WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.379 I need to begin this morning with some really bad news. 00:00:07.379 --> 00:00:12.939 And I should probably have put up on the screen viewer discretion advised. 00:00:13.939 --> 00:00:17.559 ! Not because I'm going to show you anything shocking, 00:00:17.559 --> 00:00:17.559 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:33.500 that actually these are probably optimistic. 00:00:35.000 --> 00:00:39.299 And I think that most conservative sources would unanimously argue 00:00:39.299 --> 00:00:43.000 that I've painted a very rosy picture compared to the reality. 00:00:44.500 --> 00:00:51.500 Since 1973, approximately 50 million abortions have taken place. 00:00:51.500 --> 00:00:56.500 That number was increasing by about 1.2 million every year 00:00:56.500 --> 00:00:58.500 until the last two years. 00:00:58.500 --> 00:01:04.200 Last two years, the news media has been beside themselves in the reduction. 00:01:05.599 --> 00:01:12.599 It was about 14%, which means that it's just over 1 million babies per year. 00:01:13.299 --> 00:01:20.039 That is 3,000 babies each and every day life is taken. 00:01:21.480 --> 00:01:27.240 Just to put that in perspective for you, on 9-11, 3,000 people died. 00:01:28.500 --> 00:01:33.560 We have an annual celebration or remembrance of that. 00:01:33.760 --> 00:01:34.840 I think that's appropriate. 00:01:35.799 --> 00:01:38.620 We built a $700 million memorial. 00:01:38.859 --> 00:01:40.299 I'm not so sure about that one. 00:01:40.500 --> 00:01:44.879 But 3,000 babies die. 00:01:45.460 --> 00:01:46.219 Not once. 00:01:46.980 --> 00:01:47.760 Not every year. 00:01:48.539 --> 00:01:49.700 But every single day. 00:01:49.700 --> 00:01:54.340 Do you know who Brittany Maynard is? 00:01:56.140 --> 00:01:58.820 Brittany Maynard is a lady that lived in California. 00:02:00.280 --> 00:02:04.859 And last year, she moved to Oregon and announced the day of her death. 00:02:07.640 --> 00:02:08.500 And she died. 00:02:09.039 --> 00:02:10.819 Not on the day that she originally chose. 00:02:10.819 --> 00:02:12.519 She ended up choosing a different one. 00:02:13.299 --> 00:02:17.219 But by physician-assisted suicide. 00:02:18.979 --> 00:02:25.039 The article in Time Magazine last November ran the article titled, 00:02:25.039 --> 00:02:33.599 Brittany Maynard was one of hundreds of people in five states who've taken advantage of death with dignity laws. 00:02:33.599 --> 00:02:36.039 That's the new term. 00:02:36.479 --> 00:02:37.479 Death with dignity. 00:02:38.280 --> 00:02:43.859 It's replacing freedom of choice, quality of life, every baby, a wanted baby, etc. 00:02:45.180 --> 00:02:50.000 In fact, in Oregon alone, since the law was passed in 1998, 00:02:50.240 --> 00:02:54.439 750 people have taken doctor-prescribed lethal doses. 00:02:54.439 --> 00:02:59.400 The good news of that, if there is such a thing, 00:03:00.020 --> 00:03:09.000 is that the doctors wrote 1,173 prescriptions for them during those days. 00:03:11.780 --> 00:03:17.740 Last October, NBC News ran a story effectively encouraging a change in the laws 00:03:17.740 --> 00:03:20.340 that would reduce physicians' responsibility 00:03:20.340 --> 00:03:29.420 and pointing out that in every survey that has been done between 1996 and 2003, 00:03:29.780 --> 00:03:31.439 in every state of the union, 00:03:32.400 --> 00:03:36.980 doctors and nurses had admitted to giving directly or indirectly 00:03:36.980 --> 00:03:41.500 instructions to loved ones that ultimately could have led to death. 00:03:42.199 --> 00:03:43.900 In other words, the doctor would say, 00:03:43.900 --> 00:03:49.659 well, here's the appropriate amount of this prescription that you should give your loved one. 00:03:49.659 --> 00:03:53.780 And I just want you to know, if you were to give them this much, 00:03:53.939 --> 00:03:55.659 that would cause instant death. 00:03:55.719 --> 00:03:56.500 Do you understand me? 00:03:58.659 --> 00:03:59.800 I'm leaving now. 00:04:03.300 --> 00:04:05.019 As of 2015, 00:04:06.359 --> 00:04:08.599 euthanasia is legal in three countries, 00:04:09.400 --> 00:04:11.139 Luxembourg, Netherlands, and Belgium. 00:04:12.099 --> 00:04:15.460 And assisted suicide is legal in another five countries, 00:04:15.460 --> 00:04:17.100 Switzerland, Germany, 00:04:17.480 --> 00:04:19.879 Albania, Romania, and Japan, 00:04:20.379 --> 00:04:22.740 and in five states in the United States. 00:04:23.740 --> 00:04:24.920 In Belgium, 00:04:25.540 --> 00:04:26.939 just to take one of those, 00:04:27.759 --> 00:04:32.439 there have been 1,400 cases of euthanasia take place 00:04:32.439 --> 00:04:34.879 since the year 2003, 00:04:35.519 --> 00:04:36.300 or 2002, 00:04:36.819 --> 00:04:37.400 every year. 00:04:39.000 --> 00:04:40.060 In 2013, 00:04:40.439 --> 00:04:42.180 the last year that they actually have numbers for, 00:04:42.180 --> 00:04:44.900 it actually increased to 1807. 00:04:46.579 --> 00:04:47.920 In that year also, 00:04:49.000 --> 00:04:50.400 the government extended 00:04:50.400 --> 00:04:53.800 euthanasia to include children 00:04:53.800 --> 00:04:57.259 that had been declared terminally ill by a doctor. 00:05:01.019 --> 00:05:02.300 Enough of the bad news. 00:05:04.579 --> 00:05:06.660 Would you turn with me to the good news? 00:05:06.660 --> 00:05:09.280 Genesis chapter 1, 00:05:09.680 --> 00:05:11.320 verses 26 to 28. 00:05:19.060 --> 00:05:20.320 Then God said, 00:05:20.560 --> 00:05:22.400 Let us make man in our own image, 00:05:22.560 --> 00:05:23.680 after our likeness, 00:05:24.200 --> 00:05:26.900 and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, 00:05:27.000 --> 00:05:28.340 and over the birds of the heavens, 00:05:28.460 --> 00:05:29.320 and over the livestock, 00:05:29.560 --> 00:05:30.500 and over all the earth, 00:05:30.540 --> 00:05:33.100 and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth. 00:05:33.100 --> 00:05:36.780 So God created man in his own image. 00:05:37.240 --> 00:05:38.060 In the image of God, 00:05:38.140 --> 00:05:39.000 he created him. 00:05:39.420 --> 00:05:40.400 Male and female, 00:05:40.540 --> 00:05:41.420 he created them. 00:05:41.680 --> 00:05:42.879 And God blessed them, 00:05:43.080 --> 00:05:44.020 and God said to them, 00:05:44.080 --> 00:05:45.240 Be fruitful and multiply, 00:05:45.480 --> 00:05:46.240 and fill the earth, 00:05:46.300 --> 00:05:47.040 and subdue it, 00:05:47.800 --> 00:05:49.820 and have dominion over the fish of the sea, 00:05:49.900 --> 00:05:51.200 and over the birds of the heavens, 00:05:51.379 --> 00:05:54.660 and over every living thing that moves on the earth. 00:05:57.780 --> 00:05:59.200 Human life 00:05:59.200 --> 00:06:02.740 is the creation of God. 00:06:03.100 --> 00:06:07.379 This passage makes a number of points, 00:06:07.500 --> 00:06:09.180 but the very first one that I'd like you to see 00:06:09.180 --> 00:06:11.379 is that human life proceeds from God. 00:06:11.840 --> 00:06:14.480 It was a direct act of creation. 00:06:15.820 --> 00:06:19.040 And that direct act gives him authority over it. 00:06:19.100 --> 00:06:20.879 It gives him the right to set the boundaries 00:06:20.879 --> 00:06:22.140 and the rules for it. 00:06:23.560 --> 00:06:26.660 The creation account here in Genesis chapter 1, 00:06:26.700 --> 00:06:29.900 and then restated and kind of expanded in Genesis chapter 2, 00:06:29.899 --> 00:06:33.539 provides the foundation for the rest of the biblical account. 00:06:34.579 --> 00:06:36.620 It's the creation of man 00:06:36.620 --> 00:06:39.859 that sets the stage for God's commandment to him. 00:06:41.060 --> 00:06:44.719 Also sets the backdrop for man's fall into sin. 00:06:45.560 --> 00:06:47.479 It's interesting that it's the foundation 00:06:47.479 --> 00:06:49.379 that appears to be the key point 00:06:49.379 --> 00:06:52.399 that Satan uses in Genesis chapter 3, verse 5, 00:06:52.399 --> 00:06:55.459 to tempt and to challenge man, 00:06:55.879 --> 00:06:57.299 to draw him into sin. 00:06:58.239 --> 00:07:03.379 That by simply eating this one piece of forbidden fruit, 00:07:04.019 --> 00:07:06.039 you'll be just like God. 00:07:06.879 --> 00:07:09.219 You'll no longer be under his instruction. 00:07:09.859 --> 00:07:11.759 You'll no longer be under his direction. 00:07:12.519 --> 00:07:14.519 You can be like God. 00:07:14.519 --> 00:07:20.359 Creation is the beginning point of the story of man and God 00:07:20.359 --> 00:07:22.859 and the relationship that God wanted to have. 00:07:23.120 --> 00:07:24.639 And it started with his creation. 00:07:26.079 --> 00:07:28.419 So creation is used throughout Scripture 00:07:28.419 --> 00:07:29.959 as kind of the starting point 00:07:29.959 --> 00:07:32.240 to talk about the issue of the gospel, 00:07:32.379 --> 00:07:34.839 about man and God and our relationship, 00:07:35.259 --> 00:07:37.599 whether that's in Psalm 19, 00:07:38.000 --> 00:07:41.779 where the beauty and the goodness 00:07:41.779 --> 00:07:46.299 of the word of God is set in the context of creation, 00:07:47.099 --> 00:07:50.259 or whether it's in the New Testament in Acts 17, 00:07:50.599 --> 00:07:54.659 where Paul, speaking to the intelligentsia of Athens, 00:07:55.099 --> 00:07:56.479 begins with creation 00:07:56.479 --> 00:07:59.799 and then presents the good news of Jesus Christ. 00:08:01.399 --> 00:08:02.439 R.C. Sproul said, 00:08:02.439 --> 00:08:05.019 the gift of life comes by his grace 00:08:05.019 --> 00:08:09.379 and stands under his divine authority. 00:08:09.379 --> 00:08:13.659 It's interesting that the first sin 00:08:13.659 --> 00:08:16.399 that is displayed after the fall 00:08:16.399 --> 00:08:19.800 is the death of another human being 00:08:19.800 --> 00:08:22.740 as Cain kills his brother Abel. 00:08:24.300 --> 00:08:27.620 And it's that action that leads to a path 00:08:27.620 --> 00:08:30.000 that goes continually downhill 00:08:30.000 --> 00:08:33.279 until we get to Genesis chapter 6, 00:08:33.620 --> 00:08:38.220 where God says that man is completely wicked. 00:08:39.379 --> 00:08:42.059 And the earth is filled with violence. 00:08:45.600 --> 00:08:47.500 The result is that God brings 00:08:47.500 --> 00:08:49.639 the first weapon of mass destruction. 00:08:49.879 --> 00:08:50.539 It's called a flood. 00:08:51.820 --> 00:08:53.779 And he kills everyone off 00:08:53.779 --> 00:08:55.179 except Noah and his family 00:08:55.179 --> 00:08:58.100 and the animals that are there on the ark. 00:09:00.480 --> 00:09:01.679 After the flood, 00:09:02.120 --> 00:09:04.080 God repeats the same command 00:09:04.080 --> 00:09:06.759 to be fruitful and multiply. 00:09:08.360 --> 00:09:10.360 But he adds to it that murder 00:09:10.360 --> 00:09:14.060 will be punished by death. 00:09:15.800 --> 00:09:19.360 Scripture teaches and treats human life 00:09:19.360 --> 00:09:21.200 as a divine gift of God 00:09:21.200 --> 00:09:23.620 and something for which we humans 00:09:23.620 --> 00:09:25.420 are responsible for preserving 00:09:25.420 --> 00:09:26.740 and maintaining, 00:09:27.280 --> 00:09:29.420 not finding more ways to destroy. 00:09:29.419 --> 00:09:33.419 God declared that death 00:09:33.419 --> 00:09:35.679 is to be by his appointment only. 00:09:37.259 --> 00:09:39.839 In another book in Job chapter 14, 00:09:40.000 --> 00:09:42.360 Job was written about the same time 00:09:42.360 --> 00:09:43.979 as the Genesis accounts. 00:09:45.360 --> 00:09:46.500 In Job 14, 00:09:46.959 --> 00:09:48.939 God uses Job to say, 00:09:49.599 --> 00:09:51.219 since his days are determined 00:09:51.220 --> 00:09:54.460 and the number of his months 00:09:54.460 --> 00:09:55.259 is with you, 00:09:55.399 --> 00:09:57.120 you have appointed the limit 00:09:57.120 --> 00:09:58.879 that he cannot pass. 00:10:00.480 --> 00:10:02.420 Job, speaking about man 00:10:02.420 --> 00:10:03.800 and speaking about God, 00:10:04.220 --> 00:10:05.759 says that God determines 00:10:05.759 --> 00:10:06.620 the number of days. 00:10:06.720 --> 00:10:08.060 He numbers the months. 00:10:09.840 --> 00:10:11.580 There's a very clear reason 00:10:11.580 --> 00:10:13.920 why God determines the days 00:10:13.920 --> 00:10:15.019 and numbers the months. 00:10:16.080 --> 00:10:16.860 And that is because 00:10:16.860 --> 00:10:18.519 humanity is created 00:10:18.519 --> 00:10:20.860 in the image and likeness of God. 00:10:21.980 --> 00:10:23.220 According to the passage 00:10:23.220 --> 00:10:23.899 that we looked at 00:10:23.899 --> 00:10:25.120 in Genesis chapter 1, 00:10:26.340 --> 00:10:27.220 here's the point. 00:10:28.220 --> 00:10:30.259 Human life is precious 00:10:30.259 --> 00:10:33.060 because it reflects God's image. 00:10:34.460 --> 00:10:36.100 That image was determined 00:10:36.100 --> 00:10:38.879 back in Genesis chapter 1, verse 26. 00:10:39.639 --> 00:10:40.840 And it was the standard 00:10:40.840 --> 00:10:42.360 for creation at that time, 00:10:42.420 --> 00:10:43.620 and it's the standard of creation 00:10:43.620 --> 00:10:44.320 even today. 00:10:45.639 --> 00:10:47.139 It's also the standard 00:10:47.139 --> 00:10:48.980 for recognizing that God alone 00:10:48.980 --> 00:10:50.720 has control over life. 00:10:52.040 --> 00:10:53.279 Genesis chapter 9, 00:10:53.360 --> 00:10:55.279 at the end of the flood story, 00:10:55.920 --> 00:10:56.379 God says, 00:10:56.460 --> 00:10:58.019 whoever sheds the blood of man 00:10:58.019 --> 00:10:59.879 by man shall his blood be shed, 00:11:00.300 --> 00:11:01.580 for God made man 00:11:01.580 --> 00:11:03.120 in his own image. 00:11:04.420 --> 00:11:06.060 We don't have time this morning 00:11:06.060 --> 00:11:07.980 for me to take all of the aspects 00:11:07.980 --> 00:11:09.639 of the image of God 00:11:09.639 --> 00:11:11.840 and how those relate to man 00:11:11.840 --> 00:11:12.759 and some of the abilities 00:11:12.759 --> 00:11:15.040 and some of the capabilities of man. 00:11:15.039 --> 00:11:15.099 man, 00:11:15.779 --> 00:11:17.779 but I want you to recognize 00:11:17.779 --> 00:11:19.379 just the big picture, 00:11:20.099 --> 00:11:21.079 and that's this. 00:11:21.480 --> 00:11:23.259 The value of man 00:11:23.259 --> 00:11:26.199 is not related to his capacity 00:11:26.199 --> 00:11:28.419 or his accomplishments, 00:11:28.419 --> 00:11:31.059 but rather to the fact 00:11:31.059 --> 00:11:32.659 that he is an image bearer. 00:11:34.479 --> 00:11:36.579 The fact that we have 00:11:36.579 --> 00:11:37.699 creative abilities, 00:11:38.699 --> 00:11:40.240 that we have intelligence, 00:11:41.000 --> 00:11:42.899 that we have communication, 00:11:43.559 --> 00:11:44.899 that we have the ability 00:11:44.899 --> 00:11:46.579 to control our environment 00:11:46.579 --> 00:11:47.779 for our comfort, 00:11:48.240 --> 00:11:49.879 all of those things 00:11:49.879 --> 00:11:52.659 are the result of being image bearers, 00:11:52.779 --> 00:11:54.219 not the cause of it. 00:11:54.220 --> 00:11:56.379 And that's very important 00:11:56.379 --> 00:11:57.220 to recognize. 00:11:58.420 --> 00:11:59.980 Because it means this. 00:12:00.460 --> 00:12:02.420 It means that if I never 00:12:02.420 --> 00:12:03.860 have a unique, 00:12:04.240 --> 00:12:06.259 independent idea again, 00:12:07.320 --> 00:12:10.480 if I am so young 00:12:10.480 --> 00:12:11.600 that I'm unable 00:12:11.600 --> 00:12:13.279 to control my environment, 00:12:14.560 --> 00:12:17.000 or if at the beginning 00:12:17.000 --> 00:12:18.480 or at the end of life 00:12:18.480 --> 00:12:20.740 I am unable to communicate 00:12:20.740 --> 00:12:22.759 on even a very basic level, 00:12:22.759 --> 00:12:25.819 I am still created 00:12:25.819 --> 00:12:26.980 in the image of God. 00:12:28.419 --> 00:12:30.399 And because I'm a human being, 00:12:31.240 --> 00:12:32.620 and because I'm created 00:12:32.620 --> 00:12:33.580 in the image of God, 00:12:33.659 --> 00:12:34.700 I still have value. 00:12:37.700 --> 00:12:38.939 Human life is not only 00:12:38.939 --> 00:12:39.879 created by God, 00:12:39.939 --> 00:12:41.439 but it's sustained by him. 00:12:41.819 --> 00:12:42.919 I couldn't do the message 00:12:42.919 --> 00:12:44.100 this morning without asking 00:12:44.100 --> 00:12:44.919 you to turn with me 00:12:44.919 --> 00:12:46.179 to my favorite psalm, 00:12:46.740 --> 00:12:47.740 Psalm 139. 00:12:49.279 --> 00:12:51.039 Over the last 15 years, 00:12:51.179 --> 00:12:52.299 I have read this psalm 00:12:52.299 --> 00:12:53.639 in more hospital rooms 00:12:53.639 --> 00:12:54.979 than I can remember. 00:12:56.579 --> 00:12:57.919 Sometimes I read it 00:12:57.919 --> 00:12:59.099 to a person 00:12:59.099 --> 00:13:00.559 or to a family 00:13:00.559 --> 00:13:01.939 that's hanging on 00:13:01.939 --> 00:13:03.079 every word 00:13:03.079 --> 00:13:06.120 for some semblance 00:13:06.120 --> 00:13:06.719 of hope. 00:13:09.359 --> 00:13:11.699 I know of one particular case 00:13:11.699 --> 00:13:12.379 that I can remember 00:13:12.379 --> 00:13:12.979 this morning 00:13:12.979 --> 00:13:15.559 where the nurse said 00:13:15.559 --> 00:13:16.979 the person hasn't had 00:13:16.979 --> 00:13:17.639 consciousness 00:13:17.639 --> 00:13:18.259 consciousness 00:13:18.259 --> 00:13:20.120 in days. 00:13:20.960 --> 00:13:21.519 I don't think 00:13:21.519 --> 00:13:22.299 they can hear 00:13:22.299 --> 00:13:23.199 anything you say. 00:13:24.340 --> 00:13:24.720 And I said, 00:13:24.759 --> 00:13:25.199 that's okay. 00:13:26.319 --> 00:13:27.240 We don't know that 00:13:27.240 --> 00:13:27.699 for sure. 00:13:28.199 --> 00:13:28.980 And I'm going to read 00:13:28.980 --> 00:13:29.460 them something. 00:13:30.939 --> 00:13:32.220 And I read this psalm. 00:13:33.139 --> 00:13:33.899 The person never 00:13:33.899 --> 00:13:35.259 retained consciousness. 00:13:37.199 --> 00:13:38.240 But I trust the person 00:13:38.240 --> 00:13:38.860 heard this 00:13:38.860 --> 00:13:39.699 and was comforted 00:13:39.699 --> 00:13:40.639 because it was a believer. 00:13:42.799 --> 00:13:43.620 At one point, 00:13:43.720 --> 00:13:44.500 the message this morning 00:13:44.500 --> 00:13:45.340 was going to all be 00:13:45.340 --> 00:13:46.519 Psalm 139. 00:13:47.059 --> 00:13:48.220 But I changed that. 00:13:48.340 --> 00:13:49.279 We're going to spend 00:13:49.279 --> 00:13:50.320 a lot of time in it. 00:13:50.820 --> 00:13:51.700 Psalm 139, 00:13:51.759 --> 00:13:52.720 verses 1 to 12. 00:13:53.120 --> 00:13:53.600 O Lord, 00:13:53.700 --> 00:13:54.740 you have searched me 00:13:54.740 --> 00:13:55.480 and known me. 00:13:56.659 --> 00:13:58.080 You know when I sit down, 00:13:58.159 --> 00:13:59.059 when I rise up. 00:13:59.360 --> 00:14:00.500 You discern my thoughts 00:14:01.039 --> 00:14:01.740 from afar. 00:14:02.139 --> 00:14:03.720 You search out my path 00:14:03.720 --> 00:14:04.840 and my lying down 00:14:04.840 --> 00:14:05.960 and are acquainted 00:14:05.960 --> 00:14:07.240 with all my ways. 00:14:08.480 --> 00:14:09.799 Even before a word 00:14:09.799 --> 00:14:10.759 is on my tongue, 00:14:10.919 --> 00:14:11.759 behold, O Lord, 00:14:12.120 --> 00:14:13.419 you know it all together. 00:14:14.500 --> 00:14:15.580 You hem me in 00:14:15.580 --> 00:14:17.100 behind and before 00:14:17.100 --> 00:14:18.460 and lay your hand 00:14:18.460 --> 00:14:19.039 upon me. 00:14:20.059 --> 00:14:20.879 Such knowledge 00:14:20.879 --> 00:14:22.179 is too wonderful for me. 00:14:22.220 --> 00:14:22.620 It is high. 00:14:22.659 --> 00:14:23.600 I cannot attain it. 00:14:24.639 --> 00:14:25.539 Where shall I go 00:14:25.539 --> 00:14:26.399 from your spirit? 00:14:27.240 --> 00:14:28.559 Or where shall I flee 00:14:28.559 --> 00:14:29.480 from your presence? 00:14:30.039 --> 00:14:31.279 If I ascend to heaven, 00:14:31.379 --> 00:14:31.799 you're there. 00:14:32.299 --> 00:14:33.259 If I make my bed 00:14:33.259 --> 00:14:33.799 in Sheol, 00:14:34.019 --> 00:14:34.500 you're there. 00:14:35.200 --> 00:14:36.320 If I take the wings 00:14:36.320 --> 00:14:36.919 of the morning 00:14:36.919 --> 00:14:38.179 and dwell in the uttermost 00:14:38.179 --> 00:14:39.259 parts of the sea, 00:14:39.740 --> 00:14:40.460 even there, 00:14:40.559 --> 00:14:41.940 your hand shall lead me. 00:14:42.740 --> 00:14:43.600 Your right hand 00:14:43.600 --> 00:14:44.240 shall hold me. 00:14:44.500 --> 00:14:45.899 If I say, 00:14:46.279 --> 00:14:46.919 surely the darkness 00:14:46.919 --> 00:14:47.700 shall cover me 00:14:47.700 --> 00:14:48.759 and the light about me 00:14:48.759 --> 00:14:49.620 be night, 00:14:49.860 --> 00:14:51.019 even the darkness 00:14:51.019 --> 00:14:52.200 is not dark to you. 00:14:52.980 --> 00:14:54.059 The night is bright 00:14:54.059 --> 00:14:54.639 as the day, 00:14:54.960 --> 00:14:55.659 for darkness 00:14:55.659 --> 00:14:56.620 is as light 00:14:56.620 --> 00:14:57.340 with you. 00:14:58.139 --> 00:14:59.379 You can't read 00:14:59.379 --> 00:15:00.759 or hear that psalm 00:15:00.759 --> 00:15:03.279 without believing, 00:15:03.580 --> 00:15:04.039 feeling, 00:15:04.440 --> 00:15:05.200 the care 00:15:05.200 --> 00:15:06.039 and the concern 00:15:06.039 --> 00:15:07.019 that God has 00:15:07.019 --> 00:15:07.600 for you 00:15:07.600 --> 00:15:08.759 as an individual. 00:15:10.519 --> 00:15:11.779 Here's the bullet point. 00:15:11.779 --> 00:15:13.699 human life 00:15:13.699 --> 00:15:14.679 is sustained 00:15:14.679 --> 00:15:15.939 by God. 00:15:17.439 --> 00:15:18.279 The language 00:15:18.279 --> 00:15:19.399 that He searched 00:15:19.399 --> 00:15:20.240 you 00:15:20.240 --> 00:15:22.120 speaks of the fact 00:15:22.120 --> 00:15:22.679 that He knows 00:15:22.679 --> 00:15:23.819 everything about you. 00:15:23.899 --> 00:15:25.120 He knows every sin, 00:15:25.199 --> 00:15:26.079 not only the ones 00:15:26.079 --> 00:15:26.860 that you've committed, 00:15:27.240 --> 00:15:27.699 but the ones 00:15:27.699 --> 00:15:28.879 that you've contemplated. 00:15:30.279 --> 00:15:31.319 Not only the ones 00:15:31.319 --> 00:15:32.199 you've committed, 00:15:33.039 --> 00:15:33.500 but the ones 00:15:33.500 --> 00:15:34.439 He's kept you from. 00:15:34.440 --> 00:15:36.440 It says that 00:15:36.440 --> 00:15:37.400 every thought 00:15:37.400 --> 00:15:38.240 that you've had, 00:15:38.800 --> 00:15:40.160 every idea 00:15:40.160 --> 00:15:41.000 that you've had, 00:15:41.320 --> 00:15:42.160 every word 00:15:42.160 --> 00:15:43.440 that you were going 00:15:43.440 --> 00:15:44.240 to speak, 00:15:44.740 --> 00:15:45.440 God knew it 00:15:45.440 --> 00:15:46.580 before you even 00:15:46.580 --> 00:15:47.400 spoke it. 00:15:49.720 --> 00:15:51.180 He hems you in 00:15:51.180 --> 00:15:51.980 all around. 00:15:53.740 --> 00:15:54.520 He set a hedge 00:15:54.520 --> 00:15:55.120 about you. 00:15:56.000 --> 00:15:56.820 There's nothing 00:15:56.820 --> 00:15:58.000 that has touched you 00:15:58.000 --> 00:15:59.760 as a human being 00:15:59.760 --> 00:16:00.740 that God 00:16:00.740 --> 00:16:01.820 hasn't permitted 00:16:01.820 --> 00:16:03.260 to touch you. 00:16:03.259 --> 00:16:05.480 whether that is good 00:16:05.480 --> 00:16:07.700 or whether that's bad. 00:16:14.980 --> 00:16:16.299 There's no place 00:16:16.299 --> 00:16:17.059 that I can go 00:16:17.059 --> 00:16:18.000 from His presence 00:16:18.000 --> 00:16:20.120 tells me 00:16:20.120 --> 00:16:20.480 that God 00:16:20.480 --> 00:16:21.539 is always there. 00:16:22.899 --> 00:16:24.220 This passage 00:16:24.220 --> 00:16:25.220 cries out 00:16:25.220 --> 00:16:25.779 that God 00:16:25.779 --> 00:16:26.500 didn't just 00:16:26.500 --> 00:16:27.399 create man 00:16:27.399 --> 00:16:28.139 and then 00:16:28.139 --> 00:16:29.159 walk away 00:16:29.159 --> 00:16:29.559 and say, 00:16:29.679 --> 00:16:29.759 well, 00:16:29.799 --> 00:16:30.779 I hope they figure it out. 00:16:30.779 --> 00:16:32.860 He continues 00:16:32.860 --> 00:16:33.579 to watch 00:16:33.579 --> 00:16:34.879 over His creation 00:16:34.879 --> 00:16:37.720 every single moment. 00:16:40.159 --> 00:16:40.939 Human life 00:16:40.939 --> 00:16:41.379 is not only 00:16:41.379 --> 00:16:42.039 the creation 00:16:42.039 --> 00:16:42.539 of God, 00:16:42.600 --> 00:16:43.220 but it's also 00:16:43.220 --> 00:16:44.000 the possession 00:16:44.000 --> 00:16:45.259 of God. 00:16:46.759 --> 00:16:47.679 And that means 00:16:47.679 --> 00:16:48.179 that God 00:16:48.179 --> 00:16:49.639 gives new lives. 00:16:50.740 --> 00:16:51.860 Back in our passage 00:16:51.860 --> 00:16:52.879 in Genesis 1, 00:16:52.939 --> 00:16:54.240 26 to 28, 00:16:54.240 --> 00:16:56.460 I'd like you 00:16:56.460 --> 00:16:56.919 to notice 00:16:56.919 --> 00:16:57.419 that God 00:16:57.419 --> 00:16:58.639 creates life 00:16:58.639 --> 00:16:59.960 and specifically 00:16:59.960 --> 00:17:01.139 human life 00:17:01.139 --> 00:17:02.159 on His own 00:17:02.159 --> 00:17:03.100 timetable 00:17:03.100 --> 00:17:03.899 and at His 00:17:03.899 --> 00:17:04.680 own discretion. 00:17:05.819 --> 00:17:06.620 The animals 00:17:06.620 --> 00:17:07.220 were not 00:17:07.220 --> 00:17:08.160 all hanging 00:17:08.160 --> 00:17:09.059 around saying, 00:17:09.380 --> 00:17:10.339 give us man, 00:17:10.579 --> 00:17:11.559 give us man. 00:17:12.140 --> 00:17:13.180 The angels 00:17:13.180 --> 00:17:13.920 of heaven 00:17:13.920 --> 00:17:14.900 were not up there 00:17:14.900 --> 00:17:15.819 like Sunday morning 00:17:15.819 --> 00:17:16.640 quarterbacks 00:17:16.640 --> 00:17:17.480 that were saying, 00:17:17.880 --> 00:17:18.660 I thought He could 00:17:18.660 --> 00:17:19.140 have done a little 00:17:19.140 --> 00:17:19.980 better on that one. 00:17:19.980 --> 00:17:21.720 You know, 00:17:21.960 --> 00:17:23.279 why He thought 00:17:23.279 --> 00:17:24.039 of creating them 00:17:24.039 --> 00:17:25.000 I have no idea. 00:17:25.660 --> 00:17:26.059 I used to, 00:17:26.259 --> 00:17:27.819 my wife used to say 00:17:27.819 --> 00:17:29.039 she would see a bug, 00:17:29.120 --> 00:17:30.140 she doesn't like insects, 00:17:30.640 --> 00:17:30.860 okay? 00:17:31.099 --> 00:17:31.980 She would see a bug 00:17:31.980 --> 00:17:32.740 and she would say, 00:17:33.180 --> 00:17:33.500 oh, 00:17:33.599 --> 00:17:34.140 why does God 00:17:34.140 --> 00:17:35.220 create that thing? 00:17:35.759 --> 00:17:36.420 And I said, 00:17:36.500 --> 00:17:37.220 he's wondering 00:17:37.220 --> 00:17:37.920 why did God 00:17:37.920 --> 00:17:38.819 create you? 00:17:41.819 --> 00:17:42.779 Since sin 00:17:42.779 --> 00:17:43.380 is the thing 00:17:43.380 --> 00:17:44.160 that's destroyed 00:17:44.160 --> 00:17:44.700 everything. 00:17:45.640 --> 00:17:46.420 And that was 00:17:46.420 --> 00:17:47.380 the result of man. 00:17:47.380 --> 00:17:49.960 verse 28 00:17:49.960 --> 00:17:52.800 says that He tells man 00:17:52.800 --> 00:17:54.200 His first instruction 00:17:54.200 --> 00:17:54.860 to man 00:17:54.860 --> 00:17:55.760 is be fruitful 00:17:55.760 --> 00:17:56.640 and multiply. 00:17:57.480 --> 00:17:58.160 And yet, 00:17:58.560 --> 00:17:59.260 the scriptures 00:17:59.260 --> 00:18:00.720 after the fall 00:18:00.720 --> 00:18:01.600 are filled 00:18:01.600 --> 00:18:02.500 with passages 00:18:02.500 --> 00:18:03.260 that point 00:18:03.260 --> 00:18:04.660 to the number, 00:18:04.900 --> 00:18:05.560 that the number 00:18:05.560 --> 00:18:06.340 and the timing 00:18:06.340 --> 00:18:07.400 of children 00:18:07.400 --> 00:18:08.700 is not something 00:18:08.700 --> 00:18:09.540 that is always 00:18:09.540 --> 00:18:10.780 the choice of man. 00:18:11.940 --> 00:18:12.640 It's sometimes 00:18:12.640 --> 00:18:13.520 determined by God. 00:18:15.180 --> 00:18:15.940 The words 00:18:15.940 --> 00:18:16.820 of the psalmist 00:18:16.819 --> 00:18:18.240 Psalm 127 00:18:18.240 --> 00:18:19.599 verses 3 and 4, 00:18:19.679 --> 00:18:20.000 behold, 00:18:20.200 --> 00:18:21.439 children are a heritage 00:18:21.439 --> 00:18:22.220 from the Lord. 00:18:23.019 --> 00:18:23.839 The fruit of the womb 00:18:23.839 --> 00:18:24.539 will reward 00:18:24.539 --> 00:18:25.299 like arrows 00:18:25.299 --> 00:18:25.839 in the hand 00:18:25.839 --> 00:18:26.480 of a warrior 00:18:26.480 --> 00:18:27.539 are the children 00:18:27.539 --> 00:18:28.539 of one's youth. 00:18:29.619 --> 00:18:30.619 Blesses the man 00:18:30.619 --> 00:18:31.779 who fills his quiver 00:18:31.779 --> 00:18:32.240 with them. 00:18:34.639 --> 00:18:36.159 But when I read that, 00:18:36.279 --> 00:18:37.059 I'm reminded 00:18:37.059 --> 00:18:37.899 of the passage 00:18:37.899 --> 00:18:39.379 that man makes 00:18:39.379 --> 00:18:40.200 his plans 00:18:40.200 --> 00:18:42.319 and God directs 00:18:42.319 --> 00:18:42.799 his path. 00:18:42.799 --> 00:18:45.659 You know, 00:18:45.720 --> 00:18:45.919 I don't think 00:18:45.919 --> 00:18:46.559 this passage 00:18:46.559 --> 00:18:47.700 necessarily means 00:18:47.700 --> 00:18:48.399 that every couple 00:18:48.399 --> 00:18:48.899 should make 00:18:48.899 --> 00:18:49.859 as many children 00:18:49.859 --> 00:18:50.680 as they possibly 00:18:50.680 --> 00:18:51.119 can. 00:18:52.460 --> 00:18:53.519 But in my years 00:18:53.519 --> 00:18:53.940 of working 00:18:53.940 --> 00:18:54.720 with young married 00:18:54.720 --> 00:18:55.059 couples, 00:18:55.180 --> 00:18:55.919 I can tell you 00:18:55.919 --> 00:18:57.339 that this fact 00:18:57.339 --> 00:18:58.700 of God controlling 00:18:58.700 --> 00:18:59.279 and giving 00:18:59.279 --> 00:19:00.259 when he chooses 00:19:00.259 --> 00:19:03.200 is one of the most 00:19:03.200 --> 00:19:04.000 hurtful things 00:19:04.000 --> 00:19:04.899 that couples face. 00:19:06.579 --> 00:19:07.700 The pressures, 00:19:08.339 --> 00:19:09.319 both internally 00:19:09.319 --> 00:19:10.539 and externally, 00:19:11.119 --> 00:19:12.099 push couples 00:19:12.099 --> 00:19:13.619 to question God 00:19:13.619 --> 00:19:14.519 and to struggle 00:19:14.519 --> 00:19:15.779 with his goodness 00:19:15.779 --> 00:19:16.720 and his provision 00:19:16.720 --> 00:19:17.279 for them. 00:19:19.220 --> 00:19:20.179 I mentioned 00:19:20.179 --> 00:19:21.119 Sarah and Abraham 00:19:21.119 --> 00:19:22.019 in the list 00:19:22.019 --> 00:19:22.460 of people 00:19:22.460 --> 00:19:23.939 that I told you, 00:19:24.179 --> 00:19:25.279 that I reminded you 00:19:25.279 --> 00:19:25.939 from Scripture. 00:19:26.879 --> 00:19:27.919 Sarah and Abraham, 00:19:28.599 --> 00:19:29.839 because of the pressures 00:19:29.839 --> 00:19:31.299 and their desire 00:19:31.299 --> 00:19:32.259 for children, 00:19:33.819 --> 00:19:35.179 and their desire 00:19:35.179 --> 00:19:35.899 and their pressures 00:19:35.899 --> 00:19:36.639 on them 00:19:36.639 --> 00:19:38.079 were very similar 00:19:38.079 --> 00:19:39.240 to what couples 00:19:39.240 --> 00:19:39.939 face today. 00:19:42.259 --> 00:19:43.539 Abraham and Sarah 00:19:43.539 --> 00:19:44.980 chose a path 00:19:44.980 --> 00:19:45.519 that was not 00:19:45.519 --> 00:19:46.599 God's best for them 00:19:46.599 --> 00:19:48.899 by bringing Hagar 00:19:48.899 --> 00:19:49.819 into the picture. 00:19:51.059 --> 00:19:52.519 And we have 00:19:52.519 --> 00:19:53.579 the consequences 00:19:53.579 --> 00:19:55.579 of that choice 00:19:55.579 --> 00:19:56.799 in the Middle East 00:19:56.799 --> 00:19:57.579 today. 00:20:00.539 --> 00:20:01.619 Couples today 00:20:01.619 --> 00:20:03.139 are told, 00:20:03.679 --> 00:20:05.679 science has your answer. 00:20:08.079 --> 00:20:09.819 And while appropriate 00:20:09.819 --> 00:20:11.379 medical knowledge 00:20:11.379 --> 00:20:12.319 and care 00:20:12.319 --> 00:20:13.259 is a blessing 00:20:13.259 --> 00:20:14.519 of our world today, 00:20:15.460 --> 00:20:17.679 I have to say 00:20:17.679 --> 00:20:18.740 that I believe 00:20:18.740 --> 00:20:19.299 the path 00:20:19.299 --> 00:20:19.899 that kills 00:20:19.899 --> 00:20:20.879 several lives 00:20:20.879 --> 00:20:21.639 in order to create 00:20:21.639 --> 00:20:22.059 one 00:20:22.059 --> 00:20:23.839 goes too far. 00:20:25.919 --> 00:20:27.119 God allows 00:20:27.119 --> 00:20:27.879 the timing 00:20:27.879 --> 00:20:28.819 even when it 00:20:28.819 --> 00:20:29.839 does not seem 00:20:29.839 --> 00:20:30.720 to be best. 00:20:31.879 --> 00:20:32.740 And God 00:20:32.740 --> 00:20:33.639 has used 00:20:33.639 --> 00:20:34.319 couples. 00:20:34.759 --> 00:20:35.359 We mentioned, 00:20:35.519 --> 00:20:36.399 I mentioned John 00:20:36.400 --> 00:20:37.160 and Kristen 00:20:37.160 --> 00:20:38.019 earlier, 00:20:38.360 --> 00:20:39.220 here is a woman 00:20:39.220 --> 00:20:40.040 that the timing 00:20:40.040 --> 00:20:41.120 or the situation 00:20:41.120 --> 00:20:42.120 that she is having 00:20:42.120 --> 00:20:42.540 a baby 00:20:42.540 --> 00:20:43.580 is not best. 00:20:44.560 --> 00:20:45.200 John and Kristen 00:20:45.200 --> 00:20:46.340 are not the first 00:20:46.340 --> 00:20:47.780 in this congregation 00:20:47.780 --> 00:20:51.000 to adopt a child. 00:20:51.840 --> 00:20:52.480 They will not be 00:20:52.480 --> 00:20:53.019 the last. 00:20:56.620 --> 00:20:58.680 But human life 00:20:58.680 --> 00:20:59.720 is so precious 00:20:59.720 --> 00:21:01.720 that we need 00:21:01.720 --> 00:21:02.360 to do everything 00:21:02.360 --> 00:21:03.120 we can 00:21:03.119 --> 00:21:04.359 to encourage 00:21:04.359 --> 00:21:05.239 people 00:21:05.239 --> 00:21:06.139 even when 00:21:06.139 --> 00:21:06.719 it's not 00:21:06.719 --> 00:21:07.739 a good time 00:21:07.739 --> 00:21:10.759 to provide 00:21:10.759 --> 00:21:11.439 life. 00:21:12.419 --> 00:21:12.819 And then, 00:21:12.919 --> 00:21:13.419 if appropriate, 00:21:13.939 --> 00:21:15.179 to give that 00:21:15.179 --> 00:21:15.619 life 00:21:15.619 --> 00:21:16.619 to someone 00:21:16.619 --> 00:21:17.399 who would love 00:21:17.399 --> 00:21:18.319 to take care of it 00:21:18.319 --> 00:21:18.899 and raise it 00:21:18.899 --> 00:21:19.439 for the glory 00:21:19.439 --> 00:21:19.839 of God. 00:21:21.599 --> 00:21:22.559 Life is something 00:21:22.559 --> 00:21:23.859 to be preserved 00:21:23.859 --> 00:21:25.039 even at 00:21:25.039 --> 00:21:26.539 very high cost. 00:21:26.539 --> 00:21:29.619 if you look 00:21:29.619 --> 00:21:30.319 at the Old Testament, 00:21:30.480 --> 00:21:31.559 life was so important 00:21:31.559 --> 00:21:32.779 in Exodus 00:21:32.779 --> 00:21:33.720 chapter 21. 00:21:33.859 --> 00:21:34.220 You don't need 00:21:34.220 --> 00:21:34.960 to turn with it. 00:21:34.980 --> 00:21:35.680 I'll just remind 00:21:35.680 --> 00:21:36.359 you of the passage. 00:21:36.899 --> 00:21:37.519 It says that 00:21:37.519 --> 00:21:38.180 when two men 00:21:38.180 --> 00:21:38.759 are fighting 00:21:38.759 --> 00:21:41.680 and the pregnant 00:21:41.680 --> 00:21:42.740 wife of one 00:21:42.740 --> 00:21:43.319 of the men 00:21:43.319 --> 00:21:44.559 is nearby 00:21:44.559 --> 00:21:46.079 and the man 00:21:46.079 --> 00:21:47.240 strikes her 00:21:47.240 --> 00:21:49.839 and she has 00:21:49.839 --> 00:21:50.379 the baby, 00:21:51.319 --> 00:21:52.240 if everything's 00:21:52.240 --> 00:21:52.740 fine, 00:21:53.539 --> 00:21:54.200 then this is 00:21:54.200 --> 00:21:54.759 really interesting, 00:21:55.019 --> 00:21:55.480 if everything 00:21:55.480 --> 00:21:56.139 is fine, 00:21:56.140 --> 00:21:57.200 the baby's okay, 00:21:57.580 --> 00:21:58.759 then what is 00:21:58.759 --> 00:21:59.580 supposed to happen 00:21:59.580 --> 00:22:00.600 is the husband, 00:22:00.900 --> 00:22:02.060 the father of the baby 00:22:02.060 --> 00:22:02.700 decides, 00:22:02.940 --> 00:22:03.880 here's your fine. 00:22:04.880 --> 00:22:05.280 It's kind of 00:22:05.280 --> 00:22:05.740 interesting. 00:22:07.940 --> 00:22:08.480 But, 00:22:09.400 --> 00:22:10.380 if the baby 00:22:10.380 --> 00:22:10.960 dies, 00:22:12.420 --> 00:22:14.120 the person 00:22:14.120 --> 00:22:14.620 who caused 00:22:14.620 --> 00:22:15.200 the accident 00:22:15.200 --> 00:22:16.020 is to die. 00:22:18.560 --> 00:22:19.180 It's kind of, 00:22:19.420 --> 00:22:19.740 you know, 00:22:19.780 --> 00:22:20.500 we live in a 00:22:20.500 --> 00:22:21.140 kind of a 00:22:21.140 --> 00:22:22.420 strange 00:22:22.420 --> 00:22:24.120 and hypocritical 00:22:24.120 --> 00:22:24.540 world. 00:22:26.140 --> 00:22:26.860 I say that 00:22:26.860 --> 00:22:28.220 because our 00:22:28.220 --> 00:22:29.300 world understands 00:22:29.300 --> 00:22:29.700 that. 00:22:31.060 --> 00:22:31.700 And so, 00:22:31.800 --> 00:22:32.720 if you find 00:22:32.720 --> 00:22:33.660 in the news 00:22:33.660 --> 00:22:34.700 a case where 00:22:34.700 --> 00:22:35.620 a pregnant woman 00:22:35.620 --> 00:22:36.360 is killed, 00:22:36.840 --> 00:22:38.000 they will charge 00:22:38.000 --> 00:22:38.780 the person 00:22:38.780 --> 00:22:39.860 with multiple 00:22:39.860 --> 00:22:40.500 murders. 00:22:41.500 --> 00:22:42.060 Okay? 00:22:42.620 --> 00:22:43.640 Appropriately so. 00:22:43.840 --> 00:22:44.120 Okay? 00:22:44.119 --> 00:22:48.179 And at the same 00:22:48.179 --> 00:22:48.719 time, 00:22:49.119 --> 00:22:49.679 the same 00:22:49.679 --> 00:22:50.439 society 00:22:50.439 --> 00:22:52.000 will say 00:22:52.000 --> 00:22:52.919 3,000 00:22:52.919 --> 00:22:53.819 babies today 00:22:53.819 --> 00:22:54.459 is no big 00:22:54.459 --> 00:22:54.779 deal. 00:22:55.339 --> 00:22:55.799 We ought 00:22:55.799 --> 00:22:56.239 to just all 00:22:56.239 --> 00:22:56.779 ignore it. 00:22:57.239 --> 00:22:57.559 Maybe it'll 00:22:57.559 --> 00:22:57.939 go away. 00:23:00.319 --> 00:23:01.259 Our society 00:23:01.259 --> 00:23:02.319 is crazy. 00:23:04.919 --> 00:23:05.639 Not only 00:23:05.639 --> 00:23:06.219 at the beginning 00:23:06.219 --> 00:23:06.719 of life, 00:23:06.799 --> 00:23:07.219 but also 00:23:07.219 --> 00:23:07.799 at the other 00:23:07.799 --> 00:23:08.699 end of life. 00:23:09.079 --> 00:23:09.279 So, 00:23:09.359 --> 00:23:09.639 I've already 00:23:09.639 --> 00:23:10.479 pointed out, 00:23:10.799 --> 00:23:11.379 the creation 00:23:11.379 --> 00:23:12.259 account points 00:23:12.259 --> 00:23:13.019 to the fact 00:23:13.019 --> 00:23:13.779 that only 00:23:13.779 --> 00:23:14.379 God is 00:23:14.379 --> 00:23:15.140 to determine 00:23:15.140 --> 00:23:15.879 the length 00:23:15.879 --> 00:23:16.640 of a life 00:23:16.640 --> 00:23:17.200 that a person 00:23:17.200 --> 00:23:17.539 has. 00:23:17.799 --> 00:23:18.279 Go back 00:23:18.279 --> 00:23:19.000 to Psalm 00:23:19.000 --> 00:23:19.680 139 00:23:19.680 --> 00:23:20.079 with me. 00:23:21.160 --> 00:23:21.440 Psalm 00:23:21.440 --> 00:23:22.160 139 00:23:22.160 --> 00:23:22.960 verses 13 00:23:22.960 --> 00:23:23.640 to 16. 00:23:23.640 --> 00:23:48.500 139 00:23:48.500 --> 00:23:48.880 were written 00:23:48.880 --> 00:23:49.680 every one 00:23:49.680 --> 00:23:50.000 of them 00:23:50.000 --> 00:23:50.680 the days 00:23:50.680 --> 00:23:51.000 that were 00:23:51.000 --> 00:23:51.460 formed 00:23:51.460 --> 00:23:54.660 for me when there was yet none of them. 00:23:56.600 --> 00:24:04.819 From the days in the womb to the days at the end of the aged's life, we are fearfully and 00:24:04.819 --> 00:24:05.720 wonderfully made. 00:24:06.740 --> 00:24:17.100 Your two large nose, your two small ears, and every other part of you is just like God 00:24:17.100 --> 00:24:18.220 intended it to be. 00:24:18.220 --> 00:24:23.279 And that fact flows right to the end of life. 00:24:25.519 --> 00:24:30.660 I can't turn to all the pages, all the passages that make it clear that we're to respect and 00:24:30.660 --> 00:24:35.740 cherish and care for the aged, but I will take the, yeah, why not? 00:24:35.799 --> 00:24:38.039 I will have you turn to one of them with me. 00:24:38.480 --> 00:24:42.039 1 Samuel chapter 22, verse 3. 00:24:42.240 --> 00:24:47.339 This is such a fantastic verse in the middle of, you just, whoa, where's that come from? 00:24:47.339 --> 00:24:54.119 In the passage, 1 Samuel 22, verse 3, and David went from there to Mizpah of Moab. 00:24:55.399 --> 00:25:00.639 And he said to the king of Moab, please let my father and my mother stay with you till 00:25:00.639 --> 00:25:02.379 I know what God will do for me. 00:25:03.899 --> 00:25:07.559 Now, the context of this is important. 00:25:07.559 --> 00:25:13.139 David is in the midst of being pursued by King Saul. 00:25:13.500 --> 00:25:19.799 He's just left a place where there were some priests, and King Saul is actually going to 00:25:19.799 --> 00:25:21.619 go there and destroy those priests. 00:25:22.619 --> 00:25:24.559 King Saul is right on his tail. 00:25:24.559 --> 00:25:34.399 In the midst of his fleeing, David goes to the king of another country, a country that didn't 00:25:34.399 --> 00:25:37.960 always get along that well with Israel. 00:25:38.399 --> 00:25:42.579 He goes to the enemy, if you will. 00:25:43.399 --> 00:25:45.919 He says, will you take care of my mom and dad? 00:25:47.359 --> 00:25:49.379 Will you watch over them, keep them safe? 00:25:49.380 --> 00:25:51.880 Because it's not safe in my country right now. 00:25:53.980 --> 00:26:01.140 He took the time out of his escape to care for his aging parents. 00:26:05.720 --> 00:26:12.160 If the elderly are to be respected and cherished, and human life is precious because it is the 00:26:12.160 --> 00:26:14.520 image of God, then here's the point. 00:26:15.100 --> 00:26:18.640 A life is to end at the timing of God. 00:26:19.380 --> 00:26:22.860 My title this morning was Let God Be God. 00:26:24.400 --> 00:26:27.260 And so there's a time not to prolong death. 00:26:28.180 --> 00:26:34.620 Standing in God's way, shaking our fist and screaming, I will not let them go. 00:26:34.619 --> 00:26:46.439 Because if God desires that person to have their life in today, he doesn't need our machines 00:26:46.439 --> 00:26:53.139 to continually and permanently pump the blood and push air into the lungs. 00:26:53.140 --> 00:27:04.860 But the person's value as an image bearer of God does not diminish with illness or accident 00:27:04.860 --> 00:27:06.400 or disease. 00:27:08.100 --> 00:27:12.280 So what we must ask, are there still signs of life? 00:27:12.279 --> 00:27:16.160 Is it still possible that they might recover? 00:27:17.240 --> 00:27:21.079 Are we providing the basic care? 00:27:21.200 --> 00:27:22.920 It's called palliative care. 00:27:22.920 --> 00:27:23.920 God's way, God. 00:27:23.920 --> 00:27:28.500 That the individual needs if God sustains their life. 00:27:30.720 --> 00:27:32.240 Regardless of the cost. 00:27:33.680 --> 00:27:35.060 Regardless of the convenience. 00:27:36.360 --> 00:27:39.320 Regardless of the emotional stress that it causes us. 00:27:39.319 --> 00:27:42.720 And then, we let God be God. 00:27:45.039 --> 00:27:47.480 God not only gives the initial life. 00:27:47.659 --> 00:27:49.220 He not only gives the length of days. 00:27:49.700 --> 00:27:52.759 But God gives the quality of life. 00:27:54.799 --> 00:27:56.679 I hope you're still in Psalm 139. 00:27:56.939 --> 00:27:59.139 If you're not, a couple more times. 00:27:59.859 --> 00:28:01.879 Psalm 139, verse 17 and 18. 00:28:01.880 --> 00:28:05.180 How precious to me are your thoughts, O God. 00:28:05.960 --> 00:28:08.040 How vast is the sum of them. 00:28:08.120 --> 00:28:11.300 If I would count them, they are more than the sand. 00:28:11.880 --> 00:28:13.960 I awake and I'm still with you. 00:28:14.980 --> 00:28:20.080 The term quality of life is the measure that our society wants to use. 00:28:20.320 --> 00:28:26.020 And they believe that that means meaning and direction and so forth. 00:28:26.019 --> 00:28:32.099 They use it to measure the happiness and the accomplishments of an individual. 00:28:33.960 --> 00:28:36.019 But when we start with creation. 00:28:37.180 --> 00:28:40.319 I think that same term, quality of life, is very good. 00:28:41.879 --> 00:28:49.220 Except it means a life that glorifies God and declares his majesty and goodness to the world. 00:28:51.680 --> 00:28:54.519 It's that fact that brings joy. 00:28:54.519 --> 00:28:57.680 Quality of life that cannot be understood by the world. 00:28:58.900 --> 00:29:02.879 Quality of life means whether one day or a hundred years. 00:29:04.500 --> 00:29:07.079 We see life as simply a mist. 00:29:07.720 --> 00:29:09.019 As James 4 says. 00:29:10.339 --> 00:29:13.119 So little time to declare his goodness. 00:29:13.960 --> 00:29:15.420 I want to grow old. 00:29:16.400 --> 00:29:17.980 Declaring God's goodness. 00:29:18.759 --> 00:29:20.440 Not how tired I am. 00:29:20.819 --> 00:29:23.019 Not how I don't have anything else to accomplish. 00:29:23.019 --> 00:29:25.720 Not how rough life is. 00:29:25.980 --> 00:29:31.519 I want to keep declaring how good God is for the rest of my days. 00:29:32.900 --> 00:29:34.160 I hope you do too. 00:29:36.799 --> 00:29:39.700 And then, following James 4. 00:29:39.700 --> 00:29:45.640 If the Lord wills, we'll do this or that. 00:29:47.860 --> 00:29:52.180 So that if the Lord wills, I'll meet him in glory this afternoon. 00:29:53.779 --> 00:29:59.319 And if he doesn't, then I'll try to glorify him here on earth with my life. 00:29:59.319 --> 00:30:04.599 Psalm 139 verses 19 to 24. 00:30:04.859 --> 00:30:07.679 Human life redeemed by God. 00:30:07.680 --> 00:30:32.460 Interesting conclusion to that. 00:30:32.460 --> 00:30:33.460 Listen to this. 00:30:33.460 --> 00:30:36.039 Search me, O God. 00:30:37.299 --> 00:30:38.360 Know my heart. 00:30:39.720 --> 00:30:40.660 Try me. 00:30:41.700 --> 00:30:42.840 Know my thoughts. 00:30:43.799 --> 00:30:46.740 And see if there's any grievous way in me. 00:30:46.880 --> 00:30:49.740 And lead me in the way everlasting. 00:30:51.480 --> 00:30:54.500 The psalmist stood against error. 00:30:55.340 --> 00:30:57.720 He stood against wickedness. 00:30:57.720 --> 00:31:00.259 He stood against godlessness. 00:31:01.680 --> 00:31:05.480 But he did so by saying, God, search me first. 00:31:06.420 --> 00:31:08.000 He did it with humility. 00:31:10.000 --> 00:31:13.100 How can we stand in opposition to the world? 00:31:13.940 --> 00:31:15.220 We do it with humility. 00:31:16.360 --> 00:31:18.700 I'm going to give you some practical steps. 00:31:18.700 --> 00:31:23.680 First, study the word of God for yourself. 00:31:23.799 --> 00:31:28.299 This is a topic that impacts absolutely every one of you. 00:31:28.680 --> 00:31:31.319 You will face it on one end of life or the other. 00:31:31.559 --> 00:31:32.180 Or both. 00:31:34.160 --> 00:31:37.140 Know what the word of God says about life. 00:31:38.100 --> 00:31:41.920 And prayerfully consider what stands you will take. 00:31:42.819 --> 00:31:44.539 Where do you draw the lines? 00:31:44.539 --> 00:31:51.440 Because someone is going to challenge you to pass those lines. 00:31:55.000 --> 00:31:59.159 Second, I hope every one of you will consider a baby bottle. 00:31:59.319 --> 00:32:00.639 Another plug for the baby bottles. 00:32:01.759 --> 00:32:05.139 I hope every one of you will consider taking one of those baby bottles, 00:32:05.480 --> 00:32:07.920 putting your change in it, putting a check in it, 00:32:07.960 --> 00:32:09.700 whatever you believe. 00:32:09.700 --> 00:32:15.500 Fill it with money. 00:32:15.759 --> 00:32:16.480 Bring it back. 00:32:16.819 --> 00:32:20.640 Give women a choice that leads to life. 00:32:22.100 --> 00:32:23.500 Maybe you say, I can't do that. 00:32:23.640 --> 00:32:23.819 I can't. 00:32:23.880 --> 00:32:24.920 I never have change. 00:32:25.279 --> 00:32:26.400 We never have change. 00:32:26.940 --> 00:32:28.860 We take a baby bottle and we put a check in it 00:32:28.860 --> 00:32:30.580 because we never, if we put change in it, 00:32:30.620 --> 00:32:31.519 it would come back empty. 00:32:33.299 --> 00:32:35.160 But if you can't do that, 00:32:35.600 --> 00:32:36.880 there's still things you can do. 00:32:36.880 --> 00:32:37.960 You can volunteer. 00:32:38.240 --> 00:32:39.620 You can give your time. 00:32:39.700 --> 00:32:43.120 To help Pregnancy Distress Center, 00:32:43.580 --> 00:32:46.039 to help the Maternity Resource Center up at Emanuel. 00:32:46.519 --> 00:32:48.539 They would love to have more volunteers. 00:32:49.140 --> 00:32:53.460 And you'll get to talk to ladies who are seriously questioning 00:32:53.460 --> 00:32:54.779 what should they do. 00:32:57.279 --> 00:32:57.819 Third, 00:32:58.980 --> 00:33:02.840 if you hear of legislation extending euthanasia 00:33:02.840 --> 00:33:05.000 and physician-assisted suicide, 00:33:05.000 --> 00:33:06.299 and you will, 00:33:06.819 --> 00:33:10.440 in our nation or in our state, 00:33:11.220 --> 00:33:13.859 I hope you'll consider writing to your congressman, 00:33:14.819 --> 00:33:15.880 signing petitions, 00:33:16.420 --> 00:33:17.839 and of course, 00:33:18.339 --> 00:33:18.920 voting, 00:33:19.680 --> 00:33:20.559 your conscience, 00:33:21.220 --> 00:33:22.259 and God's principles. 00:33:22.259 --> 00:33:27.039 But you know what? 00:33:27.680 --> 00:33:28.980 None of those things, 00:33:29.879 --> 00:33:31.119 none of those three things, 00:33:31.680 --> 00:33:34.579 are really going to change things. 00:33:35.680 --> 00:33:37.940 I think those are valuable things to do. 00:33:39.400 --> 00:33:41.819 They're valuable list of do goods. 00:33:41.819 --> 00:33:46.259 But you could have heard that list 00:33:46.259 --> 00:33:49.000 in a Mormon tabernacle 00:33:49.000 --> 00:33:52.019 or in a Catholic church this morning. 00:33:53.359 --> 00:33:54.460 That's not the answer. 00:33:56.700 --> 00:33:57.859 And now the answer. 00:33:59.139 --> 00:33:59.439 Fourth, 00:34:00.279 --> 00:34:02.439 recognize that only the gospel 00:34:02.439 --> 00:34:04.899 can change our society. 00:34:04.900 --> 00:34:08.440 When we set the truth of the gospel 00:34:08.440 --> 00:34:09.500 against the backdrop 00:34:09.500 --> 00:34:11.860 of the information that I started with, 00:34:13.360 --> 00:34:16.119 it's easy to see just how far off 00:34:16.119 --> 00:34:18.380 our society has actually gotten. 00:34:19.220 --> 00:34:20.579 But at the same time, 00:34:20.680 --> 00:34:21.740 that same gospel 00:34:21.740 --> 00:34:23.500 that shows us the despair 00:34:23.500 --> 00:34:24.740 and the hopelessness 00:34:24.740 --> 00:34:26.780 of man's lost condition 00:34:26.780 --> 00:34:29.760 also provides us with the beauty 00:34:29.760 --> 00:34:31.519 and the hope 00:34:31.519 --> 00:34:33.400 that comforts our soul. 00:34:33.400 --> 00:34:36.000 Last week at lunch, 00:34:37.059 --> 00:34:37.980 Peggy and I were talking. 00:34:38.079 --> 00:34:39.280 I was sharing some of the things 00:34:39.280 --> 00:34:40.019 that I was studying 00:34:40.019 --> 00:34:40.639 and some of the things 00:34:40.639 --> 00:34:41.539 that I was going to say today. 00:34:41.720 --> 00:34:43.260 And I was pleading with her, 00:34:43.340 --> 00:34:44.180 please pray for me. 00:34:44.300 --> 00:34:44.960 Please pray for me. 00:34:47.280 --> 00:34:48.680 And as we're talking, 00:34:48.820 --> 00:34:49.480 she said, 00:34:50.200 --> 00:34:50.480 you know, 00:34:50.519 --> 00:34:51.740 our society's becoming 00:34:51.740 --> 00:34:53.039 like Sodom and Gomorrah. 00:34:54.599 --> 00:34:56.539 To which without a thought, 00:34:57.119 --> 00:34:58.000 I said, 00:34:58.480 --> 00:34:59.980 which would have been saved 00:34:59.980 --> 00:35:01.880 for ten righteous men. 00:35:03.400 --> 00:35:07.320 That leads us 00:35:07.320 --> 00:35:09.780 to 2 Corinthians 5.21. 00:35:10.380 --> 00:35:12.340 How do we get ten righteous men? 00:35:13.760 --> 00:35:15.340 For God made him to be sin 00:35:15.340 --> 00:35:16.559 who knew no sin, 00:35:17.559 --> 00:35:19.260 that we might become 00:35:19.260 --> 00:35:23.059 the righteousness of God in him. 00:35:24.660 --> 00:35:27.119 What is the answer to our society? 00:35:28.000 --> 00:35:30.720 The righteousness of God in him. 00:35:30.719 --> 00:35:31.779 I'm a parent. 00:35:32.219 --> 00:35:33.239 I'm a grandparent. 00:35:34.899 --> 00:35:35.839 Sometimes I think, 00:35:35.939 --> 00:35:37.619 I've got a grandson 00:35:37.619 --> 00:35:39.679 who was a junior in high school. 00:35:41.079 --> 00:35:41.419 Okay? 00:35:41.939 --> 00:35:42.919 I'm thinking, 00:35:43.539 --> 00:35:43.719 wow, 00:35:43.779 --> 00:35:45.159 I could be a great-grandfather. 00:35:46.679 --> 00:35:48.799 Not that many years away. 00:35:48.800 --> 00:35:51.539 And I think, 00:35:51.620 --> 00:35:53.400 is there any hope for this place? 00:35:54.920 --> 00:35:57.180 Could anything good come out of this? 00:35:58.019 --> 00:35:58.620 And I think, 00:35:59.340 --> 00:35:59.840 yeah, 00:36:01.460 --> 00:36:02.780 for ten righteous men. 00:36:04.760 --> 00:36:06.519 The rights that we might become 00:36:06.519 --> 00:36:09.500 the righteousness of God in him. 00:36:09.500 --> 00:36:14.239 The account in Genesis 1 00:36:14.239 --> 00:36:15.420 of the creation 00:36:15.420 --> 00:36:17.380 that we're created in God's image 00:36:17.380 --> 00:36:19.059 is all wrapped up in 00:36:19.059 --> 00:36:20.199 he's got a plan 00:36:20.199 --> 00:36:22.420 for restoring that image 00:36:22.420 --> 00:36:26.280 from the brokenness of sin. 00:36:28.800 --> 00:36:29.880 First of all, 00:36:31.059 --> 00:36:32.840 the gospel points us to 00:36:32.840 --> 00:36:33.500 the despair, 00:36:33.500 --> 00:36:34.059 the despair, 00:36:34.760 --> 00:36:35.500 to the hopelessness 00:36:36.079 --> 00:36:37.239 of man's condition. 00:36:37.239 --> 00:36:40.739 It points us to Romans 3.23, 00:36:40.899 --> 00:36:41.819 for all have sinned 00:36:41.819 --> 00:36:43.039 and fall short of the glory of God. 00:36:43.239 --> 00:36:44.619 Maybe I'm not guilty 00:36:44.619 --> 00:36:45.859 of some of the things 00:36:45.859 --> 00:36:47.299 that we thought about this morning 00:36:47.299 --> 00:36:48.919 in taking a life. 00:36:51.319 --> 00:36:52.719 But Jesus said, 00:36:53.659 --> 00:36:55.099 if you hate your brother, 00:36:55.959 --> 00:36:58.759 you are guilty of murder. 00:37:01.500 --> 00:37:03.679 If you call your brother a fool 00:37:03.679 --> 00:37:06.739 when he cuts you off in traffic, 00:37:07.239 --> 00:37:09.259 you're guilty. 00:37:11.839 --> 00:37:13.379 But then the gospel points us 00:37:13.379 --> 00:37:14.519 to the perfect atonement 00:37:14.519 --> 00:37:15.939 provided by Jesus Christ. 00:37:16.199 --> 00:37:17.439 A passage I got to preach on 00:37:17.439 --> 00:37:19.000 several months ago or so, 00:37:19.459 --> 00:37:20.359 or maybe two months ago. 00:37:20.619 --> 00:37:21.439 John 3.16, 00:37:21.500 --> 00:37:22.559 for God so loved the world 00:37:22.559 --> 00:37:23.639 that he gave his only son 00:37:23.639 --> 00:37:25.219 that whosoever believes in him 00:37:25.219 --> 00:37:26.579 shall not perish, 00:37:27.579 --> 00:37:29.339 but have everlasting life. 00:37:29.340 --> 00:37:33.860 The gospel provides 00:37:33.860 --> 00:37:35.260 the personal solution 00:37:35.260 --> 00:37:36.100 of confession 00:37:36.100 --> 00:37:36.920 and acceptance 00:37:36.920 --> 00:37:38.360 of the Savior. 00:37:39.620 --> 00:37:41.559 My personal relationship, 00:37:43.200 --> 00:37:44.260 the hope I have, 00:37:44.380 --> 00:37:45.340 Titus 3.5, 00:37:46.019 --> 00:37:46.760 he saved us 00:37:46.760 --> 00:37:47.940 not because of the works 00:37:47.940 --> 00:37:48.720 we have done 00:37:48.720 --> 00:37:50.720 in righteousness, 00:37:51.079 --> 00:37:52.840 but according to his own mercy, 00:37:53.840 --> 00:37:55.340 by the washing regeneration 00:37:55.340 --> 00:37:57.500 and renewal 00:37:57.500 --> 00:37:58.380 of the Holy Spirit. 00:38:01.280 --> 00:38:02.700 This good news 00:38:02.700 --> 00:38:03.420 of the gospel 00:38:03.420 --> 00:38:06.480 that all of your sins, 00:38:07.680 --> 00:38:08.600 maybe you're guilty 00:38:08.600 --> 00:38:09.320 of all of them 00:38:09.320 --> 00:38:10.880 that we've talked about today. 00:38:11.019 --> 00:38:11.680 Maybe you're guilty 00:38:11.680 --> 00:38:12.360 of none of them. 00:38:12.360 --> 00:38:15.200 All have sinned 00:38:15.200 --> 00:38:15.820 and fall short 00:38:15.820 --> 00:38:16.720 of the glory of God. 00:38:18.320 --> 00:38:21.400 And only salvation 00:38:21.400 --> 00:38:22.840 through Jesus Christ, 00:38:23.620 --> 00:38:25.019 the perfect atonement, 00:38:26.660 --> 00:38:27.539 can care for that. 00:38:29.079 --> 00:38:30.019 Is that where you are 00:38:30.019 --> 00:38:30.420 this morning? 00:38:31.700 --> 00:38:33.019 If you come to the place 00:38:33.019 --> 00:38:35.079 of accepting Jesus Christ 00:38:35.079 --> 00:38:38.840 as your personal Savior, 00:38:38.840 --> 00:38:38.980 Savior, 00:38:41.220 --> 00:38:42.019 if you have, 00:38:43.019 --> 00:38:44.120 all of the sins 00:38:44.120 --> 00:38:44.840 that you've committed, 00:38:45.740 --> 00:38:46.860 all of the darkness 00:38:46.860 --> 00:38:48.120 is covered 00:38:48.120 --> 00:38:49.160 by the blood of Christ. 00:38:49.780 --> 00:38:50.400 Let's pray. 00:38:59.539 --> 00:39:00.440 Father, I pray 00:39:00.440 --> 00:39:01.280 that you would work 00:39:01.280 --> 00:39:01.980 in the hearts 00:39:01.980 --> 00:39:03.740 of men and women 00:39:03.740 --> 00:39:06.079 that as we consider 00:39:06.079 --> 00:39:07.260 the image of God, 00:39:07.260 --> 00:39:09.520 that we were created 00:39:09.520 --> 00:39:11.020 from, 00:39:12.860 --> 00:39:13.980 that we would recognize 00:39:13.980 --> 00:39:15.020 the need 00:39:15.020 --> 00:39:17.040 that we have. 00:39:18.540 --> 00:39:19.560 Lord, if there's anyone 00:39:19.560 --> 00:39:20.400 here this morning 00:39:20.400 --> 00:39:21.720 that has not come 00:39:21.720 --> 00:39:22.540 to the place 00:39:22.540 --> 00:39:24.400 of a personal relationship 00:39:24.400 --> 00:39:24.980 with you, 00:39:26.640 --> 00:39:28.140 I pray now, 00:39:28.420 --> 00:39:29.120 this moment, 00:39:29.980 --> 00:39:31.560 they would cry out to you 00:39:31.560 --> 00:39:31.840 and say, 00:39:31.940 --> 00:39:32.520 I accept 00:39:32.520 --> 00:39:34.620 that I'm lost, 00:39:35.200 --> 00:39:36.100 that I'm hopeless, 00:39:36.099 --> 00:39:38.360 and I accept 00:39:38.360 --> 00:39:39.000 the atonement 00:39:39.000 --> 00:39:40.019 of Jesus Christ 00:39:40.019 --> 00:39:42.539 and trust 00:39:42.539 --> 00:39:44.000 in the eternal life 00:39:44.000 --> 00:39:44.500 that I'll have 00:39:44.500 --> 00:39:45.039 as a result. 00:39:48.039 --> 00:39:48.519 Father, 00:39:48.619 --> 00:39:49.739 those who are here today 00:39:49.739 --> 00:39:50.900 and know your grace 00:39:50.900 --> 00:39:53.319 but perhaps 00:39:53.319 --> 00:39:53.980 are struggling 00:39:53.980 --> 00:39:54.880 with the areas 00:39:54.880 --> 00:39:55.579 of life 00:39:55.579 --> 00:39:58.819 and the sanctity 00:39:58.819 --> 00:39:59.239 of it 00:39:59.239 --> 00:40:02.339 and now recognize 00:40:02.339 --> 00:40:03.480 the importance 00:40:03.480 --> 00:40:04.380 that this has 00:40:04.380 --> 00:40:05.000 to you 00:40:05.000 --> 00:40:07.180 as your image 00:40:07.180 --> 00:40:07.760 bearers, 00:40:08.700 --> 00:40:09.960 I pray that you 00:40:09.960 --> 00:40:10.680 would bring 00:40:10.680 --> 00:40:11.460 confession 00:40:11.460 --> 00:40:14.260 and through that 00:40:14.260 --> 00:40:14.780 forgiveness 00:40:14.780 --> 00:40:16.900 and a restoration 00:40:16.900 --> 00:40:17.660 of joy. 00:40:19.960 --> 00:40:20.480 Father, 00:40:20.579 --> 00:40:21.480 I pray that during 00:40:21.480 --> 00:40:23.220 this year 00:40:23.220 --> 00:40:24.460 that we are 00:40:24.460 --> 00:40:25.180 focused 00:40:25.180 --> 00:40:27.380 on the sanctity 00:40:27.380 --> 00:40:27.960 of life 00:40:27.960 --> 00:40:29.579 and doing 00:40:29.579 --> 00:40:30.240 everything 00:40:30.240 --> 00:40:31.220 that we 00:40:31.220 --> 00:40:32.260 can 00:40:32.260 --> 00:40:32.880 and need 00:40:32.880 --> 00:40:33.380 to do 00:40:33.380 --> 00:40:34.260 in our 00:40:34.260 --> 00:40:35.380 individual lives 00:40:35.380 --> 00:40:37.220 to show 00:40:37.220 --> 00:40:38.400 forth the value, 00:40:38.659 --> 00:40:39.720 the preciousness 00:40:39.720 --> 00:40:40.980 of the image 00:40:40.980 --> 00:40:41.420 of God. 00:40:42.000 --> 00:40:43.059 I ask it in your 00:40:43.059 --> 00:40:43.539 name. 00:40:43.539 --> 00:40:44.579 Amen.