Idolatry offends God’s glory, erodes human dignity and hampers Christian character and service. In part 6 of 1 Kings: The Cost of Rejecting God, Pastor Dan Cox reads from 1 Kings 12 and 1 Kings 14.
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Study Notes
| Jeroboam | Rehoboam |
|---|---|
| North | South |
| 10 tribes | 2 tribes |
| “Israel” | “Judah” |
Understanding the Text
- Israel revolts against the house of David (1 Kings 12:1-20)
- The LORD warns Rehoboam against trying to regain the kingdom (1 Kings 12:21-24)
- Turmoil and Idolatry in Judah (1 Kings 14:21-31)
Idols: Human-Centered Substitutes for Devotion to God
The Appeal of Idols
POWER
- Freedom from the authority of both God and the priests
- The people wanted religion to fit their life-style, not their life-style to fit their religion.
PLEASURE
- Exalted sensuality without responsibility or guilt
- People acted out the vicious and sensuous personalities of the gods they worshiped, thus gaining approval for their degraded lives
PASSION
- People were reduced to little more than animals
- People did not have to be viewed as unique individuals, but could be exploited sexually, politically and economically
PRAISE AND POPULARITY
- The high and holy nature of God was replaced by gods who were more a reflection of human nature, thus more culturally suitable to the people
- These gods no longer required sacrifice, just a token of appeasement
Idolatry in America
- Materialism
- Sensuality
- Entertainment
- Radical Individualism
Idolatry in the American Church
- Materialism in place of Stewardship and Generosity
- Sensuality… Holiness
- Entertainment… Worship and Service
- Radical Individualism… Servanthood
- “Church Growth”… Church Health
- Evangelical Gurus… The Good Shepherd
- Doctrine… Whole Person Transformation
- Sentimentality… Spiritual Depth
- “Body-Count” Evangelism… Making Disciples
- Political Affiliation… Salt and Light Presence
Applying the Text
- The PURPOSE of God for You
- The CALL of God to You
- The LOVE & CLEANSING of God for You