Sermon Tone Analysis

Sanctity of Life

Sanctity of Life is a term that we hear often.

We typically talk about it at least one Sunday each year, on Sanctity of Life Sunday.

But this morning we are going to discuss this topic, because it relates to a portion of the book of Joshua, which we have been studying through for the past several months.

Sanctity= Holiness, goodness, sacredness, blessedness.

IT also means of ultimate importance and value.

When the topic of the Sanctity of life is brought up, there is a good chance that we begin to think of the Pro-Choice vs Pro-life debate surrounding Abortion.

If you follow the news at all, you probably have heard something in recent weeks about a number of state governors that have signed a new law that relates to abortion in some way.

There is a battle going on between those who would continue to recognize the sanctity of human life and those who are seeking to destroy the significance of human life.

This battle is not only for the unborn, but also for the elderly, disabled and weak.

So this morning I want to show you from the pages of Scripture why human life is so sacred and valuable.

I want you to understand why this current battle is so important, but also help you to see that a correct understanding of the sanctity of life affects our entire life, not just the beginning or the ending of human life.

Sacredness of Human Life- vs Post Modern Philosophy, which promotes devaluing human life through abortion, euthanasia, assisted suicide, which stem from a lack of believing the Word of God.

Humans are distinct from the animals because we are made in God’s image- By His design and command.

We are his image bearers!

We (male & female humans) were given the responsibility of having dominion over every living thing and fill the earth with other image bearers.

We were made for a purpose, the glorify God, by bearing His image and likeness throughout His creation.

A reckoning required

God made it very clear that the lifeblood of a man was valuable.

If someone or something took the life of a human, there needed to be an account given.

Why was this so, the answer is at the end of verse 6, “For God made man in his own image.”

That is the reason we are so important, so sacred, so valuable.

Created in God’s Image!

First, let’s just make this very clear. . .

Humans are created not evolved!

Not only are Humans are created like everything else in this universe (apart from the creator God) they have been created in God’s image!

Not like the animals or the plants!

Later on in the book of Genesis Noah and his sons were told, “every moving thing shall be food for you.”

So what is different about us versus the other living and moving creatures?

Humans have the ability to discern between right and wrong, we have a soul, we have a God-given ability to love.

We are not special or sacred because we say we are, or because we have some incredible talent or gift or skill, or simply because we choose to be “special”.

It is so, because that was how God chose to make us.

God alone has the right to make it so.

We cannot change that, despite what evolutionists, humanists, philosophers, or scientists say.

We cannot change the fact that we are created in God’s image.

Let’s continue looking at other passages that bring more light to this subject.

Eye for Eye, tooth for tooth, life for life.

But because God is also gracious and merciful He provided a place of safety for those who took a life accidentally, unknowingly or unintentionally.

But that doesn’t minimize the value of the life that was taken accidentally or unintentionally.

The value of a life was such that God made a special plan for situations of accidental and unplanned manslaughter.

Clear routes, signs and “runners” or guides to show the way to a city of refuge for those who needed refuge.

A city of refuge was not a hiding place for a murderer, it was a place of safety for someone who committed another to die in an unintentional and accidental manner.

Evidence or testimony by witnesses of premeditation or the existence of a motive was investigated before and during a trial.

Manslaughter vs Murder

God through the words of Moses went on to explain that the cities of Refuge were for accidental or unintentional manslaughter rather than homicide.

Even so, the person who commited manslaughter would have to stay in the city of Refuge until the high priest died.

Which illustrates the extreme value that God places on the human life.

Notice there is not one description or delineation based upon IQ, religion, age, race, ethnicity, or physical ability.

The only qualifying basis for this plan to go into affect is that a human life has been taken by another human, involuntarily (accidentally or unknowingly).

Running for Refuge

Imagine yourself living in the time of Joshua and you find yourself in a situation that was described in Joshua 20.

Through a series of circumstance you find yourself responsible for accidentally taking a persons life.

You unintentionally caused the death of another human, you have knelt down to see what can be done to help the victim and you realize there is no help for them.

You have caused their death and you suddenly realize the gravity of what has just taken place.

You realize that your life as you know it has drastically changed.

All the things that you dreamed of doing, planned to do and even the things you were in the midst of doing, were not going to continue as you had envisioned.

You have one thing on your mind.

If you want to continue to live, you need to GET TO A CITY OF REFUGE.!

You probably don’t go home or stop to visit your friends along the way.

It is likely that you will drop everything and try to get to the nearest city of refuge.

Now as your on your way there, you see their family member, the avenger of blood, as he is called, and you realize you must make it inside the city border, in order to spare your own life and allow for your story to be heard and judged by the elders of the land.

Run you must!

Because the avenger of blood is going to track you down, in order to bring justice (a life for a life).

We may do things accidentally, or unintentionally, but there are still consequences.

There is still a reckoning that must take place.

That is how our Creator designed it.

And His design and plan was so that we can know Him and worship Him.

Our understanding of these laws and rules, help us to understand ourselves, and our relationships with one another but most importantly they direct our thoughts and focus to the Lord Himself.

The Lord, whose Image we bear.

We are so blessed to have a knowledge and understanding of our Creator.

Our Lord God is worthy of such praise and honor.

His incredible design and plan for us is such a marvelous thing, that extends far beyond our own abilities.

We are His image bearers.

Prayer of Praise

Communion

I find it interesting that the cities of Refuge were also the cities of the Levites, which represented God’s presence, His provision and His promises.

It is to God that we need to flee for Refuge, Mercy and Forgiveness.

We have seen this morning that even unintentional actions, have very serious affects upon our lives.

Even more so, do our intentional, thoughts and words and deeds have on us and on those around us.

The cities of refuge are a picture of God’s grace and mercy in the place of our mistakes, but there is an even greater picture of God’s grace and mercy.

That is in the message of the Gospel of Peace.

Psalm 46:1 tells us that God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in time of trouble.

Christ our Refuge!

We may have sinned accidentally, but we have also sinned intentionally, and are therefore guilty!

Yet Christ is not simply a refuge in the same sense as the cities of refuge were.

He is our refuge, but He is so much more.

Christ our Redeemer!

Christ our Propitiation!

There is Power in the Blood!