Watch out for Idols
Exodus 20:4-6
Introduction
In our world we have many people who have ‘idols’ in their lives… like Robbie Williams, a British pop singer, spoke on BBC Radio in July 2001…
Williams said, “…I haven’t had a drink or done drugs for seven months, and I’m feeling good. I’m enjoying it… Instead of drinking I pray. Not for long. I ask Elvis to look after me. I’ve got the tattoo on my arm: "Elvis grant me serenity." Before the gig we all get in a huddle and pray to Elvis to look after us while we’re onstage…”
Now, preacher you are losin’ it! I don’t worship idols in my house… I am NOT affected by idolatry in my life… why are you wasting your time and mine by preaching on this?
Don’t misunderstand me here! I do not believe that there are any of us here who have a problem with bowing down to stone idols, golden calves, or praying to Elvis… or anything like that...
But take that away and we, as believers, still have "other gods or idols" that we bow down to each and every day! I find that we devote our entire life to the pursuit of the things WE desire, and we leave God to settle for the ‘back seat’ of our lives…
Many in the church today service and worship the idol of the pursuit of money, many put more in there 401k’s every week than they give to spreading the gospel, or donate more to help keep these casinos open and operating, than they do to build the house of God. Many worship the idol of the pursuit of money.
Many worship the idol of tradition, rather than truly seeking God about new possibilities of ministry. We worship buildings, rather than the God who is more concerned about the condition of our heart, rather than the building that we meet together in is and old one or a new one.
We are given an express command from God not to put anything before Him. So tonight I want us to search our hearts and find out if there are any idols in our lives, and without reservation rip them out of our lives.
Read Scriptures: Exodus 20:4-6
I. Don’t idolize anything.
Vs. 4 “"You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below.”
What is an idol? An idol is anything that takes the focus off God and puts it on something else.
What does your life center around? What is the primary focus? An idol doesn’t have to be a bad thing; it can be a good thing. Some people put their idols in their safe deposit box.
Archaeologists tell us that in every culture throughout history there have been idols: Statues of little gods or goddesses. Man has a desire, for some reason, to turn objects or people or things into objects of worship. God does not like that. As a matter of fact He hates that! Idol worship is a serious thing. Look at verse 5, last phrase – “..of those who hate me.” God is a jealous God and desires our worship exclusively.
Duet. 4:15-16 speaks of “For your own good don’t sin by making an idol in any form at all.” The emphasis is on “For your own good.”
The outcome of idol worship:
A. Idols will Disappoint You
They always promise more than they can deliver. Jeremiah 10:14 says: “Those who make idols are disillusioned because the gods they made are false and lifeless.”
We think that if we wear this label we’ll be popular.
When you drink this certain beer it doesn’t get any better than this.
If you buy this toothpaste you’ll have sex appeal.
If you play this casino you will win big.
Anytime you put your expectation in something other than God you will be disappointed. Only God can fill the vacuum in your heart.
B. Idols will Dominate You
Paul said, “Before you knew Christ you were controlled by dead idols, who always led you astray.” 1 Cor.12:2 Emphasis on the words “controlled” and “always led astray.”
The word we use today for idols is the word – “Addiction.” You can become addicted to work, sports, sex, drugs, etc. Do you have an addiction?
You will be led astray. Some men seek after a job promotion so much they neglect their families. Some people feed a habit so much that it destroys their health.
Some of you are so concerned for the approval of or disapproval of a person in your life that it dominates your life. You are not just co-dependent, you are involved in idolatry!
C. Idols will Deform You.
They will change you. They’ll warp you. We become like what we value most.
Ps. 115:8 says, Those who make idols become like them and so will those who trust in them.”
We shape an idol and then it shapes us.
Rich young ruler (yuppie) came to Christ and said “What must I do to follow you and have eternal life?” Jesus gave an odd answer, “Sell everything, give it to the poor and come follow Me.” No other time did Jesus say that to anybody. Why did He say it to this man? Because Jesus knew this man had an idol in his life – money, his bank account. What are you holding on to today? A relationship, a lifestyle, a career, a habit? An idol!
A $50 dollar bill doesn’t look so big when you go through the check out lane at the grocery store does it? Why does it look so big when the offering plate is passed around in church?
A family was going home from church and the father was complaining: “The sermon was too long, the music was too loud, the room was too hot.” His little boy in the back seat said, “Dad, I didn’t think it was such a bad show for a buck.”
Idols will distract you, dominate you, disappoint you and they will eventually destroy you. God says in this second Commandment “Don’t Idolize Anything!”
II. Worship Only God.
Vs. 6 “but showing love to a thousand {generations} of those who love me and keep my commandments.”
What is worship? It means to give our highest love and devotion. Have you ever heard someone say, “I worship the ground she walks on.” God says, “Worship only me.”
Romans 1:25 “Many exchange the truth about God for a lie; they worship and serve what God has created instead of the Creator Himself.”
It’s amazing what people will worship today. Some worship nature – radical environmentalists. They worship trees and forests. Some worship astrology, crystals, good luck charms, animals.
Why would people want to make God into a statue or a form that they can bow down to?
A. It is an Attempt to Corner God
If I can put him in a statue or in a crystal, then I can know exactly where he is. If I don’t want him to be around I can put him in a drawer, or leave him at home. That way I can feel a lot better when I do something wrong. If I can keep God on a shelf or at church, then I’ve got him under control – cornered.
B. It is an Attempt to Constrain God
I’m going to whittle Him down to size. If I have God in a statue or box or in an idea (God’s only in the Bible), then God is less imposing, less threatening.
We have reversed what the Bible says in Genesis, chapter one, “Let us make man in our image.” We are saying instead, “Let us make God in man’s image.”
A little girl was drawing a picture at school and she told her teacher, “I’m drawing a picture of God.” The teacher said, “But nobody knows what God looks like.” The little girl said, “They will when I get done.”
Isn’t that what we do, draw our own picture of God with how we live?
C. It is an Attempt to Control God
When you have an idol, the worshipper has more control. Lots of people want a god that they can manipulate.
Its like the little boy who wanted a new bicycle and told his mom. She said, “Why don’t you pray about it?” He decided to write a letter to Jesus. “Dear Jesus, I want a new bicycle and I’ve been perfect for the last year.” He knew that wasn’t right so he threw that piece of paper away. He wrote, “Dear Jesus, I’ve been a good boy most of the time.” He knew that was wrong so he started again, “Dear Jesus, I want to be a good boy.” He knew that wasn’t right either, so he threw that away too. He goes into the living room, grabs the statue of Mary, wraps it in a towel and throws it under the bed. Then he writes, “If you ever want to see your mother again…”
We reason to God, “You owe me this.” “I deserve this.” But, we can’t manipulate God. He manipulates us.
There are three benefits of worshipping God only:
1. It will fulfill Me
Ps. 37:4 “Seek your happiness in the Lord and He will give you your heart’s desire.”
Many people who come to Christ late in life will say, “My only regret is that I didn’t come to Christ sooner.” They are enjoying life so much more now.
Rom. 10:11 “Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed.” Don’t settle for an image of God; receive the real thing.
2. It will Deliver Me
Jesus said, “You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free.”
The Bible says, “If the Son sets you free, you shall be free indeed!”
(1) Set free from the approval of others. You don’t have to please 30 people- you can’t. Live for an audience of One – God.
(2) You are set free from your past – forgiven. Set free from Your present- empowered to break habits. Set free from Your future – not afraid of dying.
3. It will Develop Me
2 Corinthians 3:18 “We are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.”
We are being changed into His image.
Conclusion
What do you idolize? What or whom do you worship? God wants you to worship Him and Him only. Will you commit your life to Him today? For you and your family you can pray a simple prayer, “Jesus, I want to know you, worship you, follow you.”
