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Sermons about Idolatry
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Worshiping the Loving God (Psalm 45)
Romance stories and wedding ceremonies betray the allure of love. Unfortunately, human love can be an idol, from spouses to friends to celebrity obsessions to children. Whereas human love will fail, God's love endures forever. His love is good, sovereign, and stands behind all history. Psalm 45 provides a gripping picture of the beauty of love and marriage, which the NT explains was fulfilled in Jesus' love for His church (Eph. 5:22-33; Heb. 1:8). On this love we must meditate, and then celebrate.
Threats to Christian Freedom: License, Part 4
In Galatians 5:2-24, Paul warns the Galatians of two dangerous threats to their life of freedom: legalism (vv. 2-12) and license (vv. 13-24). In Galatians 5:13-24, Paul argues that Christian freedom does not mean freedom from all moral obligations. He recognizes that Christian freedom can be abused. Therefore, to guard believers against misunderstanding Christian freedom and thereby falling prey to the threat of license, In vv. 13-15, Paul defines the nature of Christian of freedom. In vv. 16-18, Paul describes the conflict of Christian freedom. Now, in vv. 19-23, to motivate believers to walk by the Spirit rather than by the flesh, Paul contrasts the fruit of Christian freedom. Specifically, he contrasts the works of the flesh (vv. 19-21) with the Fruit of the Spirit (vv. 22-23). Finally, Paul concludes by announcing the triumph of Christian Freedom (v. 24).
Worshiping the Good God
God created us to worship Him. He seeks worshipers in Spirit and Truth (John 4:24). The Psalms immerse us in the history and language of worship. Psalm 34 stresses the goodness of God. And in the country of good and evil, rebels and doubters, sinners and saints, we must remember that God is good. Contrasted with the default escape to (the idol of) entertainment (who can argue that pizza and prime time don't sound perfect after a hard day?), God must be our primary retreat, first joy, and ultimate source of meaning. This sermon calls us to "Taste and See that the LORD is good."
Threats to Christian Freedom: License, Part 3
In Galatians 5:2-24, Paul warns the Galatians of two dangerous threats to their life of freedom: legalism (vv. 2-12) and license (vv. 13-24). In Galatians 5:13-24, Paul argues that Christian freedom does not mean freedom from all moral obligations. He recognizes that Christian freedom can be abused. Therefore, to guard believers against misunderstanding Christian freedom and thereby falling prey to the threat of license, In vv. 13-15, Paul defines the nature of Christian of freedom. In vv. 16-18, Paul describes the conflict of Christian freedom. Now, in vv. 19-23, to motivate believers to walk by the Spirit rather than by the flesh, Paul contrasts the fruit of Christian freedom. Specifically, he contrasts the works of the flesh (vv. 19-21) with the Fruit of the Spirit (vv. 22-23).
Spiritual Hunger: Thirsting For God in the Spiritual Wasteland
Psalm 63: Thirsting for God in a spiritual wasteland. Is there more to life than meets the eye? Could our thirst for something beyond this world be a clue that we are made for another world? For something much more. Saint Augustine said, "Our hearts are restless until they find their rest in Thee." How is God glorified in our joy in Him? How is God loving in commanding us to worship him?
The True Worship of the Weaker Brother
Now, this chapter goes to talk about basically giving up freedoms that we may have to love our brothers or sisters who don’t yet recognize their own freedom. In a sense laying down our lives for those who just don’t get it. That’s hard, really hard. That is, instead of assuming that we’re the ‘older brother’ or more mature Christian, let’s assume that we’re not and that we really don’t know the difference between an idol and the God who is worthy of our worship. Let’s examine what it’s like to worship the wrong things.
