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“The image of GOD”
“In the image of God we find our redemption.”
Colossians 1:15-20
Sunday Morning Sermon
December 2, 2007
Intro:
Start with Youtube.com video “God of wonders by third day” video. 5:08
Discussion: (Display title and text)
After hearing that song, and watching that video it’s hard to use words like “meaningless, disconnected, unworthy, or selfish” – That’s a video reminder of what God is – he is lord of heaven and earth, he is holy, lord of all creation. That song echoes the words of David: (Advance)
Psalm 8:1 – O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens.
There is a temptation to make God the God of the universe and in control of all the eco systems, and all the big things we don’t understand and can’t comprehend. Keep him disconnected and disengaged enough not to be approachable – maybe he can see your actions, see your attitudes, maybe he does know your thoughts – but keep him so big he can’t or doesn’t care.
In a few short weeks – we’ll be reminded once again of a baby who came, given to a virgin named Mary and a man named Joseph. There’s another temptation to keep the savior in the crib, unable to interact, unable to relate to creation.
This morning what I would like to do is to remind you that we find our redemption, our salvation, the perfect sacrifice for our sins, our amazing grace – in the image of God – Jesus Christ.
We are going to follow the instructions that Elihu the Buzite gave to Job – “stop and consider God’s wonders”
While God is the God over the entire universe, he is the God of the heavens and the earth, the bible says that he spoke creation into existence; he is the same God who cares about you. He is the same God who is passionate about your life, who wants you to succeed, who wants to display his power in your life, he is approachable as “abba” father.
If you have your Bibles with you this morning turn with me to (Advance)
Colossians 1:15-20 (read)
I see three things this morning – all describing our Lord
(Advance)
I. Lord of Creation (15-17)
Paul describes him: He is the image of the invisible God –
(Advance) Hebrews 1:3 (NIV ) The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.
Jesus is the one who possessed God’s authority among men. Biblically speaking where you have the son, you also have the father.
Ezekiel, received his vision of God (Advance)
Ezekiel 1:26 (New Century Version) Now above the dome there was something that looked like a throne. It looked like a sapphire gem. And on the throne was a shape like a human.
a. He is the beginning of all things
i. By him all things were created
1. Things in heaven – and on earth
a. Visible and invisible
b. Thrones or powers or rulers or authorities
Vs. 16c “All things were created by him and for him.”
This includes you, church -- You were created by God for a purpose – to honor him with your life, and the gifts you have. You are not an animal, the result of some explosion. You are not the result of chance or circumstance – you are the result of a loving God. To widen the scope a little – Everything we have around us – all of creation is the result of a loving God. The Grand Canyon gives testimony to his greatness – the mountains and the depths speak volumes about his power and how awesome he is. The fact that the earth was created in a way to allow for life – speaks of his desire for us to have life, and live that life freely in him.
b. Creation points clearly to his nature (Advance)
Romans 1:20 (NIV) 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 men are without excuse.
i. We can look at creation
1. And embrace the creator
He is lord of creation because he is the glue of all things that exist. Vs. 17 says that in him all things hold together – the Greek means to continue or endure. Without him there would be chaos & dissolution. Maybe instead of looking at rocks and bones to understand creation – we should look at Jesus the one that creation came through.
c. Lord over creation means
i. We have nothing to worry about!
We used to sing a song when I was a kid – He’s got the whole world in his hands. It is so TRUE! We should take care of the world we live in – that’s a Biblical principle. But please don’t take the Lord of creation out of your understanding of anything global. God is very much in control – and that truth is more than just inconvenient. Listen, if we have a Father, God, creator who has set everything into motion, including our lives – who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing – including knowledge of his son Jesus Christ – then we also have a responsibility to honor him and please him, and worship him. We have a way to honor him and glorify him and that’s to acknowledge that he is: (Advance)
II. Lord of the church (18) Let me read vs. 18
(Advance)
Colossians 1:18 (NIV) And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.
a. The single purpose of the church
i. Jesus – can you say his name with me – JESUS!
There is unity in the person and purpose of Jesus. It’s not about false religion – I hope you did not come to church this morning because of religion. I hope you came this morning because of your desire to know Christ and have a relationship with him. The world runs away from religion – but they can embrace relationship.
b. The church should be unified
i. It requires effort (Advance)
Ephesians 4:3-4 (New Century Version) You are joined together with peace through the Spirit, so make every effort to continue together in this way.4 There is one body and one Spirit, and God called you to have one hope.
Can I say something – we (Christians in general) have done a horrible job of keeping a bond of unity in the church. We get divided over the silliest stuff. Last Wednesday night Jane told me that I would have to move my Wednesday Night class to another room, because the kids were going to use the sanctuary for practice for the kids program – my response – “FINE I WON’T TEACH!” She laughed and I did too. I’ve seen situations over and over – I’ve read about the troubles of churches and how they get divided – the only reason division happens is pride – which is a huge departure from the single purpose of the church.
c. The church at its best
i. Honors Jesus
ii. Knows who Jesus is makes him known
iii. Sees the world with potential for salvation
iv. Seeks those who do not have a relationship with Jesus
v. Diligently walks with and grows with those who come to a relationship with Christ.
Our church – this church does a great job with unity and team work with the leadership. I hope you are confident in the purpose and direction of the church, as we move to meeting people where they are and bringing them to a relationship.
d. Let us not lose focus
If Jesus is the Lord of the church – it moves our responsibility to keeping ourselves within the will of Jesus and within the church. Doing our part to help the church, this church move forward and be everything we can be, reaching everyone we can reach. Paul tells us:
i. Jesus is still the focus and the purpose of our church
We will only move forward through keeping Jesus as Lord and as head of the body – because he deserves to be there – apart from the church salvation becomes blurry. There shouldn’t be a departure between Jesus and the church. People in the GenX group (1964-1980) love Jesus, but do not love the church – if we act as we should and exalt Jesus to the highest level that we should it will bridge the gap between who Jesus is and the church that he loves.
e. We should make the church appealing
i. To those who have no history in the church
ii. To those who have good or even bad history
The point should never been to make church people, but people who follow Christ all the way. It is refreshing to see someone who lives out what they believe and what they claim on Sunday morning. The world sees it as refreshing too – they see it as real and something they can grab on to – we should make every effort to live what we believe if for no other reason – people are watching.
f. If we don’t live what we believe
Don’t follow what we claim to follow – refuse to study what we claim to be true – act as if we have not received salvation – we will be identified by those actions. People can get half-hearted belief by watching politics; they shouldn’t see it by watching those who claim to follow Jesus. Paul tells the church in Corinth-- (Advance)
1 Corinthians 1:30 (NIV) It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God--that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.
The person of Jesus becomes clear when we see Jesus as
(Advance)
III. Lord of Redemption (19-20)
(Advance)
Colossians 1:19-20 (NIV) For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
a. Jesus coming to the world
i. Solved the dysfunction between God and man.
ii. Provided for reconciliation and allowed for peace
Jesus is the fullness of God – Jesus is the redemption and salvation we need in our lives.
The sacrifices and burnt offerings offered in the Old Testament – David said that God was not pleased with them, he wanted something more. (Advance)
Psalm 51:16-17 (NIV) 16You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. 17The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
For us to see a God who can restore what has been broken – we have to come face to face with our brokenness
Remember the nursery rhyme – Humpty Dumpty – What happened to Mr. Dumpty? He had a great fall – he was broken – All the kings’ horses and all the kings’ men couldn’t put Humpty together again. What if Humpty didn’t know he was broken? What if he didn’t know he needed help? Everyone around him could see that he was broken – and needed help – but the story doesn’t say he could see it.
b. We have to see our own emptiness
i. our own lostness
ii. our own need for salvation/redemption
David wasn’t sitting around his castle somewhere – thinking about the sacrifices and what God really desired. This Psalm was written in the deep darkness – after David’s sin with Bathsheba – he was broken, and lost and hurt – he was face to face with his sin, and with his GOD. Sometimes that’s what it takes. If you are there (if you are in that place) this morning there is the same hope for you that David had. He looked at God and saw the Lord of redemption – and his only response was a desire to be redeemed.
c. He offered to God
i. A broken spirit – teachable and humble
ii. A contrite heart – repentant and remorseful
Here’s what happens when you offer God the same – He redeems you. He fixes the brokenness in your life – he replaces the sorrow in your life with Joy and hope. He forgives the sin that you’ve committed through the blood of his son Jesus, which brings peace – and he washes you whiter than snow.
Do you need redemption? Church – all of us need redemption, all of us need salvation, all of us were at one time separated from the grace and love offered in Jesus Christ.
d. This is not something you can do on your own
i. You can buy your way to heaven
ii. You can’t work your way to heaven
iii. You can’t negotiate way to heaven
iv. You can’t be good enough on your own to get to heaven
It is in the image of God that we find our redemption.
Conclusion:
This morning – the Lord of Creation, the Lord of the Church and the Lord of our Redemption are all the same person – Jesus Christ. If we understand his mercy we have no other good option but to praise and honor him with our lives, what Paul calls a “living sacrifice”. One of the ways you can to that is to acknowledge that he is the Lord of redemption in your life, and allow that to affect your life is to ask yourself, and be honest – am I living up to the image of GOD?
Let’s pray.
