Sermon Central
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Discovering What Is Worth My Worship Series
Contributed by Jon Sullivan on Jan 30, 2008 (message contributor)
Summary: Building strong families based on lessons from the 10 commandments
And behold, one came to Him and said, "Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may obtain eternal life?" [17] And He said to him, "Why are you asking Me about what is good? There is only One who is good; but if you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments." [18] He said to Him, "Which ones?" And Jesus said, "You shall not commit murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; [19] Honor your father and mother; and You shall love your neighbor as yourself." [20] The young man said to Him, "All these things I have kept; what am I still lacking?" [21] Jesus said to him, "If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me."
Introduction: Some people come to church and actually end up worshipping traditions, or the building, or the style of worship, or the Pastor. But none of these things are worthy of our Worship. This morning we are going to look at the second commandment
"You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth. [5] "You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me,
Many people are confused about what to worship and why.
Principle: Do not idolize anything.
What are the dangers of worshipping incorrectly?
Any and all idols:
1) Disappoint
"What profit is the idol when its maker has carved it,
Or an image, a teacher of falsehood?
For its maker trusts in his own handiwork
When he fashions speechless idols.
For the Scripture says, "Whoever believes in Him will not be DISAPPOINTED."
2) Dominate
1 Cor. 12:2
You know that when you were pagans, you were led astray to the dumb idols, however you were led.
3) Deform
Thus says the Lord,
"What injustice did your fathers find in Me,
That they went far from Me
And walked after emptiness and became empty?
The Promise: If you worship me I will bless you.
"But you shall serve the Lord your God, and He will bless your bread and your water; and I will remove sickness from your midst. [26] "There shall be no one miscarrying or barren in your land; I will fulfill the number of your days.
Idols happen when people take a person or a thing and value it more than God.
Name Game:
Elvis Brad Britney
Tiger Robert Billy
Michael Marilyn Shaquille
Koby Mike Emmitt
Three Main Idols in Moses’ day
1) Baal Sex
2) Mammon Money
3) Moleck Violence
Worship – To give my highest love, devotion, affection, and loyalty.
What are the benefits of Worshipping Correctly?
1) Proper Worship fulfills me.
Delight yourself in the Lord;
And He will give you the desires of your heart.
Many Pastors have abused and mis-taught concerning this passage
A little boy once wanted a bicycle so much that he would do almost anything to get one. Birthday and Christmas he asked his parents for a bicycle. Each time he did not get one. He then decided to take a different tack and decided to ask God for a new bicycle. Dear God he said I am a perfect, he stopped. No I am not perfect. He tried again, Dear God I am a good, he stopped. No he was not good. Once again he tried, Dear God I want to be good, and once again he stopped. He had to admit that he did not even want to be good. He decided to go to his room and try to decide how to go about asking God for a new bicycle. As he walked through the dining room he saw the statue of Mary that his family left on the bookcase. That’s when it hit him. He took the statue, wrapped it in a pillowcase and put it in his closet. Then he went into his room and prayed. Jesus if you ever want to see your mother again you better give me a new bike
"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
How do we hunger and thirst after righteousness?
a) By spending time in God’s Word
b) Making important to you what is important to God
Not filling our lives with the unimportant
Just as with our physical bodies a junk food diet will not provide lasting satisfaction. The same is true with our spiritual bodies. Careers, money, relationships, things will never bring lasting satisfaction.
