Trash or Treasure?

[!NOTE] Primary Scripture Reading: Mark 8:34-38

I. Determining Value

A. The value of an object is determined by the price a person will sell the object and the price another person pay for it.

B. Some things become a craze and people are in a frenzy to purchase the fad; others wouldn’t spend a penny to own it. Treasure at a garage sale – one person considers it cheap, the other values it; the buyer can profit by reselling to someone who thinks it is worth more.

C. Value is not based on age, rarity, beauty, prestige or any other factors.

D. The value of an object is determined by the price a person will sell the object and the price another person pay for it.

II. What value do you place on Christ’s blood?

A. It is inherently valuable

B. 1 Peter 1:15-19 – Incorruptible blood

C. Through sin we incurred a debt that we could never repay

D. Jesus died so that we could be redeemed (“bought back”).Gold and silver would not buy us back; they will perish with the world.

E. The blood of Jesus can purchase our pardon and freedom from sin

F. Titus 2:14 – We were redeemed from lawless deeds.

G. We access the blood of Christ through baptism.

H. 1 John 1:7 – The blood of Christ cleanses sin. Acts 22:16 – “Arise and be baptized and wash away sins.”

I. Is the blood of Christ valuable to you?

J. Hebrews 10:26-29 – apostate considers it common Is it most precious and valuable to you or common like a penny you pass up as you walk down the street?

K. Your attitude towards sin demonstrates the value you place on His blood

III. What value do you place on God’s word?

A. It is inherently valuable

B. 1 Peter 1:22-25

C. God has not changed; He is eternal in the heavens. Man, though he has made technology advances, has not changed. Romans 3:23 – “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” A thousand years from now men will still sin and need the gospel.

D. 2 Thessalonians 2:14-15 – The word reveals the invitation to salvation

E. Acts 11:14: “who will tell you words by which you… will be saved” In Hebrews 11:6 we are told that “without faith it is impossible to please Him” and in Romans 10:17 that “faith comes by hearing the word of God,” so if we want to please God, we must first turn to His Word.2 Timothy 3:16-17 – The Word tells the saved what to do The Bible is God’s transforming word that reveals Christ to us and how we can become like Him in thought and deed.

F. Is it valuable to you?

G. Is it your most precious possession that you would give all to obtain?

H. When the Bible was first translated into English many paid very high prices to obtain their own copy; some died to translate it into English Men risk imprisonment and death smuggling Bibles to lost souls. Does it lie in the backseat of your car or on some bookshelf until the next worship service, neglected until you have to use it?

I. Your attitude towards Bible reading and study demonstrates the value you place on His word

IV. What value do you place on your eternal home?

A. It is inherently valuable

B. It is an incorruptible inheritance reserved for God’s people, 1 Peter 1:3-5.

C. The greatest builder on earth could not create it for everything in this world wastes away and turns to dust. Our eternal home in heaven is undefiled by evil and untouched by the sorrow and pain of this world. Revelation 21:22-22:5

D. What value do you place on it?

E. Do you sacrifice sinful pleasures and vain things for that inheritance?

F. Our inheritance is contingent on our faithfulness, Colossians 3:23-25.

G. We must put off all unrighteousness, Ephesians 5:5. Do we follow the leading of the word, Acts 20:32.

H. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 - We must strive for an incorruptible crown

I. Athletes compete for a temporary crown that fades in time. Some agonize and work for different crowns—comfort, wealth, power, glory among men—though these crowns also fade away. If we strive for the eternal reward, we must discipline ourselves.

J. Hebrews 12:12-17 – Will sell our inheritance for a measly sum?

K. Some sell their inheritance for fornication, drunkenness, and filth. Some sell their eternal inheritance for earthly comforts.

L. The sacrifices you are actually making in this life to inherit the reward or the things you will not give up demonstrate the value you place on heaven.

V. What value do you place on your soul?

A. Matthew 16:24-27 – What will you give in exchange for your soul?

B. Is your soul so precious that you will study to learn about God and His will, seek the precious blood of Jesus, and strive to inherit that home of the soul?

C. Is your soul of such little value that you will not examine or follow God’s word, accept His offer of grace, and live a holy life that pleases God?

D. Appraisal vs. Purchase: True value is determined not by what you say something is worth for but what you will actually pay to receive it