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Sermon Series: Soul Kitchen Sermon Outline Topic: Main Point: Intended Response: Definition: Soul Key Verse: The Soul Jesus told us look after our soul Looking after our soul includes valuing it, protecting it, and allowing God to save it. Our soul is the hidden part of us. Often described as our inner world, our soul is the life centre of at the core of our being. It the part of us that drives us to connect with God, people, and the creation around us. Jesus told us to look after it. What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? - Matt 16:26 Outline A. Our soul is valuable We all have a soul (Gen 2:7, Matt 10:28) The soul lives forever (Matt 10:28, Rev 20:12-15) It has immeasurable worth; it is priceless (Matt 16:26, Mark 8:36) Point One: Every human has a soul that will exist forever: either with God in God in heaven, or forever separated from Him. B. Our soul is under constant pressures There are many things that can weight our souls down We need to proactively guard our souls (Prov 4:23) Point Two: Our souls need protecting C. Our soul needs saving We all need saving (Isa 64:6) God wants our soul to be with Him (2 Pet 3:9) The safest place for our soul is in the hands of God (Psalm 62) Point Three: Only God can save our soul Teaching Illustration: Soul Kitchen There is a recipe for keeping a healthy soul. It involves valuing our souls, intentionally protecting them, and finally entrusting them back into God s hands. In terms of props, you can dress up a table with a whole bunch of pots and pans, kitchen items, vegetables, cooking ingredients, and lay it out like a setting of a cooking show. Territorial Mission Resources Department Australia Southern Territory 2015 2
Sermon Series: Soul Kitchen Sermon Transcript Introduction Good morning everyone, In the gospel of Matthew, Jesus said, What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? (Matt 16:26) Today, I d like to ask you a more reflective question, How is your soul doing? In the midst of a busy and challenging world, it is easy for us to forget that we have a soul, and that Jesus told us to look after it. Our soul is the hidden part of us. Often described as our inner world, our soul is the life centre at the core of our being. We need to look after it and manage it well, lest we forget Jesus warning. Gordon MacDonald wrote: We all have two worlds to manage: an outer world of career and possessions and social networks; and an inner world that is more spiritual in nature, where values are selected and character is formed a place where worship and confession and humility can be practiced. So how do we manage our souls well? How do we get this right? Illustration: Have you ever made a meal that turned out just perfectly? How did it happen, by accident, or did you follow a recipe? Generally, you d follow a recipe. Well, there is a recipe for keeping a healthy soul. It involves valuing our souls, intentionally protecting them, and finally entrusting them back into God s hands. 1. Our soul is valuable Today, I d like to teach you this recipe for managing a healthy soul God shows us in the Bible, that We all have a soul (Gen 2:7, Matt 10:28) Everyone has a soul. And everyone s soul will stand before God one day. The soul lives forever (Matt 10:28, Rev 20:12-15) It is the part of us that will exit forever in eternity. We will either be forever with God in His presence, or forever separated from Him. Our soul is very important. It has immeasurable worth, beyond value, it is priceless (Matt 16:26, Mark 8:36) Jesus taught that not even the entire wealth of the world is worth one soul POINT 1: Souls are valuable because: 1) Every human on the planet has a soul and 2) Our souls will exist forever: either with God in God in heaven, or forever separated from Him. Territorial Mission Resources Department Australia Southern Territory 2015 3
2. Our soul is under constant pressure The Bible also teaches us we need to protect our souls because our souls are under constant pressure. We all have many different things that attack our soul / our inner world: Parents: kids could be facing troubled times Finances: could be an exceptionally hard time Work pressures could be unsettling you Spiritual walk could feel dry These issues can rob us of our peace and leave us with a heavy feeling on the inside, weighting down our souls. The Psalmist s identify with the weight of a troubled soul. In Psalm 119:28 we read: My soul melteth for heaviness (American Standard Version) My soul is weary with sorrow (New International Version) My soul melts away for sorrow! (English Standard Version) In Proverbs 4:23 We are instructed to proactively guard our souls Above all else, guard your heart (soul), for everything you do flows from it. (New International Version) Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. (New Living Translation) Keep your soul with all vigilance/diligence, for from it flow the springs of life. (English Standard Version) Our souls need protecting because they shape the course of our lives. POINT 2: And that s the second point we reach: Our souls need protecting Finally, we all must understand that our soul needs saving 3. Our souls need saving The Bible says: All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away (Isa 64:6) God doesn t want any soul to be apart from Him (2 Peter 3:9) The only way for that to happen is for us to place our souls into the hands of the only person who can truly take care of them for all eternity: Jesus The safest place for any soul is in the hands of God Psalm 62 1Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him. 2 Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken 5 Yes, my Territorial Mission Resources Department Australia Southern Territory 2015 4
soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. 6 Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. 7 My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. 8 Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge. POINT 3: Conclusion Only God can save our souls As we close, may I ask: What is the state of your soul today? Is it weary? Is it distraught? Is it filled with anxiety? Is it in need of a fresh infilling of God s Spirit? Who have you entrusted your soul too? Is it in your hands, Is it in the hands fate? Your soul is the most valuable part to you it needs to be placed back into the hands of God. Perhaps it s time to commit it back into the hands of God today? Call to Action As we pray, I invite you up the front to the mercy seat to entrust your soul into God s hand. This might be the first time you have made this decision, or perhaps you just need that fresh touch from God? God is faithful, and will look after all that we commit into His hands. Close Closing prayer Father God, my soul is the most important part of me. I cannot look after it on my own. I need your help. Father today, I entrust my soul into your hands. Lord Jesus, you are our great burden bearer. Today, I give my burdens to you. From the least to greatest, I ask you to move in my life and carry me through. Father, fill us with your Spirit here today Amen Territorial Mission Resources Department Australia Southern Territory 2015 5
Sermon Series: Soul Kitchen Scripture References (Matt 16:26) What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? Matt 26:41 Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. Gen 2:7 Then the LORD God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being/soul. Matt 10:28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Matt 16:26 What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? Mark 8:36 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Deut 6:5 Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. Matt 22:37 Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' Rev 20:15 And if anyone s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. Jn 20:22 And with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit. Ezek 37:9-10 Then He said to me, Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, Thus says the Lord GOD, Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they come to life. So I prophesied as He commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they came to life and stood on their feet, an exceedingly great army. Ps 62:1 Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him. Territorial Mission Resources Department Australia Southern Territory 2015 6
Proverbs 4:23 (NIV) Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Philippians 4:4-7 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Mark 6:31 Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest." Matt 26:41 "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak." Heb 4:15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are yet he did not sin. 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. Psalm 62 1Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him. 2 Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken. 3 How long will you assault me? Would all of you throw me down this leaning wall, this tottering fence? 4 Surely they intend to topple me from my lofty place; they take delight in lies. With their mouths they bless, but in their hearts they curse. 5 Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. 6 Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. 7 My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. 8 Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge. 9 Surely the lowborn are but a breath, the highborn are but a lie. If weighed on a balance, they are nothing; together they are only a breath. 10 Do not trust in extortion or put vain hope in stolen goods; though your riches increase, do not set your heart on them. 11 One thing God has spoken, two things I have heard: Power belongs to you, God, 12 and with you, Lord, is unfailing love ; and, You reward everyone according to what they have done. Territorial Mission Resources Department Australia Southern Territory 2015 7