Conformed to the Image of God
This is God’s plan for us (Romans 8:29-30) says “for whom He (God) did foreknow,
He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be
the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He did predestinate, them He
also called and whom He called them, He also justified, and whom He justified, them
He also glorified”.
We know that this is God’s original plan for us (Genesis 1:26-27) says “and God said,
let Us make man is Our image, after Our likeness and let them have dominion over
the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the
earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth. So God created
man is His own image, in the image of God created He him, male and female created
He them”.
Paul tells us “the first man is of earth (Adam) earthly; the second man is the Lord from
heaven. As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy; and as is the heavenly,
such are they also that are heavenly. As we have borne the image of the earthly, we
shall also bear the image of the heavenly” (I Corinthians 15:47-49). As the last Adam
and the Mediator of the new covenant, Jesus brings his people into conformity with His
own image, the image of the Son of God. Jesus became like His brethren in the
likeness of sinful flesh, this was to destroy sin in order that His brethren might reflect
His own glory. Believers are told “but we all, with open face beholding as in a glass,
the glory of the Lord are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by
the Spirit of the Lord” (II Corinthians 3:18).
The image of God refers to the human likeness to God. They are like God and
therefore able to have fellowship with God. Being made in God’s image refers to the
characteristics God shares with us. We o have the ability to reflect His character in
our love, patience, forgiveness, kindness and faithfulness.
Because God wants us to conform to the image of Jesus, gifts were given to help us
achieve that goal (Ephesians 4:11-15) says “and He gave some apostles, and some
prophets; and some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers. For the perfecting
of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ. Till we
all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect
man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. That we hereafter be no
more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the
sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive. But
speaking the truth in love, may grow up into Him in all things, which is the head, even
Christ”. Believers are to “put on Christ” (Romans 13:14, Galatians 3:27, Ephesians 4:
24, and Colossians 3:10). These verses describe the re-creation of the believers in
the likeness of God in righteousness, holiness of the truth, and true knowledge. In
other words, Paul declares that the redeemed are recreated into the image of God as
they are transformed into the image of Christ.
We are told “be you therefore followers of God as dear children. And walk in love, as
Christ also has loved us, and has given Himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to
God, for a sweet smelling savor. But fornication, and all uncleanness, or
covetousness, let it not be once names among you, as becomes saints. Neither
filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient (fitting) but rather
giving of thanks. For this you know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor
covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of
God” (Ephesians 5:1-5). And also “above all these things put on charity, which is the
bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also
you are called in one body, and be you thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you
richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and
spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever you do
in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the
Father by Him”.
Jesus is coming back for a glorious church (Ephesians 5:27) says “that He might
present it (the church) to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle, or any
such thing; but that it (the church) should be holy and without blemish”.
We are told to “let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:
5). This indicates that we have a part.
There is a verse in a song “Jesus loves me” that goes “Jesus take this heart of mind,
make it pure and wholly Thine. Thou has bled and died for me. I will hence forth life
for Thee”. We know that this is biblical because Proverbs 23:26 says “My son, give
Me your heart, and let your eyes observe My ways”.
The Bible says “where sin abounded, grace did much more abound” (Romans 5:20).
The church have stopped at grace, thereby they are not doing God’s plan for their
lives. God wants us to look like Jesus. Paul continues to say “what shall we say
then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we,
that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” (verse 6:1-2). We are told “what
agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God,
as God has said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them, and I will be their God, and they
shall be My people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be you separate,
says the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing and I will receive you. And will be a
Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.
Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all
filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear (reverence) of God” (II
Corinthians 6:16-7:1).
The church is in such a state that if God would judge them like He did Ananias and
Sapphira who lied to the Holy Spirit, who would be left? The early church was so
close to God that when Ananias and Sapphira lied, they fell down dead. People are
asking why is Jesus taking so long to come back? Well, if He came back right now,
would you be ready? Examine yourself and consider if Jesus would say to you “well
done, My good and faithful servant’? Jesus says “not every one that says to Me,
Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he that does the will of My
Father which is in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not
prophesied in Your name, and in Your name have cast out devils? And in Your name
done many wonderful works. And then will I profess to them, I never know you, depart
from Me, you that work iniquity” (Matthew 7:21-23).
Titus 2:11-14 says “for the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all
men. Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly,
righteously, and godly, in this present world. Looking for that blessed hope, and the
glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ. Who gave Himself
for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify to Himself a peculiar
people, zealous of good works”. We thank God for the grace, let us go forward, to
conforming to Christ.
John tells us “beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it does not yet appear what
we shall be; but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall
see Him as He is. And every man that has this hope in Him purifies himself, even as
He is pure. Whosoever abides in Him sins not; whosoever sins has not seen Him,
neither known Him. Little children, let no man deceive you, he that does
righteousness is righteous, even as He is righteous. He that commits sin is of the
devil; for the devil sinned from the beginning, for this purpose the Son of God was
manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. Whosoever is born of God
does not commit sin” (I John 3:2-3,6-9a).
We beat the devil with our life style; let’s look Enoch, he walked with God and was
translated that he should not see death (Genesis 5 and Hebrew 11) and at Noah, he
was living in a time of great evil, and the Bible says “Noah was a just man and perfect
in his generations, and Noah walked with God” (Genesis 6); remember Jesus is our
example, and the Bible says many times “they found no fault in Him”. We are told to
“neither give place to the devil” (Ephesians 4:27).
James gives us our clue (James 4:7-8) “submit yourselves therefore to God, resist the
devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.
Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double minded”. John
writes in Second and Third John “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children
walk in truth”. We walk in the truth when we walk in the word of God.
Sermon by: Harriet Bond
Date: August 29, 2008
This is God’s plan for us (Romans 8:29-30) says “for whom He (God) did foreknow,
He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be
the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He did predestinate, them He
also called and whom He called them, He also justified, and whom He justified, them
He also glorified”.
We know that this is God’s original plan for us (Genesis 1:26-27) says “and God said,
let Us make man is Our image, after Our likeness and let them have dominion over
the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the
earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth. So God created
man is His own image, in the image of God created He him, male and female created
He them”.
Paul tells us “the first man is of earth (Adam) earthly; the second man is the Lord from
heaven. As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy; and as is the heavenly,
such are they also that are heavenly. As we have borne the image of the earthly, we
shall also bear the image of the heavenly” (I Corinthians 15:47-49). As the last Adam
and the Mediator of the new covenant, Jesus brings his people into conformity with His
own image, the image of the Son of God. Jesus became like His brethren in the
likeness of sinful flesh, this was to destroy sin in order that His brethren might reflect
His own glory. Believers are told “but we all, with open face beholding as in a glass,
the glory of the Lord are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by
the Spirit of the Lord” (II Corinthians 3:18).
The image of God refers to the human likeness to God. They are like God and
therefore able to have fellowship with God. Being made in God’s image refers to the
characteristics God shares with us. We o have the ability to reflect His character in
our love, patience, forgiveness, kindness and faithfulness.
Because God wants us to conform to the image of Jesus, gifts were given to help us
achieve that goal (Ephesians 4:11-15) says “and He gave some apostles, and some
prophets; and some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers. For the perfecting
of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ. Till we
all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect
man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. That we hereafter be no
more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the
sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive. But
speaking the truth in love, may grow up into Him in all things, which is the head, even
Christ”. Believers are to “put on Christ” (Romans 13:14, Galatians 3:27, Ephesians 4:
24, and Colossians 3:10). These verses describe the re-creation of the believers in
the likeness of God in righteousness, holiness of the truth, and true knowledge. In
other words, Paul declares that the redeemed are recreated into the image of God as
they are transformed into the image of Christ.
We are told “be you therefore followers of God as dear children. And walk in love, as
Christ also has loved us, and has given Himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to
God, for a sweet smelling savor. But fornication, and all uncleanness, or
covetousness, let it not be once names among you, as becomes saints. Neither
filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient (fitting) but rather
giving of thanks. For this you know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor
covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of
God” (Ephesians 5:1-5). And also “above all these things put on charity, which is the
bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also
you are called in one body, and be you thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you
richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and
spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever you do
in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the
Father by Him”.
Jesus is coming back for a glorious church (Ephesians 5:27) says “that He might
present it (the church) to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle, or any
such thing; but that it (the church) should be holy and without blemish”.
We are told to “let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:
5). This indicates that we have a part.
There is a verse in a song “Jesus loves me” that goes “Jesus take this heart of mind,
make it pure and wholly Thine. Thou has bled and died for me. I will hence forth life
for Thee”. We know that this is biblical because Proverbs 23:26 says “My son, give
Me your heart, and let your eyes observe My ways”.
The Bible says “where sin abounded, grace did much more abound” (Romans 5:20).
The church have stopped at grace, thereby they are not doing God’s plan for their
lives. God wants us to look like Jesus. Paul continues to say “what shall we say
then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we,
that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” (verse 6:1-2). We are told “what
agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God,
as God has said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them, and I will be their God, and they
shall be My people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be you separate,
says the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing and I will receive you. And will be a
Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.
Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all
filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear (reverence) of God” (II
Corinthians 6:16-7:1).
The church is in such a state that if God would judge them like He did Ananias and
Sapphira who lied to the Holy Spirit, who would be left? The early church was so
close to God that when Ananias and Sapphira lied, they fell down dead. People are
asking why is Jesus taking so long to come back? Well, if He came back right now,
would you be ready? Examine yourself and consider if Jesus would say to you “well
done, My good and faithful servant’? Jesus says “not every one that says to Me,
Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he that does the will of My
Father which is in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not
prophesied in Your name, and in Your name have cast out devils? And in Your name
done many wonderful works. And then will I profess to them, I never know you, depart
from Me, you that work iniquity” (Matthew 7:21-23).
Titus 2:11-14 says “for the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all
men. Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly,
righteously, and godly, in this present world. Looking for that blessed hope, and the
glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ. Who gave Himself
for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify to Himself a peculiar
people, zealous of good works”. We thank God for the grace, let us go forward, to
conforming to Christ.
John tells us “beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it does not yet appear what
we shall be; but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall
see Him as He is. And every man that has this hope in Him purifies himself, even as
He is pure. Whosoever abides in Him sins not; whosoever sins has not seen Him,
neither known Him. Little children, let no man deceive you, he that does
righteousness is righteous, even as He is righteous. He that commits sin is of the
devil; for the devil sinned from the beginning, for this purpose the Son of God was
manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. Whosoever is born of God
does not commit sin” (I John 3:2-3,6-9a).
We beat the devil with our life style; let’s look Enoch, he walked with God and was
translated that he should not see death (Genesis 5 and Hebrew 11) and at Noah, he
was living in a time of great evil, and the Bible says “Noah was a just man and perfect
in his generations, and Noah walked with God” (Genesis 6); remember Jesus is our
example, and the Bible says many times “they found no fault in Him”. We are told to
“neither give place to the devil” (Ephesians 4:27).
James gives us our clue (James 4:7-8) “submit yourselves therefore to God, resist the
devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.
Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double minded”. John
writes in Second and Third John “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children
walk in truth”. We walk in the truth when we walk in the word of God.
Sermon by: Harriet Bond
Date: August 29, 2008
