The Principle, Peril, and Providence That Parliament Ignored

Date: SUN 11:30 AM 22nd June 2025
Preacher: Rev. David McLaughlin
Bible Reference: Job 33:4

The Spirit of God hath made me,
and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.

Detailed Summary of the Sermon

Text and Context: The sermon is based on Job 33:4, which reads, “The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life” (Authorised Version). The preacher uses this verse to frame a critique of recent legislative decisions in the UK Parliament, which he views as a profound moral and spiritual failure. The sermon is delivered with a sense of urgency, lamenting what the preacher perceives as a departure from the sanctity of human life and Christian values in British society. The message is structured around three key themes: the Principle, the Peril, and the Providence that Parliament has ignored.

Introduction: The sermon begins with a call to turn to Job 33, where Elihu, a younger friend of Job, speaks about God’s role in creating and sustaining human life. The preacher emphasizes the reliability of the Authorised Version of the Bible and sets the stage for a sermon titled “The Principle, the Peril, and the Providence that Parliament Forgot.” The focus is on two recent parliamentary votes:

Tuesday, June 17, 2025: A vote (379 to 137) to decriminalize self-managed abortion up to birth, which the preacher describes as protecting women from prosecution for aborting their babies at any stage of pregnancy.
Friday, June 20, 2025: A vote (314 to 291) in favor of Kim Leadbeater’s Assisted Suicide Bill, which the preacher sees as enabling the early death of vulnerable elderly people, devaluing palliative care.

These votes are characterized as a “wicked assault” on the sanctity of human life, marking one of the “most wicked weeks” in UK parliamentary history. The preacher contrasts this with Britain’s historical legacy of preserving life through figures like William Wilberforce (who fought to abolish the slave trade), William Carey (who opposed widow burning in India), and Florence Nightingale (who revolutionized nursing care).

Main Points:

The Principle that Politicians Ignored: The preacher argues that the majority of MPs ignored a threefold biblical principle rooted in Job 33:4:
- God as Creator and Source of Life: The verse emphasizes that the Spirit of God creates human life. The preacher cites Genesis 2:7, where God forms man from dust and breathes life into him, and Genesis 1:26, where humans are made in God’s image. He rejects evolutionary theories, insisting that human life originates from the Holy Spirit, the “Lord and Giver of Life” (Nicene Creed). MPs’ votes, he claims, deny this divine origin by treating life as disposable.
- God as Maintainer and Sustainer of Life: Human existence is sustained by God’s Spirit, as seen in Psalm 139:14 (“fearfully and wonderfully made”) and Job 26:13, 27:3, and 32:8. Every breath and step depends on God, and MPs’ decisions disregard this ongoing divine sustenance.
- God as Conveyor and Sanctifier of Life: The Holy Spirit not only gives life but presides over it, with the authority to withhold or withdraw it (Genesis 6:3). The preacher describes the Spirit’s cosmic role in sustaining all creation, from animals to stars, and argues that MPs ignored God’s sovereignty over life by legislating for abortion and assisted suicide.
The preacher stresses that these principles affirm the sanctity and dignity of human life, from conception to natural death, and accuses Parliament of rejecting this truth.
The Peril that Politicians Ignored: The sermon warns of dire consequences for ignoring these principles, invoking divine judgment. The preacher cites Job 33:13 (“God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not”) to argue that humanity, including MPs, fails to heed God’s warnings. He quotes Jeremiah 23:19-20, which speaks of God’s wrath against the wicked, and Romans 14:12, which states that everyone will give an account to God.The preacher frames the votes as violations of the Sixth Commandment (“Thou shalt not kill”) and accuses MPs of having “blood on their hands.” He argues that:
- Abortion: Since its legalization in 1967, 10 million babies have been aborted in the UK. The preacher vividly describes fetal development, from a single cell (zygote) containing all genetic information to a fully formed baby by 12 weeks, capable of feeling pain and smiling. He condemns abortion as murder, driven by convenience and cost-saving rather than compassion.
- Assisted Suicide: The preacher claims it’s not about dignity but about saving money for the National Health Service (NHS), citing Canada, where 5% of deaths are now assisted suicides. He calls the NHS a “National Death Service” and accuses MPs of treating the elderly and sick as disposable, like old furniture.
The preacher attributes these decisions to demonic influences, militant feminism, and the Fabian Society’s ideology, which he sees as promoting social engineering and control. He calls for Christians to oppose these practices by leaving churches that support them, praying for the removal of wicked leaders, and voting against politicians who backed these bills.
The Providence that Politicians Ignored: The preacher laments that Parliament has forsaken the UK’s 1,000-year Christian heritage, which he credits for inspiring figures like Wilberforce, Carey, and Nightingale. He connects this heritage to historical sacrifices, such as:
- The English Civil War, the defeat of the Spanish Armada (1588), and the Glorious Revolution (1688).
- World War II, where 383,700 service personnel and 67,200 civilians died to preserve freedom, celebrated on VE Day (May 8, 1945). The preacher recalls King George’s call to remember those who “never came back” and the liberation of 1,300 prisoners of war by Lancaster bombers.
MPs, he argues, ignored the “good news” of the gospel—that Christ died to save sinners (John 3:16)—and the sacrifices of forefathers who fought for liberty. The preacher calls for a return to “Bible-believing Christianity” and repentance, citing Ephesians 2:8-9 (salvation by grace through faith). He praises eight unionist MPs who voted against the bills, attributing their stance to their Christian heritage.

Call to Action: The preacher concludes with a fervent call to action:

Prayer and Repentance: Christians must pray for national repentance and the defeat of wicked leaders, seeking God’s healing for the land (2 Chronicles 7:14).
Opposition to Evil: Believers should rebuke evil, stand for God’s honor, and reject politicians and churches that support abortion and assisted suicide.
Return to Christian Heritage: The UK must rediscover its “old paths” of biblical truth and righteousness, as sin is a “reproach to any people” (Proverbs 14:34), but “righteousness exalteth a nation.”

The sermon ends with a plea for godly men and women to rise up and restore the nation, emphasizing that only a return to God can reverse the moral decline exemplified by Parliament’s actions.

Tone and Style: The sermon is delivered with intense conviction, blending biblical exposition, historical references, and contemporary critique. The preacher uses vivid imagery (e.g., “blood on their hands,” “National Death Service”) and rhetorical questions to engage the congregation. His tone is both mournful and confrontational, lamenting the nation’s spiritual state while urging decisive action. The sermon is rooted in a conservative, evangelical worldview, with a strong emphasis on the inerrancy of Scripture and the sanctity of life.

Key Themes: