Sermon Notes PDF “Do this so that innocent blood will not be shed in your land, which the LORD your God is giving you as your inheritance, and so that you will not be guilty of bloodshed.” (Deut. 19:10) The Pinnacle of Creation, Crowned with Glory and Honor Unlike the rest of creation, God created mankind in His (Genesis 1:26). God placed us [humans] a little lower than heavenly beings and has crowned us with glory and honor (Psalm 8:5). By doing so, God assigned humanity intrinsic value that is to be honored by all, at all times. Human value, your value, is not tied to your usefulness to society, beauty or outward appearance, or performance athletically or intellectually. Your value does not depreciate over time but is tied directly to God’s view of humanity, as of his created order. Do you value human life as God values it? The Protection of Human Life (Deut. 19:1-21:9) 19:1-10. Cities of Refuge. These six Levitical cities (three on the west side of the Jordan and later three on the east side) provided asylum for perpetrators of unintentional manslaughter. Here, God’s priests protected many innocent lives from being taken by avengers of blood, family members who would have avenged the death of their fallen relative. 19:11-13. Murder as a Capital Offense. It is no small thing to take the life of an image-bearing human being, the pinnacle of God’s creation. “Whoever sheds human blood, by humans shall their blood be shed; for in the image of God has God made mankind.” (Genesis 9:6) Note: With this command, God defends His impressed upon humanity. 19:15-21. Honest Witness in Court. The courts are established by God to exact justice against the guilty. By establishing the necessity of multiple witnesses, God protects human life from malicious and deceitful witnesses in court. 20:10-11. Peace Before War. God commands his people to offer peace to distant cities before engaging in battle. This offer of peace preserves human life and is a type of the peace God offers to humanity today; God has extended a peace offering to us through , the Son. For those who refuse the offer of peace, certain ruin awaits. 20:16-18. Expelling Detestable Practices. Israel is commanded to dispossess the nations in closest proximity to her for the “detestable things they do in worshipping their gods.” Such practices include the mutilation of human flesh, orgies with temple prostitutes, and the sacrificing of babies. By dispossessing these nations, God sends a message to all others: A clock is ticking on all who the one true God and human life. 21:1-9. Accepting Animal Atonement. In the case of an unsolved murder, the elders and priests are to sacrifice a heifer to atone for the guilt of the crime. God accepts these offerings only temporarily until the true atoning sacrifice could be made - the death of Jesus Christ on the cross. Honoring the Value of Human Life Mass shootings, abortion, sex trafficking, and neglect of the elderly are clear indicators that, for many, life has become a cheap commodity. The church has been tasked with honoring the value of human life, even going so far as to value others above ourselves (Phil. 2:3). Do you value human life as God values it? Advocate for the . “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” (Psalm 139:13-14) God still has a plan for the . “My mission: To tell whoever will hear that every child is a thought of God.” – Melissa Ohden Honor the . “Stand up in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God. I am the Lord. (Leviticus 19:32) Unlike your car, human life does not over time. God has crowned the elderly with glory, it is your duty to respect the crown. Defend the . “But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people." (Ephesians 5:3) Every view of sexually explicit content is a to devalue human life. “Any and every time we indulge in pornography, we deny the precious gospel truth that every man and woman possesses inherent , not to be solicited and sold for sex, but to be valued and treasured as excellent in the eyes of God.” - David Platt Boycott pornography and encourage others to join you. Love your . “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” (Luke 6:27-28) Jesus never contradicts the law, rather he completes it by revealing the highest forms of love. The ultimate test in whether you value image-bearing humanity, is how you treat those who you. Your notes: