The Troubling Trend of the American Idol! (2)

Introduction

Our text this morning is 1 Corinthians 10:14-21. We just finished with verse 13. In that verse, we learned how to overcome temptations. Each of us faces them. They are, as the verse stated, common to man. However, we must always rely upon God, who is faithful. Submitting to Him through obedience to His Word is the best way to handle anything life, or our flesh throws at us. God always has our best interest in mind. He knows exactly what we can manage and how much we can handle. Ultimately, He always provides us “a way to escape.” Thus, the bottom line is trusting Him and obedience to His Word.

As we move into the next section of this chapter, the Holy Spirit brings our attention to a temptation that is extremely common to all of us. It is the temptation of idolatry. If you recall, early in this chapter, the Holy Spirit warns us about temptations. He provided a long list of things we are tempted to do, just as Israel was tempted. The list included lust, idolatry, fornication, tempting God, and complaining. Each of these is extremely dangerous in its own right. However, in this next section, a particular emphasis is placed on idolatry.

The word “idolatry,” in the Greek language (the original language of the N.T.), means the worship of false gods. It is the exact meaning found in the Old Testament Hebrew and Aramaic. God established from the very beginning that He was indeed God and there were no other gods before Him. Concerning His relationship with Israel, He demanded that they worship Him and Him alone. The very first commandment of Moses’s Law stated.

Exodus 20:2–6 KJV 1900

2 I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. 3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me. 4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: 5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; 6 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.

Idolatry is the worship of any graven image or false god. Idol worship rejects God as the one true God and is a failure to obey His command. Such worship destroys a right relationship with God.

When we come to the New Testament, nothing changes. Even on this day of grace and the local church, God expects His people to worship Him and Him alone. There are many places in the New Testament that state this principle. Here are a few notable passages.

Matthew 4:10 KJV 1900

10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

Christ, as we know, stated this as Satan tempted Him by offering Christ all the “kingdoms of the world.” An offer was made IF Christ would worship Satan. Christ responded by quoting what God already established in the Old Testament. His quote reaffirms God’s established mandate to worship no one other than God Himself, especially Satan.

Another more lengthy passage supporting the principle of worshiping only God and no other is in the book of Acts. The context of this particular passage was Paul’s message to the Athenians as he proclaimed the gospel to them on Mar’s Hill. Paul’s reacted to seeing a graven image they made of the “Unknown God.” Immediately upon seeing this false idol, Paul proclaimed to them the true God of the universe. In his message, Paul noted the following.

Acts 17:24 KJV 1900

24 God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;

He later asserted in that same message this fact.

Acts 17:29 KJV 1900

29 Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device.

As we already know, 1 Corinthians takes a strong stand against idolatry.

1 Corinthians 8:5–6 KJV 1900

5 For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) 6 But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.

1 Corinthians 10:7 KJV 1900

7 Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.

When we come to our text for today, the Holy Spirit issues a strong command concerning idolatry, asking us to consider several important points about idolatry.

However, before we get to the text, let me give another explanation concerning idolatry that applies to American society. Most Americans reject the outright worship of graven images. Yes, some still continue such practices even here in America. Many Hindus, Buddhists, and even Native Indian tribes still worship images made of gold, silver, and other materials. Yet, it is a foreign practice for most Americans (especially here in the South). Unfortunately, the principle behind idolatry is very much true. At the heart of idolatry is this sinful principle. Any person not worshiping God is worshiping something, aka an idol. Anything you can think or imagine on earth can become an idol.

Anything that turns the heart and consumes the passions of a person away from God is an idol.

Things such as...

Pleasing self

Pleasing family

Seeking great possessions

Achieving riches through work or business

Seeking gratification through sports, hobbies, or entertainment

Seeking gratification through sex

Obtaining knowledge

Going after power through position or popularity

These things consume people’s passions turning their hearts away from following God. That is the issue at hand. It is a massive problem for all of us. There are so many things in this world that appeal to our flesh. We enjoy them so much that they can consume our hearts, soul, and mind in our efforts to obtain them, seeking the gratification they provide. As we do, we abandon our allegiance to God. Thus, anything that consumes our passion other than worshiping and serving God is an idol.

Idolatry is such a huge problem that the Holy Spirit gives every believer a simple command. Look at our text and look at verse 14. If you are using one of our Pew Bibles, page 683.

Avoid American Idols

“Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.” (1 Corinthians 10:14)

Note the word “flee.” Basically, if we were to put that in modern terms, the Holy Spirit says, “Wherefore, my dearly beloved, hightail it away from idolatry.”

We are to get as far away and as quickly as we can from idolatry. It has no place in the life of a believer.

Idolatry is a perilous act. It is dangerous, for it turns our hearts away from God. In fact, it causes us to again be enmity with God. We have seen this in our study of James on Sunday evening. Note this verse in James 4:4

James 4:4 KJV 1900

4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.

Last Sunday evening, we noted that the verb “will be” indicates a deliberate intent to be friends with the world. In other words, this describes the believer consumed with all the world has to offer. They have made their friendship with this world more important than their relationship with God. The Holy Spirit describes such believers are “adulterers and adulteresses.” In our text this morning, it is known as idolatry. Therefore, any time we make something of this world more important than worshiping and serving God, we place ourselves at odds with God again. Such a position is a dangerous position for every believer. It is why the Holy Spirit emphatically tells us to “flee” from it. Hightail away from it. Avoid any and every American Idol. Do not in any shape or form allow self, family, material possessions, riches, sports, hobbies, entertainment, sexual gratification, education, position, or popularity to consume your passions and heart. Instead, we must be passionate and consumed with worshiping God and serving Him. Nothing else matters.

1 Corinthians 10:31 KJV 1900

31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

Matthew 6:33 KJV 1900

33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Matthew 22:37 KJV 1900

37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

1 John 2:15 KJV 1900

15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

Thus, the command is explicit. It is “flee from idolatry.” The Holy Spirit is not merely suggesting that you turn and slowly walk away. He is effectively saying run as quickly as possible from idolatry in the opposite direction.

Here is a simple thought to consider.

If we turn and run away from idolatry, to whom are we to run? The obvious answer is God.

This leads to a crucial element in our efforts to overcome American Idolatry. The closer we are to God, the easier it is to escape idolatry. The Holy Spirit tells us to do the following in James 4.

James 4:7–8 KJV 1900

7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

Our ability to resist the Devil, flesh, and temptations rests upon our willingness to submit and stay close to God. Our heart, attention, and desire must be focused on our relationship with Him. If not, something or someone else claims our heart, attention, and desires. When that happens, we fall into the trap of idol worship.

Again, we see why the Holy Spirit so adamantly commands us to flee idolatry.

The Holy Spirit follows this up with a challenge. We are to-

Assess the Implications of American Idolatry

“I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say.” (1 Corinthians 10:15)

He challenges us to “judge” what He says. He speaks to us as “wise men.” We are wise to heed His command as we consider all the implications of American idol worship. We are to consider a fundamental principle.

What you do and who you hang with IDENTIFIES who or what you worship!

Here are six progressive thoughts the Holy Spirit shares with us as we assess [judge] idolatry in our lives.

A Believer’s INVOLVEMENT in the Lord’s Table IDENTIFIES them as a WORSHIPER of the Lord.

“The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?” (1 Corinthians 10:16)

Christ gave the local church two essential ordinances.

One ordinance is for each individual believer. It is water baptism. Each new believer is encouraged to personally identify with the Lord’s death, burial, and resurrection publically through immersion. However, the second ordinance is more corporate in nature. It was given to the local church to memorialize Christ’s death. In this verse, the Holy Spirit brings us back to the ordinance. The Lord’s Table is a “communion” with the blood and body of Christ. “Communion” simply means sharing in or with something or someone. Each time we observe the Lord’s Table, every believer who chooses to partake shares with Christ and others how important His death means to them. We literally identify ourselves as those who worship and serve Him. Both ordinances, baptism and the Lord’s Table, publically state our willingness to make Christ first in our lives.

Note the following thought from the Holy Spirit as He builds up to His point concerning idolatry.

A Believer’s INVOLVEMENT with Fellow Believers IDENTIFIES them with WORSHIPING & SERVING the Lord.

“For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.” (1 Corinthians 10:17)

Here again, the Holy Spirit points to the overall involvement of believers as they observe the Lord’s table. We all come together for one purpose. We come as “partakers of that one bread.” The one bread is the Lord Jesus Christ. The point is once again driven home. Believers who come together for the Lord’s table are naturally associated with others who identify as worshipers of the Lord Jesus Christ. We will see this all come together in just a moment. However, the Holy Spirit gives us one more consideration leading to His overall point.

Note also how that:

Israel’s INVOLVEMENT with God’s Law IDENTIFIED them as WORSHIPERS of God.

“Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar?” (1 Corinthians 10:18)

Animal sacrifice was at the center of worshiping God in Israel in the Old Testament. Whenever an animal was offered in sacrifice to God, a portion of the animal was consumed upon the altar. The remaining meat was kept and eaten by both the one offering the sacrifice and the priest who performed the sacrifice. As an Israelite gave an animal to sacrifice and then ate the same meat offered, they identified themselves as worshipers unto Jehovah God. Their involvement gave proof of their commitment to Him.

All of this leads us to this thought.

Your involvement with people and activities identifies your true heart and passion.

If you spend more time with the people of this world than fellow believers as they worship the Lord, what does that say about your true passion? Does it not say that your friendship with the world is more important than your friendship with those who love God? If you spend more time doing activities related to this world and pleasing your flesh, does it not say that you love those things more than God? However, if a person spends most of their time with fellow believers worshiping and serving the Lord, what does it say about them? Does it not say that they indeed love God more than this world?

One thing that concerns me the most about today’s form of Christianity is this. I say this with love, but I also say it in light of God’s Word. I see more believers today forsaking church attendance than I have seen before. In fact, I must admit that I am forced as a pastor to consider whether or not to continue certain services simply because fewer church members and believers attend them. It would seem that with the evil and wickedness of this day, there would be a more significant commitment to the Lord and the local church than ever before. Unfortunately, that is seemingly not the case. Instead, the very words of the Scripture are playing out before our eyes.

1 Timothy 4:1–2 KJV 1900

1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;

Here we find a vivid description of how many will fall away from God and His Word in the last days before Christ’s return. Essentially, man’s love for this world will far outweigh their love for God. Even believers will “depart from the faith” as they give in to “seducing spirits” and “doctrines of devils.” Those are not my words but God’s. My point is this. It is happening now. The reality of what God prophesied is here. Things such as church attendance reveal true passions and desires. I know it is not what you want to hear, but it is the truth of God’s Word. What we spend our time doing and with whom we spend our time speaks volumes about our true love and passions. If your heart is not to be with other believers each time the doors of this church are open, what does that say about your heart? Does it not mean you have chosen this world’s things over worship and service to God? If so, then you, my friend, are living in idolatry. That is the bottom line. It is essential then that you heed the command from God to “flee from idolatry.” Instead of spending time with the world, we must seek to spend more time with Him and His people. Yes, we are living in some wicked days. However, Scripture says:

Hebrews 10:23–25 KJV 1900

23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) 24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

The Holy Spirit identifies three negatives concerning a believer’s involvement with idolatry.

Any INVOLVEMENT in IDOLATRY is POINTLESS.

“What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing?” (1 Corinthians 10:19)

What exactly is an idol? An idol is nothing having no existence, no soul, spirit, or power. They are nothing more than the imagination and are ideas emanating from man’s mind. They are simply a figment of man’s imagination. I can take you to places like Nepal, India, and many others where this is fully demonstrated. In much the same way, the things we think bring enjoyment, satisfaction, and fulfillment do not. Many have achieved great wealth, material possession, power, and popularity. They literally had all that this world had to offer. What did they find? They found nothing. Their lives were just as empty as when they did have nothing. Everything this world offers is an illusion. Yes, you can spend your entire life pursuing them. However, in the end, you will have gained absolutely nothing.

Mark 8:36 KJV 1900

36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?

Proverbs 10:2 KJV 1900

2 Treasures of wickedness profit nothing: But righteousness delivereth from death.

The preacher of Ecclesiastes proclaimed:

Ecclesiastes 2:11 KJV 1900

11 Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun.

The pursuit of American Idols is pointless.

Here is another negative surrounding idolatry.

Any INVOLVEMENT in IDOLATRY is SOLIDARITY with SATAN, God’s enemy.

“But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.” (1 Corinthians 10:20)

God’s enemy is behind the world’s schemes, enticements, and offers. Scripture is quite clear on this matter.

Ephesians 6:12 KJV 1900

12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

In the Holy Spirit’s second letter to the Corinthian believers, He revealed the evil intent of Satan.

2 Corinthians 11:14–15 KJV 1900

14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

Satan intends to deceive every person he possibly can into turning away from God. We, as believers, are the center of his target. He fulfills his goal if he can entice and deceive believers into turning from worshiping and serving the Lord Jesus Christ. For him, there is no more satisfying victory than leading a believer away from holiness to a life of betrayal. No one understands this more than the Holy Spirit. Thus, the Holy Spirit states, “I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.” Any involvement with idolatry is solidarity with Satan and puts believers in a position of hostility with God.

James 4:4 KJV 1900

4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.

Here is the last negative surrounding idol worship.

Any INVOLVEMENT in IDOLATRY, as a Believer, is an INDICTMENT Against Their Allegiance to God.

“Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils.” (1 Corinthians 10:21)

Again we are confronted with the importance of the Lord’s table. As believers participate in this great ordinance, they identify with the Lord. However, it is incredibly hypocritical to “drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils.” This statement is the Holy Spirit’s groundwork for chapter 11. As we will learn, the Corinthian church had a huge issue. They actively engaged in idolatry, putting themselves and their self-gratification before their worship and service to the Lord. Essentially, they were pretty hypocritical in their actions. They claimed to love the Lord, yet their deeds told a different story. In the end, God judged many of them. We will see that later when we work through chapter 11. However, for now, the warning is this coming at the end of this verse.

1 Corinthians 10:21 (KJV 1900)

21 Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils.

Any involvement in idolatry is a CLEAR INDICTMENT of your allegiance with Satan and against God. There is no other way to see it. A thought that should give each of us pause to consider. There is no way God will allow believers to continually associate with Satan while portraying themselves as His followers. He simply will not allow it. Any believer who continues to do so will experience His disciplining hand.

Hebrews 12:5–8 KJV 1900

5 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: 6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. 7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? 8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.

Conclusion

So here are the questions that we all must consider this morning. Where is our allegiance? Is it with God, or does it lie with this world? You can accurately assess that by just considering the amount of time and energy you put in one versus the other. For example, if you spend more time with unbelievers than with believers, that is a sure indicator that you have traded this world for God. Friends, family, and fun times are dangerous idols. Anything we put before God causes us to lose fellowship with Him. The struggles that you are experiencing in your spiritual life are directly related to what you are worshipping. Isn’t it strange how we spend so much of our time, talent, and treasure going after temporary things? Wouldn’t it be far better for us to be passionate about the things of God which are eternal than the things of this old world? Let me encourage you this morning to examine your heart and your life. Who is more important to you? Is it self and what pleases you? Or is it pleasing God? Can others see through your outward actions your true love? What do they see? Do they know a person consumed with the world or the Lord Jesus Christ?

As you ask those questions and seek their answers, they reveal one of two things.

First, if there is no desire to please God and make Him first, then perhaps seeking salvation is the place to start. When a person acknowledges their sinful condition, repents, confesses, and turns to Christ by fully believing in His death, burial, and resurrection, God changes them. He places within them His Spirit, which now drives them to please Him. If you have no sense of that urging within you, likely, you have not truly repented and fully believed. I would start there.

Second, it is also possible that you are saved but have entirely left your first love. Our study of James on Sunday evenings revealed that any friendship with the world is enmity with God. It goes on to say in James 4:6 that God “resisteth the proud.” In other words, He sets Himself in opposition to those unwilling to humble themselves by making Him first in their lives. Perhaps that is you this morning. Yes, you know that you are saved. However, you have allowed the world to become your idol. Will you renounce the world and turn back to Christ? I implore you this morning to “humble” yourself, submit to His will, and allow Him back into your life as He rightfully should be.