Abortion: Hope for the Hurting
The sermon emphasizes the importance of truth and conviction in the church, and how it can lead to hope and healing for those struggling with abortion and other issues.
This sermon delves into the deep pain and regret of a past abortion decision, exploring the haunting questions of what could have been and the constant reminder of failure. It reflects on the decline of churches losing their true purpose and message, emphasizing the need for truth to rebuild and transform. The call is made for pastors to uphold boldness and conviction in sharing the uncompromised truth of the Gospel, leading to freedom and restoration.
Full Transcript
Approximately 23 years ago, I conceded to my girlfriend's request to abort our child around the 5th week of conception. Even as a pastor, the pain of that decision still haunts me today. What would they look like? Was it a boy? Was it a girl? I can picture walking and talking with my child, watching his or her first steps.
But these are just dreams in my mind, dreams that often leave me heartbroken. Regret is one of the hardest pains to deal with, because it's a constant reminder that we failed God, others, and the child that we aborted. Here we are at a church that was once beaming with life.
The truth was preached, lives were changed, marriages were restored, but somewhere along the way, they lost their way. And not unlike many churches today, the beacon of light has faded, the salt has lost its savor. And we've edited down the message of the cross so that it no longer offends.
And I'm wondering, have we stopped to consider that we may have offended God? To be desperate for more of God starts here, it starts with truth. Truth rebuilds, truth transforms, and it is the truth that will set you free. One of my great concerns is for the pulpits of America.
Many are exchanging truth for tolerance, boldness for balance, and conviction for cowardliness. Pastors, make no mistake about it, we are not called to make the truth tolerable, but to make it clear. This is how we can truly set people free, and this is how the church can once again thrive and flourish, and be a place of hope and healing.
If you can relate to my story, understand that Jesus Christ is the only answer, the only source of hope and true peace. Allow brokenness and pain to draw you to him. Abortion is not the unpardonable sin, rejecting Christ is.
Acts 3.19 says that if you repent and you turn to God that you will experience times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord.
Sermon Outline
- The Pain of Abortion
- The Church's Failure
- The Call to Repentance
- Turning to God for Hope and Peace
- Experiencing Refreshing from God's Presence
Key Quotes
“Regret is one of the hardest pains to deal with, because it's a constant reminder that we failed God, others, and the child that we aborted.” — Shane Idleman
“To be desperate for more of God starts here, it starts with truth.” — Shane Idleman
“Pastors, make no mistake about it, we are not called to make the truth tolerable, but to make it clear.” — Shane Idleman
Application Points
- We must be willing to confront the pain and regret of our past decisions, such as abortion, and turn to God for hope and healing.
- The church must prioritize truth and conviction over tolerance and balance, in order to truly set people free and thrive.
- Repentance and turning to God can lead to refreshing from His presence and a deeper relationship with Him.