I. EXORDIUM:
Are we sometimes create our idols of our own and yet profess to fear GOD?
II. AUDIENCE PROFILE:
Believers
III. OBJECTIVES:
To prove that you need to choose your GOD everyday, or be a victim of unseen idols that will pull us down.
IV. TEXT:
2 Kings 17:41 (New King James Version)
So these nations feared the Lord, yet served their carved images; also their children and their children's children have continued doing as their fathers did, even to this day.
V. THESIS:
Wealth are unseen idols, decide to worship GOD alone.
VI. TITLE:
GOD fearing yet worships idols
VII. EXPLICATION:
A. Author: unknown
B. Main subject: History of the kingdoms of Israel and Judah
C. Spiritual message: Powerful influence of rulers upon a nation
VIII. MAIN BODY:
A. They worshipped the LORD - fears GOD
"So these nations feared the Lord"
These are not the original Israelite inhabitants, they are inhabitants of nations around Israel.
2 Kings 17:24 (New King James Version)
Then the king of Assyria brought people from Babylon, Cuthah, Ava, Hamath, and from Sepharvaim, and placed them in the cities of Samaria instead of the children of Israel; and they took possession of Samaria and dwelt in its cities.
2 Kings 17:8 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)
They had followed the practices of the pagan nations the Lord had driven from the land ahead of them, as well as the practices the kings of Israel had introduced.
Luke 9:23 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)
Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me.
John 12:26 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)
Anyone who wants to be my disciple must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me.
1 Peter 2:21 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)
For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps.
They followed the practices of the nations. It's easy for us to copy our neighbors because they lived around us, but let's remember that we are to copy GOD in His Words not people around us not unless they are of CHRIST.
Ephesians 5:1 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)
Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children.
2 Thessalonians 3:7 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)
For you know that you ought to imitate us. We were not idle when we were with you.
They imitated the nations around them. You have to choose only one, if you have imitated the nations or those people without the LORD around you, it's understood that you have rejected GOD's covenant and decrees stated in His Words.
2 Kings 17:15 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)
They rejected his decrees and the covenant he had made with their ancestors, and they despised all his warnings. They worshiped worthless idols, so they became worthless themselves. They followed the example of the nations around them, disobeying the Lord’s command not to imitate them.
3 John 1:11 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)
Dear friend, don’t let this bad example influence you. Follow only what is good. Remember that those who do good prove that they are God’s children, and those who do evil prove that they do not know God.
Hebrews 6:12 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)
Then you will not become spiritually dull and indifferent. Instead, you will follow the example of those who are going to inherit God’s promises because of their faith and endurance.
Hebrews 13:7 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)
Remember your leaders who taught you the word of God. Think of all the good that has come from their lives, and follow the example of their faith.
Since they grow up with their old religious customs so they are more likely to practice it, rather than the laws of the land of Israel. It's not an excuse, many of us came from pagan religions but we thrown them away because they are not right in GOD's sight. We are not to persist in the former practices of our pagan religions.
2 Kings 17:40 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)
But the people would not listen and continued to follow their former practices.
Ezekiel 33:31 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)
So my people come pretending to be sincere and sit before you. They listen to your words, but they have no intention of doing what you say. Their mouths are full of lustful words, and their hearts seek only after money.
Luke 8:21 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)
Jesus replied, “My mother and my brothers are all those who hear God’s word and obey it.”
Matthew 7:24 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)
“Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock.
It's in the doing not in the hearing.
Matthew 23:3 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)
So practice and obey whatever they tell you, but don’t follow their example. For they don’t practice what they teach.
B. Served their carved images - following practices of the nations.
"yet served their carved images"
1. Greed is one form of idolatry.
Ephesians 5:5 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)
You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.
2. Arrogance - evil of idolatry.
1 Samuel 15:23 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)
Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft, and stubbornness as bad as worshiping idols. So because you have rejected the command of the Lord, he has rejected you as king.”
Romans 11:20 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)
Yes, but remember—those branches were broken off because they didn’t believe in Christ, and you are there because you do believe. So don’t think highly of yourself, but fear what could happen.
Colossians 3:5 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)
So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.
3. Putting hope in wealth is arrogance.
1 Timothy 6:17 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)
Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment.
Instead be afraid, we choose to follow the LORD JESUS and imitate GOD.
Philippians 4:11-13 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)
Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have.
I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little.
For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.
Mark 10:22 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)
At this the man’s face fell, and he went away very sad, for he had many possessions.
Mark 12:44 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)
For they gave a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she had to live on.”
IX. CONCLUSION:
We choose to follow the LORD JESUS CHRIST, imitate GOD and persist in worshipping GOD alone.
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