A Final Warning

Title: “One Final Admonition” Scripture: I John 5:21

Type: Expository/Series Where: GNBC 8/25/24

Intro: A Newsweek article many years ago (1/31/1983) told about how treasure hunters looking to make a huge profit were stealing rare idols from the Hopi Indian reservation. The worst theft happened in 1978, when looters took four ancient stick figures representing the most sacred deities of the Hopi religion. “Without the idols, there could be no Hopi rituals,” the article stated, “and without the rituals, the tribe’s spiritual life was in danger of extinction.” A tribal leader explained that these ceremonies “bring blessings in rainfall, bountiful crops, good health, long life. That is being lost to us.” What a sad description of idolatry! You make up your own gods and then use them to get what you want. The problem is, these gods may be stolen and your way of life is destroyed. If it can be taken from you, it isn’t the true God! Friend, are you following after the God of the Bible or an idol?

Prop: Last verse of I John gives us a final admonition from this letter.

BG: 1. Hope you have enjoyed I John. Wonderful letter by the last living original disciples.

2. Very interesting and somewhat abrupt ending to this pastoral letter. It is such an interesting final statement that I am going to take the entire message to explore this one verse. 3. Are idols a concern in modern Western society? Yes! Should the Christian beware? Absolutely!

Prop: Examine with me the final verse of I John for an applicable admonition.

I. A Definition: What’s an Idol?

A. What’s An Idol?

1. John warns his readers to guard themselves against idols.

a. So, the logical first question one needs to ask is: “What’s an idol?” Idolatry was the most vehemently condemned sin in the OT. (Read Ex. 20:2-3), Dt. 13:6-9 outlines that it is not just “cultural or even comical”. We are not to excuse idolatry today as something that is “part of their culture” or even “comical” to refined and progressive Western elites.

b. Both the 1st and 2nd Commandments are directed against idolatry in every form. You might ask: “Chris, isn’t idolatry an OT thing?” No, it’s not just an OT thing. It’s a NT thing. It’s a 21st Cent. American thing!

2. What is a Biblical/Theological definition of idolatry?

a. What is an idol? It is the thing loved or the person loved more than God, wanted more than God, desired more than God, treasured more than God, enjoyed more than God.

b. Jn. 4:24 “God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” Any form of bowing before pictures or statues, even of Jesus or the saints is a violation of biblical worship. Invariably, idolaters make up their own gods to suit their desires and preferences. They do not submit to the God who has revealed Himself in Jesus Christ through the Bible.

B. Why are We Warned Against Worshipping Idols?

1. Idols aren’t made from scratch. It involves the distortion of already present truth. The truth is changed into a lie. The lie depends upon the truth it is distorting for its power, just as the counterfeit depends upon the authentic for its value. Our idols of God contain truths within them, making them all the more seductive to us. To be sure, God is love. To reduce God to love, however, is to change the truth into a lie, making that image of God an idol.

2. Idols are alluring, appealing, and appalling. How is an idol “alluring”? - powerfully and mysteriously attractive or fascinating; seductive. How is an idol appealing? Idols can certainly be interesting. There can be an attraction simply based on the item being “foreign”. How is an idol appalling? Because it detracts from the true holiness and beauty of God and it enslaves and degrades the worshipper. Illust: When we used to go to Haiti – Plain Du Nord. Voodoo capitol of the nation. Inititates and practitioners get baptized into their religion just outside and around corner from Catholic Church. Tonight many people being baptized. Baptism is public initiation into the Church. Go into the water and come back out. Represents new life in Christ and the cleansing putting one’s faith in Him brings. In PDN Haiti, followers are baptized into a mud pit. Degrading and dirty, just like all false and idolatrous faiths.

C. Applic: An idol can be anything I allow to take the place rightly reserved and the devotion owed to God Almighty, Alone.

II. An Explanation: What is the Text Saying?

A. We need to take a deep dive on what seems to be a pretty simple verse.

1. John has an Axiom of Spiritual Application in this letter.