Golden Calves And Forgetting God

Golden Calves And Forgetting God

INTRODUCTION:

1.     Read Text:  Ex. 32:1-6.

2.     Regarding:

(1)         Moses was experiencing the ultimate spiritual high… meanwhile Israel, not but a few “baby steps” into her journey, had fallen to a new all-time spiritual low.

(2)         Israel’s actions, while improper were not impulsive.  Took a while to build.

(3)         Notice Ex. 32:22 – Aaron said of his brethren – “people set on evil / mischief.

(4)         You recall that when they left Egypt, they were given gold by Egyptians.  Now, they were using the very things provided by the providence of God to build own gods.

(5)         Read Psa. 106:20-21 – Thus they changed their glory into the image of an ox that eats grass.  They forgot God their Savior, who had done great things in Egypt.

3.     If we are nothing more than the products (by-products) of eternal matter then the children of Israel were right in their doing. 

4.     If we are not children of the rocks and dirt.  If we are not the offspring of some noodle that crawled out of evolution’s primeval soup…  Israel was wrong!  Dead wrong!

5.     We are children of God most high.  Jehovah God!  He rightfully belongs on the throne of our heart, soul, mind and strength (Deut. 6; Mk. 12).

(1)         By His very nature, He will not overpower your ability to make choices.

(2)         But, by this same nature, God is never withdrawn from us, leaving us with no evidence of His existence and presence.

A.       God does not and has not gone anywhere.  Same as at dawn of creation.

B.       Question = have we gone somewhere else?  Have we distracted ourselves with another?

DISCUSSION: Pagans Are Not The Only Ones To Erect Idols --

I.         From Whence Do Idols Come?

1.      Culture --

(1)           Our word “culture” has its roots in idea of cultivation; meaning is that of enhancing existence through knowledge and training.

(2)           One of two things happens (is happening) – Culture influences you or you influence your culture.

A.          It is a cumulative effect.

B.          In a way, we each have an equal vote (true democracy).  Something no government on the earth can control (unless we allow).  We are who we want to be (free, oppressed, moral, ungodly, violent, forgiving, offensive, defensive).

C.         We either teach people the need to depend on God or “they” teach us to depend on self.

(3)           Bible warns :  James 4:4;  1 Jn. 2:15;  Jn. 15:19; 1Jn. 5:19.

2.      Our immediate environment (guess this is saying same, but different).

(1)           We can find our own place.  Carve out our own spot.  In world but not of world.

(2)           1 Pet. 3:15.

(3)           “Garbage in – Garbage out.”  Research shows 21 days of consistent performing an activity makes it a habit.  Thoughts – beliefs – actions – habits – life – destiny.

(4)           Mk. 7:15-16.

3.      Anything you allow to replace God or obscure your vision of God = idol.

(1)           Mt. 6:22-24.

(2)           There is none so blind as those who will not see.

II.      Modern Versions Of The Golden Calf.

1.      Covetousness Or Materialism.

(1)           Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.  (Col. 3:5)

(2)           Not among fruit of spirit and not on top hit list to get you into heaven.

(3)           Jesus does ask you to abandon anything and everything that will hinder serving Him.  He will either be the Lord of you will serve someone / something else.

2.      Winning at all cost (Eccl. 2:11; Jer. 10:23).

(1)           David wanted Bathsheba at all cost…

(2)           Absalom wanted his father’s throne at all cost.

(3)           Solomon had all.. He won the earthly reward lottery… “Then I looked on all the works that my hands had done  And on the labor in which I had toiled;  And indeed all was vanity and grasping for the wind.  There was no profit under the sun.  (Eccl. 2:11)

(4)           The Jewish nation.  Confronted with the perfect man – “Crucify Him!”

3.      Me,  Myself, and I 

(1)           "eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality; but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness—indignation and wrath," (Romans 2:7-8, NKJV)

A.          Self seeking (NKJV) – ASV = factious

B.          Closely associated with  idea of being “a hireling” or “trying to win followers.”

4.      Relationships (Mt. 26:3-5; Mk. 11:18; Lk. 14:25-27; Acts 5:29).

(1)           Pharisees and Sadducees joined forces and plotted by trickery to kill Christ (Mt. 26:3-5)

(2)           Scribes and Chief priests joined forces (Mk. 11:18).

(3)           Lk. 14:26-27;  Acts 5:29.

5.      Man-made religion (Mt. 15:7-9).

III.   Actions To Eliminate Idolatry.

1.      Refuse to make idols in the first place (Josh. 24:15; 1 Cor. 10:14).

2.      Make a swift break (cf. Ex. 32:10, 19-20, 26-28;  Cf. Gen. 39:14; Acts 5).

3.      Devote yourself to something better (Rom. 12:9; Mt 7:7-8).

CONCLUSION:

1.     1 Pet. 4:1-3.