Unobvious Idols: Wk 3
Idol = Anything you look to for what only God can give.
Ezekiel 14:3a NLT
3 “Son of man, these leaders have set up idols in their hearts. They have embraced things that will make them fall into sin.
1 John 5:21 NLT
21 Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your hearts.
“Whatever controls us is our lord. And any lord who is not Jesus, is an idol.” – Timothy Keller
Romans 12:11 NLT
11 Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically.
“If the devil can’t make you sin, he’ll make you busy.” – Corrie Ten Boom
Psalm 127:1-2 NLT
1 Unless the Lord builds a house, the work of the builders is wasted. Unless the Lord protects a city, guarding it with sentries will do no good. 2 It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for food to eat; for God gives rest to his loved ones.
Psalm 39:4-6 NLT
“Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered—how fleeting my life is. 5 You have made my life no longer than the width of my hand. My entire lifetime is just a moment to you; at best, each of us is but a breath.” 6 We are merely moving shadows, and all our busy rushing ends in nothing. We heap up wealth, not knowing who will spend it.
Matthew 11:28-30 NLT
28 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30 MSG
28-30 “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”
WHAT PRACTICES OF JESUS CAN WE BUILD IN OUR LIVES?
1. A regular, quiet place.
Mark 6:30-34, 45-46 NLT
30 The apostles returned to Jesus from their ministry tour and told him all they had done and taught. 31 Then Jesus said, “Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.” He said this because there were so many people coming and going that Jesus and his apostles didn’t even have time to eat. 32 So they left by boat for a quiet place, where they could be alone. 33 But many people recognized them and saw them leaving, and people from many towns ran ahead along the shore and got there ahead of them. 34 Jesus saw the huge crowd as he stepped from the boat, and he had compassion on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.
45 Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the boat and head across the lake to Bethsaida, while he sent the people home. 46 After telling everyone good-bye, he went up into the hills by himself to pray.
To be a growing follower of Jesus, we will need to learn from Him and learn His ways. One of His ways was a regular, quiet place with God.
Psalm 23:1-3 NKJV
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. 3 He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.
2. A regular sabbath.
Genesis 2:2-3 NLT
2 On the seventh day God had finished his work of creation, so he rested from all his work. 3 And God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy, because it was the day when he rested from all his work of creation.
Mark 2:27 NLT
27 Then Jesus said to them, “The Sabbath was made to meet the needs of people, and not people to meet the requirements of the Sabbath.
Building a rhythm of sabbath into our lives will go a long way in breaking the spirit of busyness off our lives.
Matthew 11:28-30 MSG
28-30 “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”
SMALL GROUP MEETING OUTLINE:
Where your faith intersects with real life!
Reconnect:
Each person shares a recent high and low from their life.
Explore:
Review the message notes.
Big Idea: Busyness becomes an idol when we allow it to control our lives instead of Jesus.
Consider:
Choose one or two questions for your Group to discuss as time allows.
▶ Read Psalm 23:1-3. Where are some quiet places that people can find rest?
▶ Read Exodus 20:8-11. What are some Sabbath practices you have seen work well?
▶ Read Psalm 127:1-2. What motivates God to want us to rest?
Activate:
Spend a moment in silence to consider your response, then share your decision with the Group.
Read Matthew 11:28-30 (MSG). Ask God to show you one area where He would like you to be able to receive rest, and then a practice you could enjoy to experience that rest.
Prayer:
Thank God for the highs and lift up the lows.
Ask God for our church to grow in “quiet place” connecting with God as growing followers of Jesus.