Podcasts about Idolatry

Fr. Mike points out how easy it is to take good things and make idols out of them, setting them up as God's rivals for our hearts. We can discover these rivals by noticing the things we prioritize over spending time with God. The readings are 2 Maccabees 13, Wisdom 15-16, and Proverbs 25:15-17. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: The Bible contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.

Canon Stephen Sharpe, ICKSP, serves as Parochial Vicar at St. Joseph Shrine in Detroit, Michigan. He was ordained in 2020. In Today's Show: Why Does God Give Us Unequal Talents? Does the Catholic Church believe in salvation from Jesus Christ? Can altar servers have long hair? How do saints become patrons of certain things? How do we balance being ready for death with being prepared for the future? An explanation of the plenary indulgence Can priests spend their money how they please? Can I eat tarot card-themed cookies? Does God take offense when we look for his existence? Is animal cloning allowed? Living a celibate and honest life What happens when we are stranded and can't attend Mass? Could my love of the Philadelphia Eagles be idolatry?  Visit the show page at thestationofthecross.com/askapriest to listen live, check out the weekly lineup, listen to podcasts of past episodes, watch live video, find show resources, sign up for our mailing list of upcoming shows, and submit your question for Father!

Fr. Mike breaks down the doctrine of purgatory as we read about Judas Maccabeus and his army praying for the dead in 2 Maccabees 12. We learn that purgatory is a process of purification that our hearts need in order to be ready to love God and to enter into his presence. In our reading of Wisdom today, Fr. Mike emphasizes the insanity of worshipping idols and how it's more tempting to make idols out of good things rather than evil things. Today's readings are 2 Maccabees 12, Wisdom 13-14, and Proverbs 25:11-14. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: The Bible contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.

What is the book of Revelation really about? For ages, it has been the source of sensationalism, idolatry, confusion, and end-times predictions. But at its root, it is about the power and worship of the Lamb who was slain. Biblical scholar Michael J. Gorman joins Mark Labberton to explore how Christians can read the book of Revelation with wisdom, faith, and hope rather than fear or sensationalism. Drawing from his book Reading Revelation Responsibly: Uncivil Worship and Witness—Following the Lamb into the New Creation, Gorman offers a reorientation to Revelation's central vision: worshipping the Lamb, resisting idolatrous power, and embodying faithful discipleship in the world. Together they discuss Revelation's misuses in popular culture, its critique of empire and nationalism, and its invitation to follow the crucified and risen Christ into the new creation. Episode Highlights "The book of Revelation is about lamb power—not hyper-religious or political power. It's about absorbing rather than inflicting evil." "This book is for those who are confused by, afraid of, and or preoccupied with the book of Revelation." "We shouldn't look for predictions but for parallels and analogies." "Worship, discipleship, and new creation—that's where Revelation hangs its hat." "At its root, Christian nationalism is a form of idolatry." "The only way to come out of Babylon is to go back into Babylon with new values and new practices." Helpful Links and Resources Reading Revelation Responsibly – https://www.amazon.com/Reading-Revelation-Responsibly-Following-Creation/dp/1606085603/ Reverse Thunder by Eugene Peterson – https://www.amazon.com/Reversed-Thunder-Revelation-Praying-Imagination/dp/0060665033 St. Mary's Seminary & University, Baltimore – https://www.stmarys.edu About Michael J. Gorman Michael J. Gorman is the Raymond E. Brown Professor of Biblical Studies and Theology at St. Mary's Seminary & University in Baltimore, Maryland. A leading New Testament scholar, he is the author of numerous books on Pauline theology and Revelation, including Reading Revelation Responsibly, Cruciformity, and Participating in Christ. Gorman's teaching and writing emphasize Scripture as a call to cruciform discipleship, faithful worship, and the hope of new creation. Show Notes Introducing Reading Revelation Responsibly "This book is for those who are confused by, afraid of, and or preoccupied with the Book of Revelation." "Apocalypse" means revelation, not destruction. Emerging from twenty-five years of study and teaching, aimed at rescuing Revelation from misinterpretation or neglect Growing up amid 1970s end-times obsession—Hal Lindsey's The Late Great Planet Earth and fearful youth-group predictions of the world's end Fear of the book of Revelation until he studied it with Bruce Metzger at Princeton Seminary Why he wrote the book: for people who have been scared or confused by Revelation's misuse Interpretation and misreading the book of Revelation Early questions: Does Revelation predict particular events or people? No predictions, but symbolic speaking into every age "Our task is not to find predictions but to discern parallels and analogies." Warning against mapping Revelation onto modern crises or personalities "When those predictions fail, the book gets sidelined or scoffed at." Keep one foot in the first-century context and one in the present Worship and discipleship The heart of Revelation is worship. "This is a book about worship—and about the object of our worship." Explaining the subtitle: Uncivil Worship and Witness—Following the Lamb into the New Creation "Uncivil worship" contrasts with "civil religion"—worship that refuses to idolize political power Influence from Eugene Peterson's Reverse Thunder and his own teaching at St. Mary's, where Peterson once taught Revelation Worship leads to discipleship: "Those who follow the Lamb wherever he goes." True discipleship mirrors the Lamb's humility and non-violence. The lamb and the meaning of power Interpreting Revelation's vision of the slain and standing Lamb as the key to understanding divine power "The crucified Messiah is the risen Lord—but he remains the crucified one." The Lamb appears twenty-eight times, a symbol of universality and completeness. "Revelation is about lamb power—absorbing rather than inflicting evil." Discipleship is cruciform: following the Lamb's way of self-giving love. The unholy trinity and the danger of idolatry Chapters 12–13 depict the dragon and two beasts—the "unholy trinity" of satanic, imperial, and religious power. "Power gone amok": political, military, and spiritual domination that mimic divinity How true worship resists empire and exposes idolatry Warning against reading these beasts as predictions of the UN or the pope; rather, they reveal recurring alliances of religion and politics "At its root, Christian nationalism is idolatry." When political identity eclipses discipleship, "political power always wins, and faith loses." Faith, politics, and worship today Christian nationalism as a modern form of "civil religion," conflating patriotism with divine will "It's only Christian in name—it lacks Christian substance." Idolatry is not limited to one side: "It permeates the left, the right, and probably the centre." Labberton agrees: false worship is endemic wherever self-interest and fear shape our loves. Both stress that Revelation calls the church to worship the Lamb, not the state. "Revelation critiques all human systems of false worship." Revelation's goal: Not destruction, but new creation "Destruction is penultimate—cleansing the way for renewal." Believers already live as citizens of that new creation. "The only way to come out of Babylon is to go back into Babylon with new values and new practices." Communal, not merely individual, discipleship: "Revelation is written to churches, not just believers." Reinterpreting Revelation 3:20: Jesus knocking isn't an altar call to unbelievers but Christ seeking re-entry into his own church. "Jesus always wants to come back in." Living revelation today Spirituality of hope, not fear or withdrawal "Reading Revelation responsibly means engaging the world through worship and witness." How true worship is dangerous because it transforms our allegiance. "Following the Lamb into the new creation is the church's act of resistance." Conclusion: "Worthy is the Lamb." Production Credits Conversing is produced and distributed in partnership with Comment magazine and Fuller Seminary.  

Cloaking Idolatry as Faithfulness | Jeff White | November 2, 2025https://www.newcityep.com

Ancient Roots of LIfe Episode 24Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/jt-s-mix-tape--6579902/support.Please support our sponsor Modern Roots Life: https://modernrootslife.com/?bg_ref=rVWsBoOfcFJESUS SAID THERE WOULD BE HATERS Shirts: https://jtfollowsjc.com/product-category/mens-shirts/WOMEN'S SHIRTS: https://jtfollowsjc.com/product-category/womens-shirts/

Listen to this week's sermon, In the Wilderness preached by Pastoral Resident Kenneth Dyches from Numbers 22 and 23.

This sermon explores the Ten Plagues (Exodus 7-10), one of the most iconic and disturbing parts of Exodus. The plagues are not random acts of anger but a deliberate act of revelation, raising questions about God's justice, His purpose, and the hardening of Pharaoh's heart.Scripture ReferencesExodus 7:4-5: God's stated purpose: "The Egyptians will know that I am the Lord."Exodus 9:15-16: God tells Pharaoh He could have struck him down at once, but "raised you up to show you my power, so that my name may be proclaimed in all the earth."Exodus 12:12: "On all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments. I am the Lord."Exodus 12:38: A "mixed group" (including Egyptians) left with Israel.1 Corinthians 10:19-20: What pagans sacrifice, "they offer to demons and not to God."2 Peter 3:9: "The Lord is not slow... but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance."Exodus 15:11: Israel's response: "Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods?"Key PointsThe Purpose of the Plagues: Revelation The plagues are an act of revelation. God's primary stated purpose is "so that the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord." This revelation comes in three forms: Revelation (Yahweh is superior to all gods), Rescue (He fights for His people), and Retribution (He fights against the wicked oppressor).Why Ten Plagues? A Patient Judgment God explicitly says He could have wiped Pharaoh out with one plague. He "raised Pharaoh up" to demonstrate His power to the entire world. This "slowness" was an act of patience (cf. 2 Peter 3:9). It turned up the volume, allowing more people—even a "mixed multitude" of Egyptians—to witness His power, repent, and join the rescue.A War on the "Gods" of Egypt God wasn't just fighting Pharaoh; He was executing judgment "on all the gods of Egypt." This was a supernatural war against the demonic forces behind the idols (1 Cor. 10:20). Each plague was a targeted attack on a specific Egyptian deity (e.g., Plague 1, Blood, attacked Hapi, the god of the Nile; Plague 2, Frogs, attacked Hecate, the frog-headed fertility goddess).The Hardened Heart The text shows a progression: Pharaoh hardens his own heart, then God hardens it. Pharaoh, a wicked ruler, had already chosen his path. God then sovereignly used that stubbornness for His greater purpose: to display His glory to the nations so that more people could be saved.ConclusionThe Egyptians weren't the only ones with false gods. We have our own idols: success, money, power, independence, and the god of self. Sometimes, God must make war on our gods, exposing our false securities and tearing down the things we trust in. He does this not to destroy us, but to expose our idols until all we have left is Him. This is where true worship begins.Calls to ActionIdentify Your Idols: What "gods" (security, success, self) are you trusting in?See God's Hand: If your "gods" are failing, consider if God is making war on them to draw you to Himself.Worship the One True God: Respond as the Israelites did: "Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods?" Support the show*Summaries and transcripts are generated using AI. Please notify us if you find any errors.

Sermon from Exodus 32 in St. Charles, IL

A Sermon for All Saints' Day St. Matthew 5:1-12 by William Klock What does it mean to be “blessed”?  In today's Gospel we hear St. Matthew's telling of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount—or the beginning of it, at any rate.  Blessed is this person and blessed is that person.  But what does it mean to be blessed?  And what's Jesus really getting at with this list: being poor in spirit, mournful, meek, merciful, and so on?  And who is the promise of blessing for?  This past Monday I found myself listening to a sermon by one of these woke, “exvangelical” guys whose ministry is about walking people through the deconstruction of their faith.  If you haven't come across it yet, “deconstruction” is a trendy euphemism for apostasy.  You throw away all the bits of Christianity that you can't harmonise with the secular world, leaving behind a gospelless gospel—like the security blanket I had as a toddler.  I wouldn't get rid of it, so my mom slowly cut it down, a little bit at a time until all I had was a little bit of fabric I could hold.  It wasn't a blanket anymore, but for some silly reason I still found security in it.  These folks do that with the gospel.  This preacher was preaching on the Sermon on the Mount and he started out by holding up Mohandas Gandhi as the one man who followed Jesus better than anyone else in the Twentieth Century.  Gandhi heard these words of Jesus and faithfully followed him.  Never mind that he was also a devout Hindu.  This preacher reduced the Sermon on the Mount to a bracing ethic.  It's Jesus teaching us how to be good and, through that, how to make the world a better place.  It doesn't really matter, he said, if you're Christian or Jewish or Muslim or Buddhist.  Jesus just wanted people to live this way and in doing so, we'll know the blessings of a better world.  He took the gospel and turned it into law.  And not even a good law.  The Old Testament law—the torah—has a lot more gospel to it than I think we often realise.  At its heart was that first and greatest commandment: You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.  The God who reveals himself in the scriptures.  Not Zeus or Jupiter.  Not the gods of Gandhi's Hindu pantheon.  Not Mohammed's corruption of the biblical God.  Only the God who has made himself known through the law and the prophets, the evangelists and apostles, and most of all through his son, Jesus the Messiah.  Without love for him, no amount of loving your neighbour as yourself will truly heal the hurts of the world.  There is no blessing apart from him—and, more specifically, apart from loving him with all our being. Why?  Because it was our rejection of him that brought sin and death into the world in the first place.  Idolatry—whether it's the worship of false gods or the worship of ourselves—idolatry is the first sin from which all the others and all the world's misery cascade.  This is why God's gracious plan to set his creation to rights began as he reestablished our relationship with him. If we look to the scriptures we see that blessing comes through being in relationship with the God of Israel.  Specifically—because “relationship” is such a squishy modern idea—specifically blessing comes through being in covenant with him.  Think of Abraham.  The Lord established a covenant with him.  The Lord promised Abraham a family and a land and great name.  In a word: blessing.  In return Abraham was to trust him—to live by faith and to give the Lord his allegiance.  And, centuries later, when the Lord delivered Israel from slavery in Egypt, consider what he did.  He revealed his glory by defeating Pharoah, his army, and his gods.  He revealed his glory in signs and wonders the likes of which no one had ever seen.  And then he met his people at Mt. Sinai.  He made them a promise: to make them great, to give them a land, and most important of all, to live in their midst.  Their end of the covenant—their promise to God—was embodied in the law.  Like Abraham, they were to live by faith and obedience and to give him their full allegiance—to love him with all their being and to love their neighbours as themselves.  And not just for their own benefit.  The Lord had a greater purpose.  He wanted the nations not only to see his glory, but for them to see the blessing that comes through living in fellowship with him. And so, before he died, as Israel was encamped in Moab and ready to cross the Jordan River to conquer Canaan, Moses assembled the people and reiterated the covenant.  “If you faithfully obey the voice of the Lord your God, if you carefully do all his commandments, the Lord will set you high above the other nations…Blessed shall you be in the city and blessed shall you be in the field.  Blessed shall be the fruit of your womb…and blessed shall be your basket and kneading bowl.  Blessed shall you be when you come in and blessed shall you be when you go out.”  And Moses reminded them that this was no mere “duty”.  This was no mere exchange of works in return for a declaration of righteousness.  This was grace.  Through Moses, the Lord reminded the people of all he'd done for them.  He'd rescued them from Egypt.  He'd defeated Pharaoh.  He'd done signs and wonders.  Their clothes had not worn out.  He'd provided every last morsel of food that they'd eaten for forty years.  All so that they would know that “I am the Lord your God”.  In other words, to reveal his love, his grace, his glory, and above all else his faithfulness—to enter into relationship with them and to give them every reason to have faith in him and to give him their allegiance.  To keep the law was to live by faith in the character and promises of God—to love him in return for his love. And this theme rings through Israel's history and Israel's scriptures.  This is what blessing means in the biblical economy.  Think of David's words in Psalm 1: “Blessed is the man that hath not walked in the counsel of the ungodly, not stood in the way of sinners, and hath not sat in the seat of the scornful.  But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law will he exercise himself day and night.  And he will be like a tree planted by the waterside, that will bring forth his fruit in due season.”  The prophets use this same language of blessing when they rebuke Israel for having strayed from the Lord.  Blessing isn't just some nebulous idea of things being good—as a lot of people use it today.  Blessing is about creation—and humanity—being set to rights.  If you want to picture “blessing” in your mind's eye, picture Adam and Eve, in the garden, all their needs provided, as they faithfully steward God's creation and live in his immediate presence.  Brothers and Sisters, that's blessing.  David wasn't posting #blessed on Instagram with a picture of his pumpkin spice latte next to the fireplace.  For David it was #blessed with a picture of the tabernacle radiating the visible presence of the Lord in the midst of a people serving and loving and taking care of each other. This is what we've got to have in mind as we listen to Jesus begin to preach his great sermon in Matthew 5.  And we have to remember that it wasn't the reality that Israel knew.  This is why the people were so desperate for the Messiah.  The world is not as it should be.  Israel was most definitely not as it was supposed to be.  They wanted to know God's blessing—not just in the sense of material prosperity—above all, they longed for his presence.  And so, Matthew writes, “Seeing the crowd, Jesus went up the hillside and sat down.  His disciples came to him.  And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. Do you want to see God's kingdom, to know him as Father, to know creation set to rights, your sins forgiven, and your tears wiped away?  This is the way.  And it's not a set of ethical guidelines.  Too often we think of it that way.  It's character.  It's a mindset.  It's the character and the mindset of men and women who know desperately that the world is not as it should be.  But not just that.  Gandhi knew well enough that the world is not as it should be.  This is, first and foremost, the mindset of people who know the world as it should be is centred on the living God who created and sustains all things and us living joyfully, lovingly, and faithfully in his presence.  This is the mindset of people who have that image of Adam and Eve in the garden walking with the Lord in the cool of the day in their mind's eye and the longing of their hearts.  It's the mindset of people who have that image of tabernacle full of God's presence in the middle of a people who love him with all their being and their neighbours as themselves. And so it's the mindset of men and women who are not only outraged over sin and evil and longing for God's justice to fall on the people who have done them wrong.  It's the mindset of men and women who know that they've done wrong themselves—who know their own poverty of spirit.  Of men and women who mourn not only the sinful state of the world around them, but who also mourn their own sinfulness and the contributions they've made to the world's sick and sorry state.  It's the mindset of men and women who are meek, because they know that pride and selfishness do nothing more than deepen the world's darkness—who know that pride and selfishness are rooted in the very idolatry that drives God to the margins.  It is the mindset of men and women who, knowing the injustice and the unrighteousness of this broken world, hunger and thirst for God's justice and righteousness.  They long for his return as king to bring an end to evil and to rule with justice, because they know that we can never fix the world on our own and in our own power.  It is the mindset of those who are have known God's mercy and are therefore merciful themselves.  Of those who understand the ugliness of sin and idolatry and run from it, who are pure in heart.  It's the mindset of men and women who know the story and know of God's grace and how he loves sinners and desires above all else to be reconciled with them, and so they themselves become peacemakers and reconcilers. I don't think Jesus' list here is by any means exhaustive.  He preached this sermon more than once.  I expect he preached some version of it just about everywhere he went and it was a little different every time, which is what we see in the parallel passage in Luke's Gospel, where the list of beatitudes is shorter and a little different.  Jesus is describing a mindset using characteristics that resonated with his fellow Jews in that specific time and place.  These were the attitudes needed to counter the problems that infected First Century Israel.  Notably, these are all characteristics deeply rooted in Israel's prophetic tradition.  And I can't help but wonder if he learned this mindset, this character from his mother.  She sang her song, the one we call Magnificat and sing at Evening Prayer, when Elizabeth blessed her on hearing the news she was pregnant with the Messiah.  I wonder if Mary sang that song to Jesus when he was a boy, because we can hear echoes of it in his beatitudes: “My soul doth magnify the Lord and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.  For he hath regarded the lowliness of his hand-maiden.  For behold, from henceforth all generations shall call be blessed.  For he that is mighty hath magnified me and holy is his name.  And his mercy is on them that fear him through all generations.  He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.  He hath put down the mighty from their set and hath exalted the humble and meek.  He hath filled the hungry with good things and the rich he hath sent empty away.  He remembering his mercy hath holpen his servant Israel as he promised to our forefathers, Abraham and his seed, forever.”  Can you hear the echoes? But that's not the end of Jesus' beatitudes.  There are two more and I think they give us the key to how this works.  In verses 10-12 he continues: “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of justice [or righteousness—the Greek word means both and there's no easily drawn line between justice and righteousness], for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  Blessed are you when people slander you and persecute you and say all kinds of wicked things about you falsely because of me.  Celebrate and rejoice!  There's a great reward for you in heaven.  For that's how they persecuted the prophets who went before you.” And as we read that we should start to realise that while Jesus is talking about “them”, what he's also doing is outlining his own vocation and ministry.  Jesus would stand weeping over Jerusalem, mourning the unfaithfulness of his people and the judgement that was hurtling towards them like a freight train.  He would let himself be arrested and then stand, unresisting and refusing to retaliate or even to defend himself as he was mocked and spit on and beaten to within an inch of his life.  He would, beaten and bloodied, carry his own cross through the streets of Jerusalem and out to Golgotha.  His clothes would be stripped from him by the soldiers.  And as he breathed his last and died, one of those very soldiers would declare, “Surely this man was the son of God.” We think that when God comes to set the world to rights he'll send in the cavalry.  Most of the Jews in Jesus' day thought the same thing.  The Messiah would come like David, riding at the head of a great army to crush the heads of the Gentiles.  But instead the Messiah went humbly to Calvary.  He let sin and death rise up to their full height and strike him down so that when he rose from the grave three days later, he crushed the serpent's head and overturned the victory of sin and death. Brothers and Sisters, this is how God takes his throne and sets the world to rights.  This is how Jesus becomes Lord.  This is how blessing comes.  In poverty and meekness, bringing mercy and making peace.  And giving his life for the sake of his enemies.  Because any other way would simply perpetuate the very things you and I have done to get the world into the mess it's in. And now that Jesus has done it, our calling as his people is to keep doing it.  As St. Paul says, we're to have the mind of the Messiah.  This mindset has always been the mindset of the faithful people of God and it will be until the mission is one day done.  I suppose if he wanted to, God could simply save his people from their bondage, set the world to rights, and set them free to live in it, but that's not how he does things.  From the beginning he created Adam and Eve to bear his image—that means to be his stewards, to act as the priests of his temple.  And so when he delivered Israel from Egypt, he showed the people his glory and gave them reason to love and trust and obey him.  He established a covenant with them.  He took up his dwelling in their midst so that they would be his light in the midst of a dark world—so that the nations would see and come to give him glory.  He made them stewards of his glory and his grace.  And, Brothers and Sisters, in Jesus he has done the same for us. I started slowly reading through Ephesians this week—which might give you a hint of things to come—and the first thing I was struck by in the very first chapter was how, over and over, Paul proclaims the glory of God that has been revealed in Jesus and the Spirit—and that is also revealed in us.  I couldn't help but think how Jesus goes on after the Beatitudes: “You are the salt of the earth…You are the light of the world.  A city can't be hidden if it's on top of a hill…That's how you must shine your light in front of people!  Then they will see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.  This is what we see at the end of Revelation: the nations seeing the glory of God revealed in Jesus and his church and streaming to the New Jerusalem to worship him.  Brothers and Sisters, God's glory revealed in us, because he's made us new, and God's glory revealed by us, as we go to live and to proclaim his new creation. It is no easy task, but it is the only way to know and to make known God's blessing.  We go out, knowing our own poverty of spirit, but also the riches of God's grace.  We go out meek and mourning, but also knowing the joy of being coheirs with the King.  We go out hungering and thirsting for justice, but we do so having experienced mercy ourselves.  We go out to battle, paradoxically, with the intent to reconcile.  And as we do this, we also transpose this Messiah-like character into the key necessary to meet our own culture.  In a world of ugliness where truth is now defined as whatever we want it to be and politicians try to win our loyalty with lies and appeals to our greed, we go out knowing that blessed are those who hunger and thirst for truth, beauty, and goodness.  In a culture obsessed with consumption and debt, we go out knowing that blessed are those who are satisfied with the riches of God.  However we do it, Brothers and Sisters, our calling is to go out into the world as light in the darkness, knowing and confident on the one hand that Jesus is Lord and has won the battle, but also going out with the same humility of spirit that took him to the cross.  Knowing that when God rides out to war to set the world to rights, it's not with the cavalry, but to the humility of Calvary.  So, too, must it be with us. Let us pray: O almighty God, you have knit together your elect in one communion and fellowship in the mystical body of your Son Christ our Lord: Give us grace so to follow your blessed saints in all virtuous and godly living, that we may come to those inexpressible joys that you have prepared for those who truly love you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting.  Amen.

Why does the Bible condemn idolatry?Is idolatry still a problem today? If so, how can we avoid it?IdolatryOutline | Conversation

Battle Plan - What if I told you that the Bible teaches that certain things actually defile the land itself? It's true! Tune in to this series to learn what they are and how to pray about it. This episode covers Idolatry. Active-Faith.org https://active-faith.org/taking-ground https://active-faith.org/active-faith... https://active-faith.org/donate/ take back territory, expel evil, and heal through spiritual growth

1 view Oct 17, 2025 The Battle Plan PodcastBattle Plan - What if I told you that the Bible teaches that certain things actually defile the land itself? It's true! Tune in to this series to learn what they are and how to pray about it. This episode covers Idolatry. Active-Faith.org https://active-faith.org/taking-ground https://active-faith.org/active-faith... https://active-faith.org/donate/ take back territory, expel evil, and heal through spiritual growth

❤️   Idolatry and carnality are barriers that we put up, but God decides to love us in spite of it. If you look elsewhere in the Bible, you will see there is a better example of a relationship.   #KingdomSpeak #Podcast  #SongOfSongs

Israel was a covenant nation under God. As a people, they were to be Holy, set apart, and these are the rules He has established, including the consequences for breaking those rules.02:32 - clarification on a point made in last week's study (Leviticus 19.12-37) dealing with immigration in the United States and not “mistreating the foreigner residing among us” - Lev 19.33-34.03:22 - what is the two-fold sense of scripture?06:50 - Do we have to follow all of the laws that are outlined in Leviticus?06:50 - What are the different kinds of laws in Leviticus and which should we follow today? Moral Laws - These laws are timeless and should be followed today. These laws reflect God's character. Each of the laws that qualify as a “moral law” is reaffirmed and restated in the New Testament. A few examples of these types of laws include: Idolatry - 1 Cor 6.9-10; 10.14; Adultery - Matt 5.27-28; and Sexual immorality - 1 Cor 6.18, 1 Thes 4.3, Eph 5.3 and Gal 5.Ceremonial Laws - These laws symbolize separation from paganism and are not binding for today but are useful for understanding holiness (being set apart). Examples of these laws include eating clean and unclean animals and how an Israelite was to cut their hair (Lev 19.28). We are not called to follow these laws today. Here are a few New Testament perspectives on these laws: Mat 15.10-11 and Rom 14.14-18.Civil/Judicial Laws - These are laws related to the governance of the Theocracy of Israel in its day. These laws include punishments such as stoning and burning, as well as being isolated from the community. An example of this is the punishment for adultery (as stated in Lev 20.10) of stoning. John 8.1-11 shows Jesus' perspective on this punishment. See also 1 Peter 2.11-17 and Galatians 520:42 - Leviticus 20.1-5 - Child Sacrifices to Molek. Included in this discussion are Bible verses: Lev 18.21 as well as Deu 12.31, 18.10; Jer 7.31, 32.35 and 2 Kings 16.3, 21.6. Watch the full video on Leviticus 18: https://youtu.be/UZ_fjQI65o823:14 - Leviticus 20.6 & 27 - Spiritists and mediums. Included in this discussion are Bible verses: Lev 19.26 & .31, as well as Eph 6.12.24:30 - Leviticus 20.7-8 & 22-24 - Consecrate yourselves and be holy. God calls the Israelites to be set apart, as he does for us today as well. Bible verses discussed: Exo 3.8 and Gen 15.16.28:28 - Leviticus 20.9 - Cursing father or Mother. We covered this when we spoke on Lev 19.3. Also mentioned are Bible verses: Ex 20.12, Eph 6.2-3 and Pro 1.8; 6.20; 23.22. Watch the Lev 19 video: https://youtu.be/ATXH9Y7fp4829:15 - Leviticus 20.10-21 - Punishments for Sexual Immorality. Watch the video on Leviticus 18, as we cover these topics in-depth: https://youtu.be/UZ_fjQI65o834:18 - Leviticus 20.25-26 - Clean and unclean animals. Included Bible verses in this discussion Lev 11, Acts 11.4-18 and Mark 7.14-19. Watch the full Leviticus 11 video: https://youtu.be/fjzhjBUuLpo37:32 - Closing questions:Are you able to love your neighbor despite their political perspectives?How can you show Christ's love to someone you don't agree with or who is an enemy? Support Iron Sheep Ministries: https://Ironsheep.org/donateListen to the podcast: https://anchor.fm/ironsheepContact Dave & the ISM team: info@ironsheep.orgJoin the email list: http://eepurl.com/g-2zAD

Send us a textWhat does the church look like when it reflects the truth of Scripture? Inspired by Tauren Wells' song Let The Church Sing, I explore the “one” statements in Ephesians 4 and the declarations of God's uniqueness in Jeremiah and Isaiah. This episode is a call to meditate deeply on God's character and to examine whether we've allowed our structures, traditions, or programs to become idols in our worship.Key PointsUnity in the Church: The lyrics of the song reflect the “one” statements in Ephesians 4, emphasizing one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God.Meditation Over Efficiency: Biblical meditation is a slow, deliberate process that contrasts with our culture's obsession with productivity. It invites us to linger in God's Word and allow it to shape us.Striving vs. Surrender: Michelle shares her personal journey from striving through achievement to surrender through meditation, especially during a wilderness season in her life.Idolatry in Modern Church Structures: Drawing from Jeremiah and Isaiah, the episode explores how even well-intentioned church structures, programs, and traditions can become idols if they replace true worship of God.God's Unmatched Greatness: Scripture repeatedly declares that there is no one like our God. This truth is central to both the song and the episode's message.Reorienting Worship: The call is to fix our eyes on God, not on the “scarecrows in the cucumber field” — the false idols and distractions that draw us away from Him.Bible Interaction Tool Exercises (BITEs)Meditation – Slow down and linger in God's Word.Repetition – Read and re-read passages to internalize truth.Read in context – Don't isolate verses; read surrounding passages.Start with God – Focus on His character, conduct, and concerns.Compare translations – Gain deeper understanding through varied wording.Make a list – Identify characteristics of God from the text.Additional ResourcesDownload the free Episode GuideFaith Behind The Song: 'Let The Church Sing' Tauren Wells - Air1.com ArticleBible Interaction Roadmap Bible Study - videos and assignments that will equip you with habits you can use over and over in your own Bible Study - Learn MoreLearn more about my favorite Bible Study Software with a 30-day free trial and links to my favorite Bible resources - Logos Bible Software Affiliate LinkThis Week's ChallengeRead Jeremiah 10 and keep on reading. Recognize that God is very concerned with anything that sets itself up to take the highest place of honor and worship. Prayerfully ask God to reveal if there is anything in your heart, mind, or life that you are expecting to deliver you that is ANYTHING but God Himself. Meditate on God and the ways there is no one like Him. And stop putting up with anything less than HIM.Purchase your copy of A Seat at the Table today! Change your music. Change your life. Join my free 30-Day Music Challenge. CLICK HERE.

We live in a world that never seems to slow down. Deadlines, family demands, and constant notifications all compete for our attention.But what if God designed rest—not just work—as being essential to our flourishing? Today, we're talking with Tom Nelson about the Sabbath, why it matters, and how it can transform the way we live and trust God.Dr. Tom Nelson is the President of Made to Flourish and has served as the Senior Pastor of Christ Community Church, a multi-site congregation across Kansas City, for over 30 years. He is also the author of Why Your Work Matters: How God Uses Our Everyday Vocations to Transform Us, Our Neighbors, and the World.God's Design for Both Work and RestFrom the very first pages of Scripture, we see that God's creation design includes both work and rest. These are not competing ideas but complementary rhythms woven into what it means to bear God's image. Yet in our culture, it's easy to emphasize one and neglect the other. We celebrate hard work—and rightly so—but often ignore the equally important gift of rest.Genesis 2 begins not with human work, but with divine rest. “By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested” (Genesis 2:2). God didn't rest because He was weary. He rested to delight in His creation and to model for us a rhythm of life that mirrors His own.Sabbath is a gift. It's not an obstacle to productivity but an invitation to communion with our Creator. From the Garden of Eden to the Ten Commandments, from Jesus' ministry to the promise of the new creation, the thread of Sabbath runs through the entire story of Scripture.When we honor that rhythm—six days of labor and one day of holy rest—we experience an echo of Eden and a foretaste of eternity, when we will work and rest in perfect harmony with God.Rediscovering Sabbath as a GiftGod designed us for a relationship with Himself and with one another. Sabbath helps us recalibrate those relationships. It reorders our hearts around love, not accomplishment. The Triune God invites us to rest so that our hearts might be re-centered on intimacy with Him rather than on our own achievements.That's what Sabbath is really about: not simply stopping our work, but remembering who sustains it. It reminds us that the primary calling of our lives is not to do for God, but to be with God.For many of us, we may see Sabbath as optional—something good in theory but impossible in practice. However, neglecting rest affects our spiritual formation, our relationships, and even our physical and emotional health.Sabbath is not a duty; it's a grace. It's not legalism; it's life. Sabbath is God's way of teaching us to steward not just our resources, but our time. We often speak of stewarding our time, talent, and treasure, yet forget that time itself is one of God's greatest gifts.We may think of Sabbath as “rest from work,” but we should really view it as “work from rest.” Our week should flow out of the rest we receive—not the other way around.Guarding Against the Idolatry of WorkOur work matters deeply to God. But like all good things, it can become disordered. When we place our identity, meaning, or security in what we accomplish, work becomes an idol. Sabbath protects us from that idolatry.By resting, we declare that God—not our productivity—sustains the world. Sabbath breaks the cycle of self-reliance and teaches us to trust the One who never sleeps. It frees us to delight in beauty, to nurture relationships, and to experience renewal in body and soul.Many people say, “That sounds wonderful, but you don't know my schedule.” Between raising children, leading organizations, and building businesses, the idea of a day of rest can feel unrealistic.But Sabbath is not a test of devotion—it's an act of grace. Jesus said, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27). God gives us this rhythm for our good. So start small. Begin with an afternoon. Disconnect from technology. Step away from the endless noise and hurry. Give your soul permission to breathe.As you do, you'll find that rest becomes not a luxury, but a necessity. You'll also discover that Sabbath rhythms bear witness to a watching world—an act of quiet evangelism declaring that our trust is in God's provision, not our own effort.A Practical Picture of SabbathFor many, Sunday naturally serves as a Sabbath—a day centered on corporate worship and community. Begin the day in God's Word. Gather with your church family to worship and remember the gospel. Then build the rest of the day around delight: time with loved ones, enjoying nature, sharing meals, or simply slowing down.Sabbath isn't about inactivity; it's about being present—to God, to others, and to the world He made. It's a day of delight, not productivity—a time to remember that we are human beings, not human doings.Without Sabbath, those we love often receive only our leftovers—whatever energy remains after six days of striving. But when rest becomes part of our rhythm, our relationships deepen. We offer the people closest to us not exhaustion, but joy.Sadly, when people face burnout or relational breakdown, Sabbath is almost always missing. Rest is essential to wholeness.Ultimately, Sabbath points us to Jesus Himself—the Lord of the Sabbath. He invites us, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). That invitation is not just for a day each week—it's for every day of our lives.When we rest, we remember that the world is not upheld by our effort but by His grace. True rest is not found in the absence of work but in the presence of Christ.On Today's Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:Our new community ministry is only about 25% funded right now, but we'd really like to launch it in a biblically sound way. As a leadership team, how should we move forward with that?A debt settlement counselor is offering to settle $36,000 of debt for $29,000, with monthly payments of $575 over 52 months. That adds up to just $29,000 total. Is this legitimate—or does it sound like a scam?Resources Mentioned:Faithful Steward: FaithFi's New Quarterly Magazine (Become a FaithFi Partner)Made to FlourishWhy Your Work Matters: How God Uses Our Everyday Vocations to Transform Us, Our Neighbors, and the World by Dr. Tom NelsonChristian Credit CounselorsWisdom Over Wealth: 12 Lessons from Ecclesiastes on MoneyLook At The Sparrows: A 21-Day Devotional on Financial Fear and AnxietyRich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich FoolFind a Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA) or Certified Christian Financial Counselor (CertCFC)FaithFi App Remember, you can call in to ask your questions most days at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on the Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. Visit our website at FaithFi.com where you can join the FaithFi Community and give as we expand our outreach. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Poverty is satanic. God has never intended for his children to struggle as a way of life.If you've been feeling stuck in cycles of struggle or wondering about God's promises for provision and prosperity, this message is for you. Dr. Gabriel Allen Powell explores how disobedience, idolatry, and self-focus can block prosperity. He encourages listeners to embrace God's principles of giving, obedience, and faith for a life of true abundance.Support the showText encounteratl to 94000 to stay up-to-date on all things Encounter.Worship with EncounterSundays at 9 AM ET | Wednesdays at 7:30 PM ETSupport EncounterText egive to 77977 Connect with EncounterFacebook | Instagram | TikTok | YouTube | WebsiteConnect with Dr. GabeInstagram | YouTube | Website

Send us a textWhat you worship will shape the whole arc of your life. We open the door with the five solas—Scripture alone, faith alone, grace alone, Christ alone, to the glory of God alone—and then linger on Soli Deo Gloria, where everyday choices become an offering and ordinary moments become a stage for God's goodness. From Martin Luther's conviction to our city streets, we connect history's rallying cry with the modern heart.Walking through Acts 17, we follow Paul into Athens and its forest of idols, where an altar to the “unknown god” becomes the key to a deeper truth: the Creator who needs nothing gives everything—life, breath, boundaries, seasons—and has come near in Jesus Christ. That nearness reframes our pursuits. Idolatry isn't only stone and gold; it can be image, achievement, comfort, even religious success. We talk about how to spot those quiet rivals and re-center our loves, not by despising good things, but by returning every gift to its Giver.We share three practical takeaways on worship that hold up under pressure: worship aligns us with God's purposes, worship celebrates Christ's transforming work in us, and worship compels daily obedience. Along the way, we draw from Tozer, Lewis, and Spurgeon, and we offer a clear invitation to trust Jesus—confessing with the mouth and believing in the heart—as the way into a restored life with God. If you're ready to trade restlessness for meaning and noise for glory, press play, lean in, and consider what needs to come off the throne.If this encouraged you, follow the show, share it with a friend who's searching, and leave a review to help others find these conversations. What rival love will you lay down this week?Cornerstonehttps://www.cornerstoneaz.org/Follow Jesushttps://www.cornerstoneaz.org/follow-...Life Groups https://www.cornerstoneaz.org/life-gr...Giving https://cornerstoneaz.churchcenter.co...Church Center App - Download then add Cornerstone Christian Center in Avondale, AZiOShttps://itunes.apple.com/us/app/my-ch...Android https://play.google.com/store/apps/de...----Instagram cornerstoneaz Facebook cornerstoneaz.org Twitter cornerstoneaz.org

When life gets hard, it can feel like God has stepped away. Elijah faced this reality as Israel fell deeper into sin under King Ahab and Jezebel's influence. Yet even in a nation drowning in idolatry and personal heartbreak—like the death of the widow's son—God was still near. This episode explores what happens when we feel distant from God, how our obedience or disobedience affects His presence in our lives, and how Christ reminds us that love and obedience go hand in hand.

In 1 John 5:21, John ends his profound letter with a brief but significant warning: “Little children, keep yourselves from idols.” This single sentence gives us an opportunity to address idolatry in a biblical manner, bringing clarity to a subject that has become deeply confusing for many Christians today. Through years of ministry and walking […]

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Reformation Sunday

In this message Terry Timm, we explore the words of the prophet Isaiah, which encourage us to remember our true identity and relationship with God rather than placing trust in materialistic or superficial idols. By examining modern-day prophets like Walter Brueggemann, Beth Moore, and Mako Fujimura, Timm illustrates the ongoing need for prophetic voices that challenge dominant societal and religious idols, reminding the church to return to God and rejoice in God's redemption.

Sermon: 10-26-25 - "Sacrificial Leadership: Justifying Idolatry” - 1 Kings 12:25-33 - Pastor Sean Dougherty. The Sunday morning sermon of First Baptist Church of Kearney, Nebraska.  

God Fights for You — Review of Lesson #5 of the 4th Quarter of 2025 -The Sabbath School Lesson study guide can be found here:— https://ssnet.org/lessons/25d/less05.html— https://www.adultbiblestudyguide.org/archives— https://sabbath-school.adventech.io/enThe title of this quarter's theme is: Second Chances: The Book of JoshuaFor the next 13 weeks (October to December 2025), we will look at the transition from Moses to Joshua as the visible leader of Israel, who leads the Children of Israel into the Promised Land of Canaan.Related Podcasts:— Some Thoughts on the Doctrine of Free Will— What Exactly is the Great Controversy, Anyway?— Choose Ye This Day— The Foreknowledge Conundrum— God's Ways are Not Our WaysRelated Podcasts at TrueWisdom:— The Battle is the Lord's— Opening Their Eyes— Who Is Like God?Text UsSupport the showSend questions or comments to: BibleQuestions@ASBzone.comThe Key Principles of Effective Bible Study is a resource which outlines core concepts shown in the Scriptures that will help you to better understand many Biblical themes and doctrines. We have an extended, 24-part podcast series on these principles, and a condensed, 9-part series called God's Precious Word, that is based on the same resource. We also recommend that you check out the True Wisdom podcast which I co-host with Robert Baker -- a different format for Bible Study. Finally, check out these awesome Bible Maps! We pray that all of these resources will be very helpful to you in your Bible Studies.

In today's devotional, Dr. Michael A. Youssef calls us to surrender all our idols to Christ.If you would like more insight into today's devotional topic, listen to Dr. Michael A. Youssef's sermon Life at Its Best, Part 9: LISTEN NOWFOR YOUR GIFT OF ANY AMOUNTFor those who feel battle-worn—disheartened by society's moral decline, burdened for their children and grandchildren, weary from fighting the same battles—Dr. Michael A. Youssef's NEW book Winning the Invisible Waroffers timely hope. Speaking directly to those wondering if evil is winning, Dr. Youssef assures us although the war isn't over, victory is already secured in Christ. With Biblical clarity and pastoral compassion, he reminds readers that we can stand strong—not in our own strength, but in the strength of the Lord. Pre-order your copy today for your gift of any amount!*Offer valid in US, UK, and Canada through November 10, 2025.

Why are Republicans celebrating Diwali? Is marriage a good antidote to pornography usage? Is it biblical for ladies to do their own Bible study? We address these topics and more on this episode!Join me for the livestream every Thursday at 5 PM AZ: https://x.com/gabrielhudelsonhttps://youtube.com/@gabriel_hudelson http://gabrielhudelson.com

We live in a world obsessed with applause, where even our best intentions can quietly turn into performances for the eyes of others. Ray, E.Z., Mark, and Oscar remind believers that the desire to be seen and celebrated is not a minor issue but a heart-level struggle rooted in idolatry. From the beginning, humanity has longed for affirmation apart from God, but Scripture teaches that proper approval comes only from Him. Until we become nothing in our own eyes, God cannot fully display His power through us. The temptation to seek the praise of men lurks in every heart, and even in ministry, it is easy to drift from pleasing God to performing for people.The guys reflect on how easily preaching can become a stage. When props replace Scripture or humor overshadows truth, the message risks becoming entertainment rather than exposition. While creativity, stories, and illustrations can be powerful tools, the heart behind them must be examined. If the goal is applause or attention, the focus has shifted from Christ to self. The battle against showmanship begins in prayer, as we ask God to cleanse our motives and align our hearts with His glory. A faithful preacher studies diligently, prepares with reverence, and views each sermon as an offering, a fragrant sacrifice before the Lord. The real question is whether God is pleased.Social media intensifies this struggle, conditioning us to equate value with likes, followers, and views. The guys urge believers to resist that mindset and to preach, teach, and evangelize, regardless of whether anyone sees it or not. Faithful ministry is rooted in love, love that does not seek its own recognition but points all glory back to God. Congregations also play a role; encouragement is a blessing when it magnifies Christ rather than elevates the preacher. Pride constantly waits to creep in, but humility keeps the heart centered on the truth that apart from God, we can do nothing. All wisdom, insight, and power belong to Him alone.The world, seen clearly in Hollywood, thrives on the praise of man, but followers of Jesus are called to live for a higher audience. Every believer must ask what their motive truly is. Freedom from approval-seeking flows from the cross, where God has already accepted us through Christ's sacrifice. In that security, we serve from devotion rather than desperation. A life of continual communion with the Lord, anchored in prayer and His Word, shifts our focus from applause to obedience. In the end, faithfulness is not measured by claps or comments but by love, humility, and a heart that seeks only the glory of God.Send us a textThanks for listening! If you've been helped by this podcast, we'd be grateful if you'd consider subscribing, sharing, and leaving us a comment and 5-star rating! Visit the Living Waters website to learn more and to access helpful resources!You can find helpful counseling resources at biblicalcounseling.com.Check out The Evidence Study Bible and the Basic Training Course.You can connect with us at podcast@livingwaters.com. We're thankful for your input!Learn more about the hosts of this podcast.Ray ComfortEmeal (“E.Z.”) ZwayneMark SpenceOscar Navarro

Send us a textWhat if the most “spiritual” parts of your life have quietly taken God's place? We open a candid conversation about high-functioning idolatry—the subtle way good gifts like family, ministry systems, church culture, politics, education, and even worship styles become the things we trust most. Through personal stories, Old Testament insights, and honest self-audit, we unpack how fear disguises itself as prudence and how easy it is to rely on what we can control while calling it faith.We don't stop at diagnosis. Together we outline three concrete practices that re-center our hope: choosing assignments that require God to move, listening beyond our circle with Spirit-led curiosity, and worshiping with our resources through generosity, tithing, service, and availability. Along the way, we revisit Jonah 2:8 and Judges 21:25, reflect on the bronze serpent that became an idol, and contrast systems that help with systems that quietly replace the Spirit. The thread running through it all is the love of God—stronger than cultural turbulence and steadier than any outcome we can engineer.If your prayer life feels flat, your schedule too tight for interruption, or your peace tethered to headlines and bank balances, this episode is an invitation to trade control for communion. Hear how dependence revives faith, how compassion grows when we sit with people who see differently, and how generosity breaks the grip of lesser kings. Listen, reflect, and then take one courageous step that only makes sense if God shows up.If this resonated, subscribe, share it with a friend, and leave a review to help others find the show. What's one “good thing” you're ready to put back in its proper place?Support the show

October 19, 2025

According to the Aspen Institute, the youth sports industry here in the United States is a forty billion dollar a year business. About sixty million kids are playing youth sports, with the average family spending just over a thousand dollars a year on a child's primary sport, which is a forty six percent increase since twenty-nineteen. Sadly many parents are pushing their kids to achieve in sports as a way of addressing their own unfulfilled dreams, and to live vicariously through their kids. Twenty percent of sports parents believe their child could play a Division One sport, and ten percent hold on to the unrealistic dream that their child could go professional. But the reality is quite different. For example, only one in six hundred and ten high school baseball players will get drafted by a major league team, and one in ten-thousand- three-hundred and ninety-nine high school basketball players will go pro. Parents, have you made sports an idol, prioritizing your child's success over their spiritual growth?

 "In today's self-obsessed world, even Christians can fall into a trap: replacing the ‘I AM' with ‘I am.' Has self-focus quietly taken God's place in your life? Let's find out." Identity is important—but when self-focus overshadows God-focus, something dangerous happens. In this episode, Lou Perez explores how modern narcissism, entitlement, and the false self can quietly push God out of the center of our lives.  Connect with us: YouTube: YouTube.com/@soul02-oxygen Facebook: @LP.Oxygen https://www.facebook.com/LP.Oxygen Instagram: LP.Oxygen Twitter: @Soul025 Buzzsprout: Soul02-Buzzsprout Spotify: Soul02 - Spotify Apple: Soul02-Itunes Stitcher: Soul02-Stitcher

1 Corinthians 10:14–22Download the appThanks for listening to the Love One Another Podcast. For more series, content, and information, visit www.beachpoint.com

This episode features a full length Bible study taught by Pastor Jack Abeelen of Morningstar Christian Chapel in Whittier, California.If today you prayed with Pastor Jack to receive the Lord, we'd love to hear about it and get you started on the right foot. Visit us online at: https://morningstarcc.org/born-again/To see more of Pastor Jack's Bible studies, visit our Morningstar Christian Chapel channel at https://www.youtube.com/@morningstarcc.To subscribe to our Podcast newsletter go to http://eepurl.com/iGzsP6.If you would like to support our electronic ministry, you may do so by going to our donations page at https://morningstarcc.churchcenter.com/giving/to/podcast.Visit our church website at https://morningstarcc.org.

17 For in [the gospel] the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.” 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. 19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.24 Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, 25 because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.26 For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; 27 and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error.28 And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. 29 They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, 31 foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. 32 Though they know God's righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them.1Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things.1.     Can you think of modern examples of a culture's distorted worship distorting their humanity?2.     Where/when does your humanity get distorted? Is there any idol worship behind that?3.     Is it surprising, or convicting, that Paul says the people who judge and condemn are also without excuse?4.     Have you considered that when you judge you are taking the place of God, distorting worship? How does judging keep you from experiencing the gospel?5.     How does all of this apply to issues of sexuality in our culture?6.     The gospel saves us from both self-righteous judgment and self-centered indulgence. Where are you seeing that in your life, and where do you need to see it more?

Atheism is often pointed out as a religion, and in many ways, the obsession with health and wellness has become its own secular form of legalism. Ray, E.Z., Mark, and Oscar remind listeners that while bodily exercise is valuable, it can easily become idolatry if it replaces worship of the Lord. Gluttony has long been a silent sin, rarely addressed in churches, yet food can just as easily become an idol as the pursuit of beauty or fitness. The guys emphasize the need for balance: a pastor should not be marked by obvious gluttony, but at the same time, believers must avoid falling into the opposite extremes. Humans are wired to worship—so the question is, what or who are you worshiping?There is nothing wrong with caring for the body, but when the motive is self-glorification rather than glorifying God, the line has been crossed. Historically, Christians have been known for fasting, generosity, and blessing others, rather than being consumed by self-care. When self-care becomes an idol, it often reveals a fear of death and a desire to earn immortality. The truth is that the outer man is wasting away, and eternal life is found only in Christ. Motivation determines whether health is pursued as an idol or as stewardship of the temple of the Holy Spirit. Oscar shares that he lifts weights to maintain strength and longevity, aiming to serve God and his family well as he ages. E.Z. adds that part of his drive is to avoid becoming a burden to his children and to maximize his impact for the Lord.The wellness industry has grown worldwide, but combining wellness practices with paganism introduces another possible danger. Practices like meditation or yoga often promise salvation through Eastern philosophies, but they are just another form of legalism that cannot defeat death. Eternal youth is a false hope; eternal glory in Christ is the true answer. Believers should desire to live fully until they die, striving to honor God with their bodies.The guys emphasize the practical benefits of activity, pointing out that humans were not made for a sedentary life in front of screens. Exercising strengthens both body and mind, and tackling tough challenges builds confidence and resilience. At the same time, they warn against being judgmental toward others who practice moderation. Rest, too, is part of God's design, and the Sabbath reminds believers that they are not machines defined solely by their productivity. Ultimately, the message is simple: avoid gluttony and laziness, reject the idolization of beauty, view health as stewardship, and above all, love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.Send us a textThanks for listening! If you've been helped by this podcast, we'd be grateful if you'd consider subscribing, sharing, and leaving us a comment and 5-star rating! Visit the Living Waters website to learn more and to access helpful resources!You can find helpful counseling resources at biblicalcounseling.com.Check out The Evidence Study Bible and the Basic Training Course.You can connect with us at podcast@livingwaters.com. We're thankful for your input!Learn more about the hosts of this podcast.Ray ComfortEmeal (“E.Z.”) ZwayneMark SpenceOscar Navarro

Health and wellness can be beneficial, but they often cross into idolatry when they become focused on self-glorification, fear of death, or cultural standards of beauty. Ray, E.Z., Mark, and Oscar discuss how Christians can navigate this tension, emphasizing that while caring for the body is important, it should never replace worship of the Lord. The guys point out that gluttony has long been overlooked in the church, yet food can become just as much of an idol as the pursuit of beauty or fitness. They also highlight the dangers of chasing eternal youth through the wellness industry or mixing health practices with pagan philosophies that promise salvation apart from Christ. At the same time, they affirm the value of exercise, rest, and discipline when pursued as stewardship of the body and a way to serve God and others. Ultimately, the guys encourage believers to examine their motives, avoid extremes, and treat their bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit rather than idols, seeking to glorify God in all things.Send us a textThanks for listening! If you've been helped by this podcast, we'd be grateful if you'd consider subscribing, sharing, and leaving us a comment and 5-star rating! Visit the Living Waters website to learn more and to access helpful resources!You can find helpful counseling resources at biblicalcounseling.com.Check out The Evidence Study Bible and the Basic Training Course.You can connect with us at podcast@livingwaters.com. We're thankful for your input!Learn more about the hosts of this podcast.Ray ComfortEmeal (“E.Z.”) ZwayneMark SpenceOscar Navarro

John Calvin noted, “The human heart is a perpetual idol factory.” Idolatry was a constant issue in the Old Testament, and Paul saw that Athens was filled with idols. But have you ever considered how false worship systems of the past have made their way into the present, but under other names? Today we'll see how, over time, societies move away from God, His authority, and His truth.I. Corruption in the Nation (vv. 1-6)II. Confusion in the Home (vv. 2-5)III. Chaos in the Heart (v. 6)Talk with God: Take time to prayerfully assess your priorities this week and ask the Lord to reveal anything—or anyone—that's pulling your focus away from Him.Talk with others: Encourage your Connect Group or believing friends and family members to keep Jesus at the center of their lives.Talk with kids: Why is it right and good for God to punish sin?

Fr. Mike walks us through the signing of the covenant in Nehemiah 10 and relates Israel's collective decision to belong to God to our personal encounters with God that inspire us to follow him simply because he has called us. He also offers insight on how God used the physical weakness of Esther to move the king's heart to gentleness. Today's readings are Nehemiah 10, Esther 15, 6-7, and Proverbs 21:13-16. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: The Bible contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.

Superstition, idolatry, divination, and magic are all things we can encounter in our daily lives, and, with Fr. Mike, we unpack how they break the first commandment. Fr. Mike reiterates that superstition represents an “excess of religion” and can affect the worship we offer to God. He points out that we can be superstitious even in our Catholic practices. He also explains that idolatry consists of divinizing anything that is not God. Today's readings are Catechism paragraphs 2110-2117. This episode has been found to be in conformity with the Catechism by the Institute on the Catechism, under the Subcommittee on the Catechism, USCCB. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/ciy Please note: The Catechism of the Catholic Church contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.