TOPIC: IN WHO’S IMAGE ARE YOU?

Prelude: Our Lord Jesus had unique ways of fixing the Pharisees and scribes each time they tried to trap him in His words; it is like catching the crafty in their own craftiness and wisdom. So, one of such occasions they asked him if it was necessary to give tax to Ceaser (the Roman Government) or not, Jesus’ reply was stunning; He requested for a coin and he asked them who’s Image or superscription was on it. They all gleefully answered Ceaser’s, thinking Jesus had trapped himself, but he simply told them; “Give to Ceaser what belongs to Ceaser and to God what belongs to God!” Instantly, the case was dismissed and the crowd went away wondering what wisdom and grace was on Jesus. Our take away from this short narrative is the one million dollars question Jesus asked about whose image and inscription; indeed whose image do we carry as believers?

A.MADE IN HIS IMAGE AND LIKENESS: God’s original design and plan is for all men to be in his image and likeness. Genesis 1:26a and 27 say, “Then God said, ‘Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness’ … So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them”

But God didn’t stop there. Verse 31 adds a compelling completion to creation, “God saw all that he had made, and it was very good” Thus, man became the crown of God’s creation, just made a little lower than the angels and given tremendous dominion over other creature.

B. ADAMS IMAGE AND LIKENESS: Gen 5:3; “And Adam lived an hundred and thirty years, and begat a son in his own likeness, after his image; and called his name Seth:” All that God intended was short lived, man missed it when the tempter came knocking with little or no resistance, Adam and Eve fell “yakata” and a new image was introduced, far inferior to what God made and created, in no time children given birth to had the image of the first Adam transferred to them, the result was horrific; Murder, death, evil, polygamy. God have to introduce the flood to wipe away mankind! But the image of Adam remained, despite the flood.

C. THE IMAGE OF THE HEAVENLY: 1Cor 15:49; Now, there is a startling revelation in the scripture above, I want you to catch; now read this scripture in various translations:

Just as we wear the likeness of the man made of earth, so we will wear the likeness of the Man from heaven.( GNT)

Just as we are like the one who was made out of earth, we will be like the one who came from heaven. (CEV)

And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.(ASV)

Just as we have borne the image of the earthly [the man of dust], we will also bear the image of the heavenly [the Man of heaven].(Amp.B)

It is evident we have borne the image of the fallen man, therefore it is not a strange thing at all to desire, demand and delve into the realm of the image of the heavenly. Understanding of this spiritual fact is the foundation to uncover the lie of the devil and liberation to enjoying the fullness of what God has provided for us.

D. COMFORMED TO HIS IMAGE: Rom. 8:29; Phil. 3:21. God’s ultimate plan and desire for us in Christ is to be conformed to the image of Christ; the goal of discipleship! This cannot be realized until resurrection transformation takes place, for flesh and blood cannot inherit life! That takes us to the next lesson; the Spiritual implication of Resurrection.

Conclusion: If you are held out in the crowd as a “coin” and Jesus ask; “whose image and superscription is on this guy?” Will the crowd yell, Ceaser's or Jesus’? Think deep! Whose image do you truly carry my brothers and sisters?

Your brother,

Abraham Akanmu

SHALOM