Spiritual Suicide

Spiritual Suicide

Matthew 16:24-26

Intro.

September is Suicide Awareness Month.

From the Substance Abuse and Mental Health

Services Administration https://www.samhsa.gov/

“September marks National Suicide Prevention Month – a month to remember the lives lost to suicide,

the millions of people who have struggled with suicidal ideation, and acknowledge the

individuals, families, and communities that have been impacted. It is also a time to raise

awareness about suicide prevention and share messages of hope”.

Some of us participated in a “Suicide Prevention” walk last Friday.

Our own family has been impacted by suicide

My brother-in-law, Dan, took his own life in May of 2018.

We still do not know why.

The suicide rate among Native American communities is the highest in the Nation.

This has been on my mind a lot this week.

Then I began to wonder about Spiritual Suicide.

People commit Spiritual Suicide occurs when…

I. People ignore their our own spirituality

A. God created us as body, spirit, and soul.

B. He made us to be spiritual people

C. We must worship something, or someone.

1. His intention was that we worship Him.

John 4:23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in

spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.

2. Many worship other people

a. Athletes

b. Singers

-Woman in therapy watching TV

c. Actors

d. Media influencers (something new)

e. Even politicians

3. Many worship things -

a. Idols - statures, icons, artifacts

b. Possessions - cars, boats etc.

4. Unless we are worshiping the Lord, it is idolatry.

A violation of the first and second commandments - Exodus 20:1-5

II. When people misplace their faith

A. Another form of idolatry

B. Other gods - a problem all through history, all the way up until current times.

C. The god of this world - satan

2Cor. 4:4 …the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not,

D. Faith in fables from cultures

1. Faith in Luck

2. Faith in Karma

3. Wishes - coins in wells etc.

III. When people deny the existence of the Creator

A. The fool

Psa. 14:1 The fool hath said in his heart, There is

no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable

works, there is none that doeth good.

B. Atheist - It takes more faith to be an atheist than a

Chistian

1. To believe the world just “happened” all by

itself.

2. To believe in evolution in all aspects

C. In their denial of God, the have to find some

alternative to our existence.

D. The truth is found in Genesis 1:1

Gen. 1:1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

Ex. 20:11 For in six days the LORD made heaven earth, the sea, and all that in them is,

and rested the seventh day:

IV. When people refuse the Gospel.

Mark 1:15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the

gospel.

A. So many refuse to receive the Gospel.

1. When Paul appeared before King Agrippa and

had given him the Gospel, he responded.

Acts 26:28 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost

thou persuadest me to be a Christian.

2. When you refuse the Gospel you seal your future in hell

3. There will be NO second chance.

4. It is spiritual suicide.

B. The choice is simple

When the Philippian jailer asked “What must I do

to be saved”.

Acts 16:31 And they said, Believe on the Lord

Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy

house.

C. Here’s what it comes down to.

John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath

everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son

shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on

him.

Conclusion - Do NOT commit spiritual suicide

Prevent Spiritual Suicide by putting your faith in

the Lord Jesus Christ.

Prevent Spiritual Suicide by preaching the Gospel.