“Man’s chief end is to glorify God and to delight in Him forever.” – Westminster Catechism
Humans made in God’s image means “representation” and “rule” in partnership
From cover to cover the Bible is about the garden.
God’s dream is to dwell with His people in His garden.
God is going to recreate His garden through a man who is like a tree.
Psalm 1:3 NKJV
Isaiah 11:10 NKJV
Reference Matthew 4:1-11 NKJV
Eden
1. Good for food
2. Pleasant to the eyes
3. Desirable to make one wise
Wilderness
1. Bread
2. The Pinnacle of the Temple
3. All the kingdoms of the world and their glory
Eve is tempted in a garden and propels humanity into a wilderness.
Christ is tempted in a wilderness and propels humanity in a garden.
Reference Mark 4:1-20
Christ’s ministry reveals that the Father is not going to place man in a garden,
He is going to place the garden in man.
John 15:1-4 NKJV
John 15:7-8 NKJV 7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you[b] will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.
John 20:15 NKJV 15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.”
Galatians 5:22-23 NKJV
Genesis 1:28 NKJV 28 Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion…
Humans made in God’s image means “representation” and “rule” in partnership.Personal Character — Personal Responsibility — Partnership Together
[Representation] — [Rule] — [Partnership: God/Others]The Spirit will grow what control never could. – Ian Simkins
Revelation 21:3 NKJV 3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God.
Revelation 22:1-2 NKJV And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb. 2 In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.
Revelation 22:16 NKJV 16 “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root…
“Look around you. How are things in your corner of the world? Are you reflecting the Creator’s desire to bring order that promotes the flourishing of creation? Most of the time our fulfillment of that task is not flashy—washing the dishes and folding the laundry do not win awards and are not Instagram-worthy, but when we are diligent to bring order to our corner of the world, those around us have space in which to flourish.”
~ Carmen Joy Imes