06AM April 23 Exodus 20 4_6
April 23, 2006—Morning Worship
The Temptation in Worship
Discovering the Clues to Avoiding False Worship
Exodus 20:4-6
Intro: Which of the 10 Commandments do you think is the most difficult to keep? We often think of commands against lying or coveting the possessions of others. When you think of the Commandments, those against committing adultery or neglecting the Sabbath may come to mind. But too often, we're prone to overlook the commandment against idolatry. We consider idolatry a sin seen only in other cultures; but in fact, idolatry is all around us. Magazine covers show us the idols of our culture. One popular TV show, which many of you watch twice a week, names the next "American Idol," & many lives here today may even be plagued w/the worship of possessions rather than the Person of Jesus Christ. Not too long ago I saw a Hollywood awards show, & I noticed how similar the little golden statues were to what I'd envision for an idol – & those little golden statues dominate the lives & careers of those who seek & worship them.
Paul warns in 1 Corinthians 10 12 Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. 13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but w/the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. 14 Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.
& in Colossians 3 Paul broadens the definition of idolatry: 5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, & covetousness, which is idolatry. IOW, all these things can be worshiped which makes them idols in the lives of those who worship them.
But God is to be adored from the heart, & He alone is to be enthroned in the very center of our lives. Anything that we love more than Him is an idol, b/c idolatry is essentially anything that comes before Him in our lives. Let's look at each aspect of this commandment together, from…
Exodus 20 4 "You shall not make for yourself a carved image—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 nor serve them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the 3rd & 4th generations of those who hate Me, 6 but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me & keep My commandments.
- Notice w/me 1st of all…
1. The Instructions in the Text give us the “Why” of the temptation.
- There are several elements of instruction here.
- 1st…
A. We must not Construct graven images. (v. 4) 4 "You shall not make for yourself a carved image—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
- Whether the images & idols are visible (like an image hanging on the wall) or invisible (like a drive, a goal, or a dream), we must keep them out of our lives.
- We are not to worship an idea or an image; a craving or a carving; a dream or a desire!
- There is nothing under the sun or that’s ever been created that’s worthy of worship!
- IOW don’t fabricate idols but follow the Lord!
- 2nd…
B. We must not Commit to graven images. (v. 5a) 5a you shall not bow down to them nor serve them.
- We must not believe or give credibility to graven images.
- & that can consist of anything in which you place your faith or a superstition.
- Many people pick up the paper every day & read their horoscope.
- I can tell you right now that the planets don’t have anything to do w/your future!
- But the One who created the planets has everything to do w/your future!
[I’m sure you remember those stupid little rhymes you used to quote as a kid. “Step on a crack – break your mother’s back!” As a little kid, I remember stepping on a crack one day & being horrified that I’d find my mom disabled when I got home! Or how about “Find a penny, pick it up & then all day you’ll have good luck!” Luck is a concept that those who have nothing to believe in made up. Luck doesn’t exist! If anything happens in your life – whether you think it’s good or bad – it’s b/c of the Almighty, Sovereign hand of God!]
- Don’t give credibility to superstitions & old wives tales! Don’t share them or spread them & don’t commit yourself to them!
- 3rd…
C. We must not Conform to graven images. (vv. 5b-6) 5b For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the 3rd & 4th generations of those who hate Me, 6 but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me & keep My commandments.
- It's possible to worship the wrong God, & it’s just as possible to worship the true & living God in the wrong way.
- John 4:24 Jesus said, "God is Spirit & those who worship Him must worship in spirit & truth.”
- & the word translated “must” comes from a root word that means “to bind or to tie or to fasten w/chains.”
- The word “must” itself means “of necessity.”
- & it’s stated in the present tense which means that, “We are always bound, of necessity, to worship God according to His description & definition of worship!”
- IOW we are to conform to Him & not to some image or idol or dream or anything else!
- The simple truth is you become like what you worship. So worship the only true living God & become more & more like Him!
- The Bible says that, “Bad company corrupts good morals.” Therefore, don’t hang out w/or worship anyone or anything but God Himself!
- Now let’s look closely at the text b/c…
2. The Examination of the Text gives us the “What” of the temptation.
- Notice 1st…
A. The Requirement demanded. (v. 4) 4 "You shall not make for yourself a carved image—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….
- The worship of idols is denounced.
- This verse does NOT prohibit pictures of any person or home movies or videos of any of your family or friends UNLESS you use those things to worship some individual.
- This verse teaches that we are not to use visual aids in our worship of God.
- No one knows what God looks like; no one knows His features; no man has ever seen God & lived.
- Therefore, we just don’t know what God looks like, so we can’t make a picture of Him.
- Now there are some who would say that “The Jesus Video” is a graven image b/c a man plays the part of Jesus Christ.
- But that video was not intended for use as worship – it was made as an evangelistic tool.
- & God has used that to bring many to faith in Christ; Bill Bozeman is one.
- Bill is a God-called evangelist, who, by his own testimony, was converted while in a movie theater watching the “Jesus Film.”
- His ministry has been used of God to reach many people w/the true gospel of Jesus.
- Bill Bozeman has stood in this pulpit on many occasions & delivered powerful messages from the word of God & people’s lives have been changed!
- But the Bible says that in worship – nothing is to take the place of God; no carved image, no likeness of anything in heaven or earth or in the seas.
- So the requirement demanded of men in worship of God is that there be nothing that comes before God in our lives – nothing period – nothing ever!
- Also notice 2nd…
B. The Reason given. (v. 5a) 5a you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God….
- God is a jealous God & a God of judgment.
[I once heard John Piper say that, “God is the most God-centered Person there is!” IOW, God is always concerned w/the honor & glory that are due Him. Now that sounds selfish & arrogant, but God is the only One worthy of honor & glory. He is the only One who is entitled to honor & glory & therefore, He is perfectly just & pure in His motives.]
- God doesn’t want His people to bow down to idols or carved images of man or beast or planet or stars.
- God doesn’t want His people to serve dumb, deaf, mute, lifeless, helpless, hopeless idols!
- Why would anyone serve a dead god when they could know & experience the presence of the one true living God!?!
- It seems like a no-brainer to me how about you?
- Not only do we see the requirement demanded & the reason given, but also, 3rd…
C. The Result expected. (vv. 5b-6) 5b For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the 3rd & 4th generations of those who hate Me 6 but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me & keep My commandments.
- God's favor is on His obedient children & to generations of their descendants.
- God's discipline is poured out on those who disregard & break this commandment.
- How wonderful that God is a jealous God & willing to discipline those who disobey.
[I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve heard people quote – actually misquote this verse. They always seem to think there is a period after the word “generations.” God is NOT saying that He will hold innocent people responsible for the sins of their fathers! You already know that each person is responsible for their own sin. What the v. says is that the children of those who hate God will also hate God b/c of the example of their fathers – even generations later! But the descendants of those who love God will be shown mercy b/c they follow God as a result of their fathers’ love for God!]
- Your life & your ways do have an impact on your children; it does make a difference!
- So, having looked at the instruction in the text & the examination of the text, helping us to see the “Why” & the “What” of the temptation in worship, let’s see that…
3. The Implications from the Text give us the “Where” of the temptation.
- 1st…
A. This commandment can be broken in ritualistic Practices.
- Our church traditions & rituals have their place, but when we just go through the motions of worship, depending on the forms instead of on the Father Himself, it amounts to idolatry.
- Many churches are guilty of bowing down before their creeds, their ceremonies, their candles, & their crosses.
- A ritual can become a substitute for a relationship.
- Some, of the liberal persuasion, have suggested that the churches who follow & believe in the inerrancy of the Scriptures are really worshiping the Bible instead of the God who wrote the Bible.
- & it is true that you can worship your beliefs rather than having a relationship w/God.
- But that’s exactly what we stress – a relationship w/God – over anyone or anything else.
- Images & idols can be substitutes for Christ. & all idolatry & image worship is truly satanic.
- That’s why we must be so careful, that in our practices of worship, we don’t worship the practices!
[Chris & I have talked about changing the order of worship – not for change sake, but in enhance our worship. There is nothing at all sacred about taking the offering & then having the choir to sing right before I preach. It’s just a form we use – but that in & of itself is not worship. Worship is coming into the presence of God & experiencing the power of God & being changed by His presence & power!]
- If you leave this place today just the same as you came in, you didn’t really worship.
- True worship must involve change b/c we are in desperate need of change!
- So we can worship our practices & break the command or we can practice worship & enjoy the experience!
- 2nd…
B. This commandment can be broken in the revival of Pantheism.
- Pantheism is the worship of many gods through the worship of nature & that violates this commandment.
- Many religions of the world are pantheistic. They worship many gods.
- For instance, Hinduism speaks of “an Ultimate Reality which is the impersonal source of any existence.”
- The Bible tells us we can personally know the Triune God of Creation.
- Hinduism says that the physical world is the “manifestation of the impersonal Ultimate Reality & generator of illusion from which man has to detach himself.”
- The Bible tells us that the physical world is the creation of God beginning w/nothing.
- Hinduism says that man is “the illusion of personal existence.”
- The Bible tells us that man is the highest form of God’s creation, yet w/o divine nature.
- Hinduism says that man’s present condition is “ignorance of getting to know his true divine nature.”
- The Bible tells us that man’s present condition apart from God is that he is dead in his trespasses & sins.
- Hinduism says that salvation is “the merging of the divine self w/the impersonal Ultimate Reality.”
- The Bible tells us that salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone.
- & we could go on & on w/the comparison, but the point is that some of these kinds of teachings can & have worked their way into some churches that don’t stand firm on the word of God!
- So the breaking of this commandment can take place in church as well as in our everyday lives.
- 3rd…
C. This commandment can be broken in the reverence of Personalities.
- The hero worship of today – following cultic personalities – violates this commandment.
- We become like what we worship; thus we must worship the true & living God & do so in spirit & truth.
- There’s nothing wrong w/having a favorite preacher. Many of them are solid teachers of God’s word.
- But there is a problem & even a sin problem when you begin to take everything that preacher says as the word of God. If you follow him rather than God – you’ve broken this commandment.
[For the last several years in Romania, some of the youth have asked for my & Patricia’s autographs. I know they aren’t worshiping me or her -- & yet I feel very awkward signing my autograph b/c I’m a nobody. So I always put a Scripture reference for them to read before I sign. In that way, I’m pointing them to God & His word.]
- So don’t get caught up in holding men higher than they should be or thinking that men are more than they are.
- We are to worship God alone!
- 4th…
D. This commandment can be broken n the relishing of Possessions.
- During the introduction of the message I read to you from Colossians 3:5, which tells us, that one form of idolatry is the coveting of possessions.
- If your thoughts are always on what you have instead of who you are in Christ, you’ve broken this commandment.
[A Sunday School teacher had just finished telling his class of young boys the story of the rich man & Lazarus. Then he asked, “Now which would you rather be, boys – the rich man or Lazarus?” & one boy said, “I’d want to be the rich man while I’m living & Lazarus when I die.” & unfortunately, that’s the way many people think. “I’ll get all I can while I’m here & then just before I die, I’ll make my peace w/God & go to heaven.”]
- But you become like what you worship & if you worship trinkets on earth, then you become like a worthless trinket yourself.
- but if you worship God in spirit & truth, you become more & more like Him everyday & in every way for the glory of God!
Conclusion: God calls us into His own presence, to immediate worship. We worship – not merely by listening to a sermon or being distracted by the form & fashion of music -- but by coming face-to-face, as it were, w/the God of Scripture.
When we stop short of face-to-face worship of the Eternal God, we are ruining our own character, b/c we are breaking this commandment. God's purpose in worship is to cause us to be Christ-like. The design of worship is that we might grow in grace & that the image of Christ might grow in us.
Simple obedience to His Word & true worship by His Spirit bring you closer to Him than any idol ever could.
Invitation: W/heads bowed & eyes closed – have you truly worshiped today? Have you come into the presence of God & experienced the power of God & been changed by that experience of worship? If not, why not? What’s kept you from worship today?
Perhaps you were distracted by something or someone around you. Or perhaps it was some problem you face at home or at work. Whatever it was that kept you from worship today – today you made it an idol b/c it came before God in your life today.
Or maybe it wasn’t just today that that’s happened in your life. Maybe you have never truly worshiped b/c you are not truly born again. If you’ve never known the Lord Jesus in a personal love relationship, would you come today in repentance of sin & place your faith in Him as your Lord & Savior?
Or maybe you just need to come & open your heart to the Lord. Maybe there is some besetting sin in your life of which you need to repent. Would you come?
God is calling you today. He is calling you to true worship. He is calling you to true salvation. He is calling you to come to the fountains of living water. Would you come?
Hymn 502 Open My Eyes, That I May See