How and Why Did God Create Us?
Notes
Transcript
Series: Christian Principles
Series: Christian Principles
Title: How and Why Did God Create Us?
Title: How and Why Did God Create Us?
Text: Genesis 1:26-27
Text: Genesis 1:26-27
26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
Introduction:
It will be the purpose of this short lesson to answer more fully what it means that God created us male and female in his own image and for his glory.
God is the Creator.
God is the Creator.
God’s role as Creator carries with it the assumption of authority. God determines the purpose for his creation. Romans 1:18-21 connects God’s creational intention with mankind. Man is to glorify and thank God for Who He is.
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.
20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
Colossians 1:16 asserts the truth that mankind is created by God and for God.
16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
Mankind is made in the image of God.
Mankind is made in the image of God.
Firstly, this does not mean that mankind is a little god, but that mankind is unique to all other creation. Secondly, mankind is made with communicable attributes of God -- love, reason...etc. Thirdly, mankind is an image-bearer created to reflect his Creator.
Mankind is given responsibilities as an image-bearer of God.
Mankind is given responsibilities as an image-bearer of God.
These responsibilities are commensurate to the image that he bears. In other words, since mankind is created in the image of God, God decided to give mankind dominion.
Mankind is created in two distinct genders -- male and female.
Mankind is created in two distinct genders -- male and female.
The gender distinction is complimentary and it is still identified after the Fall into sin. In other words, the entrance of sin into the world did not diminish the importance of two exclusive genders. See Genesis 5:2 and Genesis 9:6.
2 Male and female created he them; and blessed them, and called their name Adam, in the day when they were created.
6 Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.
Mankind sinned and his image became corrupted.
Mankind sinned and his image became corrupted.
Mankind fell from his original state as an innocent image-bearer of God. Consequently, God made a promise that there would be a future image-bearer born through the seed of the woman who would rightly represent mankind. The scripture makes this connection by comparing Adam (the first image-bearer) with Jesus Christ. See I Corinthians 15:22, Romans 5:12, 19
22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
19 For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.
Mankind is perfectly represented in Jesus Christ.
Mankind is perfectly represented in Jesus Christ.
Jesus was not only the perfect image-bearer as representing mankind, but the scriptures make clear that Jesus is the express image of the invisible God. See Hebrews 1:3, Colossians 1:15
3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;
15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
Jesus affirmed the Creator.
Jesus affirmed the Creator.
Jesus recognized God’s creational intention and authority. In Matthew 19:4, Jesus references God’s creation of the male and female.
4 And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female,
In Matthew 19:5, though it was Moses speaking, Jesus points out that it was God, the One who made them, who spoke. The creational intention and authority for male and female is ascribed to God in the New Testament as well as the Old Testament.
5 And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?
Summary:
Jesus Christ is the Perfect representative -- of God and mankind who saves as fallen, corrupted image-bearers, makes us new creations, and slowly transforms us from the inside out. II Corinthians 3:18 - 5:17
Applications:
Purpose: We were created for God’s glory.
Purpose: We were created for God’s glory.
Worth: Male and female are valuable because they are image-bearers of God.
Worth: Male and female are valuable because they are image-bearers of God.
Practical: Two exclusive genders is God’s plan and this is good. [Marriage]
Practical: Two exclusive genders is God’s plan and this is good. [Marriage]
New Leaf: There is no new creation apart from salvation in Jesus Christ, in whom we are made new creatures.
New Leaf: There is no new creation apart from salvation in Jesus Christ, in whom we are made new creatures.
Fallen Condition: Our perceptions, emotions, bodies are all fallen. The Creator’s authority must either be believed as true or we may believe what our perceptions, emotions, and lusts tell us.
Fallen Condition: Our perceptions, emotions, bodies are all fallen. The Creator’s authority must either be believed as true or we may believe what our perceptions, emotions, and lusts tell us.