THE CAPTAIN OF YOUR SOUL

ROMANS 1                                                          

Pastor Rick Jackson [adapted from a Dave Breese message]

 

On June 11, 2001 Timothy McVeigh was executed for the 1995 murder of 168 people in Oklahoma City. Like, Jared Loughner, he was a professing atheist- McVeigh no longer is. McVeigh refused any visits by ministers and chose as his final statement, the words of the 19th century poet William Ernest Henley to express his unrepentant atheism.

 

In the fell clutch of circumstance                                                                               …It matters not how strait the gate,

I have not winced nor cried aloud.                                                                            How charged with punishments the scroll,

Under the bludgeonings of chance                                                                           I am the master of my fate:

My head is bloody, but unbowed.                                                                            I am the captain of my soul.

 

To some degree, before a lost person trusts Christ or dies in his fallen state, I suppose there is some truth in that. They are, by God’s permission, the captain of their own soul. But what does that mean? How far will that take them? What will their end be? As is our custom, let us find the answers together in God’s Word. Consider if you will:

 

I. THE CAPTAIN’S CHOICES

 

1. He can Choose to Be an Atheist -          but he cannot escape the consequences of his unbelief [Rm. 1:18-32]

 

2. He can Choose to Reject the Bible -     But he cannot choose to not by judged by It! [Lk. 6:47-49, John 12:48]

Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like: He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock. But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.

He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.

 

3. He can Choose to Reject Christ as Saviour -      But he cannot choose his fate if he rejects Christ [John 3:16, 18, 36]

He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

 

Indeed, a ship’s captain may plot a course, but he cannot control elements beyond his control- rocks, weather, enemy ships, obstructions, etc. Ask Edward Smith- Captain of the Titanic.

 

II. THE CAPTAIN’S CAPTAIN

What if the captain, seeing the way is treacherous, decides to turn the helm over to a better Captain? A Captain who has sailed these seas, conquered the obstructions and the enemies, and actually has control over the weather. Where could we find such a One? Ah, look to Jesus- the captain’s Captain.

 

1. Captain of the Lord’s Host [Joshua 5:13-15]

And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Art thou for us, or for our adversaries? And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the LORD am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my lord unto his servant? And the captain of the LORD'S host said unto Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy. And Joshua did so.

 

2. Master of the Seas [Mk. 4:39-41]

And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? And they feared exceedingly , and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?

 

3. Captain of Our Salvation [Heb. 2:3-18]

 

III. THE CAPTAIN’S COMMANDS

Having placed the helm at His control- the wise person would then obey His commands- knowing they were for the good of the vessel. What commands has He given?

 

1. Occupy [Lk 19:10-13ff]

 

2. Be Faithful [1 Corinthians 4:2] Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.

 

3. Keep Watch [Matthew 24:42] Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.

 

Matthew 26:41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

Mark 13:37 And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.

Revelation 3:3 Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.