Why What You Do With Your Life MATTERS So Much
Plants, animals, human beings...all created from similar matter“the LORD God formed the man !om the dust of
the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.” - Genesis 2:7
Plants, animals, human beings...all created from similar matter“By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food
until you return to the ground, since !om it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return.” - Genesis 3:19
Plants, animals, human beings...all created from similar matter
“"en God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the #sh of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.’ So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” - Genesis 1:26-27
most unique?What makes human beings
☐ Differences in DNA☐ At the top of the food chain☐ the largest brain capacity☐ superior power of reasoning☐ best use of tools to do work☐ made in the “image” and “likeness” of God
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What does it mean to be in the “image” and the “likeness” of God?
SpiritualityCreation“by him all things were created: ...visible and invisible” - Colossians 1:16
✔We have the capacity to know the Invisible God
Spirituality
• “altars” “prayer” “call on the Lord”• Nicodemus – both natural and spiritual birth• Woman at the Well – both natural and spiritual water
✔We have the capacity to know the Invisible God
Spirituality✔
We have the capacity to know the Invisible God
“no one can say ‘Jesus is Lord’ except by the Holy Spirit” - 1 Corinthians 12:3b
Morality“I AM IN AWE OF T WO THINGS, THE HEAVENS
ABOVE AND THE MORAL L AW WITHIN.”
- EMMANUEL KANT
MoralityGod revealed in Creation“since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities$his eternal power and divine nature$have been clearly seen...” - Romans 1:19-20a
MoralityGod revealed in conscience
“Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law, since they show that the requirements of the law are wri%en on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts now accusing, now even defending them.” - Romans 2:14-15
✔We have the responsibility to represent God
Morality
“"e LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. ” - Genesis 2:15
Creativity
✔ We have the ability to re-create
Music / Art / Science / Technology / Making meals or buildings / Expressing ourselves / Revealing beauty
What did our rejection of God do to the image of God?
☐ Spirituality☐ Morality☐ Creativity
What did God do to restore His image in us?
“Flesh gives birth to &esh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.” - John 3:6
What did God do to restore His image in us?
“"erefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation...” - 2 Corinthians 5:17a
What did God do to restore His image in us?
“"e man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come !om the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.” - 1 Corinthians 2:14
What do new creationsdo to restore God’s image?
“Our Father in Heaven... your Kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven...”
1. I rediscover my spiritual capacity for the Invisible God
What do new creationsdo to restore God’s image?
2. I reveal how valuable each human being is to God.
_______________ others as Christ did for you
What do new creationsdo to restore God’s image?
3. I recreate on earth and in heaven
“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him...” - 1 Corinthians 2:9