Ancient and Modern Idolatry I John 5:21 I. Introduction. A. The warning of John can apply to any age: I John 5:21. B. There are more idolaters in the world than non- idolaters. C. Idolatry(anglicized Greek word): Practice of worshipping idols. D. What is an idol? 1. "A phantom, likeness, idea, fancy, an image to represent God"(Greek-Vine). 2. Corresponding word in Hebrew means: Vanity, a thing of nought. 3. Note: Ephesians 4:17. 5. Idol in Websters Unabridged: (1 "An image of a god, used as an object or instrument of worship." (2 "Any object of ardent or excessive devotion or admiration." 6. Idolatry in Websters Unabridged: (1 "Worship of idols, images, etc." (2 "Excessive attachment or veneration for some person or thing; admiration which borders on aduration"(They idolized him.) E. Idols were associated with immoral behavior. 1. Such stood in the place of God. 2. Gave opportunity to indulge in lusts of flesh: their God has no spirit(life)! II. Body. A. The history of idolatry. 1. Man was created a being responsible to Jehovah; recognized only Jehovah as God: Genesis 3:8. 2. In the days of Seth's son: Genesis 4:26. 3. The daughters of men--idolaters? Genesis 6:2- 3. a. The righteous: Genesis 6:9. b. The evil: Genesis 6:12. c. Cain's descendants? (1 Abandoned the worship of God. (2 Note and comment: Malachi 2:11. 4. What about the tower of Babel? a. Note: Genesis 11:4. b. Probably not idolatrous. 5. The first actual mention: Genesis 31:19, 30. a. Household gods. b. Not possible to know how long existed. 6. The golden calf: Acts 7:41. a. Let us make "gods"(v. 40). b. All idols come from man--lifeless and helpless--without one ounce of power. 7. The Law of Moses condemned idols and idolatry: Leviticus 19:4; Exodus 20:4. 8. Idolatry continues to our day--in images and in loyalties. 9. Nothing more foolish, more empty, more useless than an idol. 10. Either there is one god or there is no god! B. Idolatry was the prevailing "religion" of the world in the days of Christ and the apostles. 1. However, the Israelites were not classic idolaters at this time (comment on Babylonian captivity). 2. Paul found it prevalent at Athens: Acts 17:16. 3. Commanded to flee from it: I Corinthians 10:14. 4. Identified as a work of flesh: Galatians 5:20. 5. Paul pointed out: I Corinthians 12:2. 6. Cannot mix: II Corinthians 6:16. C. The word of God states idolaters are without excuse: Romans 1:20-25. 1. Does one need an image to commit idolatry? a. Comes from heart--even if not visible to the eye. b. Any item, idea, position, action, belief, etc.--standing in the way of God and responsibilities to God can be an idol. 2. Paul taught that covetousness was idolatry: Colossians 3:5; Ephesians 5:5. 3. The pollutions of idols are identified in Acts 15:20. a. Once one leaves belief in the one God and the standards of morality, anything can be allowed. b. Is it possible for this to be in reverse, that is, the more wicked one is, the more likely to lean toward classic idolatry?(Not all idolaters are immoral) c. Can such lead to: Galatians 4:8-11. d. Are some of the religious practices of today borrowed from idolatry? I Corinthians 10:7-8. D. Idolatry of our day. 1. Remember the definition, that is, anything that stands between a person and recognition of God as first in one's life. 2. Men give up God to serve the flesh. 3. Our society idolizes success, material wealth, power, etc. a. Also: good luck charms, superstitions, crucifixes, etc. b. Any kind of material object, thought, idea, association(family, job, sports, etc.) can become an idol. 4. What is in one's heart and life that is elevated above God is an idol. 5. Remember what Paul said: FLEE! III. Conclusion. A. Who is first in your life? B. What institution is first in your life?-jy