Handle with Care
On many packages, we have the words “Handle with Care”
This is to tell people that what is inside is of value and can be broken.
These words should be upon everyone’s soul.
“The spirit returns to God who gave it.”
When Rachel died it says, “as her soul was departing…”
When we are born we are given a spirit or soul and it is in our hands until it is returned to God.
Ecc 12: 7 “The dust shall return to the earth as it was and the spirit return to God who gave it.”
Mark 8: 36 “What shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose his soul.”
Surely we should have these words in mind “Handle with Care”
We do not want it delivered damaged on judgement day.
The soul is very valuable.
Mark 8: 36-37
It was worth Jesus coming into the world to save it.
John 3: 16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
The fact that Christ died for it makes it very valuable.
It is so valuable that Christ is preparing a special place in heaven for it.
John 14: 1-4
“Handle with Care” implies it can be damaged or destroyed. The soul can be destroyed because of sin.
Rev 21: 7-8
Rev 20: 12-15
In fact the majority will be lost.
Matt 7: 13-14
“Handle with Care” are words of caution.
1. We should be cautious in handling God’s word.
II Tim 2: 15 “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
John 5: 39 “Search the scriptures for in them ye think ye have eternal life, and they are they which testify of me.”
2. We should use caution in believing teachers.
I John 4: 1 “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.”
3. We must use caution in living our lives.
Matt 26: 41 “Watch and pray that ye enter not into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
I Corr 10: 12 “…take heed lest ye fall.”
The soul of man is extremely valuable and is very fragile.
But most are indifferent to it.
In the Journal of Psychology is a survey of 160,000 of their most personal values:
56% Economic________
46% Home & Family
25% Liberty & Freedom
13% World Peace
10% Education
8% Religion
4% Decency & Morality
2% Being a good citizen
The fact is most people want material security more than they want God.
Jesus said, “A man’s life consisteth not in the things which he possesseth.”
“Godliness with contentment is great gain.”
“The love of money is the root of all evil.”
In handling the soul with care we must look to Jesus for our example and instruction.
I Peter 2: 19-25
1. He was about his their business at an early age.
We need to learn of God early.
2. He was baptized to fulfill all righteousness.
3. It was his custom to worship.
Luke 4: 16 “So He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read.”
He did not forsake the assembly in the Synagogue.
4. He prayed up in the mountain alone. Prayed for others.
5. He was tempted in all points as we are, but did not sin. He faced all problems.
a. Physical suffering
b. He wept for sorrow.
c. No financial security.
d. Friends betray you—his did
e. Are you tempted to give up the struggle for truth against error? Consider stand of Christ.
f. Have people failed to appreciate you?—remember Christ.
