The Sin Of Idolatry Today

THE SIN OF IDOLATRY TODAY For That’s In The Bible Podcast 

Acts 17:16-23 from that point on Paul preached unto them of God the Creator And to turn from idolatry to 

avoid judgement
 What prompted Paul to preach to anyone and everyone vs 17 

The City was wholly given over to Idolatry
 Idolatry has been around nearly as long as man has been around 

The first time we hear of it is when Moses is recording history in Gen 31 when Rachel stole her father Laban’s gods 

it was a practice that has been going on for generations 

The nation of Israel, not long after Rachel stole those gods went down into the nation of Egypt where they worshipped false gods, such as Osiris Isis Horus Seth Re(Rah) Hathor Anubis 

430 yrs later God delivers the nation by a mighty hand And brings them to Sinai And Speaks to them himself and delivers to them his 10 Commandments 

The first and second commandments deal with Idolatry 

Ex 20:1-6 (KJV) And God spake all these words, saying, 2 I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. 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: 5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; 6 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments. 

God is a jealous God and judgement is an outcome for idolatry 

An Idol is a medium by which devotion, and worship is given to a spiritual entity the medium represents, rather than God himself. 

A statue figure or an Icon Picture Made of wood porcelain metal 

The vast number of people around the world are abject poverty disease And poor conditions Because of the practice of idolatry in their lands For generations 

Deut 6:1-16 

So Idolatry is putting anything ahead of God or his word 

the history of the Nation of Israel is one of ups and downs serving the Lord and going into idolatry With Idolatry comes judgement 

then a deliverance and the cycle repeated again and again
 What about modern times Is there still idolatry going on today?
 Is there Idolatry going on with those who call themselves Christian? Is there Idolatry going on in true Christianity?
 Hinduism reportedly has 32,000 gods And has close ties to 

Buddhism 

Sri Lanka's Festival of the Sacred Tooth is one of the oldest and grandest of all Buddhist festivals, featuring dancers, jugglers, musicians, fire-breathers, and lavishly decorated elephants. The date of the ten-day observance is determined by the lunar calendar and usually occurs in July or August. 

This Festival will focuses mostly on -- the Buddha's tooth. 

This tooth is from the remains of Buddha’s cremated body ? 624 BC 

The King of Ceylon was a devout Buddhist, and he received the tooth with boundless gratitude. He placed the tooth in a temple in his capital. He also declared that once a year the tooth would be paraded through the city so that the people might give it honor. 

On the day of the procession, the main street was swept clean and covered with flowers. 

The celebrations continued for 90 days as both laypeople and monastics participated in ceremonies venerating the tooth. 

The Tooth Today
 The Buddha's tooth today is housed in honor inside the beautiful Temple of the Sacred Tooth, or Sri Dalada Maligawa, in Kandy. Inside the temple, the tooth is kept inside seven gold caskets, shaped like stupas and covered in gemstones. Monks perform venerating rituals three times daily, and on Wednesday the tooth is washed in a preparation of scented water and flowers. 

The Festival of the Tooth today is a multifaceted celebration, and not all of it is related to Buddhism. The modern festival is a combination of two celebrations, one honoring the tooth, and another honoring the old gods of Ceylon. Sri Lanka 

As the procession passes by, thousands of people line the streets, enjoying the spectacle, the music, the celebration of Sri Lanka's culture and history. Oh, and honoring a tooth. 

Let’s take a look at something a little closer to home 

There are relics within the Roman Catholic church, though not officially sanctioned by the Church since the council of Trent, but they are allowed to continue their practice venerating and worship of relics 

The bones and blood of St. Januarius -- San Gennaro in Italian -- are preserved as relics in Naples Cathedral. The bishop of the southern Italian city is believed to have been martyred during Diocletian persecution. The reputed miracle is locally known and accepted, though it is yet to receive official Church recognition. 

Worshippers in Naples gather every September to see a miracle at the southern Italian city's cathedral. The dried blood of St Januarius, martyred in the 4th century AD, is preserved there and has an organic connection with the city's wellbeing. Every September – and on two other days in the year – the red powder liquefies. It becomes living blood – and the city is safe from volcano, earthquake and plague. 

There are probably thousands of relics within the Church and they are still displayed to this day Why not destroy them? 

What is Idolatry? It is putting anything ahead of God or his word 

Even if relics are not officially accepted 

Roman Catholics are still engaged in Idolatry and many of them don’t even realize it 

It has been explained away as honoring the saints and Mary 

Statues and Icon Pictures are in prominent places with a kneeler and candles to light And prayer is made to the icon or idol 

Which is a direct violation of the 1st and 2nd commandments 

When a Roman Catholic prays the Rosary they are praying Hail Mary several time 

Hail Mary,
 Full of Grace,
 The Lord is with thee.
 Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit
 of thy womb, Jesus.
 Holy Mary,
 Mother of God,
 pray for us sinners now,
 and at the hour of death.
 Amen. 

The “Hail Mary” starts off with a salutation to the object of the prayer — Mary. This is a prayer that is undeniably directed TO Mary. 

Don’t forget the Consecration to Mary, which starts off, 

“O Mary, Virgin most powerful and Mother of mercy, and Refuge of sinners, we consecrate ourselves to thine . To thee we give our bodies, our hearts and our souls; to thee we give our homes, our families, our country.” 

False God in Jer Mary confesses she needs a saviour 

Another part of the Rosary is: Hail holy Queen 

Hail, holy Queen, mother of mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope. To you we cry, poor banished children of Eve; to you we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. 

Turn, then, most gracious advocate, your eyes of mercy toward us; and after this, our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary. 

Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.
 That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ 

In many countries worshipers Parade a statue of Mary through the streets Spain Italy Philippines Brazil 

Williamsburg, Brooklyn May 9, 2008 

None of this is found anywhere in the bible This is idolatry 

You say this, and people get upset Why are you talking about people’s religion? 

I am to declare truth and error and sin 

1Ti 2:5 (KJV) For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; 

You don’t need a priest here on earth you don’t need Mary to go to God for you. You can go directly to the Father yourself 

Queen of Heaven 

Immaculate Heart 

Heb 4:16 (KJV) Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. 

What is Idolatry? It is putting anything ahead of God or his word 

Religion has become an Idol to many 

Regardless what the bible says, regardless what the consequences will be, people will hold to their religion. 

I was born a RC, I will die a RC Lutheran Methodist Baptist 

Being a particular denomination does not guarantee the kind graces of God It does not guarantee heaven 

If you turn your back on the God of the bible, you are setting something else up to take his place 

You may call the idol God But you have created a god of your own design 

Modern Christianity has done just that “God would not send anyone to hell” “A Loving God wouldn’t send anyone to hell” 

Mt 10:28 (KJV) And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. 

Ps 9:17 (KJV) The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God. 

Re 20:15 (KJV) And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. 

Our God is a God of love, That is one of his attributes He is also Holy Just 

To hear people talk anybody and everybody, whom in their eyes is a good person, goes to heaven 

Joh 14:6 (KJV) Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. 

Jn 3:3 Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 

Christian Personalities Evangelists Pastors They are not Rock Stars or Popes 

They will believe the person Even if they contradict the bible 

What is Idolatry? It is putting anything ahead of God or his word 

Speaking of Religion Some of the biggest Religious Idols of today are: 

Humanism Evolution Government (Constitution & Bill of Rights) Read “Globalism” pgs 24,25 From the Humanist Manifesto 

Evolution is a religion because it's a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, especially relating to the advent of man. 

Evidences that prove God and the bible are ignored and hidden, so as to diminish the facts which prove not just intelligent design but that God is involved in the affairs of men 

Ro 1:21-23 (KJV) Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. 

Environmentalism Thinking that man is in control of nature and that it can manipulated it to his desires 

They embrace the goddess of environmentalism and fool themselves into thinking they can preserve the earth indefinitely when God has declared that this current world will have an end 

2Pe 3:10-13 (KJV) But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. 11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, 12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. 

Government is a religion to some Conservative Christians, Putting the Constitution and the Bill of Rights as a higher priority than the word of God 

Saving America is accomplished by preserving these documents 

The only hope for America is God Reaching the Lost with the Gospel And Christians standing up for what is right according to the Bible Living lives pleasing to God
 Christians applying pressure from a biblical perspective on officials in government to preserve freedoms provided in those documents 

And if those freedoms erode away, we live for God the best way we can till the Lord comes back 

What is Idolatry? It is putting anything ahead of God or his word 

Self Elevating your perception of yourself your status your influence How many friends you have on social media how many likes you have on your posts or videos 

The need for approval and acceptance Your self worth is dependent upon it 

Putting inordinate attention to appearance To Self identity Obsessing about your pronouns
 Seeing fit to change what and how God made you
 It is all about you 

Personalities Stars Athletes 

Family There are some who put family ahead of God 

The little darlings need their sleep no Sunday night or Wednesday 

My family we tried to put God first, attending all of the services and special meeting, at our home church and other meetings as well. 

For us that was a great investment, thankfully our kids are faithful to the Lord serving him in various capacities they did well enough in school What priority are you showing your Children? 

What is it, that pulls you away from the Lord?
 What becomes more important to you than God or his word? 

Where do you go to escape the troubles and trials of life? 

Hobbies 

Drugs Sports 

YouTube Netflix TV Money, Material things (Comfort purchases) 

Alcohol Comfort Food Gambling Pornography Entertainment 

What is your default? When you know you should be reading your bible or Praying or Going to Church 

What is it that you do to forestall what you know you should do? What do you put first ahead of God? These things are Idols The issue is a heart issue 

Eze 14:3 (KJV) 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? 

Eze 14:4 (KJV) Therefore speak unto them, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Every man of the house of Israel that setteth up his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumblingblock of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to the prophet; I the LORD will answer him that cometh according to the multitude of his idols; 

God will give you, people and preachers to validate your idols in your hearts 

The right thing to do is to turn from the idol back to God, and his word 

Eze 14:6 (KJV) Therefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Repent, and turn yourselves from your idols; and turn away your faces from all your abominations. 

We need to learn from history 

God is longsuffering But at some point his judgement will come 

What are Your Idols?