PRE - Sanctity of Human Life Sunday Message
1 Peter 1:18 - 23
I really struggled with this message.
It started out as a message for “Sanctity of Human Life” Sunday which is
either this week or next week – depending on which calendar you have.
But God had a different plan.
During this time most people expect to hear a message that talks about how
valuable human life is and how abortion, euthanasia, suicide and senseless
violence steal away the great gift of
life we have received.
I agree with these principles.
The scripture is very clear that God
knows us even before we are conceived and that we are made for a relationship with Him and with other people
in His community.
Human life is special.
Human life is greater than animal lives.
Human life is worthy of our protection.
Human life is valuable.
I believe that Jesus is very interested in our human life.
Human life WITHOUT Jesus is just mere existence.
Like a candle without a flame
Like an ocean without a fish
Life without Jesus really does not make much sense
Human life in and of itself is but a vapor. No one but God knows its length and
purpose.
Human Life is special BUT I am
no longer merely “human”; through the grace of God that was accessed
through faith in Jesus Christ, I am now much more.
A Christian is no longer a mere human being – we are spiritual beings serving on a human mission field;
serving God here until He chooses to call us home.
As long as we are on the face of this planet I would much rather be focused on the life Jesus died so we
could have.
This is real life
This is abundant life.
This is life beyond mere human EXISTENCE
Jesus said this in John 10:10 "My
purpose is to give life in all its fullness." NLT
ALL IT'S FULLNESS. Both now and eternally.
The Bible says that if you
depend only on your life as a human then you are depending on something
that is empty and has no real or eternal value.
The Bible also says that if your are born again and are depending on
the life that is given only through faith in Jesus Christ then you are
depending on a life that is full and of great value.
Which one do you want?
Text – 1 Peter 1:18 - 23
1 Peter 1:18-23 8 For you know
that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your
ancestors. And the ransom he paid was not mere gold or silver. 19 He paid
for you with the precious lifeblood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of
God. 20 God chose him for this purpose long before the world began, but now
in these final days, he was sent to the earth for all to see. And he did this
for you. 21 Through Christ you have come
to trust in God. And because God raised Christ from the dead and gave him great
glory, your faith and hope can be placed confidently in God. 22 Now you can
have sincere love for each other as brothers and sisters because you were
cleansed from your sins when you accepted the truth of the Good News. So see to
it that you really do love each other intensely with all your hearts. 23 For you have been born again. Your new
life did not come from your earthly parents because the life they gave you will
end in death. But this new life will last forever because it comes from the
eternal, living word of God. NLT
Do you feel like your life is running on empty? Come to Jesus
Do you feel like you are wandering through life with little direction? Come to Jesus.
Do you feel like a sailboat without any sails – no energy to move on? Come to Jesus.
Maybe you feel alone or abandoned – Come to Jesus
Maybe you feel empty inside. Come to Jesus.
Whatever your need – Come to Jesus and find your future and your hope.