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I AM ME, YOU ARE YOU” Genesis 1:26-27 / Exodus 3:13-14 / Isaiah 46:9 / 55:7-9

Genesis – What does it mean to be created in the image of God? Is there a distinction between the IMAGE and the LIKENESS of God? “Image” Hebrew tselem (abstract). Like shadows. “Likeness” demuth (more physical, demonstrative)  Hebrews 1:3-4 talks about how Christ is the exact representation of God’s being. ”In the image of God” = in correspondence with the image…why is our maleness and femaleness important?   

Exodus – I AM WHO I AM   Hebrew ehyeh asher ehyeh: TO BE. This is similar to the New Testament expression in Revelation 1:8 :: “‘I am the Alpha and the Omega,’ says the Lord God, ‘who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.’” When we stand in opposition to the Lord, like Pharaoh did, it shows that we are unwilling to concede to God as a power higher than ourselves. Are you willing to yield your plans to the “Great I AM”, the One who is all-powerful and all-sufficient?   

Isaiah – An integral part of seeking the Lord is turning from our sin (our selfishness and pride). Some may doubt such willingness of God to be compassionate to “abundantly pardon” the one who returns to the Lord and turns from sin. God deals with mankind in this way showing the distinction of how His thoughts and His ways go far beyond human comprehension. 

PURPOSE IN THE DESIGN Ephesians 5:21-28 / Romans 12:2 / 8:29 / John 8:58   

Ephesians – “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.”  Have the heart of a servant and put first the needs of others. This section talks about “mutual submission” where he feels respected and she feels loved. Both are looking for the best in each other and looking out for each other. [*see Genesis 2:24] Today’s culture doesn’t place a very high value on others. Selfishness, misplaced priorities, and exhaustion keep us from nurturing our own submissive hearts and we have nothing left to give to the people we love most.  

Romans – Do not be conformed to the patterns of this world…because God planned for us to be conformed to the image of Christ.   

John – Jesus claimed the title “I AM” for himself. Jesus is eternally constant and ever-present. Our only hope is to abandon claims of our own sovereignty and sufficiency and cast ourselves upon the mercy of “I AM.” 

OTHER YET ONE:: HOLY Ephesians 5:28-6:1 / Philippians 2:3-7*Colossians 1:15-19 / 1 Peter 1:13-16  

Ephesians – God designed an other-centred union for a me-centred world. He created marriage as a loyal partnership between one man and one woman. A healthy marriage is the firmest foundation for building a family. Sexual expression was designed to help build intimacy. Ultimately, marriage mirrors God’s covenant relationship with His people.   

Philippians – Put aside your selfish desires by first serving our Creator and then by serving each other and providing for each other’s needs.   

Colossians – “The Son is the image of the invisible God…all things have been created through him and for him…He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church… God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him.” Jesus Christ is the exact likeness of Father God.   

1 Peter – Hope and be holy. God is holy in that He is set apart from all that is evil and defective and impure. “As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behaviour.