“Why we must have a High View of God”

In Exodus 20:4-5 God gives Moses the Ten Commandments and we learn very quickly about what idolatry is all about.

English Standard Version Chapter 20

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 fourth generation of those who hate me,

Good morning, turn with me in your Bibles to 1 Corinthians chapter 10. The title of our message today is, “Why we must have a high view of God.” There are many believers today and many churches that have put men in the place of God. What I mean is that so many people and churches today have exalted men in the place where God rightfully belongs. They do this because they don’t have a right view or understanding of who God is and what His word says. Over the past several weeks we have been talking about the sin of idolatry and why we must be warned against it. Paul began his warning to the Corinthians back in chapter 8 and now clarifies his warnings about the terrible disasters of idolatry. As we saw last week, he continued to warn the Corinthians not only about idolatry, but also of sexual sin and complaining. In fact, down through history the sin of idolatry has always been a severe problem. Listen to how the Apostle Paul explained this to the church at Rome.

Romans chapter 1, and beginning in verse 21.

English Standard Version Chapter 1

21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.

When we have a high view of God or a right understanding of who God is it can truly give us help in our fight against idolatry.

Pastor and author A.W. Tozer said, “Christianity at any given time is strong or weak depending upon her concept or view of God. And I insist upon this, and I have said it many times, that the basic trouble with the church today is her unworthy conception of God. Our religion is little because our God is little.” Sadly, not only has our culture around us had a small view of God, but many churches throughout our land.”

If we have a low view of God and a high view of mankind then we make ourselves and others into idols and therefore we deceive ourselves and bring dishonor and shame to the Lord.

So, how does God feel about people putting themselves up on a pedestal or worshiping other false gods?

Exodus 34:14 says,

English Standard Version Chapter 34

14 (for you shall worship no other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God),

Isaiah 48:11 says,

English Standard Version Chapter 48

11  For my own sake, for my own sake, I do it,

for how should my name be profaned?

My glory I will not give to another.

The Corinthians needed some helpful guidance and warning because it was so easy for them to live so close to the pagan influences all around them. Paul warned them that if they kept running after false idols, and what had simply started with a celebration of liberty, this would lead to a deep sadness over their sin and even being given over to demonic oppression.

So, I hope you will follow along with me in chapter 10. Let’s begin in verse 14 of chapter 10.

English Standard Version Chapter 10

14 Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. 15 I speak as to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say. 16 The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? 17 Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread. 18 Consider the people of Israel: are not those who eat the sacrifices participants in the altar? 19 What do I imply then? That food offered to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything? 20 No, I imply that what pagans sacrifice they offer to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be participants with demons. 21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons. 22 Shall we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he?

Church, when we have a high view of God it leads us to understand Him rightly. It leads us to fear God and obey Him. Here in our text today, there are several more key principles that I want you to see about having a high view of God. Having a high view of God,

1. Should cause us to run away from idolatry.

1. Debería llevarnos a huir de la idolatría.

1 Corinthians 10:14-15.

English Standard Version Chapter 10

14 Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. 15 I speak as to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say.

Paul begins this section with some very kind words to the believers there in the church at Corinth. Notice that he addresses them as “my beloved” or “my dear friends” this language communicates to us that Paul has a very deep affection and love for the bride of Christ. Because God loves His bride we learn from verse 13 that God will provide a way of escape from the trials and temptations that we face. Church please hear me today. There are two different ways that we can deal with temptation. We can either fight or flight (flee). We must always see the seriousness of putting to death sinful things like idolatry because we have a love for Christ. John Owen famously said, “be putting sin to death or sin will put you to death.” So, we must daily fight against sin, However, sometimes the only way to deal with sin is to run from it or flee temptation. God’s Word tells us in 1 Thessalonians 5:22 that we are to avoid every form of evil. We must see the seriousness of sin and run the opposite direction from it and not deliberately play around with sinful things. The Greek word here for “flee” is to seek safety in flight. It means to avoid, shun, run away from. The verb tense here is present tense which means that we are to keep running. Men and women, every day you must keep running from the idols of this world. We see this same language back in 1 Corinthians chapter 6 when Paul tells the Corinthians in verse 18 to flee from sexual immorality.

Explain idolatry = Last week I took the time to help us see exactly what idolatry is. An idol or idolatry is anything that takes God’s rightful place in our hearts and lives. Is there anything in your life today that you have put above God?

The false gods that we can be guilty of worshipping are many today. I would say that in fact there are many different forms of idolatry.

I think it can be easy when we hear the word idolatry to associate this with bowing down to a golden idol or the picture of making a golden calf like the Hebrew people did in the wilderness.

So please hear me when I say that an idol can be a habit, your job, Political figures, money, fame, sports, education, philosophy, even our own children if we put them up in a place that is above God. People worship Mary, patron saints, famous people, and our possessions. There are so many people today who hold onto or trust in their particular idols because they think that it can give them comfort, success, fame, and even help solve their problems. Sadly they have forgotten about the only one who can deliver them and give them joy, peace, and salvation. My point here is that there are many things that can take God’s rightful place in our lives, and yet we can often try and convince ourselves that these things are not wrong or even sinful. Don’t be too tolerant to sin. Many believers live their lives this way. There is nothing good that can come from idolatry, when trusting in God and having a high view of Him is our only answer.

Having a high view of God should cause us to run away from idolatry, but it should also help us to see something wonderful.

2. It should cause us to see the value of fellowship with Christ and believers.

2. Debería llevarnos a ver el valor de la comunión con Cristo y con los creyentes.

Look at verses 16-18 with me.

English Standard Version Chapter 10

16 The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? 17 Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread. 18 Consider the people of Israel: are not those who eat the sacrifices participants in the altar?

Paul now gives us another plea on how to avoid idolatry. In fact, he gives us two examples one of which is the Lord’s Supper, and the other is the nation of Israel. Paul is explaining here that this cup of blessing and the breaking of bread is something that believers are to be part of. The table or the Lord’s Supper is an act of communion where we fellowship with God and with God’s people. We will learn more about this in chapter 11, but the drinking of the juice and the breaking of bread symbolize the blood and body of Christ. When we take part in Communion we not only are worshipping God, but we remember the Lord’s life, His death, His Resurrection, and that He will someday return for His people. Notice here this word participation or sharing comes up three different times in this passage, and is the Greek word (koinonia). The word refers to intimate fellowship with one another. So, when believers come together to worship God through communion we are reflecting on the incarnation of Christ. This means that Jesus was fully God and yet he was also fully man, and took on real flesh and blood as John chapter 1 and verse 14 tell us. We really are participating in the cup of blessing because we are worshipping and fellowshipping with God. However, we are also joined together with other like minded believers as one body by remembering Christ, and what He has done for us. The Lord’s Supper is also a reminder for each believer of the greatest sacrifice that has ever been given. Because Christ gave up His life on the cross, this is a way for us to run from idolatry and the worship of anything else besides the one true God. Is there anything in this world that can give true joy and peace and take away our sin? No! The Old Hymn tells us, “What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus.” What a great reminder Christian of the importance to daily fight against sin and flee from it. Be reminded today of who God is. He is holy, He is just, and He alone is our Savior who can save us from sin.

The other example that Paul gives us here begins in verse 18. Paul tells us here that the people of Israel also participated by eating a meal after they made sacrifices at the altar. Even the priests would take part by eating some of the leftover parts. So, many people were involved with this meal. In other words the Israelites participated with God in fellowship and worship through their sacrifices in the Old Testament. After the people in the Old Testament brought their sacrifice to the temple on account for their sin they would then eat a meal. We see this in Deuteronomy chapter 12 and verse 18.

English Standard Version Chapter 12

18 but you shall eat them before the LORD your God in the place that the LORD your God will choose, you and your son and your daughter, your male servant and your female servant, and the Levite who is within your towns. And you shall rejoice before the LORD your God in all that you undertake.

Paul shares these helpful examples so that the Corinthians would understand that to participate in a feast by eating a meal or engaging in sacrificial worship at the local temple was not only idolatrous it was in fact demon worship. People cannot be a true worshiper of Christ and at the same time worship demons. The one true God of this World, Yahweh will not share his table. This will only provoke God to anger and jealousy. As you stop and take a moment today to look at your own life, let me ask you who or what are you worshiping. Is Christ Jesus the true Lord of your life? Is there anything else that is elevated higher than Him presently in your life? If so, confess that to God and ask Him for help.

Having a high view of God should cause us to run from idolatry. It should cause us to see the value of fellowship with believers and God, and third:

3. It should cause us to stop making compromises.

3. Debería llevarnos a dejar de hacer concesiones.

English Standard Version Chapter 10

19 What do I imply then? That food offered to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything? 20 No, I imply that what pagans sacrifice they offer to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be participants with demons. 21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons.

Paul’s point here is that believers must stop making compromises. How were they compromising? The Corinthians became tolerant of sin or trying to justify it. Paul asks a rhetorical question about food offered to idols or if an idol is really anything at all. The obvious answer is of course No! Now we may look at this and think this is rather obvious and silly, but Paul is showing us this to prove his point. While idols are nothing real, there is something that is real behind them. There is a real and very serious danger when people don’t realize the truth behind idolatry.

Paul explains here that what pagans sacrifice and worship they do so to demons and not God. Don’t give this a thought, don’t give into idol worship because although you may not think this is wrong or see any harm, demons and the Devil are behind it.

While idols have no real existence, something truly evil is behind all of this. This is exactly why Paul warns us to stop making compromises by playing around with demonic things. Paul says plainly here “I don’t want you to be participants with demons!” While believers can only be oppressed by the enemy, unbelievers can be possessed, and this is nothing to play around with. Satan and his demons want you to trust and worship anything and everything beside the one true God. Satan and his demons are a kingdom of darkness, deceivement, and death. Why would any one especially a believer want to play around with idolatry?

What do we know about the Devil and his demons?

Their way is hostile to the truth of God and His kingdom of light. Devils and demons are very real because they are evil spirits of fallen angels and they are many. However, there is only one devil. In Revelation chapter 12 we learn that one-third of the angels fell with Satan. Demons are very powerful and yet they are not in control. Satan and his demons use idolatry to further false worship and false gods. This is why every believer must be on guard against idolatry and understand that we have a mighty God who is much more powerful and mighty than the demons.

When we have a high view of God, here is the last thing I want you to see.

4. It should cause us to fear God by not provoking Him.

4. Debería llevarnos a temer a Dios procurando no provocarlo.

English Standard Version Chapter 10

22 Shall we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he?

Ecclesiastes 12:13 tells us.

English Standard Version Chapter 12

13 The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. 14

When we have a high view of God and what He has done for us it should cause us to love Him and be obedient to His Word. Paul ends this section by giving the Corinthians a warning through some rhetorical questions. Should we provoke God to jealousy? Are we stronger than God? The answer again is of course NO!!! Charles Hodge comments here, “jealousy is the feeling which arises from wounded love, and it is the fiercest of all human passions. It therefore shows us a picture of the hatred of God toward idolatry.” God hates anything that takes His rightful place in our hearts or lives. May we stop to take a look into our hearts and lives and check to see if there is anything to could cause us to provoke the Lord today to jealousy?

May we stop and pray this prayer that King David prayed in Psalm 139 beginning in verse 23.

English Standard Version Psalm 139

23  Search me, O God, and know my heart!

Try me and know my thoughts!

24  And see if there be any grievous way in me,

and lead me in the way everlasting!

There is no better picture in all of Scripture of what turning away from false idols looks like than in Daniel chapter 3. In fact, the men in Daniel 3 had such a high view of God, not only were they willing not to bow the knee to a false idol, they were also willing to lose their lives. In Daniel chapter 3 we learn about 3 men by the name of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These men were told that if they did not fall down when the instruments were played and worship the golden image that King Nebuchadnezzar had made that they would be thrown into the fiery furnace. In verse 15 of chapter 3 the king asks them, “and who is the god who can deliver you from my hands?” I love the response and the obedience that we see on display.

English Standard Version Chapter 3

16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. 17 If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. 18 But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”

Immediately the King has these men thrown into the furnace of fire thinking these men would be instantly burned up, but their mighty God had other plans. The fire had no power over their bodies and these men were not harmed. In verse 28 the king responds with these words.

English Standard Version Chapter 3

28 Nebuchadnezzar answered and said, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent his angel and delivered his servants, who trusted in him, and set aside the king’s command, and yielded up their bodies rather than serve and worship any god except their own God.

And in verse 29 he exclaims, “there is no other god who is able to rescue in this way.” Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego had such a high view of God that they realized there was no other god than Yahweh, and they must give their lives for him. These men truly ran from idolatry and served the one true living God. And because of this the king and many others were drawn to see who is in control. God’s Word tells us that someday every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord. Have you confessed Christ as Lord? If so are you following Him today?

(Close in Prayer)