Life Matters

Life Matters (Matt. 9:18-31, 36-38) ALL human life is sacred God’s Word makes no distinction between born and the unborn human life (Luke 1:15, 44; 2:16) The pre-born are called “babies” in God’s Word. “When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb...” (Luke 1:41). Life begins before conception, in the heart and mind of God (Jer. 1:5, Eph. 1:4) God causes all of us to come into being (Ecc. 11:5, Ps. 139:13-16, Isa. 44:2, 24, 49:1-5) All people have value because they were created by God and in the image of God (Gen. 1:2627; 2:7; Jer. 18:1-6) God has a special and unique purpose for each person (Gen. 25:21-26; Jer. 1:5; 29:11-12; Eph. 1:11; 2:10; Ps. 139:13-16; Isa. 49:1; Acts 26:16-18) All human beings are created for God’s glory (Isa. 43:7) But not everybody values human life (e.g. abortion, euthanasia, genocide, abuse, violent crime) In 2004, all of top 10 video games sold in the U.S. involved killing or violence as a major theme. Worldwide, 55 million unborn children are killed every year. Around the world, every day 150,685 children are killed by abortion; every hour, 6278; and every minute, 105. Those are only the reported cases. Dehumanizing is the first step towards legitimatizing maltreatment. God detests the shedding of innocent blood and it invites His wrath (Jer. 19:4-6) Article XV of the Baptist Faith and Message says, “We should speak on behalf of the unborn and contend for the sanctity of all human life from conception to natural death.” But it may not be enough to oppose practices that devalue life, we also need to affirm practices that honor it (e.g. Supporting crisis pregnancy centers) God values human health Much of the ministry of Jesus on earth involved healing (Matt. 20:34, Mark 1:41, 5:18-19) God values demonstrations of faith, even imperfect faith (Matt. 9:22 & 29)

How do you view interruptions? Jesus treated them as opportunities for ministry Ministry involves contact Human touch is important Jesus took the girl by the hand (Matt. 9:25) In this age, OUR HANDS are His hands Ministry involves restoration Jesus restored the girl’s life The first step in restoration is to discover\notice the need The next is to find a way to meet it Both of these involve a sacrifice of our time and attention We can help restore hope Psychologist William Marston asked 3,000 people, "What have you to live for?" He was shocked to discover that 94% were simply enduring the present while they waited for an uncertain future. (See 1 Cor. 15:19) Hope gives the power to endure adversity “But as we, imitating Jesus, set our minds and hearts on the hope and joy that is set before us, we are able to endure all hardships.” (1 Pe. 4:13; Luke 6:22-23, 1 Thess.:5:5, 2 Cor. 4:16-18). Hope is the root, faith is the plant, and love is the fruit To demonstrate faith is to act upon hope We can help God make people “whole” again God is patient not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance (2 Pe. 3:9b, Isa. 30:17-18)