When Gifts Become Idols August 8 2010 I

When Gifts Become Idols August 8, 2010

I. THE MAKING OF AN IDOL Exodus 32: 1 -6 When the people saw how long it was taking Moses to come back down the mountain, they gathered around Aaron. “Come on, ” they said, “make us some gods who can lead us. We don’t know what happened to this fellow Moses, who brought us here from the land of Egypt. ” So Aaron said, “Take the gold rings from the ears of your wives and sons and daughters, and bring them to me. ” All the people took the gold rings from their ears and brought them to Aaron.

I. THE MAKING OF AN IDOL Exodus 32: 1 -6 Then Aaron took the gold, melted it down, and molded it into the shape of a calf. When the people saw it, they exclaimed, “O Israel, these are the gods who brought you out of the land of Egypt!” Aaron saw how excited the people were, so he built an altar in front of the calf. Then he announced, “Tomorrow will be a festival to the Lord!” The people got up early the next morning to sacrifice burnt offerings and peace offerings. After this, they celebrated with feasting and drinking, and they indulged in pagan revelry.

II. WHERE DID THE GOLD COME FROM? Exodus 3: 19 -22 “But I know that the king of Egypt will not let you go unless a mighty hand forces him. So I will raise my hand strike the Egyptians, performing all kinds of miracles among them. Then at last he will let you go. And I will cause the Egyptians to look favorably on you.

II. WHERE DID THE GOLD COME FROM? Exodus 3: 19 -22 They will give you gifts when you go so you will not leave empty-handed. Every Israelite woman will ask for articles of silver and gold and fine clothing from her Egyptian neighbors and from the foreign women in their houses. You will dress your sons and daughters with these, stripping the Egyptians of their wealth. ”

II. WHERE DID THE GOLD COME FROM? Exodus 12: 35 -36 And the people of Israel did as Moses had instructed; they asked the Egyptians for clothing and articles of silver and gold. The Lord caused the Egyptians to look favorably on the Israelites, and they gave the Israelites whatever they asked for. So they stripped the Egyptians of their wealth!

III. WHAT WAS THE ORIGINAL PURPOSE OF THE GOLD? Exodus 35: 5, 22 Take a sacred offering for the Lord. Let those with generous hearts present the following gifts to the Lord: gold, silver, and bronze; …” Both men and women came, all whose hearts were willing. They brought to the Lord their offerings of gold—brooches, earrings, rings from their fingers, and necklaces. They presented gold objects of every kind as a special offering to the Lord.

IV. WHERE DID THE GOLD END UP? Exodus 32: 20 He took the calf they had made and burned it. Then he ground it into powder, threw it into the water, and forced the people to drink it.

V. SO WHAT…NOW WHAT?

A. Ask God to Examine Your Heart Psalm 139: 23 -24 Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.

B. Rest in His Love and Wisdom Isaiah 30: 18 -22 So the Lord must wait for you to come to him so he can show you his love and compassion. For the Lord is a faithful God. Blessed are those who wait for his help. O people of Zion, who live in Jerusalem, you will weep no more. He will be gracious if you ask for help. He will surely respond to the sound of your cries.

B. Rest in His Love and Wisdom Isaiah 30: 18 -22 He will surely respond to the sound of your cries. Though the Lord gave you adversity for food and suffering for drink, he will still be with you to teach you. You will see your teacher with your own eyes. Your own ears will hear him. Right behind you a voice will say, “This is the way you should go, ” whether to the right or to the left. Then you will destroy all your silver idols and your precious gold images. You will throw them out like filthy rags, saying to them, “Good riddance!”

C. Find Joy and Satisfaction in Your Dependence on God Psalm 16 Keep me safe, O God, for I have come to you for refuge. I said to the Lord, “You are my Master! Every good thing I have comes from you. ” The godly people in the land are my true heroes! I take pleasure in them! Troubles multiply for those who chase after other gods. I will not take part in their sacrifices of blood or even speak the names of their gods. Lord, you alone are my inheritance, my cup of blessing. You guard all that is mine. The land you have given me is a pleasant land.

C. Find Joy and Satisfaction in Your Dependence on God Psalm 16 What a wonderful inheritance! I will bless the Lord who guides me; even at night my heart instructs me. I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me. No wonder my heart is glad, and I rejoice. My body rests in safety. For you will not leave my soul among the dead or allow your holy one to rot in the grave. You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever.

Smashing Idols: When Gifts Become Idols I. THE MAKING OF AN IDOL II. WHERE DID THE GOLD COME FROM? III. WHAT WAS THE ORIGINAL PURPOSE OF THE GOLD? IV. WHERE DID THE GOLD END UP? V. SO WHAT…NOW WHAT? A. Ask God to Examine Your Heart B. Rest in His Love and Wisdom C. Find Joy and Satisfaction in Your Dependence on God