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A Recap from Sunday’s Sermon

Text: John 11:14-27

This past Sunday was National Sanctity of Human Life Sunday. Since abortion became legal in 1973, over 57,000,000 babies have been aborted. That’s 1/6^th of our national population. This issue is primarily theological, not political. The Bible teaches that God is life. What is passed off as “pro-choice” is more accurately “pro-self.” Abortion is just one way that a person insists on selfishness over care for others. We all as individuals insist on having our own way as if we could find fulfillment in ourselves. Ironically, Jesus taught that attempts to find life in oneself will never satisfy. However, when we surrender the self, we find true life.

True Life Is In Christ.

Jesus raised his dead friend Lazarus after 4 days in a tomb, saying, “I am the resurrection and the life.” Jesus proved that life is in himself.   However, this life, which I’m calling “true life,” is different than mortal life. In verse 25, Jesus said, “whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live.” The true life is more than physical and transcends the grave. It is a kind of new birth. We are spiritually dead, until we trust in Christ.   To the surprise of every Christian, when we give up our selfishness in surrender to Christ, we experience Joy.

The implicit invitation in verse 25 is to trust Jesus for life instead of gratifying our own desires. As for abortion, only God can change a person’s heart to favor the unborn. Still, Christians must do what we can to help. Nationally, we work to overturn Roe vs. Wade. Locally, we support Christian crisis pregnancy centers such as First Coast Woman’s Services. Personally, we must extend grace to everyone, even those who do not agree with us.

For anyone who has personal experience with abortion, please know that God offers forgiveness and healing. He is even able to redeem our past mistakes by bringing forth good from bad.

Taking it home: Discuss the following statement: “When I get my way, I feel completely satisfied.”