The Christian In A Depressed And Suicidal World (part 1)

Lord Jesus, we thank you for our salvation. We thank you for your amazing grace. And we thank you for your sufficient grace that we are able to gather here today to celebrate your resurrection. To celebrate the Lord's Day.

Well, it is a privilege and an honor. We pray that our worship would be acceptable to you that during this Sunday school class During the other classes around the building today and during the preaching and the singing that Lord you would be exalted and That we would be encouraged and that as many as you have chosen Will repent and believe on your name we pray that you would help us to understand your word today and Lord in all things.

I pray that you would be glorified in Jesus name. I pray. Amen so have any of you in the In the last couple of months maybe years Received an email or a phone call that often starts like this. I know you're a Christian the person says I know you're a Christian.

Maybe you can help and then they go on to tell you things like I have no desire for X Y Z. I feel like my life is out of control. I Don't seem to fit in school fit in church fit in the family fit at work and They go on to repeat things like I don't have a desire to do anything.

Work is boring church does not make sense. Families intense requirements seem to be high. Anybody in the recent past or maybe even years ago? Received emails or phone calls from friends families Brothers and sisters in Christ like that anybody willing to admit that that's a fairly happy church.

Look at that. But let me ask you something. What do you think is is going through this person's mind or life? If somebody emails or makes a phone call like this Essentially saying I don't understand where I belong.

I don't understand what's going on. I have no desire for anything. Everything seems to be burdened. Everything seems to take extra effort to get done. What do you think is happening? What do you think is going on in the person's life or perhaps more importantly?

What do you think that person's mind is like? Great. Mr. Zook was saying that it's all about they feel it. Everything's about them and What can I get for myself or am I convenient am I getting everything that I need something of that sort.

I Think I horribly paraphrase what he said. So Anybody else I can disappoint this morning. Yes. Amen so that that is a very title of my class for today and next week how does the Christian live and think in a world that is seems to be overcome by depression and suicide and I'm going to go through some statistics and we're going to go through a number of things here, but the main idea worldview, right?

What do you believe about the Lord. What you believe about God? What do you believe about what's happening around you all of that is coming into play, but Specifically when you see emails like this floating in your inbox or now you're getting more and more phone calls from people around you like this.

What's happening probably is a person is anxious. The person may be struggling with depression. And what's worse the person may be suicidal and these these are not easy topics to talk about in any means.

But it's important for us to at least know what the Bible says. Right. What's our worldview? How do we think about these things? Should we be ashamed of this? Should we be saying snap out of it? Those are not gonna work right?

How what does the Bible say? Let's take a look at some of those things. But let's define some terms. Before we move forward, what is the meaning of being anxious? We use this term a lot. But defining it will really help us to understand today's class and even deal with this situation.

What does it mean to be anxious? Very good. Very good. Odd enough the any did any dictionary begins to define the word by saying it's a feeling. Okay, here's a definition a feeling of worry nervousness or unease.

Typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome. Essentially, it's it's in being in a constant state of trepidation over a future event. It's a constant state of fear of what's going to happen in the future.

That's what anxiety is and it's good for us to define. What what what is the what happens when a person gets extremely anxious, what's the end result of anxiety? We have a two-term thing for it. It panic attack.

It's panic attack. That's an extreme form arriving completely from worrying. What are some of the things that cause people to worry by the way Christians are not immune from this. Just to make sure that we don't be so proud and just look at the culture and say what do we were immune from all this.

What causes people to worry? What causes you to worry? Cory loss. Correct, right. So those are the big things. It's it's it's usually a lack of something maybe a lack of money maybe insufficient health.

Maybe not getting what we want. Can be a cause of worry and that and I'll look at how that's sinful as well fear of death fear of bad reputation. All of these things can be a cause of worry. Next depression who can define depression for me?

That's my way. Anybody knows what that is. Bart Brian. Biggest thing hopelessness. You've no hope for the future. You've no hope for. What is going to happen? Anyhow, how does depression look? How does it what is when you look at somebody is it possible to find out if they're depressed.

This culture is very good at hiding it. Biggest thing they lose interest in things whether it's their family whether it's their work whether it's college whether it's studies. They start to lose interest in thing.

But here's the definition from the National Institute Institute of Mental Health, which is a very good definition. Depression is a medical illness that can interfere with your ability to handle your daily activities.

Such as sleeping eating or managing your schoolwork. It can occur along with other mental disorders. Substance abuse and other health conditions. Often what it's saying is it doesn't just occur alone.

It's got other medical conditions and deals and you deal with drug abuse and substance abuse but it is a medical condition. It's a medical illness it interferes with the way with the with your ability to handle activities.

Let's look at some statistics. In 2015 there was a 10-year study that was done by Columbia University. If you're interested in this study, it's in the January 2016 edition of the Journal of Psychological Medicine.

Strongly recommend that you take a look at this and and look at the inferences yourselves, but here's some of the key points from that study. Depression rose significantly. America among Americans age dash and dash.

With the most rapid increases seen in young people. I said dash and dash. Purposely, what do you think was the age group of the people of people in America? With. Extremely with with rapid increases in depression.

The numbers shocked me. I couldn't believe it. What age is minimum? 10 12 and 27. And anybody shocked at that. I was shocked at that. I think I was so busy ruining my dad's car at that age. I can't remember being depressed a single moment.

I was shocked at that number. The largest increase in depression in America right now is between 12 and 17. 12 and 17. Surprisingly again young women were the most susceptible to this. They had the largest increase over 56 increase in that particular group young women and and suicide too was extremely high in that age group.

Now here's the most interesting yet. Scary part of that study. Okay, it's a dangerous pattern. This is what the study found was happening among most people so it starts with mild anxiety. What do you think happens after that?

Starts with mild anxiety so mild care about something a mild worry about something. What's the next step? What do you think the study found was the next thing that happened? Medication. To help but what was it?

What do you think was the next men not mental health condition? I would say what was the next progression in their emotion you can say Panic attacks. Depression right that was the next thing so it's it's it's.

I can't call it a progression because it's not a progression. Progression is something that's good. This isn't good. It's anxiety depression and then. Yes, I would say that's again. That's part of what they do to try to get it, but most people don't and It's a progression from anxiety to depression to ultimately suicide, but what the study found was most People did attempt suicide.

But when if they did not attempt suicide. They attempted to harm others. So does either harming themselves or ultimately they ended up harming others? Another study by the National Center of Health Statistics said this depression and women have doubled over the last five years about 90 of those who are depressed 90 have trouble at work home and in any social activity.

A Similar study from the National Institute of Mental Health said this this was. Again, not surprising, but this is actual studies just data. This is just statistics. Okay, this isn't any worldview analysis yet.

What do you think happened as a result of the rise of mental disorders in America? Therapy increased along with therapy. Prescription drug use increased. What do you think were the effects of those changes?

Namely increasing the use of prescription drugs and increasing the use of therapy. What do you what do you guys think? I mean we live in America. We look we look around us. Observation, what do you see you see addiction?

Okay, that's right. Yes. Do you to see people tending to depend on them more? Anything else. Yes, it tends to have an adverse effect in the long term. What was surprising is None of these new methods helped reduce the issues.

That was surprising. None of these new methods at least had any long-term effect on the people. It seems to have short-term effect. Rather quickly, but it really did not address any of the issues. But the study Was interesting again because it came out and said this it said most people who are truly depressed or extremely anxious Do not seek help.

They do not seek help and they do not ask for help. Why. There's a stigma associated with it by the very definition of that word. It's a mental disorder. Well, yes that that that is exactly as exactly right.

Most of us have a we don't have a problem walking around with a cast do we if we break our arms? But to admit that we have a mental disorder is quite Quite a feat don't you think it's it's a step that nobody wants to admit that nobody wants to take.

That you need help because you're mentally handicapped. You don't want to be that you don't mind having a handicapped parking Sticker on your on your car, but you don't want a mentally handicapped sticker on your head.

It says stay away from this guy. He's mentally disordered right as a result of this. Most people do not seek any kind of help and what pastors and Church leaders are finding is most people in the churches are unwilling to come forward and talk about these things either.

And that is dangerous because ultimately the progression continues anxiety depression Suicide or harm to others so how in light of that how important do you think it is for us as parents as Siblings as brothers and sisters in Christ to maybe help identify some of these people and help them.

They may not even know they need help, but they might not even care for it. But I think that that's one of my goals today, which I'll get to my goal point in a few slides. But it's one of my goals is to how do we help each other and how do we identify each other?

People in the church and help them even if they're not willing to Seek the help another troubling tend trend, sorry. San Diego State University did a study and found this 50 of college students were at least overwhelmed and Felt like they amounted to nothing because of the lack of grades now.

It's no surprise. Well, it is a surprise. But more and more people are committing suicide in colleges because they're getting F's on their report cards, okay. They're not report cards. They're grade sheets and that trend is increasing over the last four years in America.

So it's expectations and it's and it's worldviews. Everything is mingled together to absolute chaos absolute chaos. The study from San Diego State found this adults were much more restless. Losing sleep they had poor appetite a college students were not paying attention in college.

They were continuously overwhelmed. Did not know what to do. Again had poor appetite. Everything was an effort. Everything was an effect effort and all of these classic psychosomatic symptoms of Depression and those are all interesting numbers the statistics.

They're important. They're good to know. But these are eye-opening and for some of you here you don't need these statistics to you. Maybe you're going through this. Maybe you know somebody who's going through this.

My desire and my hope by by the end of this week and the next is I'm certain that the God of the Word of God will help us at least start to think about these things rightly. I'm not trying to solve the problem here.

But I am trying to get a start to talk about it and think about it more often because what you see out there will eventually bleed into here. Most churches and Christians don't know what to do. They do think it's a stigma and they do want us to stay away from it.

Oh, we're churchgoing people. We don't we don't talk about that. But I don't think that's what the Bible has ever that's not the way we tackle these things do we. So I hope by the end of this class today and the next week you will have hope.

You will know what the Word of God says, especially if you're a believer you're in for a joyful ride. You are because I'm just gonna teach what the word says. Don't this is no nothing outside. Nothing new.

No bikes jumping from windows nothing of that sort. But I hope that if you know somebody who's struggling with these things. Right there. If you know somebody who's struggling with these things that you will be able to sit down and talk to them and help them as well, I Just want to make one more point before I wrap this up.

I've been told that I'm not the best person to teach on this subject by several people. Including those who are much more mature in me in Christ than I am. I've never been depressed a single day in my life.

I don't get anxious easily. But I've been approached by numerous people in the last two years. Asking for help and I've been studying it more. I've been praying about it more and that's why I'm here. You don't have to experience something to in order to be able to teach the Word of God on it.

Do you you don't need to so maybe you're like me and you're saying, okay, I don't need this. Okay, maybe it's not perhaps for you. It's for you to help others who are going through this. It may be your children.

It may be your grandchildren. It may be others sitting next to you in the pew. Well, we must be able to think about this and deal with it instead of saying snap out of it. Snap out of it Bob. I hope not.

Do any of our pastors have psychological degrees? Psychological psychology degrees, there you go. I don't think any or any of them do but they do need to know the Word of God and what it talks about the Gospel about sin about creation and primarily about anxiety and those things, right?

They need to know about that. They need to have the right worldview. Last bit of warning before I start looking at the word. According to the National Institute of Mental Health. It is an epidemic right now.

It's a national crisis. More money is being lost by the lack of productivity and then companies because of depression than any other means right now. So if it is if it is a national epidemic. It's probably something that the church needs to be aware of as well something that we need to think about as well.

Now pastor Mike has done but I think a three-part series on this and no compromise radio. He said a few things and I want to reiterate two things that he said in no compromise radio. Modern medicine is a blessing from God agreed or disagreed.

It's a it's a comp. It's absolutely a blessing from God the psychological research and the neurological research that's going on around right now. It is amazing to understand how the human body and the human mind works.

It is beautiful to see so please study upon it. Please don't shun yourself away from doctors. That's not what I'm trying to make you guys do. Human beings have an incredibly complex psyche and our emotions are also incredibly complex.

There's nothing we should praise God for modern science and research and not shut the door on doctors and shut the door. Door on everything of that sort and just sit Alone, that's not the goal of this where it needs to be.

Please. Talk to doctors. Please deal with it in a medical situation. I'm not saying stop going to the doctors. That's not what I'm saying. But so we must be careful that we don't shun any of those things.

But many of us are struggling many of you are struggling. So it's important to know what the Bible says about our joy about our hopes and about things like anxiety. Now if you've listened to Pastor John McArthur's message on anxiety.

He's done a four-part series on this as well, and he does not have a psych degree. I checked he does not have a psych degree. He says this the world modern philosophy modern medicine and psychology can help deal with these issues.

Deal he goes on to say how the Bible the Word of God Eliminates it. I don't know if you've heard that message. He does a very good Four-part series on anxiety and that's what he says. Everybody in the modern world can deal with it.

They'll help you. Okay, we'll give you medicine. We'll give you certain therapy to help you deal with it the Word of God. Especially in the life of the believer eliminates it and It's a good way to start.

The way the Bible deals with this is beginning with the gospel of Jesus Christ. If you look at it, the world looks to solve these problems starting with man the Bible Deals with it starting with God and the gospel and sin and the redeeming work of Jesus Christ.

It's a completely different approach to it. The Bible acknowledges the triune. God acknowledges God to be creator acknowledges that we are sinners and we are we are lost and we are at war with God and it talks about eternal hope.

Hope that cannot be attained by anything in this life and it all happens through the substitutionary Obedience and substitutionary death of Jesus Christ. That's where the Bible begins and that's where we have to set our minds on as we address even this issue.

Now Joni was talking about worldviews, so we have to start with that. Not just because she said it but it's it's good to start with that. Have you heard the term? Naturalistic or naturalism. What does it mean?

Very good. Very good naturalism. It's nothing more. There's nothing spiritual. Everything is as it is. What was the core of naturalism though, excuse me? Anybody knows what that is? What is that? The very somebody asks you what is a naturalistic worldview?

Yes, you can say that there's no spirit. But what what else do you know about it? Reason lack of reason or abundance of reason. Human reason is them is can't answer any question regarding our existence.

Good good anybody else Charlie. Secular humanism secular humanism. Excellent. Naturalists are human beings that believe that we are nothing but a freak accident. That our existence is nothing more than an accident and that it in itself has no value and no importance so.

Where can we see such a view most prevalent? Where do we see this naturalistic worldview most prevalent? Evolution very good. Well, what do we see even right now, especially in America over the last 40 years?

It's been happening more and more. Yes, the educational system. Would you guys agree? Yes. Yes. Yes devaluing of human life. Yeah, right right good excellent, but. To that point if you're devaluing human life, are you valuing more something else some other kind of life?

I'm going somewhere with this you're devaluing human life. But at the same time naturalistic view puts up something else. What is that something? Animals. Animals you're devaluing human life. But if you notice there's a progression of Valuing up or increasing the value of animals.

We all love our pets, don't we? But they're not at the same level if you understand creation, no, I know I'm not laughing I know I know. Who do you think is the most influential person the last 30 years in America for such a worldview?

Which organization and Attached to that organization. Do you know her name? Oprah Winfrey is good, but it's surprisingly not her. Oh, yeah. Yes, exactly. I'd keep that same face. Absolutely. Absolutely.

Have you heard of PETA the people of for ethical treatment of animals 1986 the founder Ingrid Newkirk had this to say about human beings 1986. Still true getting worse. A rat is a pig a pig is a dog a dog is a boy.

She went on to say this if you think what Scott said was horrible. She said this and many people believe this. Six million Jews died in concentration camps. But six billion broiler chickens will die this year in slaughterhouses.

You should be offended by that. You should be offended by that. No, her point is her point is human beings have no value. We're no better than animals. Why are this they're the same level as animals the chickens as wonderful as they taste?

Are the same level as human beings so she's essentially saying that the six million Jews who died is pretty bad but look at the six billion broiler chickens that died and therefore saying that number is greater and It's worse and It's worse.

We should be offended by that. Primarily because not only is it not true. It's a offensive to us, but it's a vicious attack on our God and our Creator. It is it is an attack on our Creator. It's attack on his holiness and It is dangerous.

But as we've heard preached right here even by pastor Stephen pastor Mike these people naturalists PETA members. Ingrid Newkirk. They're not our enemies. They're our mission field they need forgiveness and they need the gospel just as wretched sinners like you and I did and do.

So at every opportunity, these are people that need the gospel of Jesus Christ. So while we're offended by what they say, they need forgiveness from an almighty God just like you and me I did. So please preach to them.

Please share the gospel with them and you can. But there's no doubt the growth of naturalism and pagan belief systems here in America. Have definitely worked starting with PETA starting with all these animal rights movements.

It's worked very well. It's worked wonderfully most people don't know who they are and Now I'm a boy. Am I a girl? Am I a man? Am I am a woman? Am I half a chicken half and I have a rat. People have major psychological issues.

But it also begins from your worldview and it begins with sin. There's no doubt about that. As Corey said as a result of these this worldview seeping in. Depression suicide sexual abuse drug abuse and the kind are on the rise.

650 compared to 1950 650 Let's turn our Bible. So Genesis chapter 1 verse 26 to 31. Let's start with the Bible today. And how do we look at some of these things? Genesis chapter 1 verses 26 to 31.

Can somebody read that please? God is a holy being a powerful being and is creator and Man gets instant worth instant value from being created in the image of God. Instant. Yes, that image is marred by sin.

Adam and Eve fell in that image was marred but if you look at Colossians 1 15 to 20 and you look at Many other New Testament passages including Philippians and Luke you'll see that that image is being restored Through the work of Christ on the cross and it will be fully revealed in the future.

Fully that image will be fully restored in glory. But when you're addressing an issue as anxiety depression and suicide, you've got to start with Genesis. Not just because of the first book of the Bible.

It's where we see creation and where we get our intrinsic worth and our value. We are created in the image of God and if we're believers that image is fully being fully restored. By the work of his son the world is confused.

They're looking for solutions. Everywhere except in the Creator God. They're starting from man. They're starting from man's ideas. They're starting from man's philosophies. But as Christians we need to begin from the Word of God.

Specifically the gospel and the Lord Jesus Christ. So, how should we be thinking if you are somebody who may be struggling with this or you know somebody who's going through these issues? First the basic question.

Think on Christ. Who is he? That's the basic question if you don't understand that properly you don't have a doctrine of Christ. You don't know who he is. You have nowhere to start and you're probably gonna start the wrong place.

Turn with me to Colossians chapter 1 verse 15 to 20 as many of you know my favorite passage. But we have to look on who Christ is his greatness his sovereignty his person his work. Especially his work on behalf of lost sinners.

Colossians chapter 1 verse 15 to 20. He is the image of the invisible God the firstborn of all creation for by him all things were created in heaven and on earth visible and invisible where the thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities all things were created through him and for him and He is before all things and in him all things hold together and he is the head of the body the church.

He is the beginning the firstborn from the dead that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell and through him to reconcile to himself all things. Whether on earth or in heaven making peace by the blood of his cross.

We start with Christ. Who is he? As John was saying everything begins with our answers are always our questions are always okay. How do I get the best out of the situation what is convenient for me. Why is all why are all of these things go going against me?

When you look as a Christian, that's not the way we think we always start by thinking about the person of Christ. Who is he? What is his power? And at the end of Colossians 1 15 to 20 he talks about Reconciliation.

He talks about hope for the Christian. Accomplished by his work on the cross he talks about peace. That we have with God that could not have been obtained any other way in a sense. It's a good question to ask if you have peace with God.

Do you need anything else? Do you need anything else? We read Genesis 1 we saw about creation now. We read about Christ in Colossians 1 15 to 20 that same God who created the heavens and the earth is the same Christ.

We see in Colossians 1 and that's beautiful. That's amazing. He is supreme over all creation. He's in complete control. He sustains the heavens in the universe if there was no reserve if he did not resurrect.

There would be no resurrection after that. There would be no conquering of sin and death. But we have hope because of who Christ is and what he's done on behalf of the believer. Now worry is caused by a lack of Needs met and worry is a sin and I'm going to develop that a little bit right now.

Is it right that worry anxiety or depression often if I say it in a simple way is caused by not getting what you want. Can I simplify it like that and say it? It's essentially not getting what you want and you're Worried about it right, so.

No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no sticking is always good. Um. That's why I was talking about the kind of the progression right how it starts and how it gets there. And that's why I'm talking to those who are very early on.

And that's why I also said something don't shun medical. People are saying okay. I'm a Christian. I'm not gonna go do this because it's completely wrong. No, I don't think any of us here will ever say that.

But I'm trying to talk to people before you you will reach here if nothing is checked, right? You will reach here. You're gonna harm yourself or harm somebody else and. And that's where the danger is.

But here's a question. So can a Christian be in that situation? Where eventually you start with worry and you go to depression you lose cognitive ability or you give it up and then you end up Really in a difficult can Christians be in that position.

Good. Good that's the whole idea of this. This class that we're not immune from it and that we need to help each other. We need to understand the Word of God says and and and it's not just people don't just need medical help at that point when you reach you also need a Gentle reminder of the gospel and to come along their side and sit down with them.

Okay, there are people who are getting baptized in this church and in other churches, right and I'm talking about young kids I still I still 12 and 27 who are struggling with this and We're just trying to be in denial and say no no, no snap out of it.

No, it's going to take work. It's going to take coming along their side and it's not just enough to say This is a sin repent. That's why I completely agree with you and that's exactly why I'm talking about this.

Because I've got a plenty of I've got plenty of these phone calls in the last two years. And while I don't suffer from any of these I've seen the need to address this and that's why I'm doing this. But what are our two if you can separate our needs?

What are our two? What categories can we put our needs in? Cory. Okay, physical and spiritual right? There are physical needs and there are spiritual needs. Which do you think is greater? Okay, why why is spiritually greater?

Those have eternal consequences. Those deal in one sense directly with the God with whom we have no peace. We have complete separation from. Right, if you know Isaiah 53 once 1 to 6, I don't want to read all of that.

But I want I want us to read Isaiah chapter 53 verse 6 we have a spiritual. We are completely separated from God because of our sin. We have a spiritual need a spiritual debt, don't we. That cannot be met in any other manner.

But it needs to be initiated by a holy God. Governed by a holy God and finished by a holy God in Isaiah 53 1 to 6 and this is in context, but. This is what I want to read the whole thing, but I'm gonna read just 5 and 6.

But he this is being the Lamb of God this is being the Son of God was pierced for our transgressions. He was crushed for our iniquities. Upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace and with his wounds.

We are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray. We have turned everyone to his own way and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. What is our greatest need. Reconciliation with God our greatest need peace with God our sins to be covered to have atonement.

Isaiah 53 and many parts of the psalm and the New Testament tell us that we have peace with God. We have our greatest need which is spiritual met in Christ complete. We don't need anything outside of that.

Amen, so if you're a believer that gives you great hope that encourages you and guess what we forget that too. Which is why God gave us the word and the Holy Spirit and the church. To come alongside each other and to remind us of this fundamental and basic truth that our greatest spiritual need has been met in Christ.

But if you're an unbeliever here today. You have a bigger problem than depression and anxiety. You have a separation from God problem you have a sin issue. You have a spiritual need that cannot be met.

They cannot you cannot you you need to turn and repent and believe in the Lord. That is the only solution. Now, yes, we do know that God is the one who opens the eyes of men and women. But it does not.

Take away our responsibility does it if you have rejected the Savior today? You have a bigger problem than depression. You're separated from God. You're you're an enemy of God. I beg you to turn to the Lord and look to him today and The only thing you can trust is the life the death and the resurrection of Jesus Christ nothing else nothing else.

Now I want us to read Romans chapter 5 verses 1 to 11 and then I'll close. I'll continue next week because we're out of time. But I hope this encourages believers. Because I know even I forget this. But this is Romans chapter 5 verses 1 to 11.

For the sake of time. I'll read it if I can get to it. Okay, this is talking about salvation in Christ and how the reconciliation will be fully completed in this in glory. Therefore Romans chapter 5 verse 1 to 11 since we've been justified by faith.

We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God not only that but we rejoice in our sufferings knowing that suffering produces endurance and Endurance produces character and character produces hope and hope does not put us to shame.

Because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. For while we were still weak at the right time cry Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person though.

Perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die, but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners. Christ died for us. Since therefore we have now been Justified by his blood. Much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.