Sermon Outlines

Man in the Image of God

Genesis 1:27 - And God created man in his own image

God (strong)The Hebrew word (elohiym) is the plural form (elo'ah) literally meaning "strength" and "power" and is usually translated as God or god. The ?? is the masculine plural suffix and when added to this word becomes ????? (elohiym) which is usually translated as gods or judges as they are strong and powerful ones. But it is also commonly used for God as a name because he is "thee" strong and powerful one. 

Create (Strong's #1254) The Hebrew word behind created is the Hebrew verb ??? (bara). The idea of "creating" is an abstract thought that is foreign to Hebrew thought. The concrete understanding behind this word can be seen in 1 Samuel 2:29, "Why do you honor your sons more than me by fattening yourselves on the choice parts of every offering made by my people Israel?" In this passage is the word "fattening" which is the same Hebrew verb ??? (bara). By extension this word also means to "fill up."

Man (Strong's #120) The Hebrew word for man is ??? (adam) and is also the name of the first man.

Image (Strong's #6754) The word ??? (tselem) is literally a shadow which is the outline or representation of the original.

And Elohiym, the Great Powerful One, filled the man with a representation of himself .

When we read "And God created man in his own image" our minds form a mental picture of what we look like and then attribute this picture to God himself. In the Hebrews mind it is not the appearance of something that they concentrate on but its function. This passage is not implying a picture of man or God but their function. 

• Through the Hebrew words of this text we see that God had placed within man a shadow or representation of his own function - goal, purpose, thought, etc. It is our responsibility to live our lives as representatives of God, acting in the same manner as he would.

"These are the commands, decrees and laws the LORD your God directed me to teach you to observe in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to posses, so that you,  your children and their children after them may fear the LORD your God as long as you live by keeping all his decrees and commands that I give you, and so that you may enjoy long life." 

Deuteronomy 6:1-2

 Duet. 11;1- (Vs.26)

Fathers who look to God for direction and wisdom become role models for their kids. 

• Ps. 28:8 'The LORD is their strength, and he is the saving strength of his anointed.

God calls on men to lead their families down the spiritual journeys of this world. 

• Psalm 25:10 ' All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies.
• 2 Cor. 9:8 'And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

I am so thankful for men who are willing to assume their role, 

• Ps. 128:3 'Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house
• Ps. 128:3 '…thy children like olive plants round about thy table.
• "For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it..." - Ephesians 5:29.  

It is the responsibility of a father, to teach his family to stand strong on God's Word and push through towards their destiny. 

Fathers play a key role in the prosperity of their family.

The decisions we as fathers make today will transcend down to our children and even on to their kids.  Duet. 11;1- (Vs.26)

Allow God to be the light in your life that transcends into your family.  

Faithful Fathers    Psalms 128;1-

• The man who fears the Lord must walk in His word in order to be faithful, and these promises are his.

Prov. 28;20 '…a faithful man will abound with blessings…'

Faithful = (emunah) firmness, stability, faithfulness, fidelity, steadiness, certainty, that which is permanent, enduring, steadfast, 

Hab. 2;4 'the just SHALL LIVE by his faithfulness' – that is, his firmness, steadiness, and solid belief.

It's one of the Fruits of the Spirit: Gal. 5:22 'But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness,

Faithfulness is about a solid belief and steadiness: The Holy Ghost in the inside of you will produce 'faithfulness' on the outside of you!

God's Faithfulness: Psalms 100;5 'For the Lord is good; His mercy and loving-kindness are everlasting, His faithfulness and truth endure to all generations.

Jesus Demonstrated His Faithfulness: Matt. 24;35 'Heaven and earth shall pass away but my word will ot pass away'

Matt. 18:20 'where there are two or three…I will be in the midst of you'

When We are Filled by His Spirit:

Note: Faithfulness will be born out of your life because it is the fruit of the Spirit.

What is Faithfulness?  It's the fruit of the Spirit that speaks to you and say, 'be steadfast, don't quit on your kids, don't quit on your marriage, and don't quit on your faith and love for God!

Note: Jesus said in Matt. 26;21 'I must go through these things…' His faithfulness was being tested when the enemy used Peter to try to get Him to quit!

How Do We Demonstrate Our Faithfulness?

• Church attendance
• His Word
• Our service unto the Lord
• Our testimony

It take Maturity:

• A Mature Man will own his truth about himself
• A mature man will remain un-moveable no matter the cost
• A mature man will own up to his responsibilities.

How Do We develop Faithfulness?

• Rely on the Holy Ghost to produce it in the inside of you, and when it does it will be demonstrated on the outside of you.

3 things you must realize and understand:

1. Jesus Was Tempted So Will You:
   1. ???????Temptation is pressure that the enemy uses to your flesh it tries to get you to go against God's word.
   2. Temptation is pressure against your thinking, it tries to get you from aligning itself to the will of God.
2. You Will Be Tempted too
   1. Be unfaithful to your marriage
   2. To live unholy
   3. To be just like the world and behave just like it.
   4. It wants to make you feel like you're missing out on something
3. To Develop Faithfulness you must understand, - You must seek the Holy Spirit to develop positive spiritual habits.
   1. This world is applying great pressure against God's people and it is teaching them to have non Christian habits like unfaithfulness to many things in which is contrary to God's plan.
4. Faithfulness is that when you fall you must get up!
   1. Faithfulness as in Peter in the N.T. when he fell he got up again!