Do modern Christians still deal with idolatry?

November 26, 2018

Text to Read: Exodus 20:3-6 NLT

The Main Points:

Idolatry’s a big deal to God. He demands everything from us because he has given us everything.
God defines an idol as anything that stands between you and being fully devoted to God.
- Jesus’ example of money (Matthew 6:24)
- You cannot allow anything to stand in the way of following Jesus completely. He must be your everything (Luke 14:26 NLT)
  - “Sin is building your life and meaning on anything, even a very good thing, more than on God.” - Tim Keller
Anything that blocks your whole-hearted devotion to Jesus blocks the fulness of his glory in your life.
- Ephesians 5:5 NLT

“Sin is building your life and meaning on anything, even a very good thing, more than on God.”

— Tim Keller

Action Steps:

Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the idols in your life and confess your sin of idolatry to him.
Ask God how he wants to change you.
Consider what your first step should be to get rid of your idols.

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Why is there so much conflict in the world?

November 26, 2018

Text to Read: 2 Corinthians 10:1-5 NIV

Main Points:

You must recognize that there’s a war going on for the mind, body, and soul of every human. This war has been going on for nearly all of human history.
In this war, you are either a passive or active participant, but you don’t get to sit it out.
- When you live passively, you will find that you are influenced by the culture all around you and strongholds will be built in your life from which Satan will be enabled to launch attacks on your mind and spirit.
- Paul points out that his weaponry is superior to Satan’s: the Truth of Jesus’ Good News has God’s power, but it must be used intentionally!
- Once we recognize the power of the Good News (or, Gospel), we must confess of our sins to break the enemy’s power (1 John 1:9 NLT), consistently affirm the Truth in our hearts by reading the Truth God has given us in the Bible, and must share this Truth!
- Paul shows us that we must not allow these strongholds to be rebuilt. Instead, we must take EVERY thought captive to Jesus!
Remember the weapons of your warfare: read your Bible, confess, and pray; then, show others the Way.

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November 26, 2018

The Main Points:

You may not be hearing God because you’re not truly listening!
You may be ignoring what God’s already told you.
- Perhaps because you’re afraid, or, like Jonah, you don’t like what he’s said to do.
- Or maybe you think it’s not God talking to you. Perhaps because you don’t think he still speaks (he does: Ephesians 1:17, 1 Corinthians 14:26, Galatians 2:1-2…he gives his people revelations!) or because you don’t understand how he speaks.
You may not be leaving God room to speak.
How you can start to truly listen for God’s voice:
- Read Scripture slowly and with an eye to be changed.
- Treat prayer like a conversation. Ask questions and listen for answers.
- Use a journal to record your prayers and what God is saying and doing.
- Be open to what God may be saying.
- Test everything against Scripture, because God is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
- Do what God says!
Action Step: Having given thanks for God’s past faithfulness, and having confessed and turned from your sin, set aside no less than a 1/2 hour every day to spend reading your Bible, praying, and listening for what God wants to say to you.