What Shall It Profit a Man?

(#65)

Read Mark 8:34-39.

Many of the best people need to consider this text: people of wealth, people who have respect for the Church, people who contribute to support the Church.  Many are exchanging their souls for things of far less value.  And not only are they exchanging their soul for sinful things; they exchange their souls for things that are not sinful in themselves.

What men give in exchange.

ƒ    They give the pleasures of this life.  People who would stay home Sunday morning to read the paper, or to take a pleasure ride.  Like Esau, people will sell their "birthright for a mess of pottage."

ƒ    They give the laying up of treasures.  Many are so busy gaining wealth they have no time for God.  Like Judas they are selling out for a few pieces of silver.

ƒ    They give social position or fame.  There was a General in France whose goal was to obtain the little baton and ribbon of Marchal of France which was given as a reward of valor.  Wounded in battle, he received the reward, after he died.  What did he gain?

ƒ    They give education.  Many have no time for God because they are ever learning.  Education, of itself, will not get us beyond the grave.  Henry Martyn gained the highest honor paid by a university but later wrote, "I obtained my highest wishes, but found that I had grasped at a shadow."

What shall it profit a man?

    1.  The world cannot be gained.

    2.  But the soul may be lost in the attempt.

God's order.

ƒ    Deny self (lose yourself).  This means: deny self-dependence, self-righteousness, self-wisdom, self-will.

ƒ    Take up your cross.

ƒ    Follow Christ.

If I gained the world and had not Jesus

Who endured the cross and died for me,

Could then all the world afford a refuge,

Whither, in my anguish, I might flee?