This message will explore humanity’s relationship to creation and the call to have stewardship or dominion over the earth. We will look at both creation accounts, explore the significance of the garden, as well as the man’s naming of the animals. (Genesis 1:26-31; 2:15, 19-20)
Sermon Outline
“Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” ” (Genesis 1:26)
God is…
- Our Creator, Our Maker (Genesis 1:26, Psalm 95:6-7, 100:3, Nehemiah 9:6)
- Good, and all He does is good (Psalm 136, 100:5)
- Love. He loves us
- Sovereign
- All powerful
- Our great Provider
- King
Humans made in the image of God
- Humans are like God, but not God. We have immense value.
- Humans are created in God’s image, in part, to be able to rule the created world
- Humans are created to glorify God and to enjoy him forever
- Humans belong to God. He is his. He is our God. We owe him our allegiance
- Humans are honored and valued (Psalm 8:4-8)
Humans to be rulers of God’s creation
- Humans to dominate and take care of creation. Humans have a purpose.
- Humans are to rule, serve and reign.
- Humans to be a reflection of God’s glory.
- Humans to lead creation in worship and praise of God. We are royal priests (1 Peter 2:9).
- Jesus the perfect Human. In this Kingship, he served, cared for, loved his people.
- Humans to reign with Christ forever in the “world” to come.
- Be good rulers of creation. You will be rewarded for your stewardship (Matthew 25:14-30).
- Remember you are royal priests—Lead the worship of God with all creation
- Be fruitful. Use your resources well and share with others.
- Care for creation as an act of worship. Worship God and care for the world.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
- Which aspects of the world speak to you most powerfully about the creativity and power of God?
- This weekend we continue our preaching series, “In the Beginning,” drawn from Genesis 1-3. This week we look at the creation of humanity and the call for humans to rule God’s creation and work in Genesis 1:26-31 and Genesis 2:15, 19-20. Begin your study in prayer by asking God to speak to you through His Word. Read the text aloud whether you are on your own or with a group, read that text.
- Verses 26-30 reveals a lot about God, his nature, attributes and character. What character and nature of God do you see in these verses? (Some are that he is our Creator. He is good. He is love/he loves us. He is sovereign. He is All-Powerful. He is our great provider. See if you can find other Scriptures that confirm/affirm these character and attributes of God. For example, Psalm 100:2 affirms that God made us.
- The Genesis 1:26 states that God made (created) us in his image. Review this and other Scriptures that show that God created us. (Psalm 90:3, 102:25, Isaiah 40:26, Jeremiah 10:12, Romans 1:25).
- Humans were created in the image of God. Genesis 1:26 offers a specific reason why. What is it?
- Humans have value and honored by God. This is grace. Read Psalm 8:4-8
- Part of what it means to rule or reign over creation is to care for and nurture it. How can you take care of the environment including people and animals around you.
- How well has humans done with this charge from God. Have we done a good job taking care of creation and rule over it? Pray and ask for forgiveness in the ways you think or know we have failed in this area.
- What example did Jesus as the perfect human give on how to rule? Luke 22:24-27, Ephesians 6:7
- Genesis 2:15 states that God put humans in the garden to work it and take care of it. Did you know that “work” existed before the fall? Did you know that is a good thing to work? Read these Scriptures verses. Psalm 90:17, Colossians 3:23, John 14:12
- What is one thing God is revealing to you through this study? If you’re on your own, write that down, pray over it, and share it with someone this week. If you are with a small group, share your answers with one another before closing in prayer.