Post date: Jan 16, 2015 2:39:30 PM
BSF whole group lecture
11-24-2014 at 8pm
What can we learn from Israel as a warning to us?
Aim: To remain close to God I must guard against idols that pull me away from God.
1) Israel's sin-------------------Exodus 32:1-6
2) Moses's intercession-------Exodus 32:7-14
3) Aaron's Excuse--------------Exodus 32:15-25
4) The Levites' repentance----Exodus 32:25-33:6
1st Corinthians 10
"And do not become idolaters as were some of them. As it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.” Nor let us commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell; nor let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed by serpents; nor complain, as some of them also complained, and were destroyed by the destroyer. Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come." -(I Corinthians 10:7-11 NKJV)
"Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry." -I Corinthians 10:14 NKJV
We must flee from sin. Set ourselves up for success! Stay off the streets at night! Our hearts can become "idol factories" if we don't set our sights on heavenly things.
Definition of idol-something that we love instead of God with PART of our hearts. (They prevent us from loving God with all of our heart.)
Principle 1: An idol is anything I desire, seek after and love instead of God.
-Don't take gifts from God and turn them into an idol.
-Focus on God, not the gift...the gift should help us love God!
Is it an idol?
-Does the Holy Spirit or the idol control you? What controls your emotions?
-Does it lead you closer or further from God?
-Does it honor or dishonor God?
Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal idols in our lives. God will give us the strength to fight and overcome any idol.
Principle 2: Intercessory prayer is a selfless act that saves lives.
-Pray for others to be saved!
"Therefore He (Jesus) is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them." -Hebrews 7:25 NKJV
Principle 3: When I'm confronted with sin, I need to make a confession, not an excuse.
"If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." -1 John 1:8-9 NKJV
Question: What sin is in your life that needs to be confessed and left behind?
Principle 4: God has given me the Word of God and the power of prayer to fight against sin.
"Now it came to pass on the next day that Moses said to the people, “You have committed a great sin. So now I will go up to the LORD; perhaps I can make atonement for your sin.” Then Moses returned to the LORD and said, “Oh, these people have committed a great sin, and have made for themselves a god of gold! Yet now, if You will forgive their sin—but if not, I pray, blot me out of Your book which You have written.” And the LORD said to Moses, “Whoever has sinned against Me, I will blot him out of My book. Now therefore, go, lead the people to the place of which I have spoken to you. Behold, My Angel shall go before you. Nevertheless, in the day when I visit for punishment, I will visit punishment upon them for their sin.” So the LORD plagued the people because of what they did with the calf which Aaron made." -(Exodus 32:30-35 NKJV)
Moses tried to make atonement for their sins, but couldn't because he himself had sinned. Only the perfect life and death of Jesus can make atonement for our sins.
"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." -Romans 6:23 NKJV