Idols - talking notes
Intro:
Demko asked me to speak at the breakfast today, and I
said, “Okay.” He then said, I want you
to speak about idols. I said, “No. You shouldn’t do idols.”
Talk about time in Korean Buddhist temple. “pathetic” Their inadequate worship of a carved piece of rock or gold is no different than the inadequacy of the things we worship and commit our time to today.
I.
Definitions:
How would you define “idol”?
II.
Solomon (I Kings 11:1-8)
We cannot blame Solomon’s wives. Solomon took them in, he allowed himself to
love them.
He allowed the devotion of his heart to be divided – “not
wholly devoted to the Lord…” (v4)
Solomon’s progression into evil:
Immersion
in the world – in his case, women
Love
for the things of the world (allowed himself to be influenced by his wives)
His
heart turned away (v3)
He
chased after the idols
What
where these idols?
Ashtoreth
– often coupled with Baal – Canaanite goddess of fertility, lust, sensual
desire.
Came from Sidon – a city that
was never conquered in Judges
Milcom
of the Ammonites (younger daughter of Lot)
A God they worshiped while
giving lip service to their God – allowing God to be a ‘room’ in your life.
Chemosh
– warrior God of the Moabites (from Lot’s oldest daughter)
Warrior
God, physical strength, a trust in your own achievements.
Molech
– of the Ammonites. Popular Canaanite
God. Wicked, brutal offering.
He
did evil (v6)
He
built monuments to evil (v7-8) – he built them within sight of the Temple in Jerusalem
How do we avoid the evil of Solomon? -
story of alcoholic at Anch. Rescue Mission.
When did the high places get removed? King Josiah (2 Kings 23:13) – around 300 years later.
III.
Looking at the books
I tried to find a way to illustrate some of the
idols. Books. As we go through these, use the bottom of the
page to write down those that are priorities to you. When we’re done, we’re going to number them.
1.
The diary book
a. My
thoughts, my feelings, emotions. Self.
b. The
thoughts and feelings (i.e. fantasy life) I may not even share with my wife.
c. Can
self be an idol?
d. Does
the thought of losing my skills, my abilities, my looks terrify me?
2.
The record book
a. My
intellect, my accomplishments, my physical achievements
b. My
degrees, my alma mater, my professional certifications, my military service
c. My
resume
3.
The check book
a. My
finances: how much I earn, how valuable the house is, how much car I can
afford, my 401K, portfolio
b. Lesson
of the rich young ruler (Mark 10:17-21)
4.
My work book
a. My
job – a part of my identity
b. God
made us as men to be providers. We get
joy from providing for our families.
However, we can sometimes get so wrapped up in our work that it becomes
an idol
c. Elisha
burned his yoke and oxen to follow Elijah.
d. The
apostles had careers they left behind (Simon, Andrew, James, John, Matthew)
5.
My entertainment book
a. Video
games, social media, phone, movies, electronics
b. Technology
c. Cars
d. It
is so easy to get tied up in this.
6.
My social book (name toned down)
a. Sex,
lust, porn, fantasy life
7.
My leisure book
a. Anything
designed to make our lives easier or more comfortable
b. Vacations
(related to the check book – can I have ‘better’ vacations than others?)
c. Comfort
8.
My secret code book - Security – related to
a. Storage
of goods (e.g.: Toilet Paper during pandemic…)
b. Physical
security, self-defense
9.
My cook book
a. Food! Can food be an idol?
b. We’ve
enjoyed a great breakfast, but can food be something that we prioritize ahead
of God?
c. That’s
one purpose of fasting – to ensure food has its proper place in our lives
a. Lust
– the dignity of another man’s daughter, ability to be close to our own wives
b. Food
– our own health, time & ability to interact with our loved ones
c. Advancement
& Ambition – Molech, then my own idol story
Solomon was not wise enough to avoid slipping into
idolatry. What hope do we have?
Colossians 3:2-17
We do not have time to get into all of this, but we’ll
hit highlights.
a. This
is a radical change in the way we view things.
Our circumstances may not change, but the way we look at them does
change. We no longer live as if this
world is all that matters – but we view everything in our lives against the
backdrop of eternity.
b. This
is something we must practice – make it a conscious effort on our part
B. “Christ,
who is our life” (v4)
C. Consider
yourself dead to the things of the world, those idols in our lives (v5)
a. This
is a reset of what it means to be an idol in our lives.
b. Not
just statues of stone, wood, and metal, but things that would tempt us away
from God
D. Put
off (v 5-8) – like taking off a coat
a. Fornication
and uncleanness
i.
The word “chastity” is not one we use much
anymore. This puts healthy boundaries on
physical relationships.
ii.
Even in the church – we see often couples living
together without the bond of marriage.
This is important. Indiscriminate
use of this gift from God spoils it.
b. Passion
and evil desire
i.
Impulses – someone who is a slave to their
passions, driven by desire for the wrong things.
c. Covetousness
i.
The insatiable desire to have more.
ii.
Q: “How much money will make you happy?” – A.
“Just a little bit more”
iii.
Ultimately, this is the end aim of any idolatry
– the desire to get something more that what you have.
iv.
One man wrote, “Idolatry is an attempt to use
God for man’s purposes, rather than to give oneself to God’s service.”
d. Abusive
speech (v 8)
E. Put
on (v12-14)
a. Compassion:
Do we see more or less mercy in our world today? D’ya think this will make our lights shine?
b. Kindness:
Where a neighbor’s good is as dear to him as his own good.
c. Humility:
There is no room for arrogance as a Christian – we are all equally needy of
God’s grace
d. Gentleness:
This is the proper balance of strength and sweetness.
e. Patience:
Ill treatment and insults should not drive me to anger. The foolishness of the world does not drive
me to cynicism
f.
Forgiveness: As Christ has forgiven me
F. Above
all: Love (v14)
Comments
Post a Comment