USAC CONVOCATION BIBLE STUDY LESSON
Matthew 16:24-28
2. A man’s soul is worth more than the whole world. The word soul is the same word translated
“life” (v.25). Christ uses the word life in two senses. There are two stages, two beings, two existences to
the same life: the life that exist on this earth and the life that shall exist beyond this life. Once a person
(life) is born into this world, he shall exist forever. It is just a matter of where he goes after this world: to
be with God or to be apart from God.
No man can gain the whole world, but what if he could? All the pleasure and wealth and power and fame
are nothing compared with his soul. There are four primary reasons why the soul is far superior to the
things of this earth.
Everything fades and passes away. A person possesses something only for a short time.
Everything cannot be used at once. Everything sits and remains unused most of the time.
—Clothes sit
—A car sits
—Power goes unused
—Popularity and fame quickly pass and are forgotten.
The human soul is eternal. The soul never dies and never ceases to exist. It shall live forever either with
God or apart from God.
The human soul is of more value than the whole world.
Once a man has lost his soul, it is lost. It cannot be bought back. The man forfeits and suffers the loss of it
forever. Imagine! Even if a man possessed all the wealth of the world, he would not be able to buy back his
soul. Why? Because it is gone; it has passed on forever. The man will never return to earth, not even for
one day. He is gone forever.
“For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?
“ (Luke 9:25).
11 “And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham,
and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 8:11-12)
12 But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and
gnashing of teeth.”
12 “And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And
he was speechless. (Matthew 22:12-13).
13 Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into
outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
“Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth
fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he
may give it you. (John 15:16).
“But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have
preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” (1 Corinthians 9:27).
“And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and
drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.” (Luke 21:34).
3. A day of judgement is coming. When Christ returns, the true value of sacrifice vs. self-satisfaction will
be clearly seen. Sacrifice for Christ will be abundantly rewarded; self-satisfaction will be condemned. Man
is to be judged according to what he has done. The word “done” means doing, working, acting. It is not
isolated acts, but continuous behavior. A person is to be rewarded on the basis of his continuous behavior.
A person is to be rewarded on the basis of his continuous behavior not isolated acts.
“And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work
iniquity.” (Matthew 7:23).
“But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.” (Matthew 25:12)
“But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God. (Luke 12:9).
“But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of
iniquity.” (Luke 13:27).
4. A promise is given—a promise of never having to taste death. This verse is much clearer when it is
compared to Mark’s account: “I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before
they see the Kingdom of God come with power” (Mark 9:1). It is the power of the kingdom to which Jesus
refers: that is, His death and resurrection and Pentecost and to the many, many converts to His kingdom
that resulted. After Pentecost the power of His kingdom came—power beyond anything the disciples could
have ever dreamed.