Embracing the Sanctity of Life with Compassion

 

Summary

In today's message, we explored the profound and often challenging topic of the sanctity of human life, particularly in the context of abortion. This subject is not just a political or human rights issue but a deeply spiritual one that touches the core of our beliefs as Christians. We began by acknowledging the difficulty and sensitivity surrounding this topic, especially for those who have been personally affected by abortion. It's crucial to approach this with love and compassion, understanding that sin is sin, and we are all in need of God's grace.

The Bible clearly states that life begins at conception, as seen in Psalm 139 and Jeremiah 1:5, where God acknowledges and loves us even before we are born. This understanding forms the basis of our pro-life stance, not as a political statement but as a reflection of biblical truth. However, being pro-life extends beyond opposing abortion; it involves supporting life at all stages. This means providing practical support to mothers and families, ensuring that our commitment to life is holistic and not limited to legislative efforts.

We also delved into the broader implications of living a life that reflects Christ's love and compassion. Jesus' teachings in Matthew 25 remind us that our faith is demonstrated through our actions towards the least among us—the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the sick, and the imprisoned. Our treatment of these individuals is a direct reflection of our relationship with Christ.

Finally, we discussed the importance of repentance and sanctification. Repentance is not a one-time event but a continual process of turning away from sin and growing closer to God. Sanctification is a journey, and as believers, we are called to become more like Christ each day. This involves acknowledging our sins, seeking forgiveness, and allowing God to transform our lives.

Key Takeaways:

1. Sanctity of Life: The sanctity of life is a biblical principle that begins at conception. Scriptures like Psalm 139 and Jeremiah 1:5 affirm that God knows and loves us even before we are born. This understanding shapes our pro-life stance, emphasizing that life is sacred and worthy of protection from the moment of conception. [09:14]

2. Compassion and Support: Being pro-life means more than opposing abortion; it involves supporting mothers and families in practical ways. As a church, we are called to provide resources and assistance, ensuring that our commitment to life is comprehensive and extends beyond legislative efforts. [21:51]

3. Reflecting Christ's Love: Our faith is demonstrated through our actions towards the least among us. Jesus' teachings in Matthew 25 remind us that how we treat the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the sick, and the imprisoned reflects our relationship with Him. We are called to love and serve others as Christ would. [24:26]

4. Repentance and Sanctification: Repentance is a continual process of turning away from sin and seeking God's forgiveness. Sanctification is a journey of becoming more like Christ each day. As believers, we must actively pursue holiness and allow God to transform our lives. [26:34]

5. Embracing God's Grace: Through faith in Jesus Christ, we are justified and cleansed from our sins. God's grace is a free gift that wipes away our past and allows us to live in a restored relationship with Him. This grace empowers us to live a life that honors God and reflects His love to the world. [15:22]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [03:42] - Introduction to Sanctity of Life
- [06:58] - Understanding Sin and Grace
- [09:14] - Biblical Basis for Life at Conception
- [12:33] - Justification Through Faith
- [15:22] - Embracing God's Grace
- [21:51] - Supporting Life Beyond Birth
- [24:26] - Reflecting Christ's Love
- [26:34] - The Call to Repentance
- [29:45] - Historical Reality of Jesus
- [33:19] - Invitation to Salvation
- [33:19] - Closing and Call to Action

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
- Psalm 139:13-16: "For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them."
- Jeremiah 1:5: "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations."
- Matthew 25:31-46: Jesus speaks about the final judgment and how our treatment of the least among us reflects our relationship with Him.

#### Observation Questions
1. According to Psalm 139, how does the psalmist describe the process of being formed in the womb? What does this suggest about God's involvement in our creation?
2. In Jeremiah 1:5, what does God say about His knowledge of Jeremiah before his birth? How does this relate to the concept of the sanctity of life?
3. What actions does Jesus highlight in Matthew 25:31-46 as evidence of faith? How do these actions relate to the sermon’s emphasis on reflecting Christ's love? [24:26]
4. How does the sermon describe the church's role in supporting life beyond birth? What practical examples are given? [21:51]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the understanding that life begins at conception, as stated in Psalm 139 and Jeremiah 1:5, shape the Christian perspective on the sanctity of life?
2. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between repentance and sanctification? How is this process described? [26:34]
3. In what ways does the sermon challenge the church to extend its pro-life stance beyond legislative efforts? How does this align with Jesus' teachings in Matthew 25?
4. How does the sermon address the issue of sin and grace, particularly in the context of past abortions? What message of hope is offered? [15:22]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your understanding of the sanctity of life. How does this belief influence your daily decisions and interactions with others?
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of supporting mothers and families. What are some practical ways you can contribute to this support within your community? [21:51]
3. Consider the call to reflect Christ's love through actions. Identify one specific way you can serve "the least among us" this week, as described in Matthew 25. [24:26]
4. Repentance is described as a continual process. What is one area of your life where you feel called to seek repentance and transformation? [26:34]
5. How can you embrace God's grace more fully in your life, especially in areas where you feel guilt or shame? What steps can you take to live in the freedom of this grace? [15:22]
6. The sermon discusses the importance of a holistic pro-life ethic. How can you advocate for life at all stages, both personally and within your church community?
7. Reflect on the sermon’s message about the church’s role in addressing poverty and need. What is one action you can take to help meet the needs of those in your community? [24:26]

Devotional

Day 1: The Divine Origin of Life
The sanctity of life is a foundational biblical principle that asserts life begins at conception. This belief is rooted in scriptures such as Psalm 139 and Jeremiah 1:5, which affirm that God knows and loves us even before we are born. This understanding shapes a pro-life stance, emphasizing that life is sacred and worthy of protection from the moment of conception. Recognizing the divine origin of life calls for a commitment to uphold its sanctity, not merely as a political statement but as a reflection of biblical truth. This perspective challenges believers to view every life as a precious gift from God, deserving of dignity and respect. [09:14]

"For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well." (Psalm 139:13-14, ESV)

Reflection: How does acknowledging the divine origin of life influence your perspective on current societal issues related to life and dignity?


Day 2: Holistic Support for Life
Being pro-life extends beyond opposing abortion; it involves supporting mothers and families in practical ways. This commitment to life must be comprehensive, ensuring that support is not limited to legislative efforts but includes tangible assistance to those in need. As a church, there is a call to provide resources and assistance, demonstrating love and compassion to those facing difficult circumstances. This holistic approach to supporting life challenges believers to actively engage in providing care and support, reflecting the love of Christ in practical and meaningful ways. [21:51]

"Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." (Galatians 6:2, ESV)

Reflection: What is one practical way you can support a mother or family in your community this week, reflecting a holistic commitment to life?


Day 3: Living Out Christ's Compassion
Our faith is demonstrated through our actions towards the least among us. Jesus' teachings in Matthew 25 remind us that how we treat the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the sick, and the imprisoned reflects our relationship with Him. This call to love and serve others as Christ would is a powerful reminder of the importance of compassion and empathy in the Christian life. Believers are encouraged to actively seek opportunities to serve and uplift those in need, embodying the love and compassion of Christ in their daily interactions. [24:26]

"Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?" (Isaiah 58:6, ESV)

Reflection: Who is someone in your life that you can show Christ's compassion to today, and what specific action can you take to demonstrate His love?


Day 4: The Journey of Repentance and Sanctification
Repentance is a continual process of turning away from sin and seeking God's forgiveness. Sanctification is a journey of becoming more like Christ each day, involving the acknowledgment of sins, seeking forgiveness, and allowing God to transform one's life. This ongoing process requires humility and a willingness to be molded by God's grace. As believers, there is a call to actively pursue holiness, recognizing that sanctification is not a one-time event but a lifelong journey of growth and transformation. [26:34]

"Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work." (2 Timothy 2:21, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to seek repentance and allow God to transform you today?


Day 5: Embracing the Gift of Grace
Through faith in Jesus Christ, believers are justified and cleansed from their sins. God's grace is a free gift that wipes away the past and allows for a restored relationship with Him. This grace empowers believers to live a life that honors God and reflects His love to the world. Embracing God's grace involves accepting His forgiveness and allowing it to transform one's life, leading to a deeper relationship with Him and a greater capacity to extend grace to others. [15:22]

"But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved." (Ephesians 2:4-5, ESV)

Reflection: How can you embrace God's grace more fully in your life today, and what impact might this have on your relationships with others?

Quotes


We don't look down at you. We don't think that you're a horrible, terrible person. And anybody that does treat you that way, while claiming to be a Christian, has got some reckoning to do. We know that it's an incredibly difficult decision that somebody has to make. And so we just want you to understand we love you. [00:04:18]

We have to understand that that sin is sin and God looks at all sin as filthy rags and some people take that the wrong way and they say well if all sin is the same in God's eyes then sin isn't that big of a deal because still in a law lollipop from the store isn't a big deal. [00:05:13]

So when we talk about any sin that the Bible lists out, when we talk about that, we're not talking about that in a judgment tone with you, because we know, I know all of my personal sins with my past life, with all the things that I've done. Most of you know my story. [00:06:32]

But we also at the same time have to recognize when sin is sin. As a church, we have to be absolutely willing to say, hey, sin is sin. And we are all called to repent of that and to change. Just like the woman at the well where Jesus said sin or go and sin no more. [00:07:02]

So all sin is as filthy rags and we are all sinned. We have all sinned and fall short of the glory of God. And but the beautiful thing is that through the grace of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, we are wiped clean and he doesn't see that sin anymore. [00:13:31]

We seek out that grace. We accept that free gift that he gives us. So none of your sins are different than my sin. It's all filthy rags. Nobody should look down their nose at anybody else. And as a church, we're going to strive hard not to do that. [00:14:03]

This was to show God's righteousness because his divine forbearance, he passed over our former sins. Again, he doesn't see them. God shed his blood for all of us and for all of our sins as a free gift to us. And all we have to do is accept that free gift. [00:15:43]

I believe you are blameless and sinless and I am not. I am not. I believe you died for my sins and resurrected yourself three days later so that I could be in relation with you. So, Lord, I repent of my sins. And again, this is an important part. [00:16:35]

There's this word called sanctification, and it's a process. It's not a one -time event. Becoming sanctified doesn't happen the second that you get saved. But what happens is once you get saved, you start in this process of sanctification. You start walking this path with Christ. [00:17:31]

We are privileged enough to help him build his kingdom here on earth. We're privileged enough to be able to evangelize and tell people about him and see other people's lives changed and then when this short blip of a life that we have here on earth is gone we get to spend eternity praising him. [00:20:51]

We have to have what's called a whole life pro -life ethic, right? So I'm not telling you that you should or should not vote to increase or decrease welfare to the poor. Also, don't hear me saying that. Again, these are not political statements, but I'm not concerned with what the government does. [00:24:20]

Jesus says himself that he will know if we are followers of him by the way that we treat the poor and the hungry, by the way that we treat the prisoner and the migrant. And again, it doesn't matter which way you vote on crime bills. It doesn't matter which way you lean politically. [00:25:05]

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Transcript
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