The Dash – EP19 (Matt. 16:26)
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Matthew 16:26
What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?
Hi, Pastor Bob here. Welcome back to the Men of Valor podcast. The verse today is from the book of Matthew chapter 16 verse 26, and it states, “What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?”
This verse meant so much to me several years ago and it still means so much more today. I pray it touches you the same way.
The other day, I saw a picture of several tombstones and something stood out to me. Most of the tombstones had a date and then a dash, and then another date. The first date meant the deceased’s birthday. The second date means the date of his death, but what's the dash mean? Hmm...What does that dash mean? What if it means how the person spent his life from the first date until the second date?
“How long would you have to be in hell until you realize gaining the whole world wasn’t worth it?”Question: How are you spending your dash? Most of us have been taught and/or taught our children from an early age to get a good education in high school, so we can get a good college, so we can get a good job, so we can make a lot of money, so we can save a lot until we can retire, so that we can enjoy life until we die. That sounds like the American plan doesn't it? So let's just say you were good at what you did, I mean really good, and you gained the whole world. I mean you acquired a billion dollars, you achieved worldwide fame, had many relationships, you had complete freedom, you had absolutely everything you desire and then suddenly you died and went to hell? How long would you have to be in hell until you realize gaining the whole world wasn’t worth it? How long do you think? 10 hours? 10 minutes? 10 seconds? 10 nanoseconds?
“How much wiser is it to “Seek first the kingdom of God and everything else will be added to you”?”Question: How much of your dash have you spent pursuing these things, even knowing you're not going to gain the whole world? Please take a minute and think about that. How am I spending my dash? How much wiser is it to “Seek first the kingdom of God and everything else will be added to you”? What if you put seeking God and building His Kingdom first every day as your dashes goal? And because you seek Him, He supplies all your needs and your life is blessed with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control and your families following in your footsteps. How long would it take you to be thankful to the Lord Jesus Christ for opening your eyes to follow Him, when you hear Him say, “Well done, good and faithful servant!”? Definitely less than a nanosecond.
Hopefully you will spend some time reflecting and talking about your dash today. As you do, may I suggest two questions you ask yourself? #1.) Does the way I'm living my life reflect being a true disciple submitted under the lordship of Jesus Christ? #2.) Am I leading my family and loved ones along with me?
I've used the word nanosecond twice today. It means 1 billionth of a second. However, eternity is not measured in seconds. Eternity is a long, long, long, never-ending time. I pray that we make sure our dash is on the narrow road with the Lord Jesus Christ, to enter the narrow gates and to see the Heavenly Father.
Heavenly Father, we thank You for revealing Matthew 10:38-39 which states, “Whoever does not take up his cross and follow Me (the Lord Jesus Christ) is not worthy of me and whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.” We pray that our dashes, our lives exalt Your holy name to everyone we come into contact with. What an amazing God we serve! God bless you all!
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