A0423_Platos Great Error
Date: 25th January 2009 (Sunday AM) Ref: A0423
Place: Kambah P.S.
Title: Platos Great Error
Text: & 3 John 2
Illust: Some 2400 years ago the Greek philosopher Plato mad an interesting statement: "The cure of the part should not be attempted without treatment of the whole, and also no attempt should be made to cure the body without the soul, and therefore if the head and body are to be well you must begin by curing the mind: that is the first thing... For this is the great error of our day in the treatment of the human body, that physicians separate the soul from the body." - Plato, Chronicles 156e I have called this sermon “Plato’s great error, not because he made the error but because he identified it: – For this is the great error of our day in the treatment of the human body, that physicians separate the soul from the body." ~ still the same if not more so today.
I. Prosperous Soul
A. Spiritual Health
i. As Christians, followers of Christ we are to be pursuing spiritual health. ~ To be healthy spiritually. ~ What does this mean?
ii. Well first & foremost we deal with the issues of the heart, of the mind. It’s not what you wear to church, its not your actions that everyone sees, what God is concerned about is the sate of your heart & I am not talking about your arteries.
Genesis 6:5 Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. (NKJV)
What is in your heart really does define who you are.
Matthew 12:35 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. (NKJV)
Matthew 15:18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man. (NKJV)
iii. The desire of God is that we would be spiritually healthy, that you would pursue righteousness
Jeremiah 17:10 I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give every man according to his ways, According to the fruit of his doings. (NKJV)
– Because the fruit of your life will be what is in your heart.
Luke 6:43-44 43 “For a good tree does not bear bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. 44 For every tree is known by its own fruit. (NKJV)
B. Love & Truth
i. In our text, John wishes for Gaius to prosper in health as his soul prospers. What was the state of Gaius soul, how was his spiritual health?
ii. & vs 3. Gaius was a man of whom it was said that he had truth in him, he walked in the truth, he loved the truth.
iii. & vs 6. Gaius had a love for the brethren for the church that was clearly evident to all
A spiritually healthy man filled with Love & Truth – Probably a whole other sermon in that alone.
II. Soul & Body
A. An Integrated Whole
i. Is there a link between your spiritual health & your physical health? – The word of God seems to definitely present this as a truth.
Proverbs 12:25 Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, But a good word makes it glad. (NKJV)
ii. You see you are an integrated whole – Body, Soul & Spirit – Everything interacting. – Dangerous trend in the church world that you can live your life in carnal pleasure & then come to church once a week, call yourself a Christian, but not really pursue righteousness. – Not think that this will not play out in your life.
iii. Certain sin’s appear to be linked to various sickness. – Bitterness / unforgiveness, hatred. – Can play out in physical sickness in your body
B. An Integrated Whole
i. This is where the great error that Plato identified needs to be refreshed into our minds & hearts.
“For this is the great error of our day in the treatment of the human body, that physicians separate the soul from the body." (& I would add that they totally disregard the Spirit, an even greater error)
ii. Modern medical science has tried to treat the human body like the mechanic or the engineer works on cars or complex machines. – Physical only. – Not taking into account the spiritual dimension.
iii. This is the great error, when people are sick, there is little to no understanding of the spiritual root causes of much sickness. – Sin in your life has consequences. – One of those is physical sickness
Galatians 6:7-8 7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. (NKJV)
III. Be In Health
A. Gods Concern
i. Often we focus on the spiritual, thinking that God is only interested in our spiritual life & needs. Not true. God created us & He knows you have physical needs & He wants to look after you spirit & body.
Matthew 6:31-32 31 “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. (NKJV)
ii. God is interested in your physical health – this is the heart of our & text - That you would be in health. – ‘To be sound in body, in good health’.
iii. This is God’s will for you. That you would be healthy, physically whole.
B. Detox the Soul
i. Sometimes when people start getting sick, they take a decision to go on a detox diet. They stop eating all processed foods etc in order to cleanse the body of toxins.
ii. Sin is a toxin to the spirit, If we want to be physically whole, we need to detox the spirit. –
Psalm 139:23-24 23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: 24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. (KJV)
iii. Repentance the spiritual detox method. – You can have an assurance that God wants you physically whole / well. –Not sick! – You can detox your soul through repentance & go boldly to the throne of Grace to ask for Gods healing.