let us Study Things that Pertain unto life (2 Peter 1:3)
Introduction:
1. We learn from this verse that God has "given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness." 2. In our lesson we are concentrating on "things that pertain unto life." 3. If something pertains unto life, God has given it to us [ex: 1 Peter 3:10-11]. 4. The things we are covering are not popular in the world, but we are taught in James 1:27 that we must keep ourselves unspotted from the world -- this is part of pure and undefiled religion before God. 5. With these thoughts in mind, "let us study things that pertain unto life." Discussion: I. THE FIRST THING: GOD HAS SHOWN US THAT HE IS THE GIVER OF LIFE (ACTS 17:25)
A. At the Creation God originally gave life to Adam and Eve through miraculous means (Genesis 1:26-27; 2:7, 21-22). B. After God created Adam and Eve through miraculous means, He provided natural means whereby other lives begin (Genesis 1:28a; 4:1). C. We know that God is the giver of life -- we know how God gave life at the beginning, and we know how God gives life today. II. THE SECOND THING: GOD HAS SHOWN US WHEN LIFE BEGINS
A. Let us examine passages from the Law of Moses (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. We learn from the Law of Moses that God is very concerned about the condition of the unborn. B. Let us examine passages that tell us about God's servants. 1. See Psalm 139:13-16 a. In this psalm, David showed how well God knew him. b. No matter where he went, David was unable to escape God's presence. c. David said that God even knew him when he was in his mother's womb. 2. See Jeremiah 1:4-5 a. God ordained that Jeremiah would be a prophet before he was born. b. According to vs.5a, God formed Jeremiah in his mother's womb. 3. See Luke 1:39-44 a. John was called a "babe" [baby] when he was still in his mother's womb. b. John had some awareness of what was taking place around him. c. (Luke 2:12, 16) Jesus was called a "babe" after He was born. d. The same word is translated "infants" in Luke 18:15. e. 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. III. THE THIRD THING: GOD HAS SHOWN US HOW HE FEELS ABOUT THE TAKING OF INNOCENT LIFE
A. See Genesis 9:5-6 B. Proverbs 6:16-19 C. Galatians 5:19-21 Conclusion:
1. God has given us all things that pertain unto life. 2. We have studied 3 things that are very important. 3. Let us remember these things as we select our civil leaders. a. A strong warning is given in Psalm 9:17. b. A great blessing is given in Psalm 33:12.
