Estimating The Value Of The Soul

1. INTRODUCTION:
   
   
1. WE LIVE IN A COMMERCIAL AGE IN WHICH VALUES ARE FREELY DISCUSSED EVERY DAY.
2. ESTIMATIONS ARE CONSTANTLY BEING GIVEN AND SOUGHT ON A WIDE VARIETY OF THINGS.
3. YET HAVE YOU EVERY SOUGHT A PROPER EVALUATION FOR THE SOUL OF 
   MAN, OR MORE POINTEDLY YOUR SOUL?
4. LOOK WITH ME AT SOME THINGS THAT WILL HELP YOU MAKE A SOUND ESTIMATION FOR YOUR SOUL.
   
   
2. DISCUSSION:
   
   
1. THE SOUL IS MORE VALUABLE THAN THE WORLD.

Mark 8:36-37 = "For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and 
lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?"

John 6:27 = "Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which 
endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him 
hath God the Father sealed."

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."

2. READING OF THE BABE JESUS BORN IN BETHLEHEM IS A GOOD STARTING 
   POINT IN JUDGING THE VALUE OF THE SOUL.
1. Look at the price in death and suffering at His birth.

Matthew 2:1-16 = "Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days 
of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, 
Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in 
the east, and are come to worship him. When Herod the king had heard these 
things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel. Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, inquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also. When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way. And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take he young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. When he arose, he
took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt: And wasthere until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son. Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men."

COMMENT: The birth not only brought forth a savior for the soul of man but cost of the lives of all the children in Bethlehem under the age of two years.

2. Christ came from heaven to save the soul of man.

Matthew 1:21 = "And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins."

Luke 19:10 = "For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost."

John 3:17 = "For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved."

3. READING THE STORY OF THE LOST SHEEP:

Luke 15:3-7 = "And he spake this parable unto them, saying, What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance."

Comment: The value of seeking one soul is pointed out in this parable. Along with the joy in
heaven over one sinner that repents.

4. READING THE PARABLE OF THE PRODIGAL SON SHOWS THE VALUE PLACED
   UPON A LOST SOUL BY THE FATHER.

Luke 15:20-24 = "And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry."

5. READING THE PARABLE OF THE RICH MAN AND LAZARUS TEACHES THE 
   ETERNAL VALUE OF THE SOUL.

Luke 16:19-31 = "There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father
Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in
water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. But Abraham said, Son,
remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil
things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. And beside all this, between us
and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you
cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. Then he said, I pray 
thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house: For I have five
brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.
Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. And 
he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will 
repent. And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will 
they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead."

6. READING THE ACCOUNT OF MATTHEW AS CHRIST PRAYED IN THE GARDEN 
   OF GETHSEMANE YOU UNDERSTAND THE VALUE OF THE SOUL OF MAN.

Matthew 26:36-56 = "Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and
saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder. And he took with him
Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy. Then 
saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, 
and watch with me. And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, 
saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I 
will, but as thou wilt. And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and 
saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray, that ye
enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. He went 
away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass
away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done. And he came and found them asleep
again: for their eyes were heavy. And he left them, and went away again, and prayed 
the third time, saying the same words. Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto
them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of 
man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand 
that doth betray me. And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and 
with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders 
of the people. Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall 
kiss, that same is he: hold him fast. And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, 
master; and kissed him. And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? 
Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him. And, behold, one of them 
which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant 
of the high priest's, and smote off his ear. Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy
sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. 
Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me 
more than twelve legions of angels? But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, 
that thus it must be? In that same hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are ye come out 
as against a thief with swords and staves for to take me? I sat daily with you teaching 
in the temple, and ye laid no hold on me. But all this was done, that the scriptures of 
the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled."

7. READING THE CRUCIFIXION YOU VIEW A SCENE WHICH PICTURES THE VALUE 
   OF THE SOUL.

Matthew 27:26-54 = "Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified. Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers. And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe. And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews! And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head. And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him. And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross. And when they were come unto a place called Golgotha, that is to say, a place of a skull, They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink. And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots. And sitting down they watched him there; And set up over his head his accusation written, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS. Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left. And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads, And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross. Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said, He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him. He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God. The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth. Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Some of them that stood there, when they heard that, said, This man calleth for Elias. And straightway one of them ran, and took a spunge, and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink. The rest said, Let be, let us see whether Elias will come to save him. Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many. Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God."

Romans 5:9 = "Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him."

1 Corinthians 15:2 = "By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain."

H. READING OF CHRIST’S ASCENSION INTO HEAVEN YOU HAVE THE PROOF OF THE GREAT VALUE OF THE SOUL.

Acts 1:9-11 = "And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven."

John 14:1-6 = "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."

1. READING OF THE JUDGMENT WE ARE IMPRESSED WITH THE IMPORTANCE OF 
   THE SOUL:

Matt 25:31-34 = "When the Son of man shall come in his , and all the holy angels with him, 
then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: And before him shall be gathered all nations: 
and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Then shall the King say
unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for
you from the foundation of the world:"  Matthew 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:"  Matthew 25:46 = "And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the
righteous into life eternal."

Revelation 20:12-15 = "And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books 
were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were 
judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the 
sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were 
in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were 
cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in 
the book of life was cast into the lake of fire."

III. CONCLUSION:

1. THE MORE ONE READS FROM THE SCRIPTURES ABOUT THE POSSIBLE VALUE 
   OF THE SOUL IT IS IN REALITY BEYOND ANY POSSIBLE ESTIMATION BY MAN.
2. NEITHER POSSIBLE FOR ONE TO ESTIMATE THE VALUE OF HEAVEN AND/OR 
   THE VALUE TO BE PLACE UPON ONE ESCAPING THE ETERNITY OF HELL.
3. DEATH REMINDS US OF THE ETERNAL VALUE OF THE SOUL.

Hebrews9:27 = "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:"

Ecclesiastes 12:5-7 = "Also when they shall be afraid of that which is high, and fears 
shall be in the way, and the almond tree shall flourish, and the grasshopper shall be 
a burden, and desire shall fail: because man goeth to his long home, and the mourners 
go about the streets: Or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or 
the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern. Then shall the
dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it."

4. THE QUESTION FOR EACH OF US TO ANSWER IS: WHAT VALUE DO I PLACE 
   ON MY SOUL TO HAVE IT SPEND ETERNITY WITH GOD IN HEAVEN?

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