What Do We Treasure the Most? - Sermon by Ps George, CRC

What Do We Treasure the Most?
(Matthew 16:21-28)
Introduction
What do we treasure the most in life?
• Our children?
• Our career?
• Our possessions?
Jesus, while talking to His disciples about His imminent crucifixion, reminded them the importance of becoming a true disciple of Christ (Matt 16:24-26).
• In this passage comes “The Great Question”
• Jesus taught that souls are of greater importance than anything else on the earth-the greatest thing that we can ever treasure on this earth is the soul.
• The value of human soul is more than the value of the whole world!
By "the world," we are to understand pleasure, riches, and honour. This, if considered in itself, is vile.
It is earthly in its nature.
It is unsatisfying in its use.
It is transitory in its continuance.
The "soul," on the contrary, if considered in itself, is noble.
It is exalted in its origin.
Voluminous in its powers.
Eternal in its duration.
Destined to everlasting happiness or misery.
God sent His own Son to die for it - of infinite value in His sight.
Our eternal destiny is destined according to the condition of our soul.
• This passage shows that without Christ, the condition of the soul is lost and no one can find satisfaction in the temporary things of this world.
The Three Propositions:
1. Every man has a soul
The soul is the immaterial part of a person that links him to God.
2. We may lose our soul
The ultimate way to know if your soul is lost or saved is to examine your thinking.
Fleshly thinking indicates a lost soul, spiritual thinking indicates a saved soul.
There is no greater loss than the loss of the soul!
3. We can gain the soul
If the soul is right with God, nothing else matters!
How to Gain the Soul:
1. The way of the Cross (v 23)
It is the way of the Cross that leads home! (the context-vv 15-18)
2. Deny self (vv 24-25)
The Great Gospel Paradox-gain is the loss, and the loss is the gain!
3. Follow Christ (v 24)
Christ came to earth and died to save our souls because He knew its immense value!
Conclusion/Application
What is the condition of your soul?
• Are you in lose or in gain?