Escape Idolatry!

Let's be a Christ-centered church  •  Sermon  •  Submitted
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Movements:
Introductory thoughts:

Where Was God?

During World War II, following word that an only son had been killed in action, a priest was called to the home of grief-stricken parents. The father, pacing the floor, weeping, in anger demanded, “Where was God when my son was being killed?” Silence prevailed. Then the ministering priest replied, “I guess where He was when His Son was being killed.” The calm, profound answer impacted the father, for it brought God out of remoteness into the circle of real life.

Connecting the prior portion of scripture - Because God is faithful in his allowances and provisions for temptation, you are able to bear and flee from any idol that you encounter as a believer (especially, the ones that we will discuss).

(1) The blood of Jesus, the body of Jesus, and the Holy Spirit of God form a foundation for our understanding - John 6:53 - 56, 60 - 63, 3:5 - 6

The Holy Spirit of God brings eternal life to those who believe on Jesus Christ.
To believe on Jesus Christ means you have believed that his blood and body that were sufficient to bring us together forever.
The Holy Spirit of God indwells every individual believer who has spiritually eaten (believed upon) the flesh and blood of Christ.
See the following references in Corinthians - ,

(2) There are three really important truths we want to affirm:

(i) That the Spirit of God is in us and has brought us life. We are therefore reconciled to God.
(1) That the Spirit of God is in us and has brought us life. We are thereby reconciled to God.
(ii) That we have partaken of the sacrifice of Christ, meaning that his death has become our death and his resurrection life our life. ; .
(2) That we have partaken of the sacrifice of Christ, meaning that his death has become our death and his resurrection life our life. ; .
(iii) Lastly, we have been brought into relationship with each other through the sacrifice of Christ. (largely an emphasis by fellowship but also throughout this entire section).
(iii) Lastly, we participate together (as a local assembly) showing the union we have been brought into with one another.
Read
In this case it is especially important to observe that this meal is not the present focus of Paul’s concern; rather the focus here is on the sacred pagan meals soon to be addressed (vv. 19–21). - Fee, G. D. (2014).
Fee, G. D. (2014).
The main issue in this chapter is idolatry. What is idolatry?
Man-made images or representations worshiped as deities; any natural or manufactured objects worshiped as deity; anything receiving worship other than the one true God. Idolatry is the spiritual worship of an idol. - DeVries, C. E. (1988)
Easton, M. G. (1893). In Easton’s Bible dictionary. New York: Harper & Brothers.
Image-worship or divine honour paid to any created object. - Easton, M. G. (1893)
The New Testament Writers were very clear in the condemnation of idolatry:
19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
3 For the time past of our life may suffice us kto have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:
The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., ). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
A syncretistic approach to the Christian life
Syncretism: The attempt to combine different or opposite doctrines and practices, esp. in reference to philosophical and religious systems. - Cross, F. L., & Livingstone, E. A. (Eds.). (2005).
Cross, F. L., & Livingstone, E. A. (Eds.). (2005). In The Oxford dictionary of the Christian Church (3rd ed. rev., p. 1579). Oxford; New York: Oxford University Press.
This is another way of saying that there are some who do not have or are not living out their lives as a church or individually in an exclusive manner towards Jesus Christ. They are sending a confusing messages to Jewish people, Gentile people, & possibly the church of God. You can’t tell, if they are committed to demonic spirits or to Jesus Christ.
Idolatry is huge in the Bible, dominant in our personal lives, and irrelevant in our mistaken estimations. — Os Guinness
Idleman, Kyle; Idleman, Kyle. Gods at War: Defeating the Idols that Battle for Your Heart (Kindle Locations 78-80). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.
Contextualization/Application:
* For some, their security in Christ has caused them to have antinomian leanings - not truly considering the confusion they are sending to Jews (the religious), Gentiles (non-religious), and the church of God (strong and weak conscienced)
* For others, pleasure is so alluring that they are incapable of overcoming it on their own.
* For others, they are embarrassed and unwilling to bring these idolatrous beliefs before other believers

Dedication

Now and again, baseball broadcasters will mention the fabulous career of Christy Mathewson, the amazing pitcher for the New York Giants at the turn of the century. He won thirty-seven games in 1908. This remarkable man was admired on and off the field. Of all the stories attributed to Mathewson, the one I appreciate most concerns a highly contested game when Christy was a runner on third base. The manager called for a squeeze play. Mathewson implemented the sign to the best of his ability.

Dust enveloped home plate. The umpire could not be certain what happened. We are told that an unprecedented conference was held between umpires. It was agreed that Christy should make the decision. The fierce competitor walked around home plate adjusting his trousers, dusting off his uniform; finally, removing his cap, he announced: “He got me”. Later, in the dressing room, his teammates asked him why he divulged the secret; whereupon the great athlete, with considerable pride, said: “I am an elder in the Presbyterian Church.”

Proposition:
The fellowship into which God has brought us through body and blood of Christ is a union that is to be exclusive in allegiance.
There is to be no question in the life of the church or of the individual believer as to where your allegiance lies.
No confusing messages should be assessed from the church’s life or from your life.
Because God is faithful, he has provided a way of escape! Escape idolatry! Don’t give in to idolatry! Run from idolatry! Declare your allegiance to Jesus! Live out your allegiance to Jesus!
Idolatry isn’t just one of many sins; rather it’s the one great sin that all others come from. So if you start scratching at whatever struggle you’re dealing with, eventually you’ll find that underneath it is a false god. Until that god is dethroned, and the Lord God takes his rightful place, you will not have victory. - Idleman, Kyle
Idleman, Kyle; Idleman, Kyle. Gods at War: Defeating the Idols that Battle for Your Heart (Kindle Locations 194-197). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.

(I) There is a clearly stated command (v. 14)

i. He speaks on the basis of God’s faithfulness to provide a way of escape
The
ii. He speaks this to people who are loved
iii. He leaves no room for misinterpretation of what he is saying
The implication is that some, who don’t think they are, are actually not escaping idolatry. They are actively engaging in the worship of another demonic spirit.
Application to the unbeliever:
To the unbeliever, please know that there is no god in this world that can bring true meaning to your life or help you to understand what is the meaning of life.
Friend, until you realize that the God of all the universe has offered his own Son Jesus Christ to completely offer you the forgiveness of sins, you will live a life that is continually running towards enslavement/idolatry.
Application to the church organism:
As a church you should not be known by professionalism, marketing, or clean facilities over being known as people who love the Lord and love one another.
The judgement that people make about a church is often based upon one individual who claims to be a part of that church.

7517 Cold Worship

A Kansas Baptist church advertises the comfort of its sanctuary thus:

Worship in Comfort

You can worship in our latest scientifically controlled air-conditioned sanctuary. It has refrigerated cooling. No stuffy water coolers to infect your sinuses, stir your hay fever, or give you a cold. The air is dehumidified, well-circulated, and changed completely every five minutes. COOL Sunday services.

Application to the family institution:
Unfortunately, we are not teaching our children how to offer incense at a Hindu Temple, but rather we are teaching them how to offer incense at the altar of material possessions and athletics. It is not that those things are sinful in and of themselves; but we send clear and confusing messages within our culture.

(II) This is a sensible appeal (v. 15-17)

(II) This is a sensible appeal (v. 15-17)

i. There is an appeal to sensible people (v. 15)
ii. The cup of blessing is the distinct cup representing the blood of Christ (v. 16)
iii. The bread is the distinct bread representing the body of Christ (v. 16)
iv. We are participants. Therefore, we participate. (v. 17)
It makes sense that since we have:
Been gloriously delivered
Been brought into union with Christ by faith in his blood/body
Been given clear admonition
Been provided a way of escape
That we be clear in where our allegiance lies.
DeVries, C. E. (1988). Idols, Idolatry. In Baker encyclopedia of the Bible (Vol. 1, p. 1014). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House.
Application to unbeliever:
Application to church:
Application to family:
Application to individual believer:
Conclusion:
Question I want to answer here is:
What are the idols in your culture (inside of the church, family, individual)?
Kyle Idleman’s list
food
sex
entertainment
success
money
achievement
romance
family
me
In this context of Corinth, they were things that brought physical pleasure, used the body for purposes unintended by the Creator or outside of the Creator’s intention.
Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations 7518 “I Don’t Want Christ to Come”

7518 “I Don’t Want Christ To Come”

I remember one night in Stockton, Calif, … I was preaching about the coming of Jesus. As I was in prayer I was conscious of a woman getting up and going out, for in those days the skirts would swish whenever a lady walked. It seemed to me that this lady must have gone out in a hurry. When I finished my prayer and went to greet the friends at the door, I found a woman pacing back and forth in the lobby. The moment I came, she said to me, “How would you dare to pray like that—“Come Lord Jesus?” I don’t want him to come. It would break in on all my plans. How dare you!” I said, “My dear young woman, Jesus is coming whether you like it or not.” Oh, if you know Him and love Him, surely your heart says, “Come, Lord Jesus!”

—H. A. Ironside

What keeps you from really seeing idolatry in your life and escaping it?
(1) Pride (v. 15)
(2) (v. 16) An incomplete understanding of our religious observances
What should you do?
Ask yourself one question, “Who or what, if lost, would make my life not worth living?
1001 Illustrations that Connect Illustration 583: Potato Chip Loyalty

POTATO CHIP LOYALTY

Topics: Commitment; Friends; Loyalty

References: Psalm 16:8; Proverbs 3:5–6; John 16:13; 2 Corinthians 3:17–18

Recently I was shopping at our local grocery store. After picking up some staples, I headed to the all-important potato chip aisle. Unlike my usual routine, I had already decided what kind of chips to buy. With my eyes set like flint, I walked down the center of the aisle, ignoring the siren calls of various brands until I reached the Mike Sells chip display.

After I had picked up two bags of Mike Sells chips, I heard a familiar voice behind me saying, “Thanks a lot, buddy.” It was my friend Chuck, a member of the congregation I pastor and a deliveryman for Mike Sells.

Now, imagine how I would have felt if Chuck had seen me hugging a bag of Ruffles. Thirty minutes earlier I had run into Chuck at the local bakery. He and I had spent a few minutes talking together, and then we each went our way. When I arrived at the grocery store and began considering what chips to buy, I remembered that Chuck worked for Mike Sells and would probably be pleased if I purchased the brand he sold. So, spending some time together influenced my choice.

The whole experience reminded me of something important. Spending time with my heavenly Father and being reminded of what pleases him will likely result in making decisions pleasing to him. Perhaps I’ll even get a “Way to go, Van!”

—Van Morris, Mount Washington, Kentucky

Why should you do it?
We have a glorious God who has delivered us by His Son Jesus Christ.
In having believed upon the blood and body of Jesus as the atonement, we have been make alive by the Holy Spirit.
Should we then take the Holy Spirit and bow at the altar of other gods? You cannot!
Questions:
Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations 7233 Morgan to Be Interrupted

G. Campbell Morgan, said, “I never begin my work in the morning without thinking that perhaps He may interrupt my work and begin His own. I am not looking for death. I am looking for Him.”

In transparency, how many of you do NOT want to assume that you are above idolatry in your life?
How many of you believe that God is faithful?
How many of you know that God’s Spirit has indwelled you so that you might live a life of allegiance towards Jesus Christ and no other gods?
How many of you would be willing to stand as a new devotion to Christ:
Examine your life for idols?
Repent of idols when and where they are found?
Renew your vows and allegiance to the Lord?
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