Category Archives: Folders
July 16: “American Idols: Power” (Philippians 2:5-11)
We want power to exalt ourselves and to be in control of our own lives. We think that we can be fulfilled if we have the power to get whatever we want. But power is not ours. Power is given by God not to exalt ourselves but to exalt God. Not to serve ourselves but […]
Continue readingJuly 9: “American Idols: Romantic Love” (Genesis 29:16-35)
Jacob served Laban 7 years in order to marry Rachel. Jacob’s inner emptiness had made him prone to the idolatry of romantic love. The greatest casualty of Jacob’s idolatry was Leah. Because Jacob loved only Rachel, Leah wanted Jacob’s love more than anything else. The desire for romantic love became a form of slavery. It […]
Continue readingJuly 2: “American Idols: Mammon” (Luke 19:1-10)
Zacchaeus was someone who served Mammon. He was the chief tax collector who was greedy for money. But he sought Jesus because he knew that he was spiritually bankrupt. When Zacchaeus experienced the grace of Jesus, it changed his attitude toward wealth. Zacchaeus wanted to use his money to please Jesus. How will you respond […]
Continue readingJune 25: “The Root of All Sins” (Romans 1:18-25)
Jewish philosophers thought that the central principle of the Bible is the rejection of idolatry. Idolatry is worshiping created things rather than the Creator. Why is the Bible so opposed to idolatry? It’s because idolatry is the root of all sins. The root of all sins is a darkened heart that treasures what God made […]
Continue readingJune 11: “Praise God at All Times” (Psalm 34)
When David is delivered from Abimelech, he sings Psalm 34. David gives praise to God for God’s deliverance, protection, provision, and nearness. David also tells us how we are to respond to God’s goodness. We are to fear the Lord, take refuge in the Lord, and praise the Lord at all times.
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