Sweetheart, I’m Pregnant" - Understanding the Miracle of Procreation

1. Seminar

2. “Sweetheart, I’m Pregnant”- The Miracle of Procreation

3. “Sweetheart, I’m Pregnant”- The Miracle of Procreation “Therefore a man shall … be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh” Genesis 2:24

4. “Sweetheart, I’m Pregnant”- The Miracle of Procreation

5. “Sweetheart, I’m Pregnant”- The Miracle of Procreation “Then God blessed them, and God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it.’”Genesis 1:28

6. “Sweetheart, I’m Pregnant”- The Miracle of Procreation “Sweetheart, I’m Pregnant!” • Unmarried and child not wanted:Bad News! • Married but child not wanted:Bad News! • Married and child wanted: • Good News!

7. “Sweetheart, I’m Pregnant”- The Miracle of Procreation

8. “Sweetheart, I’m Pregnant”- The Miracle of Procreation • Once a month an ovary releases an ovum or egg. • The egg travels slowly along the fallopian tube awaiting a sperm. • In preparation for fertilization, there is a build up of blood in the uterus. • If no fertilization, the blood is discharged, causing menstruation or “the period.”

9. “Sweetheart, I’m Pregnant”- The Miracle of Procreation • During sexual intercourse, the male releases semen containing millions of sperm! • The sperm travel along the oviduct searching for an egg.

10. “Sweetheart, I’m Pregnant”- The Miracle of Procreation • If the timing is right, a strong sperm meets the ovum and fertilizes it. • The fertilized egg journeys to the womb and makes its bed. • Blood is needed, so the monthly “period” ends. • Conception has occurred! A new life has begun!

11. “Sweetheart, I’m Pregnant”- The Miracle of Procreation It’s a Miracle What is the size of the female egg? Smaller than this dot. What is the length of the male sperm? 1/500 of an inch! 1/20 of a millimeter! What a miracle!

12. “Sweetheart, I’m Pregnant”- The Miracle of Procreation “Know that the LORD, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves.”Psalm 100:3

13. “Sweetheart, I’m Pregnant”- The Miracle of Procreation

14. “Sweetheart, I’m Pregnant”- The Miracle of Procreation Before conception, it is about the size of a pear, weighing two to three ounces. It can hold just two tablespoons or 30 milliliters of fluid. Within four to six weeks after child birth it decreases, shrinking to its original size. The Uterus During pregnancy it becomes longer, wider and thicker, enlarging to twenty times its original size. Its capacity now increases one hundredfold to hold a gallon of a fluid.

15. “Sweetheart, I’m Pregnant”- The Miracle of Procreation Placenta, Maternal Side The placentaThis connects the baby to its mother by the umbilical chord. It supplies the fetus with air and nourishment, while removing its waste.The Amniotic SacThis is the bag of antiseptic water that provides safety for the movement of the fetus. Placenta, Fetal Side Umbilical Chord Fetus Water Bag

16. “Sweetheart, I’m Pregnant”- The Miracle of Procreation The umbilical cord is cut and tied and the placenta or after birth is expelled. The fetus starts to descend – usually head first. The bones of the infant’s skull overlap to reduce the size of the baby head. The newborn takes its first breath setting its system into motion.

17. “Sweetheart, I’m Pregnant”- The Miracle of Procreation

18. “Sweetheart, I’m Pregnant”- The Miracle of Procreation “You created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well…

19. “Sweetheart, I’m Pregnant”- The Miracle of Procreation …My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!”Psalm 139:13-17

20. “Sweetheart, I’m Pregnant”- The Miracle of Procreation “Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb is a reward.” Psalm 127:3

21. Seven Steps for Resolving Conflicts “Sweetheart, I’m Pregnant”- The Miracle of Procreation Jesus used the mystery of childbirth when He talked with Nicodemus John 3:3-7

22. “Sweetheart, I’m Pregnant”- The Miracle of Procreation “Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God”. John 3:3

23. “Sweetheart, I’m Pregnant”- The Miracle of Procreation

24. “Sweetheart, I’m Pregnant”- The Miracle of Procreation “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?”. John 3:4

25. “Sweetheart, I’m Pregnant”- The Miracle of Procreation Seven Steps for Resolving Conflicts But Jesus was not talking of physical birth, he was speaking about spiritual birth.

26. “Sweetheart, I’m Pregnant”- The Miracle of Procreation • Literal birth has two requirements: sperm and ovum. • So spiritual birth also has two requirements. • What are they • Christ gave the answer!

27. “Sweetheart, I’m Pregnant”- The Miracle of Procreation “Jesus answered, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God”. John 3:5

28. “Sweetheart, I’m Pregnant”- The Miracle of Procreation Human birth is a miracle! But there are two requirements: Spiritual birth is also a miracle! And there are also two requirements: The formula is: The formula is: Sperm + ovum = Human life. Spirit + Water = Spiritual life.

29. “Sweetheart, I’m Pregnant”- The Miracle of Procreation Born of the Spirit “According to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior.” Titus 3:5,6

30. “Sweetheart, I’m Pregnant”- The Miracle of Procreation He forgives all my sins.He changes up my life, and makes me into a new person. He casts out Satan’ spirit, and lives in me through His Holy Spirit. When I give my life to Jesus

31. “Sweetheart, I’m Pregnant”- The Miracle of Procreation

32. “Sweetheart, I’m Pregnant”- The Miracle of Procreation Born of Water “John also was baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was much water there.”John 3:23

33. “Sweetheart, I’m Pregnant”- The Miracle of Procreation To beborn of water means Baptism

34. “Sweetheart, I’m Pregnant”- The Miracle of Procreation • Sperm without ovum: No human life • Ovum without sperm: no physical life Are both necessary? • Baptism without conversion: No eternal life • Conversion without Baptism: No spiritual life

35. “Sweetheart, I’m Pregnant”- The Miracle of Procreation MEANINGBaptism symbolizes the Death, Burial and Resurrection of Christ.Romans 6:3,4

36. “Sweetheart, I’m Pregnant”- The Miracle of Procreation “Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” Romans 6:4

37. “Sweetheart, I’m Pregnant”- The Miracle of Procreation Method By immersion

38. “Sweetheart, I’m Pregnant”- The Miracle of Procreation “And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him. Now when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away.” Acts 8:38,39

39. “Sweetheart, I’m Pregnant”- The Miracle of Procreation • I should go down into the water to symbolize my spiritual death and burial. • Then I should come up from the water to symbolize my resurrection to a new life in Christ.

40. “Sweetheart, I’m Pregnant”- The Miracle of Procreation HE WAS • Educated and influential, with political power. • A truth–seeker. So God arranged his meeting with a teacher. This Ethiopian treasurer is a wonderful example

41. “Sweetheart, I’m Pregnant”- The Miracle of Procreation • Reading the prophecy found in Isaiah 53. • Taught by Philip that this lamb–like Sufferer was Jesus Christ. This Ethiopian treasurer is a wonderful example

42. “Sweetheart, I’m Pregnant”- The Miracle of Procreation “As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, ‘Look, here is water. Why shouldn’t I be baptized?’ And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him.” Acts 8:36-38

43. “Sweetheart, I’m Pregnant”- The Miracle of Procreation Instead, he said: “Candace is my queen, but Jesus is my King! What He commands I’ll obey!” • He could have said: “Let me first check with my Queen. But he didn’t!” • He could have said: “Let me talk with the cabinet.” But he didn’t!

44. “Sweetheart, I’m Pregnant”- The Miracle of Procreation This Ethiopian official is a wonderful example.

45. “Sweetheart, I’m Pregnant”- The Miracle of Procreation But the best example is Jesus!

46. “Sweetheart, I’m Pregnant”- The Miracle of Procreation “When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him.” Matthew 3:16

47. “Sweetheart, I’m Pregnant”- The Miracle of Procreation I will follow Thee my Savior. Wheresoe’er my lot may be. Where Thou goest I will follow, Yes, my Lord, I’ll follow Thee.” James L. Elginburg

48. “Sweetheart, I’m Pregnant”- The Miracle of Procreation “And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Matthew 3:17

49. “Sweetheart, I’m Pregnant”- The Miracle of Procreation I praise God my loving Creator that sperm and ovum gave me human life.

50. “Sweetheart, I’m Pregnant”- The Miracle of Procreation