Series: Freedom in Christ Study # 9: Flattering Idolatry Galatians - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Series: Freedom in Christ Study # 9: Flattering Idolatry Galatians 4.8-20

THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD IS THE GREATEST ANTIDOTE TO IDOLATRY • Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods. But now that you know God—or rather are known by God—how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable forces? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again?You are observing special days and months and seasons and years! I fear for you, that somehow I have wasted my efforts on you. Galatians 4.8-11

THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD IS THE GREATEST ANTIDOTE TO IDOLATRY • I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Mathew 7.23 • Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me.The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them. John 14.21 • Whoever loves God is known by God. 1 Corinthians 8.3

THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD IS THE GREATEST ANTIDOTE TO IDOLATRY W hat may happen when the redeemed soul, beyond all hope and nearly beyond belief, learns at last that she pleased Him whom she was created to please. There will be no room for vanity then. She will be free from the miserable illusion that it is her doing. With not taint of what we should now call self-approval she will most innocently rejoice in the thing that God has made her to be.

… Perfect humility dispenses with modesty. If God is satisfied with the work, the work may be satisfied with itself; it is not for her to bandy compliments with her Sovereign...

In the end that Face which is the delight or the terror of the universe must be turned upon each of us either conferring glory inexpressible or inflicting shame that can never be cured or disguised. (Some say)… that the fundamental thing is how we think of God. By God Himself, it is not! How God thinks of us is not only more important, but infinitely more important.

THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD IS THE GREATEST ANTIDOTE TO IDOLATRY • It matters very little to me what you think of me, even less where I rank in popular opinion. I don’t even rank myself. Comparisons in these matters are pointless. I’m not aware of anything that would disqualify me from being a good guide for you, but that doesn’t mean much. The Master makes that judgment. 1 Corinthians 4.3-4

THE PRACTICE OF SPEAKING THE TRUTH SHOULD ALWAYS BE WELCOMED AMONG US I plead with you, brothers and sisters, become like me, for I became like you. You did me no wrong. As you know, it was because of an illness that I first preached the gospel to you, and even though my illness was a trial to you, you did not treat me with contempt or scorn. Instead, you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God, as if I were Christ Jesus himself.Where, then, is your blessing (joy) of me now? I can testify that, if you could have done so, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me. Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth? Galatians 4.12-16

THE PRACTICE OF SPEAKING THE TRUTH SHOULD ALWAYS BE WELCOMED AMONG US • What happened to all your joy? (15). His message had not changed, but the church’s response to him has, as they are under influence of some who have different message, goals and means. • Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth? Galatians 4.16 • If I love you more, will you love me less? 2 Corinthians 12.15

THE PRACTICE OF SPEAKING THE TRUTH SHOULD ALWAYS BE WELCOMED AMONG US

NO FLATTERING EXPERIENCE SHOULD EVER BE COMPARED OR EXCHANGED TO THE FREE WORLD OF GOD’S GRACE • Those people are zealous to win you over, but for no good. What they want is to alienate you from us, so that you may have zeal for them. It is fine to be zealous, provided the purpose is good, and to be so always, not just when I am with you. My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you, how I wish I could be with you now and change my tone, because I am perplexed about you! Galatians 4.17-20

• While the only thing they want is to get your loyalty ( so that you may have zeal for them ), Paul’s desire was to make Christ visible in their lives ( until Christ is formed in you ). While they need to be needed, Paul aims for their maturity. While they want to enslave their followers “out of the free world of grace”, the Apostle is pointing out the way for them to follow Christ.

NO FLATTERING EXPERIENCE SHOULD EVER BE COMPARED OR EXCHANGED TO THE FREE WORLD OF GOD’S GRACE • Our message must be identified by loving truth, not convenient flattering. It is not easy, and it can be very costly. Love must be firm and truthful, the kind of love that is powerful enough to minister to the reality of those around us (including ourselves). Not a pretentious demonstration of gallantry, that will do more damage than good – which is not love, because it is weak and deceitful and hate in disguise.

SALVATOR MUNDI By leonardo da vinci (c. 1500) From US$ 60 in 1958 to US$ 450.3M in 2017