Man, The Climax Of Creation

Islington Baptist Church January 21, 2001

Genesis 1:24-31

Scripture reading: Psalm 8, Isaiah 65:17-25

When we were together last, we examined Genesis 1 which lays out for us how we and this whole universe came to be. According to Genesis 1, it was in 6 literal days that God did the work of creation.

We also learned last week that we were and are the pinnacle, the climax of God’s creation work.

Hence, while other creation/origin accounts devalue the worth of man, the scriptures elevate man and invest him with great dignity, purpose and worth.

Today we are going to study Genesis 1:24-31, the six day of creation, which addresses our being the pinnacle of God’s creating work. (READ)

As noted, we are the pinnacle, the climax of God’s creation work.

a. One only need count the number of words dedicated to what happens on day 6 versus the rest of the days. Note how as you read the account of Genesis 1 that as each day passes the new day receives progressively more type and note this: Day 6 receives the most. The very literary structure of our text builds towards day 6—day 6 is the climax of the text.

b. That we are the pinnacle of God’s creation is seen in v.27 where the term “created” is used no less that 3 times. Such repetition is like a giant exclamation mark.

c. That we are the pinnacle, the climax of God’s creating is also determined by asking these questions: Why are the seas filled with fish. Why does the ground produce all the food it does? Why do animals roam the land and birds fill the sky? Why do the stars, moon, and sun shine down upon us? ANSWER: All for our benefit!

I. A KEY QUESTION FOR US TODAY IS THIS: WHAT IS IT THAT MAKES US SO SPECIAL?

The answer: WE HAVE BEEN CREATED IN THE IMAGE OF GOD v.26-27

Q WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE CREATED IN THE IMAGE/LIKENESS OF GOD? IN WHAT WAY ARE WE LIKE GOD?

Firstly note this: when we talk about being created in God’s image we are not talking about physically.

There are many ways in which we example our being in the image of God or in some way like Him

-when a person exercises patience that examples a trait that God has

-when a person is kind that examples……

-when a person makes/creates/invents something they are in a small way doing what God did on the large scale of making us and our universe.

-when we exercise “dominion” over some facet of this world we are in a small way doing what God does on a large scale- his exercising dominion over all things

-when a person goes to their job to work they are doing in a small way what God did on a large scale: the work of creation

-when a person observes the Sabbath, takes a day of rest, they follow in the pattern God set in resting from all the work of creating that He had done.

These are just some of the things that example what it means to be made in the image of God. Yet there is more…….

1. As image bearers we are to reflect God’s glory to others.

Problem: fallen, sinful man does not do a very good job at this.

In looking at each other we can and ought to be able see in each other what it means to be like God. Problem: sometimes we example what it means to be like the Devil and not like God.

When a person commits themselves to Jesus Christ an amazing thing happens. The Holy Spirit comes and takes up residence within you. One of the jobs of the Holy Spirit is to conform and transform us into being like Jesus (you see, in his coming Jesus perfectly exampled what it means to be in the image of God—for, Jesus is the exact representation and likeness of God—He is God. We are to be like him)

As we surrender to Christ’s lordship and the Spirit’s work we progressively became more and more “Christ like” and hence more and more we end up reflecting God’s glory to others and truly what it means to be made in the image of God.

II Corinthians 3:18 addresses just what I’ve been saying “And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with every increasing glory, which comes the Lord, who is the Spirit”

Q How are you doing at reflecting God’s character and person to those around you? Are you a dull unradiant image or is Christ shining thru?

Q Do non Christians around you do a better job at exampling what it means to be made in the image of God than you? This question addresses your maturity in the faith.