Let's Live and Die As God's Friends

So God created human beings in His own image.  In the image of God He created them; male and female He created them.  Genesis 1:27

Reality Check 1: God created human beings.

• Who created human beings?  God
• Whom did God create?  Human beings
• What is being said about God?  God created.
• created: brought into being; originated; generated; produced

Reality Check 2: In the image of God He created them.

• How did God create human beings?  In the image of God
• created: designed; fashioned; constructed; built
• image: likeness; look-alike; carbon copy
• What kind of image? the image of God

Reality Check 3: What are some of the characteristics of the image of God?

• Purposeful
• Rational
• Called to love
• Exercise dominion
• Moral
• Social
• Relational
• Creative

Reality Check 4: Male and female He created them.

• How did God create human beings to clearly express His image?  He created them male and female.

Reality Check 5: We do what comes naturally: For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of the glory of God.  Romans 3:23

• We look to creation and not the Creator for our life purpose, leaving ourselves hopeless and lost.
• We easily succumb to futile thinking, destroying God's image of male and female.
• We hate God and others.
• We become spoilers and destroyers of God's creation instead of being stewards and caretakers.
• We do what is right in our own eyes; not what is right and moral in God's eyes.
• We isolate ourselves from a relationships with others, becoming a generation marked by loneliness, depression, and suicide.
• We worship our individual selves over nurturing loving relationships with God and others.
• We destroy our ability to create beauty that reflects God's character and creation.

Reality Check 6: But God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.  Romans 5:8

• We need a Savior; His name is Jesus.
• Get to know Him as He is revealed in the Bible.
• Start with the Gospel of John.