Sermon Tone Analysis

In this *V *John said that he *wished* that our *SOUL would prosper.*

*What is* t *SOUL?*

It is t *MIND, t WILL, t INTELLECT, & t EMOTIONS.*

T *soulish realm* is where* Christians get* into *trouble.*

In t *soul* is *where* your *thinking & reason* takes place, that's where we *get into trouble.*

*I.*

*ISA 55:8‑9*

 

                 *A.*

Many times we begin to *reason out t things of God.

*

 

                             *1.

*We might *reason out healing *by saying that they would have *recovered *even *if no one laid hands* on them.

*a.*

*Tongues ‑*‑ (emotions, passed away)

 

                                         *b.

Miracles *‑‑ (*done away* w~/, they *thought* they were *healed *during an *emotional time, but* ....)

 

                             *2.*

But God says that *His ways* are *not our ways* & what I mainly wanted you to see is that *His thoughts are not our thoughts.*

*a.*

*God's thoughts* are *not* t thoughts of t *natural mind  *or t *carnal mind.*

*B.*

Back in *3JOHN 2* John said, "this is *my # 1 prayer,* that you would *prosper & live in health,* even *as* your *soul prospers."*

*1.*

*Success *in your life will be *governed* or *determined by  your soul.

*

 

                             *2.*

T words *"even as" *in *3JO 2* means *"just (or inasmuch) as,  ‑according to, (according, even) as, how, when.

*

 

                                         *a.*

You could read *(3JO 1:2) *like this, "Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, *ACCORDING  TO thy soul prospering.

*

 

                                         *b.*

*John* is *saying* that *when* your *soul is prospering, *your going to *prosper financially & *you'll be in* health.

*

 

                                         *c.*

T word of God says in *(HOS 4:6)* "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge."

*d.*

What is t knowledge that we need to get?

 

                                                     *i.*

Of course it's t Word of God.

 

                                         *e.* & *where *is that *we put knowledge?

*

 

                                                     *i.*

In our *minds or* in t *soul.*

*ii.*

There is a *part* of *getting t Word in* your *heart for faith,* but I'm *mainly talking about getting *your *minds renewed *to t Word of God.

 

       *II.

*Now going back to our main text again *3JO 2* Says, "Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy *soul prospereth.*

(KJV)

 

                 *A.*

According to this *V *it's possible to have a *prosperous soul, *if that's true then it's also possible to have a *poor soul.*

*1.*

*What* are *some things *that would *give* someone a *poor soul?*

 

                                         *a.*

We already looked at *(HOS 4:6)* Which says, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge."

*b.*

A *lack of knowledge *of t *Word of God* will *give* you a *poor soul.

*

 

                             *2.*

*#2 *Being *controlled by *t *desires of* t *flesh, like money,  food, sex, power,* whatever.

*a.*

*(Rom 8:5‑6)* For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.

(6) For to be carnally minded {is} death; but to be spiritually minded {is} life and peace.

*b.*

For you to *follow after* t things of t *flesh* it will cause you to *have a poor spirit.

*

 

                             *3.

#3* *Choosing things* that are *contrary *to t *will of God.*

 

                                         *a.* *Luke 10:42*

 

                                         *b.*

So many times people are *doing* things that are *good  things,* but *never* *let* those *good things* *steel your time* that you should be having *w~/ t Lord.

*

 

                                         *c.*

You need to *sit* at t *feet of Jesus *& *receive His Word *as often as possible.

*i.*

You need to *be careful* or you *might *get caught up in *doing to many things,* anywhere from *doing to much for God *& *getting burnt* out *to* *doing to much w~/* your *family & neglecting God.*

 

                                                     *ii.*

You need to *be like Mary &* *choose* t *best part  by sitting under t WORD.*

                                                                 *a.*

If you're sitting under t Word your going to have t strength to go on.

*b.*

If you're *not* sitting *under t* *Word* you're going to be doing things in your *own strength & in t flesh.

*

 

                                                                             *i.*

If you're *doing things in *t *flesh *you're going to *produce an Ishmeal,* & Ishmeal's always produce problems.

*4.*

T *4th *thing that will cause you to have a poor spirit is being *UNDISCIPLINED & FANTASIZING on ungodly things.*

*a.

(2CO 10:5)* Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing...

 

                             *5.

#5 REFUSING TO CHANGE.*

*a.

(ROM 12:2) *And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind...

 

                             *6.

#6* Being more *CONCERNED about t THINGS* of t *Earth,* *rather  than* t things of *Heaven.

*

 

                                         *a.*

Look at *COL 3:2*

                             *7.

#7* *Allowing emotional feelings* to *decide *how to *act rather than *t *Word* of God.

 

                                         *a.

(JOH 16:13)* Howbeit when he, *the Spirit of truth, is  come, he will guide you into all truth:* for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, {that} shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

(KJV)

 

                             *8.*

*#8 *A *mind* that *contains worry, fear, & negative thinking.*

*a.

(PHI 4:8)* Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things {are} honest, whatsoever things {are} just, whatsoever things {are} pure, whatsoever things {are} lovely, whatsoever things {are} of good report; if {there be} any virtue, and if {there be} any praise, think on these things.

(KJV)

 

                 *B.*

W~/ *one or more of these things* going on *inside* of *you,* you will *be poor* in t *soulish realm.

*

 

                             *1.*

But according to *3JOHN 2, *t *prosperity of your life *is *based on* t *prosperity of your soul.*

*2.*

If your *soul is poor* it will *affect every* *area* *of* your *life: MARRIAGE, BUSINESS, FAITH, HEALTH, SOCIAL LIFE,* EVERYTHING.

*III.*

But on t other hand *there is t prosperous soul.*

And t *prosperous soul* has *6* basic *characteristics.*

*1.

#1 *It is a *mind* that is *ready to repent* or *change any  thought* at any time.

*a.*

Again *(ROM 12:2)* And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what {is} that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

(KJV)

 

                             *2.

#2* It *follows *t *things of* t *H.S.* *thru* t *human spirit.*

*a.*

*(Rom 8:5)* For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.

*(ROM 8:14)* For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.