I Brought You Into This World; I'll Take You Out

Sermon for 12/7/2003

Psalm 22:9-10

I Brought You into This World, I’ll Take You Out

Introduction:

It is a miracle of God that we are all here; we have lived to this point.

When we think about conception, many embryos just pass out of the uterus. 3/4th of all fertilized eggs are lost.

When we think about those cells that actually do attach to the uterine wall, there are many things that could go wrong and many never see birth.

There can be a miscarriage. If the mother does not take care of herself. Drugs, heavy smoking, other physical problems like diabetes or older age.

Many times it is because the fetus has a serious problem. Genes and Chromosomes are messed up. Infections, thyroid problems, uterine abnormalities, or unexplained production of antibodies can cause miscarriages.

If the mother does not want the baby, she can have an abortion.

Thankful that we live in the US, we have proper prenatal care. Many countries do not have this.

Any delivery before 20 weeks will not survive. After 20 weeks, any premature baby is at great risk.

When it comes time for delivery, several things can happen. The baby seems to be doing great but is stillborn. The cord can get wrapped around the head. The heart cannot take the stress. The lungs do not develop. The mother can have serious physical problems with the strain of delivery. No doctor present and so complications with breach babies or transverse babies that have difficulty.

When we are born, a little baby is defenseless. Might be born with AIDS and so get a sickness and die easily.

Not properly vaccinated. Can have polo, whooping cough, diphtheria, hepatitis, pneumonia, small pox.

Can have other common things that lead to death. Ear infections, Chickenpox, flu, dysentery, the common cold.

Have a birth defect and die.

In third world countries, starvation leads to deaths. Diseases in the water.

Child abuse, exposure, violence.

Even in developed countries, babies still die. SIDS

Toddlers get into poisons, into situations that are deadly, pool out back, etc. Choking, etc.

The chances of survival to the 4th birthday worldwide are against us. More do not make it from conception to the 4th birthday than do.

WBTU:

A. Discussion of Psalm 22:9-10.

1. This psalm was penned by David. This is not about David, it is about the Messiah.

2. It reminds me of Isaiah 53.

3. These words and thoughts come straight out of the mouth or mind of Christ while he is on the cross. It is a song about his death. It describes the scene in great detail.

4. The gospel writers make frequent mention of it in all 4 gospels. Many parallels.

5. Jesus looks down from the cross. He sees not only the eyes of hate, but He sees eyes of love. He sees His mother with John the future apostle down there.

6. (John 19:26 NIV) When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, "Dear woman, here is your son,"(John 19:27 NIV) and to the disciple, "Here is your mother." From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.

7. As Jesus looks at her, we have in these two verses the thoughts that were on his heart. He went back to his birth.

B. Details of the Christmas story.

1. Angel Gabriel appears to Mary.

2. He appears to Joseph

3. There is a census of the world so Mary and Joseph go to Bethlehem from Nazareth.

4. Mary is forced to give birth in a barn, stable in Bethlehem. The issues from conception to delivery. The uncleanness of the barn.

5. Angels sang, shepherds came.

6. He survived his birth and then wise men came from the East. Herod the Great slaughtered all of the babies in Bethlehem from 2 years old and younger. God had protected him from all of the complications in the womb and all the sicknesses (I am sure that he did get sick. Suffered in every way that we have suffered.) and now the Lord has protected him from the violence.

7. Trip to Egypt. Survived the entire rigor of travel.

8. When Herod died, they went to Nazareth. Another journey.

9. Jesus could truly say, “(Psa 139:13 NIV) For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.(Psa 139:14 NIV) I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

10. (Isa 46:3 NIV) "Listen to me, O house of Jacob, all you who remain of the house of Israel, you whom I have upheld since you were conceived, and have carried since your birth.(Isa 46:4 NIV) Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.