H2O Church
This is part four of our study of God's nature. In this talk, we'll look at the JEALOUSY of God. Is God petty, small, self-centered, and vindictive? Or does the jealousy of God explain fundamental truths about human nature and the fiery passionate God?
Exodus 34:14 ESV
1. The Lens of The Exodus Story
Exodus 20:1-5 ESV
“there are more idols in the world than there are realities.” Friedrich Nietzsche
“From this we may gather that man’s nature, so to speak, is a perpetual factory of idols.” – John Calvin
“Our contemporary society is not fundamentally different from these ancient ones. Each culture is dominated by its own set of idols. Each has its “priesthoods,” its totems and rituals. Each one has its shrines—whether office towers, spas and gyms, studios, or stadiums—where sacrifices must be made in order to procure the blessings of the good life and ward off disaster. What are the gods of beauty, power, money, and achievement but these same things that have assumed mythic proportions in our individual lives and in our society?” Tim Keller
2. The Lens of The Writing of James
James 4:1-5 ESV
3. The Lens of Jesus Himself
Revelation 2:2-5 ESV
"In the total expanse of human life there is not a single square inch of which the Christ, who alone is sovereign, does not declare, 'That is mine!’" Abraham Kuyper
The Lordship of Christ liberates us to become the people we were created to be. If Christ is not Master, then someone or something else will enslave us. Charles Stanley
“The more we get what we now call ‘ourselves’ out of the way and let Him take us over, the more truly ourselves we become.” C.S. Lewis
Stuff I hope you get
1. Description of spiritual adultery should both challenge us and give us a beautiful insight into God. He understands our relationship to him as nothing less than marriage. This means that GOD WANTS YOUR HEART.
2.The Emphasis on worshipping God so we don’t commit idolatry gives us a big clue to human nature. Either we worship God, or we WILL make an idol. Human beings have to worship something! Something must capture our heart’s imagination, our fundamental allegiance. We can’t escape it. We’re hard-wired to worship.
3. Idolatry is taking a good thing and making it an ULTIMATE thing. We can make ANYTHING an idol: sex, money, power, control. These are obvious. But how about being “connected” through social media? Or what people think of us? Or being right? Or being authentic?
4. Idolatry is COSTLY. How many men, in particular, have ruined their marriages and damaged their kids by not being around. They worshipped at the altar of achievement and offered the sacrifice of their children.
5. Idolatry never gives ultimate SATISFACTION because it grants the throne of our heart to something less than God. I feel like my life is one big long lesson of learning that nothing other than Jesus Christ can quench the thirst of my soul.
So how do you recognize your golden calf?
What do I want to have more than anything else? If only ________, then I’d be happy.
What am I most afraid of happening?
Where do I run for comfort?
What do I complain about the most?
What makes me happiest?
What has caused me to be angry with God?
What do I brag about?
What do I sacrifice the most for in my life?
Whose approval am I seeking?
What do I want to control/master?