Hosting the presence (part 3)

What seeds are
planted in your
garden?

What is the
condition of
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?

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 1:12
I am a child of God.

Read John 15:1,5
I am a branch of the
True Vine and a conduit
of Christ’s life.

Read John 15:15
I am a friend of
JESUS.

Read Romans 3:24
I 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 5:1
I have been set free from
the law of sin and death.

Read Romans 8:17
I am a fellow heir
with Christ.

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

My body is a Temple of
the Holy Spirit who dwells
in me.

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

I am a new creature in
Christ.

I have become the
righteousness of God in
Christ.

Read Galatians 3:28
I have been made
one with all who are
in Christ JESUS.

Read Galatians 4:7
I am no longer a
slave, but a child
and an heir.

Read Ephesians 1:3
I am blessed with
every spiritual
blessing in the
heavenly places.

Read Ephesians 1:4
I am chosen, holy,
and blameless
before God.

Read Ephesians 1:7
I am redeemed and
forgiven by the grace
of Christ.

Read Ephesians 1:11
I have been
predestined by God
to obtain an
inheritance.

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

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

Read Ephesians 2:6;
Colossians 3:1
I have been raised up with
Christ.

Read Ephesians 2:6
I am seated in the
heavenly places with
Christ.

Read Ephesians 2:10
I am God’s
workmanship
created to produce
good works.

Read Ephesians 2:13
I have been brought
near to God by the
blood of Christ.

Read Ephesians 4:24
My new self is
righteous and holy.

Read Ephesians 5:8
I am light in the
LORD.

Read Philippians 3:20
I am a citizen of
heaven.

Read Colossians 2:10
I have been made
complete in Christ.

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

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

If you could choose
one thing to be known
for, one thing that
would distinguish you
from everyone else,
what would it be?

What are the
requirements
for a face to
face encounter
with God?

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.

Hosting the presence (part 3)

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Hosting the presence (part 3)