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September 14, 2025
Body & Soul: The Gift of an Embodied Faith
Pastor Matt Hammett
Congregational Prayer:
Father in heaven,
Help us.
We humble ourselves before you.
Jesus, our Redeemer,
We need you.
Deliver us from evil.
Bring beauty from our brokenness.
Holy Spirit, we welcome you.
Come fill our hearts with the love of God.
Comfort us in our grief.
Drive out fear.
Turn our anger into the courage to love.
May we be instruments of your peace,
And carriers of your healing,
For the good of the world,
And for glory of God.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Help us.
We humble ourselves before you.
Jesus, our Redeemer,
We need you.
Deliver us from evil.
Bring beauty from our brokenness.
Holy Spirit, we welcome you.
Come fill our hearts with the love of God.
Comfort us in our grief.
Drive out fear.
Turn our anger into the courage to love.
May we be instruments of your peace,
And carriers of your healing,
For the good of the world,
And for glory of God.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Genesis 1:26-28 (New Living Translation)
26 Then God said, “Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground.”
27 So God created human beings in his own image.
In the image of God he created them;
male and female he created them.
28 Then God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it. Reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the animals that scurry along the ground.”
Romans 8:28-29 (NIV)
28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.
28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.
Embodied Faith: Following Jesus with our whole selves: body, mind, and soul in community with others. Where what we believe is lived out in acts of love.
From Brokenness → Wholeness in Christ
| Brokenness (Genesis 3) | Wholeness (Genesis 1) |
| Defensive | Approachability |
| Low self-awareness | High self-awareness |
| Reactive and blaming | Non-reactivity |
| Addicted or self-absorbed | Taking Responsibility |
| Dishonest | Speaking the truth in love |
| Isolation | Offering self as a gift |
| Fear-driven | Compelled by love |
| Anger, resentment | Joy and delight |
1. Crowned with Dignity.
Genesis 1:26-27 (NLT)
26 Then God said, “Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground.”
27 So God created human beings in his own image.
In the image of God he created them;
male and female he created them.
Psalm 8:5 (NIV)
You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor.
You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor.
"To be God's image implies kinship. We are God's family. Being God's image involves both kinship and kingship. We are part of God's royal family."
-Carmen Imes (Professor of OT at Talbot)
"That all men had been created equal and endowed with an inalienable right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness were not remotely self-evident truths. That most Americans believe that they were self-evident, owed less to philosophy than to the Bible: to the assurance given equally to Christians and Jews, to Protestants and Catholics, to Calvinists and Quakers, that every human being was created in God's image.”The truest and ultimate seedbed of the American Republic–no matter what some of those who had composed its founding documents might have cared to think–was the Book of Genesis.
- Tom Holland, historian
2. Empowered with Authority.
Genesis 1:28 (NLT)
Then God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it. Reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the animals that scurry along the ground.”
Then God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it. Reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the animals that scurry along the ground.”
Psalm 8:3-4
3 When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers—the moon and the stars you set in place—4 what are mere mortals that you should think about them,
3 When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers—the moon and the stars you set in place—4 what are mere mortals that you should think about them,
human beings that you should care for them?
"Our identity as God's image implies a representational role--the Creator God appointed human beings to exercise his rule over creation on his behalf."
- Carmen Imes
3. Sent with Purpose.
Ephesians 2:10
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Romans 8:28-29 (NIV)
28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.
28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.
Table Talk Questions
Read Gen 1:26-28 Where do you most need to be reminded that you bear God’s image? Who around you needs that same affirmation this week, and how will you show it?
Where do you feel stuck right now? What’s one Spirit-empowered step you can take to act with godly agency?
In this season, what unique good has God positioned you to do? What would it look like to partner with Him in one ordinary moment this week?
Read Romans 8:1, 14–17 How have shame or past failures distorted your sense of dignity, agency, or purpose? What truth from Romans 8 do you need to receive and rehearse daily?
Practices: Which daily habits (phone, work rhythms, worship, meals, service) are forming your loves right now? What practice will you adopt or retire to better reflect God’s image?
Where do you see human dignity being eroded (near or far)? What concrete act of advocacy, generosity, or presence can your group/church offer this month?
Enjoying Time with Jesus in Scripture
As you begin, become aware of the Lord who is present to you, looking upon you with love, and desiring to speak to your heart. . .
Prayerfully read Psalm 139:1-18 (2-3x)
"Before you were born I set you apart."
Reflection:
This psalm is a prayer. I make its words my own and speak to the God who is here with me.
You know me. “You have searched me, Lord, and you know me.” You see me sit and rise; you understand my thoughts before I do. “Before a word is on my tongue, you, Lord, know it completely.” I marvel that the infinite God knows me this intimately and cares.
You are with me. “You hem me in, behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me.” Wherever I am, your presence holds. “Your hand will guide me; your right hand will hold me fast.” I invite you into every hidden place, my hopes, fears, and struggles.
You formed me. “You knit me together in my mother’s womb.” My life begins and is sustained in your love. I hear your verdict over me: wanted, valued, and deeply loved.
I respond. “I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” Gratitude awakens; my heart sings your praise.
I trust your purposes. “How precious to me are your thoughts, O God.” I linger over your designs for my life. They give meaning and hope. I reread these words and let you show me their truth.
Prayer: Search me, O God, and know my heart. Lead me by your hand. Let your intimate knowledge and faithful presence shape how I live today. Amen.
Reflection Questions:
- What word or phrase in this Scripture stands out to you?
- What did your heart feel as you prayed?
- What did you sense the Lord saying to you in this time of prayer?
- What step of faith is the Lord inviting you to take in response?