Sanctity of Life Sunday 2015.

Steve Gentry

[0:00] If you have your Bibles, go ahead and open them to Genesis chapter one [0:03] and you can keep your thumb there and turn over to Psalm one thirty nine as well. [0:10] We’ll be in both of those passages this morning, along with a few others. [0:14] If this is your first time here, my name’s Steve, one of the pastors here [0:17] at Village Church, and I’m glad to see you on this rainy day. [0:22] This is the day that many churches across our nation will be reflecting

[0:26] on what is called sanctity of human life. [0:29] It’s Sunday and it is a day in which we set aside to discuss the issue [0:34] and issues related to authority over the taking of human life. [0:41] And the scripture has much to say about this issue, and that’s that’s where [0:45] we’ll primarily be today. [0:47] But I want us to understand as we begin that more and more science begins

[0:52] to reveal what scripture has lent us towards all along. [0:58] And that is the reality that life does begin at conception. [1:04] The wonder of actually being able to watch and measure [1:08] the the maturation cycle of a child inside of the womb [1:12] is more easily accessible now than it has ever been before in history. [1:17] And what is seen is the wonder of life.

[1:21] In light of this, though, the secularist argument, [1:24] when I say secularist argument, I mean those whom do not see the world [1:28] and do not possess a worldview or proclaim a worldview that is based [1:32] on scriptures, based on the reality that there is a creator God. [1:36] The secularist argument has become less about the science [1:41] and more about human freedom to make choices.

[1:44] In order to strip dignity from the child, the term fetus is now used [1:49] rather than baby in pop culture to describe life within the womb. [1:55] It is a conditioning exercise to remove dignity [1:59] and sanctity from human life. [2:02] This reveals that science is not and never has been [2:06] the primary motivation in the murder of abortion.

[2:11] Instead, it is a fight for autonomy [2:15] and authority over one’s life, even at the cost of another. [2:19] It is the fight for choice above all. [2:23] And what I want to take a look at today specifically [2:27] are issues within the debate of life. [2:30] I want to deal primarily with the issues of convenience.

[2:35] Over 93 percent of abortions are simple matters of convenience [2:40] where no one’s life is actually in danger whatsoever.

[2:45] But I also want to deal with a new emerging issue [2:51] within the fight for life, and I believe is just as important. [2:56] And that is the issue of assisted suicide. [3:00] That when it would appear that a terminal diagnosis has been made [3:06] and suffering will be endured for quite a while, [3:10] that we have now in many states legalized the writing of a prescription

[3:15] from a doctor to a person of pills that will end their life. [3:19] And what I hope to communicate to you today [3:24] is how the gospel informs our worldview concerning these issues.

[3:34] If you want to hear more about the science, there are many articles available. [3:38] We discussed that in some detail last year on this Sunday as well. [3:43] But today I want to shift and I want to go to more of a foundational issue [3:48] because I’ll be honest with you, the science is not [3:52] the foundational issue, it is not the foundational issue for us [3:55] and it is not the foundational issue for others.

[3:59] And that’s being proven more and more. [4:01] The foundational issue is what are you building your worldview on [4:08] and how does that inform how you live your life?

[4:14] Abortion is not compatible [4:18] with the gospel. [4:20] Abortion is not compatible with following Jesus. [4:26] Abortion is not compatible. [4:29] With believing that there is an authoritative God [4:34] who spoke the world into existence, it’s completely incongruent.

[4:40] But I would also like to put forward to you this morning, [4:43] and my hope is that we can see [4:45] that suicide, even assisted suicide, [4:50] is also not compatible with the gospel. [4:55] It’s not compatible with following Jesus. [4:58] It’s incongruent with the worldview that there is a God

[5:00] who spoke the world into existence. [5:03] And ultimately, what I want us to see is that oftentimes [5:07] when the debate happens in our world [5:10] between those who believe that these are rights [5:13] that should have freedom where human choice is concerned [5:17] and those of us who completely disagree, we argue past each other

[5:21] because we don’t grasp is that the facts, [5:24] while important in the issue, are not the root issue. [5:31] The root issue is God [5:34] is the foundation upon which you view the world. [5:39] And if you view the world through the lens [5:43] that there is a God and that there is a God who authored life,

[5:50] there’s a God in the scripture who spoke the world into existence, [5:54] who holds it in his hand, who maintains everything that is, [5:58] gives us breath to have oxygen in our lungs.

[6:04] Then we do not have that choice. [6:07] We do not have the authority to make that choice, [6:10] because if that God exists, then that God is necessarily [6:15] the authority over all of human life. [6:21] And if he has spoken into such a world [6:25] and if you have spoken into such issues, which he has,

[6:29] and we’ll see that.

[6:33] Then those views

[6:37] must be fought. [6:39] They must be viewed and they must be called what they are. [6:43] Evil. Friends.

[6:48] It’s very important that our terms are used properly, [6:52] and we must understand that as we are following Jesus, [6:55] as we are living for the gospel, [6:58] that abortion is the intentional killing of a baby.

[7:05] But abortion is not in our society considered murder. [7:12] It’s not to understand that.

[7:17] But according to God’s word [7:21] and according to who he is, abortion is very much murder. [7:28] It is. But also put forward that assisted suicide is no less murder.

[7:38] They’re both the taking of human life prematurely.

[7:44] And when life ends prematurely, it is murder, [7:47] specifically, if is by the choice of a person. [7:53] And we must.

[7:56] Not embrace such worldviews, [7:58] we must not allow ourselves to be tempted to view the arbitrary [8:02] taking of human life as of had being minor consequence [8:07] in the gospel of Jesus Christ. [8:10] We must be willing to communicate with people that life is something [8:15] that we do not have the authority to pick and choose who survives

[8:19] and who dies specifically. [8:23] And so I specifically want us to understand that it is boiled down [8:27] to in our culture as a matter of convenience and inconvenience, [8:31] that we truly believe that there are people whose lives would be better [8:36] at the cost of another human life. [8:39] And that is a lie.

[8:43] That is never true. [8:44] Life never flourishes. [8:48] When an arbitrary and convenient choice [8:51] to take another life is allowed to be made in culture, [8:54] it simply is a lie and it is not true. [8:58] Humanity does not function that way.

[9:00] Since 1973, we’ve seen about 55 million babies killed in our world. [9:07] And the emerging question is, is how many lives will be taken [9:14] if across our nation assisted suicide is also legalized?

[9:20] When does it end?

[9:23] And what should we fight it with? [9:25] And I want to tell you that the only tool in our arsenal [9:30] by which this can truly be combated [9:33] is the gospel of Jesus Christ. [9:37] While I certainly believe that we should fight for legislation [9:40] and I certainly believe that we should have conversations

[9:43] in which the facts are laid out, understand that we will continue [9:47] to talk past one another in our culture. [9:50] So long as we forget that the root issue here [9:53] is that you’re dealing with people whom on the side of believers [9:56] in Jesus Christ, who embrace a far different world view [10:00] than those who do not embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ

[10:03] and do not believe it. [10:04] That is the root issue. [10:05] The gospel does solve this matter. [10:09] Open your Bibles to Genesis, Chapter one, and I want to begin there [10:14] and I want to build a case and then help us understand [10:17] the effects of that on our lives as followers of Jesus.

[10:21] The first text I want to use today in Genesis one, one is just simply [10:24] the fact that in the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. [10:29] That is not just simply a phrase that that we kind of can pass over, [10:34] but rather it is a phrase upon which the entire gospel is created. [10:38] The gospel of Jesus Christ is built upon. [10:40] The Bible begins with the presupposition that there is a God.

[10:44] Note that there is no preface to the Bible.

[10:50] There is no explanation [10:52] to where God came from, there’s no argument [10:55] as to the validity of his existence, the Bible simply assumes him. [10:59] The Bible says in the beginning, God.

[11:03] And I want us to understand that for us to build an ethic upon [11:06] which we embrace the cause of life and we fight [11:12] for what is truth in our world, that is the presupposition [11:16] and that is the assumption that we must build our lives upon. [11:19] The Bible can only begin with God. [11:22] It cannot begin anywhere else.

[11:25] To begin elsewhere would be a cosmic mistake [11:28] throughout the scriptures, one of the most prolific names [11:32] that God uses, even the person and work of Jesus Christ [11:36] is the name I am. [11:39] And Genesis one, one seems to be a definition [11:43] of that name in the beginning, God.

[11:47] And Jesus says before Abraham was I am. [11:51] That is what he’s saying. [11:53] He said before all there was me in the beginning. [11:58] God, in any concept of time and any concept of reality, [12:02] we must understand that God predates all of us, [12:07] that God is self-existent, that God is not needing of anyone’s help,

[12:12] that he just simply is.

[12:18] And that reality changes your worldview.

[12:23] That when you understand the implications of a supreme being, [12:29] then you see the world and especially your life [12:34] as being far different, because what this is going to show us [12:37] is, number one, that God is the author of life. [12:42] In the beginning, God created.

[12:46] That is a statement of cause.

[12:51] He is the cause. [12:55] As the world begins to unfold, [12:57] and there’s an article in the Wall Street Journal by author [13:02] Eric Metaxas recently that showed that science is increasingly showing [13:06] that there is a God as we see just how many [13:11] necessary elements there are in the universe

[13:14] for human life to flourish on any planet. [13:17] We see more and more that the thought that it all just happened by chance [13:21] does not measure up with science.

[13:25] So understand this is not just some far off theory, [13:28] but in reality, science is more and more aligning with the reality [13:32] that there is a God and that more so than that, there is a God who made it all. [13:37] There is really no

[13:41] speculatory algorithm in which we can look at this world [13:45] and the way in which it functions and the temperatures at which it has [13:48] and the oxygen levels that it has and the way in which we exist in it and say chance.

[13:55] Rather, we must find a cause. [13:57] Many call it the unknown cause or the uncaused cause. [14:02] But we know who he is in the beginning, God, that’s who he is. [14:05] He is I am. [14:08] Yes, he was before Abraham, but also before Adam and Eve. [14:11] He was before the heavens.

[14:12] He was before the earth. He is God.

[14:17] Bible begins with the statement that everything is from him. [14:20] Everything is created by him. [14:22] God is the author of life. [14:24] But because God is the author of life, here’s what I want you to understand. [14:28] Life then is to be celebrated. [14:31] So you need look no further for the fact that you have a purpose

[14:35] in this world than in the beginning, God.

[14:39] He took the time, a self-sufficient, [14:43] all knowing, all powerful being took the time to make you.

[14:47] Make every one of us. [14:49] And in that scope, we see that my life is to be celebrated [14:53] because God finds me worthy of existing. [14:57] God finds you worthy of existing. [14:59] God finds everyone worthy of existing. [15:02] Therefore, that’s what Psalm 139 is honing in on.

[15:06] And I want us to take a look at that in Psalm 139, verses 13 through 17. [15:11] It should be on the screen. [15:12] It says, for you formed me, excuse me, you form my inward parts. [15:16] You knitted me together in my mother’s womb. [15:18] I praise you for I’m fearfully and wonderfully made. [15:22] Wonderful are your works.

[15:26] Note what the Psalmist is describing to God. [15:29] He says, wonderful are your works. [15:31] I am God’s works. [15:34] Now, what’s taking place in the womb is not just some happenstance. [15:38] It is actually the scripture says the knitting together of a human life [15:42] by God’s divine hand.

[15:45] So my soul knows it very well. [15:47] This is the breath of God. This is the image of God. [15:50] This is that within which our very essence of living something speaks to us [15:55] and says, this is no accident. [15:56] I am no accident, but rather I’m fearfully and wonderfully made by God. [16:00] My frame was not hidden from you when I was being made in secret,

[16:05] intricately woven in the depths of the earth. [16:08] Your eyes saw my unformed substance in your book were written. [16:14] Every one of them, the days that were formed for me, [16:17] when as yet there was none of them. [16:19] How precious to me are your thoughts. [16:22] Oh, God, how vast is the sum of them.

[16:26] See, what happens is, is that he very quickly goes from the facts of the issue [16:31] that God is knitting us together and then take goes back to a cosmological look [16:36] at the source from which all of that occurs. [16:40] And he praises God for life. [16:44] The psalmist celebrates life in awe of a God [16:49] because his authorship and care in creating life is apparent

[16:53] through the very process. [16:57] Because of that, in any life decision, [17:02] we must consider God’s will and his authorship in our steps [17:07] in every life decision, no matter how major or minor, [17:11] specifically, though, for today’s purpose, the causes of life. [17:16] The question that you must ask yourself is, is what filter will we use

[17:20] to make hard decisions, especially the big decisions of life?

[17:28] What scope under which will we use? [17:31] They must not be arbitrary. [17:33] God’s the author of life. [17:34] If he’s the maintainer of life, if we’re fearfully and wonderfully made, [17:37] if he’s knitting life together, then we must go to the source [17:42] in order to make decisions about life, especially when life begins and ends.

[17:50] And number two, this morning, I want us to understand that the Bible says [17:53] that God exercises authority, that God is the authority of life. [17:58] And when we say, well, isn’t that the same thing? [17:59] Well, yeah, the the root of authority is author. [18:02] But understand that there are many in this world [18:04] who are somewhat confused at this point, and they ascribe authorship to God.

[18:07] But yet they do not ascribe authority to God. [18:11] Now, authority goes past the authorship and says, once God has authored it, [18:16] that we are not free, we do not have the autonomy [18:21] to make choices that would be contrary to his will. [18:27] See, this is the problem that we ran into in the garden. [18:30] He says, you are free.

[18:36] But don’t.

[18:39] God has given us great freedom in this world, [18:42] but all that freedom lies within his will, because first understand [18:45] that when we submit to God’s will, it is life giving. [18:51] His life giving. Look in Genesis, Chapter one again, verses twenty six through twenty eight.

[18:59] Verses twenty six through twenty eight, we see God having the conversation [19:02] within the Trinity, says, let us make man in our image after our likeness [19:06] and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, [19:08] over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth [19:11] and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth. [19:14] Note what God does. He delegates.

[19:19] OK, so does man ultimately have authority [19:22] to do whatever he wants in these situations with dominion over these things? [19:28] No. He’s limited to the authority [19:34] God has delegated. [19:37] Therefore, even over these issues, man is limited in his ability [19:42] to be autonomous in dominion, must use that dominion by the will of God.

[19:48] And so God created man in his own image in the image of God. [19:51] He created him male and female. He created them. [19:54] God blessed them. And God said, be fruitful, multiply, [19:58] fill the earth, subdue it, have dominion over the fish of the sea, [20:01] over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth. [20:04] And what does God preface dominion with?

[20:07] He prefaces it with the idea of human flourishing.

[20:11] He doesn’t say, go subdue the earth. That’s it. [20:14] And he says, be fruitful, multiply, subdue. [20:18] These are all flourishing ideas [20:22] that whatever will cause human flourishing in this world. [20:26] That is what I am giving you the responsibility to do. [20:32] And submission to God is life giving.

[20:35] But in these commands and they were commands, [20:39] God says the thing that will not flourish human life [20:43] is if you eat of the tree, knowledge of good and evil. [20:46] Therefore, we see that rebellion is life ending. [20:51] What happens when Adam and Eve sin against God? [20:54] They’re cursed.

[20:56] Life has limitations. Human flourishing is hindered because God’s the source of life. [21:02] In Deuteronomy chapter 32 verse 39, the scripture says, [21:05] See now that I, even I am he, God speaking. [21:08] There is no God beside me. [21:11] I kill and I make alive. [21:15] I wound and I heal.

[21:18] There is none that can deliver out of my hand.

[21:22] Rebellion against God’s will does not deliver you out of the hand of God.

[21:27] Places you under his condemnation. [21:31] Rebellion is life ending because God says it is life ending. [21:34] And see the ethic and worldview of scripture has submission to that fact. [21:41] It does not resent God over his judgment. [21:45] It submits to his judgments. [21:48] So ultimately, we want to get philosophical in this.

[21:52] We say by whose authority can God kill? [21:56] By God’s authority, God can kill because he’s God.

[22:02] And that is to be accepted by faith and that is to be taken joy in [22:05] because God alone can be trusted with such authority. [22:09] His sovereign rule is to be submitted to where the consequences will be great. [22:13] Rebellion against God does not leave you in a better situation than you have under his rule. [22:18] It is to your detriment. [22:20] You are not delivering yourself out of his rule through disobedience

[22:23] or believing that you have authority over yourself. [22:26] You are simply inviting condemnation. [22:28] When you consider the reign of God, [22:32] it brings to light what Paul means in 1 Corinthians chapter 6. [22:36] Here’s what he says in verses 19 through 20. [22:39] He’s speaking to the church at Corinth who are in that point,

[22:42] rebelling against God’s design specifically over sexuality, [22:45] but extends into other areas as well. [22:47] He says, do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit within you? [22:52] Whom you have from where? From God. [22:55] You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. [23:02] So glorify God in your body.

[23:07] This is the same ethic that God gives in Genesis 1. [23:12] I am very much owned by God. [23:17] I belong to him. [23:19] God owns me. [23:20] My mission is to bring him glory through my life. [23:24] And in submission to that, I find that my life has purpose.

[23:29] I find that my life flourishes. [23:31] And the argument against that may say, [23:33] well, but I may not have the life I want under God’s authority. [23:39] And I will say you are correct. [23:43] You may not. [23:46] That’s why your definition of the life that you want needs to change.

[23:51] In submission to God’s authority to see it any other way is incongruent with the ethic of the gospel.

[24:02] In submission to that, I actually find what real life is, [24:06] but in rebellion against that, I find death. [24:10] And that’s Paul’s point. [24:12] That’s Moses’ point in Deuteronomy.

[24:17] Is that we must understand that I must bring to the table of God all issues.

[24:26] I am not free to just simply make them arbitrarily as I see fit. [24:32] Especially in the case of abortion and assisted suicide.

[24:38] We have in our world an understanding that convenience matters more than necessity. [24:46] And I want to speak today for the rest of our time about the authority under which God has and has not given us where life is concerned. [24:56] Many people believe that we have a right to end human life if that life is or will possibly become inconvenient to the mother.

[25:08] This also applies to the inconvenience of suffering. [25:11] We do not have the authority to make such decisions. [25:15] We live in a culture that truly believes that a child will keep a mother from the life she should have.

[25:30] The important word in that sentence is should.

[25:35] Therefore, we submit, our culture submits to the idea that a human life is less important than career.

[25:49] Is less life giving.

[25:53] Does not allow humanity to flourish as much as a career does. [26:00] That is incompatible with Scripture.

[26:04] It does not flesh out when we look at Scripture because God is the authority of life he must be submitted to. [26:11] In your development of a worldview, it is important for us to understand that we are not islands to ourselves. [26:19] We are not. [26:20] Our choices affect others. [26:22] Our choices also, though, supremely affect our worship.

[26:26] Our choices affect our relationship with God. [26:30] We face assisted suicide in this world in the same light. [26:35] The possibility of a terminal illness causing suffering has led us, and I will call it an arbitrary choice, because it is. [26:46] Where we see mercy, there is no mercy.

[26:51] These are not mercy killings. [26:54] And I know that maybe even in here that is an unpopular opinion. [26:59] But I friends, I tell you, I don’t believe it’s my opinion. [27:02] I believe it’s God’s word. [27:05] It is not a mercy killing to end life prematurely. [27:08] It is murder.

[27:10] Even if it is self murder. [27:12] But in our culture, we’re ascribing to doctors. [27:16] Who are not innocent in these matters.

[27:23] Authority that they are not allowed to have.

[27:28] No one should be allowed to prescribe pills that only have one purpose. [27:33] And that is ending of human life. [27:35] No one can handle that authority. [27:38] It’s not a should or a shouldn’t. [27:39] It’s about being able to handle. [27:42] Humans in our depraved state do not have the ability to handle such decisions.

[27:51] Because we are limited. [27:52] Therefore, God does not give us that type of authority. [27:56] Now, I’ve made the statement already. [27:59] But number three this morning is the fact that ending life prematurely is evil. [28:04] It is evil. [28:06] God prescribes dignity to human life.

[28:09] And it is immoral to usurp God’s authority. [28:15] In Exodus chapter 20, verse 13, and most people are familiar with this very short verse [28:20] that comes within what we call the Ten Commandments. [28:23] It tells us, you shall not murder. [28:26] You shall not murder. [28:28] Now, you may say, well, but in the next chapter, God prescribes execution.

[28:37] And I will say, yes, he does. [28:38] Because God did not see that as arbitrary.

[28:42] The taking of human life is only, only allowed to be in man’s hand [28:50] by prescription of God over specific issues. [28:54] And there are times, I will admit, there are times in scripture that God prescribes to humanity [29:00] the ability to make a choice to end human life. [29:04] But those are usually issues of capital punishment. [29:06] Those are usually issues of war, where it would be less of a human flourishing issue

[29:11] to allow those that are evil to reign over those who are following God. [29:18] And in our world, Romans 13 says, governments do have the ability to take war to another nation. [29:25] And so God does prescribe that. [29:28] But here’s what you will not find. [29:29] You will not find a prescription of ending innocent life, ever, in the scriptures. [29:35] One case, Jesus Christ.

[29:40] The ending of an innocent life in scripture is always, always, always, always evil.

[29:48] The only times in which capital punishment are prescribed, and even war is prescribed, [29:52] is over evil actions that have taken place by the hands of man. [29:56] And it is to prevent that evil from going forward. [30:01] But I will fill you in, the baby in the womb has done no evil.

[30:06] Suffering under terminal illness does not mean that you’ve done anything evil.

[30:11] Therefore, it is not to be embraced.

[30:15] Abortion is the intentional killing of unborn children. [30:18] That’s what we need to understand. [30:20] That is the definition of abortion that scripture would give us. [30:23] It is the intentional killing of unborn children. [30:26] We must call it that, and we must understand that. [30:30] In seeing that science is not ultimately the issue that we’re dealing with here,

[30:35] I want you to understand that now in culture, [30:38] those who would make claims about this issue have now shifted their argument. [30:43] In the article that was written last year, that was entitled, [30:47] So What If Abortion Ends Life, Mary Elizabeth Williams writes, [30:51] All life is not equal. [30:54] A fetus can be a human life without having the same rights

[30:58] as the woman in whose body it resides. [31:01] She’s the boss. [31:03] But in that little careless phrase, she’s the boss, [31:06] I want you to understand that a worldview is being put forward in those three words. [31:13] That worldview is that man is autonomous, man is free, and man is the ultimate authority.

[31:19] Ladies, you are not God. [31:26] You are not the boss over children in the womb.

[31:33] God is.

[31:36] She goes on to say, abortion saves lives.

[31:43] But note how she turns that phrase. [31:46] Abortion saves lives, not just in the most medically literal way, [31:52] but in the roads that women who have choice then get to go down. [31:59] She’s speaking of education and career. [32:02] And the possibilities for them and for their families. [32:05] And I would put the life of a mother over the life of a fetus every single time.

[32:10] Note that the argument has passed biology, the argument has passed medicine, [32:15] the argument has passed science, and it is now into the postmodern mindset. [32:20] Of the important thing here is not the life of the mother. [32:26] It’s the choices that the mother will be limited to make if she has to have a child. [32:34] I will tell you, that’s real. [32:36] I’ve got two children.

[32:37] They limit my choices a lot.

[32:42] So I’ll tell you, you’re right. [32:44] You’re right. [32:46] But not a single time that my choices have been altered has my life, [32:52] my enjoyment of life, my pleasures in life, my ability to live a good life ever been hindered.

[33:00] The reason I believe that, see, because if you just even go at that level, [33:04] that’s subjective, it says, well, that’s for you. [33:07] It’s not for me. [33:08] I’d be miserable. [33:10] No, no, no, no, you don’t understand. [33:11] The reason is not just in a subjective happiness way.

[33:16] The reason is because I believe what God says, and God says my life is better for it. [33:20] Therefore, I believe my life is better for it. [33:22] You see, that’s the difference between faith and not faith. [33:26] See, that’s it right there. [33:28] Because God says, I believe. [33:31] That’s the issue.

[33:32] That’s what I want you to come and understand. [33:34] When people do not understand your opposition to abortion, that is where you must go.

[33:42] It’s God. [33:45] And until that is submitted to, they’ll never understand. [33:50] They will never assent. [33:53] They will never agree with you. [33:55] There will be nothing but more dissent.

[34:00] Abortion is not the root issue. [34:02] The root issue is the authority of God. [34:05] If He has authority, then this is not Her choice to make, [34:08] but then it is, in fact, an evil choice that She should not make. [34:13] Abortion is, again, the intentional killing of an unborn child. [34:18] We must use that type of terminology for us to understand what it is we’re exactly talking about.

[34:24] Now, how then does that also relate to physician-assisted suicide? [34:29] Well, this issue emerged in 2014 to be more prominent than it ever was before [34:37] because of one woman’s choice. [34:40] Brittany Maynard was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer, [34:43] but was not yet suffering the effects of terminal brain cancer. [34:49] This was heavily covered in the media, and she chose to chronicle her last days

[34:55] while carrying a prescription. [34:57] It was made to her in a state where it’s legal for a doctor to do so, [35:01] that as soon as she took the pills prescribed, her life would be over. [35:03] Her heart would stop beating and she would die. [35:05] And her plan was to enjoy a few things, have a bucket list, [35:10] a couple of weeks, I guess you could say,

[35:12] and then take the pills and end her life before any suffering happened [35:16] because she believed, and many believe also, [35:21] and in many discussions in the media you saw that this within the churches [35:25] even disagreed upon, that she would end her life in a beautiful and peaceful way [35:32] rather than suffer in what has been prescribed an ugly way.

[35:39] And she did that and she took her life and it was celebrated.

[35:44] That is evil. That is evil. [35:48] Friends, the book of Job develops a theology of suffering. [35:52] Job is suffering under the allowance of God, [35:55] and those around him misunderstood his suffering. [35:57] His wife sees his suffering. [36:00] Women don’t be this kind of wife.

[36:03] This is not helpful. [36:06] She looks to Job and his suffering, and what does she say? [36:10] Curse God and die in Job 2.9. [36:13] That’s her advice. [36:15] That’s the worst advice anyone’s ever given another person. [36:19] Curse God and die. Not helpful, not edifying.

[36:23] They should have gone through some marital counseling because of this. [36:26] I hope they got right. I don’t think they did. [36:29] But she’s telling him to take an easier way out.

[36:38] But here’s what I think we miss in the story. [36:41] She’s telling him to kill himself.

[36:44] She’s telling him to kill himself. [36:45] I believe that is the blasphemy that she’s prescribing. [36:47] I don’t believe that there is a word that she was saying, [36:50] if you say this word, God will strike you down.

[36:54] The blasphemy in this story is suicide.

[36:58] The blasphemy in this story is that there’s no purpose behind your suffering, [37:04] an atheistic mindset. [37:05] There’s no reason behind your suffering. [37:07] Therefore, the best thing for you to do is just end it all. [37:11] But we see that this is not the end of the story. [37:14] There’s 38 more chapters in Job.

[37:19] Job refuses, rebukes his wife, and in the end, [37:22] he sees more of the glory of God through his suffering than he’d ever seen before.

[37:31] Because of his suffering. [37:33] I want to read you another story. [37:35] This is a story of Dr. Rich Fritzke. [37:38] It’s told by Harold Cassidy, the Weatherton Institute. [37:41] Rich was and is a college professor and author. [37:45] I want to read you the story that Harold Cassidy writes about this man.

[37:48] Nine years ago in October 2005, at the age of 55, [37:52] Rich Fritzke was suddenly and brutally stricken with Neisseria meningitis, [37:58] a particularly deadly disease. [38:00] He slipped into a coma, and his wife and 12 children, [38:03] 12 children were told that he would die within a matter of days. [38:08] In fact, the physicians who cared for him said it was impossible for him to survive.

[38:13] Yet he remained in a coma for four months. [38:15] During that time, every one of his major organs at one time or another failed to function. [38:19] His heart stopped, his kidneys failed, he flatlined. [38:23] His wife was told that if by some miracle he were to survive, [38:28] Rich would never recognize her and their children again. [38:31] Nor would he be able to have cognitive thought.

[38:34] The physicians thought Rich’s family should pray for his death, not for his life. [38:39] They prayed for his life. [38:40] While in the coma, Rich’s heart had to endure six weeks of fever that reached 107 degrees, [38:46] six weeks during which he had to be packed in ice.

[38:51] For six months, the physicians continually repeated that Rich’s death was imminent. [38:56] On one occasion, when I visited the Coma Tos for Rich, this is the author speaking, [38:59] his face had neck rust. It was entirely black. [39:04] For six months, Rich Fritzke did not move, did not breathe, [39:09] did not swallow, and did not speak. [39:13] But Rich came out of his coma.

[39:14] He awoke to find that both of his legs had been amputated, as well as all ten of his fingers. [39:20] His hospitalization lasted 15 months and included a vigorous and painful rehabilitation, [39:25] a failed effort to fit prosthesis, continual bouts with infections, and difficult to manage bed sores. [39:31] Although the illness left his body broken and scarred, his mind and wits were as keen as ever, [39:35] and he loved his family more than ever before. [39:37] When he returned home, the man with no fingers had to teach himself to type.

[39:41] His pain was often excruciating, and he had many subsequent hospitalizations and operations. [39:46] Three years ago, he was forced to endure dialysis three days a week. [39:50] Last summer, after a number of false starts because of infections and weaknesses, [39:55] he successfully underwent a kidney transplant donated by one of his sons. [39:59] Rich went back to his teaching job at Farley Dickinson College. [40:02] Over the past four years, he has written three books and helped two other authors write theirs.

[40:08] His children finished their education. One of his sons is currently finishing medical school. [40:12] In recent years, on at least three separate occasions, he was told that his death was a certainty, [40:18] that it would occur in a matter of days or a week. [40:20] Every day for the past nine years, he has suffered extreme pain. [40:25] Yet a month ago, Rich Fritzke told the author that his life has never been more exciting, more fulfilling. [40:32] Or more purposeful.

[40:36] You see, friends, in issues of suffering, [40:40] must understand that our experience is not the most important matter.

[40:52] What matters is the glory of God.

[40:55] And I will tell you that this is far more God glorifying than if his life ended or if he chose to end it. [41:09] He suffers extreme pain still to this day.

[41:13] But humanity is flourishing within him because what many people are seeing is the way that people live with pain. [41:18] What do we want to teach our children about suffering? [41:21] Friends, suicide cannot both be grievous and not the answer. [41:28] And a glorious decision for some. [41:31] But you see, that is what the media is telling us right now. [41:34] It cannot be both.

[41:39] While none of us want to suffer, there must be an understanding that suffering well is not only found in submitting to God. [41:46] Excuse me, the suffering well is found in submitting to God. [41:50] And it is also found in realizing that submitting to God may bring some pain because of sin in this world. [41:58] But it will always lead to human flourishing specifically in your relationship with God and what you are teaching others about God through your suffering. [42:09] I want us to understand that ultimately, what we have to see about the issues of abortion and suicide is that the gospel restores us to God’s authority.

[42:20] The question has got to come. [42:22] Okay, so I don’t have complete autonomy. [42:26] I don’t have the authority to make these choices. [42:29] I don’t get to do specifically what I want to do in every single situation. [42:34] I will have to endure suffering. [42:36] Sometimes it will be great suffering and some of that suffering will be terminal and I will eventually die.

[42:41] But I can’t make the decision to forgo that and just die without the suffering. [42:45] How in the world is that not a drag?

[42:49] I mean, I think when we deal with these issues, we have to be that honest with those who are not followers of Jesus. [42:55] Everything that I have just said doesn’t seem like fun. [42:59] It seems like a drag.

[43:03] But it is because the purposes of God are to be trusted above our own feelings. [43:08] Because God’s promises always come through. [43:12] Whether it be an unwed mother who believes that her life will be less valuable and less enjoyable with a child to raise alone. [43:22] Or the terminally ill who will face suffering. [43:27] It’s not a drag because of Jesus. [43:30] In 2 Corinthians chapter 4, this is what Paul says.

[43:34] He says, even in the face of suffering, what he’s talking about the root, we do not lose heart. [43:38] Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. [43:42] I think that’s specifically what Rich Fritzke speaks to. [43:46] Outer self wasting away. [43:47] Inner self being renewed. [43:50] For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.

[43:56] As we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. [44:00] For the things that are seen are transient. [44:01] But the things that are unseen are eternal. [44:05] There’s three promises in this text. [44:09] And that’s how we’ll close. [44:11] First promise, and this is for everyone.

[44:15] It can be the unexpected pregnancy. [44:18] It can be the Down syndrome diagnosis that you might get at 20 weeks. [44:24] Or those diagnosed with a terrible disease at any stage of life. [44:27] Number one, God is writing a story of glory every day of your life. [44:35] That’s the promise we see in that text. [44:38] You may feel like you are wasting away.

[44:40] Like there is no hope. [44:42] Like the story won’t be what you thought it would be. [44:46] God promises that you are being renewed. [44:48] So don’t lose heart. [44:51] He has seen the beginning and the end. [44:54] And will have his will done.

[44:56] Number two, all the suffering of this world is nothing compared to the amazing glory and wonder you will experience in heaven. [45:06] Your suffering is light and momentary. [45:09] Friends, this is a call to endurance.

[45:13] Don’t lose the hope promised in Jesus. [45:16] Number three, strengthen yourself with the gospel of Jesus Christ. [45:21] You can’t see all that God can see. [45:23] You think your life is over, but God promises it is just the beginning. [45:31] You will have more joy in him because of hard times than you would have had without it. [45:40] God brings nothing into your life that he does not have a plan for.

[45:48] Nothing. [45:50] The gospel explains the only life of glorious hope. [45:54] The gospel tells us that God promises that it will be great in the end. [45:58] Because if we can keep his promise, excuse me, if he can keep his promise that he will save the world, then we can trust him in hard times. [46:07] If he can make the dead to rise, and that is specifically what we hold to in the gospel, that Jesus Christ rose from the dead after his suffering. [46:15] Then your baby will not ruin you.

[46:18] Your baby will flourish you. [46:23] Children are a blessing because of Jesus.

[46:27] The God of Psalm 139 is the God who redeems and restores through the cross. [46:32] He is the beginning and the end. [46:37] That is the ethic that we take to all issues of life. [46:40] As the band comes forward, there is so much more that we can talk about.

[46:48] But here is where I want us to settle. [46:50] It is this understanding that everything that comes into my life, God will use to flourish. [46:58] He will. [47:00] I do not know what is around the corner for me. [47:04] I do not know what is around the corner for you. [47:05] I cannot make any promises where that is concerned, but the promise that I can make is because

[47:11] God sent his son, Jesus Christ, to die for your sins, and then Jesus Christ rose from the dead to give you a new life. [47:17] I can promise you that everything that comes into your life, both easy and difficult, God will have a purpose for it. [47:25] Everything. [47:25] His purpose is always the purpose to bring you closer to him with a mindset of, I will bring God glory through this.

[47:36] That is how humanity will flourish. [47:40] That is the gospel of Jesus Christ.

[47:43] Our final moments, I want to reflect on communion.

[47:49] The cup represents the shed blood of Jesus. [47:52] The plate represents his broken body. [47:54] When you eat and drink, you proclaim, I believe that the life of Christ has entered into my life, [48:01] and I will walk in this world to bring him glory. [48:05] If you believe that this morning, I invite you to one of the six stations around this room. [48:09] Live for Jesus.