Date:   01/22/06

Text:   Genesis 1:26-27, Psalm 139:13-16

Title:   Sanctity of Life

Theme: Since human life is sacred because we are God's image bearer, therefore we're to treat lives with great respect and dignity.

Introduction:

  After the Gospel camp in Frankfurt , Germany , Josh and his wife Alyona took us to Munich for a brief visit. We visited the infamous Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial in the city of Dachau . This Camp was the first camp built by the Nazis in 1933 and became the model for all the other concentration camps. During WWII, it increasingly became the site of mass murders. As we walked through the exhibition hall, there was the stony silence to honor those who died there. At the same time, one felt sick to the stomach over the atrocities done to fellow human beings.

  I trust that you would experience similar emotions as you visit other such memorials; the Holocaust Museum , Nanking Massacre Museum , or Hiroshima Peace Memorial. Have you ever wondered why we feel such sickness towards what happened 60 years ago? Or whenever we see injustice done to another person, or lives being taken in some senseless killing, such as what is going on in the Middle East, that we feel disgusted? Or whenever there is an abortion, be it a first-hand experience or someone we know, even though intellectually we can find ways to justify such actions, yet deep within, there is a painful sense of loss. Why?

I.   Human life is very special.

  We feel this way because we understand that human life is very special. This morning I'd like to walk you through the Bible to explore the basis for such recognition.

    1.   The creation account.

  The Bible tells us that in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. He created the non-conscious world; the mountains, the seas, and the galaxies. He also created the conscious world including the plants, animals and human beings. Men, animals and plants are all part of the created world, living in a common environment. Therefore, we expect certain degree of similarities among them.

    2.   The creation account of first man.

  However, there is more to this. Yes, both men and animals are created beings, but there is something that separates the two. In Genesis 1:26-27 we read, “ 26 Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” The repeated usage of the word ‘image' brings out a clear message that man is different from all the other creation. Man alone is made in God's image.

  There have been discussions about what this image consists of. It is important to understand that this image does not include characteristics unique to God, such as being all powerful, all knowing, all wise and all present. They belong to God and God alone. Instead, the image of God refers to His creativity, love, emotion, communication, rationale and morality. These are God's commutable traits. Because man is made in his image, therefore in man, we see the presence of such characteristics.

  From this we see that man is a very special creation, different from all other creatures. Do you remember when others tell you that your child, your baby is so much like you? This gives you a sense of joy and satisfaction, right? This makes you feel that this baby is very special.

  We are very special because we are God's image bearers. We are to reflect and represent the one who created us.

    3.   God's actions towards men.

  As we continue the Genesis account, we read about Adam and Eve's elder son, Cain, who killed his brother, Abel. God held Cain accountable for this murder. Why? Because human life is special. Later we read of how God protected Cain and warned against those who might hurt or kill him. Why? Because human life, even after our disobedience to God, is still special and precious. After the flood, God said to Noah, Genesis 9:6, “Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed, for God made man in his own image.” Because life is so special and sacred, the ultimate punishment for taking another person's life is death. Why is man's life special and to be protected? We are special because we are made in God's image. Human life is special, it is sacred.

    4.   Mosaic Laws.

  Now we come to the time of Moses. Out of the 10 commandments, there are 6 directed to the protection of fellow human beings. We are not to steal, murder, commit adultery, falsely accuse others and not to covet others' belongings. And then in Deut 27:16-19, ““‘Cursed be anyone who dishonors his father or his mother.' ….. 17 “‘Cursed be anyone who moves his neighbor's landmark.' …… 18 “‘Cursed be anyone who misleads a blind man on the road.' …….. 19 “‘Cursed be anyone who perverts the justice due to the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow.' ……” Why such special care and protection of the weak, blind, foreigners, orphans and widows? Because, like everyone else, their lives are very special. Their lives are sacred, because they are all God's creation and his image bearer.

    5.   Wisdom Literature.

  We move on to the wisdom literatures. Proverbs 31:8-9, “ 8 Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute. 9 Open your mouth, judge righteously,

defend the rights of the poor and needy.” Proverbs 23:10, “ 10 Do not move an ancient landmark or enter the fields of the fatherless, for their Redeemer is strong; he will plead their cause against you.” Why? Psalm 139:13-16 explains it well, “ 13 For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. 14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.

15 My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them,…” Why is human life so special and sacred? Because we are created by God in his image.

    6.   Jesus'' examples.

  Then look at Jesus. Throughout his 3 years of public ministry, he reached out to the poor, the widows and the ones society despised. He welcome children to come to him. Why? Because each life is very precious and sacred, it deserves his special care and attention. As quoted in last week's sermon, “In God's sight, there is no little people.”

    7.   The early church.

  When we take a look at the writings of the early church, it is full of instructions on how to care and love for one another. Not just in words but actions as well. Again, we ask why such repeated instructions? They all point to one truth: Human life is sacred and therefore must be treated with great care.

  Moreover, wherever Christianity goes, orphanages are built, special ministry to the women and those whom the society forgets, are being cared for.

  This explains to us why when we see cruelty committed against another human often make us sick to the stomach. No matter what country we go to, no matter how imperfect the legal system is, there are laws to protect human life. For deep within us, we know that human life is very special, it is sacred. You see, it is special because it is created in God's image.

II.   Sanctity of life and us today.

  Looking at our 21 st century world, we don't do too well in this area. Daily, we read of senseless killings going on in the Middle East . More States in this country are empowering the doctors to perform assisted suicide on terminally ill individuals. The on going of abortion on demand; just in this country alone, everyday about 4000 baby lives are terminated. With the emphasis on the quality of life, the society is taking on more and more responsibility on deciding which life has quality and which doesn't. We adore the healthy and strong and see the elderly, the handicapped and unborn as a burden, of little use to the society. We also see innocent people being sentenced to death.

  In the remaining time, I want to explore with you how we can apply this foundational truth, that human life is sacred, to our every day life.

•  When I see people around me as God's image bearers, I will learn to handle them with care. People will no longer be instruments for me to use for personal advancement. When I see you in this church, I have to constantly remind myself that you are very precious because you are made in God's image. Therefore I must not treat you as a pawn in a chess game, constantly thinking how HCC can use your talents and gifts. Instead, I am to treat you with respect and dignity. When I see you as God's image bearer, I will do my best to treat you with kindness and courtesy. No matter who you are, where you come from, how you dress, what your skin color is, I am to reach out to love and care for you. When we come to church on Fridays and Sundays, besides talking with friends, we can pay special attention to people we don't know. Talk to those who are by themselves or appear very different from yourself. Do you know what one of my dreams for this church is? That everyone who comes through the doors of HCC will experience from the way they are treated, feel and know that they are very special and are sacred.

  When I see my family members as God's image bearers, I, too, will treat them with utmost love, respect and courtesy. I like this prayer a lot: “Forbid that I should fail to show to those nearest to me the sympathy and consideration which thy grace enables me to show to others with whom I have to do. Forbid that I should refuse to my own household the courtesy and politeness which I think proper to show to strangers. Let Charity today begin at home.”

•  When we understand that every life is sacred, we'll also remember to love and care for the unborn. We'll do our best to help our friends who may be considering abortion, to lovingly and gently encourage them not to do so. To explain and show them the alternatives. Isn't it true that seldom have we met someone who has regretted having kept the baby? When our friends decided to go the other way, we are there to love and accept them and to help them with the healing process. We may also want to volunteer our services at organizations that minister to women in crisis pregnancies.

•  When I am convinced that Life is sacred, then I will have to take Proverbs 31:8-9 seriously. “ 8 Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute. Open your mouth, judge righteously; defend the rights of the poor and needy.” The more I understand how human life is so precious and sacred, the more I see injustice done to the poor, the needy and those who are helpless. Everywhere we go, no matter what country we are in, we see them being neglected and oppressed. The well to do and strong ones usually have adequate resources to care for themselves, but not the weak and helpless ones. Therefore, whenever we can, we are to stand up for the weak and helpless. We are to speak up for those who cannot speak and this certainly include the unborn and the elderly. We're the voice of righteousness.

  I feel I would like to say a few words to the lawyers and doctors among us. As a rule, I do not use the pulpit to address a certain segment of the congregation. For I believe that God's word applies to everyone. However, this morning I will make an exception I am so encouraged and touched to see some of our doctors spending time at the health clinic to help the homeless. Or instead of taking a high paying job, working full time at a city clinic. I am encouraged and touched to see some of you offering free legal service to single mothers in need. They have come back and told me how much they appreciated your kindness and service. Your profession allows you to be in a position to open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute. Your positions provide you with many opportunities to open your mouth, judge righteously; defend the rights of the poor and needy. Please continue to help and speak out for the needy and helpless ones. Please continue to expand your Pro Bono services to the weak, the needy and the helpless ones in this and other cities.

Conclusion:

  When we visited the Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial site, we found out that it was only a short distance from the city. While the atrocities were going on, the citizens of Dachau had some suspicion that something was not right, but did nothing about it. After this camp was liberated, the Dachau citizens were forced by the US Army to the camp to see for themselves what had happened. What a shocking discovery. The citizens of Dachau did not know what was happening and therefore did nothing about the atrocities in their backyards.

  Unlike the Dachau citizens of the 40's, in this information explosion era, many of us know what is going on around us.. We are aware that everyday thousands of unborn children are aborted in this country alone. We are aware of the injustices done to the weak, the helpless and the voiceless ones. The lonely ones are being left alone. The society, both in this and other countries, sometimes including us, has conveniently forgotten them, and turned the other way,. Therefore, it becomes our responsibility to speak out for them, to show care and love to those around us. Why? Because each one of us is very special; we are made in God's image.