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At Huikala we preach through books of the Bible, one passage at a time.
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Romans: The Power of the Gospel Message 18 of 150
Romans: Dishonoring God Dishonors Man
Pastor Anthony King· August 14, 2022
Romans 1:18-25
“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;”
Romans 1:18
The series
Verse by verse through Paul’s letter to the church at Rome: the Gospel of God’s righteousness, from our ruin in sin to life lived as a living sacrifice.
Man is a worshipper by default. It’s not if you worship, but what you worship.
Worship: an act that is performed or an expression of emotion in response to the majesty, greatness and infinite value of Jesus Christ.
Of 10 commandments, first 4 deal with worship.
- You shall have no other gods before Me.
- You shall not make idols.
- You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain.
- Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.
The rest get broken due to idolatry. We never break the other commandments without breaking the first one.
- Honor your father and your mother.
- You shall not murder.
- You shall not commit adultery.
- You shall not steal.
- You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
- You shall not covet.
The opposite of true worship is idolatry.
Worship is living to the glory of God the Creator.
Idolatry is living for the glory of creation.
Identifying Idols
What do you treasure the most?
If your house was on fire and you were running out, what would you take with you?
What is that person, thing, experience that you are most fearful of losing?
Who or what do you love the most?
What do you treasure?
What is the source of your joy?
Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth’s sake. Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is now their God? But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased. Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands. They have mouths, but they speak not: eyes have they, but they see not: They have ears, but they hear not: noses have they, but they smell not: They have hands, but they handle not: feet have they, but they walk not: neither speak they through their throat. They that make them are like unto them; so is every one that trusteth in them.Psalm 115:1-8
Pastors Identify Modern-day Idols, Comfort Tops List
Comfort Control/Security Money Approval Success Social influence Political power Sex or romantic love
“When you ‘pull your emotions up by the roots’ you will often find your idols clinging to them.”
To adopt idolatry and pursue our fleshly desires, we must deny Truth. (v.25)
The sin of idolatry dishonors God.
The punishment of man is being given over to his own evil.
The dishonor of God begins a dishonor of self.
When the glory of God is attacked, the dignity of man suffers.
Idolatry distorts God’s gift of marital sexual intimacy.
Sex is a beautiful thing in the confines of marital worship. God created man and woman and said they are very good. He made sex to be enjoyed in the confines of the marriage bed and it is good.
Inside its intended use, it an act of worship, God-gratifying union. Outside of its intended use, sex is sin and idolatry.
• 13 billion dollars a year is spent on pornography in America. • 20% of smart phone owners admit to having porn material on their mobile devices. • 50% of all Christian men and 20% of all Christian women say that they are addicted to pornography. • 93% of boys and 62% of girls are exposed to pornographic material before their 18th birthday. The average age of first exposure is 11 years old.
Pornography is a worship issue. Pornography is an idolatry issue.
Porn is a decision between Creator and creation.
Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned? Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned? So he that goeth in to his neighbour’s wife; whosoever toucheth her shall not be innocent.Proverbs 6:27-29
Sexual deviancy is the ultimate judgment for idolatry.
Jesus doesn’t give idols. He is sufficient in Himself.
Sometimes people present Jesus as an idol-giver. Come to Jesus; He’ll make you rich. Come to Jesus; He’ll make you healthy. Come to Jesus; He’ll fix your marriage. Come to Jesus; He’ll save your family. Come to Jesus; He’ll save your job.
Solution for Idolatry
Repentance
Proper Worship Through Priorities
Praise
18For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; 19Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 20For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. 24Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. Romans 1:18-25
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