3 “You shall have no other gods before[a] me." Exodus 20:2-3
So many gods, so many different things people worship. Back in history the Egyptians, the Greeks, the Romans, most all cultures had several gods.
"So then, about eating food sacrificed to idols: We know that “An idol is nothing at all in the world” and that “There is no God but one.” 5 For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”), 6 yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things cameand through whom we live." 1 Corinthians 8:4-6
We have just one God. The one true God! Everyone has a god (or The God). Martin Luther said a person's god was whatever that person sought for refuge in time of need.
Pascal said every person has a God-shaped vacuum in his/her heart. What are we filling it with?
(Some of the) Gods of the Modern Age:
Success: How many people lose all their integrity, their families, their very souls to get success!
Society: governments like communism, materialism, living for government.
Pleasure: We will sacrifice anything to make ourselves happy, to be entertained: drugs, alcohol, sex, addiction to electronics, to fun, vacation, concerts, partying, escapism, etc.
Self: Exercise stuff, spen all their time in front of a mirror trying to perfect the self. Love of self over all else can lead to divorce, abandoned children; tons of cosmetic surgery, tons of diets, try to change themselves, perfect themselves.
In this country, it is arguing over and over -- focus of our country. We've lost sight of the one true God!
"for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God," 1 Thessalonians 1:9
Thessalonica was known for making and selling idols. It was big business.
Do we have the right God?
The world tells us that there are many ways to God -- tell us all religions are equal. God is the only God. All 66 books of the Bible say there is one God.
"Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'" John 14:6
This is an absolute!
You can't go to heaven without Jesus.
"Fear the Lord your God, serve him only and take your oaths in his name. 14 Do not follow other gods, the gods of the peoples around you;15 for the Lord your God, who is among you, is a jealous God and his anger will burn against you, and he will destroy you from the face of the land. 16 Do not put the Lord your God to the test as you did at Massah." Deuteronomy 6:13-16
God is a jealous God. He wants you personally. I have to put God first in my life.
YAHWEH= I am.
The oneness of God deserves the singlness of our hearts.
If we don't put God in front, He isn't our God.
"One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”
29 “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.[a] 30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’[b]" Mark 12:28-30
Everything else comes after this commandment. Our standard is God Almighty.
The first commandment is calling us to a life of commitment to God Almighty and His word, to a specific lifestyle.
"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
Matthew 6:33
If you want _________________ put God first.
We have to put God first or nothing else will work.
This is challenging. You must do this. It is the choices we make. The Big Piece Must Be God.
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law? Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’[a] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[b] 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:36-40
Jesus had problems with Pharisees. They weren't following this. Instead they tried to keep 613 laws for living. The laws and rules were more important to them than listening to and following God.
If we are loving God fully we will love our neighbors.
“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. 26 Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean." Matthew 23:25-26
Don't brag about outside. Get inside cleaned up first.
God is still God (no matter what).
Jesus replied, “And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition?" Matthew 15:3
Why is anything more important than God in our lives?
“If you love me, keep my commands." John 14:15
Get working. Get loving. Get serving. Who is our God? Who do we put first?
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34-35
Is God first in your life?
Is there evidence of this?
Are we visibly His disciples in the way we love?