The Sanctity of Human Life

Genesis 2:7 (NIV)

7the Lord God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.

I.          Introduction:

The Sacredness or the reverence for life comes when we see it through the eyes of God. God is the one who sets the standard. His holy will is what gives things their value, and when men begin to see the value God places on life it becomes sacred to them. If we are to recover the sanctity of human life in our society, wit must be based on what God says. To base it on what any one man says is to fall into the trap of relativism. One man’s opinion is as good as another’s. When God’s Word on the matter is taken as the basis for the value of life we begin to see life from a different perspective, and our opinions are forced to either affirm or deny God’s Word on the matter. God affirms the value of life throughout His word.

II.         LIFE IS Valued In Creation

Genesis 1:27 (NIV)

27So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

A.        Created by the Hand of God

B.        Created in the Image of God

III.       Life is Valued in Prohibition

Genesis 9:6 (NIV)

6“Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed; for in the image of God has God made man.

A.        Man’s Life is Attributed Great Worth

B.        Man’s Life is Taken at Great Expense

IV.       Life is Valued in Procreation

Genesis 9:7 (NIV)

7As for you, be fruitful and increase in number; multiply on the earth and increase upon it.”

A.        Following the Command of God

B.        Producing the Fruit of the Womb

V.        Life is Valued in Resurrection

2 Timothy 1:10 (NIV)

10but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.

A.        The Destruction of Death

B.        The Bringing to Life

VI.       Life is Valued in Salvation

1 Timothy 2:3-7 (NIV)

3This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 5For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6who gave himself as a ransom for all men—the testimony given in its proper time. 7And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle—I am telling the truth, I am not lying—and a teacher of the true faith to the Gentiles.

A.        The Will of God is Life for All People

B.        The Message of Salvation is Sent to All People

VII.      Conclusion:

Every single person alive today owes their existence to the value God places on life. The creative work of God and His sustaining power animate every living person. He is the one who breathed life into the first man (ADAM). The value of life is affirmed in the prohibition against taking life, and the command to multiply life. Even after those whom God created in His image rebelled and they brought death into the world through their sin, God was not willing that man perish, but He sent His Son to rescue them from death by sending Him to be born of a woman, and live as a man. This man willingly gave himself into the hands of sinful men that he might suffer death for all men, and deliver men from sin and death. His resurrection from the grave destroyed death for all who would put their faith in Him. Now God’s Son, Jesus Christ is the only name under heaven on which men may call and be saved. Through Jesus Christ, God again offers us life. He appointed men and women to share the Gospel with others so that all may know that Jesus has Conquered death and that we can have new life through Him.