Tear Down the Idols

Good to have everyone

Sorry about last week

I have been telling people for years that every time God wants to start a movement, he starts with the next generation.

Examples - OT, David, Disciples, Great revivals

I know your generation has the potential to influence culture, solve problems, and advance the Gospel farther than any other generation.

This is why I have dedicated my entire life to Student Ministry

Started at 19 ........story

Over that time I have seen countless students be used by God in profound ways and make a major difference.

I have also seen countless students waste their potential chasing after things that promised so much, but cost so much more.

That’s why tonight’s message is called

How to Waste Your Life

If your taking notes, tonight’s main point is

God is good. Idols are bad. The choice is yours.

How to Waste Your Life

If you want want to make difference serve Jesus. If you want to waste your life serve idols.

That's where we are going tonight.

Let’s pray.

Part 1: God is Good

Anyone ever watch any of those reality TV shows?

They all ask:

Are they who they say they are?

Are they hiding something?

Can I trust what I am seeing?

The answer for these shows is usually no, there scripted, or they trying to be someone they are not.

God is exactly who he says He is. HE doesn’t sugarcoat things, He is upfront and honest.

He loves us and wants the best for us.

He is good and true through and through.

When God laid out His commandment on how we should live according to His plan, HE starts by reminding us who He is and what He has done.

Exodus 20:1–2 ESV

1 And 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.

Part 1: God is Good

Who is God? - Jewish , To me....., To Jen Watkins?

The biggest question you will ever answer is who is God to you?

If you aren’t sure what God thinks of you:

Romans 5:8 ESV

8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Part 1: God is Good

Part 2: Idols are Bad

God made it clear

Exodus 20:3–5 ESV

3 “You shall have no other gods before me. 4 “You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. 5 You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me,

Part 2: Idols are Bad

God makes it very clear - following Him a is an all in thing.

There is no room for idols.

In the Bible Idolatry is the same as cheating on your spouse - cheating on God

You can’t give all of you to God your giving an idol part of you.

This is why we get frustrated with our faith.

We don’t grow, we miss out on so much God has to offer.

So, what is an idol?

An Idol is anything other than God that we put above God

Part 2: Idols are Bad

Some of us are sacrificing our faith to the idol of self, or power, or approval, or even money. ( expound on each)

Idols never give us what we are looking for.

Idols are counterfeit and costly

Idols are counterfeit - counterfeit $100, seem one thing is something else

Isaiah 44:20 ESV

20 He feeds on ashes; a deluded heart has led him astray, and he cannot deliver himself or say, “Is there not a lie in my right hand?”

Idols are counterfeit and costly

Idols are costly - they never deliver on what is promised - expensive clothes, body changes

Exodus 20:5–6 ESV

5 You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments.

Idols are counterfeit and costly

That may sound like God’s a jerk

God’s law is an expression of his love and for our good.

The ratio - unfailing love 1000 generations - sin - 4th generation

1000:4

The logic - sin does not just affect you - it also affects those around you.

Alcoholism abuse - affects everyone.

You can break the cycle - Sheri and I - divorce

Part 3: The Choice is Yours

It is all up to you.

Idol - give you what you want now - will cost what you want most

God - cost you what you want now - will give you what you want most

Tear Down the Idols

So let’s get practical

1 .Put away things that distract you from God

Make your smart phone a dumb phone - get rid of social media / games, delete apps

Anything that pulls you away

2. Fill your life with things that draw you to God.

Read Bible daily, be at church, choose Godly friends, pray daily

John 10:10 ESV

10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

Tear Down the Idols

If you want to make a difference serve Jesus. If you want to waste your life serve Idols.

The choice is yours.

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