I Believe in The Sanctity of Human Life
January 18, 2004
Intro:
A. [Source: Right to Life League of Southern California web site, http://www.rtllsc.org/abortion.html
Abortion Facts
Did you know that…?
…1.2 to 1.4 million abortions are performed in the United States every year? That amounts to 4,000 every day, 3 every minute, 1 every 20 seconds.
…the United States has one of the highest abortion rates among developed countries?
…every fourth baby conceived in America is killed by abortion?
B. Today is the National Sanctity of Human Life Sunday.
1. Your bulletin is the bulletin that was made by our bulletin company just for this day.
2. The insert inside your bulletin came from the Greencastle Crisis Pregnancy Center, just for this day.
3. So I’m taking a break from our Membership Covenant this week and am going to preach a sermon on the Sanctity of Human Life.
C. Today I want to share with you five of the reasons why I believe in the sanctity of human life; first…
I. …because it is God who creates all human life
Psalms 139:13-16 (NIV), For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. 14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. 15 My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, 16 your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.
A. The OT character David wrote this Psalm as a prayer to God.
1. David said that God created his inmost being.
2. God created the very complex digestive system in David’s body.
3. God created the very complex nervous system in David’s body.
4. God created the very complex circulatory system in David’s body.
5. God created the very complex skin that covered David’s body.
6. God created the very complex brain that governed David’s body.
7. God created the very complex sensory system that protected David’s body.
B. David said, “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb…”
1. David said that God knitted him together in his mother’s womb.
2. It was not just the pre-programmed nature of DNA that just automatically formed David’s body.
3. It was not just the pre-programming of an ovum and a sperm that created David.
4. It was not “mother nature” that created David.
5. David said that God was the one who created David in his mother’s womb.
6. "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be."
C. And what was true of David is true of each of us as well.
1. God created each of us in our mother’s wombs.
2. Perhaps you’ve seen pictures of the wondrous little ones in the womb.
3. I don’t think there is any of us who aren’t drawn in amazement and wonderment to those little ones in the womb whose tiny fingers and toes are just beginning to form!
4. Wondrous because we don’t understand how it all can happen.
5. Wondrous because we all know deep in our hearts that it doesn’t happen by chance.
6. Wondrous because down deep in our hearts we all know that we are seeing the handwork of God!
D. Hear me now: God created each of us in our mother’s wombs, individually.
1. God created you with His own hands!
2. You were created by God in your mother’s womb.
3. You weren’t some freak, one-in-a-million chance union of an egg and a sperm!
4. God created you with his own hands!
5. You are therefore special in God’s eyes!
6. God loves you so much that He knitted your inmost being in your mother’s inmost being!
7. God loves you so much that He created you so uniquely that no one else is exactly like you!
8. God loves you so much that He breathed the breath of life into your nostrils.
9. God created us with His own hands and He loves us very much!
E. Therefore I believe in the sanctity of human life because it is God who creates all human life, and…
II. …because only humans are created in God’s image
Genesis 1:25-28 (NIV), God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. 26 Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground." 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. 28 God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground."
A. God created all that is and all that breaths.
1. God created the earth on everything around it.
a. God created the dirt.
b. God created the water.
c. God created the mountains.
d. God created the sky.
e. God created the sun and the moon.
f. God created the heavens and the earth.
2. God created all plant life.
a. God created grass.
b. God created weeds.
c. God created flowers.
d. God created trees.
e. God even created Venus Flytraps!
f. God created all plant life after their own kind.
3. God created all animal life.
a. God created cows.
b. God created horses.
c. God created pigs, goats, and giraffe’s
d. God created all animal life after their own kind.
4. God created all of the fish of the water.
a. God created bass and crappie.
b. God created dolphins and whales.
c. God created squids and clams.
d. God created all of the fish of the water after their own kind.
5. God created all of the birds of the air.
a. God created swallows and cardinals.
b. God created blue jays and crows.
c. God even created Pterodactyls!
d. God created all of the birds of the air according their kind.
6. God created the heavens and the earth and “God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good.”
B. But, “Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.’ So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.”
1. God created the heavens and the earth and all that was in them and saw that it was good.
2. But then God created man in His image!
3. You see, we are the only things on this planet that have been made in God’s image!
4. Cows and horses are not created in God’s image!
5. Dogs and cats are not made in God’s image!
6. Spotted owls are not created in God’s image!
7. We are the only ones on the planet that are created in God’s image!
8. We have been given dominion over every other thing on the planet-including dirt, water, air, and oil!
9. We should take care of, protect, and not misuse the earth and its resources, but they are ours to use.
10. “…let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”
11. We have been given superiority over everything else on this planet.
12. Humans are special in God’s eyes.
13. The plants and animals and natural resources are here for us to use!
14. Because we are the only things on the planet that bears the label: “Made in God’s image!”
15. Some folks think the label that says, “Made in the USA” is the most important label to look for, but the most important label says, “Made in the Image of God!”
C. Therefore I believe in the sanctity of human life because only humans are created in God’s image, also…
III. …because taking human life is murder
Exodus 20:13 (NIV), "You shall not murder.
Exodus 21:22-23 (NIV), "If men who are fighting hit a pregnant woman and she gives birth prematurely but there is no serious injury, the offender must be fined whatever the woman’s husband demands and the court allows. 23 But if there is serious injury, you are to take life for life,
A. Now this is an important Biblical reason to support the sanctify of human life, but I believe that it needs some explanation.
1. Murder is intentionally putting to death anther human being.
2. Killing is accidentally killing another human being in self-defense or war.
3. Killing is also acceptable when it comes to animals.
a. Genesis 9:3 says, "Everything that lives and moves will be food for you. Just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you everything."
b. Acts 10:9-13 is a NT passage that records where God tells us to kill and eat the meat of animals, "About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles of the earth and birds of the air. Then a voice told him, ‘Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.’"
c. The killing of animals for food is acceptable by God.
4. But, murder is the intentional ending of another human life.
B. And because humans are created in the image of God in their mother’s wombs, abortion is murder.
1. There is no rationalization of it.
2. Contrary to the beliefs of China, gender is not a justification for murder.
a. China routinely aborts female children.
b. They are only allowed one child, so females often get the thumb.
3. Contrary to the beliefs of many in the US, rape or incest do not justify has created.
a. Rape never justifies murder.
b. And just because there is incest, it does not justify ending what God has started.
4. And contrary to the beliefs of many others, retardation does not justify the taking of human life.
a. If God decides to create someone, who in our eyes is incomplete, who are we to say that it shouldn’t live?
b. I have a big problem with this supposed “quality of life” issue.
c. I know that our technology gives us the ability to tell if a child is going to have Down’s Syndrome, for example, even before it is born.
d. But if we decide to abort it, it is still murder because it is human life and God created it—even if it has Down’s Syndrome!
C. We have never been given the authority by God to determine the quality of life of anyone.
1. And contrary to the beliefs of Jack Kevorkian, that includes terminally ill people.
2. You see the sanctity of human life, by definition, applies to more than just the beginning of life.
3. It applies to more than just birth—it applies to the entire human life span; from cradle to grave.
4. We have never been given the authority to murder someone who we think is going to die anyway and we just don’t want to take care of them or we don’t want to see them suffer.
5. Even suffering is not a justification for murder!
6. Jack Kevorkian is just as much a murderer as an abortionist is!
7. And we as a society need to start getting serious about this as we did in the early days of our country!
8. Human life is sacred in the eyes of God and it should be sacred to us!
9. God is the only one who can create life and He is the only one who has the right to end it!
D. Therefore I believe in the sanctity of human life because the intentional taking of human life is murder, also…
IV. …because children are a blessing from God
Psalms 127 (NIV), A song of ascents. Of Solomon. Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain. 2 In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat-- for he grants sleep to those he loves. 3 Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him. 4 Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one’s youth. 5 Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their enemies in the gate.
A. There are too many in our society that are so caught up in this world that they don’t understand what really is more important.
1. I have a hard time understanding why women and men get so caught up in having a career and making money and buying houses and cars and gadgets.
2. Why has that become a priority to so many people?
3. Why does that seem like a worthwhile thing to do with your life?
4. Why do people view children as a burden that just get in the way of fulfilling their goals in life?
5. People seem to have the whole thing backwards.
6. The job or career should only be a means to an end.
7. The job or career should only be the means to provide for the family.
8. The job or career is not the end itself.
9. The job or career is not the means to acquiring more gadgets, success, or fame.
10. The job or career is only the means by which we provide for our families.
B. The Bible never teaches that children are a burden; the Bible tells us that children are how God blesses us!
1. “Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one’s youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their enemies in the gate."
2. You see children are intended to be a blessing, not a burden.
3. There are so many today who abort their children because they think that a baby will only be a burden to them.
4. But children are a means by which God blesses people!
C. The truth is that when people say the child will be a burden, that’s just a smoke screen.
1. You see the truth is that abortion is simply a license for free sex.
2. Sex with no consequences.
3. Many shout that this is a private matter between a woman and her doctor, but that’s just a smoke screen—its a license for sex with no consequences for many men and not just women in our society!
4. Abortion is mostly about people wanting a license for free sex.
5. Because if they really didn’t want any children and wanted to pursue their career, they can do that without any need for an abortion if they simply don’t have sex or use birth control!
6. Children being a burden is not really the issue!
7. The issue is free sex!
8. People want to be able to legally have sex without any consequences.
9. They don’t want anyone to tell them that their behavior is immoral.
10. Children are not a burden; they are a blessing!
11. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them!
12. Children are a reward from God!
D. Therefore I believe in the sanctity of human life because children are a blessing from God, and finally…
V. …because humans alone are given the opportunity of eternal life
John 3:15-16 (NIV), that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life. 16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
A. The scripture says very clearly that those who believe may have eternal life.
1. And it is clear that only those who were created in God’s image have the ability to believe.
2. You see God created you in your mother’s womb.
3. God held you in His hands.
4. All of us have sinned and have thereby removed ourselves from God’s presence.
5. So the only way that we can be brought back into relationship with the One who created us, is by believing that Jesus died for our sins and He is the only One who can bring us back into the Father’s presence again.
6. By believing that Christ died on Calvary for us we can have the assurance that the One who created us with His own hands will one day hold us in His hands again!
7. God loves you so much that He created you in your mother’s womb!
8. And God wants you back so much that He sent His only Son to die to make that possible!
9. God loves you!
10. Only humans have that promise.
D. Therefore I believe in the sanctity of human life, because I God loves every human being enough to give us both the breath of life and to offer us eternal life!
Conclusion:
A. [Abortion Guilt Removed, Citation: Lee Strobel, "Meet the Jesus I Know," Preaching Today tape no. 211]
Pastor Lee Strobel shares this account:
We were doing a baptism service. We told people before they came up to the platform to be baptized to take a piece of paper, write down a few of the sins they’ve committed, and fold the paper. When they come up to the platform, there was a large wooden cross on the stage. Take that piece of paper, take a pin, and pin it to the cross, because the Bible says our sins are nailed to the cross with Jesus Christ, and fully paid for by his death. Then turn and come to the pastor to be baptized.
I want to read you a letter a woman wrote who was baptized in one of those services. She said:
I remember my fear. In fact, it was the most fear I remember in my life. I wrote as tiny as I could on that piece of paper the word abortion. I was so scared someone would open the paper and read it and find out it was me. I wanted to get up and walk out of the auditorium during the service, the guilt and fear were that strong.
When my turn came, I walked toward the cross, and I pinned the paper there. I was directed to a pastor to be baptized. He looked me straight in the eyes, and I thought for sure that he was going to read this terrible secret I kept from everybody for so long. But instead, I felt like God was telling me, I love you. It’s okay. You’ve been forgiven. I felt so much love for me, a terrible sinner. It’s the first time I ever really felt forgiveness and unconditional love. It was unbelievable, indescribable.
Do you have inside of you a secret sin that you wouldn’t even want to write down on a piece of paper out of fear somebody might open it up and find out? Let me tell you something about the Jesus I know. Not only does he want to adopt you as his child, he wants to lift the weight of guilt off your shoulders.
B. Now my guess is that in a place like this, there may be some who have had an abortion.
1. I want to make it clear that just because you (or your partner) may have had an abortion in the past, that does not mean that you can never be brought back into God’s presence again.
2. Abortion is not the unforgivable sin.
3. If there is an abortion in your past, then what you need to do is simply ask God to wash you, to forgive you.
4. Tell God that you really didn’t understand what you were doing at the time; you were deceived into believing that it was no big deal.
5. Tell God that now you understand that it was wrong and that you are sorry and that you are seeking His forgiveness—and He will wash you.
6. He has promised that He will forgive, if you ask!
7. There are some here today that need to come and speak to God about this.
8. Please come as the HS speaks to your heart—this church will pray with you and for you and will not judge you!
C. Perhaps there are some things about abortion or life that you may need to come and pray about, or perhaps you need to receive eternal life—whatever the HS puts on your heart, I want to encourage you to do it right now.
