SUICIDE The Fierce Goodbye Matthew 4 John 10 SUICIDE The Fierce Goodbye Matthew 4 John 10

The suicide of Robin Willliams has stirred discussions across our great land

For those who decide to end their life, they sense there is ‘no’ hope

Matthew 4:1-4 “Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights… Matthew 4:1-4 “Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights…

…afterward He was hungry. Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.”

…But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.”

A Historical View The predominate ‘Christian’ view of suicide for the past thousand years was established by Thomas Aquinas, a Dominican monk who died in 127 AD A Historical View The predominate ‘Christian’ view of suicide for the past thousand years was established by Thomas Aquinas, a Dominican monk who died in 127 AD

A Historical View Suicide is a denial of the self-love for life that every being naturally has A Historical View Suicide is a denial of the self-love for life that every being naturally has

A Historical View Suicide is the rejection of one’s obligations to the community A Historical View Suicide is the rejection of one’s obligations to the community

A Historical View Since life is God- given, only God can take it back A Historical View Since life is God- given, only God can take it back

A Historical View Dietrich Bonhoeffer, who suffered and was finally executed in a Nazi Concentration camp, argues… A Historical View Dietrich Bonhoeffer, who suffered and was finally executed in a Nazi Concentration camp, argues…

A Historical View …that suicide is not the sin of murder, but the loss of faith A Historical View …that suicide is not the sin of murder, but the loss of faith

The Painful Issues The Loss of (a) Life Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States The Painful Issues The Loss of (a) Life Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States

The Painful Issues 39,000 die each year by their own hand, killing more people than motor vehicle accidents and more than twice as many as homicide. The Painful Issues 39,000 die each year by their own hand, killing more people than motor vehicle accidents and more than twice as many as homicide.

The Painful Issues Specifically in the Christian community, the suicides of prominent pastors Rick Warren’s son Matthew and Frank Page’s daughter Melissa thrust upon us the reality and challenge of suicide The Painful Issues Specifically in the Christian community, the suicides of prominent pastors Rick Warren’s son Matthew and Frank Page’s daughter Melissa thrust upon us the reality and challenge of suicide

The Painful Issues The Collateral Relationships of Life The Painful Issues The Collateral Relationships of Life

The Painful Issues “It is not possible to take a morally neutral stance on suicide, since it is the most significant of all deaths in its impact… The Painful Issues “It is not possible to take a morally neutral stance on suicide, since it is the most significant of all deaths in its impact…

The Painful Issues …on the survivors causing long-lasting grief and guilt and a high suicide expectancy in spouses, around… The Painful Issues …on the survivors causing long-lasting grief and guilt and a high suicide expectancy in spouses, around…

The Painful Issues …one thousand times the average.” A.C. Cain, ed., Survivors of Suicide, 1972 The Painful Issues …one thousand times the average.” A.C. Cain, ed., Survivors of Suicide, 1972

The Painful Issues “Nevertheless, no one who has had to cope with the aftermath of suicide will ever argue that the believing community should… The Painful Issues “Nevertheless, no one who has had to cope with the aftermath of suicide will ever argue that the believing community should…

The Painful Issues …sanction it as a favorable way of meeting death.” G. Lloyd Carr Professor Emeritus of Biblical Studies, Gordon College The Painful Issues …sanction it as a favorable way of meeting death.” G. Lloyd Carr Professor Emeritus of Biblical Studies, Gordon College

The Painful Issues The Diminishment of Life The Painful Issues The Diminishment of Life

The Painful Issues The death of one single individual, let alone thousands each year, diminishes our families, communities and nation The Painful Issues The death of one single individual, let alone thousands each year, diminishes our families, communities and nation

A Redemptive Response All that Jesus did (His life and death) demonstrated that purpose in life is found in our ability to be redemptive A Redemptive Response All that Jesus did (His life and death) demonstrated that purpose in life is found in our ability to be redemptive

A Redemptive Response God’s Will is always a Redemptive Will! A Redemptive Response God’s Will is always a Redemptive Will!

A Redemptive Response The story of Genesis is one of paradise lost! A Redemptive Response The story of Genesis is one of paradise lost!

A Redemptive Response The story of God’s grace is about paradise regained! A Redemptive Response The story of God’s grace is about paradise regained!

“Life is only a long and bitter suicide, and faith alone can transform this suicide into a sacrifice.” Franz Liszt, Austrian Composer

God’s Word Speaks to Us of Hope! How God Values each of Us! God’s Word Speaks to Us of Hope! How God Values each of Us!

Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

God’s Word Speaks to Us of Hope! Available Assets! God’s Word Speaks to Us of Hope! Available Assets!

2 Corinthians 12:8-10 “Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you… 2 Corinthians 12:8-10 “Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you…

…for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

God’s Word Speaks to Us of Hope! A Community of Faith & Hope! God’s Word Speaks to Us of Hope! A Community of Faith & Hope!

Philippians 4:12-14 “I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry… Philippians 4:12-14 “I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry…

…both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Nevertheless you have done well that you shared in my distress.”

Galatians 6:2 “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2 “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”

God’s Word Speaks to Us of Hope! The Promise of Christ’s Abundance! God’s Word Speaks to Us of Hope! The Promise of Christ’s Abundance!

John 10:10 “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” John 10:10 “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”

SUICIDE The Fierce Goodbye Matthew 4 John 10 SUICIDE The Fierce Goodbye Matthew 4 John 10