Text: Mark 8:34–38

³⁴ And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

³⁵ For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it.

³⁶ For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?

³⁷ Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

³⁸ Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.

TRADING AWAY YOUR SOUL?

Memory Verse: Mark 8:36 “What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?”

Whatever property you have to sell, or buy is basically valued at the fair price based on how valuable it is to you. What is it worth of your soul to you? Would you trade it for money, fame, or success?

Your soul is very special because God Himself created it. In Genesis 2:7, God formed man from dust and breathed life into him. That breath made us living souls. That means your soul came directly from God. If you placed all the money in the world on one side of a scale and your soul on the other, your soul would still be more valuable.

Some products are valuable because they last long. A diamond is more valuable than paper because it does not break easily. In the same way, your soul lasts forever. All the things in this world: cars, houses, even gold will one day be destroyed. But your soul will live forever, either in heaven or in hell. That means your soul is eternal. Do not trade it for something that does not last.

The higher the demand for something, the more valuable it becomes and the higher is the cost. Your soul is so valuable that both God and the devil wants it. God gave His only Son, Jesus, to die for your soul. His blood was the price paid to save you 1 Peter 1:18–19. When the angels fell, God did not save them. But for you, He planned right away. That shows how much He loves your soul.

The devil is always looking for people to trick and destroy 1 Peter 5:8. Do not fall into his trap. No amount of money, power, or pleasure is worth losing your soul for.

Think about it carefully, would you trade your soul for anything in this world? Remember what Jesus went through on the cross for you. He knew that your soul was worth it. Do not sell yourself short.

COVENANT GATE HYMNALS 127 SS&S 606 O JESUS, I HAVE PROMISED

1. O Jesus, I have promised

To serve Thee to the end;
Be Thou forever near me,
My Master and my Friend;
I shall not fear the battle
If Thou art by my side,
Nor wander from the pathway
If Thou wilt be my Guide.

2

2. Oh, let me feel Thee near me;
   The world is ever near;
   I see the sights that dazzle,
   The tempting sounds I hear;
   My foes are ever near me,
   Around me and within;
   But, Jesus, draw Thou nearer,
   And shield my soul from sin.

3

3. Oh, let me hear Thee speaking,
   In accents clear and still,
   Above the storms of passion,
   The murmurs of self-will;
   Oh, speak to reassure me,
   To hasten, or control;
   Oh, speak, and make me listen,
   Thou Guardian of my soul.

4

4. O Jesus, Thou hast promised
   To all who follow Thee
   That where Thou art in glory
   There shall Thy servant be;
   And Jesus, I have promised
   To serve Thee to the end;
   Oh, give me grace to follow,
   My Master and my Friend.

5

1. 5. Oh, let me see Thy footmarks,
      And in them plant mine own;
      My hope to follow duly
      Is in Thy strength alone.
      Oh, guide me, call me, draw me,
      Uphold me to the end;
      And then to rest receive me,
      My Savior and my Friend.

Today’s Prayer

1. Lord, thank You for paying the price to save my soul. Please protect me from danger.
2. Lord, You created me with care. Help me to live a life that honours You.
3. Pray for others to also value and protect their souls.