DIVINE IMAGE BEARERS

Table of Contents

1. Introduction and Connection to the Previous Message
2. God's Completed Creation and His Rest
3. The Creation of Eden After Creation Was Finished
4. God's Desire to Dwell Face-to-Face with Humanity
5. Eden as God's Original Plan for the Earth
6. The Fall of Humanity and the Loss of Eden
7. God's Restoration Plan Through Jesus Christ
8. Living in the Kingdom as Modern Eden Dwellers
9. The Renewing of the Mind and New Creation Reality
10. Divine Image Bearers and the Vine and Branch Relationship
11. Closing Encouragement and Thanksgiving

Introduction and Connection to the Previous Message

Pastor Leonard begins by greeting the congregation and humorously clarifying that the woman he often kisses during services is his wife, Pastor Lori. He then stresses the importance of listening to the previous Sunday's message, explaining that this teaching serves as an extension and deeper exploration of that sermon.

The pastors explain that the previous message focused on the power of God for the miraculous and that understanding today's lesson depends upon understanding the foundation that was laid previously. They encourage everyone to revisit the earlier teaching through their website, Roku channel, or YouTube.

God's Completed Creation and His Rest

The teaching begins with Pastor Lori reading Genesis 2:1-3-“Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.”

The pastors emphasize that at this point in the biblical narrative, God's work of creation was complete. Everything necessary for creation had been finished. God had completed the heavens, the earth, and all that existed within them.
Pastor Leonard notes that God had reached a point where His creative work was done and He rested. The significance of this observation becomes important as the teaching progresses because it establishes that creation itself was complete before another special work took place.

The Creation of Eden After Creation Was Finished

Pastor Lori then reads Genesis 2:8-9 and Genesis 2:15–“And the LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed. And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.”
“And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.”

Pastor Leonard explains that he had always assumed Eden was created simultaneously with the rest of creation. However, upon studying these passages, he came to see something different. The text indicates that after creation was complete and after man had been created, God planted a garden in Eden and placed man there. This observation led the pastors to conclude that Eden represented something unique and distinct from the rest of creation.

They emphasize that God had already created a complete and functioning world. Nothing was missing from creation itself. Yet there remained one special thing to be established—a place where God would manifest Himself in intimate fellowship with humanity.

God's Desire to Dwell Face-to-Face with Humanity

According to Pastor Leonard, Eden reveals God's deepest desire and motivation. He explains that God had love within Himself for a family and a desire to create humankind. The creation of Eden demonstrated God's longing to dwell with mankind face-to-face.

The pastors teach that God's intention was not merely to create people and place them on the earth. Rather, He desired direct fellowship with them. Eden became the location where God manifested Himself and walked with humanity.

Pastor Leonard explains that God desired to live with man and dwell with man face-to-face. Eden represented the environment where that relationship could flourish in its fullest expression. The pastors point out that this was not a temporary arrangement. It reflected God's heart and original purpose for humanity.

Eden as God's Original Plan for the Earth

To help illustrate the beauty and magnificence of Eden, Pastor Leonard compares it to beautiful gardens and landscapes he has seen. He describes ordinary beautiful scenery as comparable to the earth itself. Then he compares Eden to an exceptionally luxurious and spectacular garden filled with lush beauty, abundant life, and extraordinary splendor.

According to the teaching, Eden was far superior to the rest of creation. While God had declared creation to be very good, Eden represented something even more intimate because it was the place of God's manifested presence.

The pastors explain that Adam and Eve were commissioned to replenish the earth. In their understanding, this meant that Eden was intended to expand until it covered the entire earth. Humanity was meant to spread God's presence and the environment of Eden throughout the world so that all mankind would live in fellowship with God. This would have allowed humanity everywhere to enjoy life in God's presence, walking with Him face-to-face.

The Fall of Humanity and the Loss of Eden

The pastors then turn to the tragic interruption of God's original plan. They explain that an enemy opposed God's purpose and tempted Eve and subsequently Adam. Through their disobedience, sin entered the world. The result was corruption, death, separation from the Garden, and the loss of the perfect environment God had intended.

Pastor Leonard notes that humanity was never supposed to experience sickness, disease, aging, death, or separation from God. Life was intended to be eternal and everlasting within God's presence. The loss of Eden therefore represented much more than the loss of a beautiful garden. It represented humanity losing the experience of perfect fellowship with God and the fullness of life He intended.

God's Restoration Plan Through Jesus Christ

Despite humanity's fall, the pastors emphasize that God already had a plan of restoration. According to the teaching, God's answer was the offering and sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ. Through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, humanity was given a way back to God.

The pastors teach that believers who place their faith in Jesus are united with Him and restored to God's original purpose. In fact, they suggest that believers now possess an even greater reality than Adam and Eve experienced in Eden because God's presence no longer walks beside them—it dwells within them.

Pastor Leonard references:
Romans 8- “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

He emphasizes that because of Christ, nothing can separate believers from God. Unlike Adam and Eve, who were expelled from the garden, believers possess an eternal union with God that can never be broken.

Living in the Kingdom as Modern Eden Dwellers

The pastors teach that believers now live in what they call a restored Eden reality. Pastor Leonard explains that the Kingdom of God functions as the believer's Eden. Because God dwells within believers, they already possess eternal life and have access to God's presence at all times. This reality is not reserved only for heaven. The pastors teach that believers can experience aspects of eternal life right now.

They speak of victory over sin, victory over sickness, victory over disease, and victory over poverty as believers grow in understanding their union with Christ. According to the message, believers live, move, and dwell within God's Kingdom, and that Kingdom cannot be taken away from them.

The Renewing of the Mind and New Creation Reality

The pastors explain that while believers already possess these spiritual realities, many fail to experience them because of incorrect belief systems and mindsets.

Pastor Leonard teaches that the primary obstacle is not God's willingness but humanity's understanding. As believers renew their minds to their identity in Christ and their new creation reality, they begin to experience more of what God has already provided. He explains that believers have been restored to God's original design of righteousness and holiness.

Pastor Lori echoes this thought by referencing Paul's teaching about transformation through the renewing of the mind. The message emphasizes that spiritual growth occurs as believers continually learn and embrace the truths of their union with Christ.

Divine Image Bearers and the Vine and Branch Relationship

Pastor Lori concludes the main teaching by focusing on the concept of being an image bearer. She declares that she loves being an Eden dweller because she is an image bearer of God. Using the illustration of the vine and the branches, she explains that believers are connected directly to Jesus.

Everything that exists in the vine flows into the branches. The branch does not produce fruit through its own effort. The fruit comes because the life of the vine flows through it.

She explains that believers do not experience God's life through works or human striving. Instead, everything comes through faith in Jesus Christ. As branches connected to the vine, believers receive all that Christ is and all that He has accomplished.

Pastor Lori describes this as a glorious gospel because it places the focus entirely on Jesus and His finished work rather than human effort. The Kingdom of God becomes the believer's dwelling place because of this union.

Closing Encouragement and Thanksgiving

The pastors conclude by encouraging viewers once again to listen to the previous Sunday's message for a fuller understanding of the topic. They express gratitude to those who support their ministry financially and prayerfully.

Pastor Lori thanks supporters for being "God's hands extended," explaining that God often blesses ministries through the generosity of His people.

Pastor Leonard echoes that appreciation and reminds viewers that giving opportunities are available through their website. The teaching closes with expressions of love, gratitude, and anticipation for future messages.

Thank you for taking the time to read this teaching on Divine Image Bearers. We hope this message encouraged you to see God's original purpose for humanity and to recognize your identity as one who dwells in His presence through Jesus Christ. May you continue to renew your mind to the reality of your union with Christ and the Kingdom of God within you. If this teaching blessed you, please share it with others so they too can discover the good news of God's love, grace, and restoration.