Introduction

I. Many changes take place in our beings from conception to death.

II. We will not be able to cover all events until our death.

III. In our lesson today, we will consider changes from conception to the present.

Body

I. From the times of our individual conceptions to our births, many marvelous and "miraculous" changes took place.

A. The sperm and egg cells unite and immediately begin to divide.

1. From these two tiny cells all of the many different cells of our bodies are produced.

2. Some cells ultimately become nerves, skin, blood, muscles, bones and other tissues until "perfect" bodies are made complete.

B. If a full term has been completed at birth, we came into the world just as God had ordained.

C. Scripture tells of the Lord's recognition of this entire process as a "person."

1. The Lord made us and knew us from our conception. Psalm 139:11-16 (note vss. 13-15); Deut. 32:6; Job 10:8-11, 18-19; Isa. 44:2; 51:12-13; 64:8.

2. David knew that the Lord considered his problems and put his "tears in a bottle." Ps. 56:8.

II. We went through many changes from birth until we reached that time in our lives when we recognized we were sinners, and, at that time we should obey the Lord's teaching to be saved.

A. Through many years, we were innocent.

1. Jesus told the disciples to not forbid children's coming to Him "for to such belongeth the kingdom of God." Matt. 19:13-15.

2.Jesus said, "Except ye turn, and become as little children, ye shall in no wise enter into the kingdom of heaven." Matt 18:1-11. Note vs. 3.

B. At some time in our lives we begin to recognize our sins "for all have sinned." Rom. 3:23.

1. Paul dealt with this in Romans. Rom. 7:7-13.

2. As we grow, we learn what is right and wrong for us to do, and when we do those things contrary to the will of the Lord, we sin. 1 John 3:4.

3. As we reach this change in our lives, "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us." 1 John 1:6-2:3.

C. At this time we should have obeyed the Lord's teaching to be saved.

1. Young people may put off their obedience when they come to recognize they are sinners.

2. Jesus taught the apostles and prophets of the first century that sinners must believe in Him,

repent of sins, confess Jesus as Christ and be baptized (immersed) in water. Matt. 28:18-29; Mark 16:15-16; Luke 24:46-49; Rom. 10:9-10 (Acts 8:37).

a. How did the Ethiopian know this?

b. Because Philip had preached Jesus to him. Acts 8:34-35.

3. Remember from a recent lesson that Scriptural baptism is by the authority or "in the name of Jesus Christ" (Acts 2:38), for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38; 3:19) and into relationship with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit (Matt. 28:19).

4. This baptism is into the death of Christ and "pictures" a resurrection from the dead (spiritually) to a new life. Rom. 6:1-7; 2 Cor. 5:17.

5. This baptism is "into Christ," the means by which one may "put on Christ," and the way we become "sons of God" and "Abraham's seed (or offspring), and heirs according to promise." Gal. 3:26-29.

a. Remember that God promised that the world would be blessed through Abraham's seed or descendent and this descendent is Christ. (Gen. 12:1-3; Gal. 3:16.)

Life's Changes, Page 2.

III. During our maturing years, we must recognize what sin is and turn from it.

A. During the early years of maturing, children must obey their parents. Eph. 6:1-3; Col. 3:20; Prov. 1:8-9; 6:20-24; 23:22.

1. Children whose parents are getting older must be careful to "honor" their father and mother.

a. This means that they speak to them with respect and consideration. Prov. 23:22.

b. I am thankful that Janice and I had the opportunity to care for my mother as she was in her eighties and until her death at the age of ninety.

c. I am thankful that I showed my father-in-law respect in his late seventies, even though he had difficulties in several areas of life.

d. To honor one's parents means that their children care for their parents if they are unable to care for themselves.

2. As Paul wrote to Timothy, a young preacher about thirty years old, he recognized that this is a time when young adults face many temptations. 1 Tim. 4:6-16. (Note, especially, vs. 12.)

3. There is little doubt that youths are now faced with more avenues of temptation than in the lives of those in the first century and in the lives of those who are older.

4. Just think of those things that can now entice middle-school and high-school children to engage in sinful practices.

a. Examples include school dances, movies, pornography, television, music, swimming pools, water parks, illegal drugs, alcohol, wine, people crowded together in schools, many children with only one parent at home where girls have no fatherly love and boys may not learn to respect girls and women.

B. Fathers are taught to nurture their children. Eph. 6:4; Col. 3:21; Prov. 19:18; 22:6; 29:15-17.

C. In the adult years there are numerous sexual temptations: Jason had an excellent lesson on these and other issues on February 26.

1. Paul warned against fornication: illicit sexual relations with one not one's wife (or husband). 1 Cor. 6:9-11, 12-20.

D. Husbands and wives are to love one another and support one another.

1. Remember that Eve was made as a help meet (not help-mate), fit or suitable for Adam! Gen. 2:18-25.

2. Wives are to be in subjection to their own husbands (Eph. 5:22-24), but notice that all Christians are to be subjecting themselves to one another (Eph. 5:21).

3. The wife is to be a help to her husband, but she is not to be a slave for him!

4. Husbands are to love their wives just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself for it. Eph. 5:25-33.

Conclusion

I. Truly amazing changes take place from the time of conception to the time babies are born.

II. From birth to a time in life when we become personally responsible for our behaviors we go through a period of innocence but upon understanding right and wrong, we sin.

III. Children, parents, wives and husbands are taught how to relate to one another.

IV. As we came to recognize our sins, we should have obeyed the Lord's will for mankind. Mark 16:15-16; Acts 2:38; Rom. 6:3-4; Gal. 3:26-29; 2 Cor. 5:17; Rev. 2:10b.

V. We must recognize the terrible facts of sins and turn from them to be faithful to the Lord: remember that the Father gave His only Son as a sacrifice for us. John 10:17-18.

Prepared by:

David Arnold

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