Sermon Tone Analysis

Sanctity of Life Sunday 2010

*Colossians 1:16*

*A Purposeful Creator*

Today is a day when sadly we remember and draw attention to the reprehensible decision by our supreme court called Roe V. Wade.

It was that decision which made abortion on demand legal throughout the United States.

Since that day millions upon millions of innocent lives have been cast aside like unwanted trash.

It is surgical procedure that many would say is a convenience and a right but which is dangerous and always fatal for at least one human life and sometimes for two.

But no matter the fatality toll it is destructive in hearts and lives for all involved for years after.

Now, this may have impacted you directly or indirectly.

You may be actively involved in the cause or not so.

But I want you to know why it is important to us as followers of Christ.

Democrat, Republican or Independent I think we can come together on this issue.

I don’t really care if you vote republican or democrat but I do pray that you will vote in support of life

So, I will return to Titus chapter 3 next week … but today, some thoughts about our Creator …

The issue is what we believe about life and creation …

We believe that God created all things ex nihilo or out of nothing.

There were no accidents

God didn’t create things by just throwing them up on a canvas and see what sticks

God is dreamer, designer, creator, and sustainer of all of his creation

Creators create for a reason

Creators may use different circumstances good and bad but he is still creating

So in creating life, even in difficult circumstances like unwanted pregnancies, or accidental pregnancies, or even the result of criminal circumstances that create the pregnancies … GOD is still the Creator … not the careless one or the criminal …

Turn to the book of Colossians with me and read our text

*READ 1:13-18*

Now we will just focus today in our thoughts on verse 16

Colossians 1:16 (NIV)

/16 For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him./

!

*1.

All Life Is Created*

The underlying purpose behind the evolution conspiracy is to define life without a Creator.

It is an attempt if you will to Kill the concept of a Creator.

But you cannot look at this world and not believe that something somewhere designed and built it.

If I had never seen a car before but I found one and studied it long enough I would KNOW that someone MADE it.

It is too perfect and everything about it is interconnected and needs every other part.

It couldn’t have just happened.

Not only that, but it would be ridiculous to think that my SEATS EVOLVED from the SAME material as my spark plugs.

And you know what when I come into my house I don’t say “well look at that, I have seats in my house, they must have evolved from the same place as the seats in my car because they are similar in structure.”

Life didn’t EVOLVE, it didn’t HAPPEN it is CREATED.

And that includes LIFE in the Womb.

He made us and we are HIS.

He is Creator, Redeemer, Lord, and King of this world.

/IN the Beginning God created …/ that’s how Genesis 1 begins and the last verse of Scripture, Revelation 22:21 speaks of the Grace of Jesus Christ and about us being God’s people

So the Bible Begins with God and ends with God the Son and an understanding that we are HIS.

And so if all things were made by him and for him then we should value and protect his creation.

We should protect LIFE because it is GOD’s Creation

When Michelangelo created a great work, no one says “did you see what the statue of David did?”

No they say “did you see the statue of David, what an amazing work, Michelangelo did.”

Now sometimes artists, architects, or engineers may create something that has the ability to move on its own and it the creation can get out of hand and cause damage, but that is ultimately a reflection on the creator.

But no one would ever think that the statue of David is greater than the artist that created it.

It was just a piece of marble.

This universe was created by a Singular God who has NO EQUAL, except that he manifests himself as a triune God who is separate yet miraculously One.

God transcends his creation.

He Stands Outside of it.

Interestingly this Universe was created out of nothing.

But MAN was created out of dirt.

Yet if YOU TRY THAT AT HOME, you can’t do it.

God had the ability to take the dirt and work on it to create man.

That even means that he can take terrible circumstances and make something beautiful of a life that began even as dirt!

All things were created … and

!

*2.

Life is made BY HIM*

"The David" didn’t just come into being, it was created and not just by anyone by Michelangelo.

Interestingly enough, the project, “David”, began with Agostino an assistant to Donatello.

Both did very little work.

Only beginning to shape the legs and feet before it was abandoned and the project given to Rossellino who was fired for some unknown reason and the piece of marble called “The Giant” was left outside in the weather for 26 years.

Finally 26 year old Michelangelo was given the job.

He began on Monday, September 13, 1501 and worked for more than 2 years on the project until it reached its amazing completion in early 1504.

So beautiful, every detail so perfect, it was a true work of art.

Without The David, Michelangelo would still exist; but without Michelangelo The David wouldn’t have existed.

Without US … God will always be God … but without him we are NOTHING

John 15:5 – /I am the vine you are the branches, he who abides in me and I in him bears much fruit, for apart from me, you can do nothing/

Acts 17:28 – /in him we live and move and have our being … /

Rev 4:11 – /“you are worthy, our Lord and God to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and HAVE their being.”

/

That means WITHOUT him, we cannot live or move or even BE

You and I do not COME to be without him.

You and I will cease to exist without the sustaining power of the Almighty God

Do you believe this?

Do you really?

Are you sure?

Look to the person next to you and say,

“without God, there is NO MORE ME”

and now say “without God, there is NO MORE YOU.”

Everything was created

Everything was created by God … and

!

*3.

Life was Made FOR Him*

Did he only have purpose for the Creation as a whole and then he’s let it go?

No, he told Jeremiah MORE than that …

Jeremiah 1:4-10 (NIV)

/4 The word of the LORD came to me, saying, 5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”

6 “Ah, Sovereign LORD,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am only a child.”

7 But the LORD said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am only a child.’

You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you.

8 Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the LORD.

9 Then the LORD reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, “Now, I have put my words in your mouth.

10 See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant.”/

God Knew YOU before you were formed as well!

He set you apart and he appointed you … not necessarily as a prophet to the nations, but he certainly has a purpose for your life if you will surrender to him

What about King David?

Psalm 139:13-16 (NIV)

/13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.

14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

15 My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place.