1. The apostle Paul spoke these words while he was in Athens. 2. According to vs.16, Paul was very concerned about the idolatry in Athens. 3. Paul was given an opportunity to speak about Christianity. 4. He spoke about the one true God, and he revealed some important information about God. 5. One thing that Paul emphasized is that God is the giver of life. a. (vs.25) God gives "to all life, and breath, and all things." b. (vs.28) In God "we live, and move, and have our being." c. (vs.29) We are "the offspring of God." 6. This leads us to the subject for our lesson -- "Life is a gift from God." Discussion: I. AT THE CREATION, GOD GAVE LIFE TO ADAM AND EVE THROUGH MIRACULOUS MEANS
A. God created Adam and Eve on the 6th day (Genesis 1:26-27). B. Additional details are given in Genesis 2. 1. God first made Adam (vs.7). 2. God made Eve (vs.18, 21-22). C. After creating Adam and Eve through miraculous means, . . .
II. GOD PROVIDED NATURAL MEANS WHEREBY OTHER LIVES HAVE COME INTO EXISTENCE
A. God instructed Adam and Eve to replenish the earth (Genesis 1:28). B. Adam and Eve followed God's instructions (Genesis 4:1-2; 5:3-4). C. These passages in Genesis teach us how: 1. God gave life to Adam and Eve at the Creation 2. God gives life today. D. Let us turn our attention to . . .
III. PASSAGES THAT TEACH US WHEN GOD GIVES LIFE
A. See Exodus 21:22-25 1. These verses deal with a situation in which a pregnant woman is injured and her baby is born prematurely. 2. If "no mischief" followed, the man who injured her would pay a fine. 3. However, if "any mischief" did follow, the man who injured her would be punished accordingly, even to the taking of his life. 4. Why would God be so concerned about a child in this situation? [Because He had given life to it] B. See Psalm 139:13-16 1. In this psalm, David showed how well God knew him. 2. No matter where he went, David was unable to escape God's presence. 3. David said that God even knew him when he was in his mother's womb. C. See Jeremiah 1:4-5 1. God ordained that Jeremiah would be a prophet before he was born. 2. According to vs.5a, God formed Jeremiah in his mother's womb. D. See Luke 1:39-44 1. John was called a "babe" [baby] when he was still in his mother's womb. 2. It seems that John had some awareness of what was taking place around him. 3. (Luke 2:12, 16) Jesus was called a "babe" after He was born. 4. The same word is translated "infants" in Luke 18:15. 5. God used Dr. Luke to show that He gives life to a child in the womb. Conclusion:
1. We have seen that life is a gift from God, and we know when He gives it. 2. 49 years ago, abortion was legalized with the Roe v. Wade decision. 3. Since that time, millions of babies have lost the lives that God gave to them. 4. Let us support leaders who believe that "life is a gift from God."
