Irreplaceable-Am I Accepted?: Week 2
Am I Accepted?
REVIEW
• This series is about death by suicide.
• There are several factors that need to be dealt with… Lack of stable depth in families causing relational isolation. Too much brain activity. Lack of real rest for our bodies and minds. Predisposition for mental illness including a lack of serotonin and dopamine.
The enemy of our souls is not taken into consideration. (See also Revelation 12:10-11)
• Quick death or slow death, it’s all the same to him.
John 8:44 (NIV) You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
John 10:10 (NIV) The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
Last week, We looked at the lie: “I am meaningless and worthless because I am not…”
• The enemy first sets us up by convincing us that our value is attached to a specific ability or goal.
This week, we’re talking about the lie: “I am ruined. I had worth, but that is ruined.”
• I am ruined because…
• Vets who are dealing with depression and anxiety feel ruined.
• The devil’s goal is to get us to make choices that ruin us temporarily and eternally. Then he keeps us in ruin, and/or whispers, “End it.”
THE TRUTH:
1. We are all ruined to some extent. (See the curse in Genesis 3 and Romans 5:12)
• It’s a good thing God wants to work with broken, sinful people because that’s all He has to deal with.
Romans 3:10–18 (NIV) 10As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one; 11there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God. 12All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.” 13“Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit.” “The poison of vipers is on their lips.” 14“Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.” 15“Their feet are swift to shed blood; 16ruin and misery mark their ways, 17and the way of peace they do not know.” 18“There is no fear of God before their eyes.”
2. Yet, in Christ we are known, accepted, and loved.
• The pathway to the end of ruin is in Christ alone.
• The ruin—and salvation—we’re talking about is both temporal and eternal.
Romans 5:6–11 (NIV) 6You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. 8But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! 10For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! 11Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
3. We are saved for a purpose.
• Discipleship is to share the Good News and to help people find their ministry.
Ephesians 2:8–10 (NLT) 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, so none of us can boast about it. 10For 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.
Romans 8:28–30 (NIV) 28And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
GOD’S WAY OF WORKING:
1. We are often shaped by our issues for the ministry God wants to use us in.
• God doesn’t cause all things, but He does allow some things. (See also Hebrews 2:17-18 and Hebrews 4:15-16)
James 1:13–15 (NIV) 13When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. 15Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
2. God comforts us so we can comfort others.
2 Corinthians 1:3–7 (NIV) 3Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 5For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. 6If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. 7And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.
3. Dealing with the accuser [Satan, Revelation 12:10]:
• Live in the light, in relationship with others. Know and being known.
• Be honest about your struggles/voices.
• Live in such a way that people can be safe sharing their struggles/voices.
• Help people remember who they are in Christ and that they have a place to be useful in the Kingdom.
QUESTIONS TO REFLECT AND DISCUSS:
Passages to consider: Genesis 3:8-13 & 21; John 3:16,17; Hebrews 9:11-14, Revelation 12:10-11, 1 John 1:9-10 Icebreaker: What is the heaviest thing you have had to lift? What is the worst thing you have had to carry?
• What from the sermon encouraged you or challenged you?
- Read Genesis 3:8-13, Genesis 21, and John 3:16,17. What do you see about God’s heart towards brokenness and people? A) What kinds of lies do you see in the man and woman’s response to the situation?
- What kinds of lies can separate us from each other and dull our abiding relationship with God?
- How do you recognize “isolation” and “disconnection” in your own patterns of thinking, feeling, and/or actions?
A) What helps you to fight disconnection and re-engage in being connected in relationship with people and God?
B) How do you be aware of those you care about in your Home, Church, and World spheres becoming isolated? - Isolation, disconnection, and shame can happen for a variety of reasons. Often being forgiven and extending forgiveness are part of the process toward reconnection and healing. Read Hebrews 9:11-14, Revelation 12:10-11, and 1 John 1:9-10. A) What stands out to you about forgiveness in these verses? B) What truth do you want to embrace more deeply?
- Hard things happen. Read Psalm 23 and Hebrews 13:5-6. What promises does God give to His children? A) What truth do you need to meditate on from these passages? B) What helps you grow in having your identity as one whom God cares for?
- We need one another to help each other experience the truth God has spoken. Who will you be more real with this week? Who will you reach out to to express the truth that God values them because He made them?
Resources:
Grieving Suicide – A 30 day devotional for healing after loss and grief