Deal or No Deal
1 Cor. 6:20
INTRODUCTION
In a chapel in Southern France, the great Emperor Charlemagne is buried. In that chapel is a large dome and in the center of that dome is where the body of Charlemagne is placed. It is not unusual that his body is buried in a prominent place. However, the manner of his burial is. He’s seated on a marble chair and wrapped in his emperor’s robes. In his lap is a copy of the N.T., and his finger is pointing to a verse. It is
Matt. 16:26. “What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?
I. Why is your soul so valuable?
Deal or No Deal – Cases=none more special Inside matters, not outside
A. It is made in the image of God.
Gen 1:26 “Then God said, Let us make man in our image, in our likeness.”
B. Your soul is eternal, its existence is not terminated when the body dies.
C. Your soul is valuable because of the cost it took to redeem it.
1 Cor. 6:20 “You were bought with a price. Therefore honor God with your body.”
II. God does not love us because we are valuable. We are valuable because God loves us!
A. God loves us because we are his creation!
B. God loves us because he wants us to know him!
C. God loves us because we need him!
D. God loves us the way we are, but he loves us too much to leave us that way!
Phil. 1:6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
III. A man’s worth is determined by association.
A. A man traveling in Paris purchased a rather inexpensive amber necklace in a trinket shop. Upon returning to the states he was curious as to the value of the necklace so he took it to be appraised. After looking at the necklace under a magnifying glass, the jeweler said, “I’ll give you $25,000 for it.” So surprised was the man, he decided to have another expert examine it. When he did he was offered $10,000 more! “What do you see that is so valuable?” asked the astonished man. “Look through the glass,” replied the jeweler. There before his eyes was an inscription: “To Josephine from Napoleon.” The value of the necklace came from it’s identification with a famous person.
B. As a Christian, you are identified with one who is far more valuable and important than any human.
1. It is from this union that the Christian finds his true identity and worth.
2. 1 Peter 1:18–19 “For you Know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.”
IV. A New Life, A Pure Life
A. 1 Cor. 6:15–20
1. We must live a pure life, glorifying God in the way we live
2. We must be pure in heart.
Matt. 5:8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.”
3. We must be pure in speech.
1 Peter 3:10 “For whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech.”
4. We must be pure in works.
2 Cor. 7:1 “Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.
B. There is a story of a young man who proposed marriage to a young woman. He gave her an expensive, beautiful diamond ring enclosed in an attractive blue velvet box. The following day after their engagement the young woman said, “How can I ever thank you enough for the beautiful blue velvet box? I love it and will always cherish it!” How do you think that young man felt? A crazy story? Yes, except that it aptly describes the care and attention that we give in this life to our body and physical well beings which is like the blue velvet box. We spend about 99% of our resources and time on something that will return to dust and we neglect the gift of the diamond, which is our living, eternal soul.
V. We are not our own, We belong to God
A. We have been purchased by the blood of Christ.
B. Because we belong to God we should be devoted to God.
1 Cor 7:23 “You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men.”
C. We are either God’s or Not (we would then be the Devil’s.)
1. There is nothing man can do to earn salvation.
2. If Jesus had not died to purchase our salvation we could not be servants of God.
3. But Jesus did pay the price.
a. We must be devoted to him, keep his commands.
b. We must glorify him.
CONCLUSION
When we are tempted to sin let us think of the cross, where Jesus shed his blood for us. Remember His sufferings, remember his pain.
I wonder how sin would look to us if we could stand beneath the cross and feel the warm blood of Jesus run out upon us! Would we sin there? Could we do anything but devote body and soul to God as we stood beneath the cross of Jes
