All of us need to be reminded that the value of life is not primarily a political debate, but is rather a Biblical issue.

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Melvin White
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1 Explore the Bible Lesson Preview January 18, 2009 "Whose Life is Important?" Background Passages: Exodus 20:13; 21:22-25; 22:21-24; Deuteronomy 24:17-22; Matthew 5:21-26; Luke 20:45-47 Lesson Passages: Exodus 20:13; 21:22-25; 22:21-24; Deuteronomy 24:19; Matthew 5:21-22; Luke 20:47 Motivation: Once a year on Sanctity of Human Life Sunday, a special lesson is taught in all Southern Baptist Churches, from Senior Adults to Single Adults. All of us need to be reminded that the value of life is not primarily a political debate, but is rather a Biblical issue. Is life a gift from God or just a piece of tissue? Don't be faint hearted in your teaching because some people think the word "abortion" is best talked about in courts and Congress. Christians have a responsibility to understand the issue from the Bible's teachin. I. Honor the Sanctity of Human Life (Ex. 20:13; Matt. 5:21-28) A. Prohibition Against Murder "You shall not murder" (Ex. 20:13) Murder extends to taking a human life for personal revenge or convenience. This injunction particularly applies to parents and their children. "There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or daughter pass through the fire..." Believer's Study Bible, p. 271 (Deut.) 18:9-11 "Verses 9-13 tell the people that they were not to try to discern God's will as the pagans 1 / 8

2 did. Rather (vv ), they would be given prophets of the Lord. The sacrificing of children (such as to Molech, cf. Lev. 20:2-5; Acts 7:43) was particularly detestable to the Lord. Perhaps equally detestable to Him is the modern practice of abortion-sacrificing children on the altar of convenience, materialism and self-indulgence." (Gen. 15:16; Deut. 7 - it's God's right to take life). B. Portrayal of Strategic Attitudes (Matt. 5:21-28) 1. Anger (Matt. 5:21-22) Much of the right to life debate is characterized in the news media by anger. We see angry demonstrators, angry politicians, angry women's organizations, etc... Yet, Jesus said that we are not to sin with anger (James 1:19; Ephesians 4:26). In our dealings with people who believe differently, we must strive to be people of love. Part of Jesus' characterization of anger has to do with name calling ( "Raca", "You Fool" ). Explore the Bible Commentary, (Winter, 1997) p. 36: "Your ability to treat people with dignity and respect begins with what you think about them. This could be the root of the abortion problem. Much debate centers on the question, Is an unborn child really a person?' When you convince yourself that a fetus is not really a human, then your mind allows you to justify that child's death. Believers should be involved in the promotion of the sacred nature of human life from the moment of conception. 2 / 8

3 Viable alternatives to abortion exist. Raising public awareness of those options discourages some people from the attitude of the heart that allows them to take the life of an unborn child." (Ps. 139:14, Ps. 8; Lev. 17:11a; Ex. 2:22; Jer. 1:5) 2. Forgiveness (Matt. 5:23-26) In the context of the passage, forgiveness and reconciliation are portrayed as keys to preventing the escalation of anger to murder. In the case of an unplanned pregnancy, forgiveness often needs to take place on a number of levels. People are angry with God for "letting this happen." They are angry with each other for a violation of trust. And, especially in the instance of abortion, a woman often has a problem forgiving herself for the taking of an innocent life. God's forgiveness (Rom. 5:28) is in contrast to man's lack of forgiveness ("paid the last penny" v. 26b). 3. Lust (Matt. 5:27-28) It has been estimated that 97% of abortions in America do not involve rape, incest or the health of the mother or the child. The vast majority of aborted children are simply "inconvenient"; often they are the result of extramarital or premarital sex. One study conducted by an association of marriage and family counselors states that "adultery is the cause of nearly half of the problems that confront marriage counselors today" ( Guidelines for Living, vol. 2, number 10, p. 4). C.S. Lewis in an article entitled "We Have No Right to 3 / 8

4 Happiness" contended that sexual laxity destroys a nation." If God's plan for marriage was observed and lust controlled, the problem of abortion would virtually disappear. (2 Tim. 3:1-5) II. Respect Women and Their Unborn Children (Ex. 21:22-25) "If men fight and hurt a woman with child, so that she gives birth prematurely, yet no harm follows, he shall surely be punished accordingly as the woman's husband imposes on him; and he shall pay as the judges determine." (22) This is case law to support the Sixth Commandment prohibiting murder. An interesting instruction is given in verse 22 - Believer's Study Bible, p. 112: 21:22 "The scriptures establish a high and reverent view of all life. God is the Creator, sustainer and remover of life. (cf. Ps. 139:13-16, Jer. 1:5). God's high regard for the human fetus is clearly indicated in this Mosaic legislation, which was designed to protect pregnant women and their unborn babies from injury. It provided that if the death of the woman or fetus resulted, the offender would be put to death (v. 23 i.e., life for life'), but if there were not injury beyond the premature birth itself, a fine, assessed by the husband and approved by the judges, would be paid (v. 22). The reference here is to a premature birth rather than a miscarriage. No support is given here for the practice of abortion. These verses are clear and bold protection of the right of unborn children. They strongly affirm that to interfere with intrauterine life was a crime, the value of the fetus's life being equal to that of the mother. This position is in contrast to that of many pagan nations." 4 / 8

5 Jesus went beyond the lextalionis "law of retaliation" of verse 24 (Matthew 5:43-48)." III. Provide for Aliens, Widows and Orphans (Ex. 22:21-24; Deut. 24:17-22; Luke 20:45-47) A. Protection for the Defenseless (Ex. 22:21-24) Believer's Study Bible, p. 114: 22:22 "The widow, who, together with the orphan, was weak and defenseless, was a special object of God's care. The law provided numerous safeguards in favor of the widow and the orphan (cf. 23:11; Lev. 19:9-10; Deut. 14:29; 16:11, 14; 24:17-21; 26:12-13). When a woman loses her husband, who by divine appointment has been provider, protector, and leader (cf. Gen. 2:15-17), God makes a commitment to protect her (Deut. 10:17-19; 27:19; Ps. 68:5; 146:9), assumes responsibility for executing judgment against any who wrong her (22:23, 24; Mal. 3:5; Matt. 23:14), and promises to strengthen and undergird her (Ps. 121:4-5; Prov. 15:25). How one treats widows and orphans is a measure of godliness (Job 24:21; 31:16, 18; Ps. 94:6). The degree of protection God gives the widow is dependent upon her consecration to Him, i.e., her willingness to be set apart for God's service and worship.). A widow has the option of serving the Lord (e.g., Anna in Luke 2:36-38; Ruth in Ruth 1:16-17; the widow of Zarephath in 1 Kings 17:8-24; Luke 4:25-26; and the widow with two mites in Mark 12:41-44; Luke 21:1-4), or of being self-centered, idle and useless 1 Tim. 5:5ff). God has promised to establish and make secure her border' or boundaries. When the Israelites neglected this divinely assigned duty, the prophets denounced their backsliding in the strongest terms (Is. 1:17; Jer. 7:6; 22:3; Ezek. 22:7; Zech. 7:10)." (James 1:27) 5 / 8

6 B. Provision For the Needy (Deut. 24:17-22) Based on Israel's own experience "you were a slave in Egypt" (18, cf. 22), they were to allow gleaning by the poor in their fields, (19) groves (20), and vineyards (21). Specifically mentioned for care in the passage are the "stranger,..the fatherless,..and the widow" (17, 19, 20, 21). C. Power for the Powerless (Luke 20:45-47) 1. Their desire for recognition "Beware of the scribes..." "who desire to go around in long robes, love greetings in the market places, the best seats in the synagogue, and the best places at feasts" (46) Th e Christian life is not about the applause of men (Col. 3:22) but rather the approval of God. Eph. 6:6-8; Matt. 25:21, Their desire for reward "who devour widow's houses and for pretense make long prayers..." (40) Just as in the cleansing of the temple, Jesus reminds us that the Christian life is not based on temporal possessions or position but rather on spiritual approval by God. (Luke 12:15) Believer's Study Bible, p. 1478: 20:47 " Devour widows' houses' make refer to foreclosing on mortgages, to excessive charges for services rendered, to eating with widows as a forced hospitality, or most likely, to insisting that widows make generous contribution to the religious causes advocated by the scribes." 3. Their reward "These will receive greater condemnation" (47b) The very 6 / 8

7 desires of their heart become their basis of judgment. (1 Cor. 15:24-28; Luke 23:41; Heb. 10:5; Matt. 5:16; Psalm 37:4). Application: The Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the SBC can be contacted at or online at to order resources or visit comprehensive resources on the website. For an online resource listing of 115 ministries who provide churches and individuals with quick access to crisis pregnancy and resource centers, many of them supported by SBTC churches, visit exaslifeconnections.org. 1. Learn about abortion and educate others. 2. Learn who your elected officials are and how they have voted on family issues. Write them and encourage them to vote to protect and promote life however they can. 3. Volunteer at a crisis pregnancy center. 4. Encourage school administrators to teach chastity as part of their sex education curriculum. 5. Pray. God has promised to hear us. 7 / 8

8 Notes: **You may access David's Lesson Preview in MP3 format at: ; Dates: 1/9 - Midnight Madness Bible Study training; 1/ Sr. Adult Revival; 1/13-3/31 - LivingProof with Beth Moore; 1/14-5/13 - Midlink; 1/ Student Missions Conf; 1/17 - Summit Ministry Variety Show; 1/18 - Missions Expo; 1/24 - Share Your Faith Workshop; 1/ Song of Solomon Conference; 2/6 - First Things First; 2/8 - FBA Day in Worship Services; 2/19 - Faith and Influence of Sports Conf.; 2/27 - Summit Winter Retreat; 3/5-6 - FBA Spring Musical; 3/6 - First Things First; 3/8 - Time Change Sunday; 3/29 - Spring Loaded. 8 / 8

Explore the Bible Lesson Preview April 18, 2010 "What Are Your Ground Rules?" Background: Exodus 19:1-24:18 Lesson: Exodus 20:1-17

Explore the Bible Lesson Preview April 18, 2010 "What Are Your Ground Rules?" Background: Exodus 19:1-24:18 Lesson: Exodus 20:1-17 Motivation: God didn't offer the "Ten Suggestions." He provided an objective