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?