Soul Opinion

September 15, 2024
Soul Opinion

Scripture Reading:  Mark 8: 27 - 38 (NIV)

Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, “Who do people say I am?”

28They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.”

29 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”

Peter answered, “You are the Messiah.”

30Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about him.

31He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again. 32He spoke plainly about this, and Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him.

33But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. “Get behind me, Satan!” he said. “You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”

34Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 35For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. 36What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? 37Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? 38If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”

Message“Soul Opinion”

Your opinion matters

I could ask today:  What’s the latest trends on Jesus?

What’s the opinions about Jesus?  (Perhaps determined by an online survey or a media opinion poll?)

And strong opinions you will find all over the place…

And what if I were to put on the spot today - what is your opinion?

Think about this for a moment - what is your opinion on Jesus?

What would you say if you need to explain yourself?

Imagine a situation where you would have to explain yourself in the circles where you live every day… what would you say to your family about your opinion on Jesus?  What would you say to your colleagues at work?  Or the man in the street?

Today you need to realize that your opinion matters

What you say and think about Jesus is of great importance  

Opinion determines behaviour 

It is important that you make up your mind about Jesus, because it will determine your behaviour

Jesus calls us to be his disciples to this very day

You will not respond to Him unless you are convinced

Even in this passage, right after Jesus asked about their opinion, He gets round to what it means to follow Him

If you want to be a follower of Jesus, ie a disciple of Jesus, you need to take up your cross

You need to act and your convictions need to translate into action

That is why your opinion has such great value - it will determine your behaviour as a disciple of Jesus

It’s a matter of your Soul

Jesus goes further - your opinion and your consequential discipleship is a matter of the state of your soul

He asks: “what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?

What happens to you soul is intensely affected by your opinion

And I think it matters in way that also influences the quality of your life right now

We are beings of body, mind and soul

You will struggle in life if your soul is lost in the dark 

Therefore, do not be ashamed of Jesus in your opinion of Him

For I truly believe that there is a connection between your opinion and the state of your soul

And my prayer for you is that you will experience peace in your soul in knowing Who Jesus is in your life

My Opinion

If I were to be asked today about my opinion on Jesus, I would answer: 

Jesus is the Way the Truth and the Life

Jesus is Way to freedom in this life, without Him my life will be lost

Jesus connects me with God - He shows me the Truth about God

Jesus gives me reason to live - finding purpose in love

Jesus is my Saviour and My Lord, He is my Teacher and my Friend

You might have something to add on my opinion, I’m sure

The point is, your option about Jesus matters

It will determine your behaviour

Your opinion is truly a soul matter


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