Scripture Passage
Genesis 1:26-28
26 Then God said, “Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground.”
27 So God created human beings in his own image.
In the image of God he created them;
male and female he created them.
28 Then God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it. Reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the animals that scurry along the ground.”
Sermon Script
For the month of September, we are going to reflect on our IDENTITY.
Who am I?
That is a question about our identity. A very important question.
It is something we often ask ourselves. Especially in teenage years, when we are discovering more and more of who we are. Our background, personality, talents, likes and dislikes, etc.
What we learn about ourselves shapes the answer to this question. Without knowing who we are, it is hard to be who we are.
That is why adolescence is an exciting time, but also a turbulent one. We feel like we don’t have a good grasp of ourselves. We feel insecure most of the time. We are vulnerable to all kinds of influences around us. So we often try to be someone that we are not.
When I was a teenager, I watched a lot of movies. In grade 7, I was really into comedies. Jim Carrey was my favourite actor. I wanted to be like him. So, I acted like a goofball everywhere I went. Hard to imagine, I know.
Then when I was in high school, I got into mafia movies. Robert De Niro became my favourite actor. I now wanted to be like him. So, I became serious and intimidating. I think you can still see traces of that now.
All this was my way of coping with not fully knowing who I am. I had to latch onto some kind of ‘identity’ in order to feel secure and stable.
I’m sure that is the case for most of us too. You are trying on different ‘hats’ to see what you like.
Once you find what you feel comfortable with, you stick with it. You adopt yourself to a certain image that you have in your mind. Just like how I saw myself as a ‘funny’ guy or a ‘tough’ guy.
This is all part of our identity formation. It takes time. It is full of ups and downs. It is what we have to go through in order to become who we are. You will get there eventually.
But how we go through this period in our adolescence is important.
We shouldn’t rigidly define ourselves by who we think we are or who others say that we are. Those things form the ‘images’ that we have about ourselves. They might be somewhat true – but they are not everything.
The reality is, you are more than who you think you are. You are more than who others say that you are.
Your real identity is much greater and more valuable than the one you try to make for yourself. Those aren’t my words. They are what the Scripture teaches.
We read a small part of the creation story in today’s passage. I don’t think there is anyone who doesn’t know this part. It is the creation of human beings.
What is special about human beings, compared to the rest of creation?
We are made in the image of God. Everything else in creation – they are simply created. But only human beings are created in God’s image.
This was so important to the Genesis writer that he not only devoted more time to describing it in the creation story, but also mentioned it repeatedly:
Then God said, “Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us.” (Genesis 1:26)
So God created human beings in his own image.
In the image of God he created them;
male and female he created them. (Genesis 1:27)
The word ‘image’ here means ‘likeness’. Resemblance to the original thing.
When we make a drawing of someone, we produce an ‘image’ of that person. When we try to imitate or look like someone else, we reflect their ‘image’.
But here is the interesting thing— God has no specific ‘image’ we can point to.
Then, what does it mean when Genesis writer says we are made in God’s image?
It means that we are a unique and precious child of God. In other words, nothing in this world can define you otherwise. Just like how we can never put God in a box. That is the identity God has given you from the very beginning.
You are fearfully and wonderfully made. You are complex and interesting. Your identity is priceless.
You may not ‘resemble’ God like how you resemble your parents, but you as a person reflect God’s character. That is the image of God within you. That image is far better and greater than any ‘image’ we can have about ourselves.
You will face many challenges when it comes to your identity. You will encounter them at school. You will encounter them online. People will question who you are. You will question your worth as a person. You will face all kinds of temptations to fit yourself into a particular image.
That was what happened to Jesus. Jesus was the image of the invisible God.
At his baptism, he heard God’s voice clearly reminding him of who he was:
And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” (Mark 1:11)
Yet, Jesus faced temptations to trade his true identity in for a false one. What happened in the wilderness?
Satan dared him to be someone powerful, loved, and popular in the eyes of others. But Jesus never forgot what God had told him. He overcame every challenge by holding onto God’s word.
Until the end, he remained true to who he was – the Son of God.
You are beloved sons and daughters of God. That means you belong to God. You discover who you are only in your relationship with God.
Don’t identify yourself with what the world says about you. Don’t think what you or others think is how God thinks of you.
Your worth is not dependent on your beauty or ability. Like I said before, your identity is priceless and valuable. God already thinks of you highly – and that will never change.
So, throw away any false ‘image’ you may have of yourself. False self-image only controls us in a negative way. Embrace the image of God within you. Don’t carry your old self into the new school year.
Live as a new creation, with your new identity in Christ:
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! (2 Corinthians 5:17)
When you are unafraid to be yourself, you will be a confident, kind, and loving person. The image of God within you will shine brightly for all others to see.
Community Prayer
By James Chung
Dear God,
You are always with us
Through our darkest moments and most joyful days
You have never left us
Your promises have always remained true and faithful
Being made in your image, we are in awe of your grace
How wonderful it is to be created by you, to be thought of by you and to be loved by you
As your mercy surrounds us, you give life to new opportunities
But Lord, we often forget that you are the One who guides our steps
We forget that you are ultimately in control
Especially at this time of a new school year
There are many distractions, causing us to stray from you and your blessings
Forgive us Lord when we fail to engage fully and faithfully in our every day
Have mercy on us so we may live according to your will
And help us be the light to those around us with your guidance
Thank you for giving us this community where we can be ourselves
Where worshipping you is a safe space
And that we can all experience joy together as we sing praises to you
We are thankful for all the people you have brought together to be the body of your Son, Jesus Christ
We humbly pray for the weak and vulnerable
We pray that you be with those who feel excluded
For those who struggle with their mental health
For those who deal with grief in their respective ways
Lord may your loving hand grant them peace unlike anything from this world
We pray for those in most difficult and unfortunate situations
Suffering due to the consequences of war, injustice and evil
We ask that you protect them, and let your mercy comfort them and give them hope amidst their troubles
And we pray for Rev Dave as he delivers your message
Give him wisdom and conviction to share your truth
And open our ears and our hearts as we get ready to receive the good news, that is your word.
Amen
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