Euthanasia is garnering more attention these days. On 3/18, our country became consumed w/the Terry Schiavo case in FL. These events prompted this lesson. There is a growing culture of death in America. Currently euthanasia is illegal in US. But, Oregon passed law allowing euthanasia. This law is currently under review by US Supreme Court. Euthanasia is a product of 20^th century medical success. People who would have formerly died – now kept alive by advanced medical treatments. It is clear that some Americans are tempted by what on the surface seems to be an acceptable, clinical, high-tech "humane" way of disposing of those deemed to be living an unacceptable quality of life.

Euthanasia literally means "good death" in the Greek.

1. Euthanasia is divided into two types: active & passive.

Active Euthanasia is the intentional killing of a patient by a doctor to help a patient die. Voluntary/involuntary. Euthanasia is NOT Physician Assisted Suicide.

In PAS – doctor provides patient necessary means to commit suicide.

Passive Euthanasia: Officials allow nature to take its course w/or w/o patients knowledge.

Matters of life & death belong to God.

John 5:26 – God is the source of life.

Gen. 2:7 – God is the giver of life.

Acts 17:24-25, 28 – God is the preserver of life.

Deut. 32:39; 1 Sam. 2:6 – God is the taker of life.

Ex. 20:13 – God said you shall not kill.

1 Sam. 31; 2 Sam. 1 – the biblical practice as seen in the death of Saul.

Consider Saul’s condition – 31:3-4; 31:4b – the armor bearer’s reaction:

2 Sam. 1:13-14 – David’s reaction to Amalekite who claimed he killed Saul.

13:14 – David called the Amalekite a murderer.

Scripture says there can be value in the trails of life.

Suffering allows us an opportunity to prove our faith. Psa 23:4

Lk. 1:38; 2 Cor. 12:9 – problems in life teach us to rely on God for strength and guidance. Think of Job 1:20-21; 2:10 – Job’s example.

We can use our trials to glorify God – 2 Cor. 4:16-18

III. Why Euthanasia is wrong.

Does not value human life. Must place value on those less fortunate: Lk. 14:13

No respect for elderly parents.

Honor/respect for parents does not stop when children move out. Eph. 6:1-2

1 Tim. 5:8, 16 – our salvation is contingent upon our care of loved ones.

No respect for the rightful placement of death. Heb. 9:27

There is a difference between causing death & allowing death!

No compassion/mercy. No respect for God’s sovereignty.

Involuntary Euthanasia. People put to death w/o their consent.

Euthanasia for Psychological problems – even in bad cases of depression.

Euthanasia for mentally retarded babies – already being done via abortion.

Active Euthanasia is the unlawful taking of a human being’s life.