gods at war Pastor Dave Jansen September 29, 2019 Series: Slaying gods

You must not have any other god but me. You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea. You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods. --Exodus 20:3-5 (NLT)

Idolatry is the heart of the problem

What disappoints me?

What disappoints me? What do I complain about the most?

What disappoints me? What do I complain about the most? Where do I make financial sacrifices?

What disappoints me? What do I complain about the most? Where do I make financial sacrifices? What worries me?

What disappoints me? What do I complain about the most? Where do I make financial sacrifices? What worries me? What do you run to?

What disappoints me? What do I complain about the most? Where do I make financial sacrifices? What worries me? What do you run to? What makes my blood boil?

What disappoints me? What do I complain about the most? Where do I make financial sacrifices? What worries me? What do you run to? What makes my blood boil? What do I dream about?

Idolatry is a problem of the heart

Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. --Proverbs 4:23 (NLT)

Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. --Proverbs 4:23 (NLT) As a face is reflected in water, so the heart reflects the real person. --Proverbs 27:19 (NLT)

But the words you speak come from the heart—that’s what defiles you. --Matthew 15:18 (NLT)

“It is what comes from inside that defiles you “It is what comes from inside that defiles you. For from within, out of a person’s heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness. All these vile things come from within; they are what defile you.” --Mark 7:20-23 (NLT)

You must worship no other gods, for the Lord, whose very name is Jealous, is a God who is jealous about his relationship with you. --Exodus 34:14 (NLT)

We must make a choice

So fear the Lord and serve him wholeheartedly So fear the Lord and serve him wholeheartedly. Put away forever the idols your ancestors worshiped when they lived beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt. Serve the Lord alone. But if you refuse to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve. (cont’d) --Joshua 24:14-15 (NLT)

Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.” --Joshua 24:14-15 (NLT)

You can choose the gods of your parents

You can also choose the gods of your past

You can also choose the gods of your present

Or you can choose to serve God of all power

No pagan god is like you, O Lord. None can do what you do! --Psalm 86:8 (NLT)

“The opposite of theism is not atheism, it’s idolatry.” --Peter Kreeft--

Our choice makes us

After Joshua sent the people away, each of the tribes left to take possession of the land allotted to them. And the Israelites served the Lord throughout the lifetime of Joshua and the leaders who outlived him—those who had seen all the great things the Lord had done for Israel. (cont’d) --Judges 2:6-10 (NLT)

Joshua son of Nun, the servant of the Lord, died at the age of 110…After that generation died, another generation grew up who did not acknowledge the Lord or remember the mighty things he had done for Israel. --Judges 2:6-10 (NLT)

gods at war Pastor Dave Jansen September 29, 2019 Series: Slaying gods