Eastern Hills Baptist Church
Sermon Series: TEN - A Look at God's Unwavering Commands
Welcome to Eastern Hills Baptist Church
We are so glad that you decided to join us in worship today. Here at Eastern Hills we realize that we are all in different places on our journey with Christ, and that's okay. Whether you are a seeker, looking for answers, or a long-time follower of Christ, you are welcome here.
Exodus 20:4-6 CSB
Exodus 32:1-6 CSB
This Morning's Key Points:
1) Idols are created things that take the place of God.
• Nothing created is to be used as the object of our worship at any time.
2) Idolatry has consequences.
3) Faithfulness has consequences.
Exodus 20:4 CSB
“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. A counterfeit god is anything so central and essential to your life that should you lose it, your life would feel hardly worth living.”
-- Tim Keller, Counterfeit Gods: The Empty Promises of Money, Sex, and Power, and the Only Hope that Matters
"Idols do not have to be figures made of stone or precious metal; they do not have to be things that you can touch and hold at all. In fact, I suspect that some of the most powerful idols exist only in the mind. Human understanding is a workshop where idols are continually being crafted. Idolatry has always been around, and it always will be. The only thing that changes is the nature of the idols."
-- J. John, Ten: laws of love set in stone
Pastor Bill's definition of an idol:
When anything other than God becomes ultimate in our lives, when anything threatens to take God’s rightful place in our hearts and minds, then that is an idol.
Exodus 32:4 CSB
Isaiah 44:12-20 CSB
Statements to consider:
• God gives purpose, meaning, and fulfillment to my life.
• God governs the way I act.
• God is the focal point around which my existence hangs.
• I spend a lot of time thinking about God.
• God is my comfort when I am down.
• I desire more of God.
--Adapted from J. John, Ten: Laws of Love Set in Stone
Exodus 32:5 CSB
Golden Calf vs. Almighty God:
It is small, but God is immense.
It is inanimate, but God is the ever-living Spirit.
It is location-bound, but God is everywhere fully present.
It is created, but God is uncreated.
It is new, but God is eternal.
It is impotent, but God is omnipotent.
It is destructible, but God is indestructible.
It is of minor value, but God is of infinite value.
It is blind and deaf and mute, but God sees, hears, and speaks.
-- Jen Wilkin, Ten Words to Live By
Colossians 1:15-20 CSB
Isaiah 42:8 CSB
Exodus 20:5 CSB
2 Corinthians 11:2-3 CSB
Romans 1:18-23 CSB
Four Generation Fade
Parents don’t model that walking with God is a high priority for their kids;
Those kids grow up and make it less of a priority for their kids;
Those kids grow up and make it zero priority for their kids;
Those kids grow up without any real understanding of God.
-- adapted from Shane Pruitt, post on Instagram
1 John 5:21 CSB
Exodus 20:6 CSB
John 14:15 CSB
TAKE IT HOME:
Discuss this as a family this week:
-- What was one thing that stood out to you in this message?
-- Do you agree with Pastor Bill's definition of an idol? Why or why not?
-- Do you have an example in your life of a time that an everyday "something" became an idol that took God's place? If so, will you share?
-- Why is it right for God to be jealous when we follow after idols?