What Do You Worship?

Today at True North Billy Blakey brought us a powerful message on idols and helped refocus our minds on the goal!

Ezekiel 14:1-11Some of the elders of Israel came to me and sat down in front of me. 2 Then the word of the LORD came to me: 3 "Son of man, these men have set up idols in their hearts and put wicked stumbling blocks before their faces. Should I let them inquire of me at all? 4 Therefore speak to them and tell them, 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: When any Israelite sets up idols in his heart and puts a wicked stumbling block before his face and then goes to a prophet, I the LORD will answer him myself in keeping with his great idolatry. 5 I will do this to recapture the hearts of the people of Israel, who have all deserted me for their idols.'

- 6 "Therefore say to the house of Israel, 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: -Repent! Turn from your idols and renounce all your detestable practices!

7 " 'When any Israelite or any alien living in Israel separates himself from me and sets up idols in his heart and puts a wicked stumbling block before his face and then goes to a prophet to inquire of me, I the LORD will answer him myself. 8 I will set my face against that man and make him an example and a byword. I will cut him off from my people. Then you will know that I am the LORD.

9 " 'And if the prophet is enticed to utter a prophecy, I the LORD have enticed that prophet, and I will stretch out my hand against him and destroy him from among my people Israel. 10 They will bear their guilt—the prophet will be as guilty as the one who consults him. 11 Then the people of Israel will no longer stray from me, nor will they defile themselves anymore with all their sins. They will be my people, and I will be their God, declares the Sovereign LORD.' "

1. What is idolatry?
2. Are there idols in our life?
3. What do we need to do about it?

1. Idolatry happens in the heart (v 2,4)
-the heart is what drives you
-you are ALWAYS worshiping something
-whatever you worship rules you
-Romans 1:18-25
-An idol of the heart is anything that rules you other than God

2. Idolatry affects your life in deceitful ways (v 2,3,4)
-Jeremiah 17:9- The heart is deceitful above all
-Your heart can BLIND you
-Idolatry has the tendency to consume your life
-you can be deceived into using spiritual things to serve your idols

3. God actively opposes idolatry and calls you to repent (v 6,8)
-the only issue God wants to discuss with an idolater is his idolatry
-repentance is a radical change of heart that results in a radical change in the direction of your life

4. You need to have a God exchange in your heart (v 11)
-You need to turn away from your idols and turn to God!

5. God wants to be YOUR God (v 11)
-He is God, but wants that ruling place in your heart
-It is what you were created for (Isaiah 43:7)
-It is what He sent His Son for (1 Peter 3:18, Romans 3:23--we all fall short)
-Whatever you love you praise!
-He satisfies! (Psalm 37:4, Psalm 16:11)
-We think idols make us happy, but they are emptiness
-He will make you happy in Him! :)

So ask yourself...
Are there idols in my heart?
What do I need to do about it?