Stronger

September 24th & 25th

Pastor Josh Blount

"Worship Must Be Stronger Than Idolatry"

Idolatry the worship of someone or something other than God as though it were God.

Worship - To kneel, to bow, to lay face down in reverence.

Worship Is Kingship Expressed

Romans 1:18-25
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. 19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they did not worship him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things. 24 Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, 25 because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.

Idolatry is a Disorder

Romans 1:21
For although they knew God, they did not worship him as God

Exodus 20:3
You shall have no other Gods before me.

Luke 10:27
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’

Matthew 6:33 
Seek the Kingdom of God above all else

An Idol is anything we place above God in our life…

Tim Keller
And idol is anything more important to you than God, anything that absorbs your heart and imagination more than God, anything you seek to give you what only God can give. We think idols are bad things, but that's almost never the case. The greater, the good, the more likely we are to expect that it can satisfy our deepest needs and hopes. Anything can serve as a counterfeit God, especially the very best things in life.

David Foster Wallace
In the day-to day trenches of adult life, there is actually no such thing as atheism. There is no such thing as not worshipping. Everybody worships. The only choice we get is what to worship. And the compelling reason for maybe choosing some sort of god or spiritual-type thing to worship is that pretty much anything else you worship will eat you alive. If you worship money and things, if they are where you tap real meaning in life, then you will never have enough, never feel you have enough. Worship your own body and beauty and sexual allure and you will always feel ugly, and when time and age start showing, you will die a million deaths before they finally plant you. Worship power, you will end up feeling weak and afraid, and you will need ever more power over others to numb you to your own fear. Worship your intellect, being seen as smart, you will end up feeling stupid, a fraud, always on the verge of being found out. On one level, we all know this stuff already - The trick is keeping the truth up front in daily consciousness."

A disordered life leads to an “out of order” life.

John 15:5
Apart from me you can do nothing

1. Idols Deceive

Romans 1:21-22
They became futile in their thinking, 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools

Idols function as counterfeits

Jeremiah 29:13
“You will find me when you seek me with ALL your heart.”

You’re as close to God as you choose to be.

James 4:8
Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.

WHEN YOU KNOW THE REAL YOU CAN SPOT THE FAKE

2. Idols Disconnect

Romans 1:18
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. 24 Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity

The passive wrath of God is God backing away to allow people to experience the results of their rebellion. 

Romans 1:24
Therefore God gave them up

Proverbs 14:12
There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.

1. Repent

Acts 3:19
Repent, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,

Metanoia
Meta = change | Noia = mind

Romans 12:2
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind

2. Take An Aggressive Stance Against Idols

Deuteronomy 12:3
Tear down their altars, smash their sacred pillars, burn up their Asherah poles, cut down the idols of their gods, and wipe out their names from every place.

1. It’s Important To God

2. It’s Important To You

3. It’s Important To The Church

Romans 15:5-6
May God, who gives us patience and encouragement, help us live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus. Then we can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God.