Exodus 20:03-06 Idolatry Then and Now – audio

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Text: Exodus 20:3-6

I. Idolatry was prevalent in Old Testament times.

God commanded Israel not to put other gods before Him, or even make anything for themselves to worship other than Himself (Exodus 20:3-6). However, they did not always follow after His commandments.

At one time or another they worshiped: a golden calf, gold statue that Nebuchadnezzar had made, Nehushtan (bronze serpent on a pole), Nibhaz (evil demon of the Zabians), Molech (Ammonite god), Baal, Ashtoreth, Baal-peor, Dagon, Nebo, Nisroch, Rimmon (Syrian god), Merodach, Nergal, Tammuz (Assyrain god), and Tartak.

II. Idolatry was prevalent in New Testament times.

A. Demetrius made silver shrines of Diana at Ephesus, a great profit (Acts 19:24ff.).

B. John saw that many men did not repent of worshiping demons or idols of gold, silver, brass, stone, and wood that can “neither see nor hear nor walk (Revelation 9:20).

C. Those in Thessalonica turned from idols to serve the living and true God (1 Thessalonians 1:9).

III. Idolatry is prevalent today.

A. Many people worship the creature rather than the Creator (Romans 1:25).

B. Many world religions invent gods and temples devoted to them (and often include statues).

C. Many people put other things between them and God, such as money, their job, or their family (Luke 16:13).

IV. How should a Christian view idolatry?

A. Idolatry is still sin, just as it was long ago.

1) Covetousness is idolatry (Colossians 3:5).

2) Idolatry is a work of the flesh (Galatians 5:19-20).

3) Idolatry is an abomination to God, as the Gentiles know (1 Peter 4:3).

4) An idol is nothing in this world, but there is a true God in heaven (1 Corinthians 8:4-6; 10:19-21).

B. The temple of God has no agreement with idols (2 Corinthians 6:16-18).

C. An idolater has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God (Ephesians 5:5).

D. We must flee from idolatry (1 Corinthians 10:14).

E. We must keep ourselves from idols (1 John 5:21).

F. We must not keep company with an idolater (1 Corinthians 5:11-13).