Jealousy is a God Thing (Incomplete)

Homiletical Idea:

Our worldview must be radically different from what it was as non-Christians, being one that puts God at the centre of all that we are so that we can make right decisions in all that we do.

Preamble

Welcome and short intro?

Prayer for the message here or after the introduction?

Introduction: How am I to understand a Jealous God?

Last week, the Sunday Times published this story that came from Kuala Lumpur. “Man strangled after eating drugged curry, wife arrested.”  Apparently there was much jealousy in the relationship, and the wife put sedatives in the family’s curry dinner then strangled her husband while he lay fast asleep. Acts of rage and passion.  Images of domestic crime fill our minds when we hear the word “jealousy”.  We’ve watched enough of CSI to know that jealousy can be a very bad thing… So it is difficult for us to come to terms with a God who, like our spouses, asks for faithful commitment to him and no other.  And who, unlike our spouses, unabashedly calls himself a “jealous God.”  This can be especially difficult for us because we live in a pluralistic culture in which many religions abound.  It is a natural part of life in Singapore that we come across temples, fortune tellers, family altars and the like.  For many of us these are a fact of life because we live with our parents who have a large altar in the living room.  Or at funerals of family members we wonder what we should do when everyone else burns incense and bows three times.  It is difficult to come to terms with ourselves, let alone explain to non-Christian family who ask, “Why you Christians cannot pay respects?”  Or friends who wonder why Christians still say that that Jesus is the only way, when the whole of society is becoming more tolerant and accepting.

Church, the core issue hasn’t changed much in 2000 years.  The core issues that Corinthians faced are the same ones that we face in Singapore today.  They were the same ones that Paul addresses in chapter 10.  Join me in prayer…

Prayer

Some of you have already begun reading chapter 10 and have already found those first few verses difficult to understand – don’t be put off!  Paul is writing these words and using many figures of speech referring to the Israelites experience with Moses in the wilderness.  Basically, he is saying that they experienced the blessing and goodness of God but still they fell away.  In verse 3 we read that “They all ate the same spiritual food and drank the same spiritual drink.”  We, for whom God has given spiritual knowledge and the gift of eternal life also fall into this category of

know that God all

It is difficult for us to see jealousy as a good thing from God because our perspectives have been so twisted by sin.  In the same way, we need our worldview completely realigned if we are truly going to put God first in our lives and not chase after idols.  How radically realigned?  Is your own happiness the major factor in most of your decisions?  It’s either ourselves or God. 

[Show the old 4SL picture]

Why is God so particular about this?  Why is Christianity so specific about following only Jesus?

God is not to be trifled.  We don’t play play with God.  These four examples show us just how serious God is.  Don’t play around with “grace” or “knowledge”.

Our worldview of us at the centre.  Finding the way that benefits us the most.  Why a Christian worldview so radically different.

Participating in idol worship or consulting other “gods” is always wrong.

1.      God will not tolerate our idolatry

1. Similar blessings of spiritual food and drink (not, if only I had seen this or that like in the OT)
2. Each of four examples refers to a specific well known OT event
3. Sin vs “actual” idolatry.  Today we watered down idolatry.  Application of v.13 to God’s aid? Fee correct p.461?  The way out is for those who seek it, not for those who are looking for a way in!
4. Idolatry, falling way, and assurance of salvation.
5. We may be tempted to go back to old

Temptation to go our own way can be strong, but God will help us overcome.

Why temptation in the context of idolatry?  Because we are tempted to serve ourselves.  We are tempted to put ourselves at the centre of our own little universe.  God provides a way out for us to bear with it.

The meaning of “stand up under it” leads to a change of worldview…

We need a change of worldview that places God at the centre of all that we want to be

Change of worldview – not treating God, Jesus, the Spirit, or Faith as a Christian idol (When You Believe, Prince of Egypt. Empire Strikes Back).  But yes, without faith it is impossible to please God.  Positive illustration in Contact, p80.

2.      God wants to give us better ways (v.13)

1. Do not be tempted to go back to idolatrous ways #. Not go back to idols, fortune telling, astrology
2. Careful not to back to old ways that have a superficial Christian layer on them
3. Going to temples and participating in pagan rituals is not allowed
4. Outside the temple, for example at home, one can eat and participate in things without asking questions.  Only if people know that it is of pagan origin then we should not participate (eg. Sit down on a chair which has some designs on it)

Decide to put God at the centre of your life then trust him unwaveringly.

This is the how and the hope.  Personal testimony would go well here.  Share how this gives freedom and joy.

What happened historically to the Corinthian church later?

What overall illustration can I use for idolatry?  Temptation?  “Unfaithful”