How to set yourself apart and standout in a crowd?
1. Refuse to BEND (compromise truth)
“My son, fear the Lord and the king; Do not associate with those who are given to change” (Proverbs 24:21 NASB)
“Don’t become partners with those who reject God. How can you make a partnership out of right and wrong? That’s not partnership; that’s war." (2 Corinthians 6:14 The Message)
Caution - INTER-DENOMINATIONAL ALLIANCES
"Welcome with open arms fellow believers who don’t see things the way you do." (Romans 14:1 The Message)
2. Refuse to BOW (submit to evil)
IDOL WORSHIP IN BIBLE INVOLVED PROSTITUTION AND CHILD SACRIFICE
Questions to ask: Who created me? Who do I look to for truth?
Who do I ultimately trust? Who do I look to for security
and happiness? Who is in charge of my life?
“This is your god, O Israel, that brought you out
of the land of Egypt!" (Exodus 32:4 NKJV)
The appeal of idols: POWER, PLEASURE, PASSION, & PRAISE/POPULARITY
WORSHIP OF IDOLS VS GOD:
MATERIALISM VS SACRIFICE
SEXUAL IMMORALITY VS PURITY & COMMITMENT
WHATEVER VS WHAT GOD ENDEAVORS
SELF VS OTHERS
IDOLS ARE: TANGIBLE, HUMANISTIC, COMPREHENSIBLE, MANIPULATED
"You saw me before I was born. The days allotted to me
had all been recorded in your book, before any of
them ever began." (Psalm 139:16 GNT)
3. Refuse to BURN (lose your joy)
“Don’t be bluffed into silence by the threats of bullies. There’s nothing they can do to your soul, your core being. Save your fear for God, who holds your entire life—body and soul—in his hands.”
(Matthew 10:28 The Message)
“There is far more to your inner life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body.” (Luke 12:23 The Message))
“Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ.” (Philippians 3:8 KJV)
ISAIAH 44:6-20
4. What if you have already failed?
a. Identify your idols - ALL of them!
b. Clean house - Can only be done with God’s help!
c. Vow to remain true! - Renew a covenant relationship with the Father!
