[Sunday Sermon] The Gospel(3) - Jesus: The Image of God
“13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.”
Today, as we share the message of the gospel, we reflect on Jesus as the perfect image of God and the true example of humanity. The Bible introduces Jesus as the image of God. Colossians 1:15 states, “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.” Similarly, Hebrews 1:3 testifies, “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being.” Although humanity was originally created in God’s image, sin has marred that image. However, Jesus, as the perfect image of God, reveals who God truly is.
Moreover, Jesus lived as the true example of humanity. In His relationship with God, He demonstrated complete obedience and love. Philippians 2:6-8 declares that “He took the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness… and became obedient to death—even death on a cross.” Jesus’ obedience was not merely out of duty but was rooted in love for the Father (John 17:24). In His relationships with others, He embodied love and compassion—healing the sick, being with sinners, and restoring them through grace. His life exemplifies the relationships humanity was meant to restore.
Some view Jesus merely as a great teacher or moral guide. While He indeed provided profound teachings, His identity surpasses that of a mere human instructor. In John 14:9, Jesus boldly proclaims, “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.” John 1:14 further testifies, “The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us.” These verses affirm that Jesus is not just a moral leader but God incarnate.
When we look at Jesus, we see both who God is and what it means to be truly human. He is the perfect image of God and the perfect example of humanity. Through Him, we restore our relationship with God and rediscover our true identity. Thus, we must not only regard Him as a teacher but confess Him as our Lord, Savior, and God. By fixing our eyes on Him and following Him, we experience the restoration of God’s image within us and grow into the fullness of true humanity.
Prayer: Lord, thank You for drawing us into Your presence today. Though we have placed our hope in the fleeting things of this world, we now turn our gaze to the One who created us in His glorious image. In our brokenness, You did not abandon us but came to restore us. As we behold Christ, may we receive Your grace and experience the full restoration of God’s image in our church, families, and souls.Amen.
(Note: This summary was created based on an AI draft.)