“IDOLATRY” (GAL. 5:20)

INTRODUCTION:

1. Last Monday my family was at the Blueberry Festival in South Bend.

2. The three of us were in the parade because of band.

3. In front of the FF band was a float that represented a religious group.

4. Towards the end of the parade, the cross on the back of this float fell.

I. WHEN I SAW THE CROSS FALL, AND SAW A MAN RUSH TO PICK IT UP AND PUT IT BACK INTO PLACE, THIS THOUGHT STRUCK ME:

A. Nearly every religion invented by man uses things which are tangible.

B. In the world, religion involves objects.

C. If we surveyed all of the religions of the world:

(1) We would find various kinds of statues;

(2) Others rely upon special buildings;

(3) There are shrines and altars;

(4) There is special water and candles;

(5) Those with an interest in Christianity often use crosses;

(6) Incense is burned.

(7) Other religious objects include animals, trees, rivers, hills, and stones.

D. Most have a religion where there is an object to see, smell, or touch.

E. NT Christianity is different.

F. God did not design Christianity to be an object based religion.

G. Bible Christianity has nothing to see, smell, or touch.

H. I can give at least one reason for this.

I. In Gal. 5, Paul listed some “works of the flesh”.

J. These works can be “grouped” (classified by type).

K. The first three (or four depending upon your translation) go together.

L. The next two works (idolatry and sorcery) also go together.

M. These two are not the same thing, but they are related.

N. Tonight we will look at idolatry.

O. When we first hear of idolatry we may conclude:

(1) “This work of the flesh has no relevance to us.”

(2) “Idol worshippers worship wood and rocks.”

(3) “Let’s deal with something that’s relevant to us.”

P. Idol worship is a problem in foreign countries.

Q. Idol worship is also a problem in America.

R. There is more to the meaning of “idolatry” than worshipping a rock.

S. Some have carved a design into the front of a tree and worshipped the wood.

(1) Isaiah made this clear in Isa. 44.

(2) The prophet said that a blacksmith would make an axe.

(3) Another man would take the axe and make an idol.

(4) After the idol was made it would be worshipped.

T. Some have and some still do make and worship idols.

U. There is another side to idolatry that is seldom mentioned.

V. Let’s go back to the OT and take a quick look at Abraham.

W. Abraham was not perfect, but he was a man who pleased God.

X. Abraham was also a man who made some memorials.

Y. Abraham created some things which reminded him and others of God.

Z. One of these memorials is in Gen. 12:7 – READ.

A. It is not said how long this altar lasted.

B. We do know that a little later, a substantial memorial was created.

C. Gen. 21:33 – READ.

D. Abraham planted a tree.

E. This was a sign/symbol/memorial of what had been done and what would be done.

F. We have two examples of a godly man creating a memorial.

G. Even in our time and culture, memorials are created.

(1) Bronze plaques are at rest homes to remember those who have died.

(2) Trees are planted to remember a deceased co-worker.

(3) Little white crosses are designed to serve as memorials.

H. The OT is full of memorials.

I. Memorials have been used by many people for many years.

J. Even though this way of remembrance has been used for good, it is possible for a memorial

to become an idol.

K. Memorials can cease being a “reminder” and become an idol.

II. THUS FAR I HAVE PROPOSED TWO IDEAS: FIRST, NT CHRISTIANITY DOES NOT HAVE ANY “MEMORIALS” (OBJECTS) ASSOCIATED WITH IT. SECOND, “OBJECTS” (OR MEMORIALS) MAY START OUT AS REMINDERS, BUT BECOME IDOLS. I NOW WISH TO SUPPORT THESE TWO ASSERTIONS WITH PROOF.

WHEN I SAID THAT CHRISTIANITY DOES NOT HAVE ANY MEMORIALS, PERHAPS SOME PRESENT SAID TO THEMSELVES:

A. “Wait! There is the Lord’s Supper. This part of the worship is a memorial.”

B. The Lord’s Supper does not qualify as a “memorial” in the way I have referenced.

C. A memorial is a tangible religious object that continues to exist.

D. That tree Abraham planted … it was there day after day.

E. The altar that was built … it seems to have been there night and day.

F. When we have the Lord’s Supper - the bread is eaten or discarded, and the juice is not somehow displayed day after day.

G. Bible Christianity is a faith without a religious object.

(1) God could have easily chosen some type of thing to be a memorial.

(2) He could have picked a cross, a spike,

(3) The thorns beaten into the Lord’s body … purple clothing …

(4) He could have selected a creature such as a lion or a dove.

H. Bible Christianity has nothing that can be turned into an idol.

(1) We are sometimes asked, “How can I find the church of the NT?”

(2) One of the answers that we can give to this question is:

(3) “Does the religious group have or do they emphasize any kind of object?”

(4) I do not want to get into the area of decorating, but I do wish to stress this point:

(5) The religious objects that many groups have …

(6) huge crosses; religious banners; candles; special water …

(7) a representation of Jesus dying a painful death …

(8) there is no authority for these things.

(9) God designed Christianity to have no permanent, tangible object.

I. This objection might be raised: “Well, what does it matter?”

J. Why care if a group has religious objects? My response is threefold:

(1) If there is no authority for these things, then why have them?

(2) Second, if God has authorized another way (and He has), this is adding to God’s will.

(3) Third, religious objects are commonly misused.

K. Religious objects are made into idols. I said that I would prove this.

L. My proof comes from the mouth of God.

M. Do we remember in the OT a story about snakes?

N. The story is found in Num. 21.

O. Here we have Moses dealing with the children of Israel.

P. Once again the Hebrew people were unhappy.

Q. They complained that God had not treated them well.

R. They made the same complaint against Moses.

S. God had heard enough bellyaching, verse 6 – READ.

T. After the snakes appeared, the people changed their minds.

U. Verse 7 – READ.

V. Were the people helped? Verse 8 – READ.

W. Later Biblical history adds another detail.

X. What do you think happened to the snake Moses made?

Y. Listen closely to 2 Kgs. 18:4A – READ.

(1) The object Moses had made was still in one piece.

(2) Moses was dead but this brass object still existed.

(3) Now we learn that this object was demolished. How come?

(4) The snake had become an object of idolatry.

(5) Man has been prone to turn religious objects into idols.

Z. Does this mean that all religious objects become idols? No.

Am I saying that if a cross is in a building, it will become an idol? No.

A. The points I am making, however, are these:

(1) A religious object was turned into an idol.

(2) This happened more than once.

(3) Christians are told to learn from the OT, and Christianity is a religion that has tangible objects.

(4) If we are going to obey God, what denominations have done … huge crosses, religious banners, and other religious symbols … need to be left alone.

(5) Not only is the money spent on these things bad stewardship, their use reflects ignorance about idolatry.

(6) The use of such items is an addition to what the NT says.

III. SPEAKING OF DENOMINATIONALISM, WE CAN DRAW OUT ANOTHER POINT OF APPLICATION FROM THE WORD IDOLATRY.

A. Idolatry is (if you want a definition) religion that is opposed to God.

B. Idolatry is religion that is done by a standard other than God’s.

C. If people are worshipping a cow or a rock, that is clearly incorrect.

D. We would call that idolatry and those in denominations would agree with us.

E. Have we ever considered that God could call denominationalism idolatry?

F. Consider and test the following reasoning:

G. Are denominations acceptable or not acceptable to God?

H. If they are acceptable, we have no right to exist.

I. If we can be in a denomination and please God, we are wasting our time.

J. Again, I ask, are denominations acceptable or not acceptable to God?

K. If we answer, “not acceptable”, then they are opposed to God.

L. Jesus said in Mt. 12:30 – QUOTE.

M. What is idolatry?

N. It is a religion that is opposed to God.

O. What is a denomination?

P. It is a religion that in some respects is opposed to God.

Q. The opposition is not like those who follow Buddah.

R. It is not like the opposition from those who are part of Islam.

S. Nevertheless, denominationalism is somewhat opposed to what God teaches in His word.

(1) These groups oppose God on the issue of authority.

(2) Denominations are founded by men, not Christ.

(3) Denominations use the Bible, but do not solely use the Bible.

(4) Denominations bind from both the NT and the OT.

(5) God’s plan for the work and worship of the church is altered.

(6) Heaven’s organization of the church is rejected.

(7) Point upon point can be made and each point has this in common:

(8) Denominations reject part of God’s will.

T. Idolatry is rejection of and opposition to God’s will.

U. I do not know if God will say to those involved with denominations,

V. “You were idolaters on the earth.”

W. “Though you claimed to follow me, you practiced idolatry.”

X. Even if God never presents this charge to those in denominations, we can.

Y. We have the authority – we have every right – in kindness, to ask – “Have you

considered if you are an idolater?”

Z. Folks, this is not my conclusion. I did not come up with this.

(1) A well-known man in the denominational world – John McArthur, a brilliant man who has

a radio program – made this conclusion.

(2) Listen to what this man said in his little commentary on Gal. 5.

(3) “Idolatry” – “encompasses any false religion”, pp. 75-76.

A. This man is right.

B. Since denominations are false religions, they are covered by this.

CONCLUSION:

1. If we are Christians, joining a denomination is out of the question.

2. If we are in a denomination, the word idolatry tells us to get out of it.

3. God is specific as to how He wants to be worshipped.

4. Are we serving Him as He has directed?