What Is Man? I. Introduction. A. The crowning physical creation of God was mankind: Genesis 1:26. 1. All previous creations prepared for this event. 2. Man was formed by the elements--not through organic evolution. 3. There is such an immense gap between the animal kingdom and the kingdom of men, it is literally impossible for there to be an evolution-- regardless of the number of years allowed. 4. And yet...at times one is made to wonder about a. When act like animals...(sometimes worse). b. Refuse to follow the Lord and obey His commands. B. And yet...men ask, "What is man?" 1. There are Bible answers to this question. 2. The speculations of men do not satisfy. C. Man is: 1. An intelligent being, capable of reasoning(does not act by instinct as animals). 2. Morally upright; so created by God: Ecclesiastes 7:29. 3. Capable of rule and supremacy over all creation. D. Any yet--What is man? 1. Job asked this question(expound). 2. And men still wonder... 3. Five times this question appears in the word of God. II. Body. A. Job's first inquiry: Job 7:17. 1. After all of the misery, anyone could ask that question. 2. Imagine: Job had lost his wealth, his family and was accused(and taunted) by his friends. 3. Job reached the point: Job 7:16. 4. Job's mental state: Job 7:18-20. 5. At times, it is tough to be human! 6. Do you ever feel that all is hopeless and there is no place to turn? 7. Do not forget that man is created in the image of God, yet all feel their mortality. 8. What is man: a being who is tempted but can endure. B. Job's "friend" asked: Job 15:14. 1. From an observer, not a participant. 2. Eliphaz must have felt for Job--that power is in man. 3. Man does suffer--because he is mortal. a. Suffering is unpleasant--yet--can have benefits. b. Note: Romans 8:17. 4. Job suffered because he was a righteous man--not because he was unrighteous. 5. Eliphaz thought Job suffered because he did not trust in God: Job 15:15. 6. All men suffer: the difference is in how one deals with such. 7. What is man: one who suffers in this life. C. David asked also: Psalm 144:3. 1. Why should the Lord take an interest in man, who sinned against Him and still does? 2. David recognized the mortality of man: Psalm 144:4. 3. The world continues for man--until God destroys it: Eccesiastes 1:4-5. 4. Man is a free moral agent--capable of choosing right or wrong: it is up to the individual. 5. Job and David chose theirs--it was not always pleasant for either(explain). 6. What is man? One who can choose his path in life. D. As a prophet, David revealed: Psalm 8:4. 1. From a creation standpoint: Psalm 8:5-9. 2. Man has the power for glory and honor--or--the opposite(must work for what is good). 3. Man has the creation and elements at his fingertips. 4. Man can live in a manner that is acceptable to God. 5. What is man? A being responsible for his actions, his accomplishments, his victories, as well as his failures. E. Paul explains David's prophecy: Hebrews 2:5. 1. The previous was from the physical side: this is the spiritual. 2. What is man? A dependent being, he seeks/needs God's help. a. In the garden--God had to make clothing for Adam and Eve. b. Can you secure any food without the Lord? or anything else that is proper and right? 3. Hence--man cannot save himself. 4. Jehovah sent His Son to do what man could not do. 5. Every man and woman needs the Lord; His word, and His help. a. Man cannot remit sins: God does it. b. Man cannot devise a way of salvation; God did it. c. Man cannot be faithful without God's word: God gave it. III. Conclusion. A. What is man--one who depends wholly on God--for everything! B. What is man--he is a sinner that is lost without God's grace!-jy