Losing Sight Fixing Our Focus Do not conform

Losing Sight Fixing Our Focus Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is— his good, pleasing and perfect will. -- Romans 12: 2

The Crossroads n g i e r e v o S d o G IDO LS

Old Testament Idols an image or representation of a god used as an object of worship Exodus 32 • Israelites became impatient • Looked for direction • Created a substitute for (the real) God • Worship became out of control • God's & Moses' reaction - burning anger • Actions identified as 'great sin' • Attempts to excuse behavior • Need forgiveness • Actions not without consequences

Idol Continuum Areas of our Lives: • Physical Senses • Our Wants • Our Energy • Our Time • Psychological needs • Relationships • Resources Attraction Consuming Comfortable

Present Day Idols “An idol is anything more important to you than God. Anything that absorbs your heart and imagination more than God. Anything you seek to give you what only God can give. Anything that is so central and essential to your life, that should you lose it, your life would feel hardly worth living. ” -- Timothy Keller Author - "Counterfeit Gods"

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. --I Peter 2: 9

Our Sovereign God “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. “You shall have no other gods before me. “You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments. " -- Exodus 20: 3 -6

Our Sovereign God Do not worship any other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God. -- Exodus 34: 14 Be careful not to forget the covenant of the Lord your God that he made with you; do not make for yourselves an idol in the form of anything the Lord your God has forbidden. For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God. -- Deuteronomy 4: 23 -24

Our Focus But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. -- Matthew 6: 33

Our Focus Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. -- Hebrews 12: 1 -3