Sermon Tone Analysis

*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?