I Don’t Want To Talk About This – Part 2

Reviewing Our Key Concepts

The first person to consider in a decision about pregnancy is not the child, nor is it the mother, nor is it the father.

The first person to consider in a decision about pregnancy is Jesus.

Matthew 6:33 (ESV): 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Once we defer to Jesus, everything else about the decision-making process is clearer.

Key Questions:

• Do you trust Jesus?
  • “All truth is confrontational” –Dr. A.R. Bernard
• Can you handle the truth?
  • Jesus is Lord.

The Question of Lordship

• Abortion raises a lordship question.

Three Types of Ownership

• Linguistic identification
• Economic and political exchange
• Rulership (Lordship)

• 1 Corinthians 6:19–20 (ESV) – ¹⁹ Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, ²⁰ for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.
• 2 Corinthians 5:10 (ESV) – ¹⁰ For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil. 

Million Dollar Question

Why do you call Jesus Lord?

• Luke 6:46 (ESV) – ⁴⁶ “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?
  • The implication of lordship is that you submit to the will of the one you call lord.
• 1 Corinthians 10:23 (ESV) – ²³ “All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up.

If You Don’t Know, Ask

• Psalm 139:23-24 (ESV) – ²³ Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! ²⁴ And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!

The Lordship of Christ is an Anchor, Not a Weight

Giving deference to Jesus is not a matter of the law, but a matter of the heart.

• • Do your due diligence to seek His will.
  • Before you know what He thinks, prepare your heart for obedience.
  • Do what He says, even if you don’t want to.
• We can take joy in our submission to Christ because we are resourced out of Christ’s human submission to the Father.
  • Hebrews 4:15–16 (ESV) – ¹⁵ For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. ¹⁶ Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

© Joshua D. Smith, Ph.D., 2022