IDOLATRY 3

IDOLATRY

THE PATHWAY TO VICTORY

INTRO

· Idolatry is referred to as unfaithfulness to the Lord. In essence it is rightly understood – maybe only truly understood – when we see it as adultery.

· The Way we protect our marriages from adultery gives principles to how we can protect our fidelity to the Lord.

EMOTIONAL RESPONSIBILITY

- What do I want that only the Lord can give but I am seeking it elsewhere?

- What do I want that I am currently not getting? Whatever “it” is it can become an idol

I. EMBRACE THE DISCIPLINE OF LIVING AN ORDERLY LIFE

1 Corinthians 9:24 ESV

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.

1 Corinthians 9:25 ESV

Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.

1 Corinthians 9:26 ESV

So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air.

a.

1 Corinthians 9:27 ESV

But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.

Discipline: 1) - instruction or training used by God to train his children in righteous living

The Theological Dictionary of the New Testament ὑπωπιάζω

means, then, to strike someone on the face (under the eyes) in such a way that he gets a “black eye” and is disfigured as a result. The description of cities ravaged by war

Holman New Testament Commentary: Hebrews & James Discipline

instruction or training used by God to train his children in righteous living

The Theological Dictionary of the New Testament ὑπωπιάζω

means, then, to strike someone on the face (under the eyes) in such a way that he gets a “black eye” and is disfigured as a result. The description of cities ravaged by war

2) - to strike someone on the face (under the eyes) in such a way that he gets a “black eye” and is disfigured as a result. The description of cities ravaged by war

instruction or training used by God to train his children in righteous living

How do you discipline your body?

1 Timothy 4:7 ESV

Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness;

b.

II. WALK THE PATHWAY OF GOSPEL OBEDIENCE

The key to obedience is an orderly life

2 Chronicles 15:8 ESV

As soon as Asa heard these words, the prophecy of Azariah the son of Oded, he took courage and put away the detestable idols from all the land of Judah and Benjamin and from the cities that he had taken in the hill country of Ephraim, and he repaired the altar of the Lord that was in front of the vestibule of the house of the Lord.

GOSPEL OBEDIENCE IS A STEP BY STEP PROCESS

STEP 1: The immediate and internal application of the Word of God to my heart

- Internal renovation: When the Word of God meets a heart that values it, the Word’s power brings about an immediate rearrangement of all things.

a major reason why we do not deal with idolatry is rooted in our hearts rejection of the Word of God:

STEP 2: Take away those things and or people (idols) that were hindering my godliness

a major reason why we do not deal with idolatry is rooted in our hearts rejection of the Word of God:

ONLY WHEN THE WORD OF GOD IS VALUED AND PRIORITIZED IN SUCH A WAY THAT IT CAN IMMEDIATELY SHAPE OUR HEART WILL WE EVER WANT TO DEAL WITH THE IDOLS OF OUR HEART

WE WILL NEVER PHYSICALLY HATE WHAT WE DO NOT FIRST, SPIRITUALLY HATE

The People and things that hinder our godliness need to be dealt with truthfully, honestly and decisively

In the past

In the future

STEP 3: Cultivating the Sacred Presence of the Lord in the Center of my heart and life

NOTE THIS

The Gospel demands that all three steps be taken if one is to actually be said to be walking in obedience

To do step 1 (application to my heart) and Step 2 (tearing down idols) without Step 3 means that the cycle of idolatry will continue.

III. DEVELOP THE HABIT OF SPIRITUAL CHANGE

The key to spiritual change is knowing how to develop Spiritual habits

KEEP THIS IN MIND:

I NEED TO ALWAYS REMEMBER THIS TRUTH: THERE IS NO POSSIBLE WAY TO BE HOLY, GODLY AND TO WALK WORTHY OF THE GOSPEL WITHOUT PRACTICE

WHAT MUST WE PRACTICE?

1. Actively, Aggressively, Daily and Strategically Wage War Against the Flesh

Galatians 5:16 ESV

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.

Galatians 5:17 ESV

For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.

Galatians 5:16 ESV

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.

How do you engage in the Battle?

A. Be always and strategically killing the sin that agitates you.

Colossians 3:5 ESV

Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.

Note he is talking to Christians. it does not matter how long or how saved i am - if i am not actively putting sin to death, sin is always winning

HERE ARE OUR ONLY OPTIONS WITH REGARD TO SIN: BE ALWAYS KILLING SIN OR SIN WILL ALWAYS BE KILLING YOU

HOW WE DEAL WITH SIN IS A PROOF OF OUR ETERNAL CONDITION

Matthew 5:27 ESV

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’

Matthew 5:29 ESV

If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell.

Matthew 5:30 ESV

And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell.

How do you engage in the Battle?

B. Be Always and Deliberately Practicing Righteousness

Galatians 5:16 ESV

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.

Galatians 5:17 ESV

For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.

How do you walk in the Spirit?

1.Developing a Plan for working on One Fruit of the Spirit for 21 days. Then, work on the next for 21 days, etc

gal 5:

Galatians 5:22–23 ESV

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

Galatians 5:22 ESV

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

2. Develop A Plan for regularly manifesting the virtues of godliness

Galatians 5:23 ESV

gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

2 Peter 1:5 ESV

For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge,

2 Peter 1:5–8 ESV

For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Peter 1:6 ESV

and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness,

2 Peter 1:7 ESV

and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.

2 Peter 1:8 ESV

For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

a. Always be on guard – Nehemiah ??

b.

1. Go to War for the Union from Intruders (those who mean your union harm) –:??

a. Always be on guard against deceivers and deception

2. Cultivate A Heart that Honors My Union with God –

3. Know How to Go to War – :??

4. The Discipline Pathway of Obedience –