The Sanctity of Life

Introduction (Psalm 139:13–16)
Life is God’s gift. He forms, knows, and sustains every person in the hidden place of the womb (Psalm 139:13–16). Today we praise the Creator for His marvelous workmanship and learn to honor life as He commands.

Life Begins in the Womb
God’s word speaks of the unborn with personal dignity. When Mary greeted Elizabeth, the babe leaped in Elizabeth’s womb, and Luke uses the same word for the babe in the manger of Bethlehem, showing continuity of personhood before and after birth (Luke 1:39–44; 2:12, 16). David confesses that from his mother’s womb the Lord was his God (Psalm 22:10). The Psalmist celebrates being fearfully and wonderfully made, knit together by God in secret, all his days written in God’s book (Psalm 139:13–16). God tells Jeremiah that before he was formed in the womb he was known and set apart for holy work (Jeremiah 1:5). Job mourns with sober insight that the child conceived and the child born are the same living person and that even the stillborn is acknowledged before God (Job 3:1–3, 11–16). Scripture consistently affirms that life in the womb is life known to the Creator and precious in His sight.

Why Abortion Is Sin
Creation itself testifies to God’s artistry. The human body displays exquisite design, with ordered systems that serve life from its earliest moments. Within days of conception, the foundations of the brain and nervous system are present, the heart soon beats, and the features that uniquely identify a person begin to appear. Such wonder agrees with the Psalmist’s praise and deepens our reverence for the Author of life (Psalm 139:13–16). God’s law defends the vulnerable. When a pregnant woman is struck so that she delivers prematurely, the law requires accountability; if harm follows to mother or child, proportionate justice is demanded—life for life, eye for eye (Exodus 21:22–25). The Lord warns His people to avoid every false matter and forbids the killing of the innocent and righteous (Exodus 23:7). Proverbs lists hands that shed innocent blood among the things the Lord hates (Proverbs 6:16–17). Scripture further portrays the wicked as those who lurk against the helpless (Psalm 10:8). Abortion violates these revealed standards of justice and compassion by ending a human life God has made and known.

What Can We Do About Abortion?
God calls His people to conviction wrapped in compassion. We speak the truth of Scripture with clarity and gentleness. We pray earnestly, remembering that our struggle involves spiritual forces and requires God’s strength (Ephesians 6:12). We reject revenge and any form of violence, entrusting judgment to the Lord while pursuing peace and lawful action (Romans 12:19). We serve mothers, fathers, and children with practical help—hospitality, counsel, material support, adoption, and steadfast love—in keeping with pure religion that cares for the vulnerable (James 1:27; Galatians 6:10). Above all, we proclaim the gospel, for the blood of Jesus cleanses the repentant heart and grants a new beginning (1 John 1:7–9). In Christ, wounded consciences find mercy, and communities learn to cherish life.

The Sanctity of Life Sermon Outline:

• Introduction — God’s Work in the Womb (Psalm 139:13–16)

  • Life is God’s gift; He forms every person.

• Life Begins in the Womb (Luke 1:39–44; Luke 2:12, 16; Psalm 22:10; Psalm 139:13–16; Jeremiah 1:5; Job 3:1–3, 11–16)

  • Scripture speaks of the unborn with personal language and dignity.

• Why Abortion Is Sin (Psalm 139:13–16; Exodus 21:22–25; Exodus 23:7; Proverbs 6:16–17; Psalm 10:8)

  • God’s design and God’s law defend the vulnerable and condemn innocent bloodshed.

• What Can We Do About Abortion? (Ephesians 6:12; Romans 12:19; James 1:27; Galatians 6:10; 1 John 1:7–9)

  • Pray, teach, serve, adopt, support, and proclaim the gospel with grace and courage.

• Conclusion

  • Honor the Creator by honoring life and walking in obedience.

Call to Action
Honor the Lord who forms life by receiving His truth and practicing His compassion. Turn to Christ for cleansing where sin has wounded the heart. Commit yourself to protect the vulnerable, strengthen families, and speak with grace and courage. Walk in obedience to God’s word so that the world sees His love in your life.

Key Takeaways

• God forms, knows, and values life in the womb (Psalm 139:13–16; Jeremiah 1:5).

• Scripture affirms personhood before and after birth (Luke 1:39–44; Luke 2:12, 16; Psalm 22:10).

• God’s law protects the unborn and condemns innocent bloodshed (Exodus 21:22–25; Exodus 23:7; Proverbs 6:16–17).

• The church answers with prayer, service, and the gospel (Ephesians 6:12; James 1:27; 1 John 1:7–9).

• Believers pursue peace and entrust judgment to God (Romans 12:19; Galatians 6:10).

Scripture Reference List

• Psalm 139:13–16 — God forms and knows each person in the womb; the foundation for the sanctity of life.

• Luke 1:39–44 — John, called a babe in the womb, responds with joy to Mary’s greeting.

• Luke 2:12, 16 — The same term “babe” used for the newborn Jesus, showing continuity of personhood.

• Psalm 22:10 — David confesses belonging to God from the womb.

• Jeremiah 1:5 — Known, formed, and appointed by God before birth.

• Job 3:1–3, 11–16 — Job recognizes the conceived child and the newborn as the same living person; even the stillborn is acknowledged before God.

• Exodus 21:22–25 — Harm to mother or prematurely delivered child addressed with proportionate justice.

• Exodus 23:7 — Command to avoid falsehood and to preserve the innocent and righteous.

• Proverbs 6:16–17 — The Lord hates hands that shed innocent blood.

• Psalm 10:8 — The wicked target the helpless; a picture of predatory violence.

• Ephesians 6:12 — Spiritual dimensions of the struggle; the call to prayer and steadfastness.

• Romans 12:19 — Vengeance belongs to the Lord; Christians pursue peace and lawful conduct.

• James 1:27 — Pure religion cares for the vulnerable in practical ways.

• Galatians 6:10 — Do good to all as opportunity allows.

• 1 John 1:7–9 — The blood of Jesus cleanses and forgives, granting a new start.

Prepared by Bobby Stafford of the church of Christ at Granby, MO