COURAGE TO STAND IN A FALLEN WORLD

“Scarecrow in a Melon Patch”

Pastor Duane Cross | 03.03.2013

“Like a scarecrow in a melon patch, their idols cannot speak; they must be carried because they cannot walk. Do not fear them; they can do no harm nor can they do any good...He who is the Portion of Jacob is not like these, for he is the maker of all things, including Israel, the tribe of his inheritance-the Lord Almighty is his name.”  Jeremiah 10:5,16

WHY ARE IDOLS SO ATTRACTIVE?

First, because “everybody’s doing it.”

Second, idols are aesthetic.

“For the customs of the peoples are worthless; they cut a tree out of the forest, and a craftsman shapes it with his chisel. They adorn it with silver and gold; they fasten it with hammer and nails so it will not totter.”  Jeremiah 10:3-4

“Everyone is senseless and without knowledge; every goldsmith is shamed by his idols. His images are a fraud; they have no breath in them.” Jeremiah 10:14

Consider these questions:

• What things take the place of God in my life?

• Where do I find my significance and confidence?

• What makes me really angry?

GOD THE ONE AND ONLY

“How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him.” 1 Kings 18:21

“’ Answer me, O LORD, answer me, so these people will know that you, O LORD, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again.’ Then the fire of the LORD fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench. When all the people saw this, they fell prostrate and cried, ‘The LORD - he is God! The LORD - he is God!’” 1 Kings 18:37-39

“There is no one like you, O Lord.” Jeremiah 10:6

• He is “King of the nations.” Jeremiah 10:7

• He is the “true God.” Jeremiah 10:10

• He is the “living God.” Jeremiah 10:10

• He is the “eternal God.” Jeremiah 10:10

• He is your Portion…Jeremiah 10:16

GOING DEEPER QUESTIONS

For the Week of March 3, 2013

Pastor Duane Cross

These questions are designed to help you go deeper with the sermon during your week-to take a closer look at the Scripture and find fresh ways to live out the main points of the sermon. Going Deeper questions also are used for discussion in all of our Grow Groups at Hope.

Scripture Reading

Jeremiah 10-18, Psalm 103

Getting Started

What insight or principle from this weekend’s message or from Jeremiah 10-18 did you find helpful, interesting or challenging? Explain.

What are your 3 favorite hobbies, sports or interests? Why do you love these things so much?

How do people turn “good things” into “ultimate things”? (e.g. sports, family, work)

How/why do god-substitutes always lead to disappointment?

How would you define “idols” in Jeremiah’s day and ours? How are they different? How are they similar?

A Closer Look

Why does Jeremiah refer to “a scarecrow in a melon patch”? What does he mean?

Why are idols so attractive? (Jeremiah 10:2-4) Why are they worthless? (Jeremiah 10:5, 8, 9)

Origen in the 3rd century said: “What each honors before all else, what before all things he admires and loves, this for him is God.” An idol is anything we love, trust and obey; they are counterfeit gods. Discuss how this works at a personal and social level.

Read Ezekiel 14:1-5. What are “idols of the heart”? How does God view them and what does he want his people to do with them?

Digging Deeper

Consider the three following questions and reflect on them as a group.

•What things take the place of God in my life?

•Where do I find my significance and confidence?

•What makes me really angry?

How do we uproot (see Ezekiel’s 14:6; Colossians 3:5) and replace (see Colossians 3:1-4) the idols in our lives?

Read aloud Jeremiah 10:12-16. Why is God greater than a scarecrow? What does this mean to you?

Read 1 Kings 18:21. Elijah asks a sobering question. How would you answer his question and why? What is God calling you to do in response to this sermon?