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Journey Of A Soul Series
Contributed by Rev. Dr. Andrew B Natarajan on Nov 2, 2024 (message contributor)
Summary: When a human body is formed in a mother's womb, the Soul's Journey begins. Through the breadth of God, the formless soul finds its identity in the flesh. It never dies and endures forever, even after the death of a human body.
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Text: Genesis 1:26-31, 2:7
Theme: Journey of a Soul
Greetings: The Lord is good and His love endures forever.
Introduction:
Many Christians all over the world observe, ALL SAINTS DAY AND ALL SOULS DAY. Even before the world started to celebrate the Earth Day, Water day, Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Siblings day and so on. The purpose of All Saints' Day is to commemorate those saints—known or unknown—who led a noble and virtuous life in line with Christian doctrine (Romans 8:27, Revelation 14:12). So, I would like to draw your attention to the Doctrine of Soul with reference to Holy Bible. Today, I would like to give a sketch on the Journey of a SOUL.
When a human body is formed in a mother's womb, the Soul's Journey begins. Through the breadth of God, the formless soul finds its identity in the flesh. It never dies and endures forever, even after the death of a human body. A person's soul becomes invisible to the human retina after their corporeal death. It does, however, live forever and is immortal. The question now is, where does it reside? In Hell or Heaven?
Illustration: (adopted and edited)
A middle-aged woman had a heart attack and is taken to the hospital. While on the operating table she had a near death experience. She saw God and an angel of death were talking with one another. Angel asked “Did I bring the right person? God said, "No" “she has another 30 years to live.” Then they let her to live.
Upon her recovery, she decided to stay in the hospital for a few more days for beautification treatment. She had a massage, a face lift, liposuction, tummy tuck, hair straightening and change of her hair color, and so on. Since, she got another 30 years, she came out of the hospital with more beauty and with a duck walk.
She walked out of the hospital, and was killed by an ambulance speeding by. She arrived in front of God and complained, "I thought you said I had another 30 years."
God replied, "I didn't recognise you! When you became more artificial" So be natural.
Today, I humbly request you to be sure of where you would spend your eternity. God has given as a Living Soul, he redeems it to become a Loving Soul, and the aims at to make us a Heavenly Soul.
1. Living Soul
Journey of a Soul is the theme of all religions. God gives life to every living thing in its existence. All life energies go out and return to God. The theology of Soul is beautifully explained in the Bible. God breathed into the Nostrils of a Man and Adam became a living Soul (Genesis 2:7). Body + Breath of Life = Living Soul.
“God crated man in his own image and likeness” (Genesis 1:26-27). “The LORD God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature” (Genesis 2:7, Jeremiah 38:16). "My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them." (Psalm 139:15-16). God made us slightly lower than Himself (than the angels) and gave us authority over His creation (Psalm 8:4-5). Jesus, who for a little while was “a little lower than the angels” (Hebrews 2:6–9,
The Hebrew (nep¯eš) nephesh and Greek psyche are refers to “soul”, “life” or “person.” In the Old Testament "nephesh", appears more than 700 times. The word “soul” refers to complete identity (Genesis 27:4, I Kings 20:32, 1 Corinthians 15:45). “Soul” means a whole person with consciousness, desires and emotions (Genesis 49:6, Exodus 13:12). Soul means heart and mind (Numbers 11:6). It is the seat of the appetites, emotions, and passions, and the activity of the mind, will, and character. It weeps (Jeremiah 13:17). It vexes (Judges 16:16), it grieves (Judges 10:16), it feels bitter (1 Samuel 1:15), it humbles (Leviticus 16:31, 23:32), and it dies (Genesis 35:18, Ezekiel 18:4; James 5:20; Revelation 20:4; Psalm 89:48; Job 36:14; Leviticus 19:8; 21:1, 11).
God used both material and immaterial components, tangible and intangible during the creation of Adam and Eve. He created the physical body, with its bones, organs, cells, etc., is the tangible. God intended it to endure for the duration of physical existence. Soul, spirit, intellect, will, conscience, emotions, and personality are the intangible elements. The flesh and life is connected through the blood (Leviticus 17:11).
Jesus had emphasised the importance of the Human tripartite such as Body, Spirit, and Soul. His teachings were focused on the importance of the eternity while giving concentration on the need of looking unto God for everything needed in life. The Old Testament writers had given lots of teaching on the journey of a Soul.