Watch Over Your Soul
The sermon emphasizes the critical importance of diligently watching over one's soul and instilling the fear of God in future generations.
Erlo Stegen emphasizes the critical importance of watching over one's soul, urging believers to diligently care for their spiritual well-being and to remember God's past interventions in their lives. He draws parallels between the commitment of the apostles, who left everything to follow Jesus, and the need for Christians today to prioritize their relationship with God over worldly pursuits. Stegen warns against neglecting the soul, likening it to a shepherd's care for his sheep, and stresses the responsibility of parents to teach their children the fear of God. He encourages believers to reflect on their spiritual journey and to ensure that their lives testify to their faith, fostering a legacy of faith within their families. Ultimately, he calls for a deep yearning for fellowship with God and a commitment to nurturing the soul.
Text
Deut 4:9-10
Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy sons' sons;
10Specially the day that thou stoodest before the LORD thy God in Horeb, when the LORD said unto me, Gather me the people together, and I will make them hear my words, that they may learn to fear me all the days that they shall live upon the earth, and that they may teach their children.
Matthew was a tax-collector, but left all immediately when Jesus called him and followed Jesus. There was no way to go back. As he left, there was no way back. It's wonderful when people follow Christ and burn their bridges.
Jesus meant more to him than his career, money and reputation. No wonder God chose him to write the first book of the NT. The apostles were amazing people. They left all to follow Jesus and never returned.
Jesus promised them an eternal position in heaven, trones set for them. Jesus said those that forsake everything for His sake, He will reward abundantly, even eternally.
"Only take heed to yourself and keep your soul diligently". God is speaking to His children, His congregation.
Even if you're a child of God, He is calling to you and warning you to watch carefully over your soul. It is as if there's a great danger right ahead of you, and you've grown weary and tired, and He arrests you with this warning lest you fall. Jesus said 'what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, yet loses his soul' (Mark 8:36).
A shepherd will give his life for the sheep, although one can think that a sheep is worthless. When David saw the sheep in the clutches of the lion and bear, he put his life in danger and rescued the sheep.
However, a hireling do not care about the sheep, as long as he is safe; and when danger or difficulty approaches, he flees. Some people treat their soul in the same way. They only gratify their flesh, but care nothing about the harm that's done to the soul. What will your soul say if it could tell today how you're treating it?
God is warning you today to take careful heed to your soul, lest it dies or is harmed.
God charged them also not to forget what they've experienced in the past, and what He's done for them.
Remember how God intervened in your life and worked in your life? Remember how you used to fail time and again in the past and how God intervened and gave you the victory.
Remember your promises to God when you were in a strait. Woe to you if you do not keep your promises to Him. You need to grow in your experience & knowledge of God daily.
God also charged them to instruct their children. The condition of your soul is reflected in the soul of your child. You need to teach your children the fear of God. The fear of God is wonderful (it is not the spirit of fear, which is afraid that its sin is exposed, and afraid of being with God's children). It makes a person wise, so that he numbers his days and watches over his soul.
If you have life, you will feel something for your children too, and long that they will experience that same life; and if you've been filled with the Holy Spirit, you long for the same to them.
In Acts 2:38-39, Peter said to the multitude that they need to "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call". This is a wonderful promise!
To repent is to turn about, away from your sin, make an end of it, and then you are baptised as a testimony & sign that you are converted.
It's wonderful when parents and children in a family all live for God and are filled with God's Spirit. But you cannot expect it from your children if your life do not testify to it.
In Joel we read, "I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions...".
Young people, don't waste your life away with the world, but spend your life in the presence of God's Spirit. Let this Pentecost not just pass by while you hear about God's Spirit, but may you experience Him.
What do you yearn after? Do you yearn to have fellowship with God, and read His Word?
Put God's laws and commandments into your heart, and not only into your head.
There are things which is good for your soul, and things which harm it. Take careful heed to your soul, that it is nourished and well looked after. If you take care of your soul, your soul will take care of you.
In 1873, Horatio Spafford lost his four daughters at once when their ship sank. Later, as he pondered on his loss, he felt a deep conviction that it is well with his soul, and theirs, and he penned the song, "It is well with my soul" (read full story here).
Although they are few, there are still some godly men in this world - those who take care of their soul.
Sermon Outline
- I points: - The importance of watching over your soul - The dangers of neglecting the soul - God's warning to His children
- II points: - The example of Matthew and the apostles - The eternal rewards for those who follow Christ - The call to forsake worldly attachments
- III points: - The shepherd's care for the sheep - The contrast between a shepherd and a hireling - The soul's condition and its reflection in our lives
- IV points: - The importance of remembering God's past interventions - Keeping promises made to God - Growing in knowledge and experience of God
- V points: - Teaching children the fear of God - The promise of the Holy Spirit to families - The role of parents in spiritual upbringing
- VI points: - The significance of repentance and baptism - Living a life filled with the Holy Spirit - The call to young people to seek God's presence
- VII points: - Nourishing the soul with God's commandments - Recognizing what harms the soul - The reciprocal care between the soul and the individual
- VIII points: - The story of Horatio Spafford - Finding peace in the soul amidst loss - The existence of godly men who care for their souls
Key Quotes
“Only take heed to yourself and keep your soul diligently.” — Erlo Stegen
“What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, yet loses his soul?” — Erlo Stegen
“If you take care of your soul, your soul will take care of you.” — Erlo Stegen
Application Points
- Make a conscious effort to engage with God's Word daily to nourish your soul.
- Reflect on your past experiences with God and keep your promises to Him.
- Encourage your children to develop a personal relationship with God and understand His commandments.