Faithfulness In A Parallel World Part 1 Made In His Image.

Last week we journeyed together in part one of our Faithfulness in a parallel word series – The subject was Faithful in our giving.

This morning we will explore Made in God’s Image, faithful to his plan.

No other institution in the 20th century has under gone greater attack than the two I will mention here.

#1 The Family and #2 The church - The battle subtle at first, has become full blown in our present day.

And there is a very specific reason for that.

Let me refresh your memory on the meaning of a parallel World.

Rev. 4:11 tells us - You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for you have created all things, and for your pleasure they are and were created.

The Alternate to that is found in Romans 1

18 The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, 19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.

21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles.

We know Gods Will – We see it in the Lords Prayer

• Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

• But one look around us tells us there are 2 systems, 2 worlds in play.

IT ALL BEGAN IN THE GARDEN IN GEN 1

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.

28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.

In vs. 26 we see the plural used – Let US make man in OUR image, after OUR likeness.

That is the complex picture of the Father / Son / And Holy Spirit - 3 personality traits but 1 God.

God the Father - Many of us who are dads can relate. He is the ultimate authority in creation.

Jesus the son who came in a bodily form that we might visibly see the character or characteristics of God

The Holy Spirit came if you will as our comforter and guide, who reveals to us the heart and mind of God, speaking to our Soul.

Likewise we are made 3 part Body / Soul / Spirit That is what is meant by being made in the words “ our image and likeness.” We are one person but possess all 3 distinct characteristics.

Just as I am a Husband, a Father, and a pastor. But I am one man. ICE/STEAM/WATER - EGG

• When we understand that we then understand why our faithfulness to His design is absolutely essential. We are called to the Godly side of this parallel world.

Vs. 27 re-enforces that there is only one God - 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him;

• But that’s not all vs. 27 tells us – It further reveals the complexity of God’s design.

male and female created he them.

He uses the singular Him in that vs. and then turns around and uses the word THEM.

So let’s understand that.

Let’s begin with what He named the man. - Adam / GENDER: Masculine

Likewise the general character or nature of God is masculine – Hence why we call him our heavenly Father. Not God Father/Mother as one attack in our day has been.

I truly believe the breakdown in the home, the fatherless homes is a symptom of a break in that plan of God.

A symptom is a departure from normal function. When we look at so many families that are fatherless we see a totally different picture than God gave us. A parallel picture, and opposite.