Sanctity of Human Life Month Churches continues to recognize the third Sunday in January as Sanctity of Human Life Sunday. In 2022, that date falls on January 16, although some churches will mark it on the 23rd because it's closer to the anniversary. Either day is fine. On Sanctity of Human Life Sunday, churches throughout the United States celebrate God's gift of life, commemorate the lives lost to abortion, and commit to protecting human life at every stage. Sanctity of Human Life Sunday has been declared by several of our nations Presidents who opposed abortion. It is typically proclaimed on or near the anniversary of the Supreme Court's decision in Roe v. Wade. On this Sunday, churches celebrate God's gift of life, commemorate the lives lost to abortion, and commit to protecting human life at every stage. Ronald Reagan issued a presidential proclamation on January 13, 1984, designating Sunday, January 22, 1984 as National Sanctity of Human Life Day, noting that it was the 11th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, in which the Supreme Court issued a ruling that guaranteed women access to abortion. The Supreme Court is even now giving consideration to strike down Roe v. Wade as the law of the land. Why should I participate in Sanctity of human life month? For a lot of us, the first of the year means new resolutions and confronting the challenges that we face in the coming year. But it’s also the time of year that many churches emphasize and take intentional and proactive steps to support Sanctity of Human Life Sunday. The life of the church is built on rhythms, and at times, it’s easy to dismiss these annual designated Sundays as routine or unimportant. Like it or not, you and I are Watchman on the Wall. (Ezekiel 3:17-19) When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. (vs. 19) Maybe you’re a weary warrior in the pro-life cause, or maybe you haven’t given it much thought. Either way, on the Sunday that your church celebrates and honors the sanctity of human life, here are three things to remember.
1. You are fighting for life Satan hates babies. Every newborn cry in the hospital’s maternity wing is a reminder to him of the Genesis 3:15 promise that God would raise up an offspring of the woman who would crush his head. This means that the sanctity of life is not primarily about the culture war; it’s about spiritual warfare. When you deliver a pro-life sermon, it’s a proclamation that we follow a Father who not only offers us eternal life, but also cares for every life on earth. Our children, the most helpless and vulnerable members of our society, are dying. And as difficult as that is to hear, it’s true. But your efforts make a difference. On Sanctity of Human Life Sunday, churches across America gather and pray that we’ll soon see the day when Roe v. Wade is overturned and elective abortion is no longer legal. But our efforts don’t end there. Christians can help by volunteering at crisis pregnancy centers, serving as foster parents, becoming the parents of orphans through adoption.
2. You are recognizing human dignity Every person is made in the image of God. Sanctity of Life Sunday enables us to remember that everyone deserves to be treated with dignity. God sent his Son to die for people. This means that people matterSanctity of Human Life Month Churches continue to recognize the third Sunday in January as Sanctity of Human Life Sunday. In 2022, that date falls on January 16, although some churches will mark it on the 23rd because it's closer to the anniversary. Either day is fine. On Sanctity of Human Life Sunday, churches throughout the United States celebrate God's gift of life, commemorate the lives lost to abortion, and commit to protecting human life at every stage. Sanctity of Human Life Sunday has been declared by several of our nations Presidents who opposed abortion. It is typically proclaimed on or near the anniversary of the Supreme Court's decision in Roe v. Wade. On this Sunday, churches celebrate God's gift of life, commemorate the lives lost to abortion, and commit to protecting human life at every stage. Ronald Reagan issued a presidential proclamation on January 13, 1984, designating Sunday, January 22, 1984 as National Sanctity of Human Life Day, noting that it was the 11th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, in which the Supreme Court issued a ruling that guaranteed women access to abortion. The Supreme Court is even now giving consideration to strike down Roe v. Wade as the law of the land. Why should I participate in Sanctity of human life month? For a lot of us, the first of the year means new resolutions and confronting the challenges that we face in the coming year. But it’s also the time of year that many churches emphasize and take intentional and proactive steps to support Sanctity of Human Life Sunday. The life of the church is built on rhythms, and at times, it’s easy to dismiss these annual designated Sundays as routine or unimportant. Like it or not, you and I are Watchman on the Wall. (Ezekiel 3:17-19) When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. (vs. 19) Maybe you’re a weary warrior in the pro-life cause, or maybe you haven’t given it much thought. Either way, on the Sunday that your church celebrates and honors the sanctity of human life, here are three things to remember. 1. You are fighting for life Satan hates babies. Every newborn cry in the hospital’s maternity wing is a reminder to him of the Genesis 3:15 promise that God would raise up an offspring of the woman who would crush his head. This means that the sanctity of life is not primarily about the culture war; it’s about spiritual warfare. When you deliver a pro-life sermon, it’s a proclamation that we follow a Father who not only offers us eternal life, but also cares for every life on earth. Our children, the most helpless and vulnerable members of our society, are dying. And as difficult as that is to hear, it’s true. But your efforts make a difference. On Sanctity of Human Life Sunday, churches across America gather and pray that we’ll soon see the day when Roe v. Wade is overturned and elective abortion is no longer legal. But our efforts don’t end there. Christians can help by volunteering at crisis pregnancy centers, serving as foster parents, becoming the parents of orphans through adoption. 2. You are recognizing human dignity Every person is made in the image of God. Sanctity of Life Sunday enables us to remember that everyone deserves to be treated with dignity. God sent his Son to die for people. This means that people matter. As you open the scriptures, prepare your heart to be stirred by the Spirit. Come ready to be reminded that life comes from the Creator. Sanctity of Life Sunday should draw us to a holistic pro-life approach. Yes, we will relentlessly pursue the protection of women and children through the end of abortion. But that’s the beginning of what it means to be pro-life, not the end. We must also exemplify a pro-life perspective that cares for others made in the image of God who face marginalization—from orphans and trafficked individuals to immigrants and those with special needs. Sanctity of Life Sunday reminds us everyone is worthy of dignity in the eyes of God. 3. You are fulfilling the mission Sanctity of Life Sunday is not a distraction from the mission of the church. Instead, the New Testament calls the church to be a people who manifest the kingdom through our words and works. We long for the redemption of hearts and the restoration of communities. When the church cares for widows, orphans and the vulnerable, it’s following the way of Christ for the sake of our culture. Pro-life ministries often create opportunities to fulfill the Great Commission. Countless women have come to saving faith in Christ through counseling from pregnancy resource centers. Who knows how many babies that were spared from abortion have now come to know Christ and are themselves carrying the gospel to their next door neighbor or to the ends of the earth. Sanctity of Life Sunday also reminds us of the shame of sin—not just of a woman who has had an abortion or a man who has enabled it, but for each person there on Sunday morning. Each of us has fallen short of the glory of God and are in need of redemption. As you gather with your church to proclaim, fellowship, sing, listen, give and pray on Sanctity of Human Life Sunday, remember that you’re participating in a major effort to see the image of God honored in our world. Don’t let it pass you by or be routine. Instead, prepare your heart, lift your voice, engage your mind and resolve to make the pro-life cause something that matters all year long. Recognizing the dignity of every person and fighting for their right to live is one of the greatest ways that you can honor God with your life and one of the greatest needs in our world. Support materials on this special emphasis day are available from the SJRBA office, the Florida Baptist Convention, The Southern Baptist Convention, Lifeway, and the Ethics and Religious Liberties Commission to name only a few, Please call me if I can be of help. God bless Roger Phillips Beulah Baptist Church. As you open the scriptures, prepare your heart to be stirred by the Spirit. Come ready to be reminded that life comes from the Creator. Sanctity of Life Sunday should draw us to a holistic pro-life approach. Yes, we will relentlessly pursue the protection of women and children through the end of abortion. But that’s the beginning of what it means to be pro-life, not the end. We must also exemplify a pro-life perspective that cares for others made in the image of God who face marginalization—from orphans and trafficked individuals to immigrants and those with special needs. Sanctity of Life Sunday reminds us everyone is worthy of dignity in the eyes of God. 3. You are fulfilling the mission Sanctity of Life Sunday is not a distraction from the mission of the church. Instead, the New Testament calls the church to be a people who manifest the kingdom through our words and works. We long for the redemption of hearts and the restoration of communities. When the church cares for widows, orphans and the vulnerable, it’s following the way of Christ for the sake of our culture. Pro-life ministries often create opportunities to fulfill the Great Commission. Countless women have come to saving faith in Christ through counseling from pregnancy resource centers. Who knows how many babies that were spared from abortion have now come to know Christ and are themselves carrying the gospel to their next door neighbor or to the ends of the earth. Sanctity of Life Sunday also reminds us of the shame of sin—not just of a woman who has had an abortion or a man who has enabled it, but for each person there on Sunday morning. Each of us has fallen short of the glory of God and are in need of redemption. As you gather with your church to proclaim, fellowship, sing, listen, give and pray on Sanctity of Human Life Sunday, remember that you’re participating in a major effort to see the image of God honored in our world. Don’t let it pass you by or be routine. Instead, prepare your heart, lift your voice, engage your mind and resolve to make the pro-life cause something that matters all year long. Recognizing the dignity of every person and fighting for their right to live is one of the greatest ways that you can honor God with your life and one of the greatest needs in our world. Support materials on this special emphasis day are available from the SJRBA office, the Florida Baptist Convention, The Southern Baptist Convention, Lifeway, and the Ethics and Religious Liberties Commission to name only a few, Please call me if I can be of help.
God bless
Roger Phillips
Beulah Baptist Church