An old advertisement claimed, “Image is everything.” That claim seems to have only become stronger in the social media age. However, the concept of image is not the same as identity. Image is all about what we display to people and who we wish that we were. Identity travels much deeper than that. This week aims to directly address the false call to live by image, instead inviting us to live out our identity in Christ.
Key Passages: Exodus 20:3-5; Psalm 106:20; Matthew 23; Colossians 1:15-20; Romans 8:29; 1 Corinthians 15:49; 2 Corinthians 3:18
SERMON OUTLINE
“And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” (2 Corinthians 3:18)
Is Image Everything?
- Our obsession with image
- Our creation as image [Genesis 1:27]
Coming to Grips with Our Image Problems
- The Satanic inversion of our image without God [Genesis 3:1-7]
- Our tendency toward making idolatrous images [Exodus 20:3-5]
- Living into a Better Image
- Jesus the image of God [Colossians 1:15]
- God’s work of image renewal in Christ [Romans 8:29]
- Giving ourselves into the transforming hands of God [2 Corinthians 3:18]
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
- Answer one of these two questions:
- Who was one of your childhood ‘idols’ and why?
- Have you ever had an image problem? What happened?
- We continue our new series “Who Am I?” by looking at the topic of our image. Ask God to speak to you through His Word, and then begin the study.
- Read Genesis 1:27 and 3:1-7 aloud, and then reflect on these two questions:
- What do you think it means that we are made in the image of God?
- How did the serpent challenge God’s identity and calling for humanity in Genesis 3?
- Because of the Fall into sin and evil in Genesis 3, humanity’s propensity is to turn toward self and away from God. Read Exodus 20:3-5 and Psalm 106:20. What do these two passages tell us both about idolatry and our tendency to look toward ourselves, others and things instead of God?
- Colossians 1:15-20 describes Jesus in powerful terms. What do you notice about who Jesus is and what Jesus does in this passage?
- How do you think Jesus’ identity and work might relate to our image problems?
- Now read Romans 8:29, 1 Corinthians 15:49, and 2 Corinthians 3:18 aloud, and answer the following two questions:
- What do these verses tell us about God’s work in Jesus and His work in us?
- Which of these three verses catches your attention most and why?
- What is one thing God is speaking to you through this study? If you are on your own, write it down and pray about it. If you are in a small group, take time to discuss this with one another before praying together.