For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the
whole world, and lose his own soul?
Mark 8:36
1. Your soul is important because it is the inner man,
the real man who will live forever when the flesh is
dead. Jesus described how the soul of a rich man
suffered in hell whilst the soul of a poor man was in
heaven.
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.
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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.
Luke 16:19-26
2. To gain the whole world is to gain all the wealth, the
money, the fame, the popularity, the acclaim and the
honours this world can offer.
Whenever I think of the scripture in Mark 8:27, I remember
those who have gained the wealth, the acclaim, the prosperity
and the honours of this world. When I think of those who have
gained this world and have died, I am frightened by the possibility
that they may have lost their souls even though they gained the
whole world.
Whenever I think about this scripture I remember Princess
Diana who gained the palaces, the fame and the acclaim of this
world. Could she be in hell today with the rich man Jesus spoke
about? Could she be screaming with the millions of lost souls
who are perishing in the lake of fire today?
Whenever I think about this scripture I remember Michael
Jackson who gained the popularity, the fame, the wealth and
the acclaim of this world. Could he be in hell today with the
rich man Jesus spoke about? Could he be screaming with the
millions of lost souls who are perishing in the lake of fire? What
a frightening thought for someone whom so many people loved.
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Why Your Soul is Important
Whenever I think about this scripture I remember Nelson
Mandela who gained the acclaim of this world by forgiving his
tormentors and oppressors and allowing peace to come to South
Africa. Could he be in hell today and suffer alongside the rich
man Jesus spoke about who was calling for a drop of water?
Could he one day be screaming with the millions of lost souls
who are perishing in the lake of fire?
Whenever I think about this scripture I remember the
powerful presidents who have ruled this world and affected the
lives of millions. They gained the world’s attention but could
they be in hell today? Where will Chancellor Hitler be? What
about Stalin? What about Churchill, Reagan, Nixon, Kennedy,
Abraham Lincoln and Ghana’s Kwame Nkrumah? Could any
of these powerful people be in hell? Could they be screaming
alongside millions of lost souls who are perishing in the lake of
fire?
3. Your soul is important because Jesus said there
was nothing valuable enough that you could give in
exchange for your soul.
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: 26
4. Your soul is so important that God has appointed
shepherds to guide your soul to heaven. Every
preacher has been sent by God to shepherd and guide
souls safely to green pastures.
For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned
unto THE SHEPHERD and Bishop of your souls.
1 Peter 2:25
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5. Your soul is important because your soul can be lost.
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 16:26
6. Your soul is important because the soul can be
destroyed.
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.
Matthew 10:28
7. A soul is important because the soul can die.
Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also
the soul of the son is mine: THE SOUL THAT SINNETH,
IT SHALL DIE.
Ezekiel 18:4
8. Your soul is important because it can go to hell.
For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord
always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I
should not be moved:
Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad;
moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope:
BECAUSE THOU WILT NOT LEAVE MY SOUL IN
HELL, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see
corruption.
Acts 2:25-27
9. Your soul is important because it can be required from
you at any time. No matter who you are, your soul
will be required of you. You will leave your skeleton
behind, but your soul will be required of you.
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Why Your Soul is Important
And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a
certain rich man brought forth plentifully: And he thought
within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no
room where to bestow my fruits?
And he said, this will I do: I will pull down my barns, and
build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my
goods.
And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods
laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be
merry.
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?
So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich
toward God.
Luke 12:16-21
The King’s Last Command
Once upon a time, there lived a certain king who loved to
acquire palaces, properties and accumulate great wealth. His
palace could be compared to only the best in the world. This
king was used to being in power, having ruled all his life.
One day, he summoned his courtiers and, among other things,
gave specific instructions concerning his eventual death and
burial. He instructed that a lovely room be prepared to serve as
his tomb. He instructed them that they should not let him lie in a
coffin. He wanted to sit on his royal throne and continue to reign
over his wealth and palaces even in his death.
He also asked that an open book be placed on the table before
him as he sat on his royal throne.
In the course of time the king died and the members of his
court carried out all his instructions. His royal chair was placed
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before a table, his body was placed in his chair and a huge Bible
was placed on the table before his body.
A hundred years later, another king was enthroned. He had
heard of this old king’s command and wondered if it had been
followed and whether the king was reigning in his death. He
sent his servants to open up the tomb and find out the state of this
reigning king. When they opened up the tomb they were amazed
at the sight they beheld:
A skeleton in tattered kingly robes! The skeleton was seated
on the chair with a crown tipped sideways on a skull. A bone that
used to be his forefinger was pointed to a portion of the Bible.
The servants drew near to see what the finger was pointing to.
Believe it or not it was pointing to Mark 8:36: “For what shall it
profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own
soul?”
10. Your soul can be saved by having faith in God. Your
soul can be saved by having faith in the blood of Jesus
Christ.
Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back,
my soul shall have no pleasure in him.
But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition;
but of them THAT BELIEVE TO THE SAVING OF THE
SOUL.
Hebrews 10:38-39