Jesus promised rest for our souls and he also warned his disciples not to trade their souls for anything this world has to offer. But what exactly is the soul and how do you know if it is well with yours? Join us this weekend as we wrap up Renovation of the Heart.
How is it With Your Soul
Speakers
Sarah Blount
Lead Pastor
Notes
First Time Guest? Let us know!
For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?
Mark 8:36-37 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?
You are not just a self; you are a soul.
Soul - The part of you that is most real. The very essence of you that God knew before he brought you forth in physical form. That part that will exist after your body goes into the ground. The human soul is central to the personhood of a human being.
Genesis 2:7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
Your soul is in charge of managing your will, your mind, thoughts, emotions, body, and relational life.
“Our soul is like an inner stream of water, which gives strength, direction, and harmony to every other element of our life. When that stream is as it should be, we are constantly refreshed and exuberant in all we do, because our soul itself is then profusely rooted in the vastness of God and his kingdom… and all else within us is enlivened and directed by that stream.”
Willard
How is it with your soul?
If your soul is healthy, no external circumstance can destroy your life. If your soul is unhealthy, no external circumstance can redeem your life. Sooner or later, your world will fall apart. What will matter then is the soul you have constructed.
Ortberg
When peace like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll—
Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to know
It is well, it is well with my soul.
When ___________, it is well with my soul.
Psalm 24:4 Those who have clean hands and pure hearts, who do not lift up their souls to what is false…
Idolatry is asking a gift to be a giver.
When we ask gifts to be givers, it will not be well with our souls.
Jeremiah 6:16 Thus says the Lord: Stand at the crossroads and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way lies; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls. But they said, “We will not walk in it.”
Matthew 11:28-29 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
John 14:6 I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Hebrews 10:19-22 Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body…
The gospel is not a hotel to pass through but a home to live in.
D. Ortlund
JUSTIFIED | Declared faultless concerning your legal standing.
For every one look at yourself, take ten looks at Christ.
Robert Murray McCheyene
If we want to see our souls transformed and our hearts truly renovated, we can never move on from the gospel good news.
“You can’t crowbar your way into change. You can only be melted. Reflection on the wonder of the gospel- that we are justified simply by looking away from self to the finished work of Christ on our behalf- softens our hearts. The labor of sanctification becomes wonderfully calmed. The gospel is what changes us, and only it can, because the gospel itself is telling us what is true of us before we ever begin to change, and no matter how slowly our change comes.”
D. Ortlund
“The heart of sanctification is the life which feeds on… justification.”
G.C. Berkouwer
“From mere intellectual acceptance of, to realization of, the doctrine that our sins are forgiven. That is perhaps the most blessed thing that has ever happened to me. How little they know of Christianity who think that the story ends with conversion.”
C.S. Lewis
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1. How is it with your soul?
2. How would your heart fill in the blank. When ___________, it is well with my soul.
3. How does the doctrine of justification (declared righteous through faith in Christ) cause the labor of sanctification (progressively being transformed into his image/growing in holiness) to become wonderfully calm instead of a frenzied burden?
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2 Timothy 3:16-17 "All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work."
1. Parable of the Vineyard Workers - Matthew 20:1-16
2. Why did the landowner hire the men? to work in the vineyard
3. How much denarius did the laborers hired first earn? 1
4. How much denarius did the laborers throughout the day earn? 1
5. Does God extend fairness or grace? grace
6. How has God extended grace to you in your life?
7. What do you think, "the first shall be last and the last shall be first" means?
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2 Timothy 3:16-17 "All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work."
1. Parable of the Vineyard Workers - Matthew 20:1-16
2. Why did the landowner hire the men? to work in the vineyard
3. How much denarius did the laborers hired first earn? 1
4. How much denarius did the laborers throughout the day earn? 1
5. Does God extend fairness or grace? grace
6. How has God extended grace to you in your life?
7. What do you think, "the first shall be last and the last shall be first" means?
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Galatians 5:22-23 “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”
1. Who was in jail? Paul and Silas
2. Why were they in jail? for telling people about Jesus
3. What did they do in jail? worshipped God
4. What happened? God used an earthquake to set them free
5. Were they sad or joyful? they were joyful
6. How can we be joyful?
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Galatians 5:22-23 “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”
1. What were Jesus and the disciples in? a boat
2. What did Jesus do? he went to sleep
3. What appeared on the sea? a storm
4. What did the disciples feel? scared
5. What did Jesus do? he said, “PEACE, be still.”
6. What happened? the storm stopped
7. When do you feel scared?
8. How can you have peace?