Introduction: You would think that everyone would love babies, but that turns out not to be the case. The Bible does predict that in the latter days people will be deficient in what the Apostle Paul calls "natural affection."
This coming Thursday marks the 30th anniversary of the Supreme Court Roe vs Wade decision that legalized abortion in all 50 states. Since then Americans have killed about 45 million babies before they could be born. In America we kill 4000 unborn babies every day; one every 20 seconds. In the state of Tennessee alone we kill about 15,000 unborn babies each year.
The consciences of many people seem to be out of order. They don't seem to grasp the seriousness of taking away the lives of these children. They won't even admit that they ARE children. They are just lumps of tissue, they say. But anyone with any sense knows that's just not true. A leading Presidential candidate spoke out last Tuesday in support of abortion on demand. In an interview with the Manchester Union Leader he was asked when life began. His answer was that a baby's life begins when the mother decides that that baby's life has begun. He vowed that if elected President he would NEVER appoint a pro-life judge. He also said that the right to have an abortion should be protected right up to the day of birth.
As Christians it is our duty to study the Bible to understand what God thinks, and what God commands about these moral issues. I believe the Bible tells us three things about babies that will guide us in our thinking about abortion and the value of children.
I have three points today:
I. Babies Are Gifts From God.
A. Deuteronomy 7:12-14 Wherefore it shall come to pass, if ye hearken to these judgments, and keep, and do them, that the LORD thy God shall keep unto thee the covenant and the mercy which he sware unto thy fathers: And he will love thee, and bless thee, and multiply thee: he will also bless the fruit of thy womb, and the fruit of thy land, thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep, in the land which he sware unto thy fathers to give thee. Thou shalt be blessed above all people: there shall not be male or female barren among you.
B. Psalm 127:3 Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.
C. Psalm 113:9 He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the LORD.
D. Psalm 128:3-4 Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table. Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the LORD.
E. When Job had lost his wealth, his health, and his sons and daughters he said these famous words: "The Lord gives and the Lord takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord."
F. If you have children, its no accident. God meant for you to have those children. God has given them to you. You should feel highly honored that God would give you anything so precious!
II. Babies Are Designed by God
A. Jeremiah 1:5 Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.
God had already planned out Jeremiah's career as a prophet, even before he was born. God pre-destined Jeremiah to be His spokesman.
B. Isaiah 8:18 Behold, I and the children whom the LORD hath given me are for signs and for wonders in Israel from the LORD of hosts, which dwelleth in mount Zion.
God gave children to Isaiah and his wife, and those children figured in the prophecies that God gave to Israel through Isaiah.
For example: Isaiah 8:3 And I went unto the prophetess; and she conceived, and bare a son. Then said the LORD to me, Call his name Mahershalalhashbaz (speed to the spoil). For before the child shall have knowledge to cry, My father, and my mother, the riches of Damascus and the spoil of Samaria shall be taken away before the king of Assyria. (Happened in 721 BC)
C. Psalm 139:14-16 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.
It was no accident that David became the man he was. God supervised his development in the womb, his childhood and his young manhood, and made him what he was. God's hand was on his life from conception.
III. Babies Bring Unexpected Blessings From God.
A. Consider the who was born a blind baby (John 9:1-3). How did the parents feel when they learned their newborn son couldn't see? He would never see his mother's loving face. He would never see the beauties of the world. He would never be able to work for a living or support a family, but would end up a beggar by the road.
B. How did this young boy feel as he grew up blind? Never able to join in catch, or tag or other games the children played. Always left out. Always at a disadvantage. Always in the dark.
C. Jesus' disciples recognized the tragedy, but were very mistaken about the cause. They thought that God was punishing either the parents, or their son, for some sin they had committed.
D. Thank God for Jesus bring an entirely new perspective! God allowed this man, God DESIGNED for this man to be born blind, in order to glorify His Son, Jesus Christ!
E. Or consider the man who was born lame (Acts 3:1-8, ). He too was a beggar. No doubt he and his parents had both grieved deeply over his handicap. But God had DESIGNED for this man to be born lame, and about 5000 people received Christ as Savior in one day, when Peter and healed him in Jesus' name.
F. I personally know of people who were born with Downs Syndrome, spina bifida, and blindness, who have been used by God to bring wonderful blessings to their families and their communities; and even in my own life. When I was a boy in fifth grade there was a young blind man who lived just a few houses down the street. I got to know him, and spent some time with him. He tried to do everything everyone else was able to do. He even learned to ride a bicycle, as I rode my bike in front of him, and sang and whistled, he rode behind me, following the noise. He had many a spill, but he would get right up and start over again. A great example of courage and persistance in the face of difficulty. I still remember him clearly today. God used that blind man to bless me.
Conclusion: So, at this present time in the history of America, where many Americans place a very low value on the life of an unborn baby, let us Christians remember what the Bible says.
Amen.