October 27, 2013 Sunday Sermon - Idolatry The Sin That Entangles

We have seen that God is able to keep us from stumbling, and we have seen areas of our lives that need to be in order to keep us from stumbling, but what are some of the obstacles, or stumbling blocks we must be aware of and overcome? 

Please turn to Hebrews 12:1-2 (pg 1008 in the pew Bible)

One big hindrance to our walk with Jesus can be the trials and tribulations we face as our present problems cloud the view of future promises.

• Take heart, I have overcome the world! John 16:33
  

There is another more persistent and prevalent stumbling block that has always plagued God’s children.

Hebrews 10:36- you have need of endurance... We have a need/requirement to persevere.  This is something we must do with God's help.

Hebrews 11- great examples of enduring faith (list of faith examples)  Life changing faith is available to all of us and should transform our lives.  Stories of today's faithful are becoming fewer.

Hebrews 12:1- let us also lay aside… (like the examples in Hebrews 11)

• Every weight – anything that prevents you from trusting, obeying, and honoring Jesus
• Sin that clings so closely- Idolatry

These things cause us to wander.  The Christian Life is a marathon, not a sprint. Can we sing the chorus: "In all I do, I honor you", is it true of you?  If not, can you honestly pray: "I want to want it to be true of me"?

Idolatry- letting mini gods and non-gods rule in our hearts

• Persistent and present threat throughout the church age- Revelation 3:16-22
  
• Revelation 3:20 pertains to revival 
  

Idolatry is more than some graven image.  When we pick and choose obedience, we put ourselves before God and that is idolatry.  Anything that rules in our heart other than God is idolatry. 

There is a growing apathy in our churches today. The need is for revival and that starts with God's people individually and corporately seeing the need and earnestly seeking God for it.