We
Need to Stop Neglecting the Needs of The Inner Man
2Corinthians
4:16
DATE:
17 Aug, 2003 AM
PLACE: BBC Blarney
I.
Introduction (Gen 2:7)
A.
Understanding the Soul is a fundamental revelation that
comes from the Bible
1.
Biology analyses the body
2.
Psychology analyses the mind – or so they believe
3.
But, Scripture analyses the soul – the heart of man (Heb
4:12), “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any
twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of
the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the
heart.”
B.
The modern world has almost eradicated our awareness of a
spiritual element to our life (Pr 15:32). Which is a grave error. Leading to:
1.
The ruin of every society on earth – becoming only
animals and beasts
2.
The loss of billions of souls to hell forever and ever!
C.
We are spiritual beings as much as we are physical beings.
The moment we reject that reality, we lock ourselves into an animalistic,
dog-eat-dog, survival of the fittest, catch-22 where no one is safe, and
everyone hates life itself!
D.
More than ever, in today’s hell-bent society, people
need to know the truth about what they are, and what they are missing in their
lives!
II.
Message
A.
What is the Soul
1.
The soul is part of the trinity of man (1Thes 5:23). Each
part is vital, but according to Jesus, the most important is the soul (Mt 10:28)
2.
It is called the hidden man or the inner man
(1Pet 3:4; 2Cor 4:16-18)
3.
The soul is the source of your emotions, your will, the
ability to reason, and understand.
It is your awareness of yourself.
4.
In other words, your soul is the real you
– what you really are, what you think, how you feel, and why you feel that
way.
5.
It is separate from the body – an immaterial, invisible
part of you (2Cor 4:18)
6.
Actually, every living thing has a soul of a certain kind
a.
Animals have a limited sense of ability to understand
instruction
b.
Animals have wills – some, like cats, are quite stubborn
c.
Animals have emotions – dogs can grieve the death of
their owner
7.
A Human Soul is NOT like the soul of other living things
a.
The soul of man came from the very breath of God – God
breathed into us characteristics of Himself that far exceed animal passions
b.
Human-kind has a special soul – from the very moment of
conception
1)
Eternal – no animal lives forever
2)
Able to read and write in a language – no animal reads
or writes
3)
Able to worship freely of our own free will!
8.
The body is an extension of the soul (Lk 16:22-25)
a.
The soul has eyes – the real eyes behind the eyes of
your body
b.
It has a heart – but its heart does not pump blood, it
feels
c.
It has a voice, and a tongue – the real voice behind
your voice
d.
Your hands, your feet, your body all is just the skin
around your soul. Your body does what your soul wants to do!
9.
Your soul is your life (Mt 6:25-33)
a.
Your life is not wrapped up in your hair, or lack of it
b.
Your life is more than all the physical things of this
world
c.
Your physical life is simply an extension of your
spiritual life, and that is only active, when anchored to the Kingdom of God
B.
The
Purpose of the Soul.
1.
To know God (Jn 17:3)
2.
To love God (Dt 6:4)
3.
To enjoy God forever – not be defeated and discouraged,
and overwhelmed by ANYTHING
4.
… AS, you live your life here, and ultimately throughout
all eternity!
5.
Our purpose is not found in heaven, but in each and every
minute of every day (1Cor 10:31). We are spiritual beings, made to please God
C.
Confusion
About the Soul.
1.
Concerning
Soul-Sleep.
JW’s and SDA’s teach your soul
goes to the grave until judgment day, when it is either raised to eternal life
with your body, or to annihilation. When we die, we go to be with Jesus (2Cor
5:8; Philp 1:21-24))
2.
Concerning
Soul-Annihilation.
The people of Sodom and Gommora are still, to this day suffering God’s
vengeance of eternal fire (Jude 1:7)
3.
Concerning the idea that there is No Such Thing as a
Soul – the idea that life is only a jumble of accidentally complex
molecules and enzymes. If you believe that, then go talk to a rock (Ps 14:1
states, only a FOOL believes there is no God)!
4.
This confusion is brought on by:
a.
No clear Bible preaching – only a lot of religious
rubbish
b.
Blindness by the devil
c.
Pride – not wanting to give God any control over life
D.
The
Needs of Every Soul.
1.
Salvation
(Jam 1:21; 1Pet 1:9)
a.
My body does what my soul wants to do
b.
My body is already doomed because of sin in it
c.
God declares that the soul that sinneth, it shall die
(Ezek 18:4)
d.
So, my soul will die forever if I don’t get the problem
with sins taken cared of!
e.
That’s why Jesus came – not to cure you of all
diseases, and take away all your problems, but to SAVE SOULS from hell!
f.
Otherwise you will end up like a rich fool (Lk 12:16-20)
2.
Stability
– firm footing (Psalm 40:1-3), no matter what storm the body may encounter
a.
Protection (1Pet 5:8) – we have an enemy that seeks to,
and can devour souls
b.
Purpose (2Tim 4:7) – a course to run (Heb 12:1)
c.
Truth - You better learn the TRUTH, or else this world
will batter you with every wind of false doctrine, and your soul will smart for
it!
3.
Nourishment
(Mt 4:4)
a.
Your thoughts need to be fed good food!
b.
Your imagination need to be fed good food!
c.
Your joy and delight need to be fed good food!
d.
Your inner strength – virtue – needs to be fed!
e.
All come from your daily, if not constant walk with the
Lord Jesus in your personal time of reading your Bible, chapter by chapter, and
in prayer
f.
THAT is how you feed your soul, and nourish it (Job 23:12)
4.
Rest
(Ps 23:1-3; Mt 11:29)
a.
Not in the grave
b.
But in LIFE
c.
That’s why getting to church, and learning your Bible,
and being encouraged to live for God is so important – because, in that yoke
with Jesus, you will find rest deeper than your bones – you will find real
rest in your souls!
III.
Conclusion
A.
If I were a doctor, I would be asking about your health
B.
But, I am a Pastor – and I worry about your soul.
C.
I am concerned that the thing that is eternal in you, is
healthy, strong, vibrant, and in the care of Almighty God
D.
Are you saved? I mean, is your soul saved? Are you born
again!?
E.
Is your heart and soul stable and strong?
F.
Are read feasting on God’s word, and growing everyday?
Or are you stagnant and cold?
G.
Your soul is more important than all the world – don’t
ignore its needs!