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?
Sunday, September 26, 2010
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?
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