Protecting Life And Offering Hope

Protecting Life and Offering Hope

Psalm 139:13-16

October 15, 2006

Introduction

I’m going to repeat something I said last week, because some of you weren’t here, and because I want to reinforce it for those who were.

I would just as soon avoid these topics. But as much as I try to run away from them, I simply cannot.

Every time I talk about these things, I run the risk of offending someone here, and maybe they’ll leave.

But I also find myself facing the fact that I will face God one day to give an account for my time here.

And I can’t imagine standing before him and saying that I was more concerned with keeping people in the seats than about talking about moral issues that happen to be played out in the political arena.

And I’m willing to risk people being mad at me if it causes anyone to think about the implications of these issues we’re facing today.

If you weren’t here last week, I would suggest you get a copy of the tape, or if you would prefer, I will give you a transcript of the message.

Normally I take a passage of Scripture and we go through it, looking at the different applications we can make of it, since we want to be people who actually live for Christ instead of just giving Him lip-service.

But today I just want to lay a Scripture passage in front of you to give you the basis of the conviction I have regarding this terrible issue of abortion.

My points will be addressing the issues brought up on the side of those favoring abortion, and my hope is that you will leave here not only informed, but also equipped to discuss this with other people.

My comments today will be rather brief, because I’ve got a special guest I’ll introduce in a few moments.

Psalm 139:13-16 –

13 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.

Three facts I want to cover today:

1. God values life from its beginning.

Whether the pregnancy was planned or not, the fact is that God is on record as being involved in human life in the womb.

The Psalmist here says that God was the one who wove him together in his mother’s womb, and who made him.

And God makes us in a wonderful manner. The writer of this Psalm says that he is in awe and wonder when he contemplates his creation.

Even if a child is conceived in less than ideal circumstances, the child is still precious to God.

I love something Rick Warren says: “There are no such things as illegitimate children – only illegitimate parents.”

Life that is valued by God should be valued by those who claim to love Him.

But Brian, what about a child who will probably end up in a horrible home situation that might include abuse and neglect?

The fact of the matter is that while there are certainly possibilities for that sort of thing, and it’s horrible to think about, we still need to remember that we cannot base decisions of life and death for children based on what MIGHT happen.

It might be that the life snuffed out in the womb would have contribute greatly to the world if allowed to live.

We simply don’t know.

But one thing we do know is that God cares – right from the start.

2. God is not ignorant about the issues of rape and incest.

One of the greatest things about the Bible is its refusal to shy away from the ugly stuff of life.

We read about all sorts of things that happened to God’s people, and even BY God’s people at times.

Even King David wasn’t immune: one of his own children raped his half-sister, and that boy was later murdered by the girl’s brother – the rapist’s half-brother.

Referred Law 6 bill addresses the issue of rape and incest.

Someone who has been the victim of rape or incest can get emergency contraception, like the “morning after pill” to terminate any possible pregnancy, if done before a pregnancy can be determined, which is about 14 days after conception.

So if a woman goes for medical treatment after a rape or other sexual assault, she can legally obtain emergency contraception and remain within the scope of this law.