Lives Lost and Found
Matt. 16:25
The best of this life comes to us when we make the next life
our main pursuit
1. Matt. 16:24?26.
At night, it is impossible to see some stars by looking directly
at them ?? sometimes we can see a thing better by looking at something
else!
(A) One of life's ironies is that we gain some things by giving
them up.
(1) For example, a Scrooge became "richer" by giving
away some of his money.
(a) Prov. 11:24-25.
Matt. 16:25. contains an important principle in regard to gaining
the greater by giving up the lesser.
Man is a Trifide Being. Three parts. Body, soul, spirit 1 Thess
5:23, May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless
at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is trying to save
your entire being intact. Give you life after this life.
There is not only this life "under the sun," Eccl. 1:3,
but at death "the dust will return to the earth as it was,
and the spirit will return to God who gave it" Eccl. 12:7.
The same contrast appears in other passages. Jesus refereed to
part of this trifid aspect of our existence in Matt. 10:28, "And
do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.
But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body
in hell".
(B) "For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness
is profitable for all things, having
promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come,"
1 Tim. 4:8.
The question we all want an answer to is: HOW do we get the best
out of both worlds? The truth is that we only get the true good
out of our physical world when we give priority to the Spiritual
realities of life. Eccl. 1:3, asks, What profit has a man
from all his labor In which he toils under the sun?
The answer is given in Eccl. 12:13-14 The conclusion of
the whole
matter is for man to reverence God and keep His commandments,
for this is
the whole purpose of man's existence. For God will bring every
work into
judgment, Including every secret thing, Whether good or evil.
A godly concern for the life to come is the way to "love
life and see good days" right now ? in this life. 1 Pt. 3:10?12.
Sometime read Ps. 34:11-18.
We get the full meaning and enjoyment out of this life only when
we stop making it ultimate pursuit ?? De?emphasizing the temporal,
we get not less, but more.
b. Dont put so much vallue on this that you end up missing
the greater life to come.
(A) The man who "plays it safe" at all costs and refuses
to bet it all on God is a coward and unbleiever. Rev. 21:8, says,
He has his part in the lake of fire and brimstone.
Its possible to have such a tight grip on life on this physical
planet we lose all that life really is.
Jesus makes that point over and over through out his life on earth.
Do you remember how Jesus explained it in Matt.16:24?26, Then
Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone desires to come after
Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.
For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever
loses his life for My sake will find it. For what profit is it
to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?
Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?
The context of that scripture is based on Peters objection
to Christ having to die, in Matt. 16:22?23, which says, Then
Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, "Far
be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!" But
He turned and said to Peter, "Get behind Me, Satan! You are
an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God,
but the things of men."
Thats the whole point of our lesson this hour. Sometimes
you have to loose your life to find it.
2. Jesus told the apostles, "If anyone desires to come
after Me, let him deny himself, and take up
his cross, and follow Me. The cross had only one purpose.
It was where men died.
1. As kindly as possible, Jesus is telling His disciples and apostles,
the time will come when you will have to renounce Me to
stay alive. But, If you do chose to die rather than deny Me, you
will find the only true life there is and it will be a life that
is eternal.
2. That principle applies not only to life itself, but anything
else we consider important in life.
(1) Physical Comfort, Security, Family, Reputation, Wealth, Pleasure,
Happiness.
(2) If we count all these things as less important than Christ
we come out the winner.
(1) Paul said it this way in 2 Cor 4:16?18.
(2) 2 Cor 6:4?10.
(1) Whats Paul saying, Getting the best out of this
world is a little like holding a wet bar of soap: it will slip
away from us if we hold on too tightly!
(2) The Christian never gives up anything without gaining something
superior.
(3) Phil. 3:7-8.
(4) Acts 20:32.
Spur - 5/13 /2001 pm
|