Suicide Out of the Cave - Part 4 April 28, 2024 Two goals for the message today: Read what the Bible actually says Show you that there is hope! People in the Bible who wrestled with suicidal thoughts: Moses, Jonah, Job, Elijah “You must not murder.” Exodus 20:13 (NLT) It is never God’s will that anyone would take their own life. Is suicide forgivable? The Bible never says that suicide is unforgivable. Our salvation doesn’t hang on the last thing we did, but on what Jesus did when He hung on the cross. The Gospel “8God saved you by His grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done ... ” Ephesians 2:8-9 (NLT) We are saved by turning from our sin and believing in Jesus. This is a gift from God, not something we earn. “28I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me, 29for my Father has given them to me, and He is more powerful than anyone else. No one can snatch them from the Father’s hand.” John 10:28-29 (NLT) “38And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. 39No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39 (NLT) You didn’t do anything to earn your salvation and you can’t do anything to lose your salvation! When we believe in Jesus all of our sins are forgiven; not just past, but present and future sins as well! “Jesus told them, ‘This is the only work God wants from you: Believe in the one He has sent.’” John 6:29 (NLT) What Jesus did in His greatest moment is more powerful than what we’ve done in our darkest moment. All of our sins, not just some, have been paid for by Jesus. To those who have lost someone to suicide: I’m so sorry. It’s not your fault. There is help, hope, and redemption. “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them.” Romans 8:28 (NLT) Don’t carry the weight alone. To those who care for someone who is wrestling with thoughts of suicide: It’s helpful to talk to them about it. Dial 988 anytime from anywhere. To those wrestling with thoughts about suicide: God cares about your pain. “25“I—yes, I alone—will blot out your sins for my own sake and will never think of them again.” Isaiah 43:25 (NLT) “8You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.” Psalm 56:8 (NLT) Your life has infinite worth and incredible purpose. “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT) “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago.” Ephesians 2:10 (NLT) It’s the enemy who wants you dead. What God wants for you is life to the full! “He (the devil) was a murderer from the beginning.” John 8:44 (NLT) “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:10 (NIV) “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 (NIV) You are so loved by God! You’re not alone. Please let someone know. Dial 988 anytime from anywhere.