No Man Cared for My Soul

No Man Cared for My Soul

Text: Psalm 142:7 (KJV 1900)

Maschil of David; A Prayer when he was in the cave.

1 I cried unto the Lord with my voice; With my voice unto the Lord did I make my supplication. 2 I poured out my complaint before him; I shewed before him my trouble. 3 When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, Then thou knewest my path. In the way wherein I walked Have they privily laid a snare for me.

4 I looked on my right hand, and beheld, But there was no man that would know me: Refuge failed me; No man cared for my soul.

5 I cried unto thee, O Lord: I said, Thou art my refuge And my portion in the land of the living. 6 Attend unto my cry; For I am brought very low: Deliver me from my persecutors; For they are stronger than I. 7 Bring my soul out of prison, That I may praise thy name: The righteous shall compass me about; For thou shalt deal bountifully with me.

* Let me call your attention on the portion of this Psalm that I will be dealing with this morning. Look with me again at verse 4 and let’s read it together.

4 I looked on my right hand, and beheld, But there was no man that would know me: Refuge failed me; No man cared for my soul.

Introduction:

* The context or, background, of this Psalm is this- this is a prayer that David prayed as he was hiding in a cave in the wilderness from King Saul.

* Saul, being jealous of David, had come with his army to hunt David down and kill him.

* David has hidden himself in a cave from Saul who is camped just outside the cave.

* I want to call your attention to the primary application of this passage.

* The primary application for you and I this morning is that David’s hope in God when he is overwhelmed… Look at verse 3

3 When my spirit was overwhelmed within me,

is an encouragement to you and I when we are overwhelmed by our own problems, to trust in God.

* But now I want you to also see a second application of this passage. In verse 4:

4 I looked on my right hand, and beheld, But there was no man that would know me: Refuge failed me; No man cared for my soul.

* There are those in this world who have no hope.

* David had hope because He knew the Lord. You and I have hope in this world because we know the Lord and trust in Him this morning.

* God has sent me to this place because there are people here who have no hope.

* God has placed Blue Springs Baptist church, right here in the place, right now at this time in history, because there are people here who have no hope.

*They will live out their lives, some in need and poverty,

-some cast down and destroyed by drugs and alcohol,

-some cast down and destroyed by sexual abuse and perversion,

-some will never know love because of broken homes and failed families.

* There are boys and girls that don’t know what it is to be loved. There are boys and girls that are physically handicapped, who are trapped in a body on the outside that will not let them feel normal or loved on the inside.

*There are grown men and women who are sick and old who feel like not one human being on the face of this earth cares about them.

* They suffer silently every day, for what else can they do? Now one cares.

* The majority of people within walking distance of this church will live out their lives in emptiness, sadness, poverty, in addictions, living with heartbreak, broken families, sick and broken bodies.

* The Bible tells us that all these things are the result of living in a world that has been destroyed and tainted by sin.

* There are people within our reach that can say with David this morning:

4 I looked on my right hand, and beheld, But there was no man that would know me: Refuge failed me; No man cared for my soul.

* Like the man David, this community where God has placed us desperately needs hope.

* The message from God this morning to this congregation is that He is looking for someone who care enough about the souls of men to bring them hope.

* As I preach this message this morning, and the Holy Spirit of God deals with your heart from the World of God, I challenge you to ask yourself “is it me? Am I the one God is looking for?

I. For many in our community is seems as if no one cares for their soul.

A. The children of this world don’t care if men are perishing.

* As the world continues to turn day after day- and daylight vanishes into night… and then day again-… the people of this world don’t care what happens to people when they die.

* In 2010, a total of 2,468,435 resident deaths were registered in the United States alone.

* According to the CIA World Fact book approximately 60 million people in this world die every year. Approximately 155,000 people die in this world every single day!

* Jesus said that most of the people that die are headed for hell.

Matthew 7:13–14 (KJV 1900)

13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

* I want to ask you something- When was the last time you saw a billboard or a tv public service announcement warning that millions of people are dying and going to Hell?

* Never. Have you ever saw any evidence that the human race care s about what happens to someone after they die? Don’t you think that is kind of strange?

* Everybody dies, but there is no government agency, group, panel, committee, trying to find out what happens to people when they die. Not a single one!

* Is it because the human race doesn’t believe in live after death?

* Not according to polls and studies that have been conducted:

* In a 2003 study by the Barna Group, 81% of Americans polled believed that there is life after death. In the same study 79 % agreed with the statement that that every person has a soul that will live forever.”

* So what ‘s the deal here? If most of the world believes in life after death, and they believe that all men have a soul that lives forever, then why is the human race not trying to find out where people go after they die?

* The simple answer is that the world does not care if people are perishing.

4 I looked on my right hand, and beheld, But there was no man that would know me: Refuge failed me; No man cared for my soul.

B. The Government does not care if men are perishing.

* We are living in a day in which the masses of people have forgotten the disastrous outcome of the social philosophies of socialism and communism.

* The great world wars are now far away in the rearview mirror of history and a dim memory.

*There are those now who even deny the Holocaust even took place.

* As a result, the God hating, Satan inspired social philosophies of socialism and communism have once again infiltrated our world governments under new names like “Progressives, Progressivism” and “New World Order.”

* The Government would have you to believe that it cares about you this morning.

-The government cares about people so it legalizes murdering babies.

-The government cares about you so instead of restoring a strong, healthy economy base on capitalism, it wants to put everyone on government handouts like welfare, government housing , government healthcare, government loans for housing and education.

-The government cares about you so it is on a campaign to stamp the name of God in all it’s public documents, government buildings, and public parks.

-The government cares about you so it is systematically taking away your religious rights.

* According to the government you don’t have sense enough to know what is right and wrong, so they will make you believe

-abortion is right,

-homosexuality is right,

-fornication right,

-stealing from one in order to give to another is right

* Because the government cares about you they take your hard-earned money away from you and spend it on hundreds of government programs to supposedly help you in this life.

* All the while, while behind your back, the world’s governments are systematically trying to gag the voice and destroy the only hope the people of the world have – the churches that care about men’s souls that are perishing!

* The government doesn’t care about your soul!

4 I looked on my right hand, and beheld, But there was no man that would know me: Refuge failed me; No man cared for my soul.

C. The back sliding Christians don’t care if men are perishing.

* The backsliding Christina does not care about the souls of men and women in this community.

* That’s why this church is empty this morning.

* There are enough “so called” Christians to fill up every church in this county this morning!

* So why are this church empty this morning?

-It’s not because the preacher is uneducated, or unfriendly, uncaring.

-the church is not empty because the preacher offended somebody!

-the church is not empty because the building is to hot or too cold.

-the church is not empty because the congregation if full of hypocrites.

-the church is not empty because everybody has worked so hard during the week that they can’t get up on Sunday morning.

* The church is empty this morning because Christian’s are backslid against God this morning!

* The reason people don’t come to church is because they are backslid on God and they don’t care about the things of God or the souls of men, all they care about is themselves!

* If we leave the duty of rescuing the boys and girls, men and women around us in this community up to the backslidden Christians

-who won’t be faithful to church,

-who will not be faithful to read and study the Word of God,

-who will not faithful to support the church and is ministries,

-who will not endeavor to maintain a clean, Godly testimony for God

then all the men and women, boys and girls, in this community will perish and go to hell!

*Backslid Christians do not care the people of this community are perishing!

4 I looked on my right hand, and beheld, But there was no man that would know me: Refuge failed me; No man cared for my soul.

II. There is one that cares that men are perishing.

A. It is not the will of God that any man should perish.

Ezekiel 18:20–23 (KJV 1900)

20 The soul that sinneth, it shall die. ..

21 But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die. 22 All his transgressions that he hath committed, they shall not be mentioned unto him: in his righteousness that he hath done he shall live.

23 Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord God: and not that he should return from his ways, and live?

* Because God does not desire that any man perish and go to Hell, he has called men to sound the trumpet of the Gospel and warn every man of the judgment of sin and the Hell that awaits them at any minute!

Ezekiel 33:1–8 (KJV 1900)

Again the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, 2 Son of man, speak to the children of thy people, and say unto them, When I bring the sword upon a land, if the people of the land take a man of their coasts, and set him for their watchman: 3 If when he seeth the sword come upon the land, he blow the trumpet, and warn the people; 4 Then whosoever heareth the sound of the trumpet, and taketh not warning; if the sword come, and take him away, his blood shall be upon his own head. 5 He heard the sound of the trumpet, and took not warning; his blood shall be upon him. But he that taketh warning shall deliver his soul. 6 But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman’s hand. 7 So thou,

O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me. 8 When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.

1 Timothy 2:3–4 (KJV 1900)

3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; 4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

Titus 2:11 (KJV 1900)

11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,

2 Peter 3:9 (KJV 1900)

9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

Romans 10:11–13 (KJV 1900)

11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. 12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Luke 15:4–7 (KJV 1900)

4 What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? 5 And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. 7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.

B. Jesus endured the agony of the cross because men are perishing.

* Why did Jesus endure the excruciating pain when the Roman soldiers ripped his beard from his face!- Because Jesus cares that men are perishing!

* Why did Jesus, the son of the living God, endure the beatings that tore the flesh from his ribs and back. - Because Jesus cares that men are perishing!

* Why did Jesus endure the shame of allowing wicked men to spit in his face and make fun of him - Because Jesus cares that men are perishing!

* Why did Jesus allow a crown of thorns to be rammed into his head and be bead over the head with a rod? - Because Jesus cares that men are perishing!

* Why did Jesus allow wicked men to drive nails through the muscles in His hands and His feet then be lifted up on a cross and slammed into the ground tearing the muscles and flesh against the nails? - Because Jesus cares that men are perishing!

* Why did Jesus, the creator of the world, endure the shame of all the world to look upon his naked body and wag their heads, and stick out their tongues, and hiss at Him as he hung there on the cross? - Because Jesus cares that men are perishing!

* Why did Jesus allow God the father to turn His back on Him and cry out in broken hearted rejection, “My God, My God why hast thou forsaken me!” -Because Jesus cares that men are perishing!

C. The Holy Spirit is bringing perishing men to the cross.

John 6:44 (KJV 1900)

44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.

III. God is looking for someone who will help him care for the souls of men.

* There is an old song we used to sing in our churches that has long gone by the wayside. This song needs to be revived by the churches all over this land. The words of the son go like this…

Rescue the Perishing

Rescue the perishing, care for the dying, snatch them in pity from sin and the grave; weep over the erring one, lift up the fallen, tell them of Jesus, the mighty to save. Refrain: Rescue the perishing, care for the dying, Jesus is merciful, Jesus will save. Though they are slighting him, still he is waiting, waiting the penitent child to receive; plead with them earnestly, plead with them gently; he will forgive if they only believe. Refrain Down in the human heart, crushed by the tempter, feelings lie buried that grace can restore; touched by a loving heart, wakened by kindness, chords that were broken will vibrate once more. Refrain Rescue the perishing, duty demands it; strength for thy labor the Lord will provide; back to the narrow way patiently win them; tell the poor wanderer a Savior has died. Refrain

Turn with me in your church hymnal to page 145 and sing this song with me.

Jude 22–23 (KJV 1900)

22 And of some have compassion, making a difference: 23 and others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.

Illustration: The untold story of the Titanic.

Chances are you have seen the Hollywood movie TITANIC, which has been seen by more people around the world than any other movie in history. What most people do not know is that there was a godly Christian man on board the Titanic named John Harper....

It was the night of April 14, 1912. The RMS Titanic sailed swiftly on the bitterly cold ocean waters heading unknowingly into the pages of history. On board this luxurious ocean liner were many rich and famous people. At the time of the ship's launch, it was the world's largest man-made moveable object. At 11:40 p.m. on that fateful night, an iceberg scraped the ship's starboard side, showering the decks with ice and ripping open six watertight compartments. The sea poured in. On board the ship was John Harper and his much-beloved six-year-old daughter, Nana. According to documented reports, as soon as it was apparent that the ship was going to sink, Harper immediately took his daughter to a lifeboat. It is reasonable to assume that this widowed preacher could have easily gotten on board this boat to safety; however, it never seems to have crossed his mind. He bent down and kissed his precious little girl; looking into her eyes he told her that she would see him again someday.

The flares going off in the dark sky above reflected the tears on his face as he turned and headed toward the crowd of desperate humanity on the sinking ocean liner. As the rear of the huge ship began to lurch upwards, it was reported that Harper was seen making his way up the deck yelling, "Women, children and unsaved into the lifeboats!" It was only minutes later that the Titanic began to rumble deep within. Most people thought it was an explosion; actually the ship was literally breaking in half. At this point, many people jumped off the decks and into the icy, dark waters below. John Harper was one of these people.

That night 1528 people went into the frigid waters. John Harper was seen swimming frantically to people in the water leading them to Jesus before the hypothermia became fatal. Mr. Harper swam up to one young man who had climbed up on a piece of debris. Harper asked him between breaths, "Are you saved?" The young man replied that he was not. Harper then tried to lead him to Christ only to have the young man who was near shock, reply no. John Harper then took off his life jacket and threw it to the man and said "Here then, you need this more than I do..." and swam away to other people. A few minutes later Harper swam back to the young man and succeeded in leading him to salvation. Of the 1528 people that went into the water that night, six were rescued by the lifeboats. One of them was this young man on the debris.

Four years later, at a survivors meeting, this young man stood up and in tears recounted how that after John Harper had led him to Christ, Harper had tried to swim back to help other people, yet because of the intense cold, had grown too weak to swim. His last words before going under in the frigid waters were, "Believe on the Name of the Lord Jesus and you will be saved."

Does Hollywood remember this man? No. Oh well, it doesn't matter. This servant of God did what he had to do. While other people were trying to buy their way onto the lifeboats and selfishly trying to save their own lives, John Harper gave up his life so that others could be saved.

* John Harper had something inside of himself that moved him with compassion for people who are headed for the sinner’s final destination- hell.

A. God is looking for someone who will see past this present world.

B. God is looking for someone who will stand in the Gap for men’s souls.

Ezekiel 22:23–30 (KJV 1900)

23 And the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, 24 Son of man, say unto her, Thou art the land that is not cleansed, nor rained upon in the day of indignation. 25 There is a conspiracy of her prophets in the midst thereof, like a roaring lion ravening the prey; they have devoured souls; they have taken the treasure and precious things; they have made her many widows in the midst thereof. 26 Her priests have violated my law, and have profaned mine holy things: they have put no difference between the holy and profane, neither have they shewed difference between the unclean and the clean, and have hid their eyes from my sabbaths, and I am profaned among them. 27 Her princes in the midst thereof are like wolves ravening the prey, to shed blood, and to destroy souls, to get dishonest gain. 28 And her prophets have daubed them with untempered morter, seeing vanity, and divining lies unto them, saying, Thus saith the Lord God, when the Lord hath not spoken. 29 The people of the land have used oppression, and exercised robbery, and have vexed the poor and needy: yea, they have oppressed the stranger wrongfully. 30 And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.

C. God is looking for wise men that will commit their lives to win souls for him.

Proverbs 11:29–30 (KJV 1900)

30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; And he that winneth souls is wise.

Daniel 12:3 (KJV 1900)

3 And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.

Isaiah 6:1–8 (KJV 1900)

In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. 2 Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. 3 And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: The whole earth is full of his glory.

4 And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke. 5 Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts. 6 Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar: 7 And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged. 8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.

Conclusion:

* Are you this one God is looking for this morning? Will you answer the call of God to be a soulwinner this mornig?