Unveiling Heaven’s Agenda

What type of seed are you?

What seeds are planted in your

garden?

What is the condition of

your garden?

How do you dress your

garden?

How do you keep your garden?

Introduction• Who am I? Why am I here? These are LIFE’S BIG

QUESTIONS. Everyone asks these questions, or variations of them, in every AGE and every CULTURE at some point in their lives. The answers to these questions are linked to our SELF-IMAGE and our WORLDVIEW. Theologically, MAN IS A CREATED TERRESTRIAL SPIRIT BEING WITH MORAL JUDGMENT and INTELLIGENCE, BEARING THE IMAGE OF GOD. Bearing the IMAGE (selem- resemblance, figure) of GOD and the LIKENESS (demut- manner, similitude, fashion) of GOD, MAN was DESIGNED to be GOD’S REPRESENTATIVE on the EARTH (Genesis 1:26-28; 2:7).

Introduction• The Hebrew words “IMAGE” (tselem) and “LIKENESS” (demuwth) refer to something that is a “DUPLICATE OF” but not the “original of.” The fact that man is in the IMAGE of GOD means that man is like God in the following ways: INTELLECTUAL ABILITY, moral purity, SPIRITUAL NATURE, creativity, DOMINION over the EARTH, ability to make ethical choices, and immortality.

Introduction• The LORD God PLANTED a GARDEN in the

EAST of EDEN (Genesis 2:8). He “TOOK” (laqah- take away, fetch, draw, carry away) the MAN who He formed and “PLACED” (yanah- deposit, put, lay up, settle down) him “IN” or “INTO” the GARDEN (v. 15). The PURPOSE of MAN, being in the GARDEN, was to “WORK” (‘abad- serve, dress, till, execute) and “KEEP” (shamar- guard, protect, watch, observe, preserve) it (v. 15). This reveals that the FIRST ASSIGNMENT of MAN is to be a GARDENER (John 20:11-17). It is also denoted in the KINGDOM MANDATE- “Be fruitful, multiple, replenish the earth, subdue it, and have dominion” (Genesis 1:28).

Introduction• Man’s ASSIGNMENT coupled with bearing the IMAGE and LIKENESS of GOD meant he was created RE-PRESENT GOD in PERSONALITY and FUNCTION on the earth. In order to EXAMINE the DOMINION and AUTHORITY of MAN, GOD provided a means to TEST MAN’S CREATIVE and INTELLECTUAL ability. He brought to man ALL the ANIMALS, over which He had GIVEN man DOMINION, to SEE what he would CALL them (Genesis 2:19-20).

Introduction• Man perfectly PASSED his TEST of DOMINION over the ANIMAL and VEGETATION KINGDOMS (Genesis 2:16-17,19-20). However, he horribly failed his TEST of SUBJECTION (Genesis 3:1-7). He neither CONQUERED the SERPENT or his own APPETITE. Ultimately, he caused ALL CREATION to FALL along with him. Why? What was the reason for the his fall? He did NOT KNOW or UNDERSTAND WHO HE WAS. He assumed a MISTAKEN IDENTITY.

Introduction• The FALL and SIN of MAN incited GOD to ask him

THREE QUESTIONS: (1) “Where are you?” (Genesis 3:9) This speaks to POSITION and ACCOUNTABILITY. (2) “Who told you that you were naked?” (v. 11) This speaks AUTHORITY, IDENTITY, and FELLOWSHIP. (3) “Have you eaten of the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?” (v. 11) This speaks to APPETITE, COMPLIANCE, RESPONSIBILITY, and RESPONDABILLITY. The LIE of INSIGNIFICANCE has produced both MISREPRESENTATION of PURPOSE and IDENTITY in man. Thankfully, JESUS Christ came to RESTORE and make ALL THINGS new (2 Corinthians 5:17-18). However, we must PASS the TEST of SUBJECTION and RECLAIM our IDENTITY. Who are you?

Who Am I?

Here is a list of biblical affirmations about our identity in JESUS Christ that is derived from a few selected passages mostly in the New Testament.

This is just a portion of the many truths about who we have become through faith in Christ, but it is a powerful inventory to

review from time to time.

Read John 1:12I am a child of God.

Read John 15:1,5I am a branch of the

True Vine and a conduit of Christ’s life.

Read John 15:15I am a friend of

JESUS.

Read Romans 3:24I have been justified and redeemed.

Read Galatians 2:20; Romans 6:6

My old self was crucified with Christ, and I am no longer a

slave to sin.

Read John 8:31-36; Romans 8:2; Galatians 5:1I have been set free from the law of sin and death.

Read Romans 8:17I am a fellow heir

with Christ.

Read 1 Corinthians 6:17I am joined to the LORD.I am one spirit with Him.

Read 1 Corinthians 6:19My body is a Temple of

the Holy Spirit who dwells in me.

Read 1 Corinthians 15:57-58; 2 Corinthians 2:14I am triumph in Christ.

Read 2 Corinthians 5:17I am a new creature in

Christ.

Read 2 Corinthians 5:21I have become the

righteousness of God in Christ.

Read Galatians 3:28I have been made

one with all who are in Christ JESUS.

Read Galatians 4:7I am no longer a slave, but a child

and an heir.

Read Ephesians 1:3I am blessed with

every spiritual blessing in the

heavenly places.

Read Ephesians 1:4I am chosen, holy,

and blameless before God.

Read Ephesians 1:7I am redeemed and

forgiven by the grace of Christ.

Read Ephesians 1:11I have been

predestined by God to obtain an inheritance.

Read Ephesians 1:13I have been sealed with the Holy Spirit

of promise.

Read Ephesians 2:4-5I have been made alive

with Christ.

Read Ephesians 2:6; Colossians 3:1

I have been raised up with Christ.

Read Ephesians 2:6I am seated in the

heavenly places with Christ.

Read Ephesians 2:10I am God’s

workmanship created to produce

good works.

Read Ephesians 2:13I have been brought near to God by the

blood of Christ.

Read Ephesians 4:24My new self is

righteous and holy.

Read Ephesians 5:8I am light in the

LORD.

Read Philippians 3:20I am a citizen of

heaven.

Read Colossians 2:10I have been made

complete in Christ.

Read Colossians 3:3-4Christ is my life, and

My life is Christ.

Read Psalm 139:14I am beautifully and wonderfully made.

I Know Who I

Am

If you could choose one thing to be known

for, one thing that would distinguish you

from everyone else, what would it be?

What is reckless

abandonment?

What are the requirements for a face to

face encounter with God?

I Know Who I

Am

Conclusion

•The more we embrace these truths from Scripture about who we have become in Christ, the more stable, grateful, and fully assured we will be in this world.

Unveiling Heaven’s Agenda