 --> 00:30:06.379
 once again,

00:30:06.720 --> 00:30:08.319
 now under the leadership

00:30:08.319 --> 00:30:10.220
 of a good king.

00:30:13.599 --> 00:30:14.299
 So friends,

00:30:14.379 --> 00:30:14.819
 what story

00:30:14.819 --> 00:30:15.440
 are you telling?

00:30:16.900 --> 00:30:17.680
 The invitation

00:30:17.680 --> 00:30:18.940
 to us this morning

00:30:18.940 --> 00:30:20.079
 is to unite

00:30:20.079 --> 00:30:20.960
 our story

00:30:20.960 --> 00:30:21.779
 to the story

00:30:21.779 --> 00:30:22.299
 of Jesus

00:30:22.299 --> 00:30:23.019
 and through

00:30:23.019 --> 00:30:23.859
 living faith

00:30:23.859 --> 00:30:24.379
 in him,

00:30:24.460 --> 00:30:25.259
 our risen king,

00:30:25.519 --> 00:30:26.180
 our true lord,

00:30:26.259 --> 00:30:26.839
 the living,

00:30:27.480 --> 00:30:28.980
 true human,

00:30:29.159 --> 00:30:30.180
 we can be restored

00:30:30.180 --> 00:30:30.940
 to the dignity

00:30:30.940 --> 00:30:31.619
 and authority

00:30:31.619 --> 00:30:32.539
 that God created us

00:30:32.539 --> 00:30:32.879
 to have

00:30:32.879 --> 00:30:33.619
 in the very beginning.

00:30:35.960 --> 00:30:36.960
 And that gift

00:30:36.960 --> 00:30:37.819
 of grace

00:30:37.819 --> 00:30:39.599
 through Jesus Christ

00:30:39.599 --> 00:30:40.680
 will know

00:30:40.680 --> 00:30:41.319
 no end.

00:30:43.399 --> 00:30:44.159
 The end

00:30:44.159 --> 00:30:44.740
 of the story.

00:30:45.680 --> 00:30:46.379
 The Bible

00:30:46.379 --> 00:30:47.159
 ends with heaven

00:30:47.159 --> 00:30:47.559
 and earth

00:30:47.559 --> 00:30:48.259
 being united

00:30:48.259 --> 00:30:48.919
 at last.

00:30:48.920 --> 00:30:50.660
 those in Christ

00:30:50.660 --> 00:30:51.180
 seeing God

00:30:51.180 --> 00:30:51.960
 face to face

00:30:51.960 --> 00:30:52.940
 and Revelation 25

00:30:52.940 --> 00:30:53.680
 says and they

00:30:53.680 --> 00:30:54.420
 will reign

00:30:54.420 --> 00:30:55.480
 forever

00:30:55.480 --> 00:30:56.560
 and ever.

00:30:58.080 --> 00:30:58.940
 What began

00:30:58.940 --> 00:30:59.820
 in creation

00:30:59.820 --> 00:31:01.240
 and was lost

00:31:01.240 --> 00:31:02.000
 in Adam

00:31:02.000 --> 00:31:02.660
 has been

00:31:02.660 --> 00:31:03.400
 regained

00:31:03.400 --> 00:31:04.060
 in Christ

00:31:04.060 --> 00:31:04.860
 and has offered

00:31:04.860 --> 00:31:05.900
 to us now

00:31:05.900 --> 00:31:06.920
 to live out

00:31:06.920 --> 00:31:07.900
 in this age

00:31:07.900 --> 00:31:08.759
 and on

00:31:08.759 --> 00:31:09.580
 into the age

00:31:09.580 --> 00:31:10.100
 to come.

00:31:12.860 --> 00:31:13.920
 So you see now

00:31:13.920 --> 00:31:14.480
 what it means

00:31:14.480 --> 00:31:15.340
 to be the church?

00:31:16.560 --> 00:31:17.160
 Here,

00:31:17.360 --> 00:31:17.680
 now,

00:31:17.960 --> 00:31:18.500
 in New Haven?

00:31:18.920 --> 00:31:20.720
 it means

00:31:20.720 --> 00:31:21.519
 through Christ

00:31:21.519 --> 00:31:22.100
 to bear

00:31:22.100 --> 00:31:22.820
 God's image

00:31:22.820 --> 00:31:23.940
 to show

00:31:23.940 --> 00:31:24.400
 the world

00:31:24.400 --> 00:31:24.880
 together

00:31:24.880 --> 00:31:25.440
 what it means

00:31:25.440 --> 00:31:26.039
 to be truly

00:31:26.039 --> 00:31:26.620
 human,

00:31:26.940 --> 00:31:28.860
 to be a sign

00:31:28.860 --> 00:31:30.160
 of what's in store

00:31:30.160 --> 00:31:32.900
 and then

00:31:32.900 --> 00:31:33.420
 to invite

00:31:33.420 --> 00:31:34.140
 everyone

00:31:34.140 --> 00:31:35.600
 to join in

00:31:35.600 --> 00:31:37.440
 because it's

00:31:37.440 --> 00:31:38.019
 on the basis

00:31:38.019 --> 00:31:39.100
 not of

00:31:39.100 --> 00:31:39.900
 what we do

00:31:39.900 --> 00:31:41.700
 but on what

00:31:41.700 --> 00:31:42.019
 Jesus

00:31:42.019 --> 00:31:43.500
 has done.

00:31:44.840 --> 00:31:45.620
 The image

00:31:45.620 --> 00:31:46.039
 of God.

00:31:46.640 --> 00:31:47.160
 Let's pray.

00:31:48.920 --> 00:32:01.220
 Father,

00:32:01.300 --> 00:32:01.880
 we pray

00:32:01.880 --> 00:32:02.720
 this morning

00:32:02.720 --> 00:32:07.140
 that you

00:32:07.140 --> 00:32:07.680
 would help

00:32:07.680 --> 00:32:08.440
 the things

00:32:08.440 --> 00:32:08.820
 that you

00:32:08.820 --> 00:32:09.160
 have been

00:32:09.160 --> 00:32:09.680
 teaching us

00:32:09.680 --> 00:32:10.160
 in your word

00:32:10.160 --> 00:32:11.259
 here in Genesis 1

00:32:11.259 --> 00:32:13.840
 to sink down.

00:32:13.839 --> 00:32:17.399
 Lord,

00:32:17.459 --> 00:32:17.839
 many of us

00:32:17.839 --> 00:32:18.199
 here this

00:32:18.199 --> 00:32:18.539
 morning

00:32:18.539 --> 00:32:19.599
 do not

00:32:19.599 --> 00:32:20.419
 feel dignified.

00:32:20.559 --> 00:32:20.759
 God,

00:32:20.799 --> 00:32:21.339
 if we're honest,

00:32:21.419 --> 00:32:22.319
 we feel ashamed

00:32:22.319 --> 00:32:23.319
 and embarrassed.

00:32:28.220 --> 00:32:29.039
 Help to fix

00:32:29.039 --> 00:32:29.379
 our eyes

00:32:29.379 --> 00:32:29.899
 on Jesus

00:32:29.899 --> 00:32:32.839
 who for us

00:32:32.839 --> 00:32:33.379
 and for our

00:32:33.379 --> 00:32:33.879
 salvation

00:32:33.879 --> 00:32:34.539
 out of love

00:32:34.539 --> 00:32:35.359
 came and bore

00:32:35.359 --> 00:32:36.019
 all the shame

00:32:36.019 --> 00:32:36.419
 for us

00:32:36.419 --> 00:32:36.819
 so that we

00:32:36.819 --> 00:32:37.299
 might be

00:32:37.299 --> 00:32:37.659
 renewed.

00:32:37.660 --> 00:32:42.100
 Father,

00:32:42.180 --> 00:32:42.600
 many of us

00:32:42.600 --> 00:32:43.019
 are feeling

00:32:43.019 --> 00:32:43.519
 powerless

00:32:43.519 --> 00:32:44.340
 and stuck,

00:32:45.700 --> 00:32:47.960
 feeling like

00:32:47.960 --> 00:32:48.560
 our day-to-day

00:32:48.560 --> 00:32:49.279
 is just a dead

00:32:49.279 --> 00:32:49.660
 end.

00:32:51.820 --> 00:32:52.460
 But Lord

00:32:52.460 --> 00:32:52.720
 Jesus,

00:32:52.840 --> 00:32:53.779
 if you reign

00:32:53.779 --> 00:32:55.560
 on your throne

00:32:55.560 --> 00:32:56.420
 as you do

00:32:56.420 --> 00:32:57.060
 and if we

00:32:57.060 --> 00:32:57.980
 are your people,

00:32:58.120 --> 00:32:58.640
 your body

00:32:58.640 --> 00:32:59.240
 on earth,

00:32:59.580 --> 00:33:00.880
 then surely

00:33:00.880 --> 00:33:01.540
 none of our

00:33:01.540 --> 00:33:02.460
 labor is in vain.

00:33:02.460 --> 00:33:06.960
 God,

00:33:07.019 --> 00:33:07.279
 I pray

00:33:07.279 --> 00:33:07.539
 that you

00:33:07.539 --> 00:33:07.980
 would help

00:33:07.980 --> 00:33:08.660
 us as a

00:33:08.660 --> 00:33:09.240
 church

00:33:09.240 --> 00:33:09.620
 and as

00:33:09.620 --> 00:33:09.980
 Christians

00:33:09.980 --> 00:33:10.440
 to catch

00:33:10.440 --> 00:33:10.960
 a fresh

00:33:10.960 --> 00:33:11.539
 vision

00:33:11.539 --> 00:33:11.980
 for how

00:33:11.980 --> 00:33:12.160
 you're

00:33:12.160 --> 00:33:12.519
 using

00:33:12.519 --> 00:33:12.799
 our

00:33:12.799 --> 00:33:13.299
 lives,

00:33:13.740 --> 00:33:14.880
 even in

00:33:14.880 --> 00:33:15.420
 the mundane,

00:33:16.680 --> 00:33:17.240
 to make

00:33:17.240 --> 00:33:17.640
 much of

00:33:17.640 --> 00:33:17.900
 you.

00:33:22.740 --> 00:33:23.299
 And Father,

00:33:23.380 --> 00:33:23.559
 I know

00:33:23.559 --> 00:33:23.819
 there are

00:33:23.819 --> 00:33:24.180
 some here

00:33:24.180 --> 00:33:24.680
 this morning

00:33:24.680 --> 00:33:25.019
 who,

00:33:26.340 --> 00:33:26.880
 Lord,

00:33:26.940 --> 00:33:27.279
 aren't quite

00:33:27.279 --> 00:33:27.640
 sure what

00:33:27.640 --> 00:33:27.920
 to make

00:33:27.920 --> 00:33:28.200
 of all

00:33:28.200 --> 00:33:28.519
 this.

00:33:31.180 --> 00:33:31.539
 God,

00:33:31.600 --> 00:33:31.880
 I pray

00:33:31.880 --> 00:33:32.140
 that you

00:33:32.140 --> 00:33:32.420
 would give

00:33:32.420 --> 00:33:32.759
 them the

00:33:32.759 --> 00:33:33.280
 courage

00:33:33.280 --> 00:33:36.820
 to ask

00:33:36.820 --> 00:33:38.300
 for clarity,

00:33:39.660 --> 00:33:40.520
 to ask

00:33:40.520 --> 00:33:40.880
 for the

00:33:40.880 --> 00:33:41.540
 opening of

00:33:41.540 --> 00:33:42.120
 their hearts,

00:33:43.700 --> 00:33:44.340
 that God,

00:33:44.420 --> 00:33:44.800
 if you are

00:33:44.800 --> 00:33:45.160
 real,

00:33:45.580 --> 00:33:46.000
 and if it

00:33:46.000 --> 00:33:46.440
 is true,

00:33:46.520 --> 00:33:46.800
 you've made

00:33:46.800 --> 00:33:47.160
 us in your

00:33:47.160 --> 00:33:47.460
 image,

00:33:47.500 --> 00:33:47.800
 and if it

00:33:47.800 --> 00:33:48.100
 is true

00:33:48.100 --> 00:33:48.480
 that Jesus

00:33:48.480 --> 00:33:49.000
 has come

00:33:49.000 --> 00:33:49.500
 to heal

00:33:49.500 --> 00:33:50.080
 that image

00:33:50.080 --> 00:33:51.220
 and to

00:33:51.220 --> 00:33:51.600
 make us

00:33:51.600 --> 00:33:51.940
 new,

00:33:52.440 --> 00:33:52.680
 Lord,

00:33:52.740 --> 00:33:53.080
 I pray

00:33:53.080 --> 00:33:53.380
 that they

00:33:53.380 --> 00:33:53.560
 would have

00:33:53.560 --> 00:33:54.100
 the courage

00:33:54.100 --> 00:33:54.700
 to ask

00:33:54.700 --> 00:33:55.080
 you to

00:33:55.080 --> 00:33:55.620
 reveal that

00:33:55.620 --> 00:33:56.080
 to them.

00:33:57.300 --> 00:33:57.620
 And then

00:33:57.620 --> 00:33:57.960
 I pray

00:33:57.960 --> 00:33:58.220
 that you

00:33:58.220 --> 00:33:58.540
 would give

00:33:58.540 --> 00:33:58.860
 them the

00:33:58.860 --> 00:33:59.220
 courage

00:33:59.220 --> 00:33:59.540
 and the

00:33:59.540 --> 00:33:59.920
 desire

00:33:59.920 --> 00:34:00.520
 to step

00:34:00.520 --> 00:34:01.180
 into it

00:34:01.180 --> 00:34:02.220
 by your

00:34:02.220 --> 00:34:02.660
 spirit.

00:34:05.480 --> 00:34:05.880
 Lord,

00:34:05.960 --> 00:34:06.259
 we ask

00:34:06.259 --> 00:34:06.600
 all this

00:34:06.600 --> 00:34:06.799
 in the

00:34:06.799 --> 00:34:07.080
 name of

00:34:07.080 --> 00:34:07.480
 Christ.

00:34:07.860 --> 00:34:08.079
 Amen.

00:34:11.700 --> 00:34:12.099
 Well,

00:34:12.159 --> 00:34:12.599
 the song

00:34:12.599 --> 00:34:12.800
 that we're

00:34:12.800 --> 00:34:12.980
 going to

00:34:12.980 --> 00:34:13.599
 close with

00:34:13.599 --> 00:34:14.240
 this morning

00:34:14.240 --> 00:34:14.820
 is Jesus

00:34:14.820 --> 00:34:15.220
 Shall

00:34:15.220 --> 00:34:15.599
 Reign.

00:34:15.860 --> 00:34:16.460
 This is a

00:34:16.460 --> 00:34:17.000
 song about

00:34:17.000 --> 00:34:17.579
 Christ being

00:34:17.579 --> 00:34:17.960
 the true

00:34:17.960 --> 00:34:18.960
 king and

00:34:18.960 --> 00:34:19.360
 how his

00:34:19.360 --> 00:34:19.820
 kingdom will

00:34:19.820 --> 00:34:20.440
 spread throughout

00:34:20.440 --> 00:34:20.900
 the whole

00:34:20.900 --> 00:34:21.380
 world and

00:34:21.380 --> 00:34:22.079
 how we,

00:34:22.519 --> 00:34:23.000
 his followers,

00:34:23.119 --> 00:34:23.860
 get to be a

00:34:23.860 --> 00:34:24.320
 part of that

00:34:24.320 --> 00:34:25.019
 work and

00:34:25.019 --> 00:34:25.599
 get to share

00:34:25.599 --> 00:34:26.200
 in that joy.

00:34:26.519 --> 00:34:26.840
 So let's

00:34:26.840 --> 00:34:27.400
 stand and let's

00:34:27.400 --> 00:34:27.700
 sing this

00:34:27.700 --> 00:34:28.059
 together in

00:34:28.059 --> 00:34:28.480
 response.

00:34:28.480 --> 00:34:28.500
 so let's