Bible Studies
Summary and Conclusion: Idolatry In the 21st Century
Series: Lessons on IdolatryIntroduction:
1. We have traced idolatry’s history from its earliest evidences in Genesis to its final defeat in Revelation. 2. We have evaluated the worship of the golden calf on Sinai as a pivotal event in the history of the nation of Israel. 3. God warned Israel even before they went in to take the land of Canaan to make no covenant with the people of the land. They were not to intermarry with them because such relationships would lead them to forsake the Lord and to serve the idols of the nations. 4. Israel failed to heed the warnings! Even though they were in covenant relationship with God they forsook him and joined themselves to those that were no-gods. Though they had eyes to see and ears to hear they had become like the gods they worshiped—blind and deaf. Ultimately they were taken into captivity as a result of their actions. 5. In the N.T. idolatry takes on a more subtle form, but the warnings are clear and the O.T. background is evident in the formula—“he who has an ear let him hear.” 6. But what about us? Is there a danger of idolatry in the 21st century? Surely we are beyond the worship of golden calves and wooden and stone images! Perhaps. But idolatry must be defined to include any value, any idea, any relationship, and any thing that challenges the exclusive top priority that belongs to the Lord. 7. This lesson will show that idolatry is alive and well in the 21st century, that it invades so-called Christian religion and the Lord’s church, and you may even find its roots wrapped around your own heart. Frightening it is and we will do well to think seriously and soberly about the temptations of idolatry.a. First we will summarize what we have studied about the process of being transformed from the image of the world to the image of God.
b. Second, we will identify specific practices of idolatry in our time.
Discussion:
I. The writings of the apostle Paul clearly delineate the process of transformation from the image of the world to the image of God (Rom. 12:2).A. Those conformed to the world’s image are described in Rom. 1:18-32.
B. By God’s actions in Jesus Christ transformation (metamorphosis) can be realized.
1. God’s purpose has been to act so that men might be conformed to the image of His Son (Rom. 8:28-30). Thus, the whole plan of redemption has this design. That is why it is called “redemption.” It is a saving of what was lost.
2. It involves not being conformed to the world, but transformed by the renewing of the mind (Rom. 12:2). Thus, acceptance of God’s revelation and submission to it is key.
3. Looking into the gospel of Christ we see the glory of the Lord and are being transformed into His glory, the image of God (2 Cor. 3:18; 4:4).
C. This process was predicted by the O.T. prophets and is a particular focus in Isaiah.
1. On Isa. 9:1ff compare 2 Cor. 4:4.
2. On Isa. 43:6 see 2 Cor. 6:18.
3. On Isa. 43:18-19; 65:17 see 2 Cor. 5:17.
4. On Isa. 52:11 see 2 Cor. 6:17.
D. This process of transformation into the divine image will be completed at the end of history when Christians will be resurrected and fully reflect God’s image in Christ (1 Cor. 15:45-54; Phil. 3:20-21).
E. In the transformed state they will be the new heavens and the new earth, the new Jerusalem, the bride of Christ, the wife of the Lamb (Rev. 21-22). He who has an ear let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
F. THIS IS WHO WE ARE!! THIS IS OUR HOPE! THIS IS OUR DESTINY as those transformed to (and by) the image of God.
II. In order to reach this destiny we must “flee idolatry” (1 Cor. 10:14). But what temptations to idolatry face us in our day?A. There is the temptation to deny the Lord and elevate self.
1. Nowhere is this so clearly evident as in Humanism. Humanism is a world-view that denies the existence of God and elevates man to the chief position of the universe.
2. The following quotations from Humanist Manifesto II define their beginning point.
a. “Humanists believe that traditional theism, especially faith in a prayer-hearing God, assumed to love and care for persons, to hear and understand their prayers, and to be able to do something about them, is an unproved and outmoded faith.”
b. “As non-theists, we begin with humans not God, nature not deity.”
c. “We can discover no divine purpose or providence for the human species… humans are responsible for what we are or will become. No deity will save us; we must save ourselves.”
3. With this world-view is the denial of the Bible as a revelation from God and acceptance of a system of ethics that advocates abortion, divorce, homosexuality, euthanasia, suicide, etc.
4. It is not new, but described in Rom. 1:18ff.
5. This is the world-view of the National Education Association and many professors at public institutions of higher learning.
B. But as we move toward a more conservative world-view idolatry continues to present itself in religions claiming to accept the existence of God.
1. There are market driven churches attempting to meet consumer’s desires. They are motivated by a “what can I get out of it” philosophy. Such a philosophy elevates self not God.
2. People want to know how to cope with self-doubt, physical illness, job loss, singleness, marital stress, soaring college costs, social issues, etc. See quote Eugene Peterson, We Become, p 295. Not bad things, but when exchanged for worshiping God and dealing with sin they are idolatry. See 1 Cor. 14:20-25.
3. The “what can I get out of it” philosophy results in entertainment, social activities and the like being elevated to the neglect of worship according to God’s revealed will. We become more concerned about what pleases our senses than obeying the Lord. Cf. again 1 Cor. 14:20-25.
C. The elevation of tradition above the commandments of God (Matt. 15:1-9; Col. 3:16-23).
1. Traditions become idols when they are held to more authoritatively than the word of God. Do we look to the word of God for answers? To family problems? Marital problems? Ethical issues? To psychology? Scholars? Scientists? Professionals?
2. When we elevate the wisdom of men above the wisdom of God it is idolatry.
3. God reveals things through general revelation (discovered by the scientific method) but when we elevate this above God’s specific written revelation it is idolatry.
D. Such is a reflection of our mind set. Idolatry is reflected in our focus on mere earthly things (Col. 3:2; Phil. 3:18-21).
1. Those of Heb. 11 were looking further than mere earthly things (vs. 13ff, 26).
2. Friendship with the world is spiritual adultery (James 4:1-17).
3. We are idolaters when money and wealth are what we set our minds on (Matt. 6:19ff).
4. We are idolaters when what others think about us is more important than our relationship with God (Matt. 6:1ff; 23).
5. The king of Tyre was self-focused (Ezek. 28:1-10) as evidenced by his dependence upon his riches and his wisdom, but he was brought low.
III. Idolatry is a very real and present danger. It confronts us on every turn. How can we avoid it?A. Listen. “He who has an ear let him hear.”
1. Listen to the voice of God. Listen to what He has revealed in the inspired word.
2. The point of departure from God is turning away from His revealed will.
B. Through the revelation that God gives we gain perspective on things eternal. We learn of God’s purpose and we have insights into the future. Idolaters deny such.
C. They live their lives in ignorance, unprepared, but we can no longer live this way. Cf. 1 Pet. 4:1ff.
1. Give attention to the Scripture.
2. Give attention to worship.
3. Give attention to teaching others.
4. This is our hope.
Conclusion:
1. Flee idolatry. 2. Develop your faith. 3. Set your mind on the things above and not on the things of the earth for your citizenship is in heaven. Note: I openly acknowledge dependence upon the work of G.K. Beale in We Become What We Worship, for this series of lessons.
