The Sanctity of Human Life - With Purpose, On Purpose, For Purpose

>>Good morning. Greetings to all. I am very honored, very privileged for this opportunity to preach this morning while Pastor Chris is away bringing God's Word in Tennessee. We are very blessed as a congregation with many men that can handle the Word of God, men that unashamedly exposit the Word of God from this pulpit and through our small group ministry. So for me to be standing here this morning is very humbling and I am truly honored. So a question for you this morning. Did you know that January is recognized as Sanctity of Human Life Month? Sanctity of Human Life Month.

When considering our current culture, I believe it is fair to say that there is not much awareness of this today. I believe it is fair to say that there is not much awareness of this today. As a matter of fact, this year, January 21st will be observed as Sanctity of Human Life Sunday. Actually, Sanctity of Human Life Day is January 22nd and this year marks the 40th year this day has been recognized and observed. President Reagan instituted this day in 1984. It is a great year, that is the year I was born.

Now I know today is January 14th, but in praying and preparing for today, it became very clear to me that perhaps we should tackle this topic, the Sanctity of Human Life. See as Christians, we believe in this doctrine, the doctrine of the sanctity of life, or at least we should. This doctrine clings to the truth that human life is an intrinsic good and that it is always impermissible to kill an innocent human. Intrinsic good always impermissible. See human life should be considered sacred because it was, it is created by God. The sanctity of life issue should not only be assigned to pro-life and pro-choice debates or discussions.

Listen to this definition this morning from Wheaton College, Sanctity of Life upholding the God given worth of human beings from conception to death as the unique image bearers of God. Think about that definition and how it should derail some of the arguments and positions that exist within our culture today. Listen if you are not disturbed by the roughly 27 million people that are caught up in human trafficking, read that definition again. For you to be okay with the roughly 625,000 reported legal abortions that took place last year in the US, read that definition again.

Quick math tells us that roughly 1700 babies are aborted each day in the US and this only represents the reported legal abortion count. We know there are more. For you to be okay with the roughly 40 to 50 million abortions that take place worldwide every year, read that definition again. For you to be okay with the growing number of countries legalizing euthanasia, including our neighbor to the north, Canada, read that definition again. As a matter of fact, let me read it again for you. Sanctity of life upholding the God given worth of human beings from conception to death as the unique image bearers of God.

Listen to Psalm 139 verses 13 through 16. For you formed my inward parts. You covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Marvelous are your works and that my soul knows very well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in secret and skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Your eyes saw my substance being yet unformed and in your book they all were written. The day's fashion for me went as yet there were none of them. See this morning church he knits together human life in the mother's womb. He numbers our days. God does this. So who are we to interfere?

Seriously, who are we to interfere? See church we are created with purpose, on purpose, for purpose. Sanctity of life upholding the God given worth of human beings from conception to death as the unique image bearers of God with purpose, on purpose, for purpose. So this morning I want to dive into the sanctity of life issue and allow God's word to speak clearly on the matter. Now this will be very surface level, a 30,000 foot view if you will because to fully unpack this it would require several messages, several messages. But before we go any further let me address two things with you this morning.

First thing, God is not out to shame you this morning. That is not the business he is in. I understand that this subject might stir some emotions inside of you based on past or previous life decisions or perhaps past or previous positions you have taken around this topic. Understand that the intent is not to shame. The intent is to magnify the grace, the mercy, the kindness, the love of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. God is not in the business of shaming, he is in the business of healing. God is not in the business of driving regret, he is in the business of pursuing redemption.

God is not out to ridicule you this morning, he is actually out to rescue you. Here is the second thing. Secondly, this is not a political speech. Please do not view this as a political speech. See, I think we would all agree that political tensions are high right now throughout our country. Very, very high. But the truth is if you are looking for a political statement this morning you will only find one within the Scriptures. And honestly I am only worried about the Scriptures. The only political statement that you will find in the Scriptures this morning is this. Jesus is King. Jesus is King. His campaign tour was focused on the one.

His campaign speech was heard from the cross. It is finished. His campaign was summed up by the empty tomb and His kingdom reign is advancing while yet to come Jesus is King. So now that we have addressed what this sermon is not, let's shift our focus to what it is. The sanctity of life. Open again with me to perhaps the most important book, perhaps the most important chapter of the entire Bible, Genesis chapter 1. First, as we look to see how God's Word addresses the sanctity of life we must start by looking at verse 1 of Genesis chapter 1.

So reading from the New King James Version, Genesis chapter 1, verse 1 reads, "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." So let's stop right here for just one minute. Because if we are to fully comprehend the sanctity of life we must pause here. Understand this morning that our foundation, our entire belief system is built off this one verse. See in the original Hebrew this verse is only seven words which I found to be interesting because there are seven truths that we can conclude from this very first verse that sets the entire stage for our faith. That sets the stage for the sanctity of life.

So real quick here they are, seven truths. Truth number one, God exists. God exists. Look at the beginning of that verse. "In the beginning God." "In the beginning God." "God existed in the beginning, he still exists today." Believe it or not countless testimonies tell me that he still exists and that he is still working for his glory. God exists. Truth number two, God is eternal. Again God was there all along and he will be forever more. Alpha, Omega, beginning, end. God is eternal. Truth number three, God is mysterious. See we don't know how long God was there before Genesis chapter 1. There are many opinions around this topic.

All we know is that in the beginning God. In the beginning God. What was before the beginning? What did that look like? God is mysterious. No doubt. Truth number four, God is supernatural. God and God alone created. He did the work. God alone. No one else or nothing else has the power to create. God is supernatural. That brings us to truth number five. God is creator not a craftsman. See God is creator. He made something. He created something out of nothing. Think about that for one second. We might be able to be a craftsman but we are not able to be a creator. That position is for God and only God. Truth number six, God is independent.

News flash this morning church. God does not depend on us. We depend on God. He is independent, able to do as he pleases. Everything is dependent upon him. God is independent. Lastly, truth number seven, God is the Bible's main character. Verse one, in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. See church this morning it's all about God. Our value comes from who he is not who we are. In other words, God did not choose to love me and save me because I was so perfect and so valuable that he had to have me. That's not it at all. I am valuable despite my brokenness and my sin.

And when God draws us and reveals to us the ugliness of our sin and when we trust in him as Lord he can then use us to do great things and listen church it's all for his glory. It's all about him this morning. Church. So in the beginning God created. From that statement the Bible leads us into the journey of God's creative order. We see the six day creative activity of God. Day one God creates light. Day two God creates the sky. Day three God creates dry land, vegetation and the seas. Day four God creates the sun, moon, stars, galaxies. Day five God creates birds and aquatic life. Day six God creates land animals and human life.

Theologians would tell you that there is a very clear hierarchy to God's order of creation. In other words what God creates builds upon his previous creation all the way until he reaches the pinnacle of his creation human life. Many refer to this as the divine plan of creation. See human life was created by a divine plan. A divine plan. So what does that mean for you and me? It means with purpose, on purpose, for purpose. So what we will see moving forward can be compacted into three brief statements. Human life was created by a divine plan, divine pattern, divine purpose. First we see the divine plan. Human life.

The ultimate pinnacle of God's creation. Look at Genesis chapter one verse 26 with me. 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. You see the plan. You see the hierarchy. It's important for us to pause here just for one minute and note that we find the first reference to the triune God. The Trinity here in verse 26. God said let us make man in our.

John McArthur says about us and our and I quote the plural pronouns introduce a plurality of relationships in the Godhead. They suggest both communion and consultation among the members of the Trinity. They also signify perfect agreement and clear purpose. Perfect agreement and clear purpose amongst the Trinity. See we are the pinnacle and we are to have dominion over his creation. It is clearly seen in the creative order. As the pinnacle of God's creation there is a different type of weight, a different level of significance placed upon all human life. That is why we are made in his image, in his likeness to rule over creation.

Now let me emphasize this. What I'm saying here does not mean that deity is somehow imparted to mankind. Not at all. What it does mean is that God's plan for mankind was to be, is to be his agent, his representative, his ambassador if you will. It speaks to the special or symbolic relationship between God and humanity. See history teaches us that during the Julian years and the spanner bridge between the late middle ages, the early Renaissance and the early modern period, it was very common for kings to send out ambassadors to other countries with the intent of bearing the king's image.

That was the job of the ambassador, to represent the king, to bear the image of the king to others. Think about what we just read. Verse 26, "Then God said, 'Let us make man in our image according to our likeness.'" You and I, mankind alike, has the honor and privilege of bearing the image of the one true king. And listen, we are to represent him. We are to bear his image. We are to be his ambassador. That is an honor and privilege reserved for mankind, the pinnacle of God's creation. It is not reserved for the mountains. It is not reserved for the trees. It is not reserved for the ocean.

While these things display the glory of God and speak to the magnificence of his creation, the honor and privilege of bearing his image is not reserved for those things. And I'm not trying to offend you or upset you this morning, but the truth is it's not reserved for your dog or your cat either, regardless of how great she is, regardless of how awesome he is. It's reserved for you and me, mankind, male and female, all races, all nationalities, from conception to death. You bear the image of God. And my friend, that makes us valuable. That speaks directly to the sanctity of life. Now let's talk about the divine pattern.

I'm going to read verse 26 again as well as verse 27, Genesis chapter 1. "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. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him, male and female he created them.'" Did you hear the language? Our image, our likeness. God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created them.

John MacArthur says this about the pattern, and I quote, "This speaks of the creation of Adam in terms that are uniquely personal. It establishes a personal relationship between God and man that does not exist with any other aspect of creation. It is the very thing that makes humanity different from every other created animal. It explains why the Bible places so much stress on God's hands on creation of Adam. He fashioned this creature in a special way to bear the stamp of his own likeness. Man was created, man was designed to have a personal and intimate relationship with God.

Man was designed, man was created to worship God and to bring glory to his name, completely different when compared to everything else, distinguished, set apart from the rest of his creation." William McDonald says this about mankind and how it's created, and I quote, "Like God, man has intellect, a moral nature, the power to communicate with others, and an emotional nature that transcends instinct." Show of hands this morning. How many of you have pets? Okay. Lots of hands up this morning. I see we have some pet owners in the house of the Lord today. We have pets as well.

We have one dog, a couple of inside cats, some outside cats, some chickens. I think that's about it. That probably wraps it up right there. See, we love our pets. Well, most of the time we love our pets. Just kidding. We love our pets. But here's the reality this morning. They are not intellectual, moral, and emotional creatures. They are instinctive creatures. Our dog, Peanut, he is up in age. His health is perhaps not the best. But listen to me. He is not walking around today wondering what will happen to him when he dies. He is not anxious about tomorrow. Have you read Matthew 6, verse 25 through 34 lately?

Let me give you one verse real quick. Matthew 6, 26, Jesus says this, "Look at the birds of the sky that they do not sow nor reap nor gather crops into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more important than they?" See the birds of the sky? They are not worried or anxious about today or tomorrow. If you read that passage, the lilies of the field, the grass of the field, not worried, not anxious about today or tomorrow. Only mankind is created this way. Only mankind. Ecclesiastes 3, 11, "He has made everything beautiful in its time.

Also, he has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end." See, eternity is in our hearts. Eternity is in the hearts of mankind. We are designed to have, we are intended to have a personal relationship with our Creator. We are to worship Him. And again, this speaks directly to the sanctity of life. Lastly, divine purpose. Divine purpose. "Then God blessed them," verse 28, Genesis 1. "Then God blessed them, and God said to them, 'Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and subdue it.

Have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.'" See how we're working in marketing for a major corporation. We are constantly trying to redefine or define our purpose statement. Here in verse 28, God gives us the original purpose statement for mankind. "For you and me, then God blessed them, and God said to them, 'Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and subdue it. Have dominion over.'" This command, this was specific to mankind. And again, it speaks to the special relationship between God and humanity.

In this command, in this mandate, God establishes the relationship between man and the rest of His creation. God grants dominion over His creation to mankind. Mankind was, mankind is to cultivate and manage the rest of His creation. God instructs the pinnacle of His creation to be fruitful or to continue producing image bearers. Mankind was to fill the earth and subdue it. In other words, bring it under control. Bring about a certain peace. That's what subdue means. That's the command or mandate. That's our original purpose. Not much peace out there today is there.

I think about one year ago, 18 months ago, 24 months ago, thinking our country is more divided than it has ever been. But then man, look at us now. Look at us today. See, it doesn't take long for us to come to Genesis chapter three. We see the willful disobedience of mankind toward holy God. However, God promised coming redemption for man's rebellion. R.C. Sproul says, and I quote, "Man may no longer be pure, but He is still human." Insofar as we are still human, we retain the image of God in the wider sense. We are still valuable creatures. We may no longer be worthy, but we still have worth.

This is the resounding biblical message of redemption. The creatures God created are the same creatures He has moved to redeem. See, God promised coming redemption, and God has delivered on His promise to redeem through the life and death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. The hope of salvation can be seen in Calvary's cross. The assurance of salvation is affirmed by the empty tomb, the sanctity of life, the value. Verse 26 again, "Then God said, 'Let us make man in our image according to our likeness.'" Man, it's so powerful this morning.

God's been wrestling with me over this text, and I pray this resonates with you this morning. So, as we close this morning, please understand that the sanctity of life is real. God places a special significance, a precious value on human life. While this seems simple, I question whether the church believes in the sanctity of life or not. Our Heavenly Father values human life. We should value human life. We should be fighting for those that are unable to fight for themselves. Remember, valuable, not because of who we are, but because of who He is. It's His image. It's our privilege. This morning, the simple question is, do you value life?

Do you believe in the sanctity of life? If so, how will you respond this morning with bearing His image and reflecting the same value, the same regard that our God places on human life? Ask yourself, believer, when was the last time you told someone that they are valuable? Ask yourself, when was the last time you told someone that they are valuable? When was the last time you told someone about God's perspective on human life, instead of having a meaningless discussion or debate relative to culture's view?

Again, how will you respond this morning with bearing His image and reflecting the same value, the same regard that He places on human life? Maybe this morning, you feel like you have no purpose. Maybe you believe you are not valuable. Not true, my friend. God does not make mistakes. You are not an accident. Maybe this morning, God is drawing you. Maybe He is convicting you. Maybe He is opening your eyes to the ugliness of your sin. Maybe He is assuring you that He has a plan for you. Maybe He is reminding you that you are created with purpose, on purpose, for purpose. If that is you this morning, lean into Christ. Don't turn from Him.

Instead, lean into Him. Stop running. Stop hiding. Quit carrying that burden. Listen, it is too much for you to carry. It is too heavy for you to carry. So why not just lay it at His feet? Please, this morning, allow the living and active Holy Spirit of God to have His way in your life. So the title of this message, With Purpose, On Purpose, For Purpose. May our Heavenly Father align our hearts with His heart relative to the sanctity of life. May our Heavenly Father draw you and open your eyes.

Perhaps finally you see your value, your worth as being uniquely created in His image so that you can fulfill your purpose of worshipping Him and bringing glory to His name this morning. Would you pray with me? Father God, in the great and powerful name of Jesus, first and foremost, we come before you this morning. We recognize our need for you, our dependence upon you. Father, we need you so desperately in all areas of our life as we try and fulfill our calling and honor you with our lives in the workplace, in the church, in the local church, as husbands, as wives, as fathers, as mothers. Father, we need you.

We solely depend on you this morning. Father, I thank you for the cross. I thank you that you delivered on your promise to redeem. I thank you that through your son Jesus Christ, that through His life and death and resurrection, that we are able to be restored into proper relationship with you, that we are able to come before you and worship you and glorify your name. Father, what a privilege. What an honor to bear your image, to be your representative, to be your ambassador this morning. None of us are worthy of that. Father, we thank you for that privilege. We thank you for that honor.

Help us to fulfill that calling, to fulfill that obligation in a way that glorifies you and honors your name. Challenge us this morning, Father. Father God, for those that may be struggling to recognize their purpose and their value in this life, Father, I pray this morning that you would just draw them to yourself, only as you can do. Father, even in the midst of the gospel, it's still never about us. It's only about you. So, Father, do what only you can do. Have your way this morning through the power of your word. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.