Selected Scriptures
DATE: 7 Jan, 2001 PM
PLACE: BBC Blarney
I.
Introduction (Genesis 31:17-19, 34, 35)
A.
Rachel
had idols, but her husband was not aware of them. She HID the idols she stole
from her father. One of the crimes of the Old Testament was the fact that God's
people were given to idolatry during their history.
B.
Many of
God's people today practice idolatry, but they have hidden it. The hidden idol I
want to talk about tonight is covetousness! The Bible says:
Colossians 3:5 Mortify therefore your members which
are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil
concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:
C.
Anything
that you desire, lust after, or want that is more than the Lord and what HE
wants you to have is an idol.
D.
In that
case, the following things can be idols in every one of our lives!
II.
Message
A.
Pleasure Can Be An Idol (2Tim 3:1-4)
1.
The heart
of the Christian is to be dominated not by feelings, but by the Lord Jesus
Himself.
a.
What is
FUN, could be BITTER at the last
b.
What
FEELS good, could be BAD
c.
Why?
Because my belly yells louder than Jesus does (Phil;p 3:19)
d.
This
world’s emphasis is on SEX, and PLEASURE
1)
Education
has to be FUN
2)
Even
going to the DOCTOR now has to be fun
3)
So, I
guess CHURCH has to be FUN too, huh?;-)
2.
So, look
at your “pleasures” and see which ones have more importance to you than your
life for Jesus
a.
Computer
games
b.
Holidays
c.
Fishing,
Hunting
d.
Reading
these stupid “romance” novels!
e.
Talking
even about good things that you like to do, that actually take you away from
reading the Bible, and talking to sinners, and spending time with your family,
and being in church
B.
Profit Can Be An Idol (1Tim 6:10)
1.
If we
sacrifice our wives and children to obtain it – most do, and even MOST
CHRISTIANS DO!
2.
If we
sacrifice our ways of consecration to obtain it
a.
Faithful
church attendance
b.
Work in
the church – a ministry, prayer meeting, bible Study on Wednesday evening
3.
If we
sacrifice the will of Christ to obtain it
a.
Many
won’t preach because there is no money in it
b.
Many
won’t surrender to go to the missionary field because no profit
c.
God send
us revival!
C.
Popularity Can Be An Idol (Luke 6:26; Acts 12:20-24)
1.
Don’t
follow the crowd
a.
The
majority is almost always wrong folks –
b.
The
multitudes are going to hell
2.
Most
saved people have little discernment about popularity
a.
They have
little walk with God, so HIS praise means little
b.
They have
a BIG walk with this world, so THEIR praise means most (Jn 12:42,43)
3.
Folks,
let’s destroy our idolatry of popularity – worrying what others think about
us, and find out what GOD thinks. Otherwise:
a.
Noah
would never have built the Ark
b.
Abraham
never would have left his home for the Promised Land
c.
Moses
never would have stayed at it, pressing Pharaoh to let Israel go free (even the
Israelites disagreed over how to handle the situation)
d.
Paul
wouldn’t have won most of the First Century world to God
D.
Peace Can Be An Idol (Mt 10:34-36)
1.
If it is
at the expense of separation (Ps 28:3)
a.
People
allow all sorts of rubbish into their lives so that the kids “will be happy”
b.
People go
along with all sorts of sin at work, or with the buddies so that “the peace”
can be maintained
c.
Families
will never talk about heaven and hell issues in the interest of PEACE!
2.
If it is
at the expense of the scriptures
a.
Oh,
don’t try and show folks the issue of Bible Versions – No, no, no
b.
Don’t
talk about how kids ought to dress
c.
Don’t
correct foul-mouths, and bad attitudes
d.
No –
not if we want PEACE
3.
If it is
at the expense of service to God
a.
Your
family will think you have “flipped”
b.
Sometimes,
the will of God causes great strife – even in your own heart (Lk 9:57-62)
1)
All these
men were called of God
2)
Yet none
of them had perfect peace about it
3)
Perfect
peace only comes through trusting obedience
E.
Power Can Be An Idol (Isa 14:13)
1.
The world
makes “success” their idol
2.
But,
Service is the supreme attitude in God’s Book - humility
a.
Serving
the Lord
b.
Serving
Christians
c.
Serving
the Lost
d.
Serving
your family
e.
Not
CONTROLLING anybody by your “abilities” and superiority
3.
Service
is the secret to leadership
a.
A real
leader, ministers
b.
The
devil’s lie is that you have to keep people under your thumb
c.
No! Just
minister to them, and preach the truth
4.
Service
is success
a.
When a
person begins to serve the Lord, doing God’s will, they already are successful
b.
When GOD
is your God, you can’t help but give, serve, sacrifice, suffer, and love!
F.
Possessions Can Be An Idol (Mt 19:21-22)
1.
If you
love them
a.
Possessions
are to be tools
1)
To help
you raise your family
2)
To help
you serve God
3)
To help
you accomplish God’s will
b.
When your
possessions become God
1)
You spend
all your time with them, instead of your family
2)
You spend
all your money on THEM instead of tithing, and giving to missions
3)
You talk
only about bigger toys, and more powerful THINGS
2.
If you
live for them
a.
People
seem to LIVE for
1)
Bigger
car – showing off
2)
Bigger
computers
3)
Fancier
mobile phones
4)
Better
clothes
b.
So few
seem to even WANT to live for Jesus (Philp 4:11; 1Tim 6:6,8; Heb 13:5)
3.
If you
leave God and His will, for them
a.
Like
leaving your wife for another woman
b.
Like
leaving your kids for a “better” life without kids
c.
People
leave church all the time for just the same reasons
1)
To be in
a church where there are “people of distinction”
2)
To be
able to spend more time earning money to buy bigger toys
3)
Oh GOD
help deliver us!
G.
People Can Be An Idol (Luke 14:26; Mt 10:37)
1.
This is
exhibited at funerals
a.
Do you
remember how the Lord responded to the man who wanted to wait until after the
funeral of his father to travel in the Lord's service?
b.
His dad
was more important to him than Jesus
c.
Peter
left ALL (Lk 18:28-30)
2.
This is
exhibited at family reunions
a.
Do you
know why family reunions are so often held on Sundays? -- because HEATHEN are
the ones holding the reunions!
b.
THEY want
to be GOD!
c.
Don’t
let them. YOU set the pace, and tell them you will be there AFTER church, and
invite them come instead FIRST to Church!
3.
This is
exhibited at free time – vacations, or even just visits (too much time spent
with someone at the expense of others)!
a.
Christians
should witness while on vacation.
b.
Christians
should be in church while on vacation.
c.
Christians
should walk with God while on vacation! Take your Bible, and have devotions!
AMEN!
III.
Conclusion – Idols We have hidden Away
A.
The Idols
WE ALL have hidden away
1.
Pleasure Can Be An Idol (2Tim 3:1-4)
2.
Profit Can Be An Idol (1Tim 6:10)
3.
Popularity Can Be An Idol (Luke 6:26; Acts 12:20-24)
4.
Peace Can Be An Idol (Mt 10:34-36)
5.
Power Can Be An Idol (Isa 14:13)
6.
Possessions Can Be An Idol (Mt 19:21-22)
7.
People Can Be An Idol (Luke 14:26; Mt 10:37)
B.
The Right
Response to Idolatry in a Church
1.
Ex
32:19,20 – Hate it, burn it out with repentance
2.
Acts
17:16 – preach against it – take SIDES!
3.
1 Cor
10:14 – Flee from all forms of idolatry
4.
1Thes 1:9
– Fill your life up instead with service for God
5.
1John
5:21 – Keep yourself from ever going back under their bondage