Introduction
On October 22, I had the opportunity and the privilege to mount the pulpit at St. Mary’s Church in Wittenberg to preach at the International Church Relations Conference organised and sponsored by Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS).
The audience included: Church leaders: Bishops, Presidents, Chairmen, Pastors, Seminary Professors, Christian Media and institutional heads of church related across the globe.
Greetings:
Jesus Christ remains unchanging—yesterday, today, and forever.
Introduction
It is a privilege to share this message from the pulpit of Martin Luther’s preaching church, a cornerstone of the Reformation.
Text
Genesis 1:26-27 emphasizes that humanity is created in God’s image, granting every individual inherent value, dignity, and purpose. St. Augustine expressed it best: “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you.” This truth reflects our divine relationship and the nature of the Trinity, subtly revealed in creation through the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Humanity mirrors God through creativity, reason, emotions, and relationships, but this image was tarnished by sin.
Key Lessons from Creation
We Are Created in God’s Image: Humans are uniquely made in God’s image, with inherent value and purpose. This view opposes the evolutionary perspective that considers humans as mere accidents. God’s image defines human identity, reminding us that we are more than biological beings.
We Are Created for a Purpose. God calls us to exercise dominion over creation responsibly (Genesis 1:28).
Misunderstanding this concept has led to exploitation, as seen in practices like harmful mining or ideologies that distort biblical teachings. The Bible underscores the biological significance of gender, rooted in God’s design, which reflects His image. Modern challenges, such as gender fluidity and reassignment, contradict this divine order. Christians must uphold God’s design, recognizing the joy and fulfilment that come from embracing maleness and femaleness as He intended.
Called to Raise Godly Children:
The command to “be fruitful and multiply” includes nurturing children in faith, teaching them to love God and others. Parenting is not just biological but spiritual, requiring us to raise the next generation to honor and serve God.
Malady (Problem of Sin):
Through the Fall, humanity’s reflection of God’s image became corrupted. Sin impacts our world, and many live as if God or the devil does not exist. The belief that people have total freedom to do as they wish with their bodies, which includes the LGBTQ++ ideology is flawed since we are God’s creation. Yet Jesus entered this brokenness to redeem us, likened by C.S. Lewis to a rightful King reclaiming His territory. Staying grounded in God’s Word and prayer is essential to overcome sin’s influence.
Gospel (Good News):
Despite humanity’s fallen state, Christ renews God’s image in us. Baptism brings us into God’s family, where we reflect His love vertically to Him and horizontally to others. Jesus, the perfect image of God, redeems us and empowers us to live as faithful stewards of creation.
Application:
Being human is a gift, and being part of God’s family is a profound blessing. Our responsibilities include reflecting God’s love in relationships and exercising dominion with care and respect. Misinterpretations of “dominion” have led to harmful practices, but Christians must align their actions with biblical teachings, honoring God’s creation.
Conclusion:
In this fallen world, we struggle to reflect God’s image perfectly, but through Christ, we are being renewed in His likeness. Jesus, the perfect image of God, is our Redeemer. Through Him, we live with dignity, purpose, and the hope of eternal restoration.
Amen.