The Human Race We believe… “All men and women, being created in the image of God, have inherent and equal dignity and worth. Their greatest purpose is to obey, worship and love God. As a result of the fall of our first parents, every aspect of human nature has been corrupted and all men and women are without spiritual life, guilty sinners, hostile to God and subject to the authority of Satan. Every person is therefore under the just condemnation of God and needs to be born again, forgiven and reconciled to God in order to know and please Him”

The Human Race The Creation of Man The Bible tells us clearly that God created us So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them (Genesis 1:27) WHY did God create us? - for his own glory – he certainly didn’t need to! ‘…everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made’ (Isaiah 43:7) - we are made to glorify him So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31)

The Human Race The Creation of Man We are made in the image of God (unlike animals): that means all the ways in which we are like him we are moral beings – like God we are spiritual beings – like God we are reasoning beings – like God we are relational beings – like God we are far more ‘like God’ than anything else he made and that gives us huge significance and honour!

The Human Race The Creation of Man: our nature We are made up of two parts: body and soul/spirit ‘My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour’ (Luke 1:46-47) but we exist in unity, not in separate sections! we relate to God in every aspect of our lives Let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God (2 Corinthians 7:1) we are different from the animals Then God said, ‘Let us make man… and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock… and over all the creatures that move along the ground’ (Genesis 1:26)

The Human Race Man as male and female God made us for relationships – most fully in marriage For this reason a man will leave his father and his mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh (Genesis 2:24) Men and women are equal – both equally ‘in his image’ Men and women are different! - not just physically, but in our role in marriage and in the Church

The Human Race The problem of sin Where it began: the Fall The story: Genesis 3 In groups: Read the story How did the serpent appeal to Eve? (v.5) What impact did these events have? - on Adam and Eve’s relationship with God? (v.10) - on the woman and her relationship with the man? (v.16) - on the man? (vv.17-19)

The Human Race The problem of sin Where it began: the Fall The consequences God’s image in us is distorted – but not lost …men, who have been made in God’s likeness (James 3:9) death came into the world Therefore… sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned (Romans 5:12) inherited sin and guilt (‘original sin’) The result of one trespass was condemnation for all men (Romans 5:18)

The Human Race The problem of sin Sin is any failure to meet God’s standard: in our actions You shall not… (Exodus 20) in our attitudes ‘Anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgement’ (Matthew 5:22) in our nature Like the rest we were by nature objects of wrath (Ephesians 2:3)

The Human Race The problem of sin Sin is universal – we are all sinners For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23) Every part of our being is corrupted by sin (‘total depravity’) The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? (Jeremiah 17:9) I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. (Romans 7:18) We are responsible for our sin Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect (Matthew 5:48)

The Human Race The problem of sin Sin leaves us dead – helpless and without hope – apart from Christ – more next time! As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins (Ephesians 2:1)

Questions to discuss Ask about anything you found hard to follow Think about the fact that we are made in the image of God. How does that make you feel about yourself and other people? Are you really convinced that you, in yourself, are a sinner, unable to please God and helpless to save yourself? The Human Race