The Christian and Idolatry

The Christian and IdolatryPart 3 : 

The Christian and IdolatryPart 3 Turning from serving idols to serving the living and true God. 1Thessalonians 1:10

“Say hello to my little friends” : 

“Say hello to my little friends”

How DO they stick to the ceiling? : 

How DO they stick to the ceiling?

“You’re so far away. . .” : 

“You’re so far away. . .”

HUBBLE TELESCOPE : 

HUBBLE TELESCOPE

Hubble focused on a dark area for several days, discovering 10,000 galaxies, 13 billion light years away from earth. Each dot is a galaxy, containing millions of stars : 

Hubble focused on a dark area for several days, discovering 10,000 galaxies, 13 billion light years away from earth. Each dot is a galaxy, containing millions of stars

In 2014, the Webb Infrared telescope will be launched, sent to an orbit of a million miles from earth, where it will take infrared images of the most distant objects (cosmic night-vision goggles). : 

In 2014, the Webb Infrared telescope will be launched, sent to an orbit of a million miles from earth, where it will take infrared images of the most distant objects (cosmic night-vision goggles).

Most important Optical Device through which to see the world and the universe: : 

Most important Optical Device through which to see the world and the universe: American Family Bible, circa 1859

Slide 9: 

Your love, O LORD, reaches to the heavens,        your faithfulness to the skies.  6  9 For with you is the fountain of life;        in your light we see light. The unfolding of your words gives light;        it gives understanding to the simple.

IDOLATRY : 

DEFINITION DESCRIPTION ORIGIN REPLACEMENT – WHO RULES? THE RATS VS. THE VILLAGE FUNCTION APPLICATION – IDOLATRY

Definition - Family of words, around a central concept of: : 

Definition - Family of words, around a central concept of:

DEFINITION: serving what is seen : 

DEFINITION: serving what is seen IDO: to see + LATRY: to serve, worship IDO-LATRY = TO SERVE WHAT I SEE (AN IMAGE) Idol: empty, worthless, lying, horror, filthy, destructive Begins Internally – self conversation: “sets up idols in his heart”, displayed externally What makes what I see, that is, an image, into an idol? To look to what I see, to provide what only God can provide -- the Definitions of the fundamental questions of life What is Real? What is True? What is Good?

Idolatry: Redefinition in -- : 

Idolatry: Redefinition in -- The Four Fundamental Questions of Life: 1 2 3 EXTERNAL “ACTIONS” INTERNAL

Origin – Satan (“Redefiner”) : 

Origin – Satan (“Redefiner”) Adam and Eve – Genesis 3 Satan’s redefinition of God’s character (Real) You can’t trust Him, He’s fearful of you Satan’s redefinition of God’s word (True) You won’t die – you will be like God Eve’s redefinition of God’s creation (Good) Healthy Choice, Beautiful, Wisdom giving Adam and Eve’s disobedience (Done) Ate, and became ashamed, fearful

IDOLATRY : 

PURPOSE Separation From God From Others SOLUTION New Identity in Christ Quality of Relationship Offered Quotient (QOROQ) IDOLATRY

Purpose -Separation: From God : 

Purpose -Separation: From God The thief comes only to steal, kill, and destroy. . . A liar and a murderer from the beginning Believing Satan’s false images about God separated Adam and Eve from God – that was the death God said would occur Satan’s regular strategy is to plant images that lead to separation – Job 1 Rev. 12: the accuser of the brethren

Purpose: Separate believers : 

Purpose: Separate believers I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought. 11My brothers, some from Chloe's household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. 12What I mean is this: One of you says, "I follow Paul"; another, "I follow Apollos"; another, "I follow Cephas"; still another, "I follow Christ." What is the root problem with this church?

Purpose: separate believers : 

Purpose: separate believers The Story of Greeting Time Gertrude: Trip to restroom during greeting time I can’t meet new people – its too frightening because what will they think of me? I won’t change for you – you don’t deserve it I’m fine like I am – deal with it – I don’t need you Why should anyone need to meet me? I don’t really care about what this says about our church or Christianity What is Gertrude’s root problem?

Idolatry, Identity and Relationships : 

Idolatry, Identity and Relationships What am I trying to get others to believe about me – what image do I want them to have of me? How important is that image to me – has it become the thing that defines me (Transcendence) the thing that allows me to control my world (Immanence)? How do I “pull” conversations toward establishing that image in their minds? How is gossip idolatry? I confess someone else’s sins in order to establish my righteousness in the eyes of significant people. What is the root problem?

Identification, Identity, Idolatry : 

Identification, Identity, Idolatry I’ve built walls, a fortress deep and mighty I have no need of friendship; friendship causes pain - it's laughter and it's loving I disdain. I won't disturb the slumber of feelings that have died - if I never loved I never would have cried. I am shielded in my armor, Hiding in my room, safe within my womb. I touch no one and no one touches me. I am a rock, I am an island. And a rock feels no pain; and an island never cries

Slide 21: 

Fruit – ACTIONS Trunk – EMOTIONS Roots – THOUGHTS (Heart) Hatred, Jealousy, Selfish ambition Quarrels, Factions Self -Defined by people’s opinions Avoidance Gossip Self -Defined by people’s opinions Christians 1 Cor. 1 Gertrude - GFC Comparison, Fear

What Quality of Relationship Offered: : 

What Quality of Relationship Offered: 3Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.  5Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:  6Who, being in very nature God,       did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,  7but made himself nothing,       taking the very nature of a servant,       being made in human likeness.  8And being found in appearance as a man,       he humbled himself       and became obedient to death—          even death on a cross!

New Self Conversation : 

New Self Conversation In humility I consider others better than myself. (INTERNAL – What is Real) I look not only to my own interests, but also to the interests of others.   (INTERNAL) My attitude is that of Christ Jesus: I will not consider myself superior, but I will make myself nothing (INTERNAL- What is True) I will take the very nature of a servant, humble myself, (INTERNAL – What is good) and became obedient (EXTERNAL-What I do), no matter how difficult – His strength is made perfect in my weakness.

Solution: Identity only from the Gospel : 

Solution: Identity only from the Gospel My self-image is not dependent on proving a perfect record – that will never happen My self-image is not based false promises of control of my world, giving people what they want for security, buying friends for acceptance, personal connections for approval etc. My self-image is what God provides: simul justus et pecator: Justified in God’s sight, yet still a sinner I can now walk in humility, and I can walk in confidence in His love and faithfulness to sustain my emotional well – being. I am a great sinner; I have a greater Savior

Slide 25: 

Fruit – ACTIONS Trunk – EMOTIONS Roots – THOUGHTS (Heart) Peace Love Moving toward people Self -Defined by Scripture: Sonship Peace Love Kindness Obedience Self -Defined by Scripture: Sonship Paul Me

Improving our qOroq : 

Improving our qOroq TOUGH SOFT LOVE TRUTH GRACE Low High Low High Speak Listen FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT – Gal. 5

Slide 27: 

“Chances are she’s a 37-year old woman with a teen-girl orientation toward relationships: ‘I’m pretty, so guys should like me.’ (Why go through all that sweaty, ugly business of becoming somebody when you can just be somebody’s girlfriend?)” Advice goddess Amy Alkon, Metromix.com Why go through all that sweaty, ugly business of discovering idolatry, of becoming mature, of being a model church, when you can just pursue your own desires, have non-challenging church programs, and just be somebody’s friend? Say a prayer for the pretender. Who started out so young and strong. Only to surrender.

Most important Optical Device through which to see the world and the universe: : 

Most important Optical Device through which to see the world and the universe: “Do not be conformed any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” - Paul, Romans 12:2 The thief comes only to steal, kill, and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. - Jesus, John 10:10

Image is everything : 

Image is everything