[Sunday Sermon] The Gospel(1) - Creation: The Image of God

“24 And God said, “Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds: livestock, creatures that move along the ground, and wild animals, each according to its kind.” And it was so.
25 God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good.
26 Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”
27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.
28 God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”
29 Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food.
30 And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds of the air and all the creatures that move on the ground—everything that has the breath of life in it—I give every green plant for food.” And it was so.
31 God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day.”

— Genesis 1:24-31

When God created the world, He declared each day’s work “good,” but after creating humans, He called it “very good.” This indicates that humans, made in God’s image, have a special significance. The text highlights humanity’s loving relationship with God, with oneself, with others, and with the world.

1. A Loving Relationship with God
   God created humans in His own image to foster a personal connection with Him. Humans are not simply creatures; they are the objects of God’s love. This relationship is revealed as worshiping and loving God, seeing Him as the supreme priority. Discovering who we are and finding life’s meaning depends fundamentally on being rightly related to God. As Augustine observed, human beings find true rest only in God.

2. A Loving Relationship with Oneself
   When God made humanity, He called it complete and beautiful. As bearers of His image, we are able to love and accept ourselves. Genesis 2:25 describes Adam and Eve as naked and unashamed, illustrating humanity’s original state of dignity and self-acceptance. In modern society, we often define ourselves by appearance or achievements, yet from the perspective of God’s creation, each human being is already precious and honorable.

3. A Loving Relationship with Others
   God created man and woman as relational beings. When Adam beheld Eve and exclaimed, “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh,” it signified humanity’s design to live in loving and respectful relationships. Those bearing God’s image see others not as threats or rivals, but as recipients of love and respect. This principle of loving relationships is meant to shape our homes, churches, and society.

4. A Loving Relationship with the World
   God entrusted humans with the responsibility to rule and cultivate the earth—not to exploit it but to care for creation, maintain it according to His will, and establish order. Genesis 2:15 commands humanity to “tend and keep” the Garden of Eden. This involves caring for the environment, upholding social responsibility, and beautifying the world. Humans must form a loving bond with creation, submitting to God’s sovereignty in every aspect of life.

Made in God’s image, humanity finds its identity and calling through these four loving relationships. Living in a right relationship with God, accepting ourselves, respecting others, and stewarding creation recovers the original purpose of creation. These relationships apply universally to all people and represent the heart of the gospel. As we practice them in our daily lives, we fulfill God’s creative intentions.

Prayer: God, we thank You for making us in Your image and declaring it “very good.” When we recognize the broken and distorted reflections within ourselves, help us turn to You, the source of that image, to find healing and restoration in Your glorious presence. Embrace us with Your love, and accomplish the work of salvation and renewal in our lives. Amen.

(Note: This summary was created based on an AI draft.)