Who Is Your God?

Top Ten:  The Second Commandment

Integrity Church  Todd Felkel  7.3.11

 

 

The most important thing in my life is _____________________.

 

How can I know what is most important in my life?

The way you spend your time and the way you spend your money and what you think about most often and who you relate to the most is what’s really top in your life.

 

 

Exodus 20:4, You must not make for yourself any idol of any kind…

Matthew 22:36-40, “Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?”  Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.  This is the first and greatest commandment.  A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”

 

What is the big deal about idols?

Idol - someone or something that occupies the place of God in your life giving you identity, meaning, value, purpose, love, significance or security (idolatry).

 

1.  Starts out innocent and good

2.  Appeals to the senses

3.  Meets a temporary need in your life

4.  Becomes addictive.

5.  Causes all kinds of problems in your life

6.  Perverts the truth

7.  Destroys your life

 

 

The bad news about good things is they can become god things.

Romans 1:25, They traded the truth about God for a lie. So they worshiped and served the things God created instead of the Creator himself, who is worthy of eternal praise! Amen.

 

Examples:  Food, drugs, alcohol, sex, music, sports, hobby, talent, money, family, friends, people, home, car, gadgets, computers, possessions, beauty, knowledge, job/career, self

 

Idolatry happens when we turn good things into ultimate things.

-Kierkegaard

 “O God, You have made us for Yourself, and our hearts are restless until they find rest in You.” -Augustine

“God is the fuel that people were made to ‘run on’ – if the correct fuel is taken away and some lesser fuel is ‘put in the tank’ there will be running problems.” -C.S. Lewis

“There is a God-shaped hole in the heart of every man, and only God can fill it.” -Blaise Pascal

 

 

Who is the one true living God?

John 20:30-31, The disciples saw Jesus do many other miraculous signs in addition to the ones recorded in this book.  But these are written so that you may continue to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing in him you will have life by the power of his name.

 

1.  Come To Jesus.

Matthew 11:28, Come unto Me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.  Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me for I am gentle and humble in heart.  And you will find rest for your souls for My yoke is easy and My burden is light. 

 

No Christ; No Peace!

Know Christ; Know Peace!

 

How Do We Come To Jesus?  Just as you are! 

 

2.  Learn From Jesus.

How Do We Learn From Jesus?   Listen to the Holy Sprit speak to you through the Bible, prayer and the church.

 

What kind of rest does God give?  Rest for your soul