Distracted – Week 3
Pastor David Crock
*When you hear the word idolatry, what pops into your head? Bowing before a statue?
*Two main categories of idols:
*The first category is “Surface Idols”. These are idols that we worship would likely “see” someone worship. We worship money, titles, sports, self-image, family, materialism, morality, and independence.
*The majority of these things aren’t bad in themselves. In fact, often times they are good things. The problem is that our hearts are “IDOL FACTORIES” which regularly make GOOD things ULTIMATE things. That’s when they become idols.
*The second category is “Source Idols”. These are idols that are at the root of every surface idol.
*POWER, CONTROL, COMFORT, and APPROVAL
*COMFORT: Life only has meaning, I only have worth if I have this kind of pleasure experience or a particular quality of life.
*APPROVAL: Life only has meaning, I only have worth if I am loved and respected by “Fill in the blank”.
*CONTROL: Life only has meaning, I only have worth if I am able to get mastery over my life in the area of “Fill in the blank”.
POWER: Life only has meaning, I only have worth if I have power and influence over others.
*Today in our text, we are going to dive into APPROVAL.
*Read 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8
*Paul examines a few reason why being distracted by approval can be so detrimental to our lives as followers of Christ.
- Worshipping Approval distracts us from boldly sharing the Gospel.
-If we worship approval, we will not stand firm in conflict.
- Worshipping Approval distracts us from speaking truthfully.
–If we worship approval, we will adjust the truth to be approved by the audience.
- Worshipping Approval distracts us from glorifying God with our lives.
-If we worship approval, we are fueled by glory and praise that was meant for God.
- Worshipping Approval distracts us from sacrificial service.
-Their sacrificial service to those in their care was driven by an affectionate desire for their well-being.
*CLOSING
*Are you afraid to share the gospel because you are afraid of not being approved of by someone?
*Are you willing to bend or soften the truth in order to gain someone’s approval?
*Are you living to glorify yourself or your Father in heaven?
*Are you serving others to love them, gain approval, or praise for your service?