IDOLATRY MAKING A GOOD THING THE ULTIMATE THING

Cecil B. DeMille’s The Ten Commandments The ‘Golden Calf scene’ Cecil B. DeMille’s The Ten Commandments The ‘Golden Calf scene’

Mankind has a way of distorting the best of life into the worst of life!

Exodus 20:4-6 4 “You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath… Exodus 20:4-6 4 “You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath…

…or that is in the water under the earth; 5 you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers…

…upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, 6 but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.

Isaiah 2:7-8 7 “Their land is also full of silver and gold, and there is no end to their treasures; Their land is also full of horses, and there is no end… Isaiah 2:7-8 7 “Their land is also full of silver and gold, and there is no end to their treasures; Their land is also full of horses, and there is no end…

…to their chariots. 8 Their land is also full of idols; they worship the work of their own hands, that which their own fingers have made.

1 Corinthians 8:1-6 8 Now concerning things offered to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies. 1 Corinthians 8:1-6 8 Now concerning things offered to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies.

2 And if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know. 3 But if anyone loves God, this one is known by Him. 4 Therefore…

…concerning the eating of things offered to idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is no other God but one. 5 For even if there…

…are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many gods and many lords), 6 yet for us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things…

…and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live.

POWER Distortion: A longing for personal influence or recognition POWER Distortion: A longing for personal influence or recognition

Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

2 Corinthians 12:9 “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. 2 Corinthians 12:9 “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.

…most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

CONTROL Distortion: A longing to have everything go according to my plan CONTROL Distortion: A longing to have everything go according to my plan

Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”

COMFORT Distortion: A longing for temporal pleasure COMFORT Distortion: A longing for temporal pleasure

Psalm 1:1-3 “Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; Psalm 1:1-3 “Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful;

…but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. 3 He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water…

…that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.”

APPROVAL Distortion: A longing to be accepted or desired APPROVAL Distortion: A longing to be accepted or desired

Ecclesiasts 4:4 “Again, I saw that for all toil and every skillful work a man is envied by his neighbor. This also is vanity and grasping for the wind.” Ecclesiasts 4:4 “Again, I saw that for all toil and every skillful work a man is envied by his neighbor. This also is vanity and grasping for the wind.”

The Answer to Idolatry Resting & Trusting in the Lord The Answer to Idolatry Resting & Trusting in the Lord

Micah 6:7-8 “Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression… Micah 6:7-8 “Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression…

…the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly…

…to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?

IDOLATRY MAKING A GOOD THING THE ULTIMATE THING