Sermons

American Idols: Money

Written by Randy Richardson
 Sunday, May 04, 2008 10:00

American Idols

Sermon Notes and References

The first 2 of the Ten Commandments from Exodus 20:

  1. You shall have no other gods before me...
  2. You shall not make for yourself an idol...

Colossians 3:5 “Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed [emphasis added], which is idolatry.”

Syncretism: the blending of Yahweh worship with Ba'al worship...

Numbers 25:3 “So Israel joined in worshipping the Baal of Peor. And the LORD's anger burned against them.”

Ways things become idols in our lives:

  1. We feel they give us security or safety
  2. We feel they give us significance
  3. We feel they give us happiness

1. Security or safety

  • 2 Chronicles 33:1-6
  • Luke 12:16-20 “...The ground... produced...”
    • We first need to look at whose money it is... Is it God's stuff or is it your stuff?
    • How do you become rich toward God? ... By allowing your treasure to follow where God is working...
  • Matthew 6:20-21 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth where moth and rust destroy... But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven... For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
  • Jesus says I will never leave you nor forsake you.

2. Significance

  • Matthew 6:24 “No one can serve two masters...”
  • 1 Timothy 6:10 “For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil...”
  • Ecclesiastes 5:10 “Whoever loves money never has money enough...”

3. Source of Happiness

  • Hebrews 13:5 “Keep your lives free from the love of money...”
  • Philippians 3:7-8 “But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ...”
  • Acts 2:42-47 “...All the believers were together and had everything in common...”

Small Group Questions

Icebreaker:

Can you remember the "thing" you wanted that you thought would make you happy as a kid?

Worship:

Sing, or pray to surrender your money and stuff (this can be done at the end of the night if you want) Read Psalm 24 - especially vs 1.

Scriptures

  • Idolatry: Exodus 20:1-3, Colossians 3:5;
  • Security or safety: Luke 12:16-20, Matthew 6:20-21;
  • Significance: Matthew 6:24, 1 Timothy 6:10,
  • Source of happiness: Ecclesiastes 5:10, Hebrews 13:5, Philippians 3:7-8

Application Questions:

  1. Do you believe that money/stuff fights for your primary attention and adoration?
  2. Which have you struggled with thinking: that money/stuff would give you security, or significance, or happiness? Why? How?
  3. Are there any lies about money you believe right now? If I had… then…
  4. Have you settled the ownership, stewardship issue of money/stuff in your life?
  5. Are you in the practice of tithing? (leaders this is a spiritual question, so don't wimp out)
  6. What is the last thing you denied yourself for the sake of loving God or loving people?
  7. Are there any changes in thinking or living in regards to money that you need to make? How can we hold you accountable?

Share the vision:

Think of a project or service that you could do as a Home Fellowship to bless someone in secret? ie, buy a gas card for a single mom.

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