1. The Essential Nature of Humans

2. 1. Why were we created? A. God created us for His glory 1. Isa. 43:7; Eph. 1:11-12 2. What does this mean? …echoes in eternity… B. Our purpose is to bring Him glory 1. John 10:10; Ps. 16:11; Ps. 84:1-2, 10 …normal heart attitude… 2. Isa. 62:5; Zeph. 3:17-18 …Eric Liddell… C. Have you ever had this experience?

3. 2. Image of God We are like God… A. Moral Aspects – inner sense of right/wrong; accountable; holy and righteous behavior B. Spiritual Aspects – spirit; relate to God; immortal C. Mental Aspects – think; reason; use language; emotions; creativity; awareness of future D. Relational Aspects – community; marriage; rule over creation E. Physical Aspects – see; speak; hear; smell; action; bear children Our dignity as image bearers… …Late night ministry…

4. 3. “Soul” and “Spirit” Introduction… A. Trichotomy (1 Thes. 5:23; Heb. 4:12) 1. Body 2. Soul – intellect, emotions, will 3. Spirit – a higher faculty that comes alive when a person becomes a Christian – Rom. 8:10 B. Dichotomy 1. Body 2. “Spirit” is not a separate part, but simply another term for “soul” 3. Both terms are used interchangeably to refer to our immaterial part – this is the part that lives on after our body dies C. Monism 1. Body – a human is only one element and the body is the person 2. Humans cannot exist apart from a physical body; no separate existence for any “soul” after the body dies; the terms “soul” and “spirit” are just other terms for the “person”

5. 3. “Soul” and “Spirit” D. Biblical Data 1. John12:27 and 13:21; Luke 1:46-47; Heb. 12:23 and Rev. 6:9  John12:27 – “Now My soul has become troubled; and what shall I say, ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour.  John 13:21 – When Jesus had said this, He became troubled in spirit, and testified and said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, that one of you will betray Me.”  Luke 1:46-47 – And Mary said: “My soul exalts the Lord, And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.  Heb. 12:23 – to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the Judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect,  Rev. 6:9 – When the Lamb broke the fifth seal, I saw underneath the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God, and because of the testimony which they had maintained

6. 3. “Soul” and “Spirit” D. Biblical Data 2. Luke 12:20 and Eccl. 12:7; Gen. 35:18 and Ps. 31:5  Luke 12:20 – But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your soul is required of you; and now who will own what you have prepared?’  Eccl. 12:7 – then the dust will return to the earth as it was, and the spirit will return to God who gave it.  Gen. 35:18 – It came about as her soul was departing (for she died), that she named him Ben-oni; but his father called him Benjamin.  Ps. 31:5 – Into Your hand I commit my spirit; You have ransomed me, O L ORD, God of truth.

7. 3. “Soul” and “Spirit” D. Biblical Data 3. Matt. 10:28; 1 Cor. 5:5; 2 Cor. 7:1  Matt. 10:28 – Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.  1 Cor. 5:5 – I have decided to deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of his flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.  2 Cor. 7:1 – Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. 4. 1 Cor. 7:34; Dan. 5:20; 1 Pet. 1:22  1 Cor. 7:34 – and his interests are divided. The woman who is unmarried, and the virgin, is concerned about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and spirit; but one who is married is concerned about the things of the world, how she may please her husband.  Dan. 5:20 – But when his heart was lifted up and his spirit became so proud that he behaved arrogantly, he was deposed from his royal throne and his glory was taken away from him.  1 Pet. 1:22 – Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart,

8. 3. “Soul” and “Spirit” D. Biblical Data 5. John 13:21; Mark 2:8; Ps. 103:1; Mark 12:30  John 13:21 – When Jesus had said this, He became troubled in spirit, and testified and said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, that one of you will betray Me.”  Mark 2:8 – Immediately Jesus, aware in His spirit that they were reasoning that way within themselves, *said to them, “Why are you reasoning about these things in your hearts?  Ps. 103:1 – Bless the L ORD, O my soul, And all that is within me, bless His holy name.  Mark 12:30 – AND YOU SHALL LOVE THE L ORD YOUR G OD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH.’

9. 3. “Soul” and “Spirit” E. Where do our souls come from? 1. Creationism a. Psalm 127:3 b. Psalm 139:13 c. Zech. 12:1 2. Traducianism a. Gen. 5:3 F. What specifically does it mean to be obedient to 2 Cor. 7:1?