Defending Life in a Culture of Death
Pastor Dan Walker, PhD, MDiv
Voting with a Biblical Worldview – Part 2
Sermon Introduction
Today we continue our series, “Voting with a Biblical Worldview.” A worldview is how a person sees the world around them, how they judge between truth and falsehood. What are the principles that determine how they make their decisions? Everything we do in life is based upon our worldview.
A biblical worldview comes from understanding and believing the truth found in the Bible. As we vote according to a biblical worldview, our government will govern with more of a biblical worldview.
This morning I’ve entitled the message, “Defending Life in a Culture of Death.”
The Bible tells us that nothing is new under the sun. Although in our day knowledge has increased, as the Bible prophesied, the underlying nature of human beings has not changed. In ancient times, the people of Israel and the surrounding nations promoted the horrific practice of child sacrifice. These sacrifices were often made to demon idols like Molech and were utterly detestable in the sight of God.
Leviticus 18:21 (ESV): "You shall not give any of your children to offer them to Molech, and so profane the name of your God: I am the LORD."
The idol Molech was represented as a large, hollow bronze statue with the head of a bull and outstretched arms. The statue would be heated by fire, turning it into a glowing, fiery idol. The child sacrifice would be placed on the burning arms of the idol or inside the hollow part, where they would be consumed by the flames. Drums or loud instruments would be played during the sacrifice to drown out the cries of the child.
Deuteronomy 12:31 (ESV): "You shall not worship the LORD your God in that way, for every abominable thing that the LORD hates they have done for their gods, for they even burn their sons and their daughters in the fire to their gods."
Why did people sacrifice their children to idols back then? Simply because they thought the idol would give them something they wanted, something that was more important than the life of their child.
That is the same motivation for those who support abortion today. God hates murder, especially the murder of innocent children in abortion, and so must we.
One of the most common lies propagated by today’s culture is that abortion is simply about a woman’s right to control her own body. This claim overlooks a critical truth: the unborn child is not part of the mother’s body, but a separate, unique life with its own DNA.
God is the author of all life, of every human being, and we do not have the right to take innocent life. In today’s message, we will explore the biblical foundation for the sanctity of life and the call to protect life from conception to natural death.
As believers, we have the responsibility to stand against a culture of death that treats life as expendable.
Acknowledge Life as God’s Design
God Forms Life in the Womb
Psalm 139:13–14 (ESV): "For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well."
God is intimately involved in the creation of life from the point of conception. Recognizing this truth is foundational to valuing life at every stage.
We know scientifically today that when conception occurs, the complete, unique DNA for God’s creation of a new human being is complete.
Jeremiah 1:5 (ESV): "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations."
What an amazing verse and truth. You and I and every human being are created in the mind of God before conception even occurs. God’s plan for every person’s life was put into place in the mind of God before they are born.
God’s foreknowledge and purpose extend to the unborn, confirming that life is sacred from the point of conception. Each person is created with a God-given calling, and their life is precious in His eyes.
Job 10:11–12 (ESV): "You clothed me with skin and flesh, and knit me together with bones and sinews. You have granted me life and steadfast love, and your care has preserved my spirit."
God not only forms life but also preserves it with love and care. Every human life is sustained by His grace, underscoring the sanctity of life. We must acknowledge life as God’s design.
Application
One of the biggest lies of our culture is that life is only valuable if it is wanted or convenient. This falsehood leads many to believe that abortion is acceptable when a pregnancy is unplanned or challenging. However, the Bible teaches that every life, no matter the circumstances, is created by God and worthy of protection.
We must reject the idea that some lives are less valuable. Instead, we should support policies and leaders that affirm God’s design for life. We should look for practical ways to promote life-affirming alternatives to abortion and offer help to mothers in need. Acknowledge life as God’s design.
Value Life at Every Stage
God’s Word affirms the dignity of life from conception to death. As believers, we are called to uphold the value of life at all stages—whether in the womb or nearing the end of life. Life is precious in God’s sight.
Psalm 139:15–16 (ESV): "My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them."
Another amazing passage about the unborn. God sees and knows each life even before birth, and He has a plan for every person’s days.
Genesis 1:27 (ESV): "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them."
Human life is unique because we, not animals, are made in the image of God. This truth compels us to honor life. We must see it as a reflection of God’s own nature. God calls us to reject anything that devalues human dignity and life.
If we are to value life, what is our responsibility?
Proverbs 24:11–12 (ESV): "Rescue those who are being taken away to death; hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter. If you say, 'Behold, we did not know this,' does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who keeps watch over your soul know it, and will he not repay man according to his work?"
God commands us to intervene on behalf of those being led to death through abortion, and there is no excuse for inaction. Defending the unborn and vulnerable is not only a moral duty but a command to align with God’s heart.
Application
Many argue that abortion is necessary because some children would be born into difficult circumstances or suffering. Yet, the Bible affirms that all people bear the image of God, regardless of their circumstances. No matter how difficult a situation, life is always worthy of protecting.
As Christians, we must reject the idea that abortion is a solution to hardship. We can offer support to mothers and families, provide for their needs, and defend the sanctity of life at every stage.
Reject the Culture of Death
In a world that often promotes death as a solution—whether through abortion or euthanasia—believers are called to reject this culture and advocate for life as God defines it. Every child is a blessing, not a burden, both to the parents and to the world.
Deuteronomy 30:19 (ESV): "I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live,"
God’s people are given a choice between life and death. And in case we do not know which option to choose, God commands us to choose life.
Choosing life for ourselves and others honors God and leads to blessing. Choosing death and a culture of death brings the judgment of God and destruction. We are called to actively promote life in our personal and public decisions.
Isaiah 5:20 (ESV): "Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!"
We must reject the deception of the culture. The world often twists moral truths and presents abortion and other forms of devaluing life as acceptable. Believers must stand firm against these lies and advocate for the truth that life is sacred.
We must live as a light in a dark world.
Matthew 5:14–16 (ESV): "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."
We as Christians are called to be a light in a culture that devalues life. By living out our convictions and standing for life, we reflect God’s glory and point others to Him.
The temptation is for us to not speak out, to hide our light lest we be persecuted. But God calls us to stand out against the culture of death and promote life. We are to promote the sanctity of all human life and point others to eternal life. We must choose to reject the culture of death.
Application
The culture of death promotes abortion as a means to solve problems—whether for convenience, finances, or career plans. But God calls us to choose life in all situations. We must actively resist this culture and promote the value of life through our actions, conversations, and political engagement.
Some say that there are many issues to consider when deciding how to vote. While there are many issues to consider, God’s Word clearly defines the sanctity of life as the primary and most important issue.
Abortion is the premeditated murder of an innocent baby, which is the greatest evil. We are called to support the party and candidates that are champions for life. Parties and candidates that are right on the sanctity of life issue always have a more biblical worldview on the other issues than those who espouse a culture of death.
Living as a light in the world, we reflect the heart of God for all human life.
Conclusion
In this nation, we face what I believe is the most consequential election in the history of America. If this election goes the wrong way, the culture of death will increase, not decrease. Many other aspects of a biblical worldview will be diminished or eliminated.
Vote in such a way to defend life in a culture of death.
As believers in Missouri, we also stand at a critical moment. In the coming election, there is a ballot issue that seeks to overturn our state’s current protection for the unborn. Missouri was the first state to ban all abortion following the overturning of Roe v. Wade.
Please vote NO on Amendment 3, which will overturn all legislation against abortion in our state. It will enshrine the right to abortion into our Missouri constitution and prevent any changes. It will allow abortion for any reason up to birth. The language of the amendment is very deceiving.
The amendment will remove Missouri’s ban on abortion. Other statements will nullify every attempt to regulate or ban abortion. The amendment misleadingly says it will "allow abortion to be restricted or banned after fetal viability except to protect the life or health of the woman."
The key phrase here is "except to protect the health of the woman." The health of the woman can mean anything—stress, lack of finances, any reason. So even after the baby is viable to be born, it can be aborted for any reason the mother gives.
But let’s end with some good news.
The good news of Jesus is that any person who has supported abortion, or any woman (42 million) who has had an abortion, can repent and be forgiven. God calls us to defend life in a culture of death.
