Title: Overcoming idolatry-2010/05/23
Contents
Overcoming Self-Idolization (Acts 14:8~18)
When Paul and Barnabas were preaching in Lystra, Timothy's hometown, Paul paid attention to a man who had never walked because he was born crippled, and when he saw that he had the faith to be saved, he said, "Stand upright on all fours." The man got up and walked Learn how we can overcome the temptation to idolize ourselves.
1. Temptation of one's idol
① Man wants to become a god.
In the Garden of Eden, when Satan approached Eve and tempted her, he said, “God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened and you will be like God, knowing good and evil” (Genesis 3:5). was seduced by The first Adam fell into Satan's temptation and brought sin. Humans not only idolize themselves, but also make idols for themselves.
② Idol worship is the most hated sin by God.
According to the Old Testament, if the people of Israel forsook or distanced themselves from God, they would always worship vain idols and commit crimes morally and ethically, and the consequences would be chastisement and judgment. In the New Testament, where non-visual objects are said to be idolatry (Colossians 3:5), “Therefore, put to death your members on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, lust, evil lust and covetousness; covetousness is idolatry.” to be. When we become greedy, the object becomes the most important interest to me. So anything that comes to love us more than God, or anything that comes between us and God, is an idol. Herod, who idolized himself, was struck and killed (Acts 12:21-23)
2. Overcoming Self-Idolization
① We also have the same disposition as you (15).
When he brought oxen and wreaths to sacrifice, saying that the gods came down among us in human form (12), Paul tore his clothes before the temptation of idolizing himself and shouted, “We are also people of the same nature as you.” did. A similar record is the same as Peter said to Cornelius who was welcoming him in Acts 10:24. “I am also a human being” “nature” is a word used to describe a person who has a weak sinful nature. If we do not forget that we are the same weak sinners, we will overcome temptation.
②Paul clearly knew the purpose of his ministry.(15)
“Preaching the gospel to you is to put away these vain things and return to the living God, who created the heavens and the earth and the sea and all that is in them.” Paul was able to escape from the temptation of idolatry by not forgetting the purpose of his ministry. Our work is to “turn away from idols and turn to God to serve the living and true God” (1 Thessalonians 1:9). Many servants of the Lord have forgotten this and are making their own idols.
③ It is God who gives us satisfaction.(17)
Since idolatry is futile, we advise you to trust in the Lord (Psalm 115:4~16). When we long for God, we become Eden (elegant joy), and when we become self-centered, we become Achan (indulge in alcoholism). Human beings are searching for the crown of satisfaction all their lives. (Sexpier's play Henry VI) However, it is God who truly gives us satisfaction. Human satisfaction cannot be satisfied with material things. A person who puts his life's purpose in building the kingdom of God and entrusts his whole life to God can enjoy the fullness of joy regardless of circumstances like Paul.