SERIES: Welcome to the Planet #2
TEXT: Genesis 1:26-27, 2:7
TITLE: Creatively Wired
Read: Genesis 1:26 & 27
Genesis 2:7
Imagine the excitement…the anticipation Creation Day #6…God has formed the very first man…but he’s laying lifeless.
The outer shell formed – the body made…but there is:
Eyes without sight
Ears without hearing
Lungs without air
Heart without a beat
God’s creation jewel…the exclamation point of His work. Formed…but not yet the first gasp of breath. Imagine.
I wonder if the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit gathered around the body and ask, “Are we sure? Are we ready for this?”
I know the wonder…the miracle moment of the birth of a newborn…I’ve been there…watched…but this…the first debut of humankind.
Maybe they said, “Ready or not”…we don’t know…but the King of Creation… Almighty God…the All powerful Master of the universe… “Breathed into the man – the breath of life”…and human kind became a “living being.”
Not simply “spoke” into existence like the rest of creation…but fashioned by God’s very hands.
Not simply “physical”…but spiritual in the very image and likeness of God Himself.
I don’t know what that all means…I know it’s beautiful…wonderful…humankind – creatively wired.
Humankind created with the abilities to think, reason, feel. Fashioned with a forever spirit. Empowered to rule and reign.
Humankind…from the beginning…was wired to reflect, resemble, and to represent God on earth.
But why? Why did God create man differently than the rest of creation? Why this one – in His image?
Let’s take a stab at it…here’s 6 reasons.
We’re going quick…
1. God created humankind in His image and likeness so He had a way to fill the earth with His own likeness.
2. So He could reveal His heart and nature to humankind.
3. So He could one day father a biological Son.
4. So he could have a vessel that would be tried and tested, purified and proven, and prepared to rule.
5. So He could one day bring forth the Church…the Body of Christ to be co-laborers, co-heirs. God’s representative of earth.
6. So He could enjoy fellowship.
That’s why God created man in His own image…in His own likeness.
POEM
You are who you are for a reason.
You’re part of an intricate plan.
You’re a precious and perfect unique design, Called God’s special woman or man.
You look like you look for a reason.
Our God made no mistake.
He knit you together within the womb,
You’re just what he wanted to make.
The parents you had were the ones He chose, And no matter how you may feel,
They were custom-designed with God’s plan in mind,
And they bear the Master’s seal.
No, that trauma you faced was not easy.
And God wept that it hurt you so;
but it was allowed to shape your heart
So that into his likeness you’d grow.
You are who you are for a reason,
You’ve been formed by the Master’s rod.
You are who you are, beloved,
Because there is an incredible God!!!
God created man in His image…in His likeness…
God created an eagle to fly.
God wired a snake to crawl…you can put a snake in a nest…paste feathers all over it…call it a bird…throw it from a tree…the thing won’t fly. It was not wired to fly.
Man was created in the image and likeness of God...intended to:
- Reflect His character.
- Resemble His likeness.
- Represent His interests.
But then man sinned. Sin has devastated from the beginning. The one thing that tarnishes God’s image within humankind.
But does sin change God’s purpose for man?
Did sin…does sin…make God give up His original purpose of creating vessels in His image to fill the earth with His likeness?
Some Bible heavyweights weigh in.
Job said, “God is mighty, and firm in His purpose.”
The writer of Psalm 33 wrote,
“But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.” - Psalm 33:11
Solomon proclaimed,
“It is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” - Proverbs 19:21
Jeremiah wrote,
“The Lord will carry out His purpose.” - Jeremiah 51:12
Paul wrote,
“For those God foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of His Son…”
- Romans 8:29
God pre-destined…He pre-determined… before He breathed the breath of life into the lifeless shell of humankind – that this creation…would bear – could bear His own image and likeness. And sin did not change His purpose one iota.
I like Romans 8:29 in The Message Bible,
“God knew what He was doing from the very beginning. He decided from the outset to shape the lives of those who love Him along the same lines as the life of His Son.”
God spoke through the prophet Isaiah and said,
“My purpose will stand, what I have said, I will bring about.”
- Isaiah 46:10 & 11
Whew…are you still with me? I feel we need a commercial break or something. This is good stuff.
- God created man in His image and likeness.
- Sin tarnished the image within.
- But God never changed or altered this original purpose.
- What He did…and nothing reveals His love more…He set into motion His plan to re-establish His likeness in humankind.
There was a blood sacrifice for Adam’s sin.
From Genesis 12 God called a family…a race…and commissioned them to live out His purpose.
He called the judges into service…He commissioned the prophets to tell of the possibilities.
And then in the fullness of time…God sent His Son Jesus.
It’s been a few years now…but when I bought my N.T. Message Bible I paid $22.95.
Romans 7 & 8 alone makes that a bargain. Romans 7 & 8 describe Paul’s struggle with sin…and tells of God’s purpose.
Here’s Paul’s dilemma,
- “Sin was calling most of the shots.”
- “Sin simply did what sin is so famous for doing.”
- “I needed something more. I’ve tried everything and nothing helps.”
- “With the arrival of Jesus, that fateful dilemma is resolved. A new power is in operation. The Spirit of life…those who trust God’s action in them find that God’s Spirit is in them – living and breathing God.”
God has never altered His purpose… we’ve been created in His image…in His likeness…and He continues to invite us into that experience. It just takes our permission and cooperation.
The Spirit will lead…we just need to follow.
God is always willing to do His part…as long as we give our permission and do ours.
Maybe you want to join me to learn more...I’m in Ephesians 4:22 (p. 1158)
The Apostle Paul is writing about our part in this transformation process.
READ Ephesians 4:22-24
“You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”
Paul gives us 3 personal responsibilities to become like Jesus:
1. First, we must lose the old ways of acting.
Verse 22… “With regard to your former way of life – put off your old self.”
Sin tarnishes God’s image and likeness within.
It’s our responsibility…sin is a choice…if we want to enjoy God’s intended purpose, His best…we must lose the old ways of acting.
2. Second, we must change the way we think.
Verse 23 “…made new in the attitude of our minds.”
Paul wrote in Romans 12,
“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of the world, but be transformed (how?) by the renewing of your mind.”
It’s our responsibility…we are stewards of our minds. This isn’t something God does to us or for us…our attitudes…our thinking…God needs our determined cooperation. We’re responsible.
3. Three, we must put on the character of Christ.
Verse 24, “put on the new self (because we’ve been) created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”
It’s not something God does “to us”… He empowers us to choose.
* God created man in His image.
* Sin tarnished that image within.
* But God never altered His original purpose for man.
* He put into motion His wonderful plan…Jesus modeled it…the Holy Spirit makes it possible…with our cooperation.
Imagine God’s excitement for this moment.
Sunday, September 11, 2005
It’s creation day all over again.
And He waits…like He did on the 6th day of creation. He waits ready to “breath into us the breath of life” so we might live the way God intended. Creatively wired…to be like Christ.
- To reflect His character.
- To resemble His likeness.
- To represent His interests.
“O to be like Thee...O to be like Thee
Blessed Redeemer…Pure as Thou are (art) Come in thy sweetness, come in Thy fullness. Stamp Thine own image…deep on my heart.
Worship Team Hymn #490
Verse 5 – Chorus twice
