1. Idolatry January 27, 2013

2. What is worship? Investing our time, talent and treasure. Passionate, devoted, concerned and giving of ourselves. It is the hope of our future. It is the foundation of our life. The Bible tells us to worship the Creator and enjoy created things. Our worship never starts or stops. We are created worshipping. We love to make much of something that is bigger than ourselves.

3. What is idolatry? Idolatry is a worship issue. Everyone is always worshipping. The question is, “Who or what are you worshipping?” Idolatry is worshipping created things instead of the Creator. When you make a good thing into a God thing, it becomes a bad thing.

4. Old Testament - Idolatry Isaiah 40:18-31 Isaiah 44:9-22 Habakkuk 2:18-20

5. New Testament - Idolatry Romans 1:18-25 We exchanged the truth of God for a lie. Exchanging the worship of Creator with the created things. - definition of idolatry

6. How Do We Begin To Worship False Idols? You define what you conceive of as hell. fat hell rejection hell stupid hell helpless hell unemployed hell ugly hell no technology hell untalented hell not famous hell

7. This leads you to find a functional savior to deliver your from your hell You sacrifice your morals to get into the popular crowd to get you out of rejection hell You get out of “no attention” hell by hurting yourself. You get out of untalented hell by pouring money into trainers and spending hours upon hours in the gym You get out of ugly hell by getting plastic surgery and unhealthy diets You get out of technology hell by making poor financial decisions to get a Mac.

8. These functional saviors are often good things Working out is a good thing A husband or wife is a good thing. Being excellent at what you do is a good thing. When we elevate something good into the status of something divine, we are in trouble.

9. Idols make promises they never keep If I just marry this man, then my life will be complete. If I just lose 10 pounds, then everyone will love me. If I give my body to my boyfriend, then he will take care of me. If I play enough hours on xbox, then I will have joy. If I get plastic surgery, then I will find joy in everyone talking about me.

10. 6 Common Idols Money Idolatry having no money is your hell having money is hell. Only Jesus alone is your righteousness and joy.

11. 6 Common Idols Family Idolatry worshipping secure relationships making your last name great worshipping your wife/husband to give you rest and assurance. Jesus is our only security, Jesus is the only name worth investing in and Jesus is the only one that can give us rest and assurance.

12. 6 Common Idols Sexual Idolatry this is the number one religion in the world. people think its more enjoyable to have sex before marriage than to obey God. this is an act of offering our bodies as living sacrifices on the altar of the bed. Our bodies are only worth sacrificing to Jesus alone.

13. 6 Common Idols Substance Idolatry Drugs, Alcohol and Food When you are stressed, what do you go to? Restaurants are altars for people. Jesus alone brings comfort. Cast your cares on Him.

14. 6 Common Idols Morality Idolatry Do you worship your performance? Is your righteousness based on what you do for God? Jesus alone is our righteousness. We can’t earn it.

15. 6 Common Idols People Idolatry Proverbs 29:25 Some of us tweet just for others to think we are smart. Do you exaggerate a lot to make people impressed with you? Whose disapproval would absolutely devastate you? We replace God with people. We call it “peer-pressure.” Jesus alone is who we should fear.

16. How Should We Respond? We need to respond in repentance. We need to run away from our functional saviors and run to the only savior - King Jesus.

17. How Should We Respond? Confession - mouth and mind Mouth - Say “I am sorry” out loud to others and God. Mind - Saturate your mind with more of Jesus and less of culture. Read your bible more.

18. How Should We Respond? Contrition - expression and emotion Don’t say sorry just because you got caught. Pray for a genuine repentance.

19. How Should We Respond? Change - will and works Intentionally decide to come to church more Set up a time and a place to daily read your bible Continue to repent daily.