Choosing Life Part 3
Sunday Morning Worship Service
Bishop Claude R Alexander, Jr
Sermon Title - Choosing Life Part 3
Text - Genesis 37:1-8, 20-28 NLT
2023 CDC Youth Risk Behavior Survey
1 in 5 high school students (20%)** seriously considered suicide in the past year.
1 in 6 (16%)** made a suicide plan.
1 in 10 (10%)** attempted suicide.
2024 Research & Trends
In 60% of the youth suicide victims, there was no previously diagnosed mental health problem.
Sharp rise in Black youth suicide: Rates for ages 10–19 rose 54% since 2019. Black girls especially being at higher risk.
Young girls are now dying by suicide at rates comparable to boys, especially Black adolescent girls
Contributing Factors
Undiagnosed distress
Access to lethal means
Social Media/Cyberbullying
Structural stressors such as systemic racism, political hostility, restrictive laws
Choosing life in the midst of disappointing and painful episodes, in part, comes from putting past and current situations in a bigger frame.
Verse 2
“This is the account of Jacob and his family. When Joseph was seventeen years old, he often tended his father’s flocks.”
Choosing life comes from placing current situations in a bigger frame called Continuance.
Within the frame of continuance are the episodes of challenge.
Choosing life is not just about the frame that you choose, but also the focus within the frame
Choosing life within the disappointing, depressing, and distressing requires focusing upon the right person in the frame.
Chapter 39:1-2
“When Joseph was taken to Egypt by the Ishmaelite traders, he was purchased by Potiphar, an Egyptian officer. Potiphar was captain of the guard for Pharaoh, the king of Egypt. The Lord was with Joseph, so he succeeded in everything he did as he served in the home of his Egyptian master.”
The certainty of the continuance in the midst of the inconsistencies is in the consistency of the main character.
Psalm 105:16,
God called for a famine on the land of Canaan, cutting off its food supply. Then He sent someone to Egypt ahead of them—Joseph, who was sold as a slave. They bruised his feet with fetters and placed his neck in an iron collar. Until the time came to fulfill his dreams, the Lord tested Joseph’s character. Then Pharaoh sent for him and set him free; the ruler of the nation opened his prison door. Joseph was put in charge of all the king’s household; he became ruler over all the king’s possessions.”
The God who writes the story, writes Himself in the story to guarantee the outcome of the story.
Church Website: https://theparkministries.org
The Park Church exists to extend the Love, the Life, and the Lordship of Jesus Christ to every person, in every way, in every place, and at every time that the opportunity is given.