God created mankind in his own image
 
Lesson 2
  1. Mankind is stronger than any other creation
    1. Though not in size, we are created to rule over everything on earth. Elephant is big in size but lion is the king of the jungle.
      1. Genesis 1:26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
    2. God has crowned you with glory and you are better than all the creatures of the earth.
      1. Psalms 8:3-5 When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.
    3. Each day, we can praise God for making us in His image. Let not the devil beat us down with low self esteem.
      1. Genesis 1:27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
  2. God loves to manifest His attributes through us
    1. We can see how the invisible God is by seeing the visible attributes. The stars, sun, and moon are wonders of creation. Similarly mankind is the best of all creations.
      1. Romans 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
  3. God created us in His image to walk in love and holiness.
    1. God is holy and he created us in His image. His expectation is that we should love each other and also walk in holiness.
      1. Ephesians 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
    2. Man and woman were to love each other. Hatred and dissension were not the original plan of God. God is love and we should imitate Christ.
      1. Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
      2. Ephesians 5:25, 28-29 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:
  4. Obedience and love are part of the original design.
    1. There is no room for domination or subjugation in marriage. Man is called to live while the woman is called to be helper and in loving obedience to man just like church is subject to Christ.
      1. Ephesians 5:22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
      2. Ephesians 5:24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.
    2. Flee from extremes that are demonic. Rulership through dominance and aggression are extreme form of rulership. In a similar way, subjugation and slavery are extreme form of obedience.
      1. Ephesians 5:32-33 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.
  5. Obedience and love are part of the original design.
    1. God created this Universe. He is expecting us to continue do good works. He wants us to glorify him through good works. Creative power is in each one of us and we should be connected to God to be a faithful steward of his handiwork.
      1. Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
 
Conclusion
  • Is the Universe a product of evolution?
  • What is the primary purpose of mankind?
  • What are the visible attributes of the invisible God do you see?
  • Why is love a prime factor in marriage?
  • What are extremes of leadership and obedience in marriage and how can we avoid them?
 
Self reflection
  • Can you think of few areas to improve in marriage and note them down ?