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“You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea. You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods. I lay the sins of the parents upon their children; the entire family is affected—even children in the third and fourth generations of those who reject me. But I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those who love me and obey my commands.
—Exodus 20:4-6
John Calvin describes the human heart as an "idol factory," continually manufacturing images that try to fulfill desires in our hearts. However, the second commandment of the Ten Commandments directs us to not make idols of any kind. What do we as followers of God deal with this tension and surrender fully to him? In this week's Brooklyn Sunday message, Pastor Amy Perez invites us to reconsider our priorities and rediscover our true identity as image-bearers of God, designed to reflect His glory in the world.
Questions Answered:
- What can we learn about idolatry today by exploring the Ancient Near Eastern cultures in which the Ten Commandments were given?
- Are idols limited to primitive peoples—if not, how do we see their ancient counterparts reflected in the world today?
- Why does it matter if we have modern idols? What does the Second Commandment reveal about God’s identity—and mine?
How to Make an Idol
- Statues in ancient times were crafted of wood, stone or clay and there was a ritual that designates it as a living embodiment of a god, and were often representative of parts of nature or forces of human society.
- Idol statues were often created in the image of kings or rulers as representations of the gods.
Why to Worship Idols
- What are the benefits of idols:
- Idols are guaranteed: The offerings they brought before an idol and the prayers they said in the idol’s presence were fully and unfailingly perceived, like having “god on tap.”
- Idols are self-serving: If you fed a god adequately and regularly, that god would bless you in return. We serve a God who is not self-serving, but self-giving.
- Idols are easy: Idolatry minimized the importance of ethical behavior. Following Jesus today may not be easy, but it is rewarding.
- Idols are convenient: Idols allow you to worship anywhere, to any god, any time, any place. Following Jesus may be accessible, but it is not necessarily convenient.
- Idols are normal: Idolatry was normal in the culture of the Old Testament, but there will be times when living God’s way looks different to the culture around us.
- Idols are logical: The ancients believed in a multiplicity of gods—every one being a specialist in some aspect of the world or nature. To believe there was one God over all things seemed absurd!
- Idols are beautiful: Idols were seen as pieces of art, but God’s beauty is in his covenant, in his character, written across the skies and engraved in the land.
- Idols are indulgent: Idols are thinly veiled excuses to indulge in our own desires; allows us to gorge and remove self-control we’re called to have in Christ.
- Idols are always an attempt at control (Make God Who We Want)
- Idols are always a shortcut at self-service (Getting from God What We Want)
- Idols are always a cheapening of intimacy (Without Any Cost of Relationship)
Who Are the Real Idols
- Then God said, “Let us make humans in our image, according to our likeness, and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over the cattle and over all the wild animals of the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth.” –Genesis 1:26
- We are the living, breathing, made from the clay statue of a deity—the one true Yahweh.
- We don’t need to make an image of God or an idol because God already made one: you.
- To make and worship an idol insults your own dignity.
- When people interact with us it should be as though they have touched a piece of heaven
Additional Resources:
- Counterfeit Gods by Tim Keller
- Psalm 36:5-6
- Psalm 115:3-8
Dinner Party Questions:
- The sermon mentions that idols were "guaranteed, self-serving, easy, convenient, normal, logical, beautiful, and indulgent." Which of these characteristics do you find most appealing or dangerous in potential modern-day idols?
- Ps Amy asks, "What do you sacrifice your attention to?" Discuss areas in your life where you might be giving too much attention to things other than God.
- Reflect on the statement: "You are a walking, breathing, moving replica of God." How does this affect your sense of purpose and identity?
Put It Into Practice
- Spend time this week examining your life for potential "idols." Write them down and pray about how to address them.
- Practice sitting in silence with God for 10 minutes each day, resisting the urge for constant entertainment or stimulation.
- Reflect on how Jesus reveals God's character. Read a Gospel passage and note specific ways Jesus demonstrates God's attributes.
