The second commandment 11-03-08

True Worship

Exodus 20:4-5

November 3rd, 2008

Homiletical idea: You shall not make any image for the purpose of worship that represents God.

Exegetical idea:

Big Idea: God is Spirit and those who worship Him, must worship him in spirit and in truth.

I)        God’s command-

A)     You shall not make or worship any idol. Why?

1)      Israel was called to be distinct from the nations around them.

(a)    God placed them at the crossroads of two major trade routes.

(b)   The Israelites were to reflect the values of their God to the nations, this was done primarily through the worship of God as well as the values that marked their lives throughout the week.

(c)    Yet time and time again Israel is seen taking on the values of the nations around them, (2 Kings 17:7-18) (application point)

2)      Idols are a physical representation of the deity, but God is Spirit (John 4:24) and there were only a few occasions when someone actually saw God.  Herein lies the problem, how could you accurately make an image of God if you do not know what He looks like.

3)      Idols are lifeless, non feeling and non responsive. Nothing could be farther from what God actually is:

(a)    God is concerned about His people and He is constantly at work in our lives. (Ex. 3:7-8, Phil 2:13)

(b)   God deeply loves each one of us and desires to have a relationship with us. (Rom. 5:8, 1 John 3:1, Rom. 8:32)

4)      Idols were also seen as the creation of a craftsman, to be cared for and subject to the whims of the owner. In this way the god is reduced to manageable proportions.

(a)    God was never created. (Gen. 1:1, John 1:1) Rather He is the creator and sustainer of all things. (Col. 1:16-17)

(b)   Neither is God one who needs to be fed or cared for. (Ps. 50:12,24:1) The opposite is true. (Ps. 23)

(c)    God is not subject to our whims and concerns. We cannot use God for our purposes as though He were some sort of Jennie. (1 Sam 4:3b) Rather we are subject to the sovereign plans of God. (Jer. 29:11)

B)      God is Holy and often the worship of idols degenerates into immorality.

II)      How are we to worship God? (John 4:24)

A)     In Spirit- Led by the Holy Spirit. (John 3:6)

1)      We are approaching a Holy God whenever we worship.

2)      The Holy Spirit opens our hearts and our minds to the truth of who God is and what He has done for us.

3)      He leads us to worship as we should.

(a)    With Gladness

(b)   With singing

(c)    With hands raised up (surrender)

B)      In Truth (Matt. 15:8)

1)      The Holy Spirit also leads us into a right relationship in the midst of worship.

2)      He searches our hearts (1 Sam 16:7)

3)      He brings conviction , (Ps. 66:18)