IN WHOSE IMAGE ??              	Pastor Bob Chroninger 
Trinity C.U.  11-12-00 A.M.  			 Gen.1:26,27
	We have all heard the phrase... "created in His image".  It is this concept that provides 
the possibility for "self-worth."  Human worth is not determined by possessions, physical attractiveness,
achievements, public acclaim, or position in life. Let's Notice... 
I.  MAN WAS ORIGINALLY CREATED "IN HIS IMAGE" !!  Gen.1:26,27 
  A. This Was Not A Physical Image..  ?? 
    1. However when God did appear.. He assumed the appearance of man.. Joshua 5:13-15; 
	Gen.18.. Abraham.. etc. 
    2. However.. created with intellect, emotions, & will
  B. What Then?? 
    1. God is kind..  Ps.117:2; Is.54:8; Joel 2:13; Titus 3:4; Col.3:12 
    2. God is Truth..  Jn.1:17; 14:6;  Eph.4:15 
    3. God is Longsuffering (Patient) Ro.2:4; 2Pet.3:9,15;  Col.3:12 
    4. God is Merciful.. Ps.117:2; 119:76; Joel 2:13; Jonah 4:2  Lu.6:36 
    5. God is Gracious.. Joel 2:13; Jonah 4:2; Acts 11:23;  Col.3:16; 1Pe.5:5 
    6. God is Generous.. 2Cor.9:6-8 
    7. God is Love.. Titus 3:4; 1Jn.4:8,16 
    8. God is Life.. Jn.1:4; 
    9. God is Faithful.. 1Cor.1:9; 10:13;  2Thes.3:3;  1Cor.4:2; Rev.2:10
    10. God is Just..  Deut.32:4; Is.45:21; Zech.9:9; Jn.5:30; Acts 3:14; 7:52; 22:14; Ro.3:26...
 ** BUT WHY THEN ALL THE HATE, SCHEMING, EVIL of every sort ??? 
	SIN ENTERED THE HUMAN FAMILY... THAT "IMAGE" WAS MARRED ... 
II.  MAN NOW IS BORN IN ADAM'S IMAGE...  Gen.5:3  (a "fallen" image) 
  A. They Lost Innocence... and Found Guilt.. Ro.3:19; Jas.2:10 
  B. They Became Morally "Bankrupt".. none good... Mt.19:17 
    1. Sin runs rampant... violence, vulgarity, corruption, deceitfulness, pride, murder,
       sexual immorality.. etc. 
	- Wasn't very long until Cain killed Abel... 
    2. Sin issues from that depraved "image"..  Mk.7:21, 22 
  C. They Seek Other "gods".. 
    1. Rejecting the true God.. they replace Him... Ro.1:23... 
    2. This only makes them more impoverished.. Is.40:20; 44:15-20; Jer.10:14,15 
  D. They live in the realm of "death".. 
    1. Death reigns.. Ro.5:17 
    2. Disease abounds.. Ex.15:26 
    3. Disasters overtake us.. 
    4. Disappointment and discouragement are everywhere..  (The "curse" is upon us... Gal.3:10,13)
 ** AND THIS "IMAGE" of ADAM HAS BEEN PASSED ON TO US ALL.. 
	AND YOU PASS IT ON TO YOUR CHILDREN TOO !!!  1Cor.15:22 a
 ** IS THERE NO HOPE ??   YES THERE IS HOPE !!! 
III.  MAN, THOUGH "FALLEN", IS REDEEMABLE..   Why ??? and  How??? 
  A. Why? 
    1. Man is "Worth" it to God !! That should bolster your self worth!! 
    2. Man Can be Redeemed.. it is possible because... 
  B. How? 
    1. God sent ONE who is the "express" image of God.. 2Cor.4:4; Col.1:15; Heb.1:3 
	- The physical embodiment of all that God is.. Col.1:19; 2:9 
	   - Born sinless... born of the virgin Mary 
	   - Lived sinless.. "I find no fault.."  Pilate.. Lu.23:4,14 
	   - Died sinless.. but for the sinful..  2Cor.5:21 
	- His sinless life paid for my sinful life   (What Adam "sold"; Christ purchased)
	- His blood atones for my fallen nature    (Where Adam brought death; Christ brings Life)
	- His death provides reconciliation   ( Where Adam brought alienation; Christ reconciles)
    2. God requires My response... 
	- It is by repentance of sin.. acknowledging it; turning from it.. 
	- If we cover it... we will not prosper... Prov.28:13 
	- It is by faith in this Jesus the Christ..
	    - Believing in Him... that He is and the rewarder of those who seek Him.. Heb.11:6 
	   - Believing in His finished work..  Jn.6:29 
	- Receiving in Him the gift of eternal life.. Ro.6:23 
IV.  MAN IS NOW RECREATED IN A NEW IMAGE... Having been "born again" by faith in 
the Lord Jesus.. we are in the process of being "conformed" to the image of His Son.. 
  A. Our Daily Duty.. 
    1. We are in the process of being "conformed to His image" Ro.8:28,29 
    2. We are to Put Off The "old man"  Eph.4:22..; Col.3:8,9 
	- The lying, stealing, adultery, idolatry, fornication, hatred, murder, violence, 
	   evil of every sort.. etc..... 
    3. We are to Put ON The "new man".. 
	Col 3:10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of 
	him that created him: (KJV) 
	- Learning to be "filled" with the Spirit.. Eph.5:18 
	- Learning to "walk" in the Spirit.. Gal.5:16.. (won't fulfill the desires of the flesh")
	   2 Cor 3:18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are 
	   changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. (KJV)
	 - Learning then.. that His "fruit" will be produced in us. Gal.5:22,23 
  B. Our Eternal Delight.. 
	1 Cor 15:49 And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image 
	of the heavenly. (KJV) 

WOW !!! WHOSE IMAGE DO YOU BEAR?? THE IMAGE OF THE FALLEN MAN...  OR...
	 THE IMAGE OF THE SINLESS, SACRIFICIAL, SATISFYING SAVIOR... JESUS !!

		HEARK THE HERALD ANGELS SING
Come, Desire of nations, come!  Fix in us Thy humble home;
Rise, the woman's conquering seed, Bruise in us the serpents head;
Adam's likeness now efface, Stamp Thine image in its place:
Second Adam from above, Reinstate us in Thy love.