Living in the Image of God M05S15
The study discusses examples from the bible to illustrate ministering by deed, when your living radiates Godliness to others “that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” People were drawn to Jesus because he healed the sick, cast out demons, and performed other miracles—not because he could, but because he cared. Many did not know that he was God but were drawn to him because they believed he was of God—his interactions convey the Image of God. We discuss an example from his healing a man with leprosy. Further, to illustrate ministering by deed among ordinary people, we discuss Paul-Silas interactions with a jailer in Philippi whereby their act of compassion motivated the jailer to seek Jesus through them. Also, we discuss the reputation of Joseph as a slave in Potiphar’s house and David as a shepherd boy. Joseph was associated with being sensitive to needs of others and effective in attending to the needs. People perceived the presence of God in him. Similar to people being drawn to David several generations later.
This bible study discusses examples from the bible to illustrate ministering by deed, which occurs when your interactions radiate Godliness to others “that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Christ teaching in the Sermon on the Mount includes calling every person to let your Godliness motivate others to thank God for you and seek closer relationship with God. Godliness means the quality of Living in the Image of God.
People were drawn to Jesus because of his compassion, performing miracles, healing the sick, casting out demons, and explaining the word of God clearly. Many did not know that he was God but were drawn to him because they believed he was of God—his interactions convey the Image of God. For example, his interactions with healing recipients convey a message that he healed them because he cared—not because he could. We discuss an example from his healing a man with leprosy.
To illustrate ministering by deed among ordinary people, we discuss an example from Paul-and-Silas interactions with the jailer in Philippi. In the example, compassion by Paul and Silas motivated the jailer to make a commitment to Jesus on behalf of himself and his household.
Further, we discuss the reputation of Joseph while living as a slave in Potiphar’s house and of David during his time as a shepherd boy. People were drawn to Joseph because of his reputation for caring—being attentive to the needs of others and effective in attending to the needs. His master Potiphar elevated him to the position of greatest responsibility in the household. People perceived the presence of God in him. Similar to people being drawn to David several generations later.
Christ Teaching on Ministering by Deed
Christ teaching in the Sermon on the Mount includes calling every person to let your Godliness motivate others to thank God for you and seek closer relationship with God: “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” [Matthew 5:16]. Later, he brought the teaching to life through his interactions with people. People were drawn to him because of his compassion (which manifested through miracles, healing diseases, and casting out demons). Also, people were drawn to him because he explained the word of God clearly.
Interactions with Healing Recipients
To understand the compassion of Jesus, it is important to recognize that he healed the sick, cast out demons, and performed other miracles because he cared—not because he could. An example from his healing a man with leprosy shows that he healed people because he cared about them. His interactions with the man show that he cared. He started by touching him, not minding that the man had leprosy [Matthew 8:1–3]: “When Jesus came down from the mountainside, large crowds followed him. A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, ‘Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.’ Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. ‘I am willing,’ he said. ‘Be clean!’ Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy.”
People would normally avoid a person that has leprosy. In fact, people with such disease were required to maintain a minimum distance from others. But Jesus touched the man because he cared about him. Then he healed him. After healing the man, Jesus advised him on what to do to be re-admitted into mainstream society [Matthew 8:4]: “Then Jesus said to him, ‘See that you don’t tell anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.’” He not only healed the man, but also advised him on the next steps for getting re-admitted into mainstream society.
Human Godliness Draws People
Human Godliness draws people to God the same way that Christ Godliness drew people. Godliness means the quality of Living in the Image of God. People were drawn to Jesus because his interactions with others convey the Image of God, consistent with his teaching: “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” [Matthew 5:16].
Several examples from the bible illustrate ministering by deed among ordinary people: such as an act of compassion by Paul and Silas that motivated the Philippi jailer to seek Jesus through them. Another example comes from the reputation of Joseph as a slave in Potiphar’s house and another from David’s reputation as a shepherd boy. People were drawn to Joseph because they perceived the presence of God in him. Similar to people perceived the presence of God in David several generations later. The following sections discuss these ordinary-people examples in greater detail.
Paul and Silas Interactions with Philippi Jailer
Paul and Silas were jailed in Philippi, because Paul had expelled an evil spirit that possessed a female slave. The evil spirit enabled the slave girl to earn income for her owners as a fortune-teller, but made her a nuisance to others [Acts 16:18]: “…Finally Paul became so annoyed that he turned around and said to the spirit, ‘In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!’ At that moment the spirit left her.” The owners of the slave used their connections to get Paul and Silas imprisoned without trial: “After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully” [Acts 16:23].
While in jail, Paul and Silas prayed and worshipped God as other prisoners listened. At about midnight, a violent earthquake hit the prison building and caused all doors to open and shackles broken loose [Acts 16:25–26]: “About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose.” But the prisoners did not escape.
When the jailer woke up, he wanted to commit suicide because he thought the prisoners had escaped. However, Paul told him that the prisoners did not escape and persuaded him to call off the suicide [Acts 16:27–28]: “The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. But Paul shouted, ‘Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!’”
The jailer fell before Paul and Silas and asked what he needed to do to be saved. They told him to make spiritual commitment to Jesus on behalf of himself and his household. They preached the Gospel to him and the others there. He accepted Jesus and he and his household were baptized. He rejoiced and celebrated with them: “The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole household” [Acts 16:34].
Therefore, an act of compassion by Paul and Silas motivated the Philippi jailer to seek Jesus through them. The interactions provide an example among ordinary people to illustrate the essence of Christ teaching on ministering by deed.
Reputation of Joseph in Potiphar’s House
The reputation of Joseph (the 11th son of Jacob) as a slave in Potiphar’s house is summarized in a short bible passage [Genesis 39:3–4]: “When his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord gave him success in everything he did, Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his attendant. Potiphar put him in charge of his household, and he entrusted to his care everything he owned.”
According to the passage, people believed that God gave Joseph success in everything he did. They perceived the presence of God in him, because he did things that mattered to people, and he did them successfully. He recognized the needs around him and did what he could to alleviate the needs. Therefore, people were drawn to Joseph because he was caring, sensitive to needs, and resourceful. His master Potiphar elevated him to the position of greatest responsibility in the household.
Reputation of David As Shepherd Boy
The reputation of David as a shepherd boy also illustrates ministering by deed and is described in one bible verse [1 Samuel 16:18] “…I have seen a son of Jesse of Bethlehem who knows how to play the lyre. He is a brave man and a warrior. He speaks well and is a fine-looking man. And the Lord is with him.” The phrase “the Lord is with him” means that people perceived the presence of God in David. Similar to the testimony discussed previously regarding Joseph.
Summary of What We Learned
The study discusses examples from the bible to illustrate ministering by deed, when your living radiates Godliness to others “that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” People were drawn to Jesus because he healed the sick, cast out demons, and performed other miracles—not because he could, but because he cared. Many did not know that he was God but were drawn to him because they believed he was of God—his interactions convey the Image of God.
Further, to illustrate ministering by deed among ordinary people, we discuss Paul-Silas interactions with a jailer in Philippi whereby their act of compassion motivated the jailer to seek Jesus through them. Also, we discuss the reputation of Joseph as a slave in Potiphar’s house and David as a shepherd boy. Joseph was associated with being sensitive to needs of others and effective in attending to the needs. People perceived the presence of God in him. Similar to people being drawn to David several generations later.