1. In these verses Moses was teaching the Israelites about making good decisions -- life or death would be determined by their choices. 2. In vs.19 Moses said, "choose life." 3. In our lesson we are applying this statement to the abortion issue [several states have recently passed laws that restrict abortions]. 4. To choose life, we must know when life begins. 5. To determine when life begins,: a. we cannot rely on men 1) Men do not give consistent answers to this question. 2) Furthermore, men cannot create life. b. we must turn to God. 1) God is consistent in His answer. 2) Furthermore, God is the giver of life (Acts 17:25 -- He gives "to all life, and breath, and all things"). 6. In turning to God to find out when life begins, we must go to His Word. a. The Bible is God's inspired Word (2 Timothy 3:16). b. (2 Peter 1:3) God has given to us "all things that pertain unto life and godliness." Discussion: I. LET US EXAMINE THE CREATION
A. God originally gave life to Adam and Eve through miraculous means (Genesis 1:27; 2:7, 21-22). B. After God created Adam and Eve through miraculous means, He provided natural means whereby other lives come into existence (Genesis 1:28a; 4:1). C. From the creation we learn how life began, and we know how life begins today, but at this point we do not know exactly when life begins. II. LET US EXAMINE THE LAW OF MOSES
A. See Exodus 21:22-25 B. These verses deal with a situation in which a pregnant woman is injured and her baby is born prematurely. C. If "no mischief" followed, the man who injured her would pay a fine. D. However, if "any mischief" did follow, the man who injured her would be punished accordingly, even to the taking of his life. E. We learn from the Law of Moses that God showed His concern about the unborn, but we still do not know exactly when life begins. III. LET US EXAMINE SOME OF GOD'S SERVANTS
A. 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. B. See Jeremiah 1:4-5 1. God ordained that Jeremiah would be a prophet before he was born. 2. According to vs.5a, who formed Jeremiah in his mother's womb? C. See Luke 1:39-44 1. John was called a "babe" [baby] when he was still in his mother's womb. 2. Does it seem 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. Man considers a baby to be alive after it is born, but God used Dr. Luke to show that He considers a child to be alive while it is in the womb. Conclusion:
1. When does life begin? 2. We conclude from the Scriptures that life begins at conception. 3. Since this is the case, let us "choose life."
