1. [Ray Vander Laan tells the following story – Soldier asked the lost rabbi: Who are you and what are you doing here? He offered the soldier twice his pay if he would stand by his door and ask that question each morning.
a. Names are important to many in the world – Benoni/Benjamin
b. We have identity and try to live up to it
2. One answer to the soldier’s question is you were created in the image of God – Genesis 1.26-17
a. “Image” = representation; display
b. God’s intention – Man would display God in the world by his presence; image
[You were made by God for God
c. Problem of sin – image is marred/distorted [Blurry picture of Jerusalem
3. When Jesus came into the world we have a clearer picture of God – Colossians 1.13-20
I. To Know Jesus is to Know God
[The More we study the Gospels, we not only learn about Jesus, we more clearly see and understand God
A. Image of God – Putting God on Display
1. Idols – images which represent the character of the Gods depicted
[Caesar (A man who became a god) – Matthew 22.15-22
• Wreath = Deity (the undefeated god)
• Scepter in Left Hand = “all authority in heaven and on earth”
• Robe at Waist and draped over Arm =Jupiter made him Son of Jupiter
• Right Foot steps out = Only one to lead into future
• Left Foot up off of ground = rooted in the past of forefathers
[Ba’al – demanded sacrifice of children for crops, etc.
[Athena – Power (in armor) and rational human ability to reveal truth (situational ethics) often depicted with an owl
2. Compare with Jesus and His representation of God – John 14.7-9
7 If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” 8 Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” 9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?
• Instead of the man who became a god; He is the God who became Man
• Instead of demanding the sacrifice of sons – He sacrificed HIS Son
B. What Do We Learn about God from Jesus?
1. Creator and Sustainer – 1.16-17
• Physical Realm
• Spiritual Realm
• Even Rulers of the world – Jeremiah 27.5-7
5 “It is I who by my great power and my outstretched arm have made the earth, with the men and animals that are on the earth, and I give it to whomever it seems right to me. 6 Now I have given all these lands into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, my servant, and I have given him also the beasts of the field to serve him. 7 All the nations shall serve him and his son and his grandson, until the time of his own land comes. Then many nations and great kings shall make him their slave.
2. Savior – 1.19-20
3. So, look to Jesus if you want to know about God:
• Compassion and Love – Matthew 9.36 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
John 3.16
• Holy, Just, and Fair – 1 John 3.5 5 You know that he appeared in order to take away sins, and in him there is no sin.
• Forgiving – Luke 23.34 34 And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments.
[He Can’t Remember She was crazy. Everyone knew it because she had the habit of talking to herself in public and it was known that she believed she even talked to Jesus - and was spoken back to. A new preacher came to town and, hearing of the crazy woman, thought that he might be able to make her face reality.
One day, as he saw her walking down the street he spoke to her and eventually got around to asking, "I hear you talk to Jesus."
"Yes," she replied. "Jesus and I talk for just hours and hours."
"Would you do me a favor?" the minister began. "Could you ask Him something for me?"
"Why of course," the old woman responded.
"Would you ask Jesus what the last sin was that I confessed to Him?"
"Certainly," she replied.
The next day, the preacher saw the crazy woman just down the street and so he approached her asked, "Well, did you talk to Jesus last night?"
"Why, I surely did," she squealed.
"What did He say was the last sin was that I confessed to Him?" the preacher coyly asked.
"Why, He said He didn’t remember."
II. The Fallen Image of God Restored
[Do you have any idea who I am?
A heavily booked commercial flight out of Denver was canceled, and a single agent was re-booking a long line of inconvenienced travelers. Suddenly an angry passenger pushed his way to the front and slapped his ticket down on the counter. "I have to be on this flight and it has to be first class!" he insisted. "I’m sorry, sir," the agent replied. "I’ll be happy to help you, but I have to take care of these folks first." The passenger was unimpressed. "Do you have any idea who I am?" he demanded in a voice loud enough for the passengers behind him to hear. Without hesitating, the agent smiled and picked up her public-address microphone. "May I have your attention, please?" she broadcast throughout the terminal. "We have a passenger here at the gate who does not know who he is. If anyone can help him find his identity, please come to the gate." As the man retreated, the people in the terminal burst into applause. Christians, what is your identity in Christ? Who Are We?
A. We Become Like Who/What We Worship
THE GODS we worship write their names on our faces, be sure of that. And a man will worship something —have no doubt about that, either. He may think that his tribute is paid in secret in the dark recesses of his heart—but it will out. That which dominates will determine his life and character. Therefore, it behooves us to be careful what we worship, for what we are worshiping we are becoming. ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
Micah 6.6-8
6 “With what shall I come before the LORD,
and bow myself before God on high?
Shall I come before him with burnt offerings,
with calves a year old?
7 Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams,
with ten thousands of rivers of oil?
Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression,
the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?”
8 He has told you, O man, what is good;
and what does the LORD require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,
and to walk humbly with your God?
Ephesians 5.1-2 1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
B. The Restored Image – Colossians 1.21-23
1. Sin marred our image of God
2. Jesus restored it – Galatians 3.26-27
3. Now we are the representation of God to the world
• Is God’s will my will?
• Do I show the compassion; love; holiness; justice; fairness; forgiveness; grace and mercy as Jesus?
• Colossians 3.5-14
1. Can I tell you some good news? God doesn’t give up on us!
2. [Blind Horses
Two Horses ~ Author Unknown
Just up the road from my home is a field, with two horses in it. From a distance, each looks like every other horse. But if you stop your car, or are walking by, you will notice something quite amazing. Looking into the eyes of one horse will disclose that he is blind.
His owner has chosen not to have him put down, but has made a good home for him. This alone is amazing.
If nearby and listening, you will hear the sound of a bell. Looking around for the source of the sound, you will see that it comes from the smaller horse in the field. Attached to her halter is a small bell. It lets her blind friend know where she is, so he can follow her. As you stand and watch these two friends, you’ll see how she is always checking on him, and that he will listen for her bell and then slowly walk to where she is, trusting that she will not lead him astray. When she returns to the shelter of the barn each evening, she stops occasionally and looks back, making sure her friend isn’t too far behind to hear the bell.
Like the owner of these two horses, God does not throw us away just because we are not perfect or because we have problems or challenges. He watches over us and even brings others into our lives to help us when we are in need. Sometimes we are the blind horse being guided by the little ringing bell of those who God places in our lives. Other times we are the guide horse, helping others see. Good friends are like this. You don’t always see them, but you know they are always there. Please listen for my bell and I’ll listen for yours. Be kinder than necessary. Everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle. Live simply, love generously, and care deeply. For we walk by faith, not by sight. We carry the bell for someone.
Have you ever wondered what God has saved us from, beside the chaos of our lives without Him? Or what He really wants from us? Or what He rescued us for?
3. Here is yet another quality to imitate.
