Roe vs. Wade

Each January, Americans are reminded of the anniversary of the Roe vs. Wade Supreme Court decision (1973), legalizing abortion with a constitutional right for mothers. Here are some Biblical reasons for defending the life of unborn human beings and why abortion is wrong . . . remembering at the same time that God forgives those who seek His forgiveness for having had an abortion (or encouraged one) . . . and, He gives new starts, new beginnings, new futures for people who seek His forgiveness (Proverbs 28:13; II Corinthians 5:17; Revelation 21:5)

God abhors abortion because . . .

1. He equates the unborn with human life. The laws for “retaliation” in Exodus 21:22-25 treat injury to the unborn as injury to a human being. The term for “baby” in Luke 1:44 referring to John the Baptist in the womb is the same Greek term for “babies” in Luke 18:5 describing small children coming to Jesus. John also had the Holy Spirit even in the womb, Luke 1:15 says. Clearly, the unborn are considered human beings in the Scriptures.

2. He embroiders each unborn specifically. Psalm 139:13-16 describes God’s prenatal work.

3. He expresses judgment on it. God pronounced judgment in Amos 1:13 on a nation that “ripped open the pregnant women.”

4. He esteems human life above all other creation. The description of people bearing God’s image in Genesis 1:27-28 and Genesis 9:6; the value of human life over animals in the teaching of Jesus in Matthew 10:31; the teaching that even to mock a human being (to say nothing of physically harming them) in Proverbs 17:5 is to insults that person’s Maker all show how God values human life over any other created thing.

5. He exposes its root by it fruit. This principle from Luke 6:43-36 bids us look at the fruit of abortion – in women’s lives as well as the unborns – and ask “Has abortion produced good things for women? families? nations?” or has it left in its wake guilt, sterility, heartache, pain and an imbalance in the sexes in nations?”

For these Biblical reasons, we know that abortion displeases God.

What can we do about it?

1. Pray for our nation’s leaders and laws. (Proverbs 21:1; I Timothy 2:1-2)

2. Protest according to God’s will. (Proverbs 24:11-12)

3. Provide alternatives to abortion (Daniel 1:8-21; Romans 12:17-18) like adoption; helping single moms; supporting orphanages, Pregnancy Resource Centers; etc.

4. Personal obedience to God’s laws regarding sex, children, human life, parenting (Psalm 1:1-3)

May God richly bless you all this new year.

Advent Reading

As the day we celebrate Christ’s birth approaches, may I encourage you to read and pray through (on the designated days) the following Advent Bible passages? These readings can keep us focused on Jesus during the busy month of December.

1- Isaiah 40:1-8

2- Luke 1:26-38

3- Luke 1:39-56

4- Colossians 1:15-20

5- Philippians 2:5-11

6- John 3:16-18

7- Matthew 1:18-25

8- Mark 10:42-45

9- Matthew 2:1-12

10- John 1:1-9

11- John 1:10-18

12- Hebrews 10:10-18

13- Revelation 1:12-18

14- Psalm 23

15- Isaiah 52:13-53:6

16- Exodus 12:3-14

17- Romans 3:23-26

18- Hebrews 1:1-8

19- Revelation 5:8-14

20- Daniel 7:13-14

21- Galatians 4:4-7

22- John 10:7-18

23- 2 Cor. 8:9; 9:15

24- Luke 2:1-20

25- Revelation 11:15-19

He Is Good!

I was recently reminded by a friend of the greatness and the goodness of God as revealed in the book of Exodus.

With the burning bush, the awesome Name of “Yahweh,” the ten plagues that revealed God’s greatness to Egypt, Israel, and every so-called Egyptian god, and then the phenomenal parting of the Red Sea – not to mention manna from heaven and water from rocks – Exodus certainly showcases God’s greatness.

But when Moses asks God to “show me Your glory,” God responds in Exodus 33:19, “I Myself will make all My goodness pass before you…”

Certainly God’s glory is in His greatness but he chose to emphasize His goodness as He revealed Himself to Moses.

Do you view God as good?

His goodness certainly speaks of His moral goodness, His absolute holiness. “Goodness” also speaks of God’s skill; He does what He does very well. But goodness also speaks of His benevolence; His grace; His mercy; His kindness; His immeasurable love. WOW! He actually delights in giving good things – because He is good.

He is worthy to be trusted, prayed to, served and thanked . . . for He indeed is GOOD.

Hope

The temporary nature of life has a way of forcing us to recognize life’s highest priorities. Death can jar us into the realization that relationships are more important than recreation; marriages are more important than money; integrity is more important than image; eternity is more important than entertainment.

Americans can callous ourselves to these truths, burying them in “Yeah but”s and “I’m too busy to worry about that right now”s. Even Christians can lose appreciation of the Gospel Itself, which gives us a completely different worldview than the culture’s and the only legitimate, tangible, vetted hope beyond the grave. May we have a renewed gratitude for the Gospel!

Let us not forget we have hope, confidence for life here and hereafter, that is based on “the Word of Truth, the Gospel” (Col. 1:5). This Gospel is the only basis for hope that bears credible evidence. Christ’s irrefutable Resurrection and the life-changes He makes in people who trust Him form a solid apologetic that takes the Gospel from being mere speculation, like every other belief system with proposals about the hereafter, to certain, substantiated Truth!

We do know the Truth about life, death, and priorities. This uniquely gives us joyous, triumphant, confident hope. And it’s all because of the wonderful Gospel of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Commitments

Fall seems to be a season when many regular commitments are resumed and new commitments are assumed. With Summer days all but coming to a screeching halt, September 1 can be more of a transition date than January 1.

One commitment I’d encourage you to make with me this Fall is to join a Small Group at Eastmont that will be studying a series entitled “When God’s People Pray.” The commitment is to meet with your group once per week, for 6 weeks, and to make a $10 purchase of the accompanying workbook/journal for prayer. My wife and I reviewed this study in late Spring and we believe this could enhance our growth in Christ as a church and our effectiveness in serving Him in Bend. Plus, I can think of no more crucial activity for people to be learning about and engaged in during a busy season than prayer. The study will cover six topics Biblically, including “God’s Heart for Us,” “The Amazing Power of Prayer,” “The Word of God and Prayer,” and “Why Prayer Matters.” The time frame is September 19 – October 25.

Be sure to sign up for a Small Group in our foyer on the weekend if you’re not currently in a group or call Craig Soderquist at 382-5822 x 31. If you are in a group, be especially committed to meet, study, and . . . pray with your group during this special Fall emphasis.

This commitment will be worth it.

Small Groups in September

Small Groups in churches didn’t originate in a megachurch in the Midwest or in Southern California. Neither did a professor in a seminary come up with the concept nor did a Christian publishing company start Small Groups to stimulate business.

Small Groups in churches began with Jesus, Who, from the larger group, gathered 12 “to be with Him and that He could send out.” (Mark 3:13-14) Small Groups formed soon after the church was founded in first century Jerusalem, implementing “house to house” groups from the 3000+ people comprising the church, an “instant megachurch.” (Acts 2:46)

Jesus and the early church recognized that significant growth towards maturity comes through the spiritual relationships forged in a Small Group.

Our elders, staff, and Small Group Ministry are encouraging every person at Eastmont, high school and older, to be involved in some kind of Small Group from September 19 through October 25. During those 6 weeks, we will offer to our congregation the opportunity to be in a Small Group that meets weekly. We will study together via DVD and workbook what the Bible says happens “When God’s People Pray.” This is an encouraging series taught by Jim Cymbala, pastor at Brooklyn Tabernacle. We encourage existing groups to do this study, meeting weekly during this time, then returning to their desired format after the series is completed. We will be forming new groups, with new, trained facilitators, for those weeks as well.

Our prayer is that our collective commitment to Small Groups during these weeks will help us mature in Christ, as well as strengthen Eastmont as a praying church – to God’s glory.

Watch for details for involvement towards the end of this month and the first part of September.

Perfect Example

Jesus provides the Perfect Example in everything.

His ministry (which was His life) provides the best example of emphasis as well. Jesus exemplified the balance of doctrine and duty --- of declaring the Gospel and doing good deeds --- of teaching people and serving people.

Matthew 9:35 summarizes a season of Christ’s ministry in this way: “Jesus was going through all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness.”

“Teaching” and “healing” --- communicating Biblical foundations for life and meeting immediate challenges in life --- addressing spiritual needs and physical needs.

The Church, the body of Christ, follows our Head if we have the same balance --- strong teaching and sensitive service.

The follower of Christ lives like our Savior if we strike the same balance --- sharing Truth and serving people. Christ-likeness contains both.