HOW MUCH IS A SOUL WORTH?

If He were ever asked how much a soul was worth, Jesus would remind us of the time He crucified on the Cross and gave up the Ghost.

Luke 19:10, For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

           How much is it worth to you? I remember hearing that in school when a classmate brought something in for show and tell. You asked, “How much would you sell that for?” Their response “How much is it worth to you?” It was one of negotiation, wheeling and dealing, and the beginnings of a lifetime of haggling to get the better deal.

            Friend, while there are some things you can haggle on, wheel and deal, and even a negotiation on, you will never get a better deal for your salvation than what Jesus has done for you. You see, you pay nothing, He paid it all. You cannot haggle for a better deal than that! There is no wheeling and dealing, you either do it God’s way or it’s not going to happen. There aren’t any negotiations for a different way; Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life! How much is a soul is worth— Jesus shed blood His blood on the Cross the souls of lost man!

HONORING THE FALLEN

I only regret I have but one life to lose for my country. — Nathan Hale

John 15:13, Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

            Today, in the United States of America, we celebrate the men and women who have laid down their lives for freedom. Husbands and Wives, Fathers and Mothers, Son and Daughters, Nieces and Nephews, maybe even a Grandpa or Grandma who have sacrificed their lives for freedom! Specifically, some of these freedoms include: the right to assemble to worship, the right of free speech, the right to carry a gun, and the right to vote.

            So yes, I will honor the lives of those who have given their lives to secure our freedom! Will you join me?

EXERCISE

Exercise your rights or they will erode like the sand during a hurricane.

John 15:13, Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

            On this Memorial Day weekend, let’s exercise the right to assemble to worship. Many men and women have taken up arms or put on a uniform to defend that right. Taken for granted, forsaken, and thought to be out dated and unneeded, the local body of believers (the Church) is what is essential, not only for years gone by, but today as well!

            So, GET UP, GET READY, and GO TO CHURCH this Sunday morning, honoring those who have laid down their lives for you to do so!  

HE KNOWS YOU BY NAME

          I may forget your name, but I won’t forget your face. God forgets neither.

Exodus 33:17, And the LORD said unto Moses, I will do this thing also that thou hast spoken: for thou hast found grace in my sight, and I know thee by name.

            I am not sure if you had siblings or not but if you did you probably remember Mom or Dad saying, Come here (your brother’s name), Come here (your sister’s name), I mean come here (your other brother’s name), UGH!!! No, come here (your other sister name!) Finally, they gave up and said, Hey you…. Come here!!! I don’t know about you but I use to laugh at them when they did that! When my kids were growing up, I did the same thing! It wasn’t so funny then!

            God knows you by name friend! He knew you before you were conceived in your mother’s womb! He knew you when He got up on the Cross! He knew you before the foundations of the Earth were laid! That ought to bring hope to those who no one knows and those everyone may know!

UNITY!

            Yes, we must indeed all hang together, or most assuredly, we shall all hang separately. --Benjamin Franklin

Acts 2:1, And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

            By signing the Declaration of Independence, Benjamin Franklin displayed the great understanding, “There is strength in numbers”. Franklin and the others were willing to risk their lives and the lives of their families, uniting with the one another, with the hope of liberty and freedom for all men. Ultimately, because of their faith in God, fearless attitude, and a resolve to finish, America was birthed!

            During the forming of the early church, Jesus told Peter, “… upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Jesus was that rock and He became the unifying “Theme” down through the centuries. With Jesus as the foundation and the unity of the believers, the church began to have victory by seeing people grow spiritual and the church body multiply in numbers.

            Are you willing to let Jesus be your source of strength and power? Are you willing to unite with the church of the living God so that the Lord can work in and through you? If you want to have victories in your life and the lives of those that love you, you will! I am reminded what David penned for us in Psalm 133:1, Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!

A LITTLE CLOSER

            Staying close, keeps us on the straight and narrow.

James 4:8, Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

            When it comes to my Christian walk, I have found my worst enemy is myself. I am the one that leads me astray. I am the one that succumbs to the temptations Satan throws at me. I am the one that wonders away from God. I have also found the cure for all of it; it is staying close to the Lord!

           James tells us to “Draw nigh to God”, for a very good reason. We are less likely to sin against Him when we do. So friend, get a little closer to the Lord, stay close to the Lord, and he will draw nigh to you!

“KNOCK, KNOCK”

            To win this world for Jesus, one must look at them the same way Jesus looks at us.

Romans 5:8, But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

            When you go out knocking on doors, inviting folks to church, and sharing the Gospel with them, you never know what they might say. You might get cursed out and told never to come back. You may be challenged in your own theology. You may get the greatest opportunity to share the Good News. You may get to tell them, “Christ died for them!”

            Whatever happens, you must be prepared, because when you go “Knock, Knock”, there isn’t any turning back!

STAY AWAY

            It’s the norm to social distance from the Covid19 virus, but what about sin?

2 Timothy 2:4, No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

            Up to date reports give us the latest information concerning Covid19. Where it came from, how it’s impacted the world; financially, medically, and socially has become headline news, every day. No matter where you go, it has saturated our society. It has impacted everyone in some way.

            What if… what if we were to treat sin the same way as we treat the virus? What if we were to social distance from it? What if we were to flee from it? What if we saw the dangers of it like we do that of the virus? What if we saw how sin stifles our voice, breaks our communication, and will ultimately bring about death?

            Child of God, while Covid19 is bad and it has the potential to take your life, nothing will impact you as sin does. Nothing will have the lasting affects as sin does. While the virus may take this earthly life, sin will take your life forever so, stay away from sin!   

THE CYCLE OF SIN STOPS WHEN THE BLOOD IS APPLIED

The scars of others should teach us caution. -Saint Jerome

Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. Jude 1:7

            It has been said that “History repeats itself.” This quote is true in many ways but when Christ comes into a man or woman’s life—all things are become new! He changes the lineage of drunks, He alters the mind of a line of pedophiles, He cleanses the hands of a lifelong family of thieves and He changes the branches of a family tree that confounds the greatest historian!!

            History does not have to repeat itself! You don’t have to become a drunk, a pedophile or a thief. I am here to tell you that Jesus can and will make the difference in your life—if you give your life to Him! The cycle of sin ends when His blood is applied!

THE STRUGGLE IS REAL!

            While we may struggle along, I am thankful there is One that is there with us all the way!

Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. 1 John 4:4

            Each day we wake up, the struggle with this old world and its ways is on. There is a reminder in this scripture though— “greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world”. What a wonderful reminder when we face the temptations the world throws at us. When we are tempted to compromise or to quit remember— “greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.”    When we are tempted to quit on family remember— “greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world”. When we are tempted to compromise our testimony remember— “greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world”. When we are tempted to quit church remember — “greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world”.

            Whatever he throws at us, we have the Holy Spirit living in us to help us have victory over him! Don’t ever forget that Christian soldier and you won’t sink in this old world we live in! So, GET UP, GET READY, and GO ENJOY WORSHIPING YOUR SAVIOUR!

FIRE IT UP

            If there be any one point in which the Christian church ought to keep its fervor at a white heat, it is concerning missions.  If there be anything about which we cannot tolerate lukewarmness, it is in the matter of sending the gospel to a dying world. -Spurgeon

Psalm 96:3, Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people.

            Are you prepared to give an account of the hope of the Gospel? Do you have the Scriptures written down that you would share with someone if they were to ask you about Jesus?        You will never be as effective as the Lord has commanded if you don’t get fired up and passionate about seeing a soul come to Christ. Don’t get in the rut of ruin by not sharing the Good News that Jesus lives! Instead get fired up sharing what He has done for you!

LIVE IT AND GIVE IT, WALK IT AND TALK IT, PREACH IT AND TEACH IT, A SERMON IN SHOES!

            The greatest of all miracles is the salvation of a soul. – Spurgeon

Acts 8:37 “And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”

            Praise the Lord for the leading of the Spirit for without the Holy Spirit leading us none of us would’ve understood the Gospel message. Praise the Lord for the Preachers that preach the Gospel! Praise the Lord for the Christian that lives and gives the Gospel message! Without us doing what God has commanded, the church would shrivel up and die! So, if you’re saved, stand up, speak up, and tell the old story of Jesus and His love!

           If you’re not saved, I leave you with this thought this morning, “What doth hinder you to be saved?”

THE JOY OF THE LORD

            The joy of the Lord will arm us against the assaults of our spiritual enemies, and put our mouths out of taste for those pleasures with which the tempter baits his hooks. –Henry

My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not. Proverbs 1:10

            I don’t know about you but when I was growing up, I walked the straight and narrow when I was at home. You see, I had a fear of my Dad, the good type of fear that caused me to walk that straight line. It was a type of fear that caused me to respect my Dad and because I did—there was joy in my hinder parts! However, you let me hit that bus and go to school, I was a handful!

            I have noticed in my Christian walk, it’s kind of the same way. The closer my walk with the Lord, the straighter I walk and I have joy in my life that money cannot buy! If your joy isn’t where it used to be maybe it’s time for you to get right with the Lord. Seek His face and turn from the wicked and sinful things you have been doing. Before long, the taste of sinful pleasures will dry up and your joy will be complete in Him!

TELL ABOUT HIS LOVE

Jesus founded his kingdom on love, and it is going to stand. - D.L. Moody

1 John 4:19, We love him, because he first loved us.

            Oh, we could preach on the love of Jesus for the rest of our lives and not exhaust the content of His love toward us. We could tell about when our Saviour took the scourging He took. We could tell about when He got up on the Cross of Calvary and lay His life down for us. We could tell about when our Saviour conquered death, hell, and the grave for us. It isn’t just lip service, its life sacrifice! Friend, this is the very reason why we tell about His love! We tell about His death, burial, and resurrection! We preach the Gospel, telling people Jesus is alive and He wants you to be alive as well!

            So, friend don’t just go about your day telling others about what you hate or the ills of today’s society. Tell them about the love of Jesus!

ANOTHER LAP

            Exercise and eating right is hard but it sure does make you feel better.

1 Timothy 4:8, For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.

            So, for the past 5 months my wife and I have been going to the walking track almost everyday together. For the first couple of months we walked for a mile and then we took on another. Forty-five minutes of each day is invested in our lives to drop a few pounds, get my blood pressure down, and hopefully live longer. By the grace of God, two of those three goals have been obtained. Let’s just say, I’m going to have to buy some new pants pretty soon. 😊

            However, if that’s all we ever did and we never invested into our spiritual walk with the Lord, it would all be in vain. You see, while losing weight and getting that blood pressure down is important to living a healthier life, it does not guarantee a longer life. Our lives are in the hands of our Saviour. Our days have been numbered. It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment. You may be physically fit. Your blood pressure my be perfect. You may have just left the doctors office. However, if it is your time to go, I hope you’re ready to meet Jesus. Are you ready—spiritually? If not, take another lap through the Word of God!

KEEP IT GOING

         Unless there are people who are responding to the love of God as revealed in Christ and so are worshiping Him, the Church is not very important. -Blake

Psalm 65:4, Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy temple.

            No matter how long the road of turmoil might be, we must keep the church going during days like these. The work of the local church is vital in every community. It is essential that we keep the work of the church going on for the very souls of men are at stake!

Here are seven basic ways to keep the church going:

            Pray- Pray for those in authority; Pray for wisdom. Pray for discernment. Pray for their souls. Hebrews 13:7, Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.

            Work- Work in such a way that the lost will desire to know Jesus. Matthew 5:16, Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

            Witness- There is not a time when we shouldn’t lift up the name of Jesus. 1 Peter 3:15, But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

            Give- Giving keeps the light of the Gospel on in the community in which you live. 2 Corinthians 9:7, Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

            Praise- Sharing a word of praise for the Lord reminds others of His grace, mercy, and love. Psalm 92:1, It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High:

            Repent- Confession of sin is the basis of all great revivals. 2 Chronicles 7:14, If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

            Continue- A steady faithful walk with the Lord will bring forth fruit! 2 Timothy 3:14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;

            Galatians 6:9, And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

TRAVEL ON

Read the map and follow the compass, lest you off course.

Psalm 37:23-24, The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.

            Child of God, as a Boy Scout reads a map and follows his compass, so must we continue to read God’s Word and follow His Spirit to guide us in the best trip to Heaven. If we get off course, it doesn’t change the fact that we are on the trip, it changes how we get there. There is no doubt, He will get His Children to Heaven. How we get there is up to the way we read His Word and follow the directions of His Spirit. It could be a trip filled full of wilderness journeys or it could be a trip of living in Canaan Land. The choice is up to you!

            Travel on friend! Travel in His Word and following His Spirit, reaching the greatest Destination you will ever enter into!

BE ON GUARD

            Be on your toes or you might just be six foot under.

1 Peter 5:8, Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

            The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier has been guarded continuously, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, since midnight, July 2, 1937. Why would anyone want to guard a tomb of an unknown soldier? Why would anyone want to guard a tomb of someone who is dead? Why would anyone want to stand in the summer heat, the winter cold, the rain, the hail, the snow, terrorist attacks, and much, much more? They do it for respect, honor, and nobility. Not directing this toward the soldier who is on guard but the soldier whom gave his life defending the Constitution of the United States of America.

            Child of God, we should be on guard in our lives just like the Old Guard walks those 22 steps honoring the Unknown Soldier in the tomb. However, we are not honoring anyone in a tomb. The One we honor is Alive forevermore! We honor our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, by being on guard, being aware of the danger of sin and we take action against it. We make no provision for the flesh because in the day that we do, we become the adversary’s dinner!

WHAT ARE YOU GIVING TO?

Love is the only service that power cannot command and money cannot buy. –Anonymous

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

            God loved the world that He created so much that He sent His Son to redeem it from the very grips of Satan! How much should we invest in getting this message out? How much should we “sacrifice” in order that one soul might come to know Him? Is there any dollar amount that when spent we say enough is enough- Heaven forbid! We should never put a monetary value to the soul of man!

            Give to your local church with tithes and offerings. Invest in missions whether by faith promise or in faithful offerings. Each of us can do something. Maybe you don’t have the money to give; give of your time and your talents! Some can do more than others but all can do something to get the Good News of the Gospel out!

GOD’S WORKING

Too often we try to use God to change our circumstances, while He is using our circumstances to change us.” — Author Unknown

How often to we try to pray ourselves out of something God led us into instead of trusting Him in it? It is often during these times that we grow the most in our spiritual walk with the Saviour. Instead of running from our problems why not do something that most in this world would counsel you not to--- Psalm 46:10, "Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth."

It is during these times we see God work "at His best" humanly speaking! What good have we seen out of wars of the past? What good have we seen out of missionaries remaining on the field where God sent them, even when the mission board was telling them to depart, God is finished with that country? What good came out of Jonah going to Ninevah? What good came out of Paul going to Rome? What good came out of Jesus going to the cross?

Sit down, pay attention, and watch the Lord work!