MAN - Created in God's Image
Colossians 2:6-7a | And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on Him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught…
As we continue to grow in faith as followers of Jesus, have you ever wondered, like David did in Psalm 8 — what is man that God is mindful of Him? Why does He care so much for them that He would give up a piece of Himself- His own Son- for the sake of man’s salvation? Maybe after reading about Heaven, God’s home, you wondered why in the world God needed this world anyway? Didn’t He have all He needed in eternity?
While we’ve learned so many essentials about the Bible, God, Heaven, Hell, and even our enemy, it’s time for us to understand our place in all of this. What is Essential about man?
This week we’ll explore why we were made, what makes us different than the rest of creation, and even our purpose while we’re here on Earth, awaiting our Heavenly home with the Lord.
Essential #1 - The Bible is Inspired (authored by God), Inerrant (free from errors), Infallible (will not fail/is trustworthy), and Authoritative (our ultimate guide).
Essential #2 - God is the perfect, loving Creator who is three-in-one: Father, Son, and Spirit. He is all powerful, all knowing, and all present.
Essential #3- Jesus is fully God and was fully man. Although tempted in every way, He chose not to sin and willingly laid down His own life to be the sacrifice for our sin. His example should be our benchmark for godly living.
Essential #4 - The Holy Spirit is God living in the follower of Christ. He helps the believer know and do right, convicts when we sin, and compels us to share the gospel with others. He comforts us, makes us more like Himself, and works through us when we use our Holy Spirit given gifts.
Essential #5 - Heaven and Hell are literal places where the spirit of man spends eternity (forever). Heaven is God’s perfect and unimaginably beautiful home, but man’s sin prevents his entry. Instead, sinful man earns eternity in Hell - a place filled with fire and torment where man is separated from God forever. God desires that everyone would join Him in Heaven one day, but the choice to join Him there is ultimately yours alone and determined by whether or not you put your faith in Jesus Christ.
Essential #6 - Satan was an angel in Heaven who rebelled against God as a result of his pride. Because of his sin, he was cast out of Heaven. He now roams the Earth, attacking unbelievers to keep them from God and attacking believers to keep them from growing in their faith or from sharing it with others. Even now, he must submit to God’s authority and in the end, God will crush Satan and throw him in Hell forever. Believers should stand strong in God’s power, resisting Satan’s attacks when he tempts them to sin.
Essential #7 - Mankind was created by God in His own image for His glory. Then man was entrusted as caretakers of God’s creation. Each person is loved unconditionally by God and has a unique purpose for which God has handcrafted them. Man should live each moment for the Lord, pointing others to Jesus.
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Genesis 1:26-27 | Then God said, “Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground.” So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.
Isaiah 43:7 | “Bring all who claim me as their God, for I have made them for my glory. It was I [God] who created them.”
As we continue to grow in faith as followers of Jesus, have you ever wondered, like David did in Psalm 8 — what is man that God is mindful of Him? Why does He care so much for them that He would give up a piece of Himself- His own Son- for the sake of man’s salvation? Maybe after reading about Heaven, God’s home, you wondered why in the world God needed this world anyway? Didn’t He have all He needed in eternity?
While we’ve learned so many essentials about the Bible, God, Heaven, Hell, and even our enemy, it’s time for us to understand our place in all of this. What is Essential about man?
This week we’ll explore why we were made, what makes us different than the rest of creation, and even our purpose while we’re here on Earth, awaiting our Heavenly home with the Lord.
Essential #1 - The Bible is Inspired (authored by God), Inerrant (free from errors), Infallible (will not fail/is trustworthy), and Authoritative (our ultimate guide).
Essential #2 - God is the perfect, loving Creator who is three-in-one: Father, Son, and Spirit. He is all powerful, all knowing, and all present.
Essential #3- Jesus is fully God and was fully man. Although tempted in every way, He chose not to sin and willingly laid down His own life to be the sacrifice for our sin. His example should be our benchmark for godly living.
Essential #4 - The Holy Spirit is God living in the follower of Christ. He helps the believer know and do right, convicts when we sin, and compels us to share the gospel with others. He comforts us, makes us more like Himself, and works through us when we use our Holy Spirit given gifts.
Essential #5 - Heaven and Hell are literal places where the spirit of man spends eternity (forever). Heaven is God’s perfect and unimaginably beautiful home, but man’s sin prevents his entry. Instead, sinful man earns eternity in Hell - a place filled with fire and torment where man is separated from God forever. God desires that everyone would join Him in Heaven one day, but the choice to join Him there is ultimately yours alone and determined by whether or not you put your faith in Jesus Christ.
Essential #6 - Satan was an angel in Heaven who rebelled against God as a result of his pride. Because of his sin, he was cast out of Heaven. He now roams the Earth, attacking unbelievers to keep them from God and attacking believers to keep them from growing in their faith or from sharing it with others. Even now, he must submit to God’s authority and in the end, God will crush Satan and throw him in Hell forever. Believers should stand strong in God’s power, resisting Satan’s attacks when he tempts them to sin.
Essential #7 - Mankind was created by God in His own image for His glory. Then man was entrusted as caretakers of God’s creation. Each person is loved unconditionally by God and has a unique purpose for which God has handcrafted them. Man should live each moment for the Lord, pointing others to Jesus.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
Genesis 1:26-27 | Then God said, “Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground.” So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.
- What do you think it means to be made in the image of God? (Think about how people are different than animals or anything else God made)
- Because people are made in God’s image, all people are important. Is there anyone in your life that you struggle to treat like they are important to God? If so, who? Why?
- Do you ever struggle to see yourself as important to God? To others? Why?
Isaiah 43:7 | “Bring all who claim me as their God, for I have made them for my glory. It was I [God] who created them.”
- According to this verse, why did God make people?
- How can people bring God glory?
- In what ways did you bring God glory today?
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2021
January
NAMES OF JESUS: Light of the worldNAMES OF JESUS: KingESSENTIALS: Salvation motivates growthESSENTIALS: Crave Spiritual Food Pt. 1ESSENTIALS: Crave Spiritual Food Pt. 2ESSENTIALS: To live GodlyESSENTIALS: One who loves wisdomESSENTIALS: Not worldly philosophiesESSENTIALS: So your ready to shareBIBLE: Inspired(Authored) by GodBIBLE: Is Inerrant (Free from Error)BIBLE: Is Infallible (will not fail)BIBLE: Helps me growBIBLE: Is Authoritative Pt 1BIBLE: Is Authoritative Pt. 2BIBLE: Obeyed through actionGOD: The trinity (3 in 1)GOD: Is perfectGOD: Is loveGOD: Is creatorGOD: Is all powerfulGOD: Is all knowingGOD: Always presentGOD: JESUS - is GodGOD: JESUS - Son of GodGOD: JESUS - Operates in unity with trinityGOD: JESUS - Is sinlessGOD: JESUS - Our advocateGOD: JESUS - SalvationGOD: JESUS - Our exampleGOD: HOLY SPIRIT - Operates in unity with trinity
February
GOD: HOLY SPIRIT - Given to Jesus followersGOD: HOLY SPIRIT - Our helperGOD: HOLY SPIRIT - ConvictsGOD: HOLY SPIRIT - Guides righteousnessGOD: HOLY SPIRIT - Helps us growGOD: HOLY SPIRIT - Works through usHEAVEN & HELL - What is heaven like?HEAVEN & HELL - Who goes to heaven?HEAVEN & HELL - What is hell like?HEAVEN & HELL - What is hell like?HEAVEN & HELL - God is the judgeHEAVEN & HELL - Your choice!HEAVEN & HELL - God wants all to be saved!SATAN - His origin - Pt. 1SATAN - His origin - Pt. 2SATAN - Is craftySATAN - How he works (unbelievers)SATAN - How he works (believers)SATAN - Resisting himSATAN - The end of his storyMAN - Created in God's ImageMAN - Entrusted with God's creationMAN - Handcrafted by GodMAN - Loved by GodMAN - Created with a purposeMAN - Created to live for GodMAN - God's MessangersSIN - What is sin?
2020
September
SERIES OVERVIEW- No ExcusesNO EXCUSES - True followers of Jesus are doers - NO EXCUSES - Doers love God -NO EXCUSES - Doers share the gospel & make disciplesNO EXCUSES - But First...IS NO EXCUSE!NO EXCUSES - Desiring the world...IS NO EXCUSE!NO EXCUSES - Being young...IS NO EXCUSE!NO EXCUSES - Being weak...IS NO EXCUSE!GOSPEL — Salvation is through faithGOSPEL - Works are evidence of true salvation (faith)GOSPEL - Believe and confess equals faith & worksGOSPEL - Faith leads to Jesus as Lord (of our works)GOSPEL - Knowledge does not saveGOSPEL - Faith and works modeled by the early churchGOSPEL - Doers (true disciples) are known by their fruitBAPTISM - What is it?BAPTISM - Why we do itBAPTISM - When we do itBAPTISM - Is sharing the gospelBAPTISM - Is a symbolBAPTISM - Is part of maturingBAPTISM - What is next?BIBLE - The Bible is foreverBIBLE - The Bible show us JesusBIBLE - The Bible gives lifeBIBLE - The Bible guides my life
October
BIBLE - The Bible changes me from the inside outBIBLE - The Bible corrects and teaches meBIBLE - The Bible helps me growPRAYER - How to prayPRAYER - PRAISE - Remembering God is in controlPRAYER - REPENT - When you need help doing what is rightPRAYER - ASK - pray for the work of the gospelPRAYER - YIELD - Pray for Gods willPRAYER - Keep praying...be persistent in prayer!PRAYER - Do not pray like this!FELLOWSHIP - Love one anotherFELLOWSHIP - Encourages maturityFELLOWSHIP - Stronger togetherFELLOWSHIP - Pursues unity & is others focusedFELLOWSHIP - Helps those strugglingFELLOWSHIP - What does it look like?FELLOWSHIP - Avoid fellowship with unbelieversWORSHIP - Worship is living with Jesus as LordWORSHIP - We were made to worshipWORSHIP - Changes our perspectiveWORSHIP GOD - For who He isWORSHIP GOD - For what he has doneWORSHIP GOD - To point others to himWORSHIP - Can only come from a pure heartGIVING - Is part of our worshipGIVING - To God because it is HisGIVING - We are commanded to giveGIVING - Give cheerfullyGIVING - God Blesses those who giveGIVING - God moves powerfully through givingGIVING - Heart Check!
November
SERVING - Because He saved usSERVING - Like Jesus servedSERVING - Equipped by GodSERVING - Through our GiftsSERVING - Serve God by serving othersSERVING - Points others to JesusServing - Requires sacrificeFASTING - Seeking God above all elseFASTING - As you wait on the LordFASTING - As part of repentanceFASTING - As you petition the LordFASTING - On behalf of othersFASTING - With right motivesFASTING - Jesus satisfiesCOMMUNION - As a regularly practiced disciplineCOMMUNION - The passover part 1COMMUNION - The passover part 2COMMUNION - A look backward to remember God’s giftCOMMUNION - A look inward for examinationCOMMUNION - Looking outward to proclaim the gospelCOMMUNION - Looking forward to Christ’s returnNO EXCUSES RECAP - Faith and WorksNO EXCUSES RECAP - FruitNO EXCUSES RECAP - Keep growing to stay on guardNO EXCUSES RECAP - Stay FocusedNO EXCUSES RECAP - Share the GospelNO EXCUSES RECAP - BE BOLD!NO EXCUSES RECAP - PassionFAMILY TREE - The family of JesusFAMILY TREE - The family of Jesus - Abraham
December
FAMILY TREE - The family of Jesus - IsraelFAMILY TREE - The family of Jesus - JudahFAMILY TREE - The family of Jesus - DavidFAMILY TREE - The family of Jesus - RahabFAMILY TREE - The family of Jesus - John the BaptistON THE MOVE - Journey of a young JesusON THE MOVE - Jesus in Bethlehem pt. 1ON THE MOVE - Jesus in Bethlehem pt. 2ON THE MOVE - Jesus in EgyptON THE MOVE - Jesus in NazarethON THE MOVE - Jesus in GalileeON THE MOVE - Jesus, Rescuer in JerusalemMOMENTS THAT MATTER - Forerunner Pt 1MOMENTS THAT MATTER - Forerunner Pt 2MOMENTS THAT MATTER - Virgin BirthMOMENTS THAT MATTER - Visited by ShepherdsMOMENTS THAT MATTER - Gifts from KingsMOMENTS THAT MATTER - Mourning the innocentMOMENTS THAT MATTER - Rejected by his ownPROCLAIMED - Angel proclaims to ZechariahPROCLAIMED - Angel proclaims to MaryPROCLAIMED - Angel proclaims to JosephPROCLAIMED - Angel proclaims to ShepherdsPROCLAIMED - Angel proclaims to SimeonChristmas Day Devotion - Needle in a HaystackPROCLAIMED - Angel proclaims to AbrahamNAMES OF JESUS: Price of PeaceNAMES OF JESUS: Immanuel - God with usNAMES OF JESUS: Rescuer and SalvationNAMES OF JESUS: Our RighteousnessNAMES OF JESUS: Savior