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American Idols!

●Lev. 19:4 “Do not turn to idols, nor make for yourselves molded gods: I am the LORD your God.”

* * 0 American Idol is one of the

most popular TV shows of all times!●The former judge Simon Cowell was

paid 144 million in 2009 to be on the show!

●It has remained “number one” from its beginning! It is at the top of almost every list I could find of popular TV shows!

●Now, when we used the title American Idols, we are not talking about the TV show, but rather the things that often take the place of God in our lives!

* * 0 Today when many people think of the term “idol” they have in mind something

very different! ●To many an idol is simply someone that is

greatly admired, or someone that is looked at as a role model.

●In the Bible we read a great deal about idols and God’s people are always commanded to stay away from them!–Lev. 26:1 'You shall not make idols for

yourselves; neither a carved image nor a sacred pillar shall you rear up for yourselves; nor shall you set up an engraved stone in your land, to bow down to it; for I am the LORD your God.

* * 0 Because few in America bow down

to idols, many seem to think this is no longer a problem!

We are after all “One Nation Under God!”●The NT even speaks of this danger!

–Gal 5:20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies,

–1 Cor 10:14 Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.

–1 Jon 5:21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.

* * 0 Idols of wood or stone may not be effecting us, but are there other things that have taken the place of God in our

lives?●I believe that today, perhaps even more than ever, many have a problem with idolatry!●There are a number of things

people devote themselves to and place before God in their lives!–Cf. Ex. 20:3-5

* * 0 I. For many People have become

their idols!●It is one thing to admire someone for

doing something, but quite another to worship them!–Many people live lives worshiping men,

rather than God!–Are we more concerned with pleasing

men or God?●Lk. 16:15●Act. 5:29●God alone is to be the object of our

worship!

* * 0 We should look up to others that have

had a good influence in our lives, but we must never come to put them

“before” God!●Many seem to care more what their favorite actor or athlete likes than what God likes!●God must always come first in our

lives! –JOY! Jesus first, then others,

yourselve last!–Mt. 6:33 “seek first!” ●We need to make sure we are living

for God and not for man!

* * 0 II. For many Possessions

have become their idols!●Growing up I often heard people say,

“whoever dies with the most toys wins!”●Many of the things we have in life are

necessary, helpful and fun to enjoy, but we need to be careful that we don't come to desire these more than God!–1Tim 6:17 Command those who are rich

in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy.

* * 0 Mt 16:26 "For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his

own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?”

●We each need to learn the lesson Job had about possessions!–Job 1:21 And he said: "Naked I came

from my mother's womb, And naked shall I return there. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; Blessed be the name of the LORD."

●The best things in life are not things!

* * 0 III. For many Pleasures

have become their idols!●This last point may very well be the

hardest one for us! We live in a pleasure driven world!

●God has created many good and enjoyable things in life, so there is indeed a place for pleasure!–The problem is that many are

consumed by pleasure more than by God!–We need to learn to find pleasure in our

faithful service to God!

* * 0 There is joy & pleasure in

serving God!●Heb 13:15-16 Therefore by Him let us

continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.●Ps 27:6 And now my head shall be

lifted up above my enemies all around me; Therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the LORD.

* * 0 Conclusion:

●We live in the “land of the free” but let’s keep our priorities straight and not allow these three things to come before God!●Far too many have given their lives

over to “American Idols” by being more concerned for these than for God!●Let’s end with one more verse!

–Pr 14:34 Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a reproach to any people.

●Have you come to know the God of heaven?

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An idol is anything

that comes between us and God!