The Sanctity of Life, the Holiness of Marriage, and the Lordship of Christ

The Sanctity of Life, the Holiness of Marriage, and the Lordship of Christ
Colossians 1:15-18

1. The Sanctity of Life (Genesis 1:27; Psalm 139:13-16)
a. Human Life is Inherently Sacred (Gen 1:27)
- We are created “in His own image”
- We are NOT animals
“For a great thing truly is man, made after the image and similitude of God, not as respects the mortal body in which he is clothed, but as respects the rational soul by which he is exalted in honour above the beasts.” - Augustine
- What God has made us, not what we do
b. Human life is Intentionally Formed (Psalm 139:13-16)
- life is the intentional work of God. (Ps 139:13-15)
- life is already human in the womb
- life develops, but identity is persistent
c. Human life is Worthy of Protection (Genesis 9:6; )
- The Noahic Covenant protects human life
- God commands the defense of the voiceless
- Abortion is an ancient moral problem
- Abortion is more than a medical question
- Human worth is no for the State to assign
- Responsibility and grace must be taken together

>>>Human Life is Sacred by God’s Design & Must be Defended<<<

2. The Holiness of Marriage (Matthew 19:3-6)
a. Marriage is Rooted in the Created Order (Matt 19:3-4a)
- Christ’s grounds marriage in creation
- Marriage is given, not invented
- Marriage is foundational to human civilizational
- Government receives marriage, it does not define it
b. Marriage is Defined by Sexual Distinction & Union (Matt 19:4b-5)
- Christ grounds marriage in Male & Female
- Sexual distinction makes one flesh union possible
- God designed marriage to provide unique intimacy & companionship
c. Marriage is Established by God’s Authority (Matt 19:6)
- Christ’s answer ultimately places marriage under the authority of God
- Marriage therefore is not ours to redefine
- Civil Government has limited authority over marriage
d. Marriage Images Christ and the Church (Eph. 5:31-32)
- Marriage is Gospel picture
- Redefining marriage distorts the image

>>>Marriage is God’s Design to Display, Not our Construct to Redefine<<<

3. The Lordship of Christ (Colossians 1:15-18; Psalm 2:10-12)
a. The Lord of Life (Col. 1:16-17)
- Christ is Creator, not Creation
- Christ sustains all life
- Human Life belongs to Christ
- Christ’s Lordship extends to our politics
b. The Lord of the Nations (Psalm 2:10-12)
- Christ reigns over Rulers
- The State governs under Christ
- Political Questions can be moral questions
- Christian engagement must remain Christian
- Heed the King’s warnings
c. The Lord of Everything (Col. 1:18)
- Christ has no neutral territory
- Obedience is not extremism
- Christ’s Lordship is also an invitation

>>>Christ is Lord, live like it.<<<