Idols Round Table

Point 1

Students we spent the last four weeks looking at Idols!

We looked at the idol of image — how do people see me

We looked at the idol of feeling — how I feel may not be what God calls

We looked at the idol of possessions — things on earth pass away, God doesn’t

And last week we looked at the idol of comfort — and I seeking to be more comfortable or more godly?

These are four idols that every single person struggles with at different points in their life

You may struggle with all of them at the same time

We all have an idols problem.

When I was in high school the idol of image always affected me — do people like? How can I get them to?

While dating girls specifically the idol of feelings was the one I worshiped — if it felt good, if she said I love you, if we didn’t fight

When I started to make a little money possessions took over — I had to have the coolest clothes, new hats, fancy phone

Comfort is the idol that hits me the older I get — do I want to inconvenience myself?

We all do it

So here is the first discussion tonight:

Of the four idols we covered, which one hit closest to home for you and why?

Point 2

Paul tells us in Colossians

Colossians 3:2 ESV

2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

The idea that we need to set our mind on God instead of the things of the world

Focus on the Lord instead of focusing on the idols that we see today

But man that can be so hard for us

The idols look good!

The world lies to us!

So at your tables take a few minutes to talk about this question:

Why is it easy to turn good things into idols? What does the world tell you that makes it hard to resist?

Point 3

Paul said this:

Ephesians 5:15–16 ESV

15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.

Paul is warning the Ephesians not to waste their time on earth

Not to look spend their time like someone who is unwise and doesn’t know God

But instead to look at the time on earth as the time you have to spend loving and serving God

The Psalms say:

Psalm 90:12 ESV

12 So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.

The idea of looking at the world and numbering our days on earth so that we don’t waste them looking at idols

So man at your tables talk about this:

When you look honestly at where you spend your time and attention, what does that reveal about what your heart is most devoted to?

Point 4

Man if we are going to resist idols than it means we are going to have to fight!

Listen to what James 4:7 says

James 4:7 ESV

7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

He tells us if we submit to God, and resist the devil, he will flee from us!

This is how we can flee the idols that are affecting us so much

So at your tables:

What is one practical thing you can do differently this week to stop worshiping an idol and instead go to God?

Point 5

To close out tonight I want to look at what Jesus said in Matthew 16:24

Matthew 16:24 ESV

24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.

If we are going to follow Christ we must make it a habit of picking up our cross and following Him

That means we are sacrificing our wants and desires in order to follow Christ

So at your tables:

What is something you have been holding back from God that you are willing to name and surrender tonight?