It Was Very Good God Created Man in His Image

Introduction The creation of man is particularly relevant to us. What sets us apart from all the other creatures that God made? For what purpose did God create us? May God help us to understand how special it is that he created us in his own image.

I. God Created Man in His Image (1:26,27) Verse 1: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” Verse 21: “So God created the great creatures of the sea and every living and moving thing with which the water teems.” Verse 27: “So God created men in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.”

I. God Created Man in His Image (1:26,27) “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness…. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him.” (26,27) “You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. You made him ruler over the works of your hands; you put everything under his feet.”(Psalm 8:5,6)

Man Was Created in God’s Image God is spirit. God is holy. God is love.

Man Was Created in God’s Image We have an innate longing to know and worship our Creator God. St. Augustine said, “Every person has an empty room in his or her heart, a vacuum, until he or she comes to know Jesus Christ, God in the flesh.” “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God” (Ps 42:1-2a).

As the Deer As the deer panteth for the water So my soul longeth after Thee You alone are my heart's desire And I long to worship Thee (Chorus) You alone are my strength, my shield To You alone may my spirit yield

To Be Created in God’s Image We can listen to his voice. We can pray to God. We can have eternal life. This is the life that really satisfies us. We can experience this eternal life through Jesus. “Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” (John 17:3)

Man Was Created in God’s Image Although man was made in the image of God, this image has been greatly marred by sin. However, the glory of the gospel is seen at precisely this point, for when God saves a person he saves a whole person. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (2Co 5:17)

Man’s Position Because man was created in God’s image (1:26-27), man is in a position just under God. There is a clear creation order: God the Creator first, Man the steward next, and all other creations last. Only when man maintains this creation order, he can be truly happy.

II. God Blessed Man with Mission (1:28,29) Verse 28: “God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it.” In this fallen world, our mission is to bring men to acknowledge God’s sovereign rule through proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is to make disciples of all nations. God created man for mission.

Without Mission, Man lives only for himself like a selfish father tiger

II. God Blessed Man with Mission (1:28,29) God blessed man and commissioned him to be the steward of God’s creation. God’s mission has created great characters in history. Moses, David, Paul Mission is a blessing not a burden. Mission makes people great. The more we fulfill our mission, the greater our lives become.

Soaring Eagle: Two Wings God’s Image and God’s Mission

II. God Blessed Man with Mission (1:28,29) When man works hard to fulfill his mission instead of working for himself, God provides for his physical needs. Even in a fallen world, Jesus provides what we need to eat and drink and wear. Jesus said in Matthew 6:33, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

III. “It Was Very Good” (31) Each person is a wonderful masterpiece of God’s glory. We must not compare ourselves with others or be anxious about their opinions. We need to realize that each person is a special revelation of God’s glory. After creating each of us in his own image, he said to each of us, “You are very good. I am very delighted with you. You’re the best object of my glory.”

IV. God Blessed Man with Sabbath (2:1-3) God gave man the greatest privilege of having fellowship with him. We should take rest from the work of this world and receive strength and love from God. When we listen to God’s word, praise his name, and worship him, he gives us rest and fills us with his love and love.

Conclusion God created man in his own image and appointed man to be the steward of the whole world. God blessed man with mission to be fruitful and increase in number. We can find a true meaning and purpose in life when we accept this mission and maintain the creation order. May God help each of us to grow in his image, fulfill our mission and live for his glory.

Prayer Topics and Announcements May we keep a clear creation order and accept his word, “It was very good!” May God help each of us to grow in his image, fulfill our mission and live for his glory. 12 new disciples and double our ministry by this year. Daniel study, Sept. 26th, Dr. Mark Yang. Leadership Development Workshop, “You will Shepherd My People” based on 2 Sam 5:2. October 27-30, Camp Wonderland, WI.

Benediction The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.