“What Is Man…?”
 
Introduction
I.	We have just experienced outstanding teaching on the existence of God, 	creation and the accuracy and authority of the Bible. 
II. 	 We should now be prepared to study about man and God’s purpose for
	  man.
III. 	  The psalmist raised a question that should help us understand more about
  man.  “What is man, that Thou dost take thought of him?”  Ps. 8:4.
IV. 	 In this lesson we shall study of God’s creating man in His own image and of His plan for man, thus answering the question, “What is man?”

Body
I. 	God created man in His own image.
A. 	Man was created in the image of God.  Gen. 1:24-28.
1. 	God is spirit.  John 4:23, 24.
2. 	Man was created as both material and spiritual, and that part of man created in the image of God is spirit.		
B. 	Man  was  created  to  have  dominion  over  all  that  God  had  made.  Gen. 1:28.

II. 	 God’s plan for man was such that He would care for him.
A. 	The  Psalmist   recognized   the  great  position  of  man  in  God’s  plan.                            Ps. 8:1-9. 
1. 	He first speaks of the Lord’s glory and majesty.  Vss. 1-2.
2. 	Even though man appears insignificant in comparison with the rest of creation, he has been crowned with glory and honor.  Vss. 3-8.
3. 	He ends the Psalm with praise to the Lord.  Vs. 9.
B. 	Man’s time on earth is brief, but God cares for him.  Ps. 144:1-15.
1. 	God cares for man in his weakness.  Vss. 1-4.
2. 	Man can appeal to God for help against the enemy.  Vss.  5-12.
3. 	Man can have confidence in the care of God.  Vss.  12-15.

III. 	  God revealed His plan in the New Testament.
A. 	Since God made Christ to sit at His right hand (Heb. 1:1-14), man must 		recognize the importance of listening to Christ’s teaching.  Heb. 2:1-4.
B. 	God subjected the earth to man, and not to angels.  Heb. 2:5-8.
C. 	Yet man found himself with one thing, death, not subject to him.  Heb. 2:8.
D. 	Jesus allowed Himself to me made lower than angels so as to die for man.  Heb. 2:9-10; Phil. 2:5-8.
E. 	We become one with Jesus who provides for our sanctification.  Heb. 2:11-15.  
F. 	Jesus did not die for angels, but for man.  Heb. 2:16-18.

Conclusion
I. 	You and I may be insignificant when we are compared to the universe that God created, but when we consider the position in which God placed man, we recognize man’s greatness.
II. 	Since God made us and Jesus died for us, we should obey God’s teaching.
III. 	God instructs believers to repent and be baptized for the remission of sins.  Mark 16:15, 16; Acts 2:38.
IV. 	You are encouraged to obey the Lord today.

Prepared by:
	David Arnold
	March 2, 1996