Man

Man

We are God’s workmanship—His crafted masterpiece—created in Christ Jesus for good works (Ephesians 2:10). Tonight we will consider “man” through three rich Old Testament terms and learn who we are, what we lack, and how the Lord supplies strength for a renewed life in His image.

Created in God’s Image — ’ādām

The Hebrew word often transliterated ’ādām speaks of humanity formed from the ground (Genesis 2:7) and fashioned in the likeness of God (Genesis 5:1–2). “Workmanship” in Ephesians 2:10 renders the idea of a purposeful work of art. God endowed mankind with communicable qualities that reflect His character—righteousness, holiness, mercy, compassion, love, and justice. These are moral capacities, not chemical accidents. They were granted by the Creator when He formed man.
Paul contrasts the first man and the last: through a man came death; through a Man came resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:21–22). In Christ the image is restored and the new self appears—“created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:20–24).

Frail and Finite — ’ĕnôsh

Another word, ’ĕnôsh, emphasizes human frailty. Life is brief and burdened (Job 14:1–2). Our days commonly span seventy or eighty years and are soon gone (Psalm 90:10). Psalm 8:4 ponders the marvel that the Almighty is mindful of such a being. Bildad’s severe language in Job 25:6—“man…a maggot; the son of man…a worm”—pushes the point: compared with the Holy One, humanity is lowly and vulnerable. Our bodies decay and require transformation to inherit glory (1 Corinthians 15:42–53). This perspective humbles pride and drives us toward grace.

Strong in the Lord — geber/gibbôr

A third term, often rendered “man” or “mighty man” (geber/gibbôr), highlights capability when anchored in God. “Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, and whose hope is the LORD” (Jeremiah 17:7). The Psalms distinguish a genuine “mighty man” from a pretender. Trust in wealth and scheming collapses (Psalm 52:1–7). Trust in the LORD produces stable strength and blessedness (Psalm 34:8). True might is spiritual. The person who leans on the LORD becomes steadfast, courageous, generous, and obedient because the source is divine.

Putting Off the Old, Putting On the New

Since humanity bears God’s image (’ādām), feels its own frailty (’ĕnôsh), and finds strength only in the LORD (geber/gibbôr), the gospel calls for a transformed life. The “old man” with its practices must be laid aside; the “new man” is renewed in knowledge according to the image of the Creator (Colossians 3:9–10). Union with Christ in baptism is the turning point where we die to sin and rise to walk in newness of life (Romans 6:3–4). From that moment forward, we grow into what God intended from the beginning—people who increasingly resemble His character in thought, word, and deed (Ephesians 4:20–24; James 1:25).

Call to Action

Walk as God’s masterpiece. Acknowledge human frailty before the Eternal, and seek the strength that comes from trusting Him. If you have never been united with Christ in baptism, begin the new life today. If you have drifted, renew your mind in Scripture and commit yourself afresh to the good works God prepared for you.

Key Takeaways

• Humanity bears God’s image and moral capacities (’ādām): Genesis 2:7; 5:1–2; Ephesians 2:10.

• Life on earth is brief and fragile (’ĕnôsh): Job 14:1–2; Psalm 90:10; Psalm 8:4.

• Real strength comes from trusting the LORD (geber/gibbôr): Jeremiah 17:7; Psalm 34:8; Psalm 52:1–7.

• The new man is created in God’s likeness through Christ: Ephesians 4:20–24; Colossians 3:9–10.

• Newness of life begins at union with Christ in baptism: Romans 6:3–4.

“Man” Sermon Outline:

Text: Ephesians 2:10
Theme: Understanding mankind through Scripture’s three portraits—formed in God’s image, frail in ourselves, strong in the LORD.

1. Man as God’s Workmanship — ’ādām

   • Formed from the dust; given breath and life (Genesis 2:7).

   • Created in God’s likeness with moral capacities (Genesis 5:1–2).

   • God’s workmanship for good works (Ephesians 2:10).

   • First Adam/Last Adam: death through one; life through Christ (1 Corinthians 15:21–22).

   • New self reflects God’s holiness and righteousness (Ephesians 4:20–24).

2. Man as Frail and Finite — ’ĕnôsh

   • Short, troubled life underscores dependence (Job 14:1–2).

   • Numbered days teach wisdom (Psalm 90:10, context Psalm 90:12).

   • Humility before the majestic God (Psalm 8:4).

   • Earthly bodies require transformation for glory (1 Corinthians 15:42–53).

   • Pride crumbles when measured against the Holy One (Job 25:6).

3. Man as Mighty in the LORD — geber/gibbôr

   • Blessedness springs from trust in God (Jeremiah 17:7).

   • Counterfeit might exposes itself (Psalm 52:1–7).

   • True might tastes and sees the LORD’s goodness (Psalm 34:8).

   • Spiritual strength equips good works prepared by God (Ephesians 2:10).

4. Putting Off/Putting On

   • Lay aside the old self with its deeds (Colossians 3:9).

   • Put on the new self, renewed to reflect the Creator (Colossians 3:10).

   • Enter the new life at baptism into Christ’s death and resurrection (Romans 6:3–4).

   • Continue in the perfect law of liberty for sustained growth (James 1:25).

Application Points:

• Cultivate God’s image daily through prayer, Scripture, and service.

• Practice humility by numbering your days and seeking wisdom.

• Choose trust-driven courage over self-reliance; measure strength by obedience.

• Renew commitments publicly or privately as needed; pursue visible growth in Christlike character.

Scripture Reference List

• Ephesians 2:10 – God’s workmanship; good works prepared.

• Genesis 2:7 – Man formed from dust; life breathed by God.

• Genesis 5:1–2 – Humanity created in God’s likeness.

• 1 Corinthians 15:21–22 – Death through Adam; life through Christ.

• Ephesians 4:20–24 – Put off the old; put on the new; created in holiness.

• Job 14:1–2 – Human frailty and brevity of life.

• Psalm 90:10 – The span and sorrow of life.

• Psalm 8:4 – God’s mindfulness of frail humanity.

• Job 25:6 – Man’s smallness in contrast to God.

• Jeremiah 17:7 – Blessedness of trusting in the LORD.

• Psalm 52:1–7 – The false security of the self-styled “mighty man.”

• Psalm 34:8 – Experiencing the Lord’s goodness.

• Colossians 3:9–10 – Old self off; new self renewed in God’s image.

• Romans 6:3–4 – Baptized into Christ’s death; raised to new life.

• James 1:25 – Looking into the perfect law of liberty and doing it.

Prepared by Bobby Stafford of the church of Christ at Granby, MO

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