Articles
Image
IMAGE
By Steve Melton
In Genesis 1:26-27 it is written that God made us in His image. The image is not God, but it is "like" Him. There can be a remarkable transformation that takes place if we become like Jesus. First God gives a choice to do so if we wish to. That choice to do so started in the garden with Adam and Eve. Found in Genesis 3:6 they, and everyone since (except Christ), chose our own way as opposed to God's way. That is called sin. Think what that did to God's image He gave us. God has given all of us a second chance to be like Him. It is by being like Jesus. In Hebrews 10:11-12 Jesus became the sacrifice for our sins.
By obeying the gospel and becoming like Jesus we start our transformation. God has told us to be holy as He is holy. In doing so, we change that image into His divine nature. Read 2Peter 1:3-4, another rendering of that word "divine nature" is Godhead. This is so amazing it is hard to comprehend. Other scriptures say if we are faithful, we are in Him and He is in us. This is more than just an image.
To show how close our relationship to the Divine is read Revelation 3:20-21. It states that if we open the door to Jesus, He will come in and dine with us. If we overcome we may sit with Jesus on His throne, as He sat with the Father on His throne. How much closer can we be? I have considered some of these thoughts in a poem I wrote recently. I would like to share it with you.
“Let Us make man in Our image.”
God said at the beginning of His word.
This is one of the greatest gifts,
Mankind has ever heard.
He then gave us a decision,
The choice between us and God was plain.
We chose our own will and way,
Upon that image we caused a great stain.
Our heavenly Father sent His divine Son,
To take that stain of sin far away.
Christ makes that image come to life,
To be like Him one coming day.
A photo or a painting, is not the real person,
It is the likeness of the one who lives.
The more holy we are like Jesus,
The more life to that image He gives.
Christ paid the price for us,
For our sins He did atone.
If we are holy and overcome,
We shall sit together on His heavenly throne.
Jesus has gone to prepare a place for us.
He says together we shall dine.
As He is, so we will be.
Together, forever in glory to shine.
By Steve Melton, (5/3/20)
Where Did We Come From?
By Larry Winn
I heard a debate one time about Evolution vs Creation. One question raise by a scientist is "Where did we come from?" In Revelation 4:11 -- "You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created." The greatest questions ever pondered: "Where did I come from?” Why am I here? Where am I going?" Our text in Rev. 4:11 answers two of these directly and implies the answer to the third. At the first of the bible, we have the words "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth" (Gen. 1:1). In the middle of the bible, we read that "He commanded and they were created" (Psalm 148:5). In the last part of the bible, it reaffirmed that "by Him all things were created... all things have been created through Him and for Him" (Col. 1:16). Man has acquired many powers, but he does not possess the power to create. He can alter and rearrange; he can make things out of already existing materials; but only God can create something out of nothing.
"Where did I come from?" I came from God: You created all things. I am not the product of blind chance or the result of some imagined evolutionary process. Rather, I am God's special creation. I am made in His image and so are you. “Nor is He worshiped with men’s hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath, and all things” (Acts 17:25).
"Why am I here?" I am here as the result of God's will: "because of your will they existed." Since this idea is true, my purpose in life is to fulfill His will. The whole purpose of man’s existence is to do His will (Eccl. 12:13). I was not placed on this earth to pursue a life of comfort, to fill my days with frolic, or even to be successful as the world defines success. "We are here for His pleasure."
"Where am I going?" Someday I will face God who made me, and I will give an account of how I fulfilled my purpose on earth (Rev. 20:11-15). "So then each of us shall give account of himself to God" (Rom. 14:12); "moreover, it is required... that one be found faithful" (1Cor. 4:2).
We will never contemplate more awesome truths.
A Moments Wisdom
--Life is 10% of what happens to you and 90% of how you react to it.
--If you really want to do something, you’ll find a way. If you don’t, you’ll find an excuse.
--Never do something permanently foolish just because you are temporarily upset.
--You can learn great things from your mistakes when you aren’t busy denying them.
--When you stop chasing the wrong things you give the right things a chance to catch you.
--You will never become who you want to be if you keep blaming everyone else for who you are now.
--People are more what they hide than what they show.
Test Your Bible Knowledge of Job
1. I told God that He made a protective hedge around Job.
2. I told Job to curse God and die.
3. We sat grieving with Job for a whole week before we spoke.
4. I was the young man who waited until all of the older men spoke.
5. I told Job to answer me like a man.
6. I repented for saying too much.
Upcoming Sermons
5/10/20 AM - The Gospel Train
PM - God, the Avenger
5/17/20 AM - The Four-Fold Purpose of the Gospel
PM - The City Whose Builder and Maker is God
5/24/20 AM - Jesus Healed Ten Lepers
PM - Some Bible Sevens
5/31/20 AM - “Moreover, I Declare Unto You the Gospel”
PM - The Rich Man and Lazarus
