2. Is 9:6 For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, NKJV

3. Mt 13:31 He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. 32 Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.”
33 He told them still another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds of flour until it worked all through the dough.”

4. What I am NOT saying… I am not saying…
We live in utopia (Christian society)
That all forms of inhumane treatment have been eradicated
That sin is gone
That illegal forms of evil do not exist
That we can excuse inhumane treatment

5. What I am saying… I am saying… Jesus changed the way people think
Jesus changed the mindset of an entire culture
People think differently because of Jesus’ teachings
Even those who do evil are aware of the right that they oppose

6. About the Evangelical Covenant
Evangelical Church
Acknowledges and values the history and decisions of Christians of the Past
Many don’t
Lift the Bible out for today only
Doesn’t sweep it under the rug
Isn’t bound by it

7. A Brief History A.D. 33 Jesus died and rose again
A.D Apostles took gospel to known world
A.D Christianity spread
met underground/ in secret
Organized into bishops/ deacons/ elders
Leaders began writing theological documents to distribute with NT copies
A.D Constantine comes to power
Makes Christianity official religion of Roman Empire
The teachings of Jesus become cultural mores

8. Ps 139: 13 For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. 14 I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well. 15 My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. 16 Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, The days fashioned for me, When as yet there were none of them.
17 How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them! 18 If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand; When I awake, I am still with You. NIV

9. 1. Jesus’ teachings place a high value on human life
John 1:14 14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
The fact that God became a human elevated humanity to a position of value
Ps 139 states that we were fashioned/formed by God in the womb

10. 2. Human life was of little value in the Roman world prior to Jesus
Infanticide
Gladiatorial contests
Abandoning children

11. 3. Jesus teaches that every human life matters
John 10:9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

12. 4. Jesus offers forgiveness to all
There is a sin that is unforgiveable
Mt 12: 31 And so I tell you, every kind of sin and slander can be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. 32 Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.
Abortion is not an unforgiveable sin
But there will be consequences- grief

13. 5. As our culture becomes less and less guided by the Bible, we are prone to dishonor various types of life
The unborn
The aged
The ill
Those with disabilities
What are we giving up if these groups lose the right to life?

14. So What? Compartmentalize your beliefs Wade through the messiness
As an American- guided by the Constitution and Bill of Rights
As a Christian- guided by the Bible
Following Jesus triumphs over citizenship
Wade through the messiness
Be willing to disagree and take a stand
Be compassionate
Be respectful but firm in your faith
Face the consequences of your belief