WEBVTT 00:00:05.227 --> 00:00:10.414 Hi, it's Pastor Jonathan and thanks for downloading the FBC El Dorado Sermon Podcast. 00:00:10.414 --> 00:00:17.742 We hope today's message will challenge and help you take the next step as you follow Jesus. 00:00:17.742 --> 00:00:43.509 Kelly, carrie and some guy named I Am those are the first names of three of the winners of one of America's longest running television shows American Idol. 00:00:43.509 --> 00:00:46.106 Kelly, that's Kelly Clarkson. 00:00:46.106 --> 00:00:49.006 Carrie, that's Carrie Underwood. 00:00:49.006 --> 00:00:53.228 And I Am this smiling Sermon. 00:00:53.228 --> 00:00:54.651 I Am Tongue. 00:00:54.651 --> 00:00:57.665 He won American Idol just a few weeks ago. 00:00:57.665 --> 00:01:10.004 Upon hearing that his name was called and he was the new American Idol, tongue smiled from ear to ear. 00:01:10.004 --> 00:01:23.950 He saw everyone applauding in the room, he saw his family in the corner and then he heard the host you know his name, ryan Seacrest utter these iconic words. 00:01:23.950 --> 00:01:29.948 He goes you're American Idol. 00:01:29.948 --> 00:01:37.191 I Am Tongue received 17 million votes to become this year's American Idol. 00:01:37.191 --> 00:01:39.686 I didn't cast a single one of those votes. 00:01:39.686 --> 00:01:42.203 You probably didn't either. 00:01:42.203 --> 00:01:49.391 In fact, you're probably like me and you haven't watched an episode of American Idol in years. 00:01:49.391 --> 00:01:52.844 American Idol's kind of passed its prime. 00:01:52.844 --> 00:02:08.152 It's something from years gone by, but that doesn't mean you and I haven't cast a vote for our very own American Idol. 00:02:10.319 --> 00:02:21.449 So in the modern world, when we hear the word Idol, it evokes images of primitive people bowing down in front of a statue. 00:02:21.449 --> 00:02:27.068 Maybe you think of a relic you've seen in a display case in a museum. 00:02:27.068 --> 00:02:41.079 Or maybe you think of a story found in the Old Testament, a story like the Golden Calf episode in the life of ancient Israel journeying through the wilderness they're tired of waiting on Moses. 00:02:41.079 --> 00:02:42.905 They look at Aaron and say here's all our gold. 00:02:42.905 --> 00:02:44.108 Make us a calf. 00:02:44.108 --> 00:02:46.123 We're going to worship the calf. 00:02:46.123 --> 00:03:00.513 Or a story like was mentioned by our students this morning, the story of King Nebuchadnezzar in the book of Daniel, when he summons everyone in his realm to bow down to a golden statue. 00:03:02.659 --> 00:03:17.705 Either way, whether you connect the word Idol to a relic or you connect it to an ancient story, the conclusion you draw when it comes to the word Idol is the same Idols are a thing of the past. 00:03:17.705 --> 00:03:23.508 Maybe that's why in our culture, we trivialize the word Idol. 00:03:23.508 --> 00:03:27.545 We talk about teen idols. 00:03:27.545 --> 00:03:31.667 In a generation past, a teen idol was someone like James Dean. 00:03:31.667 --> 00:03:42.685 Right In contemporary culture, a teen idol is someone like Justin Bieber or Taylor Swift, or little boys and girls. 00:03:42.685 --> 00:03:46.012 They idolize their sports heroes. 00:03:46.012 --> 00:03:52.088 Remember that phrase from the 80s and 90s I want to be like Mike. 00:03:52.088 --> 00:03:59.086 But those are not the only American idols. 00:03:59.086 --> 00:04:09.651 There are so many more American idols, idols that are far more dangerous and far more destructive. 00:04:11.960 --> 00:04:16.512 Consider these words written by Tim Keller in his book Counterfeit Gods. 00:04:16.512 --> 00:04:17.946 Listen to what Keller writes. 00:04:17.946 --> 00:04:23.031 He says each culture is dominated by its own set of idols. 00:04:23.031 --> 00:04:45.247 We may not actually burn incense to Artemis, but when money and career are raised to cosmic proportions, we perform a kind of child sacrifice, neglecting family and community to achieve a higher place in business and gain more wealth and prestige. 00:04:45.247 --> 00:05:15.408 We may not ever fashion a golden calf, we may never see an idol that's 90 feet tall and nine feet wide, but when we make a piece of creation, the most important thing in our life, we've created and cast a vote for our very own American idol. 00:05:17.720 --> 00:05:30.112 In that book, keller goes on and he names a series of American idols physical appearance, personal achievement, a political cause, human approval, leisure, power, popularity. 00:05:30.112 --> 00:05:33.586 It could be your sports team, cheerleading, soccer and football. 00:05:33.586 --> 00:05:38.185 The idol of comfort, the idol of financial security. 00:05:38.185 --> 00:06:07.271 None of those things are innately evil, but something happens when we allow that good thing to become the ultimate thing, kelly writes, that's when it becomes an idol in our life, when that good thing becomes the driving force, the motivating factor, when it's what you eat and sleep and breathe, when it's that thing you think about when you wake up in the morning and when you go to bed at night. 00:06:07.271 --> 00:06:10.240 That's your American idol. 00:06:10.240 --> 00:06:19.619 That's the idol that sits on the throne, that's the idol that's dangerous and destructive. 00:06:19.619 --> 00:06:28.134 And, whether we like to admit it or not, there's an American idol found in each and every one of us. 00:06:30.898 --> 00:06:34.648 Consider God's message to the prophet Ezekiel. 00:06:34.648 --> 00:06:46.158 In this chapter of Ezekiel I'm going to read from God kind of surveys the heart, like only he can, of the leaders of ancient Israel, and this is God's evaluation of their heart. 00:06:46.158 --> 00:06:51.552 He says these men have set up idols in their heart. 00:06:51.552 --> 00:06:55.798 There was no exception to the rule. 00:06:55.798 --> 00:07:00.009 There was an idol in each and every one of them. 00:07:00.009 --> 00:07:08.401 And what was true of those men is true of you and me. 00:07:08.401 --> 00:07:10.826 You and I. 00:07:10.826 --> 00:07:19.466 We may not see an idol on the outside, but that doesn't mean there isn't an idol on the inside. 00:07:22.951 --> 00:07:24.653 So what exactly is an idol? 00:07:24.653 --> 00:07:35.031 Again, tim Keller, I think, summarizes it so well when he says this An idol is anything more important to you than God? 00:07:35.031 --> 00:07:44.040 Anything that absorbs your heart and imagination more than God, anything you seek to give you what only God can give. 00:07:44.040 --> 00:07:45.365 Let's leave that definition up. 00:07:45.365 --> 00:07:50.487 Let's let it roll around in our brain and hear it one more time An idol is anything more important to you than God? 00:07:50.487 --> 00:07:52.711 Think about the priorities in your life. 00:07:52.711 --> 00:07:55.939 Think about how you spend your time. 00:07:55.939 --> 00:08:08.464 Think about what you devote your thoughts to, your energies towards, anything that absorbs your heart and imagination. 00:08:08.464 --> 00:08:13.473 Again, what do you dream about at night? 00:08:13.473 --> 00:08:20.627 What do you think about first thing in the morning, last thing in the evening? 00:08:20.627 --> 00:08:26.358 To give you what only God can give you. 00:08:26.358 --> 00:08:29.608 Where do you find comfort? 00:08:29.608 --> 00:08:31.694 Where do you find purpose? 00:08:31.694 --> 00:08:34.664 Where's your identity rooted? 00:08:34.664 --> 00:08:51.217 Let that definition roll around in your head, because this morning we're going to answer a very pressing question for each of us what's your American idol? 00:08:54.304 --> 00:09:11.359 In week three of our series, dear Church, we're going to move forward in John's letters to those seven churches of Asia Minor and we're going to read Jesus' letter, jesus' message to the church at Pergamum, a church that knew firsthand the influence and the power of idols. 00:09:11.359 --> 00:09:34.341 And Jesus, as he surveys this church and sees idolatry present, jesus is going to provide them with this three-step process that's going to allow them to identify and to demolish the idols in their life to replace them with the one true God at the center of their lives. 00:09:34.341 --> 00:09:44.023 And the process is this it's reveal the idol, repent of the idol and receive the reward. 00:09:44.023 --> 00:09:48.557 Reveal, repent, receive. 00:09:48.557 --> 00:09:59.677 Listen closely to what Jesus says to that congregation and ancient Pergamum, revelation 2, beginning with verse 12. 00:09:59.677 --> 00:10:08.818 To the angel of the church in Pergamum right, these are the words of him who has the sharp double-edged sword. 00:10:08.818 --> 00:10:13.600 I know where you live, where Satan has his throne. 00:10:13.600 --> 00:10:16.433 Yeah, you remain true to my name. 00:10:16.433 --> 00:10:25.477 You did not renounce your faith in me, not even the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who is put to death in your city where Satan lives. 00:10:25.477 --> 00:10:29.355 Nevertheless, I have a few things against you. 00:10:29.355 --> 00:10:41.620 There are some among you who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin so that they ate food sacrificed to idols and committed sexual immorality. 00:10:41.620 --> 00:10:46.061 Likewise, you also have those who hold on to the teachings of the Nicolaitans. 00:10:46.061 --> 00:10:51.981 Repent, therefore, otherwise I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. 00:10:51.981 --> 00:10:57.179 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. 00:10:57.179 --> 00:11:00.958 To the one who is victorious, I will give some of the hidden manna. 00:11:00.958 --> 00:11:09.437 I'll also give that person a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it. 00:11:11.169 --> 00:11:23.500 If you were to stand in the city of ancient Pergamum and survey the city scape idolatry was an undeniable facet of life you could easily ask the question who's your Roman idol? 00:11:23.500 --> 00:11:29.221 You surveyed the city and there was this great altar that was built to the god Zeus. 00:11:29.221 --> 00:11:33.980 It was inscribed with this Zeus the savior. 00:11:33.980 --> 00:11:41.763 Outside of the city, there was this complex of buildings dedicated to the god Asclepis, the god of healing. 00:11:41.763 --> 00:11:44.559 So people made it there. 00:11:44.559 --> 00:11:59.341 When they were ill, when they had something that ailed them, they in droves went out searching for Asclepis, savior, and Pergamum was a city devoted to the worship of the emperor. 00:11:59.341 --> 00:12:02.155 They in fact hold this. 00:12:02.155 --> 00:12:03.880 The city holds this distinction. 00:12:03.880 --> 00:12:14.778 Typically, in ancient Rome, a temple wasn't built or dedicated to an emperor until he died, until it was believed he had joined the pantheon of the Roman gods. 00:12:14.778 --> 00:12:29.360 Pergamum, though, they decided there was an emperor that they loved, they were devoted to him, and they received permission from the emperor himself to build a temple dedicated to him even though he was still alive. 00:12:32.490 --> 00:12:43.538 The prevalence of idols in the city of Pergamum is why Jesus looks around, surveys the city and he says this is where Satan lives. 00:12:43.538 --> 00:12:49.951 Wow, for Jesus. 00:12:49.951 --> 00:12:53.580 There was no denying the idolatry of that place. 00:12:53.580 --> 00:12:56.595 It was spiritually dark. 00:12:56.595 --> 00:13:09.501 It was the original sin city and Satan's hold on Pergamum meant that it was a city that was openly hostile to the gospel of Jesus Christ. 00:13:09.501 --> 00:13:21.980 Jesus names one of those church members who met that hostility, a guy named Antipas, and Antipas resisted the idolatry of Pergamum. 00:13:21.980 --> 00:13:28.751 He refused to bow down to the idols of city and culture and that's why Jesus says that. 00:13:28.751 --> 00:13:35.758 Should call to mind for you the example of what Shadrach, meshach and Abednego Shadrach, meshach and Abednego, what they got out of the fire. 00:13:35.758 --> 00:13:41.153 Antipas didn't, but he was committed to God. 00:13:41.153 --> 00:13:52.879 He wouldn't bow down and worship the idols, but he stood out from the rest of the congregation who were bowing down to those idols. 00:13:52.879 --> 00:13:58.077 And Jesus must take that very first step in the process. 00:13:58.077 --> 00:14:02.096 He's going to reveal the idol. 00:14:02.096 --> 00:14:10.754 Jesus, as he looks out on this congregation in Pergamum, he's brandishing, he's holding this double-edged sword. 00:14:10.754 --> 00:14:21.110 In this case, the sword that it's referencing is a sword that would have had a two-foot wooden hilt and attached to that would have been a blade that was three feet long. 00:14:21.110 --> 00:14:24.397 It was a powerful sword that, when used in battle. 00:14:24.397 --> 00:14:28.125 With a single slash it could divide a shield in half. 00:14:28.125 --> 00:14:47.283 Jesus is carrying this sword and he gazes upon a church and he knows that with a single slash he could reveal the idol within each and every one of them. 00:14:49.852 --> 00:14:57.524 The specific form of idolatry in ancient Pergamum is that they were eating meat that had been sacrificed to idols. 00:14:57.524 --> 00:15:05.461 So it was pretty common in the ancient world that to the gods it would be a sacrifice of food, a sacrifice of meat. 00:15:05.461 --> 00:15:14.123 A small portion of that sacrifice would be consumed by fire, while the rest of it was left untouched. 00:15:14.123 --> 00:15:26.142 Some of that meat would then be sold in the marketplace and the rest of the New Testament we learned it was okay for Christians to eat that meat sold in the marketplace. 00:15:26.142 --> 00:15:30.941 But there was other meat Not all meat made it to the marketplace. 00:15:30.941 --> 00:15:41.644 Other pieces of meat, other portions of that sacrifice found their way into a dining room, into a cafeteria line that was directly connected to the temple. 00:15:41.644 --> 00:15:48.221 That was the meat the members of the church at Pergamum were eating. 00:15:48.221 --> 00:15:53.835 What is different between the meat sold in the market and the meat served in the line? 00:15:53.835 --> 00:16:02.544 The meat served in the line is directly tied to the worship of that one God. 00:16:02.544 --> 00:16:05.735 But that's just the beginning. 00:16:07.671 --> 00:16:12.620 Not only was worship about a shared meal, there was also a shared bed. 00:16:12.620 --> 00:16:24.404 Often these meals would devolve and people would disregard God's design between a man and a woman. 00:16:24.404 --> 00:16:27.756 They would disregard the sanctity of marriage. 00:16:27.756 --> 00:16:32.695 You may think to yourself that's really fascinating. 00:16:32.695 --> 00:16:39.616 Now I understand what's going on in that ancient city, but what about me living in El Dorado? 00:16:39.616 --> 00:16:42.575 I want you to consider this. 00:16:42.575 --> 00:16:47.818 Listen real closely, because I don't think this is a thought that often crosses our mind. 00:16:49.451 --> 00:16:53.919 Those Christians who were eating the meat sacrificed to idol. 00:16:53.919 --> 00:16:55.322 Guess what? 00:16:55.322 --> 00:16:58.035 They still thought they were Christians. 00:16:58.035 --> 00:17:11.818 They still believed they could look at an idol and love the Lord, and I think that's the point of connection between the past and the present. 00:17:11.818 --> 00:17:18.560 That's how idols arise in our hearts. 00:17:18.560 --> 00:17:27.801 They believe, like culture says it's okay, I just want to fit in, everybody's going to be at the party, everybody's going to have something to eat. 00:17:27.801 --> 00:17:28.909 Why can't I? 00:17:28.909 --> 00:17:37.307 It's like this fog of culture prevents them from discerning the choice that they're actually making. 00:17:37.307 --> 00:17:41.609 Isn't that how idolatry works in our life? 00:17:41.609 --> 00:17:43.346 We see something going on in culture. 00:17:43.346 --> 00:17:45.086 Culture normalizes it. 00:17:45.086 --> 00:17:59.625 Culture says that it's really good, whether it's like pursuing career at all cost, giving yourself to sports at all cost, giving yourself to achievement at all cost, finding your value in your personal appearance, no matter what happens. 00:17:59.625 --> 00:18:04.904 It's all because culture says that's okay, go forward with it. 00:18:04.904 --> 00:18:18.946 It's not a big deal, everybody else is doing it and you're like I'm still a Christian, I still love Jesus, right, but that compromise is just like the compromise they're making. 00:18:21.000 --> 00:18:23.928 We cannot look to an idol and love the Lord. 00:18:23.928 --> 00:18:31.726 So back to our question what's your American idol? 00:18:31.726 --> 00:18:36.267 What absorbs your heart and imagination? 00:18:36.267 --> 00:18:42.647 What's the thing that you seek to give you when only God can truly give you? 00:18:42.647 --> 00:18:57.605 Here's the challenge Are you brave enough, are you passionate enough about Jesus that you're willing to pray? 00:18:57.605 --> 00:19:04.744 Jesus, take a swing like, slash the sword in this moment and reveal the idol that's in my heart. 00:19:04.744 --> 00:19:13.926 So I can see it, because I think some of us, like, the fog of culture is so thick we cannot even pick it out anymore. 00:19:13.926 --> 00:19:20.189 We need Jesus to reveal the idol that's in our hearts. 00:19:22.119 --> 00:19:28.607 And once the idol is revealed, jesus says you have to repent. 00:19:28.607 --> 00:19:30.613 Repent of the idol. 00:19:30.613 --> 00:19:35.166 Let's go to the next slide With the pictures of those U-turn signs. 00:19:35.166 --> 00:19:38.428 See, one of those signs says a U-turn. 00:19:38.428 --> 00:19:40.546 What you can make a U-turn right now. 00:19:40.546 --> 00:19:46.528 The other U-turn is not possible. 00:19:46.528 --> 00:19:48.045 Don't make a U-turn right here. 00:19:51.684 --> 00:19:55.953 Repentance is something like a spiritual U-turn. 00:19:55.953 --> 00:20:03.328 You make a U-turn because you're aware of the fact that you are going in the wrong direction. 00:20:03.328 --> 00:20:13.569 You're heading down the wrong path, the wrong road, and you know like to get going the right way you have to totally re-correct your path. 00:20:13.569 --> 00:20:25.009 Repentance is possible, but culture wants you to believe the lies of culture want you to believe that repentance is impossible. 00:20:25.009 --> 00:20:29.471 You're always going to worship this idol. 00:20:29.471 --> 00:20:31.607 You're always going to be stuck walking down this road. 00:20:31.607 --> 00:20:37.048 You're always going to have these habits that control your life and draw you away from Jesus. 00:20:37.048 --> 00:20:39.059 It is not possible. 00:20:39.059 --> 00:20:46.733 But Jesus says repentance is possible. 00:20:46.733 --> 00:20:56.428 You can repent of your sins and, through the power of the Holy Spirit, be pointed in the right direction. 00:20:58.865 --> 00:21:07.790 Second Corinthians 7 says it this way Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leads no regret. 00:21:07.790 --> 00:21:21.650 Godly sorrow is seeing the idol from the perspective of God, mourning over it and then trusting in the gospel of Jesus and its power to reorient your life. 00:21:21.650 --> 00:21:24.079 You can't do it in your own power. 00:21:24.079 --> 00:21:33.444 You have to just be in agreement with the power of God and open your life up to the power of God for repentance to occur and for the turn to happen. 00:21:33.444 --> 00:21:41.483 Reveal the idol, repent of the idol. 00:21:44.160 --> 00:21:49.029 And then, the third step, receive the reward. 00:21:49.029 --> 00:21:53.689 So the reward promised by Jesus is twofold. 00:21:53.689 --> 00:21:56.666 First, he says the reward is hidden manna. 00:21:56.666 --> 00:22:04.403 Jesus is making an illusion to another story in the Old Testament Israel's journey through the wilderness. 00:22:04.403 --> 00:22:10.397 And God provides and provision each and every day in the form of manna from heaven. 00:22:10.397 --> 00:22:12.766 But this is hidden manna. 00:22:12.766 --> 00:22:21.982 This is manna, a provision they've not yet received and that they will not receive in this world. 00:22:21.982 --> 00:22:29.789 And then Jesus says not only receive hidden manna, you will receive a white stone. 00:22:29.789 --> 00:22:33.345 What's important about the white stone? 00:22:33.345 --> 00:22:37.548 In the ancient world, a white stone was like an admission ticket. 00:22:37.548 --> 00:22:43.108 It's the way you gain entrance to banquets, celebrations. 00:22:43.108 --> 00:23:11.747 Jesus gives his church a white stone because he wants them to know that through him, and through him alone, they gain entrance to his messianic banquet, To a banquet where the hidden manna is served, where the ultimate provision, our final salvation, is realized in that moment. 00:23:15.079 --> 00:23:20.769 So one of the American idols of years gone by is that boy from Tupelo, elvis. 00:23:20.769 --> 00:23:27.448 Elvis Presley Swirl Hips, snarl, amazing black hair. 00:23:27.448 --> 00:23:35.894 You know Elvis died over 45 years ago and since his death. 00:23:35.894 --> 00:23:41.228 There have been many people who, like, impersonate and imitate the king of rock and roll. 00:23:41.228 --> 00:23:44.202 Don't worry, I won't give it a shot this morning. 00:23:44.202 --> 00:23:51.303 In a similar fashion. 00:23:51.303 --> 00:24:12.666 It's been over 2000 years since Jesus died on a cross, paying the debt of our sin, and since that day there have been hundreds, if not thousands, if not millions, of idols who try to impersonate and imitate the king of kings. 00:24:12.666 --> 00:24:21.708 And listen they cannot ever give you what Jesus offers you. 00:24:21.708 --> 00:24:33.031 They cannot give you purpose, they cannot give you peace, they cannot give you an identity that will last throughout this life. 00:24:33.031 --> 00:24:34.544 They cannot offer you. 00:24:34.544 --> 00:24:53.306 Only Jesus can offer you eternal life and a place in the family of God, entrance into the Messianic banquet, provision that will last for all of eternity, and all that's possible. 00:24:53.306 --> 00:24:59.626 Because there's really this huge difference between Elvis and Jesus, not just like ones in America and ones that you like. 00:24:59.626 --> 00:25:06.064 Big difference is this Elvis's dad hate to break it to you Like been dead 45 years. 00:25:06.064 --> 00:25:08.390 Jesus is alive. 00:25:08.390 --> 00:25:15.953 King of rock and roll is dead, but the king of kings is alive. 00:25:16.319 --> 00:25:32.130 Jesus rose again on the third day and here's what we know based on that fact In this room today Jesus stands with a double-edged sword. 00:25:32.130 --> 00:25:42.131 He wants to reveal the idol of your heart, because he's calling you to repent. 00:25:42.131 --> 00:25:47.028 He's inviting you to receive the reward. 00:25:47.028 --> 00:25:58.046 The same Jesus who walked in and through the church at Pergamum is walking in and through and around First Baptist Church of El Dorado. 00:25:58.046 --> 00:26:04.788 Will you allow him to swing the sword this morning? 00:26:06.259 --> 00:26:11.575 Reveal the idol, repent of the idol and receive the reward. 00:26:11.575 --> 00:26:15.244 The reward that is offered to us by grace. 00:26:15.244 --> 00:26:16.409 It's free. 00:26:16.409 --> 00:26:19.365 You don't do anything to deserve it. 00:26:19.365 --> 00:26:27.563 Through faith, put your trust in Jesus Christ and him alone. 00:26:27.563 --> 00:26:31.647 Christ Alone can save. 00:26:33.346 --> 00:26:34.972 Let's stand together and pray. 00:26:34.972 --> 00:26:42.568 Almighty God. 00:26:42.568 --> 00:26:52.157 We bow before you in prayer and we thank you that your son, jesus, father, is with us in this place. 00:26:52.157 --> 00:26:55.444 The Spirit brings his presence into the room. 00:26:55.444 --> 00:27:08.115 Jesus, we present our lives to you and we ask that you would reveal the idol that we cannot see. 00:27:08.115 --> 00:27:24.492 And Jesus, give us the power through the Spirit, not our own power, but the power of the Spirit. 00:27:24.492 --> 00:27:29.935 We stand in agreement with the Spirit to repent, to name the idol and turn away from it. 00:27:29.935 --> 00:27:45.152 And we want to face you, jesus, because we know that you offer us a reward. 00:27:45.152 --> 00:27:54.049 The world may say it can give us, the world may promise even to us, but that the world will fail to keep its word. 00:27:54.049 --> 00:27:57.317 The world, the idols of the world, will always disappoint. 00:27:57.317 --> 00:28:02.943 But, jesus, we know you are faithful to the very end. 00:28:02.943 --> 00:28:08.653 Let me pray this in your name amen.