What's A Soul Worth?
Introduction:
A. There is a T.V. show called The Antique Roadshow.
1. This show goes to different countries, and cities, and
people in those areas bring antiques to this show to
have them appraised.
2. Some of these items are appraised for thousands of
dollars, and some are appraised for less than $100.
3. Some of the people who bring these antiques are
shocked to hear how much their antiques are worth.
B. There is something everyone has that they need to realize
just how priceless it is...and that is their soul.
1. Some people don't even realize, or don't believe that
they have a soul.
2. Others have been blessed in coming to the knowledge
that they have a soul, and that their soul is priceless.
3. Jesus put it this way...(Matthew 16:26).
"For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole
world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man
give in exchange for his soul?"
4. The point Jesus is making is that a man should be
willing to give anything to save his soul, for his soul is
worth more than anything this world has to offer.
I. Consider how much value The Father, and The Son
put on a soul.
A. The Father thought the souls of men were priceless.
1. For He had a plan to save man's soul.
a. His plan was to take away Satan's power.
1) Genesis 3:15.
2) Hebrews 2:14.
b. God, providential fulfilled His promise.
1) Genesis 22:18.
2) Galatians 3:16.
2. God's plan, however, was that His Son would die,
that men could be redeemed.
a. He gave His Son to save us from sin - John 3:16.
b. He thought our souls were worth the death of His
Son.
B. Jesus thought the souls of men were priceless.
1. He left the glories of heaven, was made in the
likeness of men, and died on the cross, to save our
souls (Philippians 2:5-8).
2. He allowed Himself to be: arrested; beaten; and nails
driven through His hands and His feet, to save our
souls.
3. He was willing to do this for you and me, not because
we deserved it, or that He owed it to us, or that He
had no choice in the matter, but He did it to save our
souls - Romans 5:6-8.
II. Consider how much value the early church put on souls.
A. The apostles put great value on souls.
1. They devoted their lives to the preaching and teaching
of the gospel, so that men might be saved.
a. They knew that the gospel was the power of God
unto salvation (Romans 1:16).
b. They knew God had chosen through the foolishness
of preaching to save them that believe (I Cor.1:21).
c. They knew if men were going to be saved they had
to believe, and if they were going to believe, they
had to hear, and if they were going to hear someone
had to preach (Romans 10:13-15)...so they went!
2. They suffered many things to preach the gospel.
a. Arrested.
b. Beaten.
c. Imprisoned.
d. Death.
e. Paul said..."My hearts desire and prayer to God for
Israel is, that they might be saved" (Romans 10:1).
f. He also said..."I am debtor both to the Greeks, and
to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise."
(Romans 1:14)
B. The brethren put great value on souls.
1. The brethren in Jerusalem, when they were being
persecuted, "went everywhere preaching the word"
(Acts 8:4).
2. The Thessalonians "sounded out the word of the Lord
not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every
place.." (I Thessalonians 1:8).
3. The Philippians sent more than once to Paul to help
supply him with his necessities, so he could preach
the gospel (Philippians 4:15-16).
4. Why? Because they realized, like all christians should,
that "God so loved the world, that He gave His only
begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should
not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16).
III. The church today realizes the value of souls.
A. The congregation in Peculiar.
1. We have been working at taking the gospel to the
lost, just as Jesus commanded us all to do.
a. 100's have been taught via the jail ministry,
newspaper articles, Bible correspondence.
b. Others have been reached through: door knocking;
handing out tracts; and personal contact.
2. God has blessed our efforts.
a. Baptisms.
b. Open doors.
c. Building to meet in.
d. Purchase of a plot of land.
e. Peace among the brethren.
f. Brethren who are involved in the work.
3. We plan on continuing to do this work.
a. Gospel meeting in April.
b. Bible voice mail program.
c. More: tracts handed out; newspaper articles, etc.
d. Hopefully in 4 years (or less) we will have a building
on the land we have built, and be able to use it as a
tool to reach even more.
B. This congregation also realizes the value of souls.
1. By your willingness to help in various works.
a. Don Underwood
b. Peculiar
c. Others.
2. By the work you do yourself.
a. Elders = in shepherding the flock.
b. Bill = preaching the truth.
c. Teachers = teaching others God's word so that
they might grow, and remain faithful.
d. Members = who are involved in personal evangelism,
invite people to services, talk to people
about the Lord.
Conlusion:
A. The Lord has told us not to grow weary in well doing.
1. We are going to continue to do the work He has given us
to do.
a. Keep us in your prayers.
b. Come visit us.
c. We thank you for all your support.
2. We encourage you to continue in the work of the Lord as
well, if there is anything we can do to help you, let us know.
a. The early church worked together, and because of that,
they were able to take the gospel to every creature under
heaven (Colossians 1:23).
b. Brethren, there are a multitude of people that need to
hear the gospel today, and if we work together, we can
take it to them.
B. If there is one here tonight, who has not obeyed the gospel:
1. You need to.
2. There is no time like right now.
3. The gospel is very simple.