"which Way?"

“Which way?”

Sanctity of human life Sunday 2024

Matthew 7:13-14

This is Sanctity of Human Life Sunday:

• We join with thousands of churches across America in

• upholding the value of all human life

• from the moment of conception to the moment of death.

This day is significant because it is the:

• Sunday is closest to January 22.

• On that day in 1973, the Supreme Court

• handed down its infamous Roe v. Wade

• decision that legalized abortion on demand

In 2022 Roe vs. Wade was overturned:

- the legal issue has been returned to the States to decide

- yet the real problem is not a legal problem

- the real problem is a nation that is largely

- unconcerned with what God wants…

God’s word tells us that:

- He created us in the womb

- that babies are created in the image of God

- that all human life is valuable to God

- that God hates the shedding innocent or blamelesss blood

What could be more innocent:

- than a child

- living inside its mother’s womb

I think it goes without saying:

o that abortion is a difficult issue to talk about.

o It is difficult because it is almost impossible to find someone

o who is neutral on the subject.

It is the most emotionally divisive issue in America today.

Americans are deeply divided on the morality of abortion.

• There are some people who would simply.

• rather not hear about it or think about it or talk about it. And

• especially at Church….

Abortion is a hot topic and many:

• would literally fight over their position.

• But for the Christian,

• There can be no room for debate…

God has spoken…..

o Life is sacred.

o Life is a gift from God.

o Children are a blessing from the Lord.

While some will say:

- it is my body and therefore my choice

- that is simply false

That body you live in belongs to God:

- God is your creator

- therefore we all must give an account to the Lord

The odds are that someone here:

- has had an abortion

- and I want you to hear me clearly

- God loves you, He is not mad at you

- God offers forgiveness and healing

I am a strong believer that abortion:

- leaves one dead and

- leaves one wounded.

If you are wound:

- know that God loves you

- know that WE love you

Today’s message is:

- about choosing the path that leads to life

- the path that leads to eternal life

- God’s path

God’s path is contrary to:

- the wisdom of this world

- won’t make you popular

- will likely get you mocked

“You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. 14 But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.”

- Matthew 7:13-14 (NLT)

Most people have already decided:

- they have no interest in knowing or doing

- What God desires

- they plan to walk their own way and not walk where God leads…

Today I want to talk to the people:

- who want to walk with God

- who desire to please God

- who are considering following God

And while the topic of this message:

- is about the value of pre-born babies

- the pattern is the same for everyone

- and so anyone can look at this outline and find value

1. The WIDE path of EXPEDIENCY

Those who approve of killing the unborn:

- often say it is just a matter of choice

- yet abortion is of the conclusion

- of a series of bad choices….

Some who are considering abortions:

- decided to have sex outside of marriage

- often with someone they barely know

- they have decided not to use protection

- they have decided against adoption

- they have stepped outside God’s path

And they arrive at the abortion choice:

- as if they are the victim

- of someone else’s choices

- when in fact their own choices brought them to this crisis

Sometimes the mother is:

- truly a victim

- who simply cannot feed and care for one more child

- she has done all she knows and is just between a rock and a hard place

- she is literally drowning as it is

In both the cases:

- abortion becomes a matter of expediency

- and honestly the situation is a real crisis

- and the stakes are high…

The Dictionary defines “expedient”: