Idolatry
Idolatry – Part B
(Zechariah)
Introduction:
(Overview of Zechariah & why Zechariah is in Jerusalem)
(Define: Idolatry)
(Reference: Exodus 20: (I am the Lord your God) – Thou shall no other gods
Don’t make for yourselves any graven images
Let me share with you a NT reference to God’s denunciation to idolatry
Body:
Read: Colossians 1:15-16 (All the things that got created were not for you or me, but for Him)
(Explain: Creation of angels / ranks of angels)
(V17-18) – The first place belongs to Him.
Not only that He deserves it.
Point:
There are some people that have been good to you they just deserve a place
(Reference: Married – Karla will always have a place in my heart)
God is jealous of His place in your life.
And anytime you allow anything or anybody to usurp His place
Regardless of what it is, by definition, you are an idolater.
Now, we still have to do something with that because all we have done is
- Defined Idolatry
- Briefly looked at God’s denunciation of Idolatry
But we still need to see the danger of idolatry
So, if you can come back (next Sunday) we will complete the denunciation
And the danger of idolatry
Question: Will you come back? I know you are important and have things to do
I know you are important & all your business is important
But just remember, even the best plans that you may make, God can interrupt those plans in the twinkling of an eye.
So, come back next time and we will try to complete the denunciation and the danger of idolatry,
Because the good part is being able to see the danger of idolatry.
And there are three of them
But one of the dangers of idolatry is
- You begin to take on the characteristics of whatever you are putting in God’s place.
2nd (Next time), you will involve yourself in total religious confusion
(Point) You will do some things, God will bless it, and then you will sabotage it
You’ll be in such religious confusion
You will think right is wrong and wrong is right.
Point:
I will show you in the book of Judges an Israelite woman who knows God
Whose son stole 1100 pieces of silver & she put a curse on whoever stole it
He heard her curse it and brought the money back
And said momma, I’m the one that stole it.
She said, good son. She said take 200 of the 1100 pieces of silver
And go over to the silver smith and have him make a shrine.
Bring the idol back in the house and God is going to bless us.
(People say) – That’s crazy
Yes, that’s crazy but look at what we do.
We’ll start to take on the characteristics of the god we are putting in front
(Explain: the god Molech) – To worship Molech (pass your baby through fire)
(Oh that’s terrible)
But we live in a country where abortion is rampant
(We point our finger at that culture / And killing babies all the time)
And every time you walk out on your children (son/daughter)
You condemn them to a life that they shouldn’t be condemned to live
Point:
God desires to be first place in your life or no place at all
He doesn’t want you putting you anything/anybody before Him
Conclusion:
(Reference) - Matthew 4 (Jesus’ temptation)
If we can remove the idols in such a way that you want even remember them
We are closer to completing the God given vision.