This week we are beginning a 4 week study on Biblical Leadership. Each lesson will highlight some scriptural example of leadership. This first week we are looking at one of the poorest leaders in the Bible, Rehoboam.
The dilemma: Jeroboam said, "Your father made our yoke hard; now therefore lighten the hard service of your father and his heavy yoke which he put on us, and we will serve you."
Elders Advice: "If you will be kind to this people and please them and speak good words to them, then they will be your servants forever."
Young Men: Thus you shall say to them, 'My little finger is thicker than my father's loins! 'Whereas my father loaded you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke; my father disciplined you with whips, but I will discipline you with scorpions.'
Did King Rehoboam demonstrate any wisdom in his approach?
What do you think motivated him to choose his response?
How did the people of Israel respond?
Were there any other options King Rehoboam could have considered?
How did this decision affect his future as a leader?
How did this decision affect the Israelites?
When you get conflicting advice, how do you evaluate it to see what is the best decision?
What can we learn about leadership from Rehoboam?
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Week 5 Power as an Idol
Week 5 Power as an Idol
This week we will be talking about Power as an Idol. This is another one of those good things, that taken too far (to become the ultimate thing) can be an idol.
What are some synonyms for Power?
Control, Pride, In-charge, Command.
How do people demonstrate their power?
What are some symbols of Power? Air Force One
1981 Alexander Haig – After the assassination attempt on Reagan, V.P. George Bush was not around and Al was in the White House, so he told reporters, “ I am in control here”.
Richard will be preaching on this using Nebuchadnezzar, so I thought we would look at a different passage this morning.
1 Samuel 13:8-14 Saul
Saul decided to take charge and make the burnt offering sacrifice.
What do you think motivated him to do this?
What were the consequences of Saul’s actions?
What is the opposite of Power – Humility, Weakness, ….
One other scripture on Power:
Luke 22:24-27
How does Jesus describe the kings of the Gentiles?
Jesus – the most powerful – is the one who serves the most.
What could you look for to find out if someone held Power in the position of an Idol?
Can an everyday person (like us) elevate the desire for power above our desire to know God?
What would that look like?
How can we avoid it?
This week we will be talking about Power as an Idol. This is another one of those good things, that taken too far (to become the ultimate thing) can be an idol.
What are some synonyms for Power?
Control, Pride, In-charge, Command.
How do people demonstrate their power?
What are some symbols of Power? Air Force One
1981 Alexander Haig – After the assassination attempt on Reagan, V.P. George Bush was not around and Al was in the White House, so he told reporters, “ I am in control here”.
Richard will be preaching on this using Nebuchadnezzar, so I thought we would look at a different passage this morning.
1 Samuel 13:8-14 Saul
Saul decided to take charge and make the burnt offering sacrifice.
What do you think motivated him to do this?
What were the consequences of Saul’s actions?
What is the opposite of Power – Humility, Weakness, ….
One other scripture on Power:
Luke 22:24-27
How does Jesus describe the kings of the Gentiles?
Jesus – the most powerful – is the one who serves the most.
What could you look for to find out if someone held Power in the position of an Idol?
Can an everyday person (like us) elevate the desire for power above our desire to know God?
What would that look like?
How can we avoid it?
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Week 4 Success as an Idol
Week 4 Success as an Idol
This week we are going to consider Success as a potential Idol.
Who are the 5 most successful people in America in the last 30 Years?
Why?
Examples Malcolm Gladwell – Outliers – The story of success – 10,000 hours
Beatles 1960 (Hamburg) 1964 (US)
Bill Gates (1968 Junior High – Mother’s club – leased computer time)
Beatles – Hamburg
Keller says that something becomes an idol when it becomes the ultimate thing instead of just a good thing.
In what ways do you attempt to be successful?
What would your reputation be if you never attempted success in anything?
How important is success to you? Rhetorical
Ecclesiastes 2:4-11
Solomon’s success (watch for them, Note them)
Ultimately 12:13 – Fear the Lord.
This concept is easy to see from Solomon’s perspective, but the closer to home we get, the more difficult it is to see.
What would you look for in someone’s life to determine that they put too high a value on success?
Spend a lot of time at something
Achieve something at the cost of something else (relationships, etc.)
Value Position so that others see them as successful
This week we are going to consider Success as a potential Idol.
Who are the 5 most successful people in America in the last 30 Years?
Why?
Examples Malcolm Gladwell – Outliers – The story of success – 10,000 hours
Beatles 1960 (Hamburg) 1964 (US)
Bill Gates (1968 Junior High – Mother’s club – leased computer time)
Beatles – Hamburg
Keller says that something becomes an idol when it becomes the ultimate thing instead of just a good thing.
In what ways do you attempt to be successful?
What would your reputation be if you never attempted success in anything?
How important is success to you? Rhetorical
Ecclesiastes 2:4-11
Solomon’s success (watch for them, Note them)
Ultimately 12:13 – Fear the Lord.
This concept is easy to see from Solomon’s perspective, but the closer to home we get, the more difficult it is to see.
What would you look for in someone’s life to determine that they put too high a value on success?
Spend a lot of time at something
Achieve something at the cost of something else (relationships, etc.)
Value Position so that others see them as successful
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Week 3 Money as an Idol
Week 3 Money as an Idol
Greed is hard to see in one’s self.
Forms – life money love knowledge
Greed: a selfish and excessive desire for more of something (as MONEY) than is needed.
Jesus – on Greed:
Luke 12:13-15
Someone in the crowd said to Him, "Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me." But He said to him, "Man, who appointed Me a judge or arbitrator over you?" Then He said to them, "Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions."
What are some different forms of greed?
If a man’s life does not consist of his possessions, what does it consist of?
Luke 16:13-15
"No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be devoted to one and despise the other You cannot serve God and wealth." Now the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, were listening to all these things and were scoffing at Him. And He said to them, "You are those who justify yourselves in the sight of men, but God knows your hearts; for that which is highly esteemed among men is detestable in the sight of God.
Why can’t we serve two masters?
Jesus saw the Pharisees as they were, men around them saw the external façade. What kind of person do you highly esteem? What characteristics do you think Jesus was talking about?
Luke 19:1-10
1He entered Jericho and was passing through. 2And there was a man called by the name of Zaccheus; he was a chief tax collector and he was rich. 3Zaccheus was trying to see who Jesus was, and was unable because of the crowd, for he was small in stature. 4So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree in order to see Him, for He was about to pass through that way. 5When Jesus came to the place, He looked up and said to him, "Zaccheus, hurry and come down, for today I must stay at your house." 6And he hurried and came down and received Him gladly. 7When they saw it, they all began to grumble, saying, "He has gone to be the guest of a man who is a sinner." 8Zaccheus stopped and said to the Lord, "Behold, Lord, half of my possessions I will give to the poor, and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will give back four times as much." 9And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because he, too, is a son of Abraham. 10"For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost."
Prior to Jesus coming along what was Zaccheus’s view of money?
What does this story tell us about having money as an Idol? (Jesus can overcome)
Jesus had different responses to people He encountered. What were some of them? (Ye of little faith, God knows your hearts, Anger in the temple with the money changers)
This was among the best results – Salvation!
God still seeks us today. When He sees His children slowly re-prioritizing our lives, What does He do?
Greed is hard to see in one’s self.
Forms – life money love knowledge
Greed: a selfish and excessive desire for more of something (as MONEY) than is needed.
Jesus – on Greed:
Luke 12:13-15
Someone in the crowd said to Him, "Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me." But He said to him, "Man, who appointed Me a judge or arbitrator over you?" Then He said to them, "Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions."
What are some different forms of greed?
If a man’s life does not consist of his possessions, what does it consist of?
Luke 16:13-15
"No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be devoted to one and despise the other You cannot serve God and wealth." Now the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, were listening to all these things and were scoffing at Him. And He said to them, "You are those who justify yourselves in the sight of men, but God knows your hearts; for that which is highly esteemed among men is detestable in the sight of God.
Why can’t we serve two masters?
Jesus saw the Pharisees as they were, men around them saw the external façade. What kind of person do you highly esteem? What characteristics do you think Jesus was talking about?
Luke 19:1-10
1He entered Jericho and was passing through. 2And there was a man called by the name of Zaccheus; he was a chief tax collector and he was rich. 3Zaccheus was trying to see who Jesus was, and was unable because of the crowd, for he was small in stature. 4So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree in order to see Him, for He was about to pass through that way. 5When Jesus came to the place, He looked up and said to him, "Zaccheus, hurry and come down, for today I must stay at your house." 6And he hurried and came down and received Him gladly. 7When they saw it, they all began to grumble, saying, "He has gone to be the guest of a man who is a sinner." 8Zaccheus stopped and said to the Lord, "Behold, Lord, half of my possessions I will give to the poor, and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will give back four times as much." 9And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because he, too, is a son of Abraham. 10"For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost."
Prior to Jesus coming along what was Zaccheus’s view of money?
What does this story tell us about having money as an Idol? (Jesus can overcome)
Jesus had different responses to people He encountered. What were some of them? (Ye of little faith, God knows your hearts, Anger in the temple with the money changers)
This was among the best results – Salvation!
God still seeks us today. When He sees His children slowly re-prioritizing our lives, What does He do?
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Counterfeit Gods Week 2
Genesis 29 – Idolatry of a spouse
Did any of you guys ask for your wife’s hand in marriage from her father?
Not that your wife is an idol in your life, but today we are going to look at a story in the OT where some people sought meaning and purpose for their lives through the relationship they had with their spouse.
Jacob had just stolen the birthright from Esau. (Isaac had blessed Jacob). He left.
Genesis 29:13-20 Romantic Love
Why do you think time passed so quickly for Jacob?
We normally think of this story of a picture of undying romantic love, but is there a chance that Rachel had taken a place in Jacob’s heart above God?
What characteristics do we see to describe Rachel? Beautiful in face and form. Anything Else?
How does physical beauty fit into our culture today?
Does anyone pursue physical beauty more than they pursue God?
What do you think Jacob was thinking about for 7 years?
If I could just have Rachel as my wife, life would be great. She would meet my need for: _________ .
Genesis 29:21-30 Jacob in Heat
What was the main reason that Jacob gave to Laban for getting this show on the road? – To lie with her.
Who can describe how Jacob felt that first morning?
When we try to get something that only God can give from any relationship, it is a disappointment.
New toy? Leah. New car? Leah. New wife? Leah.
I’m not saying never try to do better (job, home, anything in its proper place), but to elevate anything to the level of providing what only God can give will disappoint.
Genesis 29:31 – 30:2 Leah’s children
What was Leah’s focus in chapter 29?
How did she think sons would change her life? 34?
Have you ever known anyone who thought children would solve marriage problems?
Leah was looking to children to help her reach her ultimate goal, being loved by Jacob. Until v35.
Then she finally realized that her love, security, position, and everything else was in God’s hands.
How did Rachel view Jacob?
How did Jacob respond to Rachel’s request for children?
The verses following describe how the two maids bore children for Jacob, then Rachel has Joseph.
Do you think that Rachel was able to fulfill Jacob’s expectations of her?
Each of the people in this story had a deep longing to be loved, and tried to find someone to fulfill that longing. We see that for the most part (except Leah) their expectations were not met. This is the same thing that happens today. Only God can fill that void in our hearts.
Did any of you guys ask for your wife’s hand in marriage from her father?
Not that your wife is an idol in your life, but today we are going to look at a story in the OT where some people sought meaning and purpose for their lives through the relationship they had with their spouse.
Jacob had just stolen the birthright from Esau. (Isaac had blessed Jacob). He left.
Genesis 29:13-20 Romantic Love
Why do you think time passed so quickly for Jacob?
We normally think of this story of a picture of undying romantic love, but is there a chance that Rachel had taken a place in Jacob’s heart above God?
What characteristics do we see to describe Rachel? Beautiful in face and form. Anything Else?
How does physical beauty fit into our culture today?
Does anyone pursue physical beauty more than they pursue God?
What do you think Jacob was thinking about for 7 years?
If I could just have Rachel as my wife, life would be great. She would meet my need for: _________ .
Genesis 29:21-30 Jacob in Heat
What was the main reason that Jacob gave to Laban for getting this show on the road? – To lie with her.
Who can describe how Jacob felt that first morning?
When we try to get something that only God can give from any relationship, it is a disappointment.
New toy? Leah. New car? Leah. New wife? Leah.
I’m not saying never try to do better (job, home, anything in its proper place), but to elevate anything to the level of providing what only God can give will disappoint.
Genesis 29:31 – 30:2 Leah’s children
What was Leah’s focus in chapter 29?
How did she think sons would change her life? 34?
Have you ever known anyone who thought children would solve marriage problems?
Leah was looking to children to help her reach her ultimate goal, being loved by Jacob. Until v35.
Then she finally realized that her love, security, position, and everything else was in God’s hands.
How did Rachel view Jacob?
How did Jacob respond to Rachel’s request for children?
The verses following describe how the two maids bore children for Jacob, then Rachel has Joseph.
Do you think that Rachel was able to fulfill Jacob’s expectations of her?
Each of the people in this story had a deep longing to be loved, and tried to find someone to fulfill that longing. We see that for the most part (except Leah) their expectations were not met. This is the same thing that happens today. Only God can fill that void in our hearts.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Counterfeit Gods Week 1
Counterfeit Gods Week 1
IN CONGRESS, JULY 4, 1776
The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America
When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
The pursuit of happiness is very American. It is one of the tenants of why we exist as a nation.
How do Americans pursue happiness today?
What things do Americans (in general) think will lead to happiness?
It is a common belief that many of our problems can be solved by having a lot more money than we have. Some Lottery winners stories:
Evelyn Adams – 1985 and 1986 Won $5.4 Million. Gambled most of it away, now lives in a trailer in NJ.
William Post - 1988Won $16.2 Million. Girlfriend, family pestered him for “investments” until he spent it all. He now lives on $450 a month SS and food stamps.
Suanne Mullins – 1993 won 4.2 Million. Spent it all, borrowed more, went bankrupt. Has medical bills she can’t pay.
Some things we pursue can capture our hearts and shift our priority from God to something we feel might give us “happiness”. These things are called Idols.
Let’s look at the ultimate conclusion to Idol worship, as discussed in Romans chapter 1.
Romans 1: 22-25
Professing to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures. Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them. For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
What does Paul call someone who worships Idols? (fools)
What were the consequences of this Idol worship? God gave them over to the lusts of their hearts.
What do idol worshippers miss out on? (Down side)
Pursuing our own desires can have disastrous consequences. Sometimes God allows circumstances in our lives to help us see the place “the pursuit of happiness” has taken on our priority list. Other times, God commands people to choose between faithfulness to Him and a potential idol.
Genesis 22:2
Abraham had all the temptations necessary to make his son, Isaac an idol in his life.
Summary – God called Abraham in Genesis 12. He promised him that all the nations of the earth would be blessed by his offspring. Decades passed. No children. Later, Isaac.
Gen 22:2 – God calls Abraham to sacrifice Isaac.
Gen 22:9-12 – God sees Abraham’s commitment to Him.
Abraham’s commitment to God was Total and complete. Keller says, “God’s extremely rough treatment of Abraham was actually merciful. Isaac was a wonderful gift to Abraham, but he was not safe to have and hold until Abraham was willing to put God first. As long as Abraham never had to choose between his son and obedience to God, he could not see that his love [could have] become idolatrous”.
Challenge #1: Look back on your life to see if some of the trials you have faced caused you to choose between something and God.
Challenge #2: What will you pursue this week? Happiness (defined any way you like) or the creator?
IN CONGRESS, JULY 4, 1776
The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America
When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
The pursuit of happiness is very American. It is one of the tenants of why we exist as a nation.
How do Americans pursue happiness today?
What things do Americans (in general) think will lead to happiness?
It is a common belief that many of our problems can be solved by having a lot more money than we have. Some Lottery winners stories:
Evelyn Adams – 1985 and 1986 Won $5.4 Million. Gambled most of it away, now lives in a trailer in NJ.
William Post - 1988Won $16.2 Million. Girlfriend, family pestered him for “investments” until he spent it all. He now lives on $450 a month SS and food stamps.
Suanne Mullins – 1993 won 4.2 Million. Spent it all, borrowed more, went bankrupt. Has medical bills she can’t pay.
Some things we pursue can capture our hearts and shift our priority from God to something we feel might give us “happiness”. These things are called Idols.
Let’s look at the ultimate conclusion to Idol worship, as discussed in Romans chapter 1.
Romans 1: 22-25
Professing to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures. Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them. For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
What does Paul call someone who worships Idols? (fools)
What were the consequences of this Idol worship? God gave them over to the lusts of their hearts.
What do idol worshippers miss out on? (Down side)
Pursuing our own desires can have disastrous consequences. Sometimes God allows circumstances in our lives to help us see the place “the pursuit of happiness” has taken on our priority list. Other times, God commands people to choose between faithfulness to Him and a potential idol.
Genesis 22:2
Abraham had all the temptations necessary to make his son, Isaac an idol in his life.
Summary – God called Abraham in Genesis 12. He promised him that all the nations of the earth would be blessed by his offspring. Decades passed. No children. Later, Isaac.
Gen 22:2 – God calls Abraham to sacrifice Isaac.
Gen 22:9-12 – God sees Abraham’s commitment to Him.
Abraham’s commitment to God was Total and complete. Keller says, “God’s extremely rough treatment of Abraham was actually merciful. Isaac was a wonderful gift to Abraham, but he was not safe to have and hold until Abraham was willing to put God first. As long as Abraham never had to choose between his son and obedience to God, he could not see that his love [could have] become idolatrous”.
Challenge #1: Look back on your life to see if some of the trials you have faced caused you to choose between something and God.
Challenge #2: What will you pursue this week? Happiness (defined any way you like) or the creator?
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Counterfeit Gods Introduction
Tim Keller’s book “Counterfeit Gods”
Focuses on Modern Idols, how to identify them, how they are dangerous, and how to deal with them.
Now through Oct 22.
Why be concerned with Idols?
Exodus 20:1-6 The Ten Commandments
1Then God spoke all these words, saying,
2"I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. 3"You shall have no other gods before Me.
4"You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth.
5"You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me, 6but showing lovingkindness to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.
Why do you think God put his relationship with us so high on the list?
OT View of Idols
Deuteronomy 4:14-20 – Moses Talking to Israel.
14"The LORD commanded me at that time to teach you statutes and judgments, that you might perform them in the land where you are going over to possess it. 15"So watch yourselves carefully, since you did not see any form on the day the LORD spoke to you at Horeb from the midst of the fire, 16so that you do not act corruptly and make a graven image for yourselves in the form of any figure, the likeness of male or female, 17the likeness of any animal that is on the earth, the likeness of any winged bird that flies in the sky, 18the likeness of anything that creeps on the ground, the likeness of any fish that is in the water below the earth. 19"And beware not to lift up your eyes to heaven and see the sun and the moon and the stars, all the host of heaven, and be drawn away and worship them and serve them, those which the LORD your God has allotted to all the peoples under the whole heaven. 20"But the LORD has taken you and brought you out of the iron furnace, from Egypt, to be a people for His own possession, as today.
How did Moses describe these graven images?
What was forbidden besides making these Idols? Worshipping them , Serving them
For Israel, what were the dangers or consequences of idolatry?
How do we view Idols today?
SS definition – Anything that takes the place of God in our lives.
SS Examples – Money, Power, Sex, Material possessions
Keller’s working definition – 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.
What are some things that ONLY God can give us?
Hope – Meaning – Fulfillment – Peace – Forgiveness – Eternal Life
Keller proposes that most of the things we make into Idols are “good” things. i.e financial responsibility leads to the ability to pay our bills, fund charity, help others, and enjoy life without undue concern for financial obligations. If we make financial responsibility (a good thing) more and more important, it could become the “ultimate” goal in life, thus replacing God as #1.
Money is a real easy one. Let’s pick another. What about a meaningful life? What kind of things do people do to live a meaningful life? Helping others – Giving – Teaching – Mentoring – Serving (public service)
If God is the Lord of your life, how might that affect a person’s desire for a meaningful life?
There can only be one ultimate thing in life. God commands us that that is Him. In this study we are going to look in our own lives to see if we have any idols lurking around, and this study will challenge each of us to follow Joshua’s example in 24:15. As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.
Focuses on Modern Idols, how to identify them, how they are dangerous, and how to deal with them.
Now through Oct 22.
Why be concerned with Idols?
Exodus 20:1-6 The Ten Commandments
1Then God spoke all these words, saying,
2"I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. 3"You shall have no other gods before Me.
4"You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth.
5"You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me, 6but showing lovingkindness to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.
Why do you think God put his relationship with us so high on the list?
OT View of Idols
Deuteronomy 4:14-20 – Moses Talking to Israel.
14"The LORD commanded me at that time to teach you statutes and judgments, that you might perform them in the land where you are going over to possess it. 15"So watch yourselves carefully, since you did not see any form on the day the LORD spoke to you at Horeb from the midst of the fire, 16so that you do not act corruptly and make a graven image for yourselves in the form of any figure, the likeness of male or female, 17the likeness of any animal that is on the earth, the likeness of any winged bird that flies in the sky, 18the likeness of anything that creeps on the ground, the likeness of any fish that is in the water below the earth. 19"And beware not to lift up your eyes to heaven and see the sun and the moon and the stars, all the host of heaven, and be drawn away and worship them and serve them, those which the LORD your God has allotted to all the peoples under the whole heaven. 20"But the LORD has taken you and brought you out of the iron furnace, from Egypt, to be a people for His own possession, as today.
How did Moses describe these graven images?
What was forbidden besides making these Idols? Worshipping them , Serving them
For Israel, what were the dangers or consequences of idolatry?
How do we view Idols today?
SS definition – Anything that takes the place of God in our lives.
SS Examples – Money, Power, Sex, Material possessions
Keller’s working definition – 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.
What are some things that ONLY God can give us?
Hope – Meaning – Fulfillment – Peace – Forgiveness – Eternal Life
Keller proposes that most of the things we make into Idols are “good” things. i.e financial responsibility leads to the ability to pay our bills, fund charity, help others, and enjoy life without undue concern for financial obligations. If we make financial responsibility (a good thing) more and more important, it could become the “ultimate” goal in life, thus replacing God as #1.
Money is a real easy one. Let’s pick another. What about a meaningful life? What kind of things do people do to live a meaningful life? Helping others – Giving – Teaching – Mentoring – Serving (public service)
If God is the Lord of your life, how might that affect a person’s desire for a meaningful life?
There can only be one ultimate thing in life. God commands us that that is Him. In this study we are going to look in our own lives to see if we have any idols lurking around, and this study will challenge each of us to follow Joshua’s example in 24:15. As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)