Dismantling the Myths of Abortion
Don Jaques
January 25/26, 2003
MAIN IDEA: God hates abortion but loves those who have been a part of one. As God’s representatives we must do the same.
OBJECTIVES:
The audience will be informed of God’s pro-life views.
Those who may some day consider abortion for themselves or a loved one will recognize the long term effects of such a "quick fix".
Those who have been stained by abortion will be freed from condemnation.
The church will be inspired to action to eradicate abortion one at a time.
INTRO:
On September 11, 2001 over 3500 lives were extinguished when those two planes crashed into the twin towers of the World Trade Center. And the world mourned.
On September 12, 2001 4000 lives were extinguished and again on September 13 and 14 and 15. Every day in America there are over 4000 unborn babies whose lives have been taken in what is called pro-choice. 4000 each day, 28,000 each week, 112,000 each month and 1,460,000 each year.
30 years ago the Supreme Court of the United States of America handed down their infamous decision in Roe v. Wade making abortion on demand a legal reality in this great nation - and putting into motion the destruction of over 40 million human babies since then.
How can this have happened - and what can we do about it now?
If we are ever to make a difference on the national political scene, in the lives of those who face a crisis pregnancy, or the lives of those already scarred by their choice to abort a baby - we will have to dismantle the myths of abortion that abound in our culture.
2 audiences today – those who have experienced abortion (either personally or in the life of someone very close to them) and those who stand outside looking in at this issue.
My prayer is that God will speak to both groups today the message that God hates abortion but loves those who have been a part of one. And that as God’s representatives we must do the same.
The Myths of Abortion
1. Myth #1 - God does not have an opinion on abortion.
Truth #1 - God is pro-life.
A. God is the creator of the unborn.
Psalm 139:13-16 (NLT)
You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body
and knit me together in my mother’s womb.
Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
Your workmanship is marvelous--and how well I know it.
You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion,
as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.
You saw me before I was born.
Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out
before a single day had passed.
B. God has plans for the unborn.
Jeremiah 1:5 (AMP)
Before I formed you in the womb I knew [and] approved of you [as My chosen instrument], and before you were born I separated and set you apart, consecrating you; [and] I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.
Every person is created by God, in the image of God. And this creation is called good by God.
Who are we to decide that a human life, however it is conceived, and no matter how small or fragile, is not worthy of fulfilling the destiny he or she was created to fulfill?
The truth is that every human life is created by God, with a destiny known before they are even born by God, and that the practice of abortion must, therefore break God’s heart.
TRANS: Yet - even though people may agree with this, they may still choose to abort an unexpected baby, due to their belief in abortion myth #2.
2. Myth #2 - Abortion will solve the problem.
Truth #2 - Abortion causes more problems than it solves.
Health risks:
Breast cancer: A 1994 study in the Journal of the national Cancer Institute found: "Among women who had been pregnant at least once, the risk of breast cancer in those who had experienced an induced abortion was 50% higher than among other women."
Effects on future pregnancies: scarring or other injuries during an abortion may prevent or place at risk future pregnancies. The risk of miscarriage is greater for women who abort their first baby.
Emotional Impact:
Mothers: Post-Abortion Stress (PAS):
guilt
anger
anxiety
depression
suicidal thoughts
anniversary grief
flashbacks of abortion
sexual dysfunction
relationship problems
eating disorders
alcohol and drug abuse
Fathers and extended family:
anger over powerlessness
guilt over having pressured woman to have an abortion
ongoing feelings of loss
Spiritual Consequences:
Fear of heaven. This stems from the idea that their aborted child is somehow standing next to God and pointing a finger of retribution down toward her.
Works-based Christianity. Some women, in an effort to pay off the debt they feel to God and to their aborted child, overcommit themselves to church service. "If only I serve faithfully, maybe God will accept me," they think.
Guilt and feelings of shame create a feeling of distance between women who choose abortion and God. This makes it harder to come to God and experience the forgiveness He offers.
TRANS: This leads to the 3rd myth of abortion...
3. Myth #3 - Abortion is unforgivable.
Truth #3 - Abortion is covered by Jesus’ blood.
Once upon a time there was a man who traveled town to town, tearing fathers from mothers and parents from children, sending them to jail, and even presiding over their executions - all in what he later discovered was misdirected spiritual zeal. The guilt this man must have felt as he remembered scenes in his past of standing watching men and women being killed by a mob of people throwing stones at them must have been intense. But this man discovered that, though his guilt was great, God’s mercy is greater!
1 Timothy 1:15-16 (NLT)
This is a true saying, and everyone should believe it: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners--and I was the worst of them all. But that is why God had mercy on me, so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life.
This same man wrote the famous words of Romans 8:1 -
Romans 8:1 (NIV)
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus...
If you are one of those whose hearts has been broken by abortion I want to say two things to you right now.
1. There is nothing God wants more than to help you feel His forgiveness. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and purify us of all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9
2. The path to experiencing that forgiveness is not easy, but there is help along the way.
Post-abortion counseling, such as that offered at the Pregnancy Care Clinic for free, can be of tremendous help in identifying and overcoming the symptoms of PAS, learning to forgive yourself, and experiencing the warm, forgiving embrace of your loving God.
4. Myth #4 - There is nothing I can do to stop abortion in our country.
The numbers are staggering, but what can I do? What can anyone do to put an end to this national tragedy?
Truth #4 - There is much each of us can do.
1. Vote pro-life.
Is this too narrow minded? If it is true that every abortion actually kills a human child, then voting for someone who is pro-choice is voting for someone who believes women should have the right to kill their children.
Would you vote for someone who believed people should have the right to rape someone?
How about someone who believed people should have the right to beat up homosexuals or Jews or african americans or any other minority group?
In this great democracy of ours, the only way the legal landscape will change is through the thoughtful, researched, votes of the pro-life community.
2. Support Pregnancy Care Clinics.
see the handout in the bulletin for a list of ways ordinary people can support the work of this vital link to those considering abortion or dealing with the tragic aftereffects.
3. Pray.
Pray for God to work in the unseen realm to break down this Satanic stronghold in our nation. (see the prayer calendar attached to the brown insert.)
4. Love and support those caught in crisis pregnancies.
ILLUS: My experience with M.
I wanted to extend love and grace to her only as long as she made the choice I wanted her to make - adoption.
But my test came when she didn’t make that choice. Would I still love and support her then?
Unfortunately, I think I failed that test. But there will be others. And when they come I pray that through the power of the Holy Spirit I will be able to communicate God’s love, acceptance, and forgiveness to anyone I encounter who is experiencing a crisis pregnancy.
CONCLUSION:
I am pro-life because I believe it is God’s position, and I strive to represent him on this earth.
But there are 2 more reasons why I’m pro-life (show pictures of children). I have been blessed beyond measure by 2 teenage women who, when faced with a crisis pregnancy, made the courageous and difficult choice to place their child in the home of an adoptive family. And every time I look at these children and I see them growing, laughing, learning, sleeping peacefully I thank God for the choice they made.
On this week where churches across our nation are focusing on the Sanctity of Human Life - I have been moved to do more. To focus more energy in this area of most urgent concern for our nation, and for the children who might never have a chance. I pray that you will be inspired to action as well.
For God hates abortion but loves those who have had one. And as God’s representatives we must do the same.
COMMITMENT TIME - two groups of people:
Those on the outside looking in:
-I will reach out with the grace of God to those who have been stained by abortion.
-I will contribute to an environment of love, acceptance, and forgiveness for those caught in crisis pregnancies.
-I will act with my pocketbook, my time, and my votes, and my prayers to help eradicate the evil of abortion from our land.
Those on the inside looking out:
-I receive from God the forgiveness he has purchased for me. I choose to believe God’s word that tells me nothing can take me out of his hand. And I ask you to help me take the steps I need to to begin forgiving myself and experiencing freedom from my past.
