Sermon Tone Analysis

Title: Made in the Image of God

Introduction

Christian thinkers have tried to locate the image of God (imago Dei) in various dimensions of man’s being, including man’s spirit, soul, rationality, will, mind, personhood, immortality, and even his physical body.

But Scripture is not specific as to exactly what it is about man that constitutes the image of God.

The image of God cannot be reduced to one attribute or any combination of attributes of man.

The biblical portrait is more holistic.

The entire man, as a human being, images God.

Johnson Jerry A. (2003).

Image of God.

In C. Brand, C. Draper, A. England, S. Bond, E. R. Clendenen, & T. C. Butler (Eds.),

Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary (p.

806).

Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.

Context

Linking Sentence

Point 1: The Meaning of the ‘Imago Dei’

Taken together, “likeness” complements “image” to mean that man is more than a mere image; he is a likeness of God

man is more than a mere image; he is a likeness of God

Humans are made seperately to the animals.

He doesnt make the Animals and (vs 26) the humans in the same big go.

Refute: Man coming from Apes.

Use picture of Millions of apes, and millions of humans.

But where are the millions of the other ones.

On the surface, man’s earthly authority here sets him apart from the rest of creation.

Below the surface, this dominion imago Dei motif stands in contrast to ancient pagan religious belief that only ruling kings enjoyed royal standing before the gods and men, as evidenced by their dominion which they presumed to exercise on behalf of their deities.

In contrast the biblical picture of imago Dei means that all human beings, not just kings, possess special royal status as God’s appointed stewards over the earth.

By virtue of mankind’s ruling over the rest of God’s creatures and earth, every member of the human race somehow represents and reflects the sovereign Lord of creation.

Johnson Jerry A. (2003).

Image of God.

In C. Brand, C. Draper, A. England, S. Bond, E. R. Clendenen, & T. C. Butler (Eds.),

Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary (p.

807).

Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.

Point 2: That impacts everything.

Procreation

A friend of my asked the question “Do women exist just to make more men?”

No!

Both sexes reflect the image of God as “male and female” (1:27) and were commanded to “be fruitful and multiply” (1:28)

Incarnation

Redemption

Glorification

Point 3: Sin Marred the Image of God.

When Luke references Gen. 5:1–3, he calls Adam the “son of God” (Luke 3:38 HCSB).

These two passages together communicate a common idea: from God, Adam received the imago Dei; from Adam, Seth received the imago Dei.

Adam’s sin and its negative consequences for the entire human race without doubt marred the image of God, as no aspect of man’s being was unaffected by the fall.

Yet it is presumptive to assume that the image of God was completely lost through sin.

To the contrary, Seth and his progeny received and passed down the image.

Point 3: