This is not only a thing of

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American Idols!
●Lev. 19:4 “Do not turn to
idols, nor make for yourselves
molded gods: I am the LORD
your God.”

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American Idol is one of the most
popular TV shows of all times!
●The former judge Simon Cowell was paid 144
million in 2009 to be on the show!
●It has remained “number one” from its
beginning! It is at the top of almost every list I
could find of popular TV shows!
●Now, when we used the title American Idols,
we are not talking about the TV show, but
rather the things that often take the place of
God in our lives!

5. **0 Today when many people think of the term
“idol” they have in mind something very
different!
●To many an idol is simply someone that is greatly
admired, or someone that is looked at as a role model.
●In the Bible we read a great deal about idols and
God’s people are always commanded to stay away
from them!
– Lev. 26:1 'You shall not make idols for yourselves;
neither a carved image nor a sacred pillar shall you
rear up for yourselves; nor shall you set up an
engraved stone in your land, to bow down to it; for I
am the LORD your God.

6. **0 Because few in America bow down to
idols, many seem to think this is no longer
a problem!
We are after all “One Nation Under God!”
●The NT even speaks of this danger!
–Gal 5:20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions,
jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions,
dissensions, heresies,
–1 Cor 10:14 Therefore, my beloved, flee from
idolatry.
–1 Jon 5:21 Little children, keep yourselves
from idols. Amen.

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Idols of wood or stone may not be effecting
us, but are there other things that have taken
the place of God in our lives?
●I believe that today, perhaps even more
than ever, many have a problem with
idolatry!
●There are a number of things people
devote themselves to and place before
God in their lives!
–Cf. Ex. 20:3-5

8. **0 I. For many People have become their
idols!
●It is one thing to admire someone for doing
something, but quite another to worship them!
–Many people live lives worshiping men, rather
than God!
–Are we more concerned with pleasing men or
God?
●Lk. 16:15
●Act. 5:29
●God alone is to be the object of our worship!

9. **0 We should look up to others that have had
a good influence in our lives, but we must
never come to put them “before” God!
●Many seem to care more what their favorite
actor or athlete likes than what God likes!
●God must always come first in our lives!
–JOY! Jesus first, then others, yourselve last!
–Mt. 6:33 “seek first!”
●We need to make sure we are living for God
and not for man!

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II. For many Possessions have
become their idols!
●Growing up I often heard people say, “whoever
dies with the most toys wins!”
●Many of the things we have in life are necessary,
helpful and fun to enjoy, but we need to be careful
that we don't come to desire these more than God!
–1Tim 6:17 Command those who are rich in this
present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in
uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives
us richly all things to enjoy.

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Mt 16:26 "For what profit is it to a man if he
gains the whole world, and loses his own
soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for
his soul?”
●We each need to learn the lesson Job had about
possessions!
–Job 1:21 And he said: "Naked I came from my
mother's womb, And naked shall I return there.
The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away;
Blessed be the name of the LORD."
●The best things in life are not things!

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III. For many Pleasures have
become their idols!
●This last point may very well be the hardest one
for us! We live in a pleasure driven world!
●God has created many good and enjoyable
things in life, so there is indeed a place for
pleasure!
–The problem is that many are consumed by
pleasure more than by God!
–We need to learn to find pleasure in our
faithful service to God!

13. **0 There is joy & pleasure in serving
God!
●Heb 13:15-16 Therefore by Him let us
continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God,
that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His
name. But do not forget to do good and to
share, for with such sacrifices God is well
pleased.
●Ps 27:6 And now my head shall be lifted up
above my enemies all around me; Therefore I
will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle; I will
sing, yes, I will sing praises to the LORD.

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Conclusion:
●We live in the “land of the free” but let’s keep
our priorities straight and not allow these three
things to come before God!
●Far too many have given their lives over to
“American Idols” by being more concerned for
these than for God!
●Let’s end with one more verse!
–Pr 14:34 Righteousness exalts a nation, But
sin is a reproach to any people.
●Have you come to know the God of heaven?

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An idol is
anything
that comes
between us
and God!