Idol Stuff Too - August 22, 2021
Do you love and treasure anything more than God?
Do you put priority on anyone or anything more than God?
Does anyone or anything bring you more pleasure than being with God?
Do you get your identity from anyone or anything other than God?
These conversations may make us uncomfortable and may require life change. But He is worth it. Idols are worthless.
1Sam 12:21… “don’t worship worthless idols… they’re totally useless…”
Jer 2:5-11… “they worshipped worthless idols and became
Jon 2:8… “those who worship worthless idols turn their back on God’s mercy…”
American idols are dangerous. God is jealous because He wants whats best for us, not a worthless idol. God wants to supply your wants and needs. Maturity is based on who your source is.
Deut 5:8-9… “do not bow in worship to idols… I, the Lord, am a jealous God…”
Josh 24:23… “destroy the idols among you… turn your hearts to God…”
Psa 106:36… “they worshipped idols… which led to their
Isa 42:8… “I will not give My glory to anyone else… nor share praise with idols…”
It’s important to get specific about what things can become idols because some people are unaware that they are worshipping idols.
Hosea 4:6… “people are destroyed for lack of knowledge… rejected knowledge…”
Isa 44:6-23… “who is like Me… is there any other God (no)… idols are worthless… people who worship idols don’t know this… who but a
Family
God is pro-family, but we are not to worship it and love our family more than we love God.
Gen 1-2… “created them male and female… be fruitful and multiply…”
Prov 11:29… “those who bring trouble on their families will inherit the wind…”
Eph 5:22-33… “submit to husbands, as to the Lord… love wife, as Christ loved…”
Eph 6:1-4… “children,
Col 3:18-21… “wives submit, husbands love, children obey your parents… fathers don’t exasperate your kids, so they won’t become discouraged…”
Love your spouse. Love your kids. Do not worship them. They need you to put God first.
Matt 10:34-39… “if love father, mother, kids more than Me… not
axios… giving weight or value…
Luke 10:27… “love the Lord with all heart, soul, strength… love neighbor as self…”
Social Media / Cell Phones
Do you value social media and cell phones more than God? Can you put them down for 24 hours? They can be great tools when used for the glory of God, but are destructive when we give them priority. Stop using them to compare to others. They are idols if they take priority over God.
Prov 17:27-28… “whoever restrains his words has knowledge… and intelligence…”
Prov 18… “fool takes no pleasure in understanding… only expressing
2Cor 10:12… “dare not
Gal 6:4… “pay attention to your own work… won’t need to compare to others…”
2Pet 2:18-19… “brag about themselves… slave to whatever controls you…”
Our Body
We have elevated physical training to idol status. Workouts take priority over God. It is good to exercise and eat right. Does the gym carry more value than the church?
Prov 3:5-8… “trust in the Lord… will be
Prov 4:20-22… “my words are life and health to your whole body…”
1Cor 6:19-20… “body is temple of HS… therefore, honor God with your body…”
1Cor 10:31… “whether you eat or drink… whatever you do… do to glory of God…”
1Tim 4:8… “
Job / Career
Work is good, and God wants us to work, but many times we’ll do things for work that we won’t do for God. We get up early, put in extra hours, but can’t make it to church or serve in any way. Do you get satisfaction and purpose from work or God? Do you trust your employer or God to provide your needs?
Gen 2:15… “God took the man and put him in the Garden to work it…”
Psa 90:17… “favor of God be upon us… and establish the work of our hands…”
Prov 20:4… “those too lazy to plow… will have no food at the harvest…”
Eph 4:28… “work… do something useful… have something to
Col 3:23-24… “whatever you do… work at it with all your heart… as to the
2Thess 3:6-15… “don’t be idle… if anyone isn’t willing to work… they don’t eat…”
Comfort
Does God want you to be comfortable? Yes and no. Biblical comfort is a verb. Only God can bring true comfort.
Psa 23:4… “go thru valley of shadow of death… Your rod and staff comfort me…”
Psa 94:19… “when I am filled with cares… Your comfort brings me joy…”
Psa 119:50… “this is my
Isa 61:2… “sent Me to proclaim God’s favor… to comfort all who mourn…”
Matt 11:28-30… “come to Me… all weary and burdened… I will give you rest…”
2Cor 1:3-7… “God of all
1Thess 5:14… “we encourage you… comfort the discouraged… be patient…”
1Pet 5:7… “cast all your worries and cares to God… because He cares for you…”
Busyness
We wear our busy-ness like a badge of honor. It’s not. It’s tough to hear God’s voice when we’re busy.
1Kings 19:10-13… “not in wind, earthquake, fire… but Voice was a
Psa 46:1… “be still and know that I am God…”
Isa 57:20… “those who reject Me cannot be still… no peace for the wicked…”
American idols replace God as priority. It’s time to remove them. Remove them before the storm hits, not during. Put Him first and start living the abundant life.