Soul Fatness

26/01/2020 12:59

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Date: 23 January, 2020
Text: Topical Study
Title: A Fat Soul
 
Introduction:
top 5 New Year's Resolutions
- Exercise more
- Lose weight
- Eat Helthy
- Take a more active approach to health
- learn a new skill or hobby
 
exp. I think I can say with confidence that very few people looked at themselves in the mirror and thought, I'd like to put on a few more pounds,
with the exception of some athletes
sumo wrestler
Rugby player
Kids like to gain weight.
 
 note: Having the goal of losing some weight can be a great thing. 
exp. However, our word is infatuated with being lean physically. Sadly some of so sought leaness that it has cost them their lives.
 
It's good to have the proper amount of body fat to be healthy.
 
This morning I'm going to preach on being FAT - not physically but spiritually.
 
A lean soul is deadly!
ill. Israel became infatuated (interestingly with food - they wanted meat and not manna) and God's Word said that God gave them what they wanted - but it STARVED THEIR SOUL.
Psa 106:15  And he gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul.
 
WE NEED TO BE A FAT SOUL.
 
exp. Soul fatness is a good thing in God's Word.
Psa 36:8  They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures.
Psa 65:11  Thou crownest the year with thy goodness; and thy paths drop fatness.
 
Topical message - on "soul fatness." I will give you the Bible passages as we go along.
 
We need to be a fat soul! What do we need to fatten our soul and be healthy spiritually?
 
I. Fatten your soul by faith. (page 774), Isaiah 55:
1  Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.
2  Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.
3  Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.
exp. You may have thought Pastor is joking or using my own terminology about a fat soul - but there it is in the word of God - soul fatness. "Let your soul delight itself in fatness."
 note: Did you know that there are a lot of souls that are starving? People are feeding their flesh but not their souls!
1.) Their soul is "thirsting." v.1 "Ho, every one that thirsteth!"
 exp. Thirst is an intense desire for what one does not have. The fact that they have thirst - shows the emptiness of what they are putting into their soul.
2.) They're spending their hard earned money on that which "satisfieth not." 
2  Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not?
exp. Sin has a big price tag! They try drugs, drink, cigarettes, immorality, things, pleasure, and it is just empty food to their soul.
note: That person needs to fatten their soul by faith!
A. Hear God's call to come.
Isaiah 55:1  Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.
exp. God says - if you're thirsty - come get a drink - If you are hungry - come get a bite. 
note: There is no charge to eat at God's table. "he that hath no money....without money and without price." JESUS PAID IT ALL. "IT IS FINISHED" - PAID IN FULL!
question: What's to eat and drink? God invites you to come and eat and drink Jesus!
John 6
48  I am that bread of life.
49  Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead.
50  This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die.
51  I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.
52  The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat?
53  Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.
54  Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.
55  For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.
 app. People have tried eating everything this world has to offer. But have they tried Jesus? Have you?
B. Hear God's call to partake.
2 Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.
ill. Church family camp - before every meal "Come and Dine the Master Calleth - come and dine!"
exp. God is inviting them to come and dine! You aren't satisfied - find satisfaction in Jesus!
Joh 7:37  In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. 
Mat 11:28  Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
 ill. evangeslism in Livingston this week - Elderly woman - I've got a Bible, I can read it whenever I want. "How often do you read it?" I haven't read it since primary school."
app. She has ignored God's call to partake! Her soul is empty. Have you heard God's call?
C. Hear God's call to believe.
3  Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.
 exp. "Jesus, he that hath ears, let him hear." These people didn't just hear they responded to what was said by faith! YOU EAT THIS BREAD BY FAITH!
John 6:47  Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.
48  I am that bread of life.
51  I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.
app. Your soul is lean and unsatisfied today if you have never believed on Jesus and received God's gift of everlasting life. FATTEN YOUR SOUL BY FAITH!
 
II. Fatten your soul by worship. (Page 638) Psalm 63:1
 1 O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;
2  To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary.
3  Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee.
4  Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name.
5  My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips:
exp. David was in the wilderness of Judah probably fleeing Absolom when he wrote this Psalm. David was in a barren place. He felt leanness of soul and so he sought God.
quote: Spurgeon's Treasury of David commentary "The distinquishing word of this Psalm is "EARLY." When the bed is softest we are most tempted to rise at lazy hours; but when comfort is gone, and the couch is hard, if we rise the earlier to seek the Lord, we have much for which to thank the wilderness."
 app. Your soul get's lean if you neglect to worship God. FATTEN YOUR SOUL BY WORSHIP.
A. Seek God's presence.
Psa 63:O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;
exp. David was God's righteous servant. But, David was not content to be long out of God's presence. "Early will I SEEK THEE. MY SOUL THIRSTETH FOR THEE, MY FLESH LONGETH FOR THEE....." (Like a thirsty man in a desert.)
ill. Katie and I were engaged her Junior year of college and my first year of Grad School. I well remember the days when Katie and I were engaged. There was no one I would rather have spent time with than Katie. We couldn't eat together at the Dining Common - she was a student and I was staff. I spent around 700 USD back then to spend time eating with her. 
app. How badly do you want to spend time with God? Will you pay a price to seek God? Arise early, get on your knees, get in God's Word, get to the house of God? IS YOUR SOUL LEAN - WORSHIP GOD - SEEK GOD'S PRESENCE.
B. Seek God's power and glory.
2  To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary.
exp. David had seen God's glory and power revealed in the sanctuary. (Place of corporate worship.) David wanted to see a fresh demonstration.
 ill. Have you noticed as an adult that you still think you can do the things you used to be able to do? Playing volleyball - last furlough - when I was still young - but not as young as I thought I was. Pulled my hamstring. I could talk about my skill as a volleyball player - but I don't still got it.
exp. David wasn't content with what God had done in His life. David wanted to see God to it again as a TESTIMONY OF GOD'S POWER AND GLORY.
 app. Does your soul desire a fresh demonstration of the power and glory of God? 
C. Seek God's love.
3  Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee.
exp. Experiencing God's affection meant more to David than life.
question: What do you have in your life that isn't worth living without?
note: To some people - finances, relationships, liberty, health, youth, power, position, etc.
 note: David was king. He was wealthy. He had a good family. But, what his soul wanted in the wilderness was a clear evidence of God's love. He didn't long for his throne, his wealth or his family. HE COULD LIVE WITHOUT EVERYTHING ACCEPT FOR GOD'S LOVINGKINDNESS.
 App. If your soul would be fat, worship God and seek to know His lovingkindness.
D. Seek God's adoration.
4  Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name.
5  My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips:
exp. David soul fattened by worshipping God would overflow with joyful praise, blessing, and lifting up his hands in the Name of God! 
ill. David wasn't a lazy worshipper of God. His worship was exuberant.
2 Samuel 6:12  And it was told king David, saying, The LORD hath blessed the house of Obededom, and all that pertaineth unto him, because of the ark of God. So David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obededom into the city of David with gladness.
13  And it was so, that when they that bare the ark of the LORD had gone six paces, he sacrificed oxen and fatlings.
14  And David danced before the LORD with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod.
15  So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet.
 app. A soul fattened by worship can not help but give joyful praise and blessing to God! 
transition: Fatten your soul by worship! Fatten your soul by faith!
 
III. Fatten your soul by restoration. (Page 821) Jeremiah 31
 exp. Sometimes God's people by faith can't worship God, because they aren't right with God. Sin has come into their life. Their soul is lean and needs to be fattened by restoration TO GOD.
exp. - Jeremiah - Prophet to the Southern Kingdom of Judah who sought to save them from the destruction of Babylon by turning them back to God. (They didn't turn.) Jeremiah's message in chapter 30 and 31 becomes one of restoration.
Jeremiah 30:3  For, lo, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will bring again the captivity of my people Israel and Judah, saith the LORD: and I will cause them to return to the land that I gave to their fathers, and they shall possess it.
 note: Restoration would restore them to soul fatness.
text: (Page 821) Jeremiah 31
12  Therefore they shall come and sing in the height of Zion, and shall flow together to the goodness of the LORD, for wheat, and for wine, and for oil, and for the young of the flock and of the herd: and their soul shall be as a watered garden; and they shall not sorrow any more at all.
14  And I will satiate the soul of the priests with fatness, and my people shall be satisfied with my goodness, saith the LORD.
def. satiate: means bathe, soak, water abundantly.
ill. Washing the car - getting out the pressure washer - someone fills the bucket with clean hot water - we add soap and then squeeze out the sponge under water - getting the dirt off and filling it with good soapy water. A dry sponge is no good. You need a satiated sponge.
 exp. I picture the soul of the priests as a sponge that is squeezed underwater and become completely filled. 
App: Is your soul sponge dry this morning because you are away from God. Will you let God RESTORE YOU AND SATIATE YOU, making your soul fat again?
Psa 30:5  For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.
 
IV. Fatten your soul by wisdom. (Page 694&695, Proverbs 11:25, 13:4)
 exp. We have paused our study of Proverbs on Sunday nights to do a doctrinal study. I miss the study in Proverbs and look forward to getting back to Solomon's treatise on wisdom. We've just finished studying these pages in our Bible about a FAT SOUL.
A. Fatten your soul by wisdom - Be generous
 text: (Page 694) Pro 11:25  The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.
exp. A person who is a generous soul isn't going to be lean and living in want. As they poured out they will be poured upon.
ill. Jesus disciples said, "Lord teach us to pray." And he taught them. If they had said, "Lord teach us to be liberal." Luke records what He could have said.
Luk 6:38  Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
Mat 5:42  Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.
 ill. Have you ever noticed that when an actor plays the part of a mizer they are always grumpy? Ebenezer Scrooge - Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol"
exp. Their grumpy because their soul is lean. There is great SOUL JOY for those who learn to be generous to men and God.
2Co 9:7  Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
app. Is your soul lean? Fatten it with wisdom. Learn the joy and blessing of generosity. 
B. Fatten your soul by wisdom - Be diligent.
text: (Page 695) 
Pro 13:4  The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.
exp. The lazy man's soul is lean and hungry. But, not the soul of the industrious man.
ill. Do you remember your first job - mine - loading skeet for the Rod and Gun Club? Dangerous - hard, noisy work, I well remember the joy of getting paid. (It was out of the till in the pub - mum made me quit when she found that out. But, what a joy to take home money you earned.)
exp. God made man to work - work is not a part of the curse - sweat, thorns - that is the curse but not work. GOD MADE US TO BE GREATLY SATISFIED THROUGH WORK.
Ecc 5:12  The sleep of a labouring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much:
 exp. His wages may not be great, but what he has he has earned. His soul is fat and he sleeps well.
app. Do you want soul fatness? Listen to wisdom - be generous be industrious!
transition: Fatten your soul with wisdom, with worship, with faith....
 
V. Fatten your soul by religion. (Page 777) Isaiah 58
exp. Isaiah gave true religious instruction to the children of Israel in Isaiah 58. He then says....
Isa 58:11  And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.
note: True religion impacts our relationship with God and our relationship with man.
Jas 1:27  Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.
exp. With man - to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction.
With God - undefiled before God.... unspotted from the world.
A. Have religion that affects your relationship with men.
 ill. currently reading John Wesley's journal - raising money to help those in need and encouraging the society to care for other's needs. (Part of the original plan which became methodism.)
quote - The Holy Club - to consider "Whether it does not concern all men of all conditions to imitate Him, as much as they can, "Who went about doing good?" 
Whether all Christians are not concerned in that command, "While we have time let us do good to all men?"
Whether we can be happy at all hereafter,unless we have, according to our power, "fed the hungry, clothed the naked, visited those that are sick, and in prison" and made all these actions subservient to a higher pupose, even the saving of souls from death?
Whether it be not our bounden duty always to remember , that He did more for us than we can do for Him, who assures us, "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren, ye have done it unto Me?"
exp. One dare not frown on such a practical application of religion when it is so clearly taught in God's Word. Isaiah teaches in our text....
1. Deliver the needy.
6  Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?
exp. The society of God's people, Israel, was to be a just society. As much as justice was in their hands, they were to give it. They weren't to oppress their fellowman, but demonstrate - TRUE RELIGION and deliver men.
 exp. God didn't want religious ceremony. He wanted true religion that blessed mankind.
app. Our soul could be lean today if we are oppressing mankind instead of blessing mankind.
2. Help the needy.
7  Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?
ill. James had a good illustration of false religion verses true religion in caring for the needy in the church.
James 15  If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
16  And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
17  Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
 app. Our soul could be lean today because we aren't caring for others as we want God to care for us.
3. Care for the needy.
10  And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday:
exp. This soul gets out of their comfort zone and does something to feed and satisfy the afflicted soul.
 ill. You'll remember in Wesley's quote - the Gospel was primary but the secondary was important.
ill. Sri Lanka - Tsunami - Missionary Dr. Tom Johnson, Baptist World Mission, went with a team into Sri Lanka to help with the disaster. They gave the Gospel while meeting the physical needs of the people.
exp. Jesus fed the multitude and healed the sick.
 app. I'm opposed to the "modern social gospel", but God's Word is for a Gospel that is social. If there is a need that we can meet, we ought to meet it. YOUR SOUL WILL GET FAT - if your religion rightly affects your relationship with man.
B. Have religion that affects your relationship with God.
 ill. John Wesley also speaks about times of serious introspection making sure they were right with God. It was called originally by some who mocked, "The Holy Club"
exp. One thing I would say about the Wesley's society is that they were seeking to be truly pious people. 
God Word teaches - It is a satisfying religion indeed that gives a good relationship with man and a good relationship with God.
1. Put God first.
13  If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; 
exp. I may be old fashioned, but I can't imagine why God would want this in the OT and not in the NT. God wanted one day a week set apart for His glory.
 ill. Imagine, a man goes to church in the morning, watches tele all afternoon and comes to church in the evening.
question: Where is his soul drinking? Did He really even have his mind on God at the church or was he thinking about the game, the news, the film? Can He think about God that evening or is he thinking about those other things?
 app. In soul satisfying religion, God has first place. Do you put God first on Sunday? Can your soul be satisfied when God doesn't have first place?
2. Enjoy God.
and call the sabbath a delight, 
exp. Did the last point make you upset because you thought - what's the fun of a Sunday.
 ill. Sign on buses - Sunday is Fun Day. The world believes that - but what about Christians.
ill. In Wesleys journal - they would have a 5:00 AM service during the week and people would stay up all night because they were afraid they would oversleep.
 app. There is something wrong with a man's soul who has NO DELIGHT in the house of God! Is God going to make that soul fat who does not delight in God? 
3. Obey God.
the holy of the LORD, 
exp. That day was consecrated to God. It was not a day to be entered into casually by a man who was not right with God.
ill. Would God be pleased today to have the church full of people who refuse to deal with sin? Would the soul of someone who was full of sin find any satisfaction in Christ?
Mat 5:6  Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
4. Honour God.
honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words:
exp. These who put God first, enjoy God, obey God - THEY HONOUR GOD WITH TRUE RELIGION. THEY HAVE A FAT SOUL.
Isa 58:11  And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.
APP. Is your soul fat? Not if you don't practice REAL RELIGION.
 
CONCLUSION: 
 
Many people this year are seeking to lose weight physically. I wonder how many souls are trying to gain weight spiritually?
 
We ought to be a fat soul. Is your soul fat?
 
1.) By faith. (Have you tasted Jesus Christ?)
2.) By worship. (Are you spending time in God's presence?)
3.) By restoration. (Are you right with God?
4.) By wisdom. (Are you generous and diligent)
5.) By real religion. (Does your religiong rightly impact your relationship with men and God?)
 

Date: 23 January, 2020

Text: Topical Study

Title: A Fat Soul

 

Introduction:

top 5 New Year's Resolutions

- Exercise more

- Lose weight

- Eat Helthy

- Take a more active approach to health

- learn a new skill or hobby

 

exp. I think I can say with confidence that very few people looked at themselves in the mirror and thought, I'd like to put on a few more pounds,

with the exception of some athletes

sumo wrestler

Rugby player

Kids like to gain weight.

 

 note: Having the goal of losing some weight can be a great thing. 

exp. However, our word is infatuated with being lean physically. Sadly some of so sought leaness that it has cost them their lives.

 

It's good to have the proper amount of body fat to be healthy.

 

This morning I'm going to preach on being FAT - not physically but spiritually.

 

A lean soul is deadly!

ill. Israel became infatuated (interestingly with food - they wanted meat and not manna) and God's Word said that God gave them what they wanted - but it STARVED THEIR SOUL.

Psa 106:15  And he gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul.

 

WE NEED TO BE A FAT SOUL.

 

exp. Soul fatness is a good thing in God's Word.

Psa 36:8  They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures.

Psa 65:11  Thou crownest the year with thy goodness; and thy paths drop fatness.

 

Topical message - on "soul fatness." I will give you the Bible passages as we go along.

 

We need to be a fat soul! What do we need to fatten our soul and be healthy spiritually?

 

I. Fatten your soul by faith. (page 774), Isaiah 55:

1  Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.

2  Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.

3  Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.

exp. You may have thought Pastor is joking or using my own terminology about a fat soul - but there it is in the word of God - soul fatness. "Let your soul delight itself in fatness."

 note: Did you know that there are a lot of souls that are starving? People are feeding their flesh but not their souls!

1.) Their soul is "thirsting." v.1 "Ho, every one that thirsteth!"

 exp. Thirst is an intense desire for what one does not have. The fact that they have thirst - shows the emptiness of what they are putting into their soul.

2.) They're spending their hard earned money on that which "satisfieth not." 

2  Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not?

exp. Sin has a big price tag! They try drugs, drink, cigarettes, immorality, things, pleasure, and it is just empty food to their soul.

note: That person needs to fatten their soul by faith!

A. Hear God's call to come.

Isaiah 55:1  Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.

exp. God says - if you're thirsty - come get a drink - If you are hungry - come get a bite. 

note: There is no charge to eat at God's table. "he that hath no money....without money and without price." JESUS PAID IT ALL. "IT IS FINISHED" - PAID IN FULL!

question: What's to eat and drink? God invites you to come and eat and drink Jesus!

John 6

48  I am that bread of life.

49  Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead.

50  This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die.

51  I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.

52  The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat?

53  Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.

54  Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.

55  For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.

 app. People have tried eating everything this world has to offer. But have they tried Jesus? Have you?

B. Hear God's call to partake.

2 Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.

ill. Church family camp - before every meal "Come and Dine the Master Calleth - come and dine!"

exp. God is inviting them to come and dine! You aren't satisfied - find satisfaction in Jesus!

Joh 7:37  In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. 

Mat 11:28  Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

 ill. evangeslism in Livingston this week - Elderly woman - I've got a Bible, I can read it whenever I want. "How often do you read it?" I haven't read it since primary school."

app. She has ignored God's call to partake! Her soul is empty. Have you heard God's call?

C. Hear God's call to believe.

3  Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.

 exp. "Jesus, he that hath ears, let him hear." These people didn't just hear they responded to what was said by faith! YOU EAT THIS BREAD BY FAITH!

John 6:47  Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.

48  I am that bread of life.

51  I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.

app. Your soul is lean and unsatisfied today if you have never believed on Jesus and received God's gift of everlasting life. FATTEN YOUR SOUL BY FAITH!

 

II. Fatten your soul by worship. (Page 638) Psalm 63:1

 1 O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;

2  To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary.

3  Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee.

4  Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name.

5  My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips:

exp. David was in the wilderness of Judah probably fleeing Absolom when he wrote this Psalm. David was in a barren place. He felt leanness of soul and so he sought God.

quote: Spurgeon's Treasury of David commentary "The distinquishing word of this Psalm is "EARLY." When the bed is softest we are most tempted to rise at lazy hours; but when comfort is gone, and the couch is hard, if we rise the earlier to seek the Lord, we have much for which to thank the wilderness."

 app. Your soul get's lean if you neglect to worship God. FATTEN YOUR SOUL BY WORSHIP.

A. Seek God's presence.

Psa 63:O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;

exp. David was God's righteous servant. But, David was not content to be long out of God's presence. "Early will I SEEK THEE. MY SOUL THIRSTETH FOR THEE, MY FLESH LONGETH FOR THEE....." (Like a thirsty man in a desert.)

ill. Katie and I were engaged her Junior year of college and my first year of Grad School. I well remember the days when Katie and I were engaged. There was no one I would rather have spent time with than Katie. We couldn't eat together at the Dining Common - she was a student and I was staff. I spent around 700 USD back then to spend time eating with her. 

app. How badly do you want to spend time with God? Will you pay a price to seek God? Arise early, get on your knees, get in God's Word, get to the house of God? IS YOUR SOUL LEAN - WORSHIP GOD - SEEK GOD'S PRESENCE.

B. Seek God's power and glory.

2  To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary.

exp. David had seen God's glory and power revealed in the sanctuary. (Place of corporate worship.) David wanted to see a fresh demonstration.

 ill. Have you noticed as an adult that you still think you can do the things you used to be able to do? Playing volleyball - last furlough - when I was still young - but not as young as I thought I was. Pulled my hamstring. I could talk about my skill as a volleyball player - but I don't still got it.

exp. David wasn't content with what God had done in His life. David wanted to see God to it again as a TESTIMONY OF GOD'S POWER AND GLORY.

 app. Does your soul desire a fresh demonstration of the power and glory of God? 

C. Seek God's love.

3  Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee.

exp. Experiencing God's affection meant more to David than life.

question: What do you have in your life that isn't worth living without?

note: To some people - finances, relationships, liberty, health, youth, power, position, etc.

 note: David was king. He was wealthy. He had a good family. But, what his soul wanted in the wilderness was a clear evidence of God's love. He didn't long for his throne, his wealth or his family. HE COULD LIVE WITHOUT EVERYTHING ACCEPT FOR GOD'S LOVINGKINDNESS.

 App. If your soul would be fat, worship God and seek to know His lovingkindness.

D. Seek God's adoration.

4  Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name.

5  My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips:

exp. David soul fattened by worshipping God would overflow with joyful praise, blessing, and lifting up his hands in the Name of God! 

ill. David wasn't a lazy worshipper of God. His worship was exuberant.

2 Samuel 6:12  And it was told king David, saying, The LORD hath blessed the house of Obededom, and all that pertaineth unto him, because of the ark of God. So David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obededom into the city of David with gladness.

13  And it was so, that when they that bare the ark of the LORD had gone six paces, he sacrificed oxen and fatlings.

14  And David danced before the LORD with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod.

15  So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet.

 app. A soul fattened by worship can not help but give joyful praise and blessing to God! 

transition: Fatten your soul by worship! Fatten your soul by faith!

 

III. Fatten your soul by restoration. (Page 821) Jeremiah 31

 exp. Sometimes God's people by faith can't worship God, because they aren't right with God. Sin has come into their life. Their soul is lean and needs to be fattened by restoration TO GOD.

exp. - Jeremiah - Prophet to the Southern Kingdom of Judah who sought to save them from the destruction of Babylon by turning them back to God. (They didn't turn.) Jeremiah's message in chapter 30 and 31 becomes one of restoration.

Jeremiah 30:3  For, lo, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will bring again the captivity of my people Israel and Judah, saith the LORD: and I will cause them to return to the land that I gave to their fathers, and they shall possess it.

 note: Restoration would restore them to soul fatness.

text: (Page 821) Jeremiah 31

12  Therefore they shall come and sing in the height of Zion, and shall flow together to the goodness of the LORD, for wheat, and for wine, and for oil, and for the young of the flock and of the herd: and their soul shall be as a watered garden; and they shall not sorrow any more at all.

14  And I will satiate the soul of the priests with fatness, and my people shall be satisfied with my goodness, saith the LORD.

def. satiate: means bathe, soak, water abundantly.

ill. Washing the car - getting out the pressure washer - someone fills the bucket with clean hot water - we add soap and then squeeze out the sponge under water - getting the dirt off and filling it with good soapy water. A dry sponge is no good. You need a satiated sponge.

 exp. I picture the soul of the priests as a sponge that is squeezed underwater and become completely filled. 

App: Is your soul sponge dry this morning because you are away from God. Will you let God RESTORE YOU AND SATIATE YOU, making your soul fat again?

Psa 30:5  For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.

 

IV. Fatten your soul by wisdom. (Page 694&695, Proverbs 11:25, 13:4)

 exp. We have paused our study of Proverbs on Sunday nights to do a doctrinal study. I miss the study in Proverbs and look forward to getting back to Solomon's treatise on wisdom. We've just finished studying these pages in our Bible about a FAT SOUL.

A. Fatten your soul by wisdom - Be generous

 text: (Page 694) Pro 11:25  The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.

exp. A person who is a generous soul isn't going to be lean and living in want. As they poured out they will be poured upon.

ill. Jesus disciples said, "Lord teach us to pray." And he taught them. If they had said, "Lord teach us to be liberal." Luke records what He could have said.

Luk 6:38  Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

Mat 5:42  Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.

 ill. Have you ever noticed that when an actor plays the part of a mizer they are always grumpy? Ebenezer Scrooge - Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol"

exp. Their grumpy because their soul is lean. There is great SOUL JOY for those who learn to be generous to men and God.

2Co 9:7  Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

app. Is your soul lean? Fatten it with wisdom. Learn the joy and blessing of generosity. 

B. Fatten your soul by wisdom - Be diligent.

text: (Page 695) 

Pro 13:4  The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.

exp. The lazy man's soul is lean and hungry. But, not the soul of the industrious man.

ill. Do you remember your first job - mine - loading skeet for the Rod and Gun Club? Dangerous - hard, noisy work, I well remember the joy of getting paid. (It was out of the till in the pub - mum made me quit when she found that out. But, what a joy to take home money you earned.)

exp. God made man to work - work is not a part of the curse - sweat, thorns - that is the curse but not work. GOD MADE US TO BE GREATLY SATISFIED THROUGH WORK.

Ecc 5:12  The sleep of a labouring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much:

 exp. His wages may not be great, but what he has he has earned. His soul is fat and he sleeps well.

app. Do you want soul fatness? Listen to wisdom - be generous be industrious!

transition: Fatten your soul with wisdom, with worship, with faith....

 

V. Fatten your soul by religion. (Page 777) Isaiah 58

exp. Isaiah gave true religious instruction to the children of Israel in Isaiah 58. He then says....

Isa 58:11  And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.

note: True religion impacts our relationship with God and our relationship with man.

Jas 1:27  Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

exp. With man - to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction.

With God - undefiled before God.... unspotted from the world.

A. Have religion that affects your relationship with men.

 ill. currently reading John Wesley's journal - raising money to help those in need and encouraging the society to care for other's needs. (Part of the original plan which became methodism.)

quote - The Holy Club - to consider "Whether it does not concern all men of all conditions to imitate Him, as much as they can, "Who went about doing good?" 

Whether all Christians are not concerned in that command, "While we have time let us do good to all men?"

Whether we can be happy at all hereafter,unless we have, according to our power, "fed the hungry, clothed the naked, visited those that are sick, and in prison" and made all these actions subservient to a higher pupose, even the saving of souls from death?

Whether it be not our bounden duty always to remember , that He did more for us than we can do for Him, who assures us, "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren, ye have done it unto Me?"

exp. One dare not frown on such a practical application of religion when it is so clearly taught in God's Word. Isaiah teaches in our text....

1. Deliver the needy.

6  Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?

exp. The society of God's people, Israel, was to be a just society. As much as justice was in their hands, they were to give it. They weren't to oppress their fellowman, but demonstrate - TRUE RELIGION and deliver men.

 exp. God didn't want religious ceremony. He wanted true religion that blessed mankind.

app. Our soul could be lean today if we are oppressing mankind instead of blessing mankind.

2. Help the needy.

7  Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?

ill. James had a good illustration of false religion verses true religion in caring for the needy in the church.

James 15  If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,

16  And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?

17  Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

 app. Our soul could be lean today because we aren't caring for others as we want God to care for us.

3. Care for the needy.

10  And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday:

exp. This soul gets out of their comfort zone and does something to feed and satisfy the afflicted soul.

 ill. You'll remember in Wesley's quote - the Gospel was primary but the secondary was important.

ill. Sri Lanka - Tsunami - Missionary Dr. Tom Johnson, Baptist World Mission, went with a team into Sri Lanka to help with the disaster. They gave the Gospel while meeting the physical needs of the people.

exp. Jesus fed the multitude and healed the sick.

 app. I'm opposed to the "modern social gospel", but God's Word is for a Gospel that is social. If there is a need that we can meet, we ought to meet it. YOUR SOUL WILL GET FAT - if your religion rightly affects your relationship with man.

B. Have religion that affects your relationship with God.

 ill. John Wesley also speaks about times of serious introspection making sure they were right with God. It was called originally by some who mocked, "The Holy Club"

exp. One thing I would say about the Wesley's society is that they were seeking to be truly pious people. 

God Word teaches - It is a satisfying religion indeed that gives a good relationship with man and a good relationship with God.

1. Put God first.

13  If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; 

exp. I may be old fashioned, but I can't imagine why God would want this in the OT and not in the NT. God wanted one day a week set apart for His glory.

 ill. Imagine, a man goes to church in the morning, watches tele all afternoon and comes to church in the evening.

question: Where is his soul drinking? Did He really even have his mind on God at the church or was he thinking about the game, the news, the film? Can He think about God that evening or is he thinking about those other things?

 app. In soul satisfying religion, God has first place. Do you put God first on Sunday? Can your soul be satisfied when God doesn't have first place?

2. Enjoy God.

and call the sabbath a delight, 

exp. Did the last point make you upset because you thought - what's the fun of a Sunday.

 ill. Sign on buses - Sunday is Fun Day. The world believes that - but what about Christians.

ill. In Wesleys journal - they would have a 5:00 AM service during the week and people would stay up all night because they were afraid they would oversleep.

 app. There is something wrong with a man's soul who has NO DELIGHT in the house of God! Is God going to make that soul fat who does not delight in God? 

3. Obey God.

the holy of the LORD, 

exp. That day was consecrated to God. It was not a day to be entered into casually by a man who was not right with God.

ill. Would God be pleased today to have the church full of people who refuse to deal with sin? Would the soul of someone who was full of sin find any satisfaction in Christ?

Mat 5:6  Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

4. Honour God.

honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words:

exp. These who put God first, enjoy God, obey God - THEY HONOUR GOD WITH TRUE RELIGION. THEY HAVE A FAT SOUL.

Isa 58:11  And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.

APP. Is your soul fat? Not if you don't practice REAL RELIGION.

 

CONCLUSION: 

 

Many people this year are seeking to lose weight physically. I wonder how many souls are trying to gain weight spiritually?

 

We ought to be a fat soul. Is your soul fat?

 

1.) By faith. (Have you tasted Jesus Christ?)

2.) By worship. (Are you spending time in God's presence?)

3.) By restoration. (Are you right with God?

4.) By wisdom. (Are you generous and diligent)

5.) By real religion. (Does your religiong rightly impact your relationship with men and God?)

 

 

A fat soul is a blessed soul. Decide by God's grace not to let leanness into your soul!

A fat soul is a blessed soul. Decide by God's grace not to let leanness into your soul!
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