What do you think of Robert Lowery?

• Do you feel sorry for him?
  • Money/marital problems
  • Distraught/depressed
  • Overwhelmed/inadequate
• Selfish?
• Do you wonder why?
• Do you think he is unusual?

Statistics

• Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States.
• 2nd leading cause of death for 10-34 years old
• 4th leading cause of death for 35-44 years old
• 5th leading cause of death for 45-54 years old
• There are 2.5x more suicides than homicides in the United States.
• In 2019, suicide rate was nearly four times higher in males than females.

What does the Bible say about suicide?

• Nothing direct, but there are principles.
• Six characters that committed suicide:
  • Abimelech – Judges 9:54
  • Saul – I Samuel 31:4
  • Saul’s armor bearer – I Samuel 31:4-6
  • Ahithophel – II Samuel 17:23
  • Zimri – I Kings 16:18
  • Judas – Matthew 27:5
  • Samson? – Judges 16:26-31
• God gave life
  • Genesis 2:7; Acts 17:28; James 1:18; Genesis 9:6
• Our purpose is inconsistent with suicide
  • I Chronicles 6:11; John 8:12; 7:38; I John 3:16
• I Corinthians 6:20 – Glorify God in your body!

Why do people commit suicide?

• Mental illness (depression)
• Traumatic stress (sexual abuse, rape, physical abuse, war trauma)
• Substance abuse
• Loss/fear of loss (academic, job, imprisonment, financial, relationship)
• Chronic pain, terminal illness
• Feeling like a burden to others
• Social isolation
• All of these basically relate to hopelessness.

Are you or your family at risk?

• Warning signs
• What to do
  • Talk to a respected church member.
  • I Corinthians 15:1-15, 50-58 – Consider the value Christ puts on your life.
  • Focus outside yourself, do good for others