LOVED AND EMPOWERED

Introduction
From the beginning of time woman and man were made to rule and have dominion over the earth.
God said “Let us make human beings in our image, Gen. 2:18-24.
God created male and female to be in perfect harmony with one another.

Destructive Agenda
Lucifer was created as an anointed Cherub
a. Full of pride
b. Wanted to be as God
Isa. 14:12-14- “I will be great in the heavens....I will sit next to God on the sacred mountain...I will dwell
in the highest heaven far above the clouds, I will be like the Almighty, the Most High God.”
a. He convinced many other angels that his cause was just
b. War started in heaven
c. He used tactics of fear
d. Shame and blame to try to destroy the image of God in Adam and Eve
e. Satan still works to destroy humanity
f. One of his methods is through domestic violence and abuse

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
a. Sometimes called battering
b. Relationship abuse
c. Intimate partner violence
These things are patterned of behaviours used by one individual to establish power and control over
another without consideration for his or her individual rights

ABUSE MAY BE:

a. Physical
b. Sexual
c. Religious
d. Verbal
e. Emotional
f. Psychological
The abuse is meant to:
a. Frighten
b. Intimidate
c. Terrorize
d. Manipulate
e. Hurt
f. Humiliate
g. Blame
h. Shame
i. Wound
FACTS
Domestic violence is a serious problem world-wide. It violates the fundamental rights of human beings
and often results in serious injury or death.
SUCH VIOLATION MAY INCLUDE:
a. Forced and early marriages
b. Female genital mutilation
c. Honor killings
d. Dowry-related violence
e. Rape as a weapon of war

Some forms of violence may be in response to government policies or laws, such as the one-child only
policy in China.

STATISTIC SHOWS:
a. For women aged 15-44, violence is a major cause of death and disability
b. World-wide, 40-70% of all female murder victims are killed by an intimate partner
c. In Peru, 70% of all crimes reported to the police involve women beaten by their husbands
d. USA, a woman is beaten every 18 minutes-this means domestic violence in USA is leading and
cause an injury
Today, World Health Organization reported 85 million to 115 girls and women have undergone some
form of Female Genital Mutilation and suffer from its adverse health effects—horrific type of violence
against women.

DOWRY-related violence and early marriage also threaten lives.

a. In India, an average of five women a day are burned to death
b. Then, there is also rape
c. Sexual assault within marriage
d. Sexual harassment
e. Prostitution and pornography
f. Mistreatment of women migrant workers

NATIONAL STATISTICS INDICATE:

a. USA, woman is raped every six minutes
b. South Africa, a sex crime happens every twenty seconds
We never think that abuse cannot be happened in Christian’s homes, the SDA in NORTH AMERICAN
CONFERNCE is not exempted. According to the survey 1,431 adults—men and women—and found
some startling results. Nearly 34% of women and more than 20% of men reported being assaulted by an
intimate partner.

Therefore, domestic violence is a sin issue. This is the real issue now that Satan will do any form of work
just to destroy the order of love, happiness in human relationships... We cannot dismiss evil as some
vague spiritual force that presides outside of human behaviour. Evil is rooted in a superhuman
personality: SATAN

LOVING AND EMPOWERING AGENDA

a. We must use our gifts to serve God, each other, and the world around us
 b. It is essential that we teach unity and mutuality in relationships
First Corinthians 12 tells us that each individual receives spiritual gifts for the building up of the body of
the Church. These gifts are given by the Holy Spirit as He chooses, without discrimination based on
gender.

Work to be done in the Church:

a. To edify the Church
b. Men and women should be utilized and strengthened
c. Relationships are strengthened
d. Marriages are strengthened
e. Create a safe, loving and empowering environment for all to live and thrive

HOW DID JESUS TREAT ABUSED WOMEN IN THE PAST?

1. He forgave them (Luke 7:37-43; Mark 14:3-9)
2. He did not condemn them but showed them mercy (John 1-11)
3. He showed them love, understanding and tenderness (John 4:6-26)
4. He healed, cleansed, and made them strong (Mark 5:25-34; Matt. 9:20-22)

HOW ARE WE LOVED AND EMPOWERED TODAY?

a. Jesus forgives us
b. Jesus shows us love and tenderness
c. Jesus heals, cleanses and makes us strong
d. Jesus does not condemn us, but shows us mercy
e. Jesus restores our souls and makes us whole
f. Jesus gives us the opportunity to be saved. The way of salvation is the same for both man and
woman. Each may be forgiven; each may receive eternal life and become a son or daughter in
God’s family. (Romans 8:16-17).

References:
a. One child policy in China Design to Limit Population Growth by Matt. Rosenberg
b. Advocates for human Rights, Feb. 1, 2006
c. Battered into Submission Westmont Il; InterVarsity Press 1986,pp.61-62, James and Phylis
Alsdurf
d. Greg O’Leary, in Small Miracles: By Yitta Halberstan. Holbrock, MA: Adams Media, 1998.