PART 3: SATAN’S DIRTY SECRET #2
The Damage to the CHURCH
Let’s take a refresher lesson on Culture and the Culture of Life
Culture is a way of life, attitudes, moral/religious beliefs
Culture of Life comes from the fact that God is the Creator of heaven and earth. He is our Creator and the Creator of all life. God saw all he had made, and it was very good. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Everything God’s way, beginning with creation. The Author of Life is Jesus – being the life, bringing abundant life for all who are made in His image.
God commands that we choose life and blessings over death and curses so that we and our descendants may live. The culture of life is a choice!
Deut 30:19 – “This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live.”.
John 14:6 – Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”.
Regarding the Culture of Death and the church –
We brought it into the church with us.
We hide our sexual sin and abortion. Most pastors don’t know how extensive these problems are. Rarely does anyone talk about it.
The culture of death had a very specific beginning. It was Satan’s mission beginning shortly after creation with sin and the beginning of death. It is to steal, kill, and destroy.
It is the ANTITHESIS of every aspect of the culture of life.
Satan set out to DESTROY the human race, all God’s image-bearers, ever since God’s creation of man.
What never entered God’s mind? Burning CHILDREN as offerings to Baal. (Jeremiah 19:4-5)
Our sinful attitudes and behaviors are the HARBINGERS that usher the culture of death right into the church with us.
No single major issue affects more of us than ABORTION in the church as in the world, with sexual sin at its root.
Trauma symptoms of those who had abortions as Christians can be WORSE. Because we are silent about the damage, the next generation makes the same stupid choices and thinks they’re the only ones. No one gets healing.
When it is spoken about it is usually only regarding the BABIES who are lost. Healing is prevented. We must pretend we are ok. It must be the unforgiveable sin, It’s not safe to confess this sin.
Many don’t even go to church anymore because it’s not RELEVANT. Abortion is rarely mentioned in most churches, and almost never from the pulpit
We fight abortion like it’s only a problem in the world, making us HYPOCRITICAL.
Until we start talking about it, nothing significant will ever CHANGE in the world or the church.
If we consider that 25-30% of women have lost children to abortion, then we have to consider the same for men. If we add the effects on grandparents, we can at least double that percentage. When we add siblings of the aborted child, grandparents, and all the people affected by the trauma of all these people, it is astounding!
If we consider all the combined effects of abortion on everyone, we will recognize the DEVASTATING consequences on all humanity, not just the individuals directly involved. We would all take this more seriously!
As you go into your discussion time, Redeeming the Story, consider the collateral damage of which you may never before have been aware around you. Seek the Lord together for how He would have your congregation begin to address it. Enjoy this time redeeming the story! See you in Session 8 for the beginning of Module 4 with just two sessions to go!
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