THE HIDDEN IDOL
Below are notes to a sermon preached Sunday evening, June 27, 1999, at Gospel Light Baptist Church, Albany, Georgia:
THE HIDDEN IDOL
By Michael D. O’Neal Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church Albany, Georgia
Scripture Reading: Genesis 31:17-19, 34, 35
Text: Genesis 31:34
Genesis 31:34 Now Rachel had taken the images, and put them in the camel’s furniture, and sat upon them. And Laban searched all the tent, but found them not.
Introduction: Rachel had idols, but her husband was not aware of them. She HID the idols she stole from her father. One of the crimes of the Old Testament was the fact that God’s people were given to idolatry during their history.
Many of God’s people today practice idolatry, but they have hidden it. The hidden idol I want to talk about tonight is covetousness! The Bible says:
Colossians 3:5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:
Anything that you desire, lust after, or want that is more than the Lord and what HE wants you to have is an idol.
In that case,
I. PLEASURE CAN BE AN IDOL
2 Timothy 3:4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
A. What is FUN could be BITTER at the last
B. What FEELS good could be BAD
II. PROFIT CAN BE AN IDOL
1 Timothy 6:10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
A. If we sacrifice our wives and children to it
B. If we sacrifice our ways of consecration to it 1. Faithful church attendance 2. Work in the church
C. If we sacrifice the will of Christ to it
III. POPULARITY CAN BE AN IDOL
Luke 6:26 Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.
A. The majority is almost always wrong
B. The multitudes are going to hell
C. Most saved people have little discernment
IV. PEACE CAN BE AN IDOL
Matthew 10:34-36 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. 35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. 36 And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household.
A. If it is at the expense of separation
B. If it is at the expense of the scriptures
C. If it is at the expense of service to God
V. POWER CAN BE AN IDOL
Isaiah 14:13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:
A. Service is the supreme attitude
B. Service is the secret to leadership
C. Service is success
VI. POSSESSIONS CAN BE AN IDOL
Matthew 19:21-22 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. 22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.
A. If you love them
B. If you live for them
C. If you leave God and His will for them
VII. PEOPLE CAN BE AN IDOL
Luke 14:26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.
Matthew 10:37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
A. This is exhibited at funerals 1. Do you remember how the Lord responded to the man who wanted to wait until after the funeral of his father to travel in the Lord’s service?
B. This is exhibited at family reunions 1. Do you know why family reunions are so often held on Sundays? — because HEATHEN are the ones holding the reunions!
C. This is exhibited at free time – vacations 1. Christians should witness while on vacation. 2. Christians should be in church while on vacation. 3. Christians should love God while on vacation!