Brother Noel Simon: The worship of someone or something as if it were God is a serious offense to Him.
Brother Joe Velasquez: But did you know that idolatry is not only limited to worshiping images or other representations of God?
Brother Noel: That’s right. Other forms include greed, materialism, and rebellion.
Brother Joe: In this episode, we’ll discuss if happiness can really be found in practicing different forms of idolatry. Join us here on The Message!
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THE MESSAGE
FORMS OF IDOLATRY TODAY
Brother Joe: Idolatry is typically defined as the worship of something or someone other than God as though it were God. And while many professing Christians may insist that they aren’t worshiping another god, well, there are actually more modern forms of idolatry today than people may realize. We’ll be discussing examples of these, like the worship of images, greed, and materialism, today on The Message.
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BROTHER JOE VELASQUEZ
MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL
Brother Joe: Hello, I am Brother Joe Velasquez, and with me here in our studios in Anaheim, California is Brother Noel Simon. Hello, Brother Noel!
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BROTHER NOEL SIMON
MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL
Brother Noel: Hello, Brother Joe! According to the Pew Research Center, well over two billion people, or more than 30% of the world’s population, consider themselves Christians. So it would appear that there are many people today who are worshiping God. If so, then they cannot ignore the biblical teaching that idolatry is a grave sin against God. In fact, what is the grave consequence of those who are found guilty of idolatry?
Brother Joe: Well we can read the answer here in Galatians 5:19-21:
Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
[Galatians 5:19-21 New King James Version]
Brother Joe: The Bible teaches that those who practice the works of the flesh, idolatry being one of them, will not inherit the kingdom of God. In other words, they will not be saved on Judgment Day.
Worship of images is idolatry
Brother Joe: Or perhaps some would say they are not guilty of idolatry because they know and worship God. However, how is it that others who claim to know and worship God end up being guilty of idolatry?
Brother Noel: Brother Joe, the Bible will answer us here in Romans 1:21-23 and we’ll also read verse 25:
For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles. They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.
[Romans 1:21-23, 25 New International Version]
Brother Noel: Dear friends, those being mentioned here by Apostle Paul claim to know and worship God. But what can be observed in the manner by which they worship Him? The Bible says, “They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator.” What are some examples of images of created things which they are using in their worship of God? According to the Bible, “images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles.”
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THE MESSAGE
FORMS OF IDOLATRY TODAY
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BROTHER JOE VELASQUEZ
MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL
Brother Joe: Well thus, even if a church claims to trace its roots back to the time of the apostles, and even if its members insist that they are worshiping God, well, they are still guilty of idolatry because of their use of images in worship of God. Even if they say that it is not the images themselves that they are worshiping.
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BROTHER NOEL SIMON
MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL
Brother Noel: How strict is the prohibition of God regarding the use of images or idols in worship of Him?
Brother Joe: Well Brother Noel, here’s what the Bible teaches in Acts 17:29, and this is what is stated here:
And since this is true, we shouldn’t think of God as an idol designed by craftsmen from gold or silver or stone.
[Acts 17:29 New Living Translation]
Brother Joe: Did you notice here, dear viewers, it is evil to even just think about making an idol or image to represent God. Much more so, then, if one were to actually make an image and worship it.
The evil of being greedy
Brother Joe: Now others may be thinking that they’re off the hook because they don’t use idols or images in their worship of God. However, who else is guilty of idolatry?
Brother Noel: This is what is recorded in the Bible in Colossians 3:5-6:
You must put to death, then, the earthly desires at work in you, such as sexual immorality, indecency, lust, evil passions, and greed (for greed is a form of idolatry). Because of such things God’s anger will come upon those who do not obey him.
[Colossians 3:5-6 Good News Translation]
Brother Noel: According to the Bible, greed is also a form of idolatry. Thus, those who are greedy, or who want things so badly that they are willing to even break the commandments of God to get them, are also guilty of idolatry as those who make and worship before idols and images. But perhaps some may reason out that they aren’t breaking any laws, they are just hustling, working hard to get ahead in life. Are those who focus their attention on and put their hope in worldly riches also committing an idolatrous act?
Brother Joe: Well Brother Noel, this is what we can read in Job 31:24-25 and also 28, and this is what the Bible says:
“If I have made gold my hope, Or said to fine gold, ‘You are my confidence’; If I have rejoiced because my wealth was great, And because my hand had gained much; This also would be an iniquity deserving of judgment, For I would have denied God who is above.
[Job 31:24-25, 28 New King James Version]
Brother Joe: According to the Bible, those who put their hope and confidence in worldly riches are denying God. Well, this is the same evil being committed by those who worship idols. Thus if one becomes so consumed with gaining material things that he ends up rejecting God, well then he is also guilty of the sin of idolatry.
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THE MESSAGE
FORMS OF IDOLATRY TODAY
Brother Noel: Well maybe some would say that they aren’t doing any of those things that the Bible mentions as being idolatrous. They don’t worship before images, they aren’t greedy, and they aren’t materialistic to the point of no longer worshiping God.
Rebellion is also considered idolatry
Brother Joe: Well that’s right Brother Noel, but who else, according to the Bible, is guilty of idolatry?
Brother Noel: Well this is what we can read in 1 Samuel 15:23:
Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft, and stubbornness as bad as worshiping idols. So because you have rejected the command of the LORD, he has rejected you as king.”
[1 Samuel 15:23 New Living Translation]
Brother Noel: So being stubborn and rebelling against God and His commands, is also as bad as worshiping idols.
Who should be worshiped?
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BROTHER JOE VELASQUEZ
MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL
Brother Joe: Well Brother Noel, perhaps some may argue that they aren’t hurting anyone. They may say that they are just doing what makes them happy; and if they worship God using images, well, there are many others who are also doing the same. Others may say that they pursue material wealth so that they and their family members can find happiness in the midst of the hardship in this world.
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BROTHER NOEL SIMON
MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL
Brother Noel: But Brother Joe, dear friends, what should we think? Like can we find happiness in following what others may be doing if what they are doing is against the teachings of God? If we wish to be truly happy, who should be worshiped, followed, and obeyed?
Brother Joe: Well here is the answer recorded in the Holy Bible. In Psalm 119:1-3, and this is what is stated here:
Happy are those whose lives are faultless, who live according to the law of the LORD. Happy are those who follow his commands, who obey him with all their heart. They never do wrong; they walk in the LORD‘s ways.
[Psalm 119:1-3 Good News Translation]
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THE MESSAGE
FORMS OF IDOLATRY TODAY
Brother Joe: Dear viewers, those who will be truly happy are not those who follow their own desires, which go against God’s laws. Those who are guilty of the different forms of idolatry today, who worship and bow down before graven images, or who are consumed by greed, or are materialistic. Rather, those who will be truly happy are those who live according to God’s laws, who follow His commands, and obey Him with all their heart. They are certain that they will be blessed because they worship the true God and they prove it by means of their actions.
On behalf of all of us here at The Message, we would like to thank you for joining us today in our study of God’s words. We invite you to continue watching this and other programs of the Iglesia Ni Cristo or Church Of Christ.
Brother Noel: Before we go, though, please join us for a short prayer.
Our Almighty, our loving Father in Heaven, we offer our thanks for all the blessings You grant unto us. You continue to keep all of us safe, provide our needs, and especially allow us to receive Your holy words. May you continue to bless all of our friends and loved ones who heard this message, that we can all come to know the true way of worshiping You, that this would lead us not only to blessings now, but the great blessing of the eternal life.
May You continue to receive our thanks, also, for the love of the Administration, who continues to lead us through programs like this, that the more we know Your truth, the more we can share our faith throughout the world, more people will be called to reach the eternal life. We ask all of this in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
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