Rated R: Idolatry

Title: A Firm Foundation

Passage: Psalms 115:1-8

“Not to us, Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory because of your faithful love, because of your truth. 2 Why should the nations say, “Where is their God?” 3 Our God is in heaven and does whatever he pleases. 4 Their idols are silver and gold, made by human hands. 5 They have mouths but cannot speak, eyes, but cannot see. 6 They have ears but cannot hear, noses, but cannot smell. 7 They have hands but cannot feel, feet, but cannot walk. They cannot make a sound with their throats. 8 Those who make them are just like them, as are all who trust in them.”

Pray: (Pause 3-5 seconds)

Background: When the psalms were written there were many who worshiped idols made of wood, stone, and metal. They took great pride in what they created, so much so that it led to them worshiping their own creations. Unfortunately not much has changed from today. When we make our relationships, careers, or our hobbies an object of our worship then we two are guilty of idolatry. An idol is anything natural that is given sacred value and power!

If any of the following questions is anything or anyone other than God, you may need to check out who or what you are worshipping.

• Who created me?
• Whom do I ultimately trust?
• Whom do I look to for ultimate truth?
• Whom do I look to for security and happiness?
• Who is in charge of my future?

BIG IDEA: After our time together it’s my prayer that idols are torn down in your life and God alone is at the center! It’s my aim that at the end of the service you are confident that you are standing on a firm foundation in Jesus Christ. That you are both building and centering your life on God and God alone.

Story: My love for my wife. We just celebrated our 8th anniversary. 8 years married and 6 kids. I love her! My affections, attention, and trust me… my resources are channeled in her direction amen! But She’s still my number 2. So relationships, if we’re not careful can become an idol.

There’s also another relationship that can become an idol….

“I hold back, sometimes I won't, yuh

I feel good, sometimes I don't, ay, don't

I finessed down Weston Road, ay, 'nessed

Might go down a G.O.D., yeah, wait” - Drake

Self can also become an idol and we can set ourselves up for failure by idolizing our image, status, and health.

Main Points: 3 truths about idols

1. Idols are created by humanity

   1. Idols are created in our minds and hearts. We build them with our attention and affections. We may not physically bow down to them, but when we put our attention (the things we focus on), affections (the things that drive our trust and love), and resources (the things that provide comfort and stability) to those things, they become idols in our lives.
   2. Question: What are some idols in your life? What are some things in your life that drive your attention, affections, and resources?

   3. Let’s have an honest conversation about the reality of idols in our generation.

      1. Social media, career, family planning, spouse, health, status, or relationships in your life…

      2. When we make any of these areas idols in our lives then we create them to be something God never intended them to be.

         1. When this happens, we take something that was meant for abundance, and morph them to something that creates dysfunction and disorder in our lives.
         2. Illust: Building Timber Hills Reno

      3. The clearest picture of making something an idol in my life was when my wife and I purchased a foreclosure home in Tennessee. God provided this opportunity through a miraculous string of events, but quickly it became an idol in my life.

         5. Quote: “There is nothing, and there can be nothing, which ought to be supreme in your affections save your Lord; and if you worship anything, or any ideal, whatever it may be, if you love that more than you love your God, you are an idolater” - C. H. Spurgeon

      4. Idols are self-centered

         1. We make something an idol when we put our trust in it more than we trust in God!
         2. The first 2 commands of God

      5. “Do not have other gods besides me” and “Do not make an idol for yourself…” - Exodus 20:3-4 CSB

         1. I’ve taken a long hard look at God’s Word this week as it relates to idolatry and it is clear that God will not share His glory with anything or anyone else!
         2. He alone is worthy of our worship!
         3. So what does that mean for us? If you want God to bless it… don’t take credit for it!
            3. Question: Who is at the center of your marriage? Who is at the center of your career? Who is at the center of your relationships? Who is at the center of your hobbies?

      6. If you are a barista in a coffee shop, are you walking in that coffee shop just waiting to bless somebody?

      7. If you run a business, how are you managing that business so that God alone gets the glory?
      8. If you’re having difficulties in parenting… aka, if you’re a parent… then how are you trusting God with your kids future?
         4. If you are at the center then you are on shaky ground.

      9. Idols are powerless and ineffective

         1. “Those who make them are just like them, as are all who trust in them.” - Psalms 115:8
         2. Illust: you are what you eat

      10. Who in here today is one giant oreo? Who in here today is a carton of ice cream? Ok, let me speak to the healthy people in the room, who is a bowl of kale?

      11. Carotenosis (*picture*)
      12. The concept of the phrase “you are what you eat” comes from the belief that if you eat healthy, then you will be healthy. I believe the same is true in our worship.
      13. You are what you worship! If you worship God, then you will be more like Him! But if you worship idols, then you will become powerless and ineffective in the Kingdom of God!

      14. You will take on the characteristics of what you worship.

          3. Let’s take greed as an example. If you keep your resources for yourself and don’t give back to God, then you have made money an idol. You worship money, therefore you become greedy.

      15. “No one can serve two masters, since either he will hate one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” - Matthew 6:24 CSB

      16. You might say “I haven’t made money an idol… I’m just being responsible.” I would ask, “responsible to who?” Who do you trust more to provide for you? God or your own efforts? Trusting in anything for what God alone can provides is a form of idolatry.
      17. Therefore, put to death what belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desire, and greed, which is idolatry.” - Colossians 3:5 CSB
          4. Greed is just one example, but what about sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires? Do you trust God’s plan over you own. Is God at the center of these areas of your life?
          5. Question: What’s holding you back from tearing down these idols in your life and making God Lord of ALL?

Closing:

Idols in and of themselves are lifeless. But thanks be to God that we serve a living God that gives us life, power, and purpose beyond comprehension.

Invitation: Let’s build our life on a firm foundation. Let’s put our trust and hope in the Living God.

“They have mouths but cannot speak, eyes, but cannot see. 6 They have ears but cannot hear, noses, but cannot smell. 7 They have hands but cannot feel, feet, but cannot walk. They cannot make a sound with their throats.”

The dead idols lacked the attributes of our Living God.

No mouths - they cannot speak to their people, make covenants, give promises, guidance, or encouragement. Our God speaks to us!

No eyes - They offer their followers no protection or oversight. Our God’s eyes are upon us and we can trust Him. (Psalms 32:8, 1 Peter 3:12)

No ears - No matter how much the idolaters pray, their gods cannot hear them! Our God’s eyes are upon us and His ears open to our cries. (Psalms 34:15)

No noses - This speaks of God receiving our worship as a fragrant offering and being pleased with what we bring Him. (Eph. 5:2, Phil. 4:18)

No hands - Our God is able to work for us as we seek to serve Him. His fingers made the universe (Ps. 8:3) and His arm brought salvation (Is. 53:1).

No feet - The people had to carry their idols (Is. 4:2-7; Jer. 10:1-10), but our God carries us and walks with us. (Is. 41:10,13)

Would somebody stand and let’s give God a shout of praise this evening for being worthy of our praise! Give Him glory and honor for His faithfulness and truth! He is the one true God! He is the Living God! He alone is worthy! Hallelujah!

Song: Build My Life

Bridge:

You will take on the characteristics of what or who you worship. Let’s tear down and remove all of the idols we’ve created in our lives and make God the center of our whole lives! Let’s build our lives on a firm foundation in Christ Jesus! Who loves us, who sees us, who hears us, who walks with us, who carries us, who leads us in the paths of righteousness for His names sake!

Let’s pray.