July 31 2016 Accept No Substitutes
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ACCEPT NO SUBSTITUTES
Ten Values That Build Strong Families - Part 2
"You shall not make any idols ... you must never bow to an image or worship it in any way." Exodus 20:4-5 (LB)
TWO PRINCIPLES
I. DON'T `IDOLIZE' ANYTHING!
"Idolize" - to look to something more than God.
"For your own good ... don't sin by making an idol in any form at all." Deuteronomy 4:15-16 (GN)
Why?
1. Idols will disappoint me.
"...those who make idols are disillusioned because the gods they make are false and lifeless." Jeremiah 10:14 (GN)
"What's the use of an idol? It's only something a man has made. What good does it do ... to trust it? Habakkuk 2:18(GN)
2. Idols will dominate me
"... (before you knew Christ) you were controlled by dead idols, who always led you astray." 1 Corinthians 12:2 (GN)
3. Idols will deform me
"Those who make idols will become like them, and so will those who trust in them." Psalms 115:8 (GN)
"They worshiped worthless things and became worthless themselves." Jeremiah 2:5 (GN)
II. WORSHIP ONLY GOD!
"Worship" -- to give my highestlove and devotion
"(Many) exchange the truth about God for a lie; they worship and serve what God has created instead of the Creator himself!" Romans 1:25 (GN)
The Benefits of Worshiping Only God
1. IT WILL DELIGHT ME
"Seek your happiness in the Lord and He will give you your heart's desire.” Psalm 37:4 (GN)
"Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed." Romans 10:11 (GN)
2. IT WILL DELIVERME
Jesus said, "If you obey my teaching ... you will know the truth and the truth will set you free." John 8:31-32
"If the Son sets you free, you will be really free." John 8:36
3. IT WILLDEVELOP ME.
"As the Spirit of the Lord works with us, we become more and more like Him." 2 Corinthians 3:18b (LB)
"We arrive at maturity -- that measure of development which is meant by `the fullness of Christ.'" Ephesians 4:13-15 (Ph)
"Christ is the visible image of the invisible God." Colossians 1:5
ACCEPT NO SUBSTITUTES
