Here is a sermon outline I preached some years ago.
I am sure it came at least in part from “somewhere”,
I just don’t know where. I hope you can use it to His glory. Tim
"I cried unto the Lord with my voice; with my voice unto the Lord did I make my supplication. I poured out my complaint before him; I shewed before him my trouble. When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then thou knewest my path. In the way wherein I walked have they privily laid a snare for me. I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul" Psalm 142:1-4.
INTRODUCTION:
1. There was a time in David's life when he felt like no one cared for his soul. Some had turned against him, and in fact were trying to take his life.
2. Although forsaken by man, God had not forsaken him. This led him to make the statement found in our text.
DISCUSSION:
I. WHAT IS THE SOUL?
1. The word "soul" occurs many times in the Bible, however it does not mean the same thing in each place it is used.
2. Some people refuse to accept the fact of the soul. Materialists deny that man has a soul.
A. Why is it not reasonable to believe that man has something, an inner being, that will live on after death?
B. It is just as reasonable to believe this as to believe there is a God, Christ, or Holy Spirit.
C. One principle of Biblical interpretation (Hermeneutics) is to interpret a passage of scripture in the light of the paragraph in which it is found.
3. Notice how the word is used in the Bible:
A. Matthew 6:25 -- "life" - the vital breath of animal life.
B. Matthew 10:28 --(soul) - the human souls, as distinguished from the body.
C. Acts 14:22 -- "mind, soul" - the seat of the affections, the will.
D. Matthew 10:39 -- "life" - the self, human life.
E. Romans 13:1 -- "soul" - a human person, an individual.
II. WHAT IS THE SOUL, AND WHY IS IT SO IMPORTANT?
1. "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" Genesis 2:7.
A. The soul cannot be seen with the naked eye.
B. "And it came to pass, as her soul was in departing, (for she died) that she called his name Benoni: but his father called him Benjamin" Genesis 35:18.
C. "Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it" Ecclesiastes 12:7.
D. "For I will not contend for ever, neither will I be always wroth: for the spirit should fail before me, and the souls which I have made" Isaiah 57:16.
E. "...the Lord, which...formeth the spirit of man within him.." Zecharias 12:1.
2. Why is it so important?
A. It is immortal -- you can never get rid of it -- it never dies.
a. "For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens" 2 Cor. 5:1.
b. Man may swap, sell or trade property -- change cars, rid self of clothing and even get rid of the body by suicide, but can never get rid of his soul, even in the world to come.
c. You must live with yourself here and in the world to come.
B. The soul is important because as a living soul you have the opportunity of either spending eternity in the presence of God or in torment.
a. It is a terrible thing to be raised and then to be banished into eternal torment.
b. "But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death" Revelation 21:8.
c. "Then said he also to him that bade him, When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbours; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompense be made thee. But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind: And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just" (Luke 14:12-14).
d. Paul to Agrippa -- "Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead?" Acts 26:8.
C. What value do you place on your soul?
D. Jesus thought it very valuable: "Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. 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?" Matthew 16:24-26.
III. NO ONE CARES FOR MY SOUL:
1. "And I will set my tabernacle among you: and my soul shall not abhor you" Leviticus 26:11. Herein God speaks of his own soul! Therefore it cannot mean just the human body.
2. Many have reached the decision that David announced in our text.
3. There are many suicides because of such an attitude.
4. From a study of God's word we are confident that many do care about your soul.
IV. GOD CARES:
1. God is interested in us -- our physical welfare -- our soul is the object of his love and care.
A. READ MATTHEW 6:25-32; I Corinthians 6:20 -- "For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's."
B. John 3:16 -- While in sin and rebellion against God, when we had gone astray, God loved us and sent his Son to die for us.
C. Romans 5:8-9 -- "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him."
V. JESUS CARES:
1. He died on the cross to demonstrate his care for our souls.
A. John 10:11, 15, 17 -- "I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep......As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep......Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again."
B. John 2:19 -- "Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up."
2. He then overcame death to set us free:
A. Hebrews 2:9 -- "But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man."
B. Hebrews 4:15 -- "For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin."
VI. THE HOLY SPIRIT CARES:
1. He was sent by Christ from God -- John 14:26 -- "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you."
2. He quickened the early church and performed miracles to confirm the word to assure us a complete faith: Hebrews 2:3-4 -- "How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?"
VII. CHRISTIANS CARE:
1. "That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another" I Cor. 12:25.
2. Should care by willingness to teach as commanded.
3. Should care by willingness to send -- "And how shall they preach except they be sent..." Romans 10:15.
4. Should care for souls by faithfulness in attending services, setting the right example in Christian living, and cooperating in every good work. READ II PETER 2:19ff. Hebrews 10:25.
VIII. THE ELDERS CARE:
1. Bishops, elders, pastors.
2. "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." Hebrews 13:17.
IX. WHAT IS THE VALUE OF THE SOUL?
1. It is a misconception to think that man is a body that has a soul; rather, man is a soul living in a body.
2. "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?" Mark 8:36-37.
3. God placed enough value on it to give his son.
4. Christ placed enough value on it to shed his blood.
5. What value do you place on it?
6. What stands between you and the salvation of your soul?
CONCLUSION:
1. The greatest knowledge you can have: "I have a soul."
2. The greatest realization you can have is, "I am lost."
3. The greatest decision you can make is, "I will obey."
4. The greatest step you can take is the first one that puts you on the road to heaven.
5. Will you take that step now?