Message Notes

Series Intro: There are many, many factors shaping who we are and how we answer questions like, “Who am I?” “Why am I the way that I am?” And, “how will I live?” In this series, we are exploring what Scripture says about these questions of identity: who we are and who God made us to be.

To end up in the wrong body—like Joe and 22 do in Soul—presumes some ideas about how our bodies and souls interact. Are you your body? Are you your soul? Does your soul need to be connected with your body? Is some sort of feline soul-swap possible? How does this all work?

Scripture is full of references to the idea of the soul—the immaterial, non-physical stuff that makes human beings who are capable of thoughts and emotions and perceptions and ideas. In fact, Scripture uses a variety of words and concepts to point to the immaterial aspects of who we are.

Scripture on the Soul

• Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.  (Gen 2.7 NIV)
• Ruah = wind, breath, spirit
• But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your [nephesh]. (Deut 4.29 NIV)
• Nephesh = animation, life, soul
• Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him. (Ps 62.1-2 NIV)
• What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? (Matt 16.26 NIV)
• “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” (Matt 22.37 NIV)
• Psyche = rational mind, soul, life
• “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.” (John 3.5 NIV)
• So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. (Gal 5.16 NIV)
• Pneuma = spirit, breath
• Scripture speaks to this part of who we are—but not always in ways that are easy to understand or make sense of.

Scripture’s Big Idea: You are more just body; you are non-physical, non-material too.

How do our bodies and souls work together?

• Theory 1: Separate but connected
• Theory 2: Bodies generate souls
• Theory 3: Soul trapped in a body
• Theory 4: bodies and souls are integrated

• Christianity asks not just “what are you?” but also “what are you made for?”
• An Integrated Answer: Your soul is made for eternity—but so is your body.
• So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. (1 Cor 15.42-44a NIV)

Our Big Idea: You are body and soul. And all of you is made for eternity.

Apply: How can we care for our souls?

• Rest in God. Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest, He says. (Matt 11.28 NIV)
• Practice prayer. Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. (Mark 1.35 NIV)

Suggested Resources

• Image of God, The Bible Project (video)
• The Freedom of a Christian, Gilbert Meilaender (book)
• An Introduction to Theological Anthropology, Fuller Seminary (article)
• Whatever You Do, Luke Bobo (book)
• My Body is Not a Prayer Request, Amy Kenny (book)
• On the Soul and Resurrection, Gregory of Nyssa (book)

For Reflection

• How does today’s message resonate with you?
• What questions does this message raise for you?
• What actions does this message encourage you to take?
• How can you dig deeper into today’s message?

Take Your Next Steps

Remember: Jesus loves you right where you are, but He loves you too much to leave you there.

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