Battling the Idols in Your Heart

  

Pastor David F. Reagan

 

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Text:  1Samuel 5:1-7

INTRODUCTION – Idol: a pagan god or any object of excessive devotion or admiration

                                   Exodus 20:3 “Thou shalt have no other gods before me.”  - 1 John 5:21

 

  1. Bring the Lord Into Your Heart  (v.1-2) (House)

    1. Lydia – “come into my house, and abide there”  (Acts 16:15)

    2. Reformation without redemption – like starting a car that has no motor

  2. Identify the Idols in Your Heart  (v.2)

 

Dagon:   Dag=fish Dagon=corn or grain half man
     
The fish god (Merman) the god of agriculture half fish
 

Pictured as top man/bottom fish OR fish head as mitre (like Pope)
 
Romans 13:1 Babylonian Dagon – came up from sea after flood – fish body as cloak

                                                                    

            What About Your Gods/Your Idols?

TV, Safety, Science, Education, Philosophy, Tradition, Religion, Popularity, Job, Pets, Sleep, Sex, Drugs, Alcohol, Sports, Clothes, Health, Appearance, Money, Family, Food, House, Car, Music, Books, Workshop, Computer, Your Own Pride, Christmas, Church Attendance or Offerings, Your Intelligence, Political Party, Fraternal Organization, Local Sports Team

  1. Establish the Authority of God in Your Heart  (v.3) (Romans 12:1-2; 2Corinthians 5:14-15)

  1. Remove the Authority of Your Idols  (v.4)  “the head” (Romans 6:1-11)

  1. Destroy the Power of Your Idols  (v.4)  “hands” (Romans 6:12-14; 8:13; Colossians 3:5)

  2. Keep a Proper Distance Between You and Your Idols  (v.5) (Romans 12:9)

  1. Never Cease to War Against These Idols  (v.6-7) (Uzziah – 2 Chronicles 26:1-5, 16    “But when he was strong…”)

CONCLUSION – Revelation 3:19-20       Written to believers

Three categories -

1)     Those who do not hear

2)     Those who hear but do not answer

3)     Those who hear and answer

Are You Listening?

Are You Willing to Answer the Door?