THE CAPTAIN OF YOUR SOUL

ROMANS 1                             

 Pastor Rick Jackson

 

In June of 2001 an atheist on death row 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.

My head is bloody, but unbowed. …It matters not how strait the gate, How charged with punishments the scroll, I am the master of my fate: I am the captain of my soul.

To some degree I suppose there is some truth in that. People 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 Not Believe the Bible -

But he cannot choose to not by judged by that very same Word [John 12:48, Acts 13:46]

-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.

-Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.

Men don’t really judge the Bible, the Bible judges them. You read the Bible and follow it, or the Bible condemns you. God has spoken, and this Word stands. You cannot ridicule the Word of God and get rid of it. Men have tried this. Hell will doubtless be filled with those who thought they could make light of God’s Holy Word. The Word of God must be received and believed. This is God’s Holy, infallible, dynamic message to mankind.

3. He can Choose to Not take Christ as Saviour -

But he cannot choose his fate if he rejects Christ [John 3:18, 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. 4:37-41]

And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? 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. 2:3-10]

How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?

For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak. But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man, that thou visitest him? Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands: Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him. But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.

For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.

 

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]

For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. And as they heard these things, he added and spake a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear. He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come. [pragmateuomai,  to busy oneself with]

 

2. Be Faithful [1 Corinthians 4:2]

Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.

 

3. Keep Watch [1 Corinthians 16:13]

Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.