Suicide (Luke 8:49-50)
Gary McManus, 08/27/2017Part of the God's Word is Life series, preached at a Sunday Morning service
August 27, 2017
Luke 8:49-50 (p. 1025 / p. 1037)
DCC has discussed folks who want to live forever.
Today we discuss those who don’t want to live
any more.
DCC preaches life; John 10:10
However, the topic is important:
1. Suicide is increasing
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suicide_in_the_United_States
https://afsp.org/about-suicide/suicide-statistics/
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/suicide/index.shtml
2. Many more people consider suicide than actually suicide.
3. Suicide is PREVENTABLE.
Not talking about suicide makes things worse.
People do not WANT to suicide.
What suffering people want is for their pain
to stop.
The Bible does deal with the issues of suicide
and the problems surrounding the suicidal person.
The book of Job: Job 2:7-10
(See Job 42:7, Job 42:11)
If suicidal people want pain relief what
can be done:
1. Find a way to relieve or reduce the pain and/OR
2. Increase the resources for dealing with the pain.
[Judas is one of the two suicides recorded in the Bible.]
Since all of us here living CLEARLY SEE other
alternatives and possibilities rather than suicide,
that means that WE ARE RESOURCES for alternatives
to suicide.
Jesus came decreasing the sources and levels of pain.
And Jesus taught us and gave us resources AND Jesus
gave us the Holy Spirit which is the BEST resource for
dealing with life and its pains.
So, when we proclaim Jesus Christ we are offering
suicidal people resources and a chance to decrease
their pain.
[from Suicide: the Forever Decision, Paul G. Quinnett]
(the bug in the cup/glass)
The short answer to preventing suicide is
loving people—actively loving them.
We don’t have to have answers.
Today’s Bible verses: Jairus was in pain
and hopeless.
Jairus’ friends SAID SO!
Jesus said, DON’T GIVE UP. HAVE FAITH.
CONTINUE IN YOUR FAITH IN GOD,
Jairus. . .continue in YOUR FAITH IN ME.
. . .only believe. . .
Amen.
--So, just to finish Pastor’s point about Job and God. . .
God has allowed this trouble for Job and Job knows it. Job’s friends also understand that God has allowed God’s trouble and will argue that Job is being justly punished for his sins. Job will argue he hasn’t done anything wrong. In the end God agrees with Job. (See Job 42:7, Job 42:11)
The same verse 2:10 finishes saying, “In all this, Job did not sin in what he said.”
Job’s suicide is considered by Job but rejected and so, there is some help in the book of Job.
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