Idolatry 2

Intro

how many of you are in a relationship or have been in one?

whats the point?

King David

David was a man who had two wives already that he married justly

he saw a beautiful woman because he wasn’t where he should have been and he lied and murdered so that she could be his

he eventually will marry her after the whole episode but they will lose their first son

David put the pursuit of this woman in the place where God is supposed to be

he made chasing Bathsheba the ruler of his life and didn’t care about the consequences

the truth is that Bathsheba couldn’t ever bring David the fulfillment that he was looking for

joy and peace are not found in imperfect people

if you place a person where God ought to be you will always be disappointed and that will end up hurting everyone involved not just you

people can help and relationships can be good, but they are not worth your whole life

if your relationship is what is most important in your life and where you are seeking your fulfillment, you will likely end up leaving one for another when your current relationship doesn’t live up to expectations because they are human

Isaac on the Alter

we studied the story of Abraham and Isaac recently

Abraham and Sarah throughout the story make several mistakes because they are looking for fulfillment through a son

God makes a promise and he always keeps them

they put a relationship with a child in the place where God ought to because they think having a son is what will give them what they are after

however, Abraham realizes near the end of his life that even Isaac could not take the place of God in his life

so Abraham lays even his son on the altar to God, knowing that God keeps his promises

knowing that God is the one who gives life and joy and fulfillment

Application

so I ask again, what is the point of your relationships, past present or future?

I love my wife but she is not the most important thing in my life

she is not my most important relationship and my whole life is not devoted to her, it is to God

if I look to Carli for the joy and peace and fulfillment that only God gives then I will be disappointed in her and she doesn’t deserve that

Keep God in his place and your relationships with people in theirs

if you find yourself putting a relationship in the wrong place, then change it

if that means your relationship needs to end, then end it

a person is not worth worshipping and losing your soul for