Another Choice in the Abortion Debate

This morning I was thinking of my great nephew.  His name is Samuel.  Samuel was born at 31 weeks.  He was so tiny.  His head was no bigger than a tennis ball.  We prayed over his little body, asking God to grant him health and strength.  As we stood there, several of the nurses came by and didn't seem to be nearly as frightened.  As a matter of fact, they seemed hopeful - confident almost -  that this tiny infant would be just fine.

That's not the first time this happened.

I remember seeing tiny Ian and Olivia, twins born even earlier, who seemed far too fragile to survive in this world.  Today they are almost 18 years old.  I think of Gibson.  Again, as we prayed over this little boy, the doctors and nurses gave us confident assurance that he should grow up to be a healthy young man.  This was hard to believe, yet those in the medical field seemed so sure.  Today he is 10 years old.

Even my own granddaughter was tiny and frail when she was born.  Many experts felt she would have health issues.  Yeah right.  Try getting her to sit still.

I could go on.  I could tell you about people like Dillon who was born far too early.  Yet He has survived.  You could tell me your own stories as well; infants born far earlier than full term, yet who have grown to live full and healthy lives.

I am thinking about these children because I have had "experts" explain to me that when the mother's life is in danger, the best option is an abortion.  "The mother will not survive a full-term delivery" I've been told.  The abortion is necessary for the mother's health.  Yes, there may be that rare occasion when this is true, but ...

Abortion is not the only option for a mother whose health is at risk because of the child.  Even if she can't deliver full term, there is another choice.  Most babies born after about 26 weeks' gestation do survive to one year (about 80 percent of those born at 26 weeks and about 90 percent of those born at 27 weeks), although they may face an extended stay in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Unfortunately, about 25 percent of these very premature babies develop serious lasting disabilities, and up to half may have milder problems, such as learning and behavioral problems.  Read the full article HERE.

Yes, some babies do not survive when they are born very premature. But some do. And my point is, when abortion is given as the only option, a parent will never know if that child could have survived through a cesarean birth. When there are serious health concerns with the mother, but the baby's health seems to be stable, why not have a c-section and allow the child to live? Even if the birth is 10 weeks early, they have an 80% survival rate (according the article from babycenter.com).

Obviously, this could not work for every person in every circumstance. Each person and each pregnancy is different. I know that. But why are some politicians fighting for the abortion option when there is another viable option available? Why do we not hear this side of the story? Why is this "choice" not promoted?

It just doesn't make sense to me.

Even the Sparrow Knows

If He can hold the world, 

He can hold this moment
Not a field or flower 
escapes His notice.
Oh even the sparrow
Knows He holds tomorrow. 

-Sparrows by Jason Gray 

           

Anxious.  I guess that’s the best way to describe what I am feeling right now.  I’ve been watching and reading about the things happening in this world, and it has me a bit worried.  Maybe you feel it too.  After all, we have been told, repeatedly, that the 2016 election is very crucial.  If the wrong person is elected President of the Unites States, life will go terribly wrong.  So, who wouldn’t worry?  What happens if the other candidate wins?  We’ve been told that if they do, life will fall apart; life will become much more challenging.

And what about the cost of Health Care in this country.  Anyone who participates in the Government’s Affordable Health Care program knows that it is anything but affordable.  Only after a few short years, the program is in a death spiral; costs are rising beyond anyone’s ability to pay.  How will I pay my heath care premiums?  What happens when I can no longer afford this?

Do you know what kind of worry I’m talking about?  Have you felt it as well?  There are health concerns and broken relationships to worry about.  Perhaps your anxiety is related to job security or even lack of a job.  I know some who worry about their next meal.  I’ve met people who have slept in their car or in a tent because they had no place to live.  You can be sure they had much to worry about.

Yeah, I know I tend to worry about things.  I shouldn’t, but I do anyway.  I know that fear is simply faith in the wrong things, but something seems to draw my focus on all that could go wrong.  I let my mind wander down the frightful path of “what if,” and find myself becoming anxious.

During the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus addresses this tendency to become anxious.  He asks, “Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?”  He wonders why we fret about food and clothing and things that moth and rust will destroy.  He wonders why we have so little faith (Matthew 6:30).  And then Jesus points out that this kind of worrying dominates the thoughts of unbelievers (verse 32).  Ouch.

He’s right, you know.  The World does not have the same relationship with God that we do.  As the Church – the Bride of Christ – we know God.  We know about His love and grace … that all good things come from Him.  So, if we know these things, why do we forget these things?  Why are we swept away by fear and worry like some unbeliever?  Jesus says it because we fix our minds on the wrong things.

“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need” (Matthew 6:33).  The World will be the world.  The world will continue to fret and worry about things that may never happen.  However, Christians know what will happen.  And what will happen is that the Father will provide.  You see, Jesus says Our Heavenly Father already knows all our needs.  He provides for the flowers; He cares for the sparrow.  He will provide for you and me because we are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows (Matthew 10:31).  The cure for our (my) anxiety is to focus on living a righteous life that honors God … to think about and seek His Kingdom above all else. 

The hard truth is that I’ve become anxious lately because I have allowed the worries of the world to dominate my thoughts.  I haven’t been thinking about the Kingdom of God nearly enough.  I’ve been looking at the things of this world and worrying about how I can control them or fix them.  But I can’t.  I can’t fix the things that are out of my control.  I can, however, place my faith in the One who can. 

Even the Sparrow Knows

If He can hold the world, He can hold this moment
Not a field or flower escapes His notice.
Oh even the sparrow
Knows He holds tomorrow. 

-Sparrows by Jason Gray 

           

Anxious.  I guess that’s the best way to describe what I am feeling right now.  I’ve been watching and reading about the things happening in this world, and it has me a bit worried.  Maybe you feel it too.  After all, we have been told, repeatedly, that the 2016 election is very crucial.  If the wrong person is elected President of the Unites States, life will go terribly wrong.  So, who wouldn’t worry?  What happens if the other candidate wins?  We’ve been told that if they do, life will fall apart; life will become much more challenging.

            And what about the cost of Health Care in this country.  Anyone who participates in the Government’s Affordable Health Care program knows that it is anything but affordable.  Only after a few short years, the program is in a death spiral; costs are rising beyond anyone’s ability to pay.  How will I pay my heath care premiums?  What happens when I can no longer afford this?

            Do you know what kind of worry I’m talking about?  Have you felt it as well?  There are health concerns and broken relationships to worry about.  Perhaps your anxiety is related to job security or even lack of a job.  I know some who worry about their next meal.  I’ve met people who have slept in their car or in a tent because they had no place to live.  You can be sure they had much to worry about.

            Yeah, I know I tend to worry about things.  I shouldn’t, but I do anyway.  I know that fear is simply faith in the wrong things, but something seems to draw my focus on all that could go wrong.  I let my mind wander down the frightful path of “what if,” and find myself becoming anxious.

            During the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus addresses this tendency to become anxious.  He asks, “Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?”  He wonders why we fret about food and clothing and things that moth and rust will destroy.  He wonders why we have so little faith (Matthew 6:30).  And then Jesus points out that this kind of worrying dominates the thoughts of unbelievers (verse 32).  Ouch.

            He’s right, you know.  The World does not have the same relationship with God that we do.  As the Church – the Bride of Christ – we know God.  We know about His love and grace … that all good things come from Him.  So, if we know these things, why do we forget these things?  Why are we swept away by fear and worry like some unbeliever?  Jesus says it because we fix our minds on the wrong things.

            “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need” (Matthew 6:33).  The World will be the world.  The world will continue to fret and worry about things that may never happen.  However, Christians know what will happen.  And what will happen is that the Father will provide.  You see, Jesus says Our Heavenly Father already knows all our needs.  He provides for the flowers; He cares for the sparrow.  He will provide for you and me because we are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows (Matthew 10:31).  The cure for our (my) anxiety is to focus on living a righteous life that honors God … to think about and seek His Kingdom above all else. 

            The hard truth is that I’ve become anxious lately because I have allowed the worries of the world to dominate my thoughts.  I haven’t been thinking about the Kingdom of God nearly enough.  I’ve been looking at the things of this world and worrying about how I can control them or fix them.  But I can’t.  I can’t fix the things that are out of my control.  I can, however, place my faith in the One who can. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRJZQFRyZ6s

The Father’s House - October 23, 2016 sermon

By Pastor Greg

Today, I will tell you a story about death.  We are going to glimpse behind the curtain; take a momentary glance at what awaits us when we die.  Oh, I know we don’t like talking about such things.  Talking about death makes most of us uncomfortable.  And it is only natural that it does because death IS unnatural.  It’s not what God intended to happen in this world.  Death was the consequence of sin.

Christianity teaches that Death held a knife to our throat, and Jesus stepped in to take our place; He confronted Death and said, “Take Me instead.  I offer My life in place of theirs; ‘I lay down My life for the sheep’” (John 10:15).  Now, you and I today look back on what Jesus did with thankfulness and love.  We don’t think about Jesus being dead because we know that He is alive today.  So His death does not sting; it doesn’t have that sense of separation and loss we all feel when a loved one dies today.  The death of Jesus affects us in a different way.  However, things were different for the Apostles.  They did not know about Sunday.  They did not know Jesus would rise from the dead.  So when Jesus started talking about dying, they felt like we do when a grandparent or a spouse starts talking about their death.  It makes us uncomfortable.  It troubles us, which is exactly the way these Apostles felt as Jesus spoke about His own death.

Although the Apostles did not fully understand the theology behind the death of Jesus, it is evident they began to connect the dots.  At some point during the Last Supper, they began to realize Jesus would soon be gone.  I don’t think they suspected their Lord would be crucified, but something began to trouble their hearts.  All this talk about death made them uncomfortable, especially when Jesus said, “Where I am going, you cannot come” (John 13:33).  So He turns to His Apostles and says, “Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me.  In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you.  If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also” ^[1] (John 14:1-3).

In the upper room that night, Jesus realized that His friends – His disciples – were becoming troubled about His departure – His death.  Therefore, to calm their fears, He starts talking about preparing a place for His friends so that one day they will all be together again.  Jesus is talking about the New Jerusalem – the city that descends out of Heaven and rests upon the New Earth (Revelation 21:1-2).  And in this short little exchange, we learn a great deal about death.  Jesus pulls back the curtain for a moment and gives us a glimpse into life after death.

Jesus first talks about a Dwelling Place.  You and I would call it Heaven.  It is the place where we will be with Jesus, the Spirit, and the Father.  A new city is prepared for us which is called the New Jerusalem in Revelation.  But here, Jesus calls it His Father’s House.  I know some Bible translations say Many Mansions, meaning that there is a mansion for you and a shack out back for me.  But what Jesus says here is that there are many dwelling places.  Some Bibles say “many rooms.”  The idea is that, in Heaven, we will be part of one family.  We will not be separated from one another, and we will not be separated from God.  Jesus teaches His troubled disciples that they will be together again in the Father’s House.  The point here is that when we die, there is a place for us to go; a place Jesus has prepared for us so we will all be together.

The second thing we see as we look behind this curtain is that life does not end at death.  Look at what Jesus says here.  He had been talking about dying.  He had been talking about laying down His life for His sheep.  And all this talk troubled the disciples.  However, Jesus says He will come back and bring them all together again even after dying.  Even after dying, Jesus will still be alive, AND these disciples will join Him on the other side – meaning that they too will still be alive even though they pass through the curtain of death.  Do you see the significance here?  Why prepare a place for a dead corpse?  We do that here on earth, but that’s not what Jesus is saying.  A dead body has no fellowship with other dead bodies, but people who are alive interact with one another.  They fellowship with one another.  In this momentary glance, we see people alive and interacting with one another.  We see people gathered together in the Father’s House.

I tell you the truth; when you start reading about all that God has promised us, the only thing we can mutter is “what did I do to deserve all of this?”  The splendor of the Father’s House is more than we can possibly conceive.  Who we will be when the Lord receives us is more than we can imagine.  I’m talking about the end of pain, crying, suffering, sadness, and death.  I’m talking about being made new; about getting a second chance at living, only this time living without that old sin nature corrupting us and leading us astray.  I’m talking about knowing ourselves and knowing others as God has known us all along.  All of this, and so much more, awaits those who overcome – those who remain faithful to God all the way to the end.  Jesus tells us not to be troubled about our present life because He knows what awaits us.  “For our momentary light affliction is producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory” (2 Corinthians 4:17. HCSB).  I know life can be pretty tough sometimes, but hang in there.  For, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him” (1 Corinthians 2:9). 

All these things and so much more await those who believe in God and have placed their faith in Jesus.  You too can receive these things by trusting in Jesus.  By allowing Jesus to ransom you from sin and death, you too can join the rest of us in the Father’s House.  Won’t you trust Him as your Savior today?

---

^[1] New American Standard Bible: 1995 update. 1995 (Jn 14:1–3). LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

Looking for Love - October 2, 2016 sermon

By Pastor Greg

It is said that during a service at an old synagogue in Eastern Europe, when the Shema prayer was repeated, half the congregation stood up and half remained sitting.  The half that was seated started yelling at those standing to sit down, and the ones standing yelled at the ones sitting to stand up.  Despite all his training and education, the rabbi didn't know what to do.  His congregation suggested that he consult a housebound 98-year-old man, who was one of the original founders of their synagogue.  The rabbi hoped the elderly man would be able to tell him what the actual tradition was, so he went to his home with a representative of each faction of the congregation.  The delegate who stood during the Shema asked the old man, "Is it our tradition to stand during this prayer?"  The old man answered, "No, that is not our tradition."  The delegate who sat asked, "Is it our tradition to sit during Shema?"  The old man answered, "No, that is not our tradition”.  In frustration, the rabbi said to the old man, "The congregation fights all the time, yelling at each other about whether they should sit or stand ...” The old man interrupted and said, “Now THAT is our tradition!"   

     This joke would be funnier if it wasn’t so true.  Fighting among ourselves seems to be so prevalent today.  Even our politicians demonstrate a tenacity to fight rather than get along.  Neighbors keep records of the times they have been wronged.  Brothers and sisters never forgive an offence, remaining separated for the rest of their lives.  It seems that “We, the People” are better known as “we, the divided”.  We have become people constantly searching for a new enemy.

Humanity’s persistence to hate is nothing new.  It’s been happening for a long, long, time.  The people of this world have a long history of loathing those who are different.  We live in a world where one group of people is easily disgusted with another.  It’s simply the “way of the world” … which is why Jesus insists that the Church should be different.

One of the last commands Jesus gives His Apostles is the command to Love. John writes, ³¹ As soon as Judas left the room, Jesus said, “The time has come for the Son of Man to enter into his glory, and God will be glorified because of him. ³² And since God receives glory because of the Son, he will soon give glory to the Son. ³³ Dear children, I will be with you only a little longer. And as I told the Jewish leaders, you will search for me, but you can’t come where I am going. ³⁴ So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. ³⁵ Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples” (John 13:31-35).

The Lord’s instruction to love is probably the most significant of His commands.  He says that our love will prove to the world that we are His disciples.  How is that possible?  How is my love for you and your love for me the most noteworthy identifier of our faith?  Well, first of all, I guess it would depend on our understanding of love. 

In this passage from John 13, Jesus tells us to love, and in 1 Corinthians 13, Paul tells us what that love should look like.  Beginning in verse 4 of that chapter, Paul says, ⁴ Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud ⁵ or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. ⁶ It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. ⁷ Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance (1 Corinthians 13:4-7).  Paul’s instruction here is not merely something to be quoted at a marriage ceremony.  This lesson on love applies to every Christian and to every person he or she happens to meet.  So don’t blow this love thing off by telling me you already love your spouse, because this lesson goes way beyond that.  Jesus actually said that it applies to our enemies (But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! - Matthew 5:44).   

Picture a world where this kind of love is practiced.  Picture a city where its residents were patient and kind toward one another.  Imagine a village where there was no jealousy or irritability.  Could you imagine what a church would be like where no one demanded his or her own way?  Selfishness, pride, and arrogance are attitudes of this world (For jealousy and selfishness are not God’s kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic - James 3:15).  These attitudes cause disorder; they promote disunity.  Paul says that if “we are still controlled by our sinful nature, we are jealous of one another and quarrel with each other. He asks, Doesn’t that prove we are controlled by our sinful nature? Aren’t we living like people of the world” (1 Corinthians 3:3-4)?  Love, on the other hand, is like a cup of cold water on a hot summer day.  It refreshes.  It cools.  It’s like fresh bread to a hungry soul.  And we, the Church, have an opportunity to feed this world the sweet taste of love instead of the bitter taste of hate and anger … provided, of course, that the Church knows how to love in the first place.

Truthfully, developing this kind of love takes time.  It is not a natural response toward those who wrong us or hurt us.  It is not natural to demonstrate love toward someone who lies to us or about us.  Oh, I know, we can be kind to our friends or love those who love us, but in doing so, how are we different from anyone else?  Even unbelievers do that (compare Matthew 5:46-47).  Jesus says our love for others should reflect the kind of Love He has shown to us.  That’s the kind of love Paul describes in 1 Corinthians 13.

To learn to love as the Lord has commanded, begin by confessing you have no idea what Love really is.  You must toss out the old ideas you’ve been fed about feelings and needs and flowers, and instead allow God to teach you about sacrifice, patience, humility, and forgiveness.  This is a love that is born from above, not birthed within ourselves.  It is the kind of love that follows the Spirit, and not the heart (But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh - Galatians 5:16).  To learn to love as the Lord has commanded you must first have a heart willing to be guided by God (Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to sinful desires – Romans 6:12).  You must stop and ask yourself how the Lord would have you respond rather than letting your emotions control your actions.

In a world that has forgotten what love truly looks like or does not even know what it feels like, the Church has a tremendous opportunity to demonstrate God’s love through our love for one another and our love for the world.  By our love, the world will recognize that Christians are different from the world.  Although a person of the world holds a grudge, is easily offended, and is selfish and rude, the Christian demonstrates the supernatural love of God.  Your classmates and coworkers will recognize that you are different from the people of this world because of your love.

No other religion or any other god calls its followers to demonstrate this kind of supernatural love because no other religion or god can produce this kind of love in the hearts of its followers.  Christians may feed the hungry, clothe the naked, care for the orphan and the widow, but the greatest gift we can give this world is the sweet taste of what it means to be loved by God.  They learn this when they see this love within us and feel this love from us.

When Billy met Sandy

One day, Billy met Sandy.  They fell in love and decided to get married.  Billy had a good job working at the hardware store.  Sandy was a waitress at the local diner.  They saved their money and were able to buy a house.  Nothing too fancy, mind you, but it suited their needs.  Eventually, Billy and Sandy had a baby boy, and they decide that Sandy should quit her job at the diner to raise their son.  Billy finds a part time job to help with the family income.  Eventually, Billy and Sandy have two more children, and Sandy stays at home to raise her children.  Billy doesn’t mind.  His wife is content, the children are loved, and he has been able to save a little money over the years.

Throughout his high school years, Aaron, the oldest boy, never seemed to have enough money to do the things he wanted.  Often, he would complain to his mother that he could not do what his friends were doing, or he didn’t have the things his friends did.  So Sandy would give him a little cash to tide him over.  That way he would not feel left out among his friends.  Billy thought he should find a part time job somewhere.  It would help him develop a good “work ethic.”  But Aaron talked about school commitments and other activities that took too much of his time.  He just didn’t think he could balance his time by working 10 hours a week.  Still, Billy felt the boy needed to work somewhere.

This went on for quite some time; Aaron not working, but always needing money.  And Sandy continued to slip him some extra money every now and then.

Eventually, Sandy’s household finances began to run thin, so she talked with Billy about how they were not able to make ends meet.  She just didn’t have enough money to keep them financially secure.  Concerned, Billy approached his boss one day and asks for a raise.  “Things are really tight at home”, he says.  Things were really tight at the business as well, but Billy’s boss was able to give him a little raise.  However, in order to keep the business profitable, the boss needed to raise some of his prices.

At home, Aaron complains to his mother that prices keep going up everywhere.  He complains about greedy businessmen who just want to get rich.  Sandy starts giving him more money so he isn’t so poor.  However, by doing this, household finances begin to run thin.  So she talks to Billy, who talks to his boss, who gives Billy a raise, who then raises his prices, which become too expensive for Aaron, who complains to his mother about greedy businessmen, who then … well, you get the picture.

Aaron was “too busy” to find an entry level job.  He felt someone else should solve his problems in life.  He did not learn how to solve them on his own.

I am not an economics professor, just a minister of the Gospel.  However, in my years of ministry I have learned that helping a person mature in their faith and helping them deepen their walk with the Lord will equip them to deal with trials and testing of their own.  Actually, more people are helped when more people are equipped to help.  This is why I do more harm than good if I teach people to always depend on me.  By keeping them dependent, they will not mature enough to bear fruit.

Jesus says, “My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples” (John 15:8).  A true disciple of Jesus is one who contributes to others, not continuously depends on others.  James talks about a mature faith.  He says that periods of testing produce within us an endurance that creates a perfect and complete faith (James 1:3-4).  The author of Hebrews instructs us to leave the elementary teachings about the Christ, and press on to maturity (Hebrews 6:1).  The point is this: People are saying that the Church in North America is dying.  More and more people do not identify as Christians.  Maybe that is because more and more Christians are remaining immature; not contributing to the life of the Church.  There are fewer disciples laboring and more people spectating; living off the labors of others.  And maybe the problem is not with these immature Christians, but with those in ministry who continue to give and provide, never “training and equipping God’s people to do His work and build up the Church, the Body of Christ” (Ephesians 4:12).

The economy of a nation cannot survive when there are less people supporting the economy than those being supported.  In the same way, a church cannot survive when more people are being supported than those who are contributing to the work of the church.  The Lord expects us to mature in our faith; “measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ. Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching” (Ephesians 4:13-14).  This will not measure up to the standard of Christ if we remain as children.  We need to grow up and get to work.