Oct. 30, 2009
Hidden Power of the Soul
Skit: “In a Box,” Think Again p. 14ff.
Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
See pic at http://oneyearbibleimages.com/hebrews4_12.jpg
Rev. 18:11-13
11 And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more:
12 The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all manner vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble,
13 And cinnamon, and odors, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men.
I. Man -- Body, Soul, and Spirit
A. Scripture
Gen. 2:7
And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, . . .”
This refers to the creation of the human body.
“. . . and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; . . .”
See pic at http://www.freewebs.com/akimalya/breathofair.jpg
God gave spirit to man.
“. . . and man became a living soul.”
A living soul, a “nephesh,” (Heb. vpn).
B. The soul is the personality. When the spirit and the body were joined, man became a living soul. The characteristic of angels is spirit. Lower animals are flesh, body. Humans are both, but we are neither spirit or body, but soul. God calls man, “soul.”
1. Examples from scripture
Gen. 46:27
And the sons of Joseph, which were born him in Egypt, were two souls: all the souls of the house of Jacob, which came into Egypt, were threescore and ten.
Acts 2:41
Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
C. Soul = point of union of spirit and body
God formed man from the dust of the earth, then gave him life by breathing spirit into him. The soul was the meeting place, the point of union of body and spirit.
Through the body, man is aware of the world. Through the spirit, man is aware of God. His soul is between the two worlds, belonging to both.
II. Adam’s abilities before the Fall
A. Scripture
Gen. 1:27-28
27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
28* And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.
B. Adam’s physical ability
1. Suppose a landowner asks his employee to manage two houses. He makes the request on the basis of the employee’s abilities. No one person can handle all the houses on a given street. It is beyond his ability. Would God ask Adam to do something which he was not capable of doing? No. Adam was capable of managing, of ruling, the earth. To rule requires management and work.
2. Scripture
Gen. 3:18-19
18* Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; . . .
19* In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, . . .
Before the Fall, Adam had such strength that he never felt tired after work. It was only after the Fall that God told him, “In the sweat of your face shall you eat bread.”
After the Fall, Adam couldn’t keep up with all he needed to do. There was always more work that needed to be done that day, work that should have been done yesterday. That’s why it seemed like all he grew were thorns and thistles.
C. Adam’s intelligence
1. Scripture
Gen. 2:19
And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof.
See pic at http://www.billcasselman.com/Bestiary.jpg
Adam names the animals of the earth, according to Genesis 2:19-20.
The illumination above is from a 12th-century manuscript of Saint Isidore's Etymology.
2. Cf. us
Suppose you took a book of zoology, and read all the names of the animals. Here is a new one for you.
Mara
Mara have a long neck and head, and hoof-like claws on their feet. They rest like a hare sitting on their haunches. To escape trouble they can run up to 30 mph. Maras are vegetarian and feed during the day.
What class is this animal assigned to? Mammals
What does this animal eat? Grass
Where did this animal live? Argentina
If we studied, we could still neither recognize nor memorize all of the names of the animals. Yet Adam named them. He did not memorize their zoological names, he gave them names. His intelligence was brilliant.
D. Adam’s management ability
1. Scripture
Gen. 2:15
And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.
2. Adam’s job
a. God commanded Adam to tend the garden of Eden. How big was the garden?
See pic at http://heavenawaits.files.wordpress.com/2008/06/tigris-euphrates.jpg
Gen. 2:10-14 mentions four rivers, the Pishon, Gihon, Tigris, and Euphrates. They all flowed from Eden and divided into four river regions. It was likely as large an area as the entire Middle East. Adam was to dress the garden and to keep it, to keep it from being invaded by the enemy. Adam would have had great ability, inherent in his soul. Compared to us, his power would seem supernatural, miraculous.
III. After the Fall
A. The soul possesses great supernatural power. Since the Fall, however, the soul’s abilities are immobilized, or hidden. God intended for the soul, each person, to be subject to the spirit’s control; after the Fall, it is subjected to the flesh, the body.
B. In the last days, the soul will be a commodity in Babylon, something to be bought and sold.
Rev. 18:11-13
11 And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more:
12 The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all manner vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble,
13 And cinnamon, and odors, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men.
Satan wishes to use man’s soul. When Adam, fell in the Garden of Eden, his power was immobilized, buried inside. The work of the devil is to stir up man’s soul and to release this hidden power as a deception for spiritual power, as a means to gain power over man. Satan’s tactics include:
1. hypnosis. Television can also hypnotize.
2. parapsychology.
3. human potential movement. By releasing the god within us we all become gods.
4. ouija board
5. demonic healing
6. Eastern meditation
7. Muslim
The Muslims pray three time a day. They say that if anything needs to be done, pray in one accord with tens of thousands of people. Military victories have been won by Muslims, for example, Turkey in 1923, through this type of prayer.
8. Hindu
Some Hindus can walk on fire without being scorched. It is not fake. They walk across a long course with their feet walking on red-hot iron, and they are not hurt. Some of them can lie on beds with nails pointed up without harm.
These all use the power of the soul. Those who attempt to develop the power within will be contacted by and used by evil spirits. This is merchandising the souls of men.
See pic at http://www.comeandsee.org/bible-sword.jpg
Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Anyone who has participated in such activities needs to repent of them, and ask God to divide between soul and spirit, so he can no longer be a medium for this power.
IV. In the church
A. Prayer
1. We are to pray to God, as a child speaking to his father. It is possible to not pray to God, but to direct your prayers towards the person for whom you pray. This is dangerous. Instead of directing your prayer towards God, you concentrate on your thought, your wish, and send it out as a force. The prayer is like a bow which shoots your thought or desire as an arrow towards the other person. This type of prayer is oppressive. We have been the recipient of such “prayers.” We felt heavy oppression, and didn’t know why, but later realized what others were sending our way.
2. For example, if you pray that a person should be disciplined or punished if he doesn’t do what you want or think he should, your prayer will be used by the evil one and cause the person to suffer.
B. Thoughts
1. In order not to pray outside of God’s will, remember Philippians 4:8.
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Conclusion
Pray to God as His child, as His servant. Pray for His will to be done.
See pic at http://api.ning.com/files/IKsn30hEoB8wni8lPx-wW8yOV63xMe55CaMiNpP3CzJogSckj2d7cwRpBILXGlzBBZUFgLHeMDgsz8MVMlCHP8LePeqFlI2B/TheLordsPrayer1.jpg
Benediction: Hymnal #788, “The Lord Bless You”
Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
See pic at http://oneyearbibleimages.com/hebrews4_12.jpg
Rev. 18:11-13
11 And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more:
12 The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all manner vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble,
13 And cinnamon, and odors, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men.
I. Man -- Body, Soul, and Spirit
A. Scripture
Gen. 2:7
And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, . . .”
This refers to the creation of the human body.
“. . . and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; . . .”
See pic at http://www.freewebs.com/akimalya/breathofair.jpg
God gave spirit to man.
“. . . and man became a living soul.”
A living soul, a “nephesh,” (Heb. vpn).
B. The soul is the personality. When the spirit and the body were joined, man became a living soul. The characteristic of angels is spirit. Lower animals are flesh, body. Humans are both, but we are neither spirit or body, but soul. God calls man, “soul.”
1. Examples from scripture
Gen. 46:27
And the sons of Joseph, which were born him in Egypt, were two souls: all the souls of the house of Jacob, which came into Egypt, were threescore and ten.
Acts 2:41
Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
C. Soul = point of union of spirit and body
God formed man from the dust of the earth, then gave him life by breathing spirit into him. The soul was the meeting place, the point of union of body and spirit.
Through the body, man is aware of the world. Through the spirit, man is aware of God. His soul is between the two worlds, belonging to both.
II. Adam’s abilities before the Fall
A. Scripture
Gen. 1:27-28
27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
28* And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.
B. Adam’s physical ability
1. Suppose a landowner asks his employee to manage two houses. He makes the request on the basis of the employee’s abilities. No one person can handle all the houses on a given street. It is beyond his ability. Would God ask Adam to do something which he was not capable of doing? No. Adam was capable of managing, of ruling, the earth. To rule requires management and work.
2. Scripture
Gen. 3:18-19
18* Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; . . .
19* In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, . . .
Before the Fall, Adam had such strength that he never felt tired after work. It was only after the Fall that God told him, “In the sweat of your face shall you eat bread.”
After the Fall, Adam couldn’t keep up with all he needed to do. There was always more work that needed to be done that day, work that should have been done yesterday. That’s why it seemed like all he grew were thorns and thistles.
C. Adam’s intelligence
1. Scripture
Gen. 2:19
And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof.
See pic at http://www.billcasselman.com/Bestiary.jpg
Adam names the animals of the earth, according to Genesis 2:19-20.
The illumination above is from a 12th-century manuscript of Saint Isidore's Etymology.
2. Cf. us
Suppose you took a book of zoology, and read all the names of the animals. Here is a new one for you.
Mara
Mara have a long neck and head, and hoof-like claws on their feet. They rest like a hare sitting on their haunches. To escape trouble they can run up to 30 mph. Maras are vegetarian and feed during the day.
What class is this animal assigned to? Mammals
What does this animal eat? Grass
Where did this animal live? Argentina
If we studied, we could still neither recognize nor memorize all of the names of the animals. Yet Adam named them. He did not memorize their zoological names, he gave them names. His intelligence was brilliant.
D. Adam’s management ability
1. Scripture
Gen. 2:15
And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.
2. Adam’s job
a. God commanded Adam to tend the garden of Eden. How big was the garden?
See pic at http://heavenawaits.files.wordpress.com/2008/06/tigris-euphrates.jpg
Gen. 2:10-14 mentions four rivers, the Pishon, Gihon, Tigris, and Euphrates. They all flowed from Eden and divided into four river regions. It was likely as large an area as the entire Middle East. Adam was to dress the garden and to keep it, to keep it from being invaded by the enemy. Adam would have had great ability, inherent in his soul. Compared to us, his power would seem supernatural, miraculous.
III. After the Fall
A. The soul possesses great supernatural power. Since the Fall, however, the soul’s abilities are immobilized, or hidden. God intended for the soul, each person, to be subject to the spirit’s control; after the Fall, it is subjected to the flesh, the body.
B. In the last days, the soul will be a commodity in Babylon, something to be bought and sold.
Rev. 18:11-13
11 And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more:
12 The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all manner vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble,
13 And cinnamon, and odors, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men.
Satan wishes to use man’s soul. When Adam, fell in the Garden of Eden, his power was immobilized, buried inside. The work of the devil is to stir up man’s soul and to release this hidden power as a deception for spiritual power, as a means to gain power over man. Satan’s tactics include:
1. hypnosis. Television can also hypnotize.
2. parapsychology.
3. human potential movement. By releasing the god within us we all become gods.
4. ouija board
5. demonic healing
6. Eastern meditation
7. Muslim
The Muslims pray three time a day. They say that if anything needs to be done, pray in one accord with tens of thousands of people. Military victories have been won by Muslims, for example, Turkey in 1923, through this type of prayer.
8. Hindu
Some Hindus can walk on fire without being scorched. It is not fake. They walk across a long course with their feet walking on red-hot iron, and they are not hurt. Some of them can lie on beds with nails pointed up without harm.
These all use the power of the soul. Those who attempt to develop the power within will be contacted by and used by evil spirits. This is merchandising the souls of men.
See pic at http://www.comeandsee.org/bible-sword.jpg
Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Anyone who has participated in such activities needs to repent of them, and ask God to divide between soul and spirit, so he can no longer be a medium for this power.
IV. In the church
A. Prayer
1. We are to pray to God, as a child speaking to his father. It is possible to not pray to God, but to direct your prayers towards the person for whom you pray. This is dangerous. Instead of directing your prayer towards God, you concentrate on your thought, your wish, and send it out as a force. The prayer is like a bow which shoots your thought or desire as an arrow towards the other person. This type of prayer is oppressive. We have been the recipient of such “prayers.” We felt heavy oppression, and didn’t know why, but later realized what others were sending our way.
2. For example, if you pray that a person should be disciplined or punished if he doesn’t do what you want or think he should, your prayer will be used by the evil one and cause the person to suffer.
B. Thoughts
1. In order not to pray outside of God’s will, remember Philippians 4:8.
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Conclusion
Pray to God as His child, as His servant. Pray for His will to be done.
See pic at http://api.ning.com/files/IKsn30hEoB8wni8lPx-wW8yOV63xMe55CaMiNpP3CzJogSckj2d7cwRpBILXGlzBBZUFgLHeMDgsz8MVMlCHP8LePeqFlI2B/TheLordsPrayer1.jpg
Benediction: Hymnal #788, “The Lord Bless You”