Idolitry Series

HINDRANCES TO PRAYER

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LESSON #8 IDOLITRY

TEXT: EZEK. 14:3

REVIEW:

What was our lesson last week?

Satanic Activity.

How does the Old Testament help us today?

It gives us living pictures of New Testament truth.

What are you saying by your actions when you pray?

I am trusting a higher power with my life. I am trusting God.

If you listen to the devil and allow him to frustrate and discourage you what happens?

The work in your heart and life comes to a stop.

What is your best defense against the strategies of hell?

Prayer.

READ TEXT:

Ezek 14:3

3 Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their heart, and put the stumblingblock of their iniquity before their face: should I be inquired of at all by them?

(KJV)

We can look at this scripture today and say

“This is not my problem”

“I don’t worship idols”

“I don’t have any statues in my home”

- No buddas

- No golden calves

And this may be true but before you turn yourself off to this lesson

Lets define the word “idol”

Webster’s dictionary says an idol is an image worshipped as a god or a false god.

Now some of you are thinking “well that is still not my problem”.

But it goes on to say

“An object of passionate devotion”

Now this can include a lot of things

What is the biblical definition?

An idol is any object, person, thing, or passion you would place above God.

An idol is ANYTHING that you place above God.

What holds dominance in your life?

The bible says in

Matt 6:33

33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God,

What do you place first in your life?

We see in our text that the leaders of Israel have set up idols in their hearts.

What does this mean?

It means they were in love with them

- They longed for them

- They embraced them

- They gave them place in their lives

Even though they were not at home

Even though they could not see their idols at this time

They still had a great place in their hearts

What takes first place in your life?

Is it your job?

- Your job can become an idol

- If you place it first in your life

- If you place it above all else

Does your career come before God?

Example:

I have seen men and women place their jobs before God and everything else.

- They’re to busy working

- Too busy to come to out reach

- Too tired from their work to come to church on Wednesday night

Too busy with their job to

- Pray

- Read their bible

Never too tired to work a little overtime

Can’t come to prayer in the mornings but if their boss asked them to come in an hour early, “no problem”

Prov 8:17

17 I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.

(KJV)

They have placed another God on the throne of their heart

- They never mention God on the job

- They never witness

- Never tell someone about Jesus

All in fear that they might loose that job they hold so dear

I have had them give all kinds of great reasons

“Well pastor this job pays my bills”

“This job takes care of my family”

“This job is my security”

What god have you placed on the throne of your heart?

Phil 4:19

19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

(KJV)

Who are you trusting to meet the needs of your life?

Note:

I’m not saying we all get stupid and quit our jobs tomorrow

I am just asking who is first in your life?

Exod 20:3-4

3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:

(KJV)

Who is first in your life?

Example:

I have seen others who place their families first in their lives

It is good to spend time with our families

We need to do these things

But if your family comes before the things of God your prayers will be hindered

- You may be praying for your family

- You may want God to save your family

- You want them to go to heaven

But God is not hearing your prayers

- Because you have placed them before God

You can’t be at outreach because of a family gathering

You can’t be in church on Sunday because it is great grandma’s birthday.