OceanSide church of Christ

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SOUL-SEARCHING QUESTIONS

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.               We live in a world that is consumed with the outer man.

1.               We eat right and exercise to keep it healthy.

2.               We have surgeries to keep it looking young.

3.               There are thousands of medical personnel who specialize in specific components of the body.

4.               We spend thousands of dollars upon vitamins and supplements to keep the body strong and active.

 

B.               Because of this emphasis, many have almost forgotten they have a soul.  It is as if, the soul is of secondary importance, if it is important at all.

 

C.              Many churches have begun to cater to the outer man.

1.               Ministries have been developed to meet every need.

2.               Sermons and classes are intended to enrich life in the here and now.

3.               Sermons on sin, hell, and duty to God are considered old fashion, even taboo.

 

D.              There comes a time when a person needs to stop and really contemplate the state of his/her soul.  Why?  (Eccl. 12:7).

 

Then shall the dust return unto the earth as it was:  and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.

 

E.               In this lesson, we want you to consider some “Soul-Searching Questions.”

 

I.          DO YOU HAVE A SOUL?

 

A.               I Thessalonians 5:23

 

And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God you whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

1.               Paul definitely teaches that man has a soul.

2.               He also reveals that man is a triune being, that is, he consists of three parts:  spirit, soul, and body.

 

B.               Some are not aware they have a soul.  Others live as though they do not possess one (Ex., the rich farmer, Luke 12:16-20).

 

But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee:  then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?

 

II.         WILL YOUR SOUL LIVE ON AFTER DEATH?

 

A.               Several passages indicate that man’s soul continues after death.

1.               Ecclesiastes 12:7

 

Then shall the dust return unto the earth as it was:  and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.

 

2.               II Corinthians 5:8

 

We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

 

3.               Philippians 1:23

 

For I am in a strait bewixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better.

 

B.               Unless the Lord returns, all of us will die (Heb. 9:27).  Our bodies will remain here.  The soul, however, will continue to live in the unseen realm of the dead.

 

III.        IS GOD CONCERNED ABOUT YOUR SOUL?

 

A.               God was at work for about 4000 years bringing about a plan to redeem man.

 

B.               This plan does not concern his outer body.  It was God who said that the outer body shall return to the dust (Gen. 3:19).

 

In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken:  for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.

 

C.              The part of man that God was concerned about was his soul.  It was that part of man that was corrupted by sin.  The cost to redeem man was the precious blood of Christ (I John 3:9-10).

 

In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.  Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

 

IV.        ARE OTHERS CONCERNED ABOUT YOUR SOUL?

 

A.               There are numerous people who are concerned for your soul.

 

B.               Two specific groups that are concerned:

1.               The elders of the church (Heb. 13:17)

 

Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit  yourselves:  for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief:  for that is unprofitable for you.

 

2.               Faithful, concerned brothers and sisters in Christ (James 1:19-20)

 

Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.

 

V.         WILL YOU SOUL BE JUDGED?

 

A.               Hebrews 9:27

 

And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.

 

B.               We could get into some interesting details.

1.               At death the spirit enters the hadean realm (Luke 16:19-23).

2.               When the Lord returns, He will bring those spirits back with Him (I Thess. 4:14).

3.               All the dead will be raised (John 5:28-29).

4.               Their spirits will be placed into immortal, glorified bodies (I Cor. 15:50-53).

5.               That body will stand before God to be judged for all the deeds done in the body (II Cor. 5:10).

 

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

 

VI.        CAN YOU SOUL BE LOST?

 

A.               Matthew 10:28

 

And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul:  but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

 

B.               In the great judgment scene of Matthew 25:31-46 all nations are gathered before the Son of man.  He separates them one from another.  The sheep are on His right hand.  The goats are on His left.  This is what He will say to those on the left (Matt. 25:41).

 

Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.               Are you concerned about your own soul?

 

B.               In the Aachen Cathedral, located in southernFrance, the revered emperor Charlemagne is buried in an unusual manner.  He ahs been seated upon his marble throne and wrapped in his noble robes.  In his lap, lies a copy of the Holy New Testament.  His finger is positioned to point to 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?

 

 

 


 

SOUL-SEARCHING QUESTIONS

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

A.         We live in a world that is consumed with the outer man (Diet, exercise, surgeries, medical specialties, vitamins and supplements).

B.         Because of this emphasis, many have almost forgotten they have a soul.  It is as if, the soul is of secondary importance, if it is important at all.

C.        Many churches have begun to cater to the outer man.

1.         Ministries have been developed to meet every need.

2.         Sermons and classes are intended to enrich life in the here and now.

3.               Sermons on sin, hell, and duty to God are considered old fashion, even taboo.

D.        There comes a time when a person needs to stop and really contemplate the state of his/her soul.  Why?  (Eccl. 12:7).

E.         In this lesson, we want you to consider some “Soul-Searching Questions.”

I.          DO YOU HAVE A SOUL?

A.         I Thessalonians 5:23

B.         Some are not aware they have a soul.  Others live as though they do not possess one (Ex., the rich farmer, Luke 12:16-20).

II.         WILL YOUR SOUL LIVE ON AFTER DEATH?

A.         Several passages indicate that man’s soul continues after death (Eccl. 12:7; II Cor. 5:8; Phil. 1:23).

B.         Unless the Lord returns, all of us will die (Heb. 9:27).  Our bodies will remain here.  The soul, however, will continue to live in the unseen realm of the dead.

III.        IS GOD CONCERNED ABOUT YOUR SOUL?

A.         God was at work for about 4000 years bringing about a plan to redeem man.

B.         This plan does not concern his outer body.  It was God who said that the outer body shall return to the dust (Gen. 3:19).

C.        The part of man that God was concerned about was his soul.  It was that part of man that was corrupted by sin.  The cost to redeem man was the precious blood of Christ (I John 3:9-10).

IV.        ARE OTHERS CONCERNED ABOUT YOUR SOUL?

A.         There are numerous people who are concerned for your soul.

B.         Two specific groups that are concerned:

1.         The elders of the church (Heb. 13:17)

2.         Faithful, concerned brothers and sisters in Christ (James 1:19-20)

V.         WILL YOU SOUL BE JUDGED?

A.         Hebrews 9:27

B.         We could get into some interesting details.

1.         At death the spirit enters the hadean realm (Luke 16:19-23).

2.         When the Lord returns, He will bring those spirits back with Him (I Thess. 4:14).

3.         All the dead will be raised (John 5:28-29).

4.         Their spirits will be placed into immortal, glorified bodies (I Cor. 15:50-53).

5.         That body will stand before God to be judged for all the deeds done in the body (II Cor. 5:10).

VI.        CAN YOU SOUL BE LOST?

A.         Matthew 10:28

B.         In the great judgment scene of Matthew 25:31-46 all nations are gathered before the Son of man.  He separates them one from another.  The sheep are on His right hand.  The goats are on His left.  This is what He will say to those on the left (Matt. 25:41).

CONCLUSION

A.         Are you concerned about your own soul?

B.         In the Aachen Cathedral, located in southern France, the revered emperor Charlemagne is buried in an unusual manner.  He ahs been seated upon his marble throne and wrapped in his noble robes.  In his lap, lies a copy of the Holy New Testament.  His finger is positioned to point to Matthew 16:26.

SOUL-SEARCHING QUESTIONS

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

A.         We live in a world that is _______________ with the _________ man (Diet, exercise, surgeries, medical specialties, vitamins and supplements).

B.         Because of this emphasis, many have almost ___________ they have a soul.  It is as if, the soul is of __________________ importance, if it is important at all.

C.        Many churches have begun to ______________ to the outer man.

1.         Ministries have been developed to meet every _________.

2.         Sermons and classes are intended to enrich life in the ________ and _______.

3.         Sermons on sin, hell, and duty to God are considered old fashion, even taboo.

D.        There comes a time when a person needs to stop and really contemplate the state of his/her soul.  Why?  (Eccl. 12:7).

E.         In this lesson, we want you to consider some “Soul-Searching Questions.”

I.          DO YOU HAVE A SOUL?

A.         I Thessalonians ____:23

B.         Some are not aware they have a soul.  Others live as though they do not possess one (Ex., the rich farmer, Luke 12:16-20).

II.         WILL YOUR SOUL LIVE ON AFTER DEATH?

A.         Several passages indicate that man’s soul continues after death (Eccl. 12:7; II Cor. 5:8; Phil. 1:23).

B.         Unless the Lord returns, all of us will ______ (Heb. 9:27).  Our bodies will remain here.  The soul, however, will continue to live in the _________ realm of the dead.

III.        IS GOD CONCERNED ABOUT YOUR SOUL?

A.         God was at work for about _________ years bringing about a plan to redeem man.

B.         This plan does not concern his outer body.  It was God who said that the outer body shall return to the ___________ (Gen. 3:19).

C.        The part of man that God was concerned about was his ________.  It was that part of man that was corrupted by sin.  The cost to redeem man was the precious __________ of Christ (I John 3:9-10).

IV.        ARE OTHERS CONCERNED ABOUT YOUR SOUL?

A.         There are numerous people who are concerned for your soul.

B.         Two specific groups that are concerned:

1.         The ________________ of the church (Heb. 13:17)

2.         Faithful, concerned ____________ and ___________ in Christ (James 1:19-20)

V.         WILL YOU SOUL BE JUDGED?

A.         _________________ 9:27

B.         We could get into some interesting details.

1.         At death the spirit enters the ______________ realm (Luke 16:19-23).

2.         When the Lord returns, He will bring those ______ back with Him (I Thess. 4:14).

3.         All the dead will be ___________ to life (John 5:28-29).

4.         Their spirits will be placed into ____________, glorified bodies (I Cor. 15:50-53).

5.         That body will stand before God to be judged for all the __________ done in the body (II Cor. 5:10).

VI.        CAN YOU SOUL BE LOST?

A.         Matthew 10:_____

B.         In the great judgment scene of Matthew 25:31-46 all nations are gathered before the Son of man.  He separates them one from another.  The sheep are on His right hand.  The ________ are on His left.  This is what He will say to those on the left (Matt. 25:41).

CONCLUSION

A.         Are you _____________ about your own soul?

B.         In the Aachen Cathedral, located in southern France, the revered emperor Charlemagne is buried in an unusual manner.  He ahs been seated upon his marble throne and wrapped in his noble robes.  In his lap, lies a copy of the Holy New Testament.  His finger is positioned to point to _______________ 16:26.