The Preciousness of Life
Notes
Transcript
Introduction:
This morning I want to tackle an issue that I feel is ignored in the pulpits today, and when it is addressed it is argued in hostility or hatred rather than redemptively. The topic of sanctity of life encompasses the most controversial and divisive issue in our nation — abortion. Because of its strong political divisiveness pastor steer clear of this topic or get filled angry zeal before approaching it. I know that’s the case because I have been guilty myself. So, I want to begin by clarifying what kind of issue this is for the Christian:
As a Christian this is not just a social issue that takes us away from the Gospel. It should be an issue that draws us to the Gospel.
For the Christian, it is not just a political issue that we have no business involving ourselves.
For the Christian it is not just a religious issue that we should involve ourselves because of our church or denomination, or the religious community at large.
For the Christian, it is a biblical issue! The Bible, our source for knowing, loving, and obeying God, spells out the value, importance, and sanctity of human life. Therefore for us its a matter of loving and obeying God. For us it supersedes our social convictions, political preferences, or our religious ties.
So, lets look at the issue of sanctity of human life. I want to consider this morning: What is SHL?, What is its biblical basis?, What is included in SHL?, and How is God the Greatest Proponent for the SHL?
What is Sanctity of Human Life?
What is Sanctity of Human Life?
If you google the definition of sanctity of life you will get: “The sanctity of life is the idea that life is sacred and should be protected.”
Regardless of religious practices, political preferences, or social ties, everyone would agree with that statement. Life is sacred and should be protected.
The Christian definition of sanctity of life runs deeper that the above. It would sound something like this: “Humanity is created in the image of God and therefore every person is worthy of life, love, and respect.”
The Christian definition gives the reason life is so valuable, why it should be protected, and how we should treat other humans.
Let me just say that we will never be able to reach others with the Gospel unless we look at them with this value.
If we are going to address the issues that fall under the sanctity of human life then we must look at every human being as worthy of life, love, and respect because they are created in the image of God.
The disciple is to have the highest regard for his fellow man, to respect the sanctity of human life and to meet differences by the practice of love.
Myron S. Augsburger; Lloyd J. Ogilvie
What is the Biblical Basis?
What is the Biblical Basis?
I believe we have alluded to the scriptural basis for Sanctity of Human Life above but let’s explore that more. In Genesis 1:26-27
26 Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” 27 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.
There are three things that we need to consider as we look at the creation of humanity: The Trinity, Image, and Gender. I want to start with the last.
I could say a lot about the number of genders here, but that can be addressed another day. What I want you to see in this text is that male and female without discrimination was created in the image of God. Women’s rights is not an issue in the biblical account of creation. Life and rights both can be preserved! God created male and female in His image.
Second, what is meant by image or likeness? I think we make this more confusing than it should be. We are to reflect the glory and attribute of our creator! The decalogue or 10 commandments encompass this. Listen to a passage that I think bring image into perspective. John 17:1-5
1 Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You, 2 as You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him. 3 And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. 4 I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do. 5 And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was.
Glorify your Son that He may glorify you — this is a relationship that seeks the best for the other. What some would call a dance where no one is static but each is rotating around the other. We will talk more about that later.
He had glorified the Father by finishing His work.
Last, He would glorify the Father by reflecting the Father’s willingness to suffer for the sake of others. Jesus would suffer physical death, be buried, rise and then be reunited in eternity with the Father.
I don’t have time for a second verse but make a note of Colossians 1:15
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.
Shorthand for image is to reflect the attributes and actions of God.
Third, lets talk about whose image we are to reflect — God — the Trinity. Don’t miss the obvious “Let Us create.”
Life is valuable because God is eternal. God eternally lives as the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Life is valuable because God has lived in an eternal loving community. The Trinity reinforces the fact that God is love because how can one know how to love unless there is more than one. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit coexisted in perfect unity, community, and love. I love this quote from Cornelius Plantinga:
At the center of the universe, self-giving love is the dynamic currency of the Trinitarian life of God. The persons within God exalt, commune with, and defer to one another. When early Greek Christians spoke of perichoresis in God they meant that each divine person harbors the others at the center of his being. In constant movement of overture and acceptance each person envelops and encircles the others.
God created us to join into this dance and to reflect His image is to live in loving community where every life is precious and others needs are held above our own. An existence where self-centeredness dies and our constant concern is not upon our needs.
As we continue to think about the Trinity, life is valuable because God is holy, preserves life and commands us to do the same. Exodus 20:13
13 “You shall not murder.
What is the biblical basis? We were created in the image of the triune God, share in His nature, community, glory, and unity. Therefore, our lives and the lives of others are valuable.
When We Say Sanctity of Life, What is Included?
When We Say Sanctity of Life, What is Included?
Are we talking about the unborn? Yes! Absolutely! Life begins at conception. Psalms 139:13-16 But that’s not all.
13 For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. 14 I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well. 15 My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. 16 Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, The days fashioned for me, When as yet there were none of them.
The issue includes abortion, but the issue is bigger than just abortion. Think of the death, suffering, and threat in our world. Sanctity of Life addresses:
Abortion
Euthanasia
Elder Care
Poverty
Racism
Slavery
Sex Trafficking
End of life care
Suicide
Addiction/Recovery
Child abandonment
Labor abuse
Tyranny
Genocide
The list can go on and on.
In a world that is destroying itself and suffering is widespread, sanctity of life is a big issue. We as Christians should be concerned and stand against the destruction of life.
On April 3, 1968, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr preached a message at the Mason Temple in Memphis, TN. He had not planned to preach because he had the flu and was sick in bed, but the leaders the event pleaded for him to come, so he pulled himself together and went to the meeting.
In this message he spoke the words that we all remember:
“Well, I don't know what will happen now. We've got some difficult days ahead. But it doesn't matter with me now. Because I've been to the mountaintop. And I don't mind. Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I'm not concerned about that now. I just want to do God's will. And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I've looked over. And I've seen the promised land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the promised land.”
The next morning while leaving his hotel an assassins bullet struck him in the neck ending his life prematurely.
What you may not know is his text for that night was Luke 10:25 The Good Samaritan. “If I don’t stop and help this man, what will happen to him.”
I would say that we can ignore the need to stop and help, but if we don’t stop and help, what will happen to them?
Is God that Concerned with Sanctity of Life?
Is God that Concerned with Sanctity of Life?
Limited His rights
Associated with our suffering.
Tasted our death
That we may know Him and share in the glory, joy, community of the Triune God.
