First, let me tell you about something…
(1) MAN HAS MADE
In BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA, you will find THE VULCAN STATUE.
Maybe you have never heard of the Vulcan statue.
If you ever go to Birmingham, Alabama you should take time to visit this tourist site.
The reason I mention this statue is because it IS THE LARGEST CAST IRON STATUE IN THE WORLD.
The reason this large statue is there is because this statue is THE SYMBOL OF THE CITY which was ONCE KNOWN AS "STEEL CITY".
• It was DESIGNED YEARS AGO BY ITALIAN SCULPTOR GIUSEPPE MORETTI.
• IT'S MADE OF 29 CAST-IRON SECTIONS FASTENED TOGETHER FROM THE INSIDE.
• THE HEAVIEST SECTION IS HIS HEAD. IT WEIGHS OVER 5 TONS. (You might say he has the BIG HEAD!)
• IRON WORKERS DESIGNED THE CONNECTIONS FOR THE STATUE, WHICH HAS NO INTERNAL FRAMEWORK AND CAN STAND ON ITS OWN.
• THE COMPLETED WEIGHT OF THE FIGURE IS 50 TONS.
• WHEN YOU FACTOR THE ANVIL, BLOCK, HAMMER, AND SPEAR POINT, THE WHOLE THING WEIGHS A TOTAL OF 60 TONS.
• HE STANDS A TOP RED MOUNTAIN ON A PEDESTAL 123-FEET HIGH.
• HIS CHEST MEASURES 22 FEET 6 INCHES.
• HIS WAIST 18 FEET 3 INCHES.
• FOR ALL HIS HISTORY, HIS HERITAGE AND GREAT SIZE, VULCAN IS JUST A STATUE.
• HE HAS A BODY BUT NO LIFE, NO MIND, SOUL OR SPIRIT.
If you ever go to Birmingham, Alabama you should make time to visit this large chunk of cast iron.
I have told you about something in detail that MAN HAS MADE.
But let me tell you about something…
(2) God has made
I am talking about the CREATION OF MANHOOD.
• Mankind was CREATED BY GOD THE FATHER IN THE GARDEN OF EDEN.
• EACH MAN HAS 206 BONES MAKING UP A FRAME CALLED A SKELETON.
• HE CAN WEIGH ANYWHERE FROM 2 POUNDS AT BIRTH TO hundreds of POUNDS WHEN FULLLY GROWN.
• MAN HAS ORGANS THAT PROVIDE FOR HIS NOURISHMENT AND MAINTENANCE.
• HE IS POWERED BY THE HEART. A FIST SIZED PUMP THAT FORCES BLOOD THROUGH THE 60,000 MILES OF ARTERIES, CAPILLARIES AND VEINS IN HIS BODY.
• MAN HAS A SELF CONTAINED ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CALLED THE NERVOUS SYSTEM.
• THE AVERAGE LIFE EXPECTANCY OF THIS VERSATILE BODY IS A LITTLE MORE THAN 70 YEARS.
• BUT MOST OF ALL…MAN HAS ONE MORE THING DEEP INSIDE…A LIVING SOUL!
THE SOUL OF MAN IS INVISIBLE SOMETHING THAT GIVES HIM SUPREMACY OVER ALL OTHER LIFE ON THIS PLANET.
Not only is the soul INVISIBLE, it is has proven to be weightless!!!
HOW DO WE KNOW THIS?
Illus: I read about a funeral home that got permission from six Christians before they died they were weighed. When they died immediately after they died they were weighed again and their weight was the same thing.
So they concluded from this experiment the soul of man is weightless!!!
Illus: ACCORDING TO science out body is not worth that much.
Our body:
• Contains $7.12 worth of phosphorous,
• $5.95 worth of potassium,
• About four bucks worth of a dozen other substances for a total of $17.18.
According to God our soul is worth a lot more.
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?
Keep these two questions in mind.
1) For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?
2) What shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
OUR SOUL IS OUR MOST VALUABLE POSSESSION WE POSSESS.
MATTHEW 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.
• OUR SOUL WAS CREATED BY GOD TO LIVE FOREVER AFTER EVERYTHING ELSE HAS TURNED TO DUST. WHEN THE SUN AND STARS HAVE BURNED OUT YOUR SOUL WILL STILL EXIST.
• OUR SOUL IS WORTH MORE THAN ALL THE HOUSES, PROPERTY, STOCKS, BONDS, DIAMONDS, SILVER AND GOLD IN THE WHOLE WORLD.
• OUR BODY CAN RETURN TO DUST. BUT OUR SOUL WILL NEVER CEASE TO EXIST.
OUR BODIES SENDS A MESSGAE AND WE RESPOND TO ITS NEEDS.
1) THE BODY SAYS, “I’M HUNGRY”, I’M THIRSTY” AND WE FIND SOMETHING TO EAT OR DRINK.
2) THE BODY SAYS, “I’M HOT OR COLD. AND WE ADJUST THE TEMPERATURE.
3) THE BODY SAYS, “I’M HURT”, “I HAVE PAIN”, OR SOME OTHER NEED AND WE FIND SOMETHING TO RELIEVE THAT PAIN.
WE PAMPER THE BODY,
• WE FEED THE BODY,
• WE REST THE BODY.
• WE LOVE THE BODY.
• BUT SOMETIMES THE SOUL IS LEFT FOR DAYS, WEEKS, MONTHS, YEARS WITHOUT ATTENTION AND CARE.
Because of this neglect of the soul let’s look more into the study of the soul.
First, let’s consider…
I. THE VALUE OF OUR SOULS
How do we know the VALUE of the soul?
Some reasons we know the soul is valuable because:
(1) God’s Word must consider the soul to be important. THE WORD “SOUL” IS IN THE BIBLE IS MENTION 458 TIMES SO IT MUST BE IMPORTANT TO GOD AND TO MAN.
(2) Another reason the soul must be important because THE BIBLE SAYS THE SOUL CAN BE SEPARATED FROM GOD AND SATAN IS CONSTANTLY TRYING TO FACILITATE THAT SEPARATION.
If Satan did not think the soul was important he would not spend twenty four hours a day and seven days a week trying to separate our soul from God.
(3) God must consider the soul to be important because He sent His only begotten Son to die for the sins of mankind.
(4) Another reason we know the soul is important Jesus said, “What shall it profit a man if he shall gain the whole world and lose his soul.”
(5) Another reason soul is valuable because of who made it.
Illus: If I drew a picture it would not be worth the paper it is written. But Raphael or Picasso drew a picture on a piece of paper it would be worth millions.
When God made the soul, spirit, and body, He said something about you that He said about nothing else—you are made in God’s image.
Ephesians 2:10 tells us we are “His workmanship.” God crafted you, and that is what makes you valuable. You are the crowning work of God’s creative genius.
(6) Our souls are also valuable because of it’s durability; our soul will last for eternity.
OUR SOULS ARE THE MOST VALUABLE THING ON THE FACE OF THE EARTH!!!
Let me prove it to you!!!
God Himself asked the question. 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?
“WHAT CAN ANYONE GIVE IN EXCHANGE FOR THEIR SOUL?”
Listen, there is nothing on the face of the earth would be worth trading your soul for...NOTHING!!!
Illus: I heard Dr. Adrian Rogers explain it this way. He said something like this.
Now I cannot do this, but suppose I could and I said to you, I will give you all the wealth, material things, and all the pleasures of the world. And all I want from you is your little finger.
WOULD YOU DO IT?
I wouldn’t…but some would.
But let’s up the anty a little.
Suppose I said to you, I will give you all the wealth, material things, and all the pleasures of the world. And all I want from you is your right arm.
WOULD YOU DO IT?
I wouldn’t…but some would.
But let’s go a little further. Suppose I said to you, I will give you all the wealth, material things, and all the pleasures of the world. And all I want from you is one of your eyes.
WOULD YOU DO IT?
I wouldn’t…but some would.
But let’s go a little further. Suppose I said to you, I will give you all the wealth, material things, and all the pleasures of the world. And all I want from you is one your ears.
WOULD YOU DO IT?
I wouldn’t…but some would perhaps.
But let us go really further. Suppose I said to you, I will give you all the wealth, material things, and all the pleasures of the world. And all I want from you is your soul.
WOULD YOU DO IT?
I wouldn’t…but literally millions have!!!
Illus: Sometime we read about people in the entertainment business that made a deal with the devil if he would give them wealth and fame they would swap their souls.
Illus: In fact, I was reading the other day on the internet of 18 People Who Allegedly Sold Their Souls to the devil.
But it is not 18 who have done this… it is millions.
There are people in this congregation who will not come to Christ for salvation because they are selling their souls to the devil for a lot less!!!
They are willing to leave this church today as a lost sinner and go to a devil’s hell for what the devil is swapping them.
Listen; there are millions and millions that are willing to SWAP THEIR SOULS FOR WHAT THE WORLD HAS TO OFFER.
ARE YOU WILLING!!!
When they stand before the Lord Jesus on the Judgment day, they will realize what a foolish trade they have made.
Every day they are gambling with their soul!!!
We have looked at THE VALUE OF A SOUL.
But let’s look at this also…
II. THE CREATOR OF OUR SOULS
Mankind has made some tragic deals.
Illus: Did you know in New York Manhattan was purchased from a group of Native Americans in 1626 for a fee of 60 guilders (Netherlands’ monetary unit in 1816), which would be roughly worth just $900 when converted to modern day currency and adjusted for inflation.
Obviously, this wasn’t a good deal for the sellers, as Manhattan property prices are worth an average of $1,000 per square foot today.
Mankind has made some foolish deals!!!
But the worst deal that has ever been made is when mankind sells their soul to the devil for so little.
I remind you again that the soul of man is so valuable that Jesus died upon the cross,
• Paying the price with His blood
• And agony to show how much He values our souls.
Therefore, we must be extremely careful with our souls. To exchange them for the things of this world would be a foolish transaction.
Illus: Judas sold his soul for thirty pieces of silver. We are told according to the Tyrian shekels it had the highest silver content -94% - so these shekels were what the priest required as payment for the temple tax.
The thirty pieces of silver in these coins that Judas sold his soul would be worth $264.60 today.
Can you imagine what a fool Judas must feel like in hell today? He will spend eternity in hell for $264.60.
All the wealth of this world cannot compare to the value of a soul. It’s an inexcusable loss—completely avoidable.
Finally, to lose our souls is a fatal tragedy; our souls are worth billions of worlds like ours.
WHAT WOULD YOU GIVE IN EXCHANGE FOR YOUR SOUL?
ILLUS: WE ARE TOLD THERE WAS A RICH MAN WHO DECIDED TO EMIGRATE FROM EUROPE TO AMERICA. HE WANTED TO TAKE ALL HIS WEALTH WITH HIM.
HE DECIDED THE BEST WAY TO DO THIS WAS TO SELL EVERYTHING HE HAD OF VALUE AND BUY ONE LARGE DIAMOND. WHEN HE GOT TO AMERICA HE WAS GOING TO SELL IT AND START A NEW LIFE.
WHEN HE BOARDED THE SHIP HE TOOK THE DIAMOND OUT OF HIS POCKET. SOME PEOPLE AROUND HIM SAW THE DIAMOND, HOW LARGE IT WAS.
THE NEXT DAY THE MAN TOOK THE DIAMOND OUT OF HIS POCKET AGAIN AND HELD IT IN HIS HAND. PEOPLE WERE TALKING ABOUT HOW RICH THIS MAN MUST BE TO HAVE SUCH A LARGE DIAMOND.
THE MORE THE PEOPLE TALKED THE MORE THE MAN LIKED THE NOTORIETY AND ATTENTION.
THE NEXT DAY HE TOOK THE DIAMOND OUT OF HIS POCKET AND HELD IT OVER THE RAIL OF THE BOAT OVER THE WATER. THE PEOPLE WATCHING GASPED.
HE GOT MORE ATTENTION WHEN HE TOSSED IT IN THE AIR AND CAUGHT IT.
THE OTHER PASSENGERS CONTINUED TO TALK AND GUESSTIMATE THE MAN'S WEALTH.
THEY DIDN’T KNOW THAT ONE DIAMOND WAS ALL HE HAD IN THE WORLD.
THEN ONE DAY HE TOOK THE DIAMOND OUT OF HIS POCKET…, TOSSED IT INTO THE AIR…HE MISSED IT…IT BOUNCED…IT ROLLED….RIGHT PAST THE RAIL AND OVER THE SIDE INTO THE OCEAN.
THE MAN SAID TO HIMSELF…“WHAT A FOOL I WAS! HOW COULD I BE SO CARELESS?”
DON'T TAKE CHANCES LIKE THAT WITH YOUR SOUL.
THINK ABOUT IT; YOUR SOUL IS ALL YOU HAVE. THAT BODY THAT YOU HAVE WILL DETERIORATE AND RETURN TO THE DUST FROM WHICH IT CAME.
DON'T BE CARELESS WITH THE MOST VALUABLE THING YOU HAVE.
• GOD WANTS YOUR SOUL!!!
• SATAN WANTS YOUR SOUL!!!
The loss of your soul is inexcusable.
You do not have to lose your soul. It is inexcusable when Jesus wants to save you.
Mark 8:35 “For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it”.
There is no greater tragedy than losing your soul. It is a foolish loss.
I have talked a great deal this morning about the WORST DEAL YOU CAN MAKE IS TO TRADE YOUR SOUL TO THE DEVIL.
But let me tell you the BEST DEAL YOU CAN MAKE AND THAT IS THE LORD HAS PROMISE YOU THAT IF YOU WILL COME TO HIM THIS MORNING AS A LOST SINNER HE WILL SAVE YOUR SOUL FROM A BURNING HELL AND GIVE YOU EVERLASTING LIFE WITH HIM IN HIS HEAVEN!
THAT IS THE BEST DEAL YOU WILL EVER HAVE…I want you to come to Christ today and let him save you.
Illus: Let me ask you a question if you were going to get on an airplane and you know it was going to crash and that three people in that crash would get kill would you get on that airplane…I WOULDN’T…WOULD YOU?
Suppose you knew that two people were going to die in that crash…I WOULDN’T…WOULD YOU?
Suppose you knew that one person was going to die…I WOULDN’T…WOULD YOU?
But I can tell you this morning, if you are not willing to accept Christ you have ZERO chances of going to heaven. ZERO!!!
There are people sitting in eternal darkness in hell today would give a million worlds to have the light you have right now, to have the opportunity to know Christ as Savior and Lord.
Do not lose your soul!
There is one move you can make, and only one: give your heart to Jesus. There is no reason not to. On the authority of the Word of God, He will save you and keep you saved.
In this sermon we have looked at:
I. THE VALUE OF OUR SOUL
II. THE CREATOR OF OUR SOUL
