BIG PICTURE QUESTION & ANSWER WHAT IS IDOLATRY? Idolatry is a sin of the heart in which we love and value something above God. God alone is worthy of our worship. He sent His Son, Jesus, to die on the cross and save us from our sins. We can turn from our idolatry and evil ways to rejoice in the God who saves. Memory Verse: Read the Story:
Many agree that sin is often, if not always, contrived from selfish ambitions. We can see how our actions, thoughts, and words that disregard God’s instructions for our lives develop from our desire for more, better, or different than what we currently have. Our sin is a statement that we believe that our ways are better than God’s and that we ultimately know better than Him. The implications of our selfishness in sin don’t stop there. They don’t only disregard God’s instruction, God’s authority, and God’s design for us. They don’t only seek our own pleasure and comfort. Our sinful actions, thoughts, and words also tell a story to those around us of what we believe is most important and where we find direction for our lives. Sin is always problematic and self-serving, but it also has an impact on others far greater than our circumstances often reflect. When we build or follow an idol (something we put in the place of God), we are actually replacing the Creator with created things. Idolatry is not a benefit to anyone. The pursuit of idols is futile because they hold no real power. Isaiah 44:9 reads, “All who make idols are nothing, and what they treasure benefits no one. Their witnesses do not see or know anything, so they will be put to shame.” Our love of things other than God testifies to the world around us that God is not good enough, that He does not satisfy, and that He won’t do what He says He will do. For an ambassador of Christ, this is not the message the dying world should hear from us. The next time you think that your love of something other than God is just a personal problem, reconsider how it may very well be proclaiming to those around you a gospel of hopelessness. And remember that God does satisfy, He is enough, and He always does what He says He will do. GOSPEL APPLICATION
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BIG PICTURE QUESTION & ANSWER WHAT IS IDOLATRY? Idolatry is a sin of the heart in which we love and value something above God. Elisha’s miracles showed that he was a prophet of the one true God and that God’s words were true. In a greater way, Jesus’ miracles show that He is the true Son of God. Memory Verse Read the Story:
Miracles are often found in Scripture as a means of God doing what nature cannot explain to show His own power and authority over all things. This portion of 2 Kings 4–6 is no different. But these miracles don’t just teach us about God; they also demonstrate our human nature by revealing doubt in our hearts as we encounter circumstances beyond our control. Many of the miracles performed by Elisha in 2 Kings 4–6 come in moments when the human dilemmas of sin, death, fear, worry, and lack are realized and people are overtaken with doubt. Have you ever felt this way? Have you ever felt as if your back was against the wall, your limits had been reached, and there was no way and no reason for hope in a particular situation? If so, you’re not alone. We all have moments when it seems as if we’re done and there’s no way out. The reason we all experience these things is because we are humans. Our limitedness leaves us lacking and in moments where that lack prevents us from saving ourselves, we cannot help but feel doubtful. But God. It is often in these moments that we are reminded of just how self-reliant we tend to be and just how God-dependent we truly are. God in these moments of doubt becomes our only hope, our beacon, our help. And though we ought to have some sense of confidence in this all the time, the reality is that we often lose sight of how deeply we need the Lord until He is our only way out. What if we lived dependent on God to this degree all the time? What if we lived knowing that our only hope was God’s provision, even when it doesn’t feel like we need it? What if we saw that even our own ability to find a way out of a dire situation was a gift from Him? The mystery that God wants to make known to those around us is this: “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Col. 1:27). Is your confidence so firm in the Lord as provider and sustainer that it demonstrates the hope of Christ to those around you? If not, be reminded today that He isn’t just your help from time to time, but your only hope time and time again. GOSPEL APPLICATION
BIG PICTURE QUESTION & ANSWER WHAT IS IDOLATRY? Idolatry is a sin of the heart in which we love and value something above God. God gave Elisha the same spirit that was in Elijah so Elisha could carry out his mission as a prophet. Years later, Jesus told His followers to wait for the Holy Spirit. God gives believers the Holy Spirit so they can share the gospel with the world. Memory Verse Read the Story:
Elisha’s incredible loyalty to the prophet Elijah is recorded in 2 Kings 2. He followed Elijah wherever he went. He committed to Elijah even when others told him that Elijah would soon die. And he stayed by his side to the very end. Elisha saw something in Elijah that he himself wanted: his spirit. In fact, Elisha told Elijah that what he wanted from him most was “two shares of your spirit.” Why on earth would Elisha desire this? Was it because he wanted God’s Spirit to be accessible to him? Was it because he wanted the authority that Elijah carried? Was it because he knew the remainder of his life would be hard and he thought he could use some extra strength? We may not be certain of this; however, it is obvious that Elisha saw something in Elijah that he wanted. Have you ever observed the gifts of the people around you and desired them for yourself? Maybe you’ve been amazed by someone’s ability to articulate the gospel with great clarity in a compelling way with thousands listening on and desired that gift. Perhaps you saw someone serving with great joy as they opened their home and pulled out every stop to make their guests feel loved and welcomed. Do you long for their gift of hospitality? Though at times there is a selfish desire that drives our interest in someone else’s gifts, we see in 2 Kings 2 that Elijah lived a life worthy of emulation. This thought brings to mind Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 11, ‘Imitate me, as I also imitate Christ.’ Are you living the type of life that others see and long to follow? Is your use of the gifts God has given you one that draws attention and causes questions about where this gifting comes from? Does your faithfulness to the Lord stir an interest on the part of others around you? When we run faithfully after the Lord, there is no doubt going to be others who see and desire to know more. And as the opportunity arises, take hold of those opportunities to bring others along to see what it looks like to remain faithful to the Lord and ultimately to show them that He is both your motivation and the source of all that is good in you. GOSPEL APPLICATION
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December 2023
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