Imago Dei (Sanctity Of Life 2019)

A. Opening illustration: It would be good for us to reflect on our likeness to God more often. It will probably amaze us to realize that when the Creator of the universe wanted to create something “in his image,” something more like himself than all the rest of creation, he made us. This realization will give us a profound sense of dignity and significance as we reflect on the excellence of all the rest of God’s creation: the starry universe, the abundant earth, the world of plants and animals, and the angelic kingdoms are remarkable, even magnificent. But we are more like our Creator than any of these things. We are the culmination of God’s infinitely wise and skillful work of creation. -Wayne Grudem, video that Pam sent about fetal development

B. Background to passage: Six day of creation, the pinnacle is always saved for the end, even in modern writing, God created man and woman in his own image. Because God is sacred, human life above other life and creation is sacred. Abortion: 61M since Jan ‘73 (46 yrs), down to 2600/day, might be around 900K this year.

C. Main thought: the Christian worldview regarding life is framed in biblical doctrine

1) Doctrine of the Image of God (v. 26-27)

a. The scripture here says that we are made in God’s image. The fullness of this truth is way deeper than the wisest theologians and most learned scholars. The words mean to have a picture of, an exact representation of, a fashioned likeness of, a shadow, a model, or drawing. The idea is that when God wanted to make something in all of creation to be like him and represent him and carry out his work in the world, he made man. We are different from all other creation. We are superior. We are loved in a special way. These truths are directly related to the value and worth of human beings, which is completely related to the infinite value and worth of God.

b. Argumentation

c. Illustration: "I had witnessed what seemed to me a miracle. Out of the mud had come a beautiful new life. And the thought came to me, that if the Creator works such wonders with the lowliest of creatures, what may not be in store for the human spirit?" -Cecil B. DeMille after watching a dragonfly hatch. Why is the birth of a child so much more monumental to a parent, or anyone? The Great Apes Project in Spain, 2008,

d. Lots of aspects proposed about how we are like God and represent him to the earth, and how we are like him, as he is revealed in scripture, over and against other created entities

i. Moral knowledge and responsibility with a sense of right and wrong

ii. Spirit/soul, immaterial part of our composition

iii. Relational aspect to God, as he exhibited within the Trinity from ages past

iv. Immortality, we will live forever

v. Ability to think and reason

vi. Complex and abstract communication of thoughts and ideas

vii. Awareness of the distant future

viii. Creativity, from music and art to cooking and in conception/design of various inventions

ix. Emotions in their enormous range and complexity, seen in God all through scripture

x. Depth of interpersonal relationships in human families, churches, organizations, business

xi. The ability to become more like God throughout the course of our lives

2) Applications Toward Human Value

a. The great value in human life due to its special likeness to the Creator, compels us to think in certain ways about cultural issues related to human dignity. Incredible gravity must be felt and much caution exercised when dealing with the beginning, end, and the treatment of humanity in the world. It has ethical, legal, and moral facets that for Christians must be informed by scripture so that proper decisions, thoughts, and feelings are displayed and employed.

b. Contemporary issues that are shaped for believers by the reality that we have massive inherent value. We care for human beings, all of them, sinners and saints of every need, every race, every creed.

i. Abortion/Post-abortive Care – when is personhood

ii. Euthanasia – what is quality of life

iii. Adoption/Fostering – looking out for the least of these, widows and orphans

iv. Human trafficking/slavery – rescuing the used, oppressed, victimized

v. Elevation of the societally devalued—destitute, physically/mentally disabled, criminals

c. Illustration: “I always used to say, ‘Write to your legislator,’ but the most important thing you can do is talk to your hairdresser, talk to the guy on the local baseball field; that’s what’s going to change hearts and minds,” -Kathleen Gallagher, director of pro-life activities for the New York State Catholic Conference

d. So, what do we do? Let the Gospel drive us. We have been rescued because of the value that God places on us, so should we do unto others. He loves us and he loves them. We are precious in his sight and so are they. They need Jesus. Before all else, PRAY. Call out to God because he has redeemed us, and he hears us. Stand in the gap for the unborn, the elderly, the fatherless, the captives, the abused, and the socially degraded. God can change the minds of a culture or a woman with 3D/4D ultrasounds. God can save the traffickers with the gospel. God can lift up those that society has abandoned. Also, we support agencies and non-profits that are actively engaging in the trenches to rescue, restore, protect human dignity. We volunteer. We vote. We maintain our convictions when it comes to our homes. We take in the fallen. We strive to protect the cultural value of human life through various means, arts, media, games, politics, etc.