WEBVTT 00:00:26.589 --> 00:00:27.230 All right. 00:00:27.870 --> 00:00:29.789 Well, good morning, everybody. 00:00:31.309 --> 00:00:31.869 All right. 00:00:32.030 --> 00:00:33.390 Everybody's awake. 00:00:33.950 --> 00:00:37.390 So my name is Pastor Jason, and this is my Stephanie. 00:00:37.629 --> 00:00:38.829 That's her, yes. 00:00:39.469 --> 00:00:41.869 And uh so we we're gonna do something a little different today. 00:00:41.950 --> 00:00:47.549 Obviously, I'm not Pastor Sean, he's not here today, so we're gonna for the next four hours, we're gonna be the host. 00:00:47.789 --> 00:00:50.750 Um just kidding, I'm just kidding. 00:00:50.989 --> 00:00:54.509 Um but what we're gonna do, we're just gonna do something a little different today. 00:00:54.590 --> 00:00:56.189 We're gonna have some different members of the worship team. 00:00:56.269 --> 00:00:58.350 They're gonna come up and they're gonna they're gonna teach today. 00:00:58.429 --> 00:01:00.269 And uh, it was very, very powerful this morning. 00:01:00.350 --> 00:01:04.189 If you made first service, I'm glad you still you stuck around for second service. 00:01:04.349 --> 00:01:08.430 Uh, but what we are talking about today, we're gonna stick with Summer in the Forge. 00:01:08.750 --> 00:01:13.310 And what we are talking about is um give me a second. 00:01:13.789 --> 00:01:14.750 I have glasses. 00:01:14.909 --> 00:01:19.150 Apparently, I'm I'm uh I have to use them now, which is very upsetting to me. 00:01:19.310 --> 00:01:25.629 Uh but we are talking about the second amendment, which is that we are not to create any false idols. 00:01:25.789 --> 00:01:26.269 Amen. 00:01:26.349 --> 00:01:30.829 So Exodus 20 says, uh, you shall not make for yourself an image. 00:01:30.989 --> 00:01:34.349 You shall not bow down to them or worship them. 00:01:34.989 --> 00:01:42.189 So that scripture right there talks about, you know, don't make anything false that we're gonna bow down and worship to. 00:01:44.109 --> 00:01:47.310 We relay all that, or at least reading to it. 00:01:47.390 --> 00:01:51.629 I relay that a lot of times to the golden calf that that you know we'll hear about later on today. 00:01:51.790 --> 00:01:54.670 But I also, you know, just different things that they talk about in the Bible. 00:01:54.750 --> 00:02:01.230 But the Bible is very relevant then, just as relevant then, more relevant than our now as it was then, right? 00:02:01.310 --> 00:02:05.950 It's it's it's every the butt the the Bible says that the Lord doesn't change. 00:02:06.030 --> 00:02:08.110 He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. 00:02:08.189 --> 00:02:11.069 So what was relevant then is still relevant today. 00:02:11.389 --> 00:02:13.709 The golden calf just looks different. 00:02:15.230 --> 00:02:15.949 That's all. 00:02:16.909 --> 00:02:23.550 So we create images with our hands, we create cell phones, we create TVs, video game systems. 00:02:23.709 --> 00:02:30.990 There are things that take up our time and occupy our time that we have in our heart that we can't live without. 00:02:31.230 --> 00:02:34.509 We have to do our words with friends today, amen. 00:02:35.310 --> 00:02:40.910 So, what we did in the vein of what Pastor Sean, when he was doing the top 10 list, we did a top 10 list for you guys. 00:02:41.149 --> 00:02:48.269 And uh, it is uh the top 10 absolute must-have items we cannot live without. 00:02:49.069 --> 00:02:56.990 Number 10, streaming subscriptions just to pay$15 a month to scroll movie titles until we fall asleep. 00:02:57.230 --> 00:02:59.629 That is me all the time. 00:02:59.949 --> 00:03:00.589 Yeah. 00:03:02.670 --> 00:03:05.709 Smartphone protective case for a thousand dollar phone. 00:03:05.790 --> 00:03:08.509 We will immediately drop down the stairs anyway. 00:03:09.470 --> 00:03:15.790 Number eight, password manager to guard our data using a master password we will forget tomorrow. 00:03:17.389 --> 00:03:23.230 Wireless earbuds, so we can look like we're talking to ourselves in the grocery store. 00:03:23.870 --> 00:03:26.189 Actually, we made up a game to that, but we'll talk about that another time. 00:03:26.350 --> 00:03:31.470 Number six, premium coffee maker, because making morning caffeine now requires a chemistry degree. 00:03:31.550 --> 00:03:32.509 Can I get an Amen? 00:03:35.389 --> 00:03:43.069 Food delivery app to pay a$10 fee to get a cold sandwich brought three blocks. 00:03:43.629 --> 00:03:44.509 I know people. 00:03:44.750 --> 00:03:50.829 A multi-port charging station to feed the seven glowing screens that control our lives. 00:03:52.269 --> 00:03:59.470 Microfiber cleaning cloth to constantly wipe the thumb grease off our touch screens. 00:04:00.670 --> 00:04:01.629 Yeah, that's terrible. 00:04:01.790 --> 00:04:11.310 Number two, cloud storage plan because we refuse to delete 4,000 blurry, or in my wife's case, not blurry, photos of a sleeping pet. 00:04:11.790 --> 00:04:12.750 They're all cute. 00:04:13.069 --> 00:04:14.430 I mean, come on, right? 00:04:14.990 --> 00:04:25.629 And number one, a smart video doorbell, so we can watch high definition footage or a package is being stolen. 00:04:26.509 --> 00:04:27.230 So there you go. 00:04:27.310 --> 00:04:33.470 That that we're having fun with it, but those are just you know 10 things that we we tend to have to have in our lives. 00:04:33.550 --> 00:04:35.629 And you know, it's a little extreme sometimes. 00:04:35.790 --> 00:04:37.709 Uh, but you know, it changes, right? 00:04:37.870 --> 00:04:40.829 Every decade or every generation, something changed. 00:04:40.990 --> 00:04:44.670 My generation, I'm not gonna give up when I grew up, but I grew up a long time ago. 00:04:44.910 --> 00:04:46.990 My generation, we had action figures like He-Man. 00:04:47.069 --> 00:04:50.590 Y'all seen the new He-Man movie come out with the He-Man action figures, G.I. 00:04:50.670 --> 00:04:51.629 Joe action figures. 00:04:51.790 --> 00:04:53.310 Those things occupied my time. 00:04:53.389 --> 00:05:02.270 Those are the things that that I had to have that that I spent all of my time obsessing over, comic books, stuff like that. 00:05:02.910 --> 00:05:04.590 So, where was my focus on God? 00:05:04.750 --> 00:05:15.230 Now, I was a kid, I didn't know better, but that's the the point on saying all that is the the the world is designed to steal our attention, to steal our focus. 00:05:15.389 --> 00:05:22.590 So, we got four speakers that are gonna come up and they are going to uh talk through this and talk about what steals our focus and what steals our worships. 00:05:22.750 --> 00:05:23.870 Could you give the first one a hand? 00:05:24.030 --> 00:05:24.350 Amen. 00:05:29.470 --> 00:05:30.910 All right, last service. 00:05:31.069 --> 00:05:32.189 I forgot to tell you my name. 00:05:32.270 --> 00:05:33.389 I'm Aldo. 00:05:34.350 --> 00:05:37.790 And I don't know what to do with my hands, but we're gonna figure it out. 00:05:38.110 --> 00:05:46.830 So um Jason already touched on the scripture a little bit, but I'm gonna dive a little bit more in depth into verses one through six, Exodus 20. 00:05:46.990 --> 00:05:48.270 So let's read through it. 00:05:48.509 --> 00:05:51.710 Then God gave the people all these instructions. 00:05:51.949 --> 00:05:57.069 I am the Lord your God who rescued you from the land of Egypt, the place of slavery. 00:05:57.310 --> 00:06:00.030 You must not have any other God but me. 00:06:00.270 --> 00:06:07.230 You must not make yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea. 00:06:07.550 --> 00:06:16.430 You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate affection for any other gods. 00:06:16.670 --> 00:06:26.990 I lay the sins of the parents upon their children, the entire family is affected, even children in the third and fourth generations of those who reject me. 00:06:27.230 --> 00:06:34.189 But I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generation on those who love me and obey my commands. 00:06:34.430 --> 00:06:36.110 Praise God, that's a good word. 00:06:36.750 --> 00:06:43.470 So there's five things that God declares in this in this passage, uh, or in this first commandment. 00:06:43.710 --> 00:06:50.430 So the first thing he declares, he declares that he is Lord, he is the Lord who delivered Israel from Egypt. 00:06:50.590 --> 00:07:01.389 And I love this because right off the bat, he's God of the universe, he can go straight ahead and tell you what to do, what you shouldn't do, or what you should be doing, but instead he starts with grace. 00:07:01.629 --> 00:07:06.590 He doesn't start with a command, he starts with reminding them of the grace he's had on them. 00:07:06.910 --> 00:07:12.350 God is reminding Israel that before I even asked anything of you, I rescued you. 00:07:12.509 --> 00:07:14.189 And that's that's beautiful. 00:07:14.509 --> 00:07:19.470 God also declares his people must not have any other gods before him. 00:07:19.790 --> 00:07:22.910 So right here, he's setting the standard that he alone reigns. 00:07:23.069 --> 00:07:23.470 Amen. 00:07:24.830 --> 00:07:29.230 God also declares they must not make idols or bow down to them. 00:07:29.550 --> 00:07:31.550 He's setting boundaries here, right? 00:07:31.710 --> 00:07:33.629 You can believe in a God in your head, right? 00:07:33.710 --> 00:07:37.310 Maybe even in your heart, and and acknowledge the existence of a God. 00:07:37.550 --> 00:07:45.389 But now he's setting a physical standard that you will not make an idol, you won't physically make anything, and you're definitely not going to bow down to it. 00:07:45.790 --> 00:07:48.350 He also declares that he is a jealous God. 00:07:48.509 --> 00:07:50.830 I mean, he's he says it himself right here. 00:07:51.069 --> 00:07:56.430 I am a jealous God who will not tolerate any affection for any other gods. 00:07:56.670 --> 00:07:58.670 He has no tolerance for it. 00:07:58.910 --> 00:08:05.949 And the last one is that he declares that he shows his love to those who love him and keep his commandment. 00:08:06.189 --> 00:08:12.910 I think it's interesting how our own disobedience can affect three to four generations of our family. 00:08:13.230 --> 00:08:16.830 That's not just Old Testament, that's not just ancient God stuff. 00:08:16.910 --> 00:08:17.949 That that's current. 00:08:18.110 --> 00:08:24.670 Your disobedience can affect you, your children, and your children's children, maybe even their children. 00:08:24.990 --> 00:08:40.830 But the beautiful part about it is that those who obey his commands, he will literally what is it, but I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations to those that obey my commands, and that's just amazing. 00:08:41.069 --> 00:08:48.509 So all of these um declarations really boil down to one thing: don't worship idols. 00:08:49.470 --> 00:08:57.949 The definition of idolatry is the worship of someone or something other than God as though it were God. 00:08:58.830 --> 00:09:06.509 In other words, an idol is anything we trust, love, fear, or depend on more than God. 00:09:07.870 --> 00:09:18.029 There's a danger in idolatry, and it isn't just that we worship something else, it is that we look to something else to give us what only God can give. 00:09:18.269 --> 00:09:20.669 We look for security and money. 00:09:20.830 --> 00:09:21.629 I've been there. 00:09:21.789 --> 00:09:30.269 I know that if I look at my bank account and everything looks great, there's this piece that I feel like, hey, if anything goes wrong, I know that I'm taken care of, right? 00:09:30.590 --> 00:09:33.070 Some people find identity in their careers. 00:09:33.470 --> 00:09:43.550 I I'd be lying to you if there wasn't a point in my life where I let this platform get to me and my identity became uh music director, bass player. 00:09:43.710 --> 00:09:46.430 It became how good was I playing? 00:09:46.590 --> 00:09:48.110 Was I executing the parts right? 00:09:48.269 --> 00:09:51.070 Was I leading my team right instead of him? 00:09:51.629 --> 00:09:53.629 A lot of people find worth in relationships. 00:09:53.710 --> 00:09:57.149 I know some of us have heard, hey, I can't live without you, right? 00:09:58.269 --> 00:10:03.070 So a lot of us also find comfort and entertainment. 00:10:03.310 --> 00:10:05.230 I mean, I'm guilty of that too. 00:10:05.310 --> 00:10:10.990 There's times where I just want to sit down and scroll on my phone, but that can become an idol too. 00:10:11.550 --> 00:10:13.710 A lot of people find purpose and success. 00:10:13.789 --> 00:10:19.789 Like, hey, man, if I just grind, if I get to it, I will be successful and that will bring me happiness. 00:10:20.110 --> 00:10:21.070 Or will it? 00:10:21.950 --> 00:10:27.789 And the last one is a lot of us want approval from people or family. 00:10:28.350 --> 00:10:33.950 But the truth is, friends, is that none of those things were designed to carry our worship. 00:10:34.830 --> 00:10:43.950 If you want to find some of these idols in your life, a good question to ask yourself is if God took this away from me, would I still trust him? 00:10:44.990 --> 00:10:48.990 That question alone reveals where our true worship lies. 00:10:49.870 --> 00:10:52.909 So, do not worship idols. 00:10:53.230 --> 00:10:59.070 You see, their names have changed, but the competitions for our hearts have not. 00:10:59.389 --> 00:11:05.789 So I have a table I want to show you guys of uh different ancient gods and their modern day equivalent. 00:11:05.950 --> 00:11:09.550 We have Mammon promised security, right? 00:11:09.710 --> 00:11:12.190 The modern equivalent of that's money, wealth. 00:11:12.509 --> 00:11:15.710 Baal promised success and prosperity, right? 00:11:15.789 --> 00:11:17.950 Your career, achievements, right? 00:11:18.350 --> 00:11:19.230 Success. 00:11:19.629 --> 00:11:25.550 Aphrodite Aphrodite promised uh pleasure and escape, entertainment. 00:11:25.629 --> 00:11:28.110 There's a lot of addictions related to that. 00:11:28.430 --> 00:11:36.590 Asherah promised family and legacy, and in Nike promised victory, winning status, achievement, right? 00:11:36.669 --> 00:11:38.029 I'm gonna touch on a couple of these. 00:11:38.110 --> 00:11:41.950 I can't touch I can't talk about all of them, but let's look at mammon. 00:11:42.110 --> 00:11:50.430 So the word mammon comes from an Arameric term, Aramaic term, meaning wealth, riches, or possessions. 00:11:50.669 --> 00:11:59.870 You see, Jesus wasn't saying that money itself is evil, he was teaching that wealth can become an idol that competes for our devotion, right? 00:12:00.110 --> 00:12:05.950 So here are a few examples of the contrast between what God says and what Mammon says. 00:12:06.190 --> 00:12:09.230 God says, Trust me, put all your trust in me. 00:12:09.389 --> 00:12:10.430 I got you, right? 00:12:10.669 --> 00:12:13.710 Mammon says, Hey, how's that bank account looking? 00:12:13.950 --> 00:12:14.990 Do you have money in there? 00:12:15.230 --> 00:12:15.950 Alright, cool. 00:12:16.029 --> 00:12:17.070 Then you're good. 00:12:17.389 --> 00:12:19.310 God says, I will provide. 00:12:19.550 --> 00:12:22.190 And mammon says, You can provide for yourself. 00:12:22.269 --> 00:12:25.710 You just gotta grind, work hard, and let that money stack. 00:12:25.870 --> 00:12:28.029 You're good, you're set, it's on you. 00:12:29.070 --> 00:12:31.789 God says, Your identity is in me. 00:12:32.269 --> 00:12:35.550 And mammon says, Hey, your identity is on how much you make. 00:12:35.789 --> 00:12:39.230 That's what's really is what boils down your worth. 00:12:40.269 --> 00:12:41.789 This last one is mammon. 00:12:42.509 --> 00:12:43.870 I'll start with mammon on this one. 00:12:44.269 --> 00:12:46.990 Seek first success, right? 00:12:47.149 --> 00:12:51.870 How many of us, you know, have been through seasons where we just we wake up and we just want to grind? 00:12:51.950 --> 00:12:56.990 There's nothing else on our minds besides the success that we're chasing after. 00:12:57.710 --> 00:13:03.070 But God says, seek first the kingdom of God and all of his righteousness, and all of these things will be added on to you. 00:13:03.389 --> 00:13:06.269 See, the problem is that money is temporary. 00:13:06.430 --> 00:13:11.470 Jesus warned in Matthew 6 that treasures on earth can be destroyed or stolen. 00:13:11.629 --> 00:13:15.550 Riches can disappear through job loss, disasters, even death. 00:13:15.710 --> 00:13:21.470 And let's not forget, the money is a useful tool, but it was never meant to be the foundation of our security. 00:13:22.830 --> 00:13:28.110 Asherah was a goddess by many of Israel's neighbors, especially the Canaanites. 00:13:28.269 --> 00:13:33.870 She was associated with fertility, motherhood, childbearing, and a lot of things related to family. 00:13:34.110 --> 00:13:40.190 Her worship promised healthy pregnancies, many children, strong families, and prosperity throughout generations. 00:13:40.350 --> 00:13:44.750 But today few people pray to Asherah, but the temptation can look similar. 00:13:44.990 --> 00:14:00.669 Family itself can become an idol when our identity is wrapped around our children, when we prioritize our family success above obedience to God, when we promise biblical convictions to keep peace at home, when we believe that legacy matters more than God's kingdom. 00:14:00.909 --> 00:14:03.470 So I'll leave you guys with this. 00:14:04.190 --> 00:14:06.669 Money promises security but can disappear. 00:14:06.830 --> 00:14:10.590 Success promises significance but never truly satisfies. 00:14:10.830 --> 00:14:16.830 People promise acceptance but eventually disappoint, and only God is able to bear the weight of our worship. 00:14:17.149 --> 00:14:23.950 The first commandment is not merely a command to stop worshiping idols, it is an invitation to worship the one who truly deserves it. 00:14:24.190 --> 00:14:25.230 I'll leave you with this. 00:14:25.389 --> 00:14:29.230 The problem with idols is not that they demand too much from us. 00:14:29.389 --> 00:14:33.230 The problem is that they promise what only God can provide. 00:15:00.190 --> 00:15:00.590 It is. 00:15:00.669 --> 00:15:02.909 Y'all can laugh and smile, it's okay. 00:15:03.710 --> 00:15:06.350 But you won't after I ask this question. 00:15:07.470 --> 00:15:16.430 Is it possible to say God is first while something else is actually first in my heart? 00:15:19.550 --> 00:15:20.669 Megan, how dare you? 00:15:20.750 --> 00:15:22.269 That's such a tough question. 00:15:22.590 --> 00:15:24.990 Most of us would say, nah, bruh. 00:15:25.710 --> 00:15:26.669 It's not that difficult. 00:15:26.990 --> 00:15:28.590 I can do both of those things. 00:15:29.070 --> 00:15:34.430 We'll never intentionally put something in front of God and in God's place. 00:15:34.990 --> 00:15:41.149 But yet, that's exactly what God confronts in Ezekiel 14, 3. 00:15:41.789 --> 00:15:46.750 He says, Son of man, these leaders have set up idols in their hearts. 00:15:46.990 --> 00:15:51.389 They have embraced things that will make them fall into sin. 00:15:52.350 --> 00:15:56.269 Why should I listen to their requests? 00:15:57.230 --> 00:15:59.070 Have you ever felt that way? 00:15:59.950 --> 00:16:06.350 Sometimes something's stirring deep in your soul, and maybe you feel God is saying, Why would I listen to your request? 00:16:06.830 --> 00:16:12.669 Notice that God doesn't point to the thing that they're holding, the statue on the shelf. 00:16:12.909 --> 00:16:15.389 He's pointing directly to their heart. 00:16:15.950 --> 00:16:22.350 So to set up the story, these were litter leaders of Israel coming to Ezekiel asking for things. 00:16:22.590 --> 00:16:26.909 They needed something, they needed to hear from the Lord because Ezekiel is a prophet. 00:16:27.149 --> 00:16:33.230 And back in those days, the prophet was the direct connection to God. 00:16:33.950 --> 00:16:35.870 So the leaders are coming asking. 00:16:36.190 --> 00:16:42.350 They're still showing up, they're still doing their leader thing, still doing all the religious things. 00:16:42.590 --> 00:16:50.190 Yet God looked beyond what everyone else could see, and he actually exposed what was happening in their hearts. 00:16:50.430 --> 00:17:00.750 At this moment, these religious leaders hadn't walked away from God, but somewhere along the way, their hearts began trusting something else. 00:17:02.350 --> 00:17:07.230 That's why the heart of idolatry is unfaithfulness to God. 00:17:07.950 --> 00:17:09.710 Here's the reality, my friends. 00:17:09.950 --> 00:17:16.349 The first idol is never what's in our hands, it's always what's in our hearts. 00:17:24.109 --> 00:17:33.229 Once again, we don't wake up every morning thinking I'm going to stray away from the Lord and be intentionally disobedient. 00:17:33.629 --> 00:17:43.229 Little by little, though, we truly begin looking somewhere else besides what God can provide for us. 00:17:44.429 --> 00:17:51.709 We look to these other things for our security, our fulfillment, our identity. 00:17:52.349 --> 00:17:53.389 And hear me. 00:17:53.949 --> 00:17:55.229 Money isn't evil. 00:17:56.029 --> 00:17:57.549 Aldo already touched on that. 00:17:57.789 --> 00:17:59.069 Family isn't evil. 00:17:59.469 --> 00:18:00.829 Success is an evil. 00:18:01.069 --> 00:18:05.629 The question becomes what are we asking those things to actually do within us? 00:18:06.109 --> 00:18:12.189 What are we asking the success, the money, our family to do for us that the Lord's not already doing? 00:18:13.069 --> 00:18:21.549 Because whatever we're asking to give us the ultimate security, fulfillment, identity, that is what we trust the most. 00:18:21.789 --> 00:18:26.349 And whatever we trust most is what we're going to begin to worship. 00:18:26.589 --> 00:18:28.029 Let that sink in. 00:18:28.269 --> 00:18:32.750 Whatever we trust the most is what we're going to eventually worship. 00:18:32.829 --> 00:18:37.149 That's why idolatry isn't primarily about statues, it's about trust. 00:18:38.189 --> 00:18:42.909 We were created by God on purpose for a purpose. 00:18:43.069 --> 00:18:50.429 One of my favorite things that I have to constantly remind myself, I was created by the heavenly creator on purpose for a purpose. 00:18:50.589 --> 00:18:52.909 That's why idolatry always leaves us empty. 00:18:53.149 --> 00:18:57.469 Because we're reaching and seeking for other things to fill the place that only the Lord can fill. 00:18:58.509 --> 00:19:07.789 Paul says in Colossians 3:17, whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of Lord Jesus Christ. 00:19:07.869 --> 00:19:09.549 Can I get an amen about that? 00:19:09.869 --> 00:19:18.669 Not just on a Sunday, not just in a conversation, but every part of our being belongs to Jesus and Jesus alone. 00:19:18.909 --> 00:19:21.229 So can I share a story with y'all? 00:19:21.949 --> 00:19:24.269 Okay, I was gonna do it anyways. 00:19:24.669 --> 00:19:28.029 So about two weeks ago, I had a friend stop by our house. 00:19:28.189 --> 00:19:36.829 We are in the middle of moving, and she knew that we're going through some tough times, and so she loved on us and brought a gift basket to my husband and I. 00:19:37.069 --> 00:19:44.109 And in that moment, filled with tears, I'm thanking her so much for the love and the joy that she is giving. 00:19:44.349 --> 00:19:50.829 And in her wisdom, she looked at me and said, No, Megan, I'm just the conduit. 00:19:51.709 --> 00:19:53.709 Jesus is the provider. 00:19:53.949 --> 00:19:55.629 This gift is from the Lord. 00:19:55.869 --> 00:19:57.549 I'm just his conduit. 00:19:57.789 --> 00:20:07.229 And in that moment, I was so thankful that she pointed me back to the way because she understood something that we all need to remember. 00:20:07.549 --> 00:20:09.709 We thank the person, but we don't stop there. 00:20:09.869 --> 00:20:12.589 We don't need to mistake the channel for the source. 00:20:12.909 --> 00:20:18.189 God often chooses to provide through people, but he alone is our ultimate provider. 00:20:18.429 --> 00:20:26.029 The moment we begin giving created things, the place that belongs to God, idolatry has already begun. 00:20:26.589 --> 00:20:31.469 Listen to how Paul describes it in Romans 1, 22 to 323. 00:20:31.869 --> 00:20:36.029 Claiming to be wise, they instead became utter fools. 00:20:36.269 --> 00:20:46.269 Instead of worshiping the glorious, ever-loving God, they worshiped idols made to look like mere people, birds, animals, and reptiles. 00:20:46.509 --> 00:20:49.309 Every idol does the exact same thing. 00:20:49.549 --> 00:20:52.750 It makes God into what it is not. 00:20:53.629 --> 00:20:56.909 It gives the place of the creator. 00:20:57.709 --> 00:21:01.629 When our trust shifts, our worship shifts as well. 00:21:02.269 --> 00:21:06.349 Romans 12:1 says, offer your bodies as a living sacrifice. 00:21:06.589 --> 00:21:09.149 This is your true and proper worship. 00:21:09.389 --> 00:21:12.429 Sunday worship helps to align our hearts back to God. 00:21:12.829 --> 00:21:22.990 But we must remember that worship isn't confined to a Sunday service, it's offering our whole lives to Jesus and Jesus alone. 00:21:23.389 --> 00:21:27.629 As Paul already reminded us in Colossians, whatever we do belongs to Him. 00:21:28.189 --> 00:21:32.750 Worship's just not the song that we sing, it's the life we live. 00:21:33.149 --> 00:21:38.029 So, in closing, that question I asked in the beginning, I'm gonna ask it again. 00:21:38.669 --> 00:21:46.750 Is it possible to say God is first while something else is truly first in our heart? 00:21:47.389 --> 00:21:54.349 According to Ezekiel, it is because the first idol was never in these hands. 00:21:54.909 --> 00:21:56.509 It's always in my heart. 00:21:57.469 --> 00:22:05.709 And whatever captures my heart, whatever captures your heart, will eventually shape our worship. 00:22:06.029 --> 00:22:08.269 Let it be Christ in Christ alone. 00:22:16.909 --> 00:22:19.309 My hour timer starts right now. 00:22:19.789 --> 00:22:21.629 I'm kidding, I'm kidding. 00:22:21.789 --> 00:22:25.389 My name is Gwen, and I'm going to be talking about worship. 00:22:26.109 --> 00:22:28.189 Or what are we living for? 00:22:28.509 --> 00:22:37.069 In Proverbs 423, it says, Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. 00:22:37.469 --> 00:22:43.949 There are over a hundred passages in the Bible that are all about our heart and the condition of our heart. 00:22:44.029 --> 00:22:45.549 So would you say it's important? 00:22:46.349 --> 00:22:47.309 Very important. 00:22:48.029 --> 00:22:49.789 And the ancients knew that, right? 00:22:49.869 --> 00:22:55.309 They knew that the heart was central and that everything flowed from it and we needed to guard it. 00:22:55.949 --> 00:23:02.189 They knew that the heart would determine what you live for, who you are, and who you worship. 00:23:02.829 --> 00:23:08.029 Because everything flows from our heart, it is the frontline battle for idolatry. 00:23:08.589 --> 00:23:21.149 If we overlook the heart and only focus on what flows from it, we miss the real battle and we try to address the symptoms, not necessarily the real issue, which is misplaced worship. 00:23:21.469 --> 00:23:25.309 So, what are some of the symptoms of misplaced worship? 00:23:25.629 --> 00:23:31.309 And caveat, like they've kind of already said, it's usually things that we think will keep us safe and comfortable. 00:23:31.549 --> 00:23:33.869 And so I was going to ask a few questions. 00:23:34.589 --> 00:23:36.750 Are you drowning in debt? 00:23:38.109 --> 00:23:40.029 Cutting up all your credit cards? 00:23:40.429 --> 00:23:41.549 It won't fix it. 00:23:42.750 --> 00:23:48.829 Are you crippled with anxiety about money, relationships, college, your marriage, your health? 00:23:48.990 --> 00:23:51.389 You have your own list, right, of things. 00:23:51.709 --> 00:23:57.229 More retreats, self-help books, podcasts won't fix it. 00:23:57.709 --> 00:24:00.269 Are you struggling with lust or pornography? 00:24:00.509 --> 00:24:01.869 Or addiction of any kind? 00:24:02.109 --> 00:24:05.469 We all have our own list of what that addiction could look like. 00:24:05.709 --> 00:24:09.229 More filters on your computer and more accountability? 00:24:09.709 --> 00:24:11.069 Won't fix it. 00:24:12.029 --> 00:24:13.229 Constantly angry? 00:24:13.389 --> 00:24:17.229 Are you feeling overwhelmed or undervalued or overlooked? 00:24:17.549 --> 00:24:21.629 A new job or a new spouse won't fix it. 00:24:21.949 --> 00:24:23.869 A new church won't even fix it. 00:24:24.109 --> 00:24:28.029 And more meetings with the pastor will also not fix it. 00:24:28.269 --> 00:24:33.069 You see, because the issue is it's a those are symptoms of some misplaced worship. 00:24:33.389 --> 00:24:36.429 And God doesn't want behavior modification from us, right? 00:24:36.509 --> 00:24:42.669 Like depending on the kind of church that you maybe have grown up or been a part of, sometimes it is fix it. 00:24:43.229 --> 00:24:46.349 That you have to come fix all your issues before you come to Jesus, right? 00:24:46.509 --> 00:24:49.709 Like make yourself look very clean and proper and holy. 00:24:49.789 --> 00:24:51.069 Like that's the goal. 00:24:51.229 --> 00:24:54.109 But that's not God's goal because the issue is the heart. 00:24:54.349 --> 00:24:55.869 He always wants our heart. 00:24:56.109 --> 00:25:04.750 In 1 Samuel 16, 7, it says, People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. 00:25:05.389 --> 00:25:10.990 And he wants full access to our hearts, and he wants us to have full access to him. 00:25:11.549 --> 00:25:20.029 And so the reason God has such a huge problem with idolatry is that his love for you and I, it is all-consuming. 00:25:20.189 --> 00:25:27.789 And I love how in that scripture it says the affection that Aldo shared, like he doesn't want to share our affection, he wants it for himself. 00:25:28.029 --> 00:25:29.389 And I'll give you two scriptures. 00:25:29.549 --> 00:25:38.189 Exodus 34, 14 says, Do not worship any other God, for the Lord whose name is jealous is a jealous God. 00:25:38.589 --> 00:25:47.309 In Deuteronomy 4.24, it says, For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God. 00:25:47.869 --> 00:25:49.709 Have you ever felt jealous? 00:25:50.429 --> 00:25:52.669 Has anyone ever been jealous of you? 00:25:53.069 --> 00:25:58.109 So imagine that in its purest form, in a consuming fire. 00:25:58.269 --> 00:25:59.709 That's what God feels for you. 00:25:59.869 --> 00:26:01.709 That's what God feels for me. 00:26:02.589 --> 00:26:08.669 So let's just remember that everything comes back to his passionate and immense love for us. 00:26:08.909 --> 00:26:13.309 A love that he sent his one and only son to die for us. 00:26:13.469 --> 00:26:15.309 That's how much no one's ever done that for me. 00:26:15.389 --> 00:26:16.750 Has anybody ever done that for you? 00:26:17.069 --> 00:26:17.389 No. 00:26:18.029 --> 00:26:20.109 That's how much he loves us. 00:26:20.750 --> 00:26:29.389 So if we can become curious and not condemned about the things that we're putting before him, we will see that it ultimately comes to a choice. 00:26:29.629 --> 00:26:32.509 Not, I have to pick Jesus or success. 00:26:32.669 --> 00:26:35.069 I have to pick happiness or success. 00:26:36.189 --> 00:26:37.469 Happiness or Jesus. 00:26:37.629 --> 00:26:39.069 You know, this or Jesus. 00:26:39.149 --> 00:26:40.429 That's not the choice. 00:26:40.669 --> 00:26:44.029 The choice is where where does he belong in my heart? 00:26:44.269 --> 00:26:46.589 He belongs on the throne of my heart. 00:26:47.629 --> 00:26:53.469 In Matthew 6, 31 through 34, it says, So do not worry, saying, What shall we eat? 00:26:53.629 --> 00:26:55.949 What shall we drink, or what shall we wear? 00:26:56.189 --> 00:27:01.949 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly father knows that you need them. 00:27:02.189 --> 00:27:07.949 But seek first the kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 00:27:08.269 --> 00:27:12.990 Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. 00:27:13.229 --> 00:27:15.949 Each day has enough trouble of its own. 00:27:16.269 --> 00:27:19.869 So before I go, I wanted to share the story that I heard the other day. 00:27:20.029 --> 00:27:24.509 Um that was just it was really awesome, and I knew I had to share it with you guys. 00:27:24.909 --> 00:27:29.549 It's about a painting that hangs in the National Art Gallery in London. 00:27:29.789 --> 00:27:43.229 It's painted by a famous Italian Renaissance artist, and it's a painting of Virgin Mary cradling baby Jesus, and there's a saint on each side of her, and they are kneeling down worshiping Jesus. 00:27:43.789 --> 00:27:52.109 One day, a distinguished art critic stood before the painting and he stared at it for a long, long time. 00:27:52.990 --> 00:28:01.629 He studied the technique, the colors, the stroke painting strokes, you know, all of the things that a critic would study. 00:28:01.949 --> 00:28:05.789 And he realized that something was very wrong with the painting. 00:28:06.029 --> 00:28:12.589 But many critics before him had also noticed and thought that something was really wrong with the painting. 00:28:12.909 --> 00:28:18.269 The hills were forward and they didn't, they looked misplaced, they didn't look right. 00:28:18.589 --> 00:28:25.389 The uh saints looked awkward, and Jesus Mary's eyes were like lifeless. 00:28:25.549 --> 00:28:27.229 They should have looked profound, but they didn't. 00:28:27.309 --> 00:28:28.990 He said they looked lifeless. 00:28:29.309 --> 00:28:35.309 And so he thought to himself, how can such a master artist be so wrong? 00:28:35.949 --> 00:28:37.709 And then he had a thought. 00:28:38.029 --> 00:28:43.149 What if this painting never belonged in an art gallery? 00:28:43.389 --> 00:28:47.629 What if this painting belonged in a place of worship or prayer? 00:28:48.189 --> 00:28:59.229 So he got down on his knees and just utter reverence, and he looked up at the painting, and he realized it was exactly as it should be. 00:28:59.469 --> 00:29:00.829 It was perfect. 00:29:01.149 --> 00:29:08.669 He said the hills stretched out, and the saints, their eyes weren't awkward, they were in awe. 00:29:08.909 --> 00:29:15.549 And when he looked at Mary, she was looking directly and intently at him as he was looking up. 00:29:15.789 --> 00:29:19.709 And so the painting was never the problem, as is ours. 00:29:19.949 --> 00:29:22.349 It was his posture, right? 00:29:22.750 --> 00:29:25.629 So the posture of our heart matters. 00:29:25.789 --> 00:29:27.869 That's where we have to get back to. 00:29:28.750 --> 00:29:34.990 And only in that posture can we see Jesus correctly and worship him truly, right? 00:29:36.349 --> 00:29:44.349 So there are some things we can only see on our knees, and if we want the right perspective, we have to get into the right posture. 00:29:44.750 --> 00:29:46.669 When is the last time you've knelt? 00:29:48.589 --> 00:29:53.389 When's the last time you've bowed in honor and reverence and worship? 00:29:54.589 --> 00:30:04.349 I'm gonna leave you one last scripture, Psalms 139-23, and it says, search me, oh God, and know my heart. 00:30:04.669 --> 00:30:07.469 Test me and know my anxious thoughts. 00:30:07.709 --> 00:30:10.750 So let's continue in that vein of search me. 00:30:10.990 --> 00:30:11.549 Search me. 00:30:11.629 --> 00:30:12.509 That's our safety net. 00:30:12.669 --> 00:30:13.469 Search me, Lord. 00:30:13.629 --> 00:30:15.229 That's how I avoid idolatry. 00:30:15.389 --> 00:30:16.269 One of the ways. 00:30:16.589 --> 00:30:17.069 Amen. 00:30:17.229 --> 00:30:17.789 Thank you. 00:30:25.309 --> 00:30:27.229 Good morning again. 00:30:28.029 --> 00:30:29.549 So I'm Danielle. 00:30:29.869 --> 00:30:31.469 Excuse my ashy voice. 00:30:31.629 --> 00:30:33.789 I am suffering from some allergies. 00:30:33.869 --> 00:30:36.589 But if you can hear the sound of my voice, clap once. 00:30:37.229 --> 00:30:40.109 If you can hear the sound of my voice, clap two times. 00:30:40.429 --> 00:30:41.549 I can't help it, y'all. 00:30:41.629 --> 00:30:42.349 I'm a teacher. 00:30:42.669 --> 00:30:50.750 All right, so we've heard a lot of things, but I want to focus on three points and uh things to remember to avoid idolatry. 00:30:50.829 --> 00:30:55.949 I'm gonna give them to you first, the three points, because we're a note-taking church, and I want y'all to still take notes. 00:30:56.109 --> 00:30:59.229 Um, so we're I'm gonna give you the three points and then I'll elaborate on them. 00:30:59.309 --> 00:31:02.509 So, point number one is God alone is our provider. 00:31:03.789 --> 00:31:07.469 The second point uh is God alone is our source. 00:31:08.029 --> 00:31:11.949 And then the final point is God alone is worthy. 00:31:12.269 --> 00:31:15.469 So I'm gonna start with God alone is our provider. 00:31:17.309 --> 00:31:33.069 All right, so like Aldo said, many idols are connected to false promises, and our heart's desires for things like security and love and family, um, financial security, control, connection through relationships. 00:31:33.469 --> 00:31:37.629 Um, we've been talking about the Old Testament, so I'm gonna go back to Exodus. 00:31:37.789 --> 00:31:50.909 During in Exodus 32, this specific part of the passage, Moses is up on Mount Sinai, he's talking to God, they're establishing the covenant, they're establishing the Ten Commandments, all the while the Israelites are still down below in the valley where they have been. 00:31:51.069 --> 00:31:54.349 Well, he's been up there for 40 days to give you a little back context. 00:31:54.509 --> 00:31:58.829 He's been up there for about 40 days, and the Israelites used to use Moses to talk to God. 00:31:58.909 --> 00:32:02.349 He was the one that would go before God and speak to God and hear from God. 00:32:02.509 --> 00:32:09.229