No Other gods

Opener: Survey Says

Recent Survey.

In the capitol of Slovakia they had an online poll to name a new bridge... and the by far winner was the suggestion: “Chuck Norris”.

Popular Opinion doesn’t always make the right decision.

In Austin Texas they put up to the internet to name a Solid Waste Facility. The winner Fred Durst, a lead singer from a famous rock band, who actually endorsed the vote.

Popular Opinion does’t always make the right decision.

In 2016 the British Government thought it was a good idea to have the internet vote on the name of a $287 Million Dollar research Vessel. The winner by a land slide: Boaty McBoatface!

Popular Opinion doesn’t always make the right decision.

You in fact will not find these names on any of the objects. The government agencies vetoed the vote. Sometimes we need that.

Personally I wanted Boaty McBoatface, but you don’t always get what you want.

Naming something is one thing but when it comes to how we should live matters become a matter of life and death. They become mattes of eternal consequences. Fortunately we have an eternal God to help us navigate this.

Kevin DeYoung in his book on the 10 commandments, “You shall only worship God isn’t just the first commandment in the Bible, it is the first idea.”

“In the beginning God.”

Point 1: Only Worship God

Deuteronomy 5:6-10 6 ‘I am the Lord your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.

7 ‘You shall have no other gods before Me.

8 ‘You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth.

9 ‘You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, and on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me,

10 but showing lovingkindness to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.

ONE AND ONLY

The words “You shall have not other gods before Me” does not mean that God has to be first place. As to say there can be a 2nd, 3rd, 4th or 5th. It means there can be no other. “Before me” means “in my presence” not first place. So in other words you shall only Worship the one true and living God!

Why? Why shall you only Worship God? The answer is simple. He is the one and only God! “In the beginning” it was God alone. Everything else is created. He is the uncreated Creator. Who created God? To be God is to be uncreated! It is to be eternal. If He was created He isn’t God. It is why no one can truly ascend to the status of godhood. The Bible says “God is Spirit”. Simply put the spiritual doesn’t have to play by the naturals rules. If you think of God in purely natural terms you are not thinking of God. He is all powerful, all knowing, all present; Oniscient, Omnipotent, Omnipresent. He is like no other and no other is like Him.

He has a monopoly on deity. He has exclusivity on his eternality. He is absolutely the one and only.

So this isn’t a battle of the gods. Put YHWH first. No. This is a recognition of the reality that He alone is God! To worship other gods is to worship a false god. It is to engage in a lie. It is not just wrong. It is false. It is completely counter to the way the Creator has made us to live.

And this is the context of Deuteronomy:

Deuteronomy 4:35 “To you it was shown that you might know that the Lord, He is God; there is no other besides Him.”

and

Deuteronomy 6:4 says, “Hear O Israel the LORD our God is One!”

So we have Deuteronomy 4, 5, and 6 all echoing the same thing over and over and over.

Worship Jesus

Do you see why Jesus has to be God? Because He is Worshipped!

Hebrews 1:6 “And when He again brings the firstborn into bthe world, He says,

“And let all the angels of God worship Him.””

And of course “in the begging” (remember those words) He already was! In fact John 1 tells us He was the creator of all things with the Father. Yet there is only one God.

There are some who say oh the Trinity is a later made up idea. After all the word is not in the Bible. I would caution you. The concept is there and the trinitarian formula, Father, Son and Holy Spirit is formulated and instituted by Jesus Himself! Go look it up: Mt 28. Yet do not misunderstand the trinity. The trinity is a claim to monotheism. It is a claim to the singleness of God as much as it is a claim to the complexity of the Godhead. There is only one God. The Bible could not be more adamant on this point. And after all it is the very first commandment!

What is Worship?

Definition

Worship is any act, gesture or adoration of the heart that recognizes someone or something as God. Biblically this is most often seen through the gesture of bowing down before. It is also seen through the various ritual ministries, offerings, tributes, and gestures.

It is also seen in something as simple as prayer. No man, woman, or angel is ever appropriately prayed to in the Bible. Prayer, properly done, is only ever given to God.

But it goes further than this.

Worship: All of us

To truly uphold this commandment it is not enough to not worship false gods. Nor is it enough to partially worship the one true and living God. It means you must worship Him with all your heart, soul, mind and strength (Deuteronomy 6:4).

Deuteronomy 4:29 says this, “But from there you will seek the Lord your God, and you will find Him if you search for Him with all your heart and all your soul.”

Violation of the first commandment doesn't just take place when one bows down to a false God, but takes place when we fail to seek and love God with all that we are. We give what belongs to God to another… whatever that “other” is.

Idolatry Examples

Here are some things in the Bible that are called Idolatry besides literal idol worship:

Rebellion and Insubordination - 1 Sam 15:23. This was direct disobedience to the word of The LORD. By the way if you can’t read your Bible and simply obey it. That is a form of rebellion. I was listen to the late great David Pawson recently and he talked about those who read their Bible to get a special revelation out of it. They are looking for that experience where they feel like God is just speaking to them. That is okay. But if you are only reading your Bible for that and can’t simply obey. That is a problem. If I have to tell my kids to do something twice. That is a form of disobedience. The prophet tells Saul, “Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He has also rejected you from being king.”

Greed. Collisions 3:5. The desire to have more and more. Of course Jesus says you cannot serve God and mammon (wealth). This is a huge problem in America. Anytime you see money being pedaled as the solution to the worlds problems be wary. They are probably trying to solve moral problems by economic means. It doesn’t work. Both those who have and those who havenot can be idol worshippers of wealth! but those who have especially so. We will talk about that more when we get to the 10th commandment.

Pursuing want and pleasure. Paul speaks of the idolatrous acts of the Israelites. They were eating, drinking, and playing. A life of liesure. It doesn’t mean we can’t ever do that. Israel had celebrations, but if you give yourself to that that is idolatry.

Sexual Immorality - this is often connected to idol worship with cult prostitutes. Sexual infedility often leads ones heart away from God. it did for the wisest king to ever rule israel.

False teaching (1 John) - Anything that takes the focus off of the Biblical work and ministry of Jesus. You see idolatry is something that looks like the orignal but distorts it in a profound way. See every cult that has ever existed.

In short where is your heart, soul, mind and strength being spent.

All sins lead to complete rebellion against God.

Sin by its nature is three things:

Deceitful. Heb 3:13. If it can hook you with one thing it will pull you into another.

Rebellious. it by its very nature is rebelling against God who gave us the comamndments. And it does so with vigor.

Spiritual. Often times we are tempted to think with sin… who I am harming? Aren’t i free to do what I want. every sin has a dramatic effect on both God and neighbor. Think of how the hidden sin of achen or Saul or King David effected all of Israel. Think of how your sin effects your own household.

The time in my life I doubted God the most. His existence. His love for Me. His goodness. Was the time I was deepest in sin. Just pursuing want and pleasure. In pursuite of the natural I began to deny the spiritual.

Yet for us in Christ Jesus we have a rescuer from our own idolatry.

Point 2. The Creator not a Creature.

Deuteronomy 5:8 “‘You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth.”

No graven images. It is about the creator not a creature. Romans 1 talks about this at length.

Romans 1:18-25 “18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,

19 because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them.

20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.

21 For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

22 Professing to be wise, they became fools,

23 and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures.

24 Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them.

25 For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

God is the author of life and creator of all things. it is particularly problematic when humans who were anointed with the highest honor being created in the image of God (which means to bring Him Glory) that we worship a created thing. In fact in someways we are the crown of creation that helps bring all other creation into its proper God glorifying order.

Some groups in the day in age when God gave these commandments were monotheist. They worshipped one god. But is was the sun god or the like. Part of what was unique about Israel was they were the only ones who worshipped the uncreated Creator.

Why we may not bow down to a physical idol it is amazing the number of things we do that are very similar to the things that accompany idol worship:

cult prostitution. Look at America today. We don’t even fight this battle anymore in the public square. porn has become a long resident not to mention the other vices and immorality western culture embraces.

drugs. again they are growing more and more popular today. ND in particular has a drinking problem. Other states have a weed problem.

indulgence. eating and drinking. food can be an idol. Proverbs 30 talks about how a full belly can make you forget about God.

entertainment.

Good things can be turned into weapons against our soul. We must make sure our trust is in God and the natural doesn’t take the place of our spirtual duty as image bearers.

If the television is stealing praise, adortation, and prayer to God… get rid of that idol.

Family can be an idol. If you are more conserned about your kids performance in sports or academics then their spiritual life… maybe you are teaching them to be idol worshiper.

Graven Image

The commision against making an engraven image was to ensure they would not use earthly object as a median to worship the true and living God. In Christ Jesus we have direct access to God. If we use physical object a building or an icon to aid in approaching God that is a mistake as well.

I am Lutheran?

Living here in ND I meet a lot of people who when you ask if they are a Christian they say “I’m Lutheran.” Now I know they are just trying to fill you in on the details, but if you stop and think about that answer it is interesting. I asked if you were a follower of Christ and you said “I am a follower of Luther.” Now whether you answer that question Christian or Lutheran you can still make an idol out religion. Ultimately what is a graven image? It is a poor representation of something. If we replace the access we have in Christ for religion we can actually turn our faith into idol worship. What do I mean by that.

If we think a building gives us special access to God. As Keith green use to say going to church doesn’t make you a Christian any more than going to McDonalds makes you a hamburger.

If we think objects or rituals give us special access to God, even if they be Biblical institutions like baptism or communion, we are mistaken.

If we think statues, roseries, gravesites, portals in some guys basement, or whatever it may be give us special access to God we are mistaken. It is JESUS who gives us special access to God.

The Jesus Model

Jesus put it best “God is Spirit and must be worshipped in Spirit and in True”.

Not only that Jesus modeled perfectly what it is like to be in perfect relationship with God. We are all image beares but Jesus is the perfect image of God.

Col 1:15 “He is the image of the invisible God.”

He is the “fullness of God in bodily form” as well. He is God. But He also models what it is like for man to have perfect relationship with God. He goes directly to God.

In Christ Jesus there isn’t a temple we go to. This building behind me has no spiritual power. And if it did we would be doing a lowsy job. We don’t even have a stain glass window in that puppy.

Jesus is the mediator and the bridge between God and man as fully God and fully man. In Him we can go directly to the Father any time day or night and if we want to be like Jesus we must do it often!

Please do not leave this message today and inspect for idols. The standard is so much higher. The standard is the image of the invisible God. it is Christ Jesus Himself. Walk as He walked. Pray as He prayed. Worship as He worshipped. The ultimate form of Worship He performed was when we died upon that cross. That perfect sacrifice. That takes the sin of idolatry we are all guilty of. We are all guilty of exchanging the truth of God for a lie. For worshipping something on this earth wether its food or a carved image. And Jesus died for that so we could walk in perfect harmony with God. So do not squander this magnificent gift! That you have direct access to the Father, and in Christ Jesus, you can worship Him in Spirit and in Truth!

Point 3 God is a Jealous God (Spiritual Adultery)

Deut 5:9-10 “ ‘You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, and on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me,

10 but showing lovingkindness to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.”

He is a Jealous God.

Jealousy can be bad and it can also be good. A Man should be jelous for his wife and visa versa. In fact imagine a man that is not jelous for his wife. A man that was indifferent concerning the matter. That would be greatly disturbing. It should unnerve you. Sometimes when we hear this about God we may go is that right? It is right. He is jelous for the soul he placed in you. He is your creator! I wouldn’t tolerate another man coming into my house and pretending to be me. Would I? No! Not at all.

God doesn’t just have the right to be jealous, something is off if he is not!

This is in accordance with the goodness of God. He is a good and faithful husband.

Iniquities of the fathers on the children

I should say something about the visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children. Much has been made about these verses from generational sins to now ethics. It doesn’t mean any of that. Look more closely.

What is 4 generations? It is one living family tree. Grandparents, parents, children, grandchildren. He is in effect saying I will whipe from this earth those who hate me (which would include the children) and I will bless for generations those not yet existing those who love me.

God is very clear in the Bible, Old an New, that the sins of the individual will ultiamtely be bore by the one who sins.

God opposes the proud and gives grace to the humble.

He shows mercy to the most agregious of sinners. If he can save Ninevah, the capitol of Assyria, he can save you and has mercy for you!

Each one will be jduged accroding to what they have done based on God’s Word! It won’t be a mystery.

Lastly did Jesus die for 4 generations? a thousand generations? He died for every generation. He died for the sins of THE WORLD!

A Jealous God

Nevertheless God is a jelous God who is jelous for his people. He is a consuming fire a Jealous God (Deut 4:24)

When King Asa, one of the Kings of Judah did not listen to prophetic word and relied not on God but on another king to win a war God judged him from that time on to have many wars. and it says this,

2 Chronicals 16:9, “For the eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His”

I think that is the question today. Is your heart competely His? Why don’t you ask Him that now. Lord is my heart completely yours? Did he bring anything to mind?

A Spiritual Battle

1 Corinthians 10:19-22 “19 What do I mean then? That a thing sacrificed to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything?

20 No, but I say that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons and not to God; and I do not want you to become sharers in 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 Or do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? We are not stronger than He, are we?”

Idolatry is a spiritual matter. Paul calls the love of money a temptation, a snare that has caused some to “wander away from the faith”. You can’t serve two masters. It really is we are in the domain of darkness (it may look like bottle of booz to your earthly eyes but it is under the domain of satan) or we are in the Kingdom of the Beloved.

James 4:4 “ You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.”

We are violators, ultimately of this covenant. We are all what the Bible portrays Israel as over and over again in the prophets: Spiritual Adulterers. We are the unfaithful wife. Yet God is always faithful.

Death is the consequence

The sin of adultery demands death. The sin of idolatry demands death.

Deuteronomy 17 2 “If there is found in your midst, in any of your towns, which the Lord your God is giving you, a man or a woman who does what is evil in the sight of the Lord your God, by transgressing His covenant,

3 and has gone and served other gods and worshiped them, or the sun or the moon or any of the heavenly host, which I have not commanded,

4 and if it is told you and you have heard of it, then you shall inquire thoroughly. Behold, if it is true and the thing certain that this detestable thing has been done in Israel,

5 then you shall bring out that man or that woman who has done this evil deed to your gates, that is, the man or the woman, and you shall stone them to death.

6 “On the evidence of two witnesses or three witnesses, he who is to die shall be put to death; he shall not be put to death on the evidence of one witness.

7 “The hand of the witnesses shall be first against him to put him to death, and afterward the hand of all the people. So you shall purge the evil from your midst.

Can you put yourself in their shoes? This is heavy stuff. There are some great principles here about judging, the death penalty etc that we can talk about another day. But sometimes when you come face with the earthly consequence and you know the spiritual one is infinitely worse it gives you those

We often exchange God for trivial things. I did for worthless things. Much like Judas who sold his soul for 30 pieces of silver. How many men and women have sold their souls for alchohal, money, food, entertainment, video games. It is not worth it. What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul?

The Cross is the answer (New and Better Covenant: Faithfulness)

It really takes the image of the cross to new heights when you think of this. He is the husband dying for his wifes unfaithfgulness so he can wash her and make her clean. Make her that spotless bride.

Good things can be turned into weapons against our soul. We must make sure our trust is in God and the natural doesn’t take the place of our spiritual duty as image bearers.er covenant with us. Not just told us to be faithful. But he has enscribed faithfulness on the heart of the believer. We are not just comanded to be but empowered to be. So lean trust and rely upon him.

That is the cross of Jesus Christ! On this side of the cross. Having been purchased with the precious blood of the spotless lamb. Do you know what Jesus expects from us? Faithfulness.

You can’t do it on your own. You need to trust in Christ and Christ alone.