Enabled - Idolatry - I John 5:13-21
Introduction:
[why summarize this way] Because of what Idolatry Means:
[why summarize this way] Because of How We Are Created:
It’s our Natural Human Tendency:
(1) Know that you are not immune to idolatry (I John 5:13)
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(2) Pray confidently for those in idolatry (I John 5:14-17)
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Deliver Me from Idolatry
1 Timothy 6:10; 1 John 5:21
Preaching Themes: Idolatry, Love
Prayer Type: Petition
Deliver me, O God, from all idolatrous love of any creature. I know infinite numbers have been lost to you, by loving those creatures for their own sake, which you permit, even command, to love subordinately to you. Preserve me, I ask you, from all such blind affection; be a guard to all my desires, that they fix on no creature any farther than the love of it tends to build me up in the love of you. You require me to love you with all my heart; I ask you that I may never open my heart to anything, but out of love to you.
Above all, deliver me, O my God, from all idolatrous self-love. I know, O God, that this is the root of all evil. I know you made me, not to do my own will, but yours. I know, the very corruption of the devil is, the having a will contrary to yours. O be my helper against this most dangerous of all idols, that I may both discern all its subtleties, and withstand all its force. O you who have commanded me to renounce myself, give me strength, and I will obey your command. My choice and desire is, to love myself, as all other creatures, in and for you. O let your almighty arm so establish, strengthen, and settle me, that you may ever be the ground and pillar of all my love.
JOHN WESLEY
(3) Live with certainty about sin, self, and the Son (I John 5:18-20)
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(4) Guard against idolatry intentionally (I John 5:21)
Worldliness, then, is a preoccupation with ease and affluence. It elevates creature comfort to the point of idolatry; large salaries and comfortable life-styles become necessities of life.