The view a person has of himself determines the kind of life he will live.

1
The view a person has of himself determines the
kind of life he will live.

• There are many ways we ask this question. (Psa
  9012)

2
The view a person has of himself determines the
kind of life he will live.

• (Psalms 9012 NKJV) So teach us to number our
  days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom.

3
The view a person has of himself determines the
kind of life he will live.

• Often we ask it when we inquire into the meaning
  of life. "What am I to do with my life?" The
  answers depends on who you are!

4
The view a person has of himself determines the
kind of life he will live.

• During emotional times we may despair of life.
  Here is where knowledge of our nature causes us
  to be encouraged or discouraged.

5
The view a person has of himself determines the
kind of life he will live.

• During emotional times we may despair of life.
  Here is where knowledge of our nature causes us
  to be encouraged or discouraged.
• There may even be a conflict between what we know
  and what we do! Those in this condition are
  miserable and seek to bury their conscience in
  activity.

6
The view a person has of himself determines the
kind of life he will live.

• "Some men die by shrapnel, Some go down in
  flames. But most men perish inch by inch playing
  little games."

7
The view a person has of himself determines the
kind of life he will live.

• Ultimately we live by how we really answer the
  question Who am I?

8
The view a person has of himself determines the
kind of life he will live.

• Ultimately we live by how we really answer the
  question "Who am I?
• If we are to find an answer that we can build our
  lives upon, it will require a determined
  reasoned pursuit on our part.

9
The view a person has of himself determines the
kind of life he will live.

• Ultimately we live by how we really answer the
  question "Who am I?
• If we are to find an answer that we can build our
  lives upon, it will require a determined
  reasoned pursuit on our part.
• There are many who will give you pat answers and
  act as cheerleaders to push you on. What does
  our media teach? Often it is mindless but in the
  majority.

10
The view a person has of himself determines the
kind of life he will live.

• Have you found an answer upon which you can
  reasonably present?

11
The view a person has of himself determines the
kind of life he will live.

• Have you found an answer upon which you can
  reasonably present?
• For the Christian there is great power in
  knowing. (1 Pt 315 Heb 214-15)

12
The view a person has of himself determines the
kind of life he will live.

• (Hebrews 214-15 NKJV) Inasmuch then as the
  children have partaken of flesh and blood, He
  Himself likewise shared in the same, that through
  death He might destroy him who had the power of
  death, that is, the devil, 15 and release those
  who through fear of death were all their lifetime
  subject to bondage.

13
The view a person has of himself determines the
kind of life he will live.

• (1 Peter 315 NKJV) But sanctify the Lord God
  in your hearts, and always be ready to give a
  defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the
  hope that is in you, with meekness and fear

14
Three views of man

• The atheist claims that man is only a smart
  animal.

15
Three views of man

• The atheist claims that man is only a smart
  animal.
• This view is know as humanism. If any
  accomplishments are to be made by man it will
  solely be because of man. Man becomes God!

16
Three views of man

• The atheist claims that man is only a smart
  animal.
• This view is know as humanism. If any
  accomplishments are to be made by man it will
  solely be because of man. Man becomes God!
• This view is extremely hostile to Christianity.
  Consider some prominent Humanist of this
  century.

17
Three views of man

• Ted Turner boldly proclaimed before a group of
  journalists that Christianity is a "religion for
  losers". He then scoffed at the ideal that he
  needed God for anything!

18
Three views of man

• Ted Turner boldly proclaimed before a group of
  journalists that Christianity is a "religion for
  losers". He then scoffed at the ideal that he
  needed God for anything!
• Consider the humanist Adolph Hitler

19
Three views of man

• "..That will not prevent me from tearing up
  Christianity root and branch, and annihilating it
  in Germany. For our people it is decisive
  whether they acknowledge the Jewish Christ creed
  with its effeminate pity ethics, or a strong,
  heroic belief in God in Nature, God in our own
  people, in our destiny, in our blood.

20
Three views of man

• Whenever men make themselves God the same tragic
  path is followed. (Rom 118-24)

21
Three views of man

• (Romans 118-24 NKJV) For the wrath of God is
  revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and
  unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in
  unrighteousness, 19 because what may be known
  of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it
  to them. 20 For since the creation of the world
  His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being
  understood by the things that are made, even His
  eternal power and Godhead, so that they are
  without excuse,

22
Three views of man

• 21 because, although they knew God, they did
  not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but
  became futile in their thoughts, and their
  foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Professing to
  be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the
  glory of the incorruptible God into an image made
  like corruptible man and birds and four-footed
  animals and creeping things. 24 Therefore God
  also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of
  their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among
  themselves,

23
Three views of man

• Does the humanist have a reasonable defense of
  his position? Most humanist become so by
  taking an assumed "world view" that eliminates
  the possibility of God before any evidence is
  considered!

24
Three views of man

• How can the humanist explain the unique nature of
  man when compared to the animals? How can he
  explain emotions, the conscience, morality and
  many other things?

25
Three views of man

• Many choose humanism because they can keep the
  moral standard they like! (Jn 319-21)

26
Three views of man

• (John 319-21 NKJV) And this is the
  condemnation, that the light has come into the
  world, and men loved darkness rather than light,
  because their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone
  practicing evil hates the light and does not come
  to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.
  21 But he who does the truth comes to the
  light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that
  they have been done in God.

27
Three views of man

• Most humanist run from a reasoned examination of
  these questions.

28
Three views of man

• Most humanist run from a reasoned examination of
  these questions.
• The materialist claims that man is a blessed
  animal.

29
Three views of man

• Most humanist run from a reasoned examination of
  these questions.
• The materialist claims that man is a blessed
  animal.
• This view claims that man is wholly mortal. When
  man dies he goes out of existence. "Man is just
  like Rover, when he is dead, he is dead all over."

30
Three views of man

• Many try to use the Bible to prove this position.
  They deny that man has an immortal soul. They
  also deny an eternal hell.

31
Three views of man

• Many try to use the Bible to prove this position.
  They deny that man has an immortal soul. They
  also deny an eternal hell.
• They claim that man is nothing more than dust!
  (Gen 27 319)

32
Three views of man

• (Genesis 27 NKJV) And the LORD God formed man
  of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his
  nostrils the breath of life and man became a
  living being.

33
Three views of man

• (Genesis 319 NKJV) In the sweat of your face
  you shall eat bread Till you return to the
  ground, For out of it you were taken For dust
  you are, And to dust you shall return.

34
Three views of man

• They claim the Bible teaches we cease to exist at
  death. (Ecc 318-20 95)

35
Three views of man

• (Ecclesiastes 318-20 NKJV) I said in my heart,
  Concerning the condition of the sons of men, God
  tests them, that they may see that they
  themselves are like animals. 19 For what
  happens to the sons of men also happens to
  animals one thing befalls them as one dies, so
  dies the other. Surely, they all have one breath
  man has no advantage over animals, for all is
  vanity.

36
Three views of man

• 20 All go to one place all are from the dust,
  and all return to dust.

37
Three views of man

• (Ecclesiastes 95 NKJV) For the living know
  that they will die But the dead know nothing,
  And they have no more reward,

38
Three views of man

• Could you answer the materialist arguments?

39
Three views of man

• Man has both a body and a spirit! (Gen 126-27
  Jn 423)

40
Three views of man

• (Genesis 126-27 NKJV) Then God said, Let Us
  make man in Our image, according to Our likeness
  let them have dominion over the fish of the sea,
  over the birds of the air, and over the cattle,
  over all the earth and over every creeping thing
  that creeps on the earth. 27 So God created
  man in His own image in the image of God He
  created him male and female He created them.

41
Three views of man

• (John 423 NKJV) But the hour is coming, and
  now is, when the true worshipers will worship the
  Father in spirit and truth for the Father is
  seeking such to worship Him.

42
Three views of man

• Consider that the book of Ecclesiastes is written
  from man's viewpoint that is indicated by the
  phrase "under the sun." (Ecc 316)

43
Three views of man

• (Ecclesiastes 316 NKJV) Moreover I saw under
  the sun In the place of judgment, Wickedness was
  there And in the place of righteousness,
  Iniquity was there.

44
Three views of man

• Even then the writer tells us how God sees death!
  (Ecc 127)

45
Three views of man

• (Ecclesiastes 127 NKJV) Then the dust will
  return to the earth as it was, And the spirit
  will return to God who gave it.

46
Three views of man

• The Bible teaches that man has an immortal soul
  created by God.

47
Three views of man

• The Bible teaches that man has an immortal soul
  created by God.
• Man has a dual nature, body and spirit. (2 Cor
  416 Mt 1028)

48
Three views of man

• (Matthew 1028 NKJV) And do not fear those who
  kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But
  rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul
  and body in hell.

49
Three views of man

• (2 Corinthians 416 NKJV) Therefore we do not
  lose heart. Even though our outward man is
  perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed
  day by day.

50
Three views of man

• Our souls are of far greater value! (Lk
  1219-20 1 Pt 419)

51
Three views of man

• (Luke 1219-20 NKJV) And I will say to my
  soul, Soul, you have many goods laid up for many
  years take your ease eat, drink, and be
  merry. 20 But God said to him, Fool! This
  night your soul will be required of you then
  whose will those things be which you have
  provided?

52
Three views of man

• (1 Peter 419 NKJV) Therefore let those who
  suffer according to the will of God commit their
  souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful
  Creator.

53
What do these answers bring?

• If man was no different than an animal then
  would murder be wrong?

54
What do these answers bring?

• If man was no different than an animal then
  would murder be wrong?
• This was an overriding consideration of the
  decision process of Hitler!

55
What do these answers bring?

• If man was no different than an animal then
  would murder be wrong?
• This was an overriding consideration of the
  decision process of Hitler!
• Many humanist are "consistently" drawn to the
  animal rights movement because

56
What do these answers bring?

• If man was no different than an animal then
  would murder be wrong?
• This was an overriding consideration of the
  decision process of Hitler!
• Many humanist are "consistently" drawn to the
  animal rights movement because
• of this glaring problem. To them it is murder to
  kill and eat any animal.

57
What do these answers bring?

• There is no purpose in life for the humanist.

58
What do these answers bring?

• Consider this statement about a famous atheist,
  Charles Darrow

59
What do these answers bring?

• "I recall spending an evening with Clarence
  Darrow. In many respects he was one of the
  saddest men I have ever met. During the course of
  our conversation he said, 'I will give you my
  definition of life life is an unpleasant
  interruption of nothingness."

60
What do these answers bring?

• The atheist David Hume

61
What do these answers bring?

• "Where am I, or what? From what causes do I
  derive my existence, and to what. condition shall
  I return? ... I am confounded with all these
  quotations, and begin to fancy myself in the most
  deplorable condition imaginable, environed with
  the deepest darkness, and utterly "deprived of
  the use of every member and faculty."

62
What do these answers bring?

• The atheist Ingersoll

63
What do these answers bring?

• "Life is a narrow vale between the cold and
  barren peaks of two eternities. We strive in vain
  to look beyond the heights. We cry aloud, and the
  only answer is the echo of our wailing cry. From
  the voiceless lips of the unreplying dead there
  comes no word.."

64
What do these answers bring?

• History is filled with similar statements of
  humanist.

65
What do these answers bring?

• The materialist fails to understand the
  motivating nature of eternity!

66
What do these answers bring?

• The materialist fails to understand the
  motivating nature of eternity!
• There is a hell to be feared. (Mt 1028 2 Cor
  510-11)

67
What do these answers bring?

• (Matthew 1028 NKJV) And do not fear those who
  kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But
  rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul
  and body in hell.

68
What do these answers bring?

• (2 Corinthians 510-11 NKJV) For we must all
  appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that
  each one may receive the things done in the body,
  according to what he has done, whether good or
  bad. 11 Knowing, therefore, the terror of the
  Lord, we persuade men but we are well known to
  God, and I also trust are well known in your
  consciences.

69
What do these answers bring?

• Often these will also deny the deity of Christ
  out of consistency! (Jn 114)

70
What do these answers bring?

• (John 114 NKJV) And the Word became flesh and
  dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the
  glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full
  of grace and truth.

71
What do these answers bring?

• "The puzzle is why so many people live so badly.
  Not so wickedly, but so inanely. Not so cruelly,
  but so stupidly. There's little to admire and
  less to imitate in the people who are prominent
  in our culture. We have celebrities, but not
  saints. Famous entertainers amuse a nation of
  bored insomniacs. Infamous criminals act out the
  aggressions of timid conformists.

72
What do these answers bring?

• Petulant and spoiled athletes play games
  vicariously for lazy and apathetic spectators.
  People aimless and bored amuse themselves with
  trivia and trash. Neither the adventure of
  goodness nor the pursuit of righteousness get
  headlines. - Eugene O. Peterson

73
What do these answers bring?

• To the Christian the soul has an infinite value.
  (Mt 1626)

74
What do these answers bring?

• (Matthew 1626 NKJV) For what profit is it to
  a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his
  own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for
  his soul?

75
What do these answers bring?

• "Christianity made people who were things into
  real men and women, more, into sons and daughters
  of God it gave those who had no respect, their
  self-respect it gave those who had no life, life
  eternal it told men that, even if they did not
  matter to other men, they still mattered
  intensely to God.

76
What do these answers bring?

• It told men who, in the eyes of the world were
  worthless, that, in the eyes of God they were
  worth the death of his only Son. Christianity
  was, and still is, the most uplifting thing in
  the whole universe."

77
What do these answers bring?

• Consider the value God places upon the soul! (Mt
  1810-11 Lk 1510)

78
What do these answers bring?

• (Matthew 1810-11 NKJV) Take heed that you do
  not despise one of these little ones, for I say
  to you that in heaven their angels always see the
  face of My Father who is in heaven. 11 For the
  Son of Man has come to save that which was lost.

79
What do these answers bring?

• (Luke 1510 NKJV) Likewise, I say to you,
  there is joy in the presence of the angels of God
  over one sinner who repents.

80
What do these answers bring?

• God wants all to be saved. (2 Pt 39)

81
What do these answers bring?

• (2 Peter 39 NKJV) The Lord is not slack
  concerning His promise, as some count slackness,
  but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that
  any should perish but that all should come to
  repentance.

82
Do we really believe what God has said?

• We face a real danger of hypocrisy here. Do we
  really care for the soul?

83
Do we really believe what God has said?

• We face a real danger of hypocrisy here. Do we
  really care for the soul?
• Do you rejoice when others respond to save their
  souls? (Acts 1123)

84
Do we really believe what God has said?

• (Acts 1123 NKJV) When he came and had seen the
  grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them
  all that with purpose of heart they should
  continue with the Lord.

85
Do we really believe what God has said?

• This purpose must be renewed daily in our hearts.
  (2 Cor 416-18)

86
Do we really believe what God has said?

• (2 Corinthians 416-18 NKJV) Therefore we do
  not lose heart. Even though our outward man is
  perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed
  day by day. 17 For our light affliction, which
  is but for a moment, is working for us a far more
  exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 18 while
  we do not look at the things which are seen, but
  at the things which are not seen. For the things
  which are seen are temporary, but the things
  which are not seen are eternal.

87
Do we really believe what God has said?

• We sing a song "Lead Me To Some Soul Today" and
  in it we sing "few there are who seem to care".
  Where is your heart? Be honest!

88
Do we really believe what God has said?

• Consider the journal of a miserable preacher
• I am irritable and easily put out.
• I am impatient with my wife and children.
• I am deceitful in that I often express private
  annoyance when a caller is announced and simulate
  pleasure when I actually greet them.
• From an examination of my heart, I conclude
  that most of my study has been crudely ambitious
  that I wanted degrees more than knowledge and
  praise rather than equipment for service.

89
Do we really believe what God has said?

• Even in my preaching I fear that I am more
  often wondering what the people think of me, than
  what they think about my Lord and His word.
• I have long felt in a vague way, that
  something was hindering the effectiveness of my
  ministry and I must conclude that the "something"
  is my failure in living the truly Christian life.
  

90
Do we really believe what God has said?

• I find slight envies in my heart at the greater
  success of other young ministers. I seem to match
  myself with them in thought and am vaguely
  jealous when they attract more notice than I do.

91
Do we really believe what God has said?

• There are none who are happier than the Christian
  who knows this purpose!

92
Do we really believe what God has said?

• "The Christian life should be like a sword with
  one point, not like a broom ending in many
  straws. Such a single purpose forgets the past,
  reaches toward the future, and presses on. There
  is no time or place for side issues, diversions
  to the right or to the left. There is no place
  for hands on the plow with eyes looking back.
  Paul was a one-track man, but you can go a long
  way on the track!"

93
Do we really believe what God has said?

• Few are more miserable than the professing
  Christian who lives for this world!

94
Do we really believe what God has said?

• Paul Harvey has rightly said, "If you don't live
  it, you don't believe it."

95
Do we really believe what God has said?

• Paul Harvey has rightly said, "If you don't live
  it, you don't believe it."
• Is your life consistent with God's purpose for
  man? (Ecc 1213)

96
Do we really believe what God has said?

• (Ecclesiastes 1213 NKJV) Let us hear the
  conclusion of the whole matter Fear God and keep
  His commandments, For this is mans all.

97
Do we really believe what God has said?

• There is only one reasonable purpose in life, is
  it yours? (1 Pt 315)

98
Do we really believe what God has said?

• (1 Peter 315 NKJV) But sanctify the Lord God
  in your hearts, and always be ready to give a
  defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the
  hope that is in you, with meekness and fear

99
Do we really believe what God has said?

• Let the Word of God do its Work!
• If you are cold, let it WARM you,
• If you are asleep, let it WAKE you,
• If you are a backslider, let it WARN you,
• If you are defiled, let it WASH you.
• If you are disobedient, let it WHIP you.
• If you are uncertain, let it WITNESS to you.
• If you are unsaved, let it WIN you.

100
Do we really believe what God has said?

• Where will your soul spend eternity?