Genesis 1: 26 - 31

Text:  Gen. 1: 27 - 28  

Introduction:
Note these words
“Let us make man in our image”
“In our likeness”
Let them rule”…
“So God created man in his own image”
God blessed them and said to them,
“Be fruitful and increase in number”
In order to fulfill this multi-dimensional purpose of God, it is necessary to understand our nature
Please note that by this time, man was created perfectly.  It was when we got to chapt 3 of Genesis that man fell (Read 3:1ff)
Unfortunately, it is with this fallen nature that we observe and do things, hence the evils we see all around us.
Read Matthew 20:25 (ref. Mark 10:42; Lk.22:25)
Today, man doesn’t rule over/dominate animals; it is rather man dominating man with a view to turning him/her to a nonentity

I. What Is God Purpose:
The question we need to answer now is “why did God create us?  Then why did He create us in his own image
Answer: We are created to represent Him
We are created to dominate the earth
We are created to increase and multiply
Note v. 28 – 29
How interesting that man is to control creatures, but can control himself, (e.g James 3:7)

II.Created In God’s Image (Ps. 100:3; Is. 44:24; 45:18ff)
What is God like (Gen. 5:1)
See also Eph. 4:24 & Col. 3:10, Eph. 2:10 (righteousness and holiness, doing works)
The image of God here is holiness and righteousness. To show forth God’s image is to be holy and righteous
We do well to recognize that:
He’s our Creator
He gives us life – Job 33:4
It’s in Him we hold our being, -  Acts. 17:28
All things come from Him - 1 Chr. 29:12
    
III. Fulfilling Our Purpose
We are to be holy – Eph. 1:4; 1Thess. 4:3, 7; Eph. 2:10
Nothing can we do without him (John 15:5)
He is sour very source (Acts 17:28)

Conclusion:
To fulfil our destiny/Purpose
Call to holiness
Call to creativity
Call to fruitfulness
Call to good works
Call to dominate/take control (our situations)
How then are you doing it?
Are you overcoming or being overcome?

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