We are what we worship

I’ve heard it said, “Whatever we look to—work, money, reputation, education, children, marriage, spouse, friends, ministry, experience, possessions, whatever—for the blessings, help, and comfort God has promised in Christ alone is an idol.”

1 Cor. 10:1-15

Anything that we look to for what only Christ can give.

Christ gives:

salvation, forgiveness, righteousness, purpose

a new family (John 1:12)

new titles: chosen race, royal priesthood, holy nation (1 Pet. 2:9)

Power, love, self-control (2 Tim. 1:7)

a new speech and new perspective (1 Cor. 1:5)

new desires (Eph. 4:22-24)

....Just to name a few

v. 7- “We must not be idolators”

v. 8- our desires

v. 9- our future/desires (Numbers 21:4-10)

v. 10- our comfortability (Numbers 14:2)

v. 12- Be careful: idols can be sneaky

v. 13- Repent while you can

V.14- Flee idolatry while you can

WHY? Its not a big deal.

We become what we worship

Psalm 135:15-18

We are either being conformed to the image of God (Rom. 8:29) or a distorted image/ idol (Rom. 1:23)

Distorted image

Deaf, dumb, blind, mute

Is. 44:18, 46:7, Ps. 115:5-8

Think of last week’s chapel message: sin blinds, complacency deceives, ignorance condemns

Is. 44 talks about a person who makes an idol but doesn’t have the sense enough to question the validity of his “god”

image of God

-Resemblance:

we share some attributes with God

-Relationship:

we can relate to God and others

-Rule:

We function as rulers of God’s creation (Gen. 1:28)

If we become what we worship and are conforming to the Image of God, we must be doers (James 1:22-25)

Eph. 5:1-2 - “Be imitators of God and walk in love as Christ loves”

The antithesis of “walk in love” we see in Eph. 4:17

Being imitators of God and walking in love arguably starts in ch. 4 and extends to the end of the book.

Being imitators also helps cultivates the Fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-26)