07.03. Let Us Make Man

Let Us Make Man Genesis 1:26-31 ; Genesis 2:4-8, Genesis 2:15

Is it true that all dogs go to heaven? If this is true then can we say that dogs and humans are created equal? Are humans merely animals that have evolved to a higher plane than other animals or does human life have more value than a cow or a pig or a deer? If so why? Have you ever heard of a prototype? This is usually the first generation of what will be something like it but different in many ways in its final state. Did evolution produce the ape as a prototype for human? There is an argument than some use to support evolution that I purpose is not evidence of evolution but of a special creator. This is the evidence of design. Evolutionist say that because there are legs and arms or the such on most animals this is proof that they evolved from each other or a common ancestor. However I declare this is evidence of a Creator who got it right the first time and used the design throughout all His creation.

I- Man- The Crown Of Creation:

    Last sermon we talked about how everything got here. We read Genesis chapter one that told what was created on which day. After everything else had been created God says to themselves, Genesis 1:26 "…Let us make man in our image, after our likeness…"

"Likeness" is the Hebrew word demut and means, "likeness; shape; figure; form; pattern." (from Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words, Copyright (c)1985, Thomas Nelson Publishers)

    We will deal next sermon with the origin of the species but with this statement from the word of God we can see that we as humans are made in the image of God. This is the big difference between men and animals. What does it mean to be made in the image of God? One is that we are created an immortal being. God in one sense gave us part of His eternal image.

Second He made us with the ability to have communion with Him. While God is conscious that animals exist it seems apparent that they are not aware of the existence of God. God also created men to have dominion. Genesis 1:26 b "… and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth." The psalmist in Psalms 8:5-8 says "For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour. ⁶ Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet: ⁷ All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field; ⁸ The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas."

    We also know that the animals did not sin and are not fallen creatures but suffer because of the sin of men.

    You may have noticed it says that men were made a little lower than the angels were? Angels were created in a fixed number and do not reproduce. Angels will never know the joy of redemption. Only men are redeemed, man fell by one representative head, Adam, angel fell individually. There is no head of the angelic race from which all descended and therefore no way the fallen angels can be redeemed by one.

II- Special Creation:

    The creation of man is given to us two times in the first verse of the Bible. The Bible tells us that God formed Adam out of the dust of the earth. Notice the Biblical accounts. Genesis 1:26-31 ; Genesis 2:4-8, Genesis 2:15

    God created man to have fellowship with Him. He placed him in control over the creation as we have said.

    Special creation gives us a sense of love because God purposed in His heart to create man. The psalmist cried, "I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made…" Psalms 139:14

    There are some who claim God put all the material here than set back and watched things evolve. This flies in the face of a loving God who breathed life into Adam.

    We call this special creation. God says that the day He created man it was "very good." Genesis 1:31 .

III- Value of Life:

    We see that man was told in Genesis 1:28 "And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply..."

Today there are many burning issues that face humanity. The value of life or the devalue of life is before us. The total blatant disregard for life in the attack on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon recently show how little some value life. This nation abortion 1.5-.1.6 million babies each year show a disregard for life. The issue of cloning is before us. I have been asked recently what I thought the bible taught on this. If we clone a child will it have a soul? These are questions that face us. My first reaction is total horror with men playing God. Then I realize that even if men put together the cells that it is God alone who gives life. I feel these people will have a soul because God who is the giver of all life and not scientist allows life to spring forth.

    Because men are made by God and are special creation of God there is a value to life. If man is only a product of a biological process then there can be no purpose apart from self.

IV- Man became a living Soul:

    Notice the last part of Genesis 2:7 "And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul." Man became a living soul. Let us not miss this as we seek to understand the creation of humanity.

Remember I ask if all dogs go to heaven? Well I think the scripture would teach us that no dogs go to heaven. Animals were not created with eternal souls. Men are eternal being because God has chosen to make us eternal. He made us a living soul. This brings us to the big question that all of humanity faces. If there is a God what do I need to do? Many simply choose to deny that a supernatural being exists, choosing instead to believe in chance. Many say yes there is a god (notice it is not capitalized) but I will make him to be what I want him to be based on my feeling and assumptions. The truth is there is a God who created man and made him eternal and each must choose where he will spend eternity. We are answerable to the creator whether we want to be or not. Denying it does not change the facts. So what does God expect of me?

Deuteronomy 10:12 "And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul,"

Ecclesiastes 12:13 "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man."

Mark 12:33 "And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices."

God the Creator has prepared a way that we again can be in right standing, just as the first man Adam was. The way He has prepared is Jesus Christ.