A People of Life in a Culture of Death
FOCUS TEXTS: Exodus 20:13, Proverbs 31:8–9, Ephesians 2:14–17, Romans 12:17–21
Over the last few Sundays at Anchor Church, we’ve been sitting with one command from God: “You shall not murder.” And what we’ve discovered is that this commandment is so much more than a line we shouldn’t cross—it’s an invitation to become a people who reflect the Author of Life in a world marked by death, division, and despair. Last week, we began laying the foundation:
TRUTH #1: Scripture Calls Us to Value Life from Womb to Tomb — God’s command is more than a prohibition—it’s a declaration that all life is sacred because every person is made in His image. To obey this command means treasuring every life: unborn and aging, immigrant and orphan, struggling and unseen. This is not political language—it’s Gospel-shaped discipleship. It’s the way of Jesus.
TRUTH #2: God Calls His People to Confront Systems That Devalue Life — Life isn’t only stolen by individuals—it’s crushed by unjust systems and cultural norms. We named racial injustice, generational poverty, predatory practices, and broken policies not to stir outrage, but to remind the church: silence is not an option. We are ambassadors of reconciliation, and we must ask how the Gospel calls us to bear witness in the face of suffering.
This week, we picked up where we left off—calling the Church to consider our vision, God’s plans for us in this place, at this time.
TRUTH #3: The Church Is a Sanctuary of Life in a Culture of Death — Proverbs 31:8–9 calls us to “open our mouths for the mute… defend the rights of the poor and needy.” And that’s not just a job for a few—it’s the identity of God’s people. The local church is meant to be a refuge. A light. A sanctuary. A place where the dignity of the image-bearer is upheld in word and deed. Where the vulnerable are seen and valued. Where burdens are carried and lives are restored—not by our cleverness, but by the presence and power of Christ among us.
TRUTH #4: We Are Ambassadors of Reconciliation in a World of Retaliation — In a culture soaked in hostility and vengeance, we are called to carry the peace of Jesus. Romans 12 says: “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all… Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” That’s not passivity. That’s Spirit-empowered resistance against the patterns of this world. Jesus broke down the dividing wall of hostility. And now, as His people, we carry a ministry of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5). That includes our words, our posture, our presence, and our prayers.
We’re not here to imitate the division around us—we’re here to be led by the Spirit to reflect the Kingdom. As we close this now four-week journey through the Sixth Commandment, we’re not launching a strategy. We’re lifting our eyes. Before we move, we must kneel. So Anchor Church—let this be our posture: humble, hungry, Spirit-ready. Let’s pray for vision. Let’s pray for unity. Let’s pray for clarity. Let’s pray for courage.
QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER:
• Where is the Spirit inviting me to pray—not just to act?
• What needs to shift in my posture before God?
• How is God calling our church to reflect His heart for life?
• Am I willing to be led, even if it’s slower or costlier than I expected?
PRAYER RESPONSE: Lord, we want to be the kind of church that reflects Your heart. Not just in what we believe—but in how we live, how we love, how we lead, and how we speak. But we confess—we need You to lead us. We don’t want to rush ahead or lag behind. So would You speak? Clarify the vision. Unify our hearts. And form us into a people of life in a culture of death. In Jesus’ name—Amen
MEMORY VERSE: “Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute. Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy.” — Proverbs 31:8–9 (ESV)
