Sermon Notes from "Heart Idols"

The Big Idea: Worship is like a fire hose that has gotten stuck in the “on” position and is endlessly shooting water out with great force. Where are you aiming the hose? What is the focus of your worship?

Worship in the wrong direction

And in his teaching he said, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes and like greetings in the marketplaces and have the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at feasts, who devour widows' houses and for a pretense make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.” (Mark 12:38-40 ESV)

Outward actions do not impress God in and of themselves. God sees your heart.

They wanted their dress to be noticed.

They desired vocal recognition

They longed for places of prominence

They hoarded money

They wanted people to view them as HOLY.

They worship self.

Check yourself. Don't we all have similar desires to that of the scribes?

To be first, to be deferred to, to be wealthier, to be recognized?

God sees your heart.

What does your attitude reveal about your heart?

What do you long for?

Where do your desires lie?

Insight #1: We should read this warning thinking that we are in danger of the greater condemnation.

Exposing Heart Idols

Power Idol	Approval Idol
Control Position Influence Success Strength (exerted)	Relationships Achievement Ethnicity Social circles Appearances
Security Idol	Comfort Idol
Family Finances Protection Religion Safety Future	Pleasure Health Freedom Excess Home and vehicles Recreation

Pharisees idols exposed

Power – IN this chapter they have grasped for control, position, and to keep influence

Approval – Dressed to be seen, greetings, seats of honor

Security – Try and hide their weaknesses

Comfort – Devour widows houses (excess)

Insight #2: A good thing becomes a heart idol when we value it more than we value Jesus as our ultimate joy and satisfaction.

Worship in the right direction

And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.” - (Mark 12:41-44 ESV)

The widow put in her whole life.

All of her hopes and dreams. Her future.

She wholeheartedly offers herself as an act of worship.

Do I just need to give more? Do more?

The scribes were not applauded by their outward actions and neither is the widow.

There is something deeper at play.

There is poverty of spirit.

Jesus puts it this way:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. - (Matthew 5:3 ESV)

Insight #3: No one except those who have the poverty of spirit will enter the kingdom of heaven.

This widow was completely dependent on someone outside of her to meet her needs.

Spiritual poverty likewise is a deep sense that in and of myself before God I am without a means to earn His favor. I have to look for something absolutely outside of “me” for my righteousness.

Insight #4: We are all absolutely poverty stricken before God but some of us are blind to it.

The law/gospe msgl exposes our spiritual poverty.

Before conversion their is conviction of sin.

The law/gospel condemns before it saves.

It convicts before it converts.

It empties before it fills.

Insight #5: I still live by Gods righteousness daily.

The religious hypocrites in this passage miss this.

They think they sin no longer and are righteous by their own merits now.

Insight #6: Just as we need outside food to energize us daily, we need the gospel daily (Jesus' righteousness).

Examine Your Heart:

To what extent is your heart like that of the scribes?

Those who struggle with power feel that they have to be in a position of power and long for it. They are demanding that they have to have the final decision.

Those who struggle with approval, criticism or failure wrecks their week or month. They can't ever relax. They are always craving recognition and envious of others.

Those who struggle with security hide weaknesses and are impatient with others.

Those who struggle with comfort often complain about serving others, giving joyfully, and become restless when asked to stretch themselves.

Apply the Good News to Your Heart:

1. Power Idol - God is glorious so I don't have to produce results. I don't have to make every final decision. (Psalm 24:8)
2. Approval Idol – God is gracious so I don't have to prove myself . I can relax. (Psalm 86:16)
3. Security Idol – God is great, so I don't have to be in control. I can honestly share weaknesses (Psalm 145:3)
4. Comfort Idol – God is good, so I don't have to look elsewhere for comfort, peace, and fulfillment. I can give freely.(Psalm 34:8)