On Sunday, 1/24, my Pastor, Tim Wilder of First Baptist Church-Kissimmee, preached the most compelling sermon I have heard in a long time. It was a practical message on engaging our critics regarding the Abortion issue. He gave practical steps to take when talking with those who are for abortion. It was a great lesson in exactly how to talk about an extremely controversial topic without getting in to a debate or even an arguement.
Below is a copy of the sermon notes from his message. It makes for a very compelling study.
Enjoy!!
--Cherish
Building Bridges to Life
Building Bridges – Part 22 Timothy 4:1-5
Building Bridges – Part 22 Timothy 4:1-5
Step One: Simplify the issue.
1. What is the unborn?
Step Two: Make a case FOR life.
1. Embryology – In 1981, a U.S. Senate judiciary subcommittee heard expert testimony on when human life begins. Professor Micheline Matthews-Roth of Harvard University Medical School told the subcommittee, “It is incorrect to say that biological data cannot be decisive… It is scientifically correct to say that an individual human life begins at conception.” Dr. Watson A. Bowes of the University of Colorado Medical School stated, “The beginning of a single human life is from a biological point of view a simple and straightforward matter—the beginning is conception.” The subcommittee report concludes, “Physicians, biologists, and other scientists agree that conception marks the beginning of the life of a human being—a being that is alive and is a member of the human species. There is overwhelming agreement on this point in countless medical, biological, and scientific writings.” *Subcommittee on Separation of Powers to Senate Judiciary Committee S-158, Report, 97th Congress, 1st Session, 1981.
Embryos are distinct, living, and whole…regardless of size or location.
Embryos are distinct, living, and whole…regardless of size or location.
2. Philosophy—Humans have value simply because they are human, not because of function.
3. Theology
Rescue those who are unjustly sentenced to die; save them as they stagger to their death. Don’t excuse yourself by saying, “Look, we didn’t know.” For God understands all hearts, and he sees you. He who guards your soul knows you knew. He will repay all people as their actions deserve. Proverbs 24:11-12 NLT
Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness,…” Genesis 1:26
For you created my inmost being;… Psalm 139:13A
…you knit me together in my mother’s womb. Psalm 139:13B
In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind. Job 12:10
Rescue those who are unjustly sentenced to die; save them as they stagger to their death. Don’t excuse yourself by saying, “Look, we didn’t know.” For God understands all hearts, and he sees you. He who guards your soul knows you knew. He will repay all people as their actions deserve. Proverbs 24:11-12 NLT
Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness,…” Genesis 1:26
For you created my inmost being;… Psalm 139:13A
…you knit me together in my mother’s womb. Psalm 139:13B
In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind. Job 12:10
All humans have value because they were created by God and bear God’s image.
Step three: Engage our culture.
“Engage your critics, don’t silence them”
“Engage your critics, don’t silence them”
Question 1: What do you mean by that?
Question 2: How did you come to that conclusion?
Question 3: Have you considered…?
Question 2: How did you come to that conclusion?
Question 3: Have you considered…?
Step four: Offer compassion, forgiveness, and healing.
· Stop making excuses
· Ask God to forgive you – 1 John 1:9
· Forgive yourself and others
· Grieve your loss
· Tell someone you trust. James 5:16
· Realize your baby is in Heaven – 2 Samual 12:22-23
· Comfort others who have gone through the same thing – 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
· Stop making excuses
· Ask God to forgive you – 1 John 1:9
· Forgive yourself and others
· Grieve your loss
· Tell someone you trust. James 5:16
· Realize your baby is in Heaven – 2 Samual 12:22-23
· Comfort others who have gone through the same thing – 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
For counseling or just someone to talk to, call the Osceola Pregnancy Center—407-846-9101
