"THINGS YOU CAN LOSE"

                                                            MARK 8:36 - 37

INTRODUCTION:

          THE WORD OF GOD TELLS US THAT A PERSON CAN LOSE THEIR SOUL. MAN IS MADE UP OF A BODY, SOUL, AND SPIRIT.

           THE SCRIPTURES TELL US WHEN A PERSON DIES; THE BODY IS RETURN TO THE GROUND AND BECOMES DUST.

          THE SPIRIT GOES BACK TO GOD.

          THE SOUL IS ETERNAL AND EITHER GOES TO HEAVEN OR HELL.

          WE KNOW THAT THE SOUL HAS A BODILY SHAPE, REVELATION 6:9-11.

LUKE 16:23, TELLS US OF A RICH MAN THAT DIED.

          "AND IN HELL HE LIFTED UP HIS EYES, BEING IN TORMENTS, AND SEETH ABRAHAM AFAR OFF, AND LAZARUS IN HIS BOSOM."

NOTE: BETWEEN DEATH AND RESURRECTION THE IMMATERIAL PART OF MAN GOES EITHER TO BE WITH THE LORD, IF THEY ARE SAVED, 2ND CORINTHIANS 5:8; PHILIPPIANS 1:23, OR INTO CONSCIOUS TORMENT IN HELL AS HERE.

         RESURRECTION REUNITES THE BODY TO THE SOUL, AND THE STATE OF EXISTENCE CONTINUES TO BE EITHER WITH CHRIST, OR IN THE PUNISHMENT OF ETERNAL DURATION, MATTHEW 25:41 AND 46.

          AS YOU READ DOWN THROUGH THIS PASSAGE IN LUKE YOU WILL SEE THAT THIS RICH MAN'S SOUL HAD A MEMORY AND ALL ITS FIVE SENSES STILL IN PLACE.

          IF YOU ARE HERE TODAY AND HAVE NEVER RECEIVED JESUS CHRIST BY FAITH INTO YOUR HEART BELIEVING CHRIST DIED FOR YOUR SINS, WAS BURIED, AND ROSE AGAIN THE THIRD DAY TO SAVE YOU FROM GOING TO A SINNER'S HELL, THEN YOUR ETERNAL SOUL WILL END UP WHERE THAT RICH MAN'S SOUL IS TODAY -- IN A LITERAL LAKE OF FIRE FOR TIME AND ETERNITY.

          WHEN LIFE COMES TO AN END IT WILL BE TOO LATE TO TRY AND MAKE AN EXCHANGE FOR YOUR SOUL.  YOU SOUL WILL BE LOST FOR ALL ETERNITY IN A LAKE OF FIRE.

          RIGHT NOW WHILE YOU ARE ALIVE IS THE TIME TO REPENT OF YOUR SINS, ASK GOD TO FORGIVE YOU OF YOUR SINS AND RECEIVE JESUS CHRIST BY FAITH INTO YOUR HEART.

          PRAISE GOD IF YOU ARE ALREADY SAVED, BORN AGAIN, A CHILD OF GOD.  YOU CAN NEVER LOSE YOUR ETERNAL SOUL!     

          YOU ARE ETERNALLY SAVED!  YOU CANNOT LOSE YOUR SALVATION!

PHILIPPIANS 1:6 "BEING CONFIDENT OF THIS VERY THING, THAT HE WHICH HATH BEGUN A GOOD WORK IN YOU WILL PERFORM IT UNTIL THE DAY OF JESUS CHRIST:"

ROMANS 8:38-39, (38)"FOR I AM PERSUADED, THAT NEITHER DEATH, NOR LIFE, NOR ANGELS, NOR PRINCIPALITIES, NOR POWERS, NOR THINGS PRESENT, NOR THINGS TO COME," (39)"NOR HEIGHT, NOR DEPTH, NOR ANY OTHER CREATURE, SHALL BE ABLE TO SEPARATE US FROM THE LOVE OF GOD, WHICH IS IN CHRIST JESUS OUR LORD."

          EVEN THROUGH THE CHRISTIAN CANNOT LOSE SALVATION THERE ARE STILL SOME THINGS THE SCRIPTURES TELL US THAT THEY CAN LOSE.

          LET'S LOOK AT SOME THINGS A CHRISTIAN CAN LOSE:

          1. THE CHRISTIAN CAN LOSE "THEIR TESTIMONY"

          IT CAN TAKE A CHRISTIAN A LIFETIME TO BUILD A TESTIMONY FOR CHRIST AND ALL IT TAKES IS ONE SLIP UP TO LOSE IT.

          IT TAKES IS JUST ONE SLIP UP TO LOSE IT!

          OF COURSE SOME CHRISTIAN'S TESTIMONY ONLY EXTENDS AS FAR AS THE CHURCH WALLS.

          THEY COME IN ON SUNDAY AND ACT SO PIOUS AND THE REST OF THE WEEK THEY LIVE FOR THE WORLD, THE FLESH, AND THE DEVIL.

          THE UNSAVED ARE WATCHING YOU CLOSELY WAITING FOR YOU TO SLIP UP.  IN ONE FOOLISH ACTION YOU CAN BRING REPROACH UPON YOUR SELF, YOUR FAITH, AND THE CAUSE OF CHRIST.

          DO NOT HAVE THE PRIDEFUL ATTITUDE  "IT COULD NEVER HAPPEN TO ME, OR I WOULD NEVER DO THAT.

          THE WORD OF GOD WARNS US IN 1st CORINTHIANS 10:12 "WHEREFORE LET HIM THAT THINKETH HE STANDETH TAKE HEED LEST HE FALL."

          THIS IS NOT FROM SALVATION, BUT IS THE LOSS OF STANDING AS A CHRISTIAN, THE LOSS OF A SOLID OR FIRM CHRISTIAN TESTIMONY.

          2.  THE CHRISTIAN CAN LOSE OF "THEIR REWARD"

2nd JOHN 8 "LOOK TO YOURSELVES, THAT WE LOSE NOT THOSE THINGS WHICH WE HAVE WROUGHT, BUT THAT WE RECEIVE A FULL REWARD."

          "WATCH OUT" "THAT YOU DO NOT LOSE WHAT WE HAVE ACCOMPLISHED."

1st CORINTHIANS 3:13-15 (13) "EVERY MAN'S WORK SHALL BE MADE MANIFEST: FOR THE DAY SHALL DECLARE IT, BECAUSE IT SHALL BE REVEALED BY FIRE; AND THE FIRE SHALL TRY EVERY MAN'S WORK OF WHAT SORT IT IS."

(14) "IF ANY MAN'S WORK ABIDE WHICH HE HATH BUILT THEREUPON, HE SHALL RECEIVE A REWARD."

(15) "IF ANY MAN'S WORK SHALL BE BURNED, HE SHALL SUFFER LOSS: BUT HE HIMSELF SHALL BE SAVED; YET SO AS BY FIRE."

          WHILE IT IS POSSIBLE TO HIDE THE TRUE QUALITY OF ONE'S SERVICE FOR CHRIST IN THIS LIFE. THERE IS COMING A TIME WHEN IT WILL BE OPENLY DISPLAYED FOR WHAT IT IS.

          THINGS DONE THROUGH THE LORD WILL EARN REWARDS THAT REMAIN: THINGS DONE THROUGH SELF WILL BE BURNED.

          I BELIEVE A LOT OF THINGS THAT GOES ON IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST WILL BE BURNED UP AT THE JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST.

EXAMPLES OF CHRISTIANS THAT LOSE REWARDS:

ROMAN 16:17-18 (17)"NOW I BESEECH YOU, BRETHREN, MARK THEM WHICH CAUSE DIVISIONS AND OFFENCES CONTRARY TO THE DOCTRINE WHICH YE HAVE LEARNED; AND AVOID THEM."

(18)"FOR THEY THAT ARE SUCH SERVE NOT OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, BUT THEIR OWN BELLY; AND BY GOOD WORDS AND FAIR SPEECHES DECEIVE THE HEARTS OF THE SIMPLE."

          PAUL'S WARNINGS ARE FOR THOSE WHO WOULD CAUSE DIVISIONS AMONG THE BELIEVERS, DISRUPT THE FAITH AND DOCTRINES.

          PAUL DESCRIBES THESE DIVISIVE PEOPLE AS "NOT SERVANTS OF GOD".  THESE PEOPLE ARE SMOOTH TALKING AND THEY ENSNARE INNOCENT (SIMPLE) BELIEVERS IN THEIR DOCTRINAL TRAP.

 CHRISTIANS WHO ARE A STUMBLING BLOCK TO OTHER CHRISTIANS:

ROMANS 14:13 :LET US NOT THEREFORE JUDGE ONE ANOTHER ANY MORE: BUT JUDGE THIS RATHER, THAT NO MAN PUT A STUMBLING-BLOCK OR AN OCCASION TO FALL IN HIS BROTHER'S WAY."

          WE AS BELIEVERS, MUST GIVE AN ACCOUNT OF OUR LIFE AND ACTIVITIES FOR THE LORD, INDIVIDUALLY, ONE-ON-ONE, WITH THE LORD OF GLORY.

          ALL BELIEVERS, UNDER THE LORDSHIP OF CHRIST MUST LIVE WITH THE CONVICTIONS BASED ON THE WORD OF GOD.

          THIS RESPONSIBILITY NATURALLY DRIVES THE BELIEVER TO CONSTANTLY TAKE INVENTORY OF OUR RELIGIOUS SCRUPLES AND CONVICTIONS TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARE BASED IN THE INFALLIBLE WORD AND NOT IN THE TRADITION OR WHIMS OF MEN.

          FAILURE TO DO THIS COULD AND WILL RESULT IN THE LOSS OF THE BELIEVER'S REWARDS.

          3.  THE CHRISTIAN CAN LOSE THEIR "JOY OF SALVATION"

PSALM 51:11-12a (11)"CAST ME NOT AWAY FROM THY PRESENCE: AND TAKE NOT THY HOLY SPIRIT FROM ME."

(12a)"RESTORE UNTO ME THE JOY OF THY SALVATION;"

           DAVID HAD LOST THE JOY OF HIS SALVATION, HIS SWEET FELLOWSHIP WITH THE LORD BECAUSE OF HIS SINS OF ADULTERY AND MURDER.

          THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE BELIEVER SINS.  YOU BREAK FELLOWSHIP WITH THE LORD.

          YOU LOSE THE JOY THAT COMES AS A RESULT OF YOUR FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD.

          THE REASON BEING IS THAT SIN SEPARATES THE BELIEVER FROM GOD.

          THE BELIEVER DOES NOT LOSE THEIR SALVATION BUT THEY DO LOSE THE JOY OF WALKING WITH HIM AND TALKING WITH HIM.

          YOU SEE, GOD HAS FEELINGS AND OFTEN TIMES WE ACT IN SUCH A WAY THAT GRIEVES HIM.

EPHESIANS 4:30a "AND GRIEVE NOT THE HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD."

          THE HOLY SPIRIT IS A VERY SENSITIVE PERSON AND THE BELIEVER MUST STOP HAVING THE HABIT OF OFFENDING THE HOLY SPIRIT BY REBELLIOUS DEEDS AND GRIEVOUS WORDS.

          THE WORD OF GOD TELLS US THAT OUR PRAYER LIFE WILL SUFFER AS A RESULT OF SIN, PSALM 66:18; JOHN 9:31.

          GOD ONLY LISTENS TO THOSE WHO DO 'HIS WILL' AND NOT TO SINNERS; EXCEPT FOR PRAYERS OF TRUE REPENTANCE OF SIN.

HOW DO WE RESTORE THE JOY OF SALVATION?

     FOLLOW DAVID'S EXAMPLE:

PSALM 51:1-4, (1)"HAVE MERCY UPON ME, OH GOD. ACCORDING TO THY LOVINGKINDNESS ACCORDING UNTO THE MULTITUDE OF THY TENDER MERCIES BLOT OUT MY TRANSGRESSIONS."

(2)"WASH ME THOROUGHLY FROM MINE INIQUITY, AND CLEANSE ME FROM MY SIN."

(3)"FOR I ACKNOWLEDGE MY TRANSGRESSIONS: AND MY SIN IS EVER BEFORE ME."

(4)"AGAINST THEE, THEE ONLY, HAVE I SINNED, AND DONE THIS EVIL IN THY SIGHT: THAT THOU MIGHTEST BE JUSTIFIED WHEN THOU SPEAKEST, AND BE CLEAR WHEN THOU JUDGEST."

         THE FIRST STEP IN REPENTANCE IS CONTRITION FOR SIN.

          THE SECOND STEP IS CONFESSION OF SIN.

           TRUE CONFESSION IS ACKNOWLEDGING YOUR SIN TO GOD AND ADMITTING THAT YOU CANNOT DEAL WITH IT ALONE.

1ST JOHN 1:9 "IF WE CONFESS OUR SINS, HE IS FAITHFUL AND JUST TO FORGIVE US OUR SINS, AND TO CLEANSE US FROM ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS."

          THE CORRECT WAY OF DEALING WITH SIN IS NOT TO DENY IT, BUT TO ACKNOWLEDGE IT AND ALLOW GOD TO CLEANSE IT.

          CONFESS (ACKNOWLEDGE) IT!     REPENT OF IT!     ASK GOD FOR HIS MERCY AND FORGIVENESS!

          ENJOY THE RESTORED JOY OF YOUR SALVATION!

          4.  THE CHRISTIAN CAN LOSE THEIR :SPIRITUAL MIND"

PHILIPPIANS 4:6-7 (6)"BE CAREFUL FOR NOTHING:BUT IN EVERY THING BY PRAYER AND SUPPLICATION WITH THANKSGIVING LET YOUR REQUEST BE MADE UNTO GOD."

(7)"AND THE PEACE OF GOD, WHICH PASSETH ALL UNDERSTANDING, SHALL KEEP YOUR HEARTS AND MINDS THROUGH CHRIST JESUS."

          NOTICE VERSE 7, "SHALL KEEP YOUR HEARTS AND MINDS THROUGH CHRIST JESUS";  I BELIEVE THE INFERENCE IS THAT A CHRISTIAN CAN LOSE THEIR SPIRITUAL MIND.

          I BELIEVE THAT BELIEVERS CAN DO THIS BY LETTING THE CARES AND WORRIES OF THIS OLD WORLD CONSUME THEM, BY FILLING THEIR HEARTS AND MINDS WITH WORRY AND FEAR.

          THE BELIEVER CAN PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING IF THEY FOLLOW GOD'S PRESCRIPTION IN VERSE 6.

          IN DAYS OF TENSION AND TROUBLE, IN DAYS OF FRUSTRATION AND FAILURE, INSTEAD OF WORRYING, TAKE IT TO THE LORD IN PRAYER.  PRAYER IS THE ESSENCE OF WORSHIP AND DEVOTION!

          FEAR AND WORRY IS OF THE DEVIL, NOT THE LORD!

2nd TIMOTHY 1:7 "FOR GOD HATH NOT GIVEN US THE SPIRIT OF FEAR; BUT OF POWER, AND OF LOVE, AND OF A SOUND MIND."

          THE GREEK WORD FOR "SOUND MIND" (SOPHRONISMOS) AND IT MEANS "DISCIPLINED" OR "SELF-CONTROL".

          A "SOUND MIND" IS A DISCIPLINED MIND; A MIND THAT IS SETTLED IN THE SCRIPTURES.

          CONCLUSION:

          WE HAVE LOOKED AT THE FACT THAT THE SINNER CAN AND WILL LOSE THEIR SOUL  IF THEY REJECT JESUS CHRIST.

          WE LOOKED AT THE FACT THAT THE "BORN-AGAIN" BELIEVER CAN NEVER LOSE THEIR SOUL.

           WE LOOKED AT FOUR THINGS THAT THE CHRISTIAN CAN LOSE:

:THEIR TESTIMONY" -- "THEIR REWARD" -- "THEIR JOY OF SALVATION" -- "THEIR SPIRITUAL MIND".

          BUT PRAISE GOD THE CHRISTIAN CANNOT LOSE THEIR SALVATION.

          THE BELIEVER IS ETERNALLY SECURE IN THE HAND OF ALMIGHTY GOD.

          WHERE WILL YOUR ETERNAL SOUL SPEND ETERNITY: IT WILL BE IN ONE OF TWO PLACES; HEAVEN OR HELL?

          THE CHOICE IS YOURS PERSONALLY!

     AMEN!