WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:16.480 In the wake of the 2008 global financial crisis, there was a string of very wealthy CEOs, money managers, executives, who all committed suicide. 00:00:16.879 --> 00:00:23.280 The ultimate thing in their life, the God of money and wealth, had been revealed. 00:00:23.780 --> 00:00:26.980 And not only had it been revealed, it had been taken away. 00:00:26.980 --> 00:00:33.719 And without the ultimate, most important thing in their life, their lives had no meaning, no hope. 00:00:34.740 --> 00:00:42.320 This is idolatry, where we take something from God, even something good, and we make it the ultimate thing in our lives. 00:00:42.700 --> 00:00:43.920 And we worship it. 00:00:44.880 --> 00:00:51.060 But these are just fake, counterfeit gods that leave us open to despair if we chase them. 00:00:51.060 --> 00:01:00.020 Similarly to the global financial crisis, a pandemic can reveal our fake, counterfeit gods as well. 00:01:00.880 --> 00:01:02.780 Will I choose to wear a mask? 00:01:02.880 --> 00:01:05.060 Will I choose to limit my freedoms? 00:01:05.579 --> 00:01:16.040 Or will I prefer to sacrifice other people's lives and other people's freedom because of my own goals, my own God of personal freedom? 00:01:16.040 --> 00:01:25.200 When everything is stripped back, the most important thing, our idols, the ultimate thing in our life, is revealed. 00:01:26.380 --> 00:01:29.820 Now when I talk about idols, you might actually be thinking of a literal idol. 00:01:30.120 --> 00:01:32.320 You might be thinking of a statue you've seen. 00:01:34.080 --> 00:01:36.280 You know, a statue to the god in Egypt. 00:01:36.380 --> 00:01:39.300 I was talking about Hydra last week. 00:01:39.299 --> 00:01:43.459 And you might be thinking of, you know, great Egyptian Roman gods. 00:01:44.359 --> 00:01:53.959 But when beauty and body image becomes the ultimate thing in our life, it's not that different to worshipping Aphrodite, the god of beauty. 00:01:54.340 --> 00:02:02.459 When money and career are made the ultimate thing in our lives, it's like we are bowing down to Ares, the god of war, and Artemis, the god of wealth. 00:02:03.659 --> 00:02:06.299 We all have a worship problem. 00:02:06.299 --> 00:02:17.300 The human heart is constantly tempted to worship things like a successful career, love, possessions, even our family. 00:02:18.300 --> 00:02:27.719 They become the center of our lives because we think if we can get them, if we can hold on to them, they can give us significance and security and fulfillment. 00:02:27.719 --> 00:02:37.120 Today, as we continue in the book of Revelation, we see the battle before us. 00:02:37.699 --> 00:02:41.659 The battle between Christians and those who are set against Christians. 00:02:41.780 --> 00:02:48.780 We see the devil send two different beasts to tempt people to worship him instead of God. 00:02:48.780 --> 00:02:59.240 And we see these two beasts as just gross parodies of God, parodies of his goodness, but they are counterfeit and fake. 00:03:00.099 --> 00:03:05.659 But the problem is that we can be tricked into worshipping them instead of God. 00:03:06.180 --> 00:03:09.240 So please pray with me as we look at Revelation. 00:03:09.240 --> 00:03:18.600 Heavenly Father, we ask that you would be with us today as we consider the idols of our heart and the things that we worship. 00:03:19.500 --> 00:03:24.240 Father, we ask that you would reveal them to us so we can give you the praise, Lord. 00:03:24.600 --> 00:03:24.980 Amen. 00:03:26.140 --> 00:03:34.080 The first thing as we look at idols that we worship is to actually define what worship is. 00:03:34.080 --> 00:03:42.920 If worship is what we do with our hearts to make something the ultimate thing in our life instead of God, we need to know what it looks like. 00:03:44.020 --> 00:03:46.860 We could often speak about coming to a worship service. 00:03:47.380 --> 00:03:48.580 You know, that's what we do in church. 00:03:48.680 --> 00:03:50.560 We sing and we worship God. 00:03:50.880 --> 00:03:52.420 And we do do those things. 00:03:53.380 --> 00:04:01.220 But worship is far bigger than what we just do for an hour and a bit on a Sunday morning or later in the day. 00:04:01.219 --> 00:04:06.620 Worship is something we actually do all the week, 24-7. 00:04:07.680 --> 00:04:12.280 I have two definitions of worship, a longer one and a shorter one. 00:04:13.259 --> 00:04:16.939 A longer definition of what worship is from Don Carson. 00:04:17.800 --> 00:04:26.199 Worship is the proper response of all beings to God, giving honor and worth to the Creator because He is worthy. 00:04:26.199 --> 00:04:35.399 Worship manifests itself both in adoration and in action, in the individual believer and in corporate worship. 00:04:36.519 --> 00:04:40.920 And Tim Keller, in a really helpful book called Counterfeit Gods, which I'll reference a couple of times today, 00:04:41.519 --> 00:04:45.259 Tim Keller uses three words to define what worship is. 00:04:46.740 --> 00:04:49.819 Love, trust, and obey. 00:04:49.819 --> 00:04:56.699 And so when we bring these two together, worship looks like love, trust, and obey. 00:04:57.040 --> 00:05:04.180 But love is an aspect of worship because it's something that we delight in, we adore, it's something that brings pleasure. 00:05:05.139 --> 00:05:09.519 We trust the things that we worship because it gives us a sense of control. 00:05:10.060 --> 00:05:16.920 And it provides my safety and obedience because worship shapes our lives and we follow the things that we worship. 00:05:16.920 --> 00:05:29.780 We can love, trust, and obey God, but we also choose to love, trust, and obey other things, fake gods that our hearts make. 00:05:30.580 --> 00:05:32.180 And we do this with all of our lives. 00:05:32.500 --> 00:05:41.700 So now that we have a definition of this, let's have a look at these two strange pictures of beasts before we consider worship of Jesus. 00:05:41.699 --> 00:05:47.219 So we're going to see the power of the first beast before we see the seduction of the second beast. 00:05:48.039 --> 00:05:51.620 And so have your Bibles open with me at Revelation 13. 00:05:52.680 --> 00:05:58.800 John has seen a vision and he sees powers that tempt people to worship them instead of God. 00:05:59.699 --> 00:06:06.039 And these beasts represent the military power of the time, the political and military powers. 00:06:06.040 --> 00:06:10.700 And so John in verse 1 sees a beast coming up out of the water. 00:06:11.640 --> 00:06:16.500 It's a beast depicting the Romans who would invade across the water. 00:06:16.900 --> 00:06:22.580 And they invaded across the Mediterranean to conquer Asia Minor, which is near modern day Turkey. 00:06:23.220 --> 00:06:26.680 And this beast coming across the sea looks very powerful. 00:06:26.879 --> 00:06:30.560 Verse 1, it had 10 horns and 7 heads. 00:06:31.040 --> 00:06:34.080 With 10 crowns on its horns and each one a blasphemous name. 00:06:34.079 --> 00:06:37.599 So these horns and these heads, it's a picture of power. 00:06:37.959 --> 00:06:39.060 It's powerful. 00:06:40.060 --> 00:06:42.659 It's been given power by the dragon, the devil. 00:06:43.800 --> 00:06:46.639 And it looks like an evil parody of Jesus. 00:06:46.899 --> 00:06:52.259 Verse 3, one of the heads of the beast seemed to have had a fatal wound. 00:06:52.799 --> 00:06:54.560 And the fatal wound had been healed. 00:06:55.699 --> 00:06:59.740 It's this picture of, it almost represents Jesus. 00:06:59.979 --> 00:07:02.439 It's been wounded, but it's been healed. 00:07:02.439 --> 00:07:09.579 And we're going to see a number of ways that these beasts parody Jesus in an attempt to be worshipped. 00:07:10.680 --> 00:07:13.000 And the whole world has been won over by this beast. 00:07:13.120 --> 00:07:17.240 Verse 3 again, the whole world was filled with wonder and followed the beast. 00:07:18.079 --> 00:07:21.339 People worshipped the dragon because he had given authority to the beast. 00:07:21.579 --> 00:07:24.180 And they also worshipped the beast and asked, who is like the beast? 00:07:24.779 --> 00:07:26.339 Who can wage war against it? 00:07:26.339 --> 00:07:31.759 People had been filled with awe and wonder at Jesus. 00:07:32.799 --> 00:07:36.099 And yet here they've been tricked by the dragon and his beast. 00:07:36.679 --> 00:07:39.019 So much so that they think his power is complete. 00:07:39.479 --> 00:07:41.459 They take a phrase used of God. 00:07:42.219 --> 00:07:43.679 Who is like God? 00:07:43.899 --> 00:07:45.239 Who can defeat him? 00:07:45.939 --> 00:07:47.739 And they use it of the beast. 00:07:47.740 --> 00:07:52.220 That's the name we gave to our youngest son, Micah. 00:07:52.519 --> 00:07:54.340 It means, who is like God? 00:07:54.699 --> 00:07:58.019 Mike Yah is short for Mike Yahweh. 00:07:58.199 --> 00:07:59.300 Who is like Yahweh? 00:07:59.639 --> 00:08:02.800 If your name is Michael here, that means, who is like Elohim? 00:08:02.939 --> 00:08:03.540 Mike L. 00:08:03.540 --> 00:08:09.759 And they take this, a name that's reserved for God, this praise that's deserved for God. 00:08:09.860 --> 00:08:11.019 Who is like God? 00:08:11.019 --> 00:08:13.339 Who has power over him? 00:08:14.199 --> 00:08:19.180 And they take the love and the trust and the obedience that is reserved for God. 00:08:19.299 --> 00:08:23.120 And they give it to this parody form of a beast. 00:08:24.459 --> 00:08:30.599 It's not hard to imagine that at the height of Rome's powers, a cry being made like this. 00:08:30.759 --> 00:08:32.059 Who is like Rome? 00:08:32.879 --> 00:08:34.720 Who could possibly defeat Rome? 00:08:35.779 --> 00:08:38.419 Who could defeat any other military power throughout the histories? 00:08:38.679 --> 00:08:40.139 Who could beat Britain in their pomp? 00:08:40.139 --> 00:08:41.539 Who could beat the US? 00:08:42.240 --> 00:08:43.500 Who could beat China? 00:08:45.080 --> 00:08:50.279 But this is an evil and false God that takes the place of our Heavenly Father. 00:08:50.679 --> 00:08:53.840 It demands ultimate love and trust and obedience. 00:08:54.679 --> 00:08:58.679 Verse 8, all the inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast. 00:09:00.319 --> 00:09:03.379 This is a power that defines what's right. 00:09:03.480 --> 00:09:05.279 It demands allegiance. 00:09:06.439 --> 00:09:09.700 It brings people who don't want to worship the new power into conflict. 00:09:10.139 --> 00:09:12.819 Because we already have an allegiance to God. 00:09:14.039 --> 00:09:15.460 And so there is conflict. 00:09:15.600 --> 00:09:17.939 And the result is that Christians are persecuted. 00:09:19.379 --> 00:09:31.799 Now, in Australia, we don't live in an idolatrous empire where the ruler must be worshipped like in Rome with the cultic practice about worshipping the emperor as God. 00:09:31.799 --> 00:09:32.799 But there are many elements of idolatry. 00:09:32.799 --> 00:09:37.799 But there are many elements of idolatry in our society that our government encourages. 00:09:38.579 --> 00:09:44.819 Our government currently is using their power to redefine morality, to redefine what is right. 00:09:45.819 --> 00:09:51.979 It redefines what the cultural touchstones that are to be worshipped, to be loved, trusted, and obeyed. 00:09:51.980 --> 00:10:00.060 They are in the process of redefining these areas of morality like euthanasia, abortion, gender, sexuality. 00:10:00.059 --> 00:10:06.699 And in this environment, the threat to Christians is their power. 00:10:07.519 --> 00:10:14.679 The power of the state or the power of the employer, the power of the mob, or even the power of the online mob. 00:10:15.519 --> 00:10:17.339 Worship the things that we worship. 00:10:18.159 --> 00:10:19.599 Value the things that we value. 00:10:19.959 --> 00:10:21.379 Love what we love. 00:10:22.439 --> 00:10:23.319 Trust what we trust. 00:10:23.320 --> 00:10:28.700 And you better obey, or you will be cancelled, and you will be pushed to the edges of society. 00:10:30.360 --> 00:10:38.900 Into this world, under this threat, John, verse 10, calls for patient endurance and faithfulness on the part of God's people. 00:10:39.879 --> 00:10:40.760 Endure through opposition. 00:10:41.879 --> 00:10:43.900 Christians have been enduring for 20 centuries. 00:10:44.480 --> 00:10:48.540 Powers come and go, but God is always sovereign. 00:10:49.740 --> 00:10:52.440 So the first beast comes with power. 00:10:53.320 --> 00:10:58.160 But the second beast is much more subtle, much more seductive. 00:10:59.220 --> 00:11:00.040 Verse 11. 00:11:01.160 --> 00:11:04.540 Then I saw a second beast coming out of the earth. 00:11:05.040 --> 00:11:08.820 It had two horns like a lamb, but it spoke like a dragon. 00:11:09.040 --> 00:11:12.060 Again, this looks like another twisted parody of Jesus. 00:11:12.740 --> 00:11:16.300 It speaks for the dragon, but it looks like a lamb. 00:11:16.300 --> 00:11:19.120 And that's the animal that represents Jesus. 00:11:19.120 --> 00:11:24.220 But this one represents the power of the beast and the dragon. 00:11:25.220 --> 00:11:27.220 But this beast is far more seductive. 00:11:27.279 --> 00:11:27.840 Verse 13. 00:11:27.840 --> 00:11:30.460 It performed great signs. 00:11:30.460 --> 00:11:38.700 It was given power to perform on behalf of the first beast. 00:11:39.060 --> 00:11:41.620 It deceived the inhabitants of the earth. 00:11:42.300 --> 00:11:48.800 It uses signs and images to seduce and threaten and impress and overwhelm. 00:11:48.799 --> 00:11:53.519 In the Roman world, it was full of images of power. 00:11:54.519 --> 00:12:01.219 But one of the most alluring and seductive ways it controlled people was through its access to wealth and prosperity. 00:12:02.359 --> 00:12:02.919 Verse 16. 00:12:02.919 --> 00:12:13.759 It forced all people, great and small, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hands or on their foreheads. 00:12:14.039 --> 00:12:20.039 So that they could not buy or sell unless they had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of its name. 00:12:20.919 --> 00:12:24.659 Now, there have been many different views over the years of what the mark of the beast would be. 00:12:25.079 --> 00:12:28.759 Some thought it was a visa card when the credit cards first came in. 00:12:29.059 --> 00:12:30.240 Whether it's a barcode. 00:12:30.240 --> 00:12:34.480 Some have suggested it's a vaccine or even a computer chip. 00:12:35.779 --> 00:12:41.159 The word mark here was used for official stamps on documents. 00:12:41.759 --> 00:12:45.100 It was used for the impressions on a coin. 00:12:45.240 --> 00:12:48.139 So the coin has been marked with a Roman symbol. 00:12:49.519 --> 00:12:57.460 And it's most likely that John here is using this image to symbolize corrupt involvement in the Roman Empire. 00:12:57.460 --> 00:13:06.080 If you want all of this goodness in the Roman Empire, if you want to access to the markets, to buy and to sell, to make a living, 00:13:06.860 --> 00:13:08.519 you will need our currency. 00:13:08.920 --> 00:13:10.360 You will need our mark. 00:13:11.580 --> 00:13:17.000 In the first century, Rome would bring all of the young elites from the neighboring countries, 00:13:17.000 --> 00:13:22.179 from all over the empire, and seduce them with glory to win their hearts and mind. 00:13:23.740 --> 00:13:28.480 And now, I don't know if you've seen the movie Monty Python's Life of Brian, 00:13:28.480 --> 00:13:34.899 but those considering what Rome had ever done, while they were trying to think of all the bad things they had done, 00:13:35.019 --> 00:13:39.680 said, apart from better sanitation and medicine and education and irrigation and public health 00:13:39.680 --> 00:13:42.440 and roads and a fresh water system and baths and public order, 00:13:42.600 --> 00:13:44.200 what have the Romans ever done for us? 00:13:44.200 --> 00:13:53.320 Now, it's an entertaining scene, but it paints this picture of Rome brings seductive beauty. 00:13:54.700 --> 00:13:59.500 Come and share the bounty of Rome, because everything Rome has is good. 00:13:59.920 --> 00:14:00.940 There's just one problem. 00:14:01.200 --> 00:14:03.040 You'll have to sell your soul to do it. 00:14:03.820 --> 00:14:06.140 You'll have to worship the emperor as God. 00:14:06.340 --> 00:14:09.340 You'll have to live as if he is in control of all things. 00:14:09.340 --> 00:14:20.920 You can have wealth and comfort, but you are just worshipping the emperor at the love of comfort and the love of wealth. 00:14:21.860 --> 00:14:24.460 They become what you love and you trust and obey. 00:14:25.980 --> 00:14:28.980 These two beasts demand allegiance and worship. 00:14:29.379 --> 00:14:30.560 They do it in different ways. 00:14:31.120 --> 00:14:34.860 It's the old carrot and the stick type of motivation. 00:14:35.500 --> 00:14:38.820 The first beast brings the stick of power. 00:14:38.820 --> 00:14:48.280 It comes to beat people into obedience, whereas the second beast comes with the carrot of seduction, of money and influence. 00:14:48.720 --> 00:14:52.040 If beating you won't work, we'll seduce you with other ways. 00:14:53.260 --> 00:14:55.060 The first beast came by sea. 00:14:55.940 --> 00:14:58.860 It's a picture of the Roman armies invading across the ocean. 00:14:59.160 --> 00:15:01.280 But the second beast came out of the earth. 00:15:02.100 --> 00:15:06.320 It's a picture of the countries that came under Roman control, 00:15:06.320 --> 00:15:08.820 and then they became the propaganda machines. 00:15:09.180 --> 00:15:11.020 They became the ones who would tell everybody else, 00:15:11.240 --> 00:15:12.860 it is great being under Rome. 00:15:13.480 --> 00:15:15.520 Come, submit yourselves to Rome. 00:15:15.660 --> 00:15:16.879 We've taken all of their money. 00:15:17.160 --> 00:15:18.220 We have to worship their emperor. 00:15:18.520 --> 00:15:18.879 Come. 00:15:20.480 --> 00:15:22.120 It's country's peer pressure. 00:15:22.120 --> 00:15:28.179 In the face of this more subtle and seductive temptation, 00:15:28.399 --> 00:15:29.759 John says in verse 18, 00:15:30.299 --> 00:15:31.639 this calls for wisdom. 00:15:32.919 --> 00:15:36.139 Reject the seductive call of the things of this world. 00:15:37.039 --> 00:15:38.840 Worship only Jesus. 00:15:40.120 --> 00:15:41.740 The beasts parody God. 00:15:42.759 --> 00:15:43.960 Fire comes from heaven. 00:15:43.960 --> 00:15:47.019 They do signs and wonders like Jesus and the apostles. 00:15:47.540 --> 00:15:51.800 They worship the beast who was wounded yet lives like Jesus the lamb. 00:15:52.620 --> 00:15:55.240 The second beast causes an image to speak, 00:15:55.340 --> 00:15:57.240 just like Christians speak the word of Christ. 00:15:57.620 --> 00:16:01.620 And even the threefold relationship of the dragon and the two beasts 00:16:01.620 --> 00:16:04.139 is a twisted parody of the Trinity. 00:16:05.900 --> 00:16:08.780 This beast preaches an alternate gospel. 00:16:09.879 --> 00:16:10.700 Don't worship God. 00:16:10.800 --> 00:16:11.379 Don't love him. 00:16:11.460 --> 00:16:12.040 Don't trust him. 00:16:12.120 --> 00:16:12.940 Don't obey him. 00:16:13.760 --> 00:16:18.000 Instead, through a thousand glossy magazines, 00:16:18.660 --> 00:16:21.680 Instagram influencers, ads, a million drips, 00:16:22.420 --> 00:16:23.180 the beast says, 00:16:23.380 --> 00:16:25.480 all of this could be yours 00:16:25.480 --> 00:16:28.160 if you bow down and worship me. 00:16:29.460 --> 00:16:33.580 Every moment of peer pressure from the world to love and obey 00:16:33.580 --> 00:16:35.860 and trust anything other than God. 00:16:36.940 --> 00:16:37.600 Jesus said, 00:16:37.800 --> 00:16:39.260 no one can serve two masters. 00:16:39.700 --> 00:16:41.760 Either you will hate the one and love the other 00:16:41.759 --> 00:16:44.179 or you'll be devoted to the one and despise the other. 00:16:44.799 --> 00:16:47.159 You cannot serve both God and money. 00:16:48.379 --> 00:16:50.779 Our total worship of God gets compromised. 00:16:51.399 --> 00:16:55.919 It influences our Christianity where we are no longer comparing ourselves to Jesus 00:16:55.919 --> 00:16:57.240 and reflecting on his love, 00:16:57.379 --> 00:16:59.639 but we judge each other by the world's standards. 00:16:59.639 --> 00:17:05.559 Putting our love and trust and obedience in a fake God is not just a bad choice, 00:17:05.559 --> 00:17:07.220 but it's also dangerous. 00:17:08.859 --> 00:17:10.379 Counterfeit things are dangerous. 00:17:10.380 --> 00:17:16.760 I read this week about some disastrous fake and counterfeit products. 00:17:17.700 --> 00:17:23.160 Beware of fake makeups and perfumes because they can contain antifreeze, 00:17:24.100 --> 00:17:26.900 arsenic, methanol, and even urine. 00:17:27.940 --> 00:17:32.280 Counterfeit batteries can get to extreme temperatures and even explode. 00:17:32.279 --> 00:17:36.019 And I read about a family in Tennessee who had bought one of... 00:17:36.019 --> 00:17:38.200 Have you seen those little... 00:17:38.200 --> 00:17:39.759 I don't know if it's actually a hoverboard, 00:17:39.859 --> 00:17:43.119 but one of those little motorized hoverboard type things. 00:17:43.299 --> 00:17:45.019 They bought a really cheap version of that 00:17:45.019 --> 00:17:47.799 and it exploded and set the house on fire. 00:17:49.399 --> 00:17:53.680 Being seduced to worship ourselves and cheap idols 00:17:53.680 --> 00:17:58.619 sets us up for a lifetime of chasing unsatisfying goals 00:17:58.619 --> 00:17:59.979 and damaged relationships. 00:18:01.919 --> 00:18:04.759 In the midst of this vision of these two beasts, 00:18:05.899 --> 00:18:07.539 John is given a new vision. 00:18:07.879 --> 00:18:09.539 Chapter 14, verse 1. 00:18:11.139 --> 00:18:14.479 Then I looked and there before me was the Lamb 00:18:14.479 --> 00:18:16.679 standing on Mount Zion 00:18:16.679 --> 00:18:19.899 and with him 144,000 who had his name 00:18:19.899 --> 00:18:22.819 and his father's name written on their foreheads. 00:18:23.399 --> 00:18:25.579 John sees Jesus with his people. 00:18:25.579 --> 00:18:29.659 144,000, the complete amount of his people. 00:18:29.799 --> 00:18:31.740 He's standing on a mountain, a picture of power, 00:18:31.939 --> 00:18:33.720 and his people have been marked. 00:18:35.079 --> 00:18:36.799 They've been marked with God's name. 00:18:37.759 --> 00:18:40.119 And they are described as virgins. 00:18:40.639 --> 00:18:42.399 Those who did not defile themselves, 00:18:42.559 --> 00:18:45.079 they have kept their love and their trust 00:18:45.079 --> 00:18:46.659 and their obedience pure. 00:18:48.119 --> 00:18:49.839 In Revelation, in the Bible, 00:18:50.220 --> 00:18:53.039 sin and immorality is often pictured 00:18:53.039 --> 00:18:55.519 with spiritual adultery, 00:18:56.299 --> 00:18:57.240 worshipping another God. 00:18:57.359 --> 00:18:59.440 And so Jesus standing with virgins 00:18:59.440 --> 00:19:02.200 is a picture of those who have been faithful to him. 00:19:02.859 --> 00:19:04.440 Those who have been kept free 00:19:04.440 --> 00:19:07.259 from the seduction of power and money. 00:19:07.799 --> 00:19:10.339 And they sing and they praise Jesus. 00:19:11.659 --> 00:19:12.539 They've been marked. 00:19:13.059 --> 00:19:14.379 We're the beast marked people 00:19:14.379 --> 00:19:16.279 for access to the glories 00:19:16.279 --> 00:19:18.279 to seduce them leading to destruction. 00:19:18.899 --> 00:19:20.240 God's people have been marked 00:19:20.240 --> 00:19:23.599 for the inclusion into the glories of God's kingdom. 00:19:25.039 --> 00:19:27.140 In Revelation chapter 13 and 14, 00:19:27.339 --> 00:19:29.880 we're presented with these two options of worship. 00:19:30.720 --> 00:19:31.980 There are only two options. 00:19:32.579 --> 00:19:34.980 We can worship the one who deserves it, 00:19:35.200 --> 00:19:36.920 the God who made the universe, 00:19:37.440 --> 00:19:38.839 the God who has made all things, 00:19:38.920 --> 00:19:40.779 who sent his son to die for us, 00:19:40.819 --> 00:19:41.539 who loves us, 00:19:41.759 --> 00:19:43.140 who brings us into his family. 00:19:43.380 --> 00:19:46.440 Or we can worship the dragon and his beasts. 00:19:46.440 --> 00:19:49.660 We can worship the fake and dangerous gods, 00:19:49.920 --> 00:19:51.019 the gods of our hearts. 00:19:52.500 --> 00:19:54.400 There are only these two options. 00:19:56.019 --> 00:19:59.100 In corporate worship here at church at St. Paul's, 00:19:59.799 --> 00:20:02.759 we call each other to worship God 00:20:02.759 --> 00:20:04.940 and not to worship anything else. 00:20:05.340 --> 00:20:07.220 We call each other to beware 00:20:07.220 --> 00:20:08.900 the subtle influence 00:20:08.900 --> 00:20:11.160 of empty and destructive idols, 00:20:11.860 --> 00:20:14.940 to give undivided allegiance to God. 00:20:14.940 --> 00:20:17.759 We call each other to beware of syncretism, 00:20:18.180 --> 00:20:20.039 where religion is mixed, 00:20:20.140 --> 00:20:22.080 where worship of God is mixed with other things. 00:20:22.660 --> 00:20:25.220 Just like we wouldn't go from here 00:20:25.220 --> 00:20:28.320 to our mosque to worship another God, 00:20:28.720 --> 00:20:31.100 but we would go from here 00:20:31.100 --> 00:20:34.920 straight to Westfield or the Mandarin Center 00:20:34.920 --> 00:20:40.640 to buy things that we think will feed our souls, 00:20:40.640 --> 00:20:42.400 to buy, 00:20:42.620 --> 00:20:45.120 to worship our cravings for expensive food, 00:20:46.240 --> 00:20:48.320 to worship the cravings for technology 00:20:48.320 --> 00:20:51.060 to distract us from the reality of the world around us. 00:20:52.640 --> 00:20:55.600 Idolatry is the reason for all of our sin. 00:20:57.140 --> 00:20:58.860 This is why the first commandment is, 00:20:59.259 --> 00:21:00.440 I am the Lord your God 00:21:00.440 --> 00:21:02.540 and you will have no other gods before me. 00:21:03.920 --> 00:21:06.820 Sin is where we make something else God, 00:21:07.060 --> 00:21:08.680 a counterfeit God that we worship. 00:21:08.680 --> 00:21:13.860 So we need to identify these gods of our hearts. 00:21:14.660 --> 00:21:15.880 We need to figure out 00:21:15.880 --> 00:21:17.840 what are the things that we worship in our lives 00:21:17.840 --> 00:21:19.720 so we can pull them up by the root 00:21:19.720 --> 00:21:21.440 and throw them into the fire. 00:21:22.840 --> 00:21:25.200 Tim Keller has four helpful questions for us 00:21:25.200 --> 00:21:26.600 from the book Counterfeit Gods. 00:21:26.740 --> 00:21:28.320 I'd really recommend it to you 00:21:28.320 --> 00:21:30.240 if you're wanting to read further into this. 00:21:30.340 --> 00:21:31.299 It's a really good book, 00:21:31.560 --> 00:21:32.259 fairly short read, 00:21:32.299 --> 00:21:33.019 but it's very helpful. 00:21:33.580 --> 00:21:35.100 And he has four things 00:21:35.100 --> 00:21:37.360 to help us to question our gods. 00:21:37.359 --> 00:21:39.599 First of all, Keller says 00:21:39.599 --> 00:21:41.439 that the true God of your heart 00:21:41.439 --> 00:21:44.479 is what your thoughts effortlessly go to 00:21:44.479 --> 00:21:47.839 when there is nothing demanding your attention. 00:21:48.959 --> 00:21:51.259 What do you spend time thinking about 00:21:51.259 --> 00:21:54.039 that you think will bring you joy and comfort 00:21:54.039 --> 00:21:55.879 in the hidden spaces of your heart? 00:21:56.699 --> 00:21:58.559 You know, it's that five minutes 00:21:58.559 --> 00:22:00.339 when you're lying in bed at night 00:22:00.339 --> 00:22:01.919 just before you go to sleep 00:22:01.919 --> 00:22:03.199 and your mind just drifts. 00:22:03.200 --> 00:22:04.580 What are you thinking about? 00:22:05.539 --> 00:22:07.319 Is it the holiday that's coming up 00:22:07.319 --> 00:22:09.660 that you think that will give you peace and rest 00:22:09.660 --> 00:22:10.759 and that will be happy, 00:22:10.840 --> 00:22:11.700 that will bring you joy? 00:22:12.700 --> 00:22:15.140 Is it the work that you need to do tomorrow 00:22:15.140 --> 00:22:16.720 so that you can be in control? 00:22:17.100 --> 00:22:19.660 What is it that your heart goes to? 00:22:19.759 --> 00:22:21.400 What are you thinking about? 00:22:23.200 --> 00:22:25.500 One or two thoughts is not necessarily an idol, 00:22:25.500 --> 00:22:27.980 but what do we habitually come back 00:22:27.980 --> 00:22:31.740 that we think will bring our joy 00:22:31.740 --> 00:22:33.220 if we give it our love 00:22:33.220 --> 00:22:36.000 and our obedience and our trust to? 00:22:37.000 --> 00:22:38.480 The second thing to do 00:22:38.480 --> 00:22:40.500 is to get at your bank statement, 00:22:41.140 --> 00:22:42.819 have a look at your bank statement online, 00:22:43.380 --> 00:22:45.500 and see where has your money been going. 00:22:46.759 --> 00:22:48.440 Your money flows easiest 00:22:48.440 --> 00:22:51.039 to your heart's greatest love. 00:22:51.039 --> 00:22:53.779 If God is your greatest love, 00:22:53.879 --> 00:22:56.200 then giving away money will be easy. 00:22:56.500 --> 00:22:58.519 Money will flow easily to ministry, 00:22:58.700 --> 00:22:59.659 to charity, to the poor. 00:22:59.879 --> 00:23:01.500 You will see that call from James earlier 00:23:01.500 --> 00:23:02.899 to support the cleanse officers, 00:23:03.019 --> 00:23:03.420 and you'll be like, 00:23:03.500 --> 00:23:05.319 yes, I'm going to support this. 00:23:07.659 --> 00:23:08.700 Most of us, however, 00:23:08.819 --> 00:23:11.759 our money flows to clothing, 00:23:12.519 --> 00:23:14.039 food, alcohol, 00:23:14.779 --> 00:23:17.039 our cultures, status symbols, 00:23:17.180 --> 00:23:19.200 cars, houses, shiny technology. 00:23:19.200 --> 00:23:22.180 Question your bank statement. 00:23:22.940 --> 00:23:24.580 Where is my money going? 00:23:26.140 --> 00:23:28.840 The third way to identify 00:23:28.840 --> 00:23:30.380 the ultimate thing in our life, 00:23:30.519 --> 00:23:31.240 the fake gods, 00:23:31.779 --> 00:23:33.539 is to see how you respond 00:23:33.539 --> 00:23:34.799 to unanswered prayer. 00:23:35.960 --> 00:23:37.640 What have you been praying for 00:23:37.640 --> 00:23:39.600 that you haven't gotten an answer to? 00:23:40.559 --> 00:23:43.640 Is God the most satisfying? 00:23:43.860 --> 00:23:45.700 Is God the ultimate thing in your life? 00:23:45.700 --> 00:23:48.759 Or are you looking to him 00:23:48.759 --> 00:23:50.160 to give you what you want? 00:23:50.460 --> 00:23:52.180 Is God just someone you pray to 00:23:52.180 --> 00:23:53.700 to get what you want? 00:23:54.140 --> 00:23:55.420 And when you don't get it, 00:23:55.880 --> 00:23:57.940 you respond with despair and anger. 00:23:58.519 --> 00:24:01.019 How do you respond to unanswered prayer? 00:24:02.160 --> 00:24:03.640 And finally, the fourth question 00:24:03.640 --> 00:24:06.360 comes from our uncontrolled emotions. 00:24:07.120 --> 00:24:08.620 If you're angry, ask, 00:24:08.720 --> 00:24:10.779 well, where is my anger coming from? 00:24:11.319 --> 00:24:13.420 Is there something so important to me? 00:24:13.420 --> 00:24:15.279 I will have to have it at all costs. 00:24:16.220 --> 00:24:17.500 If you're fearful, 00:24:18.480 --> 00:24:19.019 ask, 00:24:19.860 --> 00:24:21.240 am I scared 00:24:21.240 --> 00:24:23.560 because the ultimate thing in my life 00:24:23.560 --> 00:24:24.860 is being threatened? 00:24:26.019 --> 00:24:27.420 Ask these four questions. 00:24:27.880 --> 00:24:29.360 What are you daydreaming about? 00:24:29.500 --> 00:24:30.560 Where is your money going? 00:24:30.960 --> 00:24:32.840 What are you praying about? 00:24:34.560 --> 00:24:36.259 And how do you respond to unanswered prayer? 00:24:36.560 --> 00:24:38.220 And where are your painful emotions? 00:24:38.880 --> 00:24:40.300 Ask these four questions 00:24:40.299 --> 00:24:42.899 to find where our idols are hiding 00:24:42.899 --> 00:24:44.319 and then pull them up. 00:24:45.099 --> 00:24:46.220 Question the daydreaming. 00:24:46.879 --> 00:24:48.819 Is loving and putting my trust 00:24:48.819 --> 00:24:50.559 and obeying the pull of this thing 00:24:50.559 --> 00:24:53.139 actually going to make me happy? 00:24:54.000 --> 00:24:56.960 Do I actually have to get this job promotion, 00:24:57.099 --> 00:24:57.659 this thing, 00:24:57.859 --> 00:24:59.639 to feel significant? 00:24:59.640 --> 00:25:02.600 Now, once we pull them up, 00:25:02.720 --> 00:25:05.040 we actually have to replace them 00:25:05.040 --> 00:25:06.920 or new idols will grow. 00:25:07.920 --> 00:25:09.640 They must be replaced with Jesus. 00:25:10.500 --> 00:25:12.300 Paul in Colossians 3 encourages us 00:25:12.300 --> 00:25:14.400 to set our hearts on things above. 00:25:15.580 --> 00:25:17.060 We must move our love 00:25:17.060 --> 00:25:18.500 and our trust and obedience 00:25:18.500 --> 00:25:20.240 of a fake God to Jesus. 00:25:21.420 --> 00:25:23.040 Jesus must become more beautiful 00:25:23.040 --> 00:25:23.940 to our hearts. 00:25:25.040 --> 00:25:26.259 To rejoice in him 00:25:26.259 --> 00:25:27.380 is to treasure him. 00:25:27.380 --> 00:25:29.580 Sit and meditate on him. 00:25:29.900 --> 00:25:31.080 Assess his value. 00:25:32.540 --> 00:25:34.760 That he would be so wonderful 00:25:34.760 --> 00:25:36.680 that he would die for us. 00:25:38.760 --> 00:25:40.740 Reflect on his beauty and importance 00:25:40.740 --> 00:25:42.960 until your heart rests. 00:25:44.220 --> 00:25:45.600 Rejoice in Jesus 00:25:45.600 --> 00:25:47.620 until your heart lets go 00:25:47.620 --> 00:25:49.140 of its grip on idols 00:25:49.140 --> 00:25:52.180 and holds only to Jesus. 00:25:52.180 --> 00:25:55.840 When we worship God 00:25:55.840 --> 00:25:57.960 as the ultimate thing in our lives 00:25:57.960 --> 00:25:59.660 with our love and our trust and obedience, 00:26:00.100 --> 00:26:01.560 then we can have peace. 00:26:02.060 --> 00:26:04.519 When a global financial crisis hits again, 00:26:04.580 --> 00:26:05.720 when another pandemic hits, 00:26:06.120 --> 00:26:08.560 and our health and our wealth are threatened, 00:26:09.759 --> 00:26:11.320 then we will see 00:26:11.320 --> 00:26:13.420 that we can stand secure in Christ 00:26:13.420 --> 00:26:16.259 because he won't be threatened. 00:26:16.980 --> 00:26:18.019 Let me pray for us. 00:26:18.019 --> 00:26:22.980 Heavenly Father, 00:26:23.299 --> 00:26:24.240 Lord, I thank you 00:26:24.240 --> 00:26:27.400 for Revelation 13 and 14. 00:26:28.379 --> 00:26:29.519 Lord, I ask 00:26:29.519 --> 00:26:32.379 that you would help reveal our idols, 00:26:33.019 --> 00:26:33.799 the fake gods 00:26:33.799 --> 00:26:35.139 that we build up in our hearts. 00:26:36.019 --> 00:26:37.480 Lord, fill us with your spirit 00:26:37.480 --> 00:26:39.099 so that you would help us 00:26:39.099 --> 00:26:41.859 to pull out these weeds 00:26:41.859 --> 00:26:44.460 of the things that we worship, 00:26:44.460 --> 00:26:46.920 to replace them 00:26:46.920 --> 00:26:48.640 just with the worship of you, Lord. 00:26:50.340 --> 00:26:51.299 Father, we ask 00:26:51.299 --> 00:26:52.640 that we would do this 00:26:52.640 --> 00:26:54.920 so that you would have 00:26:54.920 --> 00:26:55.640 all the glory, 00:26:55.980 --> 00:26:57.220 that you would have the praise 00:26:57.220 --> 00:26:58.819 every moment of our lives, 00:26:58.840 --> 00:27:00.620 not just when we gather here on Sunday, 00:27:01.880 --> 00:27:03.380 but that you would be praised 00:27:03.380 --> 00:27:05.400 through every moment of our lives, Lord. 00:27:05.940 --> 00:27:06.279 Amen. 00:27:06.279 --> 00:27:06.380 Amen.