Power Point Show
Scripture Reading: 1 Peter 3:13-17
"Don't Shame People"
(Note on a Napkin)
Intro.
1. My wife has a bumper sticker: “Adoption, not abortion.”
2. She had a note written on a napkin and placed on her windshield chiding her for this message. The note said,
"Don't shame
people! If you were raped by your father and became pregnant, you would NOT
want to bring that child into this world.
Not to mention, it would have birth defects and a lot of
problems. Be kind! Be understanding! Be a better person!"
3. The note exemplifies the misguided rebukes and resistance faced by Christians in a secular society.
4. Worldly people will try to silence Christians through intimidation, misrepresentation, even violence, 1 Pet. 3:13-17; 4:4.
5. Given the chance, how would you reply to this note? We probably have chances to reply to similar comments; are we replying with God’s truth?
I. FIRST: WHO SHOULD BE ASHAMED?
A. Sinners (for our sins), Gen. 3:9-11; Ps. 51:3-4 (69:5).
1. Means defining and acknowledging our sin, Rom. 3:23 (1 John 3:4; James 4:17).
2. Secular society rejects the reality of sin because they reject God. Reasons and results of ignoring sin, Rom. 1:18-32.
a. Reason: Reject the truth of God’s power and deity (1:20, 25).
b. Result: Refuse to honor God and be thankful (1:21).
c. Result: Profess wisdom—becomes fools and create own gods (1:22-23).
d. Results: Evil minds…evil lives (1:24, 26-27, 28-32).
II. APPLICATIONS FOR US.
A. Abortion: The Taking of Innocent Life.
1. New life in the womb, Ps. 139:13-16.
2. Life taken when unborn child is killed, Exod. 21:22-23.
3. Unborn is innocent of sins of parent (John 9:1-3).
B. Homosexuality | Transgenderism | Fornication (1 John 2:16).
1. Homosexuality, Rom. 1:24, 26-27 (unnatural); Jude 7 (strange).
2. Transgenderism, Gen. 1:26-27.
3. Fornication (common as food), cf. 1 Cor. 6:13 (14-20).
4. Accused of “hate speech” and being judgmental (not loving).
5. We are expected to believe lies and accept it as the truth, Prov. 23:23.
C. Diversity Equity Inclusion (the so-called “woke” culture).
1. Yet, they would not include Christians!
2. The gospel does not look on the outward person, but the inward, Gal. 3:27-28 (1 Sam. 16:7).
III. THE CARNAL TACTICS OF ERROR AND SIN (run to extremes), 2 Cor. 10:3-4.
A. The Straw Man.
1. Either you condone incest or you must believe in abortion!
2. No, both are detestable.
3. Almost 2.9 million women have experienced rape-related pregnancy in their lifetime. (Not enough data on family member rapes to offer a reliable estimate.) (National Sexual Violence Research Center)
B. Scare Tactics.
1. “Birth defects and a lot of problems.” (“No one wants these kids” is false: Many want special needs children!)
2. The unknown offered to justify what is known: Abortion extinguishes new, unique human life! Rom. 13:9
C. Accuse You of the Very Thing They’re Guilty Of, 1 Kings 18:17-18.
1. Judge you for “shaming people” as they attempt to shame you.
2. You’re not kind and understanding as they are being unkind and refuse to understand you.
3. You’re not a “better person” unless you accept abortion!
D. Failure to Take Personal Responsibility.
1. “God’s ways are not fair!” Ezek. 18:29, 30
2. Parable of the sour grapes, Ezek. 18:2 (Jer. 31:28-30).
3. Social justice warriors, pro-choice (pro-death), DEI, etc. – Want to blame someone else for the consequences of their actions, 2 Cor. 5:10; Rom. 2:5-6.
IV. WHAT SHALL WE DO? SPEAK THE TRUTH IN LOVE, Eph. 4:15.
A. These Love Pleasure (self) Rather than God, 2 Tim. 3:1-2, 4.
B. We Must Love Jesus, His Truth, and Lost Souls, John 14:15; Ps. 119:97; Acts 8:4.
Conclusion
1. Living for Jesus will produce opposition (2 Tim. 3:12).
2. Fight the good fight of faith/lay hold of eternal life (1 Tim. 6:12).
By: Joe R. Price
Posted November 30, 2023