Lamoille Valley Grace Brethren Church
Morrisville, June 12

      • Psalm 8:3–9NASB95

  • Take My Life
  • Great Is Thy Faithfulness

      • Genesis 1:26–31NASB95

  • V. MAN: his direct creation in the image of God (Gen 1:26-28), his subsequent fall into sin resulting in spiritual death (Gen 3:1-24; Rom 5:12), and the necessity of the new birth for his salvation (John 3:3-5). [We believe in the recent, direct creation of the heavens, the earth, and all their hosts, without pre-existing material, in six literal 24-hour days (Gen 1:1-2,25; Exodus 20:11; John 1:3; Col 1:16; Heb 11:3). We believe in the sanctity of human life (Gen 9:6; Ps 139:13-16) and in the distinct function of men and woman in the home and the church (Eph 5:22-33; 1 Tim 2:8-15).]

    1. Our Origin

    Origin Story
    1. What is man’s {origin} ? Gen. 1:26-28
    Genesis 1:26 NASB95
    26 Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”
    a. Man was created {directly} by God on the {sixth} day of creation. {Gen. 1:26 “make man”; 1:27 “God created man”; sixth day = 1:23 cf 1:31} b. Man was created in the {image} of God. What does ‘in His image and likeness’ mean? i. It does not mean {equal} . ii. It does entail the following: We reflect and represent God’s... (1) {Personhood} {like God we have intellect, emotions, and will} (2) Ability to have {relationships} {like the Triune Godhead, we are relational beings} (3) Ability to be {creative} {procreation (1:28 ‘multiply’); imagination (2:19-20, Adam named the animals)}
    Genesis 1:29 NASB95
    29 Then God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the surface of all the earth, and every tree which has fruit yielding seed; it shall be food for you;
    (4) Ability to {rule} {we exercise dominion (1:28-30; cf Psa 8:5-8)} (5) {Physical} {form} {Col. 1:15-17} iii. Man is unique, for neither {animals} nor {angels} bear God’s image and likeness.
    Genesis 2:7 NASB95
    7 Then the Lord God formed man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.
    ​
    c. Man was created as a {physical} and {spiritual} being: Gen. 2:7 {man is comprised of two basic parts: body and soul/spirit} Conclusion: We believe in man’s direct creation in the image of God.
    There are two {opposing} teachings regarding the origin of man and the universe. a. One teaching is the theory of evolution: {Over billions of years man has developed through stages of a single cell organism evolving into present day man. This theory is dependant upon time and chance. The “big bang” is the origin of the universe.} b. The other teaching is the doctrine of creationism: {This is the belief that the Creator God is the best explanation of the origin of the universe. This is the Biblical view} Genesis 1:1-2
    Genesis 1:1–2 NASB95
    1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters.
    Genesis 1:25 NASB95
    25 God made the beasts of the earth after their kind, and the cattle after their kind, and everything that creeps on the ground after its kind; and God saw that it was good.
    ​
    Gen. 1:1-2,25 {God is credited with bringing into existence heaven and earth (in that order). This act of creation is recent (approx. 6,000 years ago), direct (God spoke and it happened (cf Psa 33:6), and without any pre-existing matter. It is a miracle work of God. It was a six day creation (Gen 1:25) }
    ​
    Exodus 20:11 NASB95
    11 “For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day; therefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day and made it holy.
    Exodus 20:11 {This passage clearly interprets the length of days during the creation as being 24 hours each. God could have created everything instantaneously in a moment of time, but used 6 days followed by a rest day to give man a pattern for his work week. We are built for rest.}
    ​
    John 1:3 NASB95
    3 All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.
    John 1:3 {Jesus is identified as the Creator God. All matter and material came into existence through Him. Since Jesus was already existing in the beginning (v1, and since everything created was made by Him, then He cannot be a created being (as the Jehovah witnesses claim).}
    ​
    Colossians 1:16 NASB95
    16 For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him.
    Col. 1:16 {“first-born” indicates the place of privilege and honor. He is heir to the entire universe. Allphysical things and spiritual beings (angels) came into being by Christ’s creative work.}
    ​
    Hebrews 11:3 NASB95
    3 By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible.
    Heb. 11:3 {this describes ex-nihilo creation (‘out of nothing’); this must be accepted by faith}
    ​
    Conclusion: We believe in the recent, direct creation of the heavens, the earth, and all their hosts, without pre-existing material, in six literal 24-hour days

    2. Our Problem

    The reality of {sin} has entered the human race. a. The Biblical account of the {fall} of man: Gen. 3:1-24
    1 John 3:4 NASB95
    4 Everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness.
    i. A partial definition for sin: 1 John 3:4 ii. A complete definition of sin: “Any {lack} of conformity to the moral character or desire (or nature or glory) of God.”
    Romans 5:12 NASB95
    12 Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned—
    b. The {effect} (imputation) of Adam’s sin on the human race: Romans 5:12 {“imputation” means attribute something to someone – he is our Federal Head} c. The {consequences} of Adam’s sin on all mankind.
    Isaiah 64:6 NASB95
    6 For all of us have become like one who is unclean, And all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment; And all of us wither like a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.
    Romans 3:10 NASB95
    10 as it is written, “There is none righteous, not even one;
    ​
    i. How does man's righteousness compare to God's? Isaiah 64:6; Romans 3:10 {our best works appear as filthy rags; there is none righteous}
    ​
    Romans 3:23 NASB95
    23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
    ii. What is the extent of sin as declared by Romans 3:23? {it’s all encompassing} Rom 6 23
    Romans 6:23 NASB95
    23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
    iii. What penalty for sin must be paid (Romans 6:23)? {death} Conclusion: We believe in man’s subsequent fall into sin resulting in spiritual death.
    ​
    ​

    3. Our Value

    Human life is {sacred} .
    ​
    Genesis 9:6 NASB95
    6 “Whoever sheds man’s blood, By man his blood shall be shed, For in the image of God He made man.
    a. How does Gen. 9:6 teach the sanctity of human life? {The basis for capital punishment is that man is an image bearer. Fallen man still retains the image of God, though sin has greatly marred it (cf James 3:9).}
    ​
    Psalm 139:13–16 NASB95
    13 For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother’s womb. 14 I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well. 15 My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth; 16 Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; And in Your book were all written The days that were ordained for me, When as yet there was not one of them.
    b. How does Ps. 139:13-16 teach the sanctity of human life? {God knits together the child in the womb. In Psa 51:5 David admits he was a sinner at the moment of conception. If he was a sinner at that point, then he was also a person. Abortion is murder.}
    ​
    Conclusion: We believe in the sanctity of human life.
    ​

    4. Our Roles

    6. In the Bible God has graciously prescribed certain {roles} for men and women. a. What are the roles for a husband and a wife in the {family} ? Eph. 5:22-33
    ​
    Ephesians 5:22–33 NASB95
    22 Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body. 24 But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything. 25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, 26 so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless. 28 So husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself; 29 for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church, 30 because we are members of His body. 31 For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and shall be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. 32 This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church. 33 Nevertheless, each individual among you also is to love his own wife even as himself, and the wife must see to it that she respects her husband.
    {A husband is to lovingly lead his wife, sacrificing for her in the likeness of Christ who sacrificed Himself for the sake of the Church. A wife is to lovingly submit to her husband, trusting his leadership in the likeness of Christ who submitted His life to the guidance and will of His Father}
    b. What are the roles for a man and a woman in the {church} ? 1 Tim. 2:8-15
    1 Timothy 2:8–15 NASB95
    8 Therefore I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and dissension. 9 Likewise, I want women to adorn themselves with proper clothing, modestly and discreetly, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly garments, 10 but rather by means of good works, as is proper for women making a claim to godliness. 11 A woman must quietly receive instruction with entire submissiveness. 12 But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet. 13 For it was Adam who was first created, and then Eve. 14 And it was not Adam who was deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression. 15 But women will be preserved through the bearing of children if they continue in faith and love and sanctity with self-restraint.
    {In corporate worship, men are responsible to lead in prayer and the teaching / preaching of the Word of God. Woman are not allowed to teach men nor to exercise authority over them. Older women are to instruct younger women (Titus 2:3-5) and children.
    Conclusion: We believe in the distinct function of men and woman in the home and the church.

    5. Our Hope

    Romans 3:23–25 NASB95
    23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; 25 whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed;
    The good news is that Christ {paid} for our sins with His blood: Rom. 3:23-25; 5:8 a. Man must turn to Christ in {faith} and trust Him alone for salvation: Rom. 10:9-10
    Romans 10:9–10 NASB95
    9 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; 10 for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.
    {Each individual must personally accept Christ's payment} b. A second {birth} is necessary for possessing eternal life: John 3:3-5
    John 3:3–5 NASB95
    3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born, can he?” 5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
    ​
    {this is a spiritual birth called regeneration. “born once, die twice; born twice, die once”} Conclusion: We believe in the necessity of the new birth for his salvation.

      • Genesis 1:26NASB95

      • Genesis 1:29NASB95

      • Genesis 2:7NASB95

      • Genesis 1:1–2NASB95

      • Genesis 1:25NASB95

      • Exodus 20:11NASB95

      • John 1:3NASB95

      • Colossians 1:16NASB95

      • Hebrews 11:3NASB95

      • 1 John 3:4NASB95

      • Romans 5:12NASB95

      • Isaiah 64:6NASB95

      • Romans 3:10NASB95

      • Romans 3:23NASB95

      • Romans 6:23NASB95

      • Genesis 9:6NASB95

      • Psalm 139:13–16NASB95

      • Ephesians 5:22–33NASB95

      • 1 Timothy 2:8–15NASB95

      • Romans 3:23–25NASB95

      • Romans 10:9–10NASB95

      • John 3:3–5NASB95

  • Above All
  • Be Lifted Up
Lamoille Valley Grace Brethren Church
pastorethan@lvgbc.net
8028883339
http://www.lvgbc.net
25 members