08/30/26 Worship Guide: Second Altars: No Other Gods

1. MADE NEW

2. OPEN THE EYES OF MY HEART

3.THE HEART OF WORSHIP

MESSAGE: NO OTHER GODS - EXODUS 20:3-6

“You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth. You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing lovingkindness to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.” Exodus 20:3-6 (ESV)

An idol is anything — a person, a possession, a goal, a feeling, a version of yourself — that you elevate to the place in your life that belongs only to God.

The volume of your anger, anxiety, or despair often reveals what you’ve actually been worshiping.

What am I afraid of losing?
 
 Why do I need it so badly?
 
 Have I allowed this good thing to become more important than God?

MOVING FORWARD THIS WEEK - WRITTEN BY JOHN HOUGOM

Read: Exodus 20:3-6

Faith Exercise:

I wonder how many of us can recite the 10 commandments in order. If you are like me, you might get the first two or three right, but the others might come out in a jumbled order. There is a reason God listed them in that specific order. He is a jealous God who will not tolerate any other gods before Him. He goes further by stating that we are not to make idols of any kind or images of anything in the heavens, earth, or sea. And He does so strategically first! So, what exactly is an idol? Well, it is anything—a person, place, object, relationship, job, or even a feeling—that you elevate as equal to, or greater than God in your life. None of these things are inherently evil. Your job, your spouse, your child, or your car are certainly not evil. However, when you make your spouse or romantic partner your universe and God becomes second, it is a sin. When you long for a certain vehicle to the point where it takes precedence over God, it becomes sinful. So, today’s faith exercise asks you directly and decisively these deeply personal questions for your own self-examination:

• Define a “false” god or idol in your own words.

• How has your definition of the above changed since the beginning of your relationship with Jesus? Has it changed today?

• What is the one thing that would cause me hesitation if God were to ask me to give it up? It could be a relationship, maybe an object.

Pray:

“Dear Jesus, please open my eyes so that I can see beyond the physical realm and into the spiritual realm. Show me what and where my idols are. Help me to understand your definition so that mine aligns with your own. I will have no other gods before you Lord, in Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.”

Live:

God’s written will clearly states that He is a jealous God. And guess what? This is His sandbox, His creation, as are we. However, God is a just and merciful God. He forgives us when we ask in earnest. He knows the pitfalls that lie ahead and only wants what is best for us. God will never force Himself on us. So, will we choose life over death? Or perhaps chaos over grace and mercy? Choose wisely my friends.

PURCHASE A COPY OF JOHN'S BOOK - MOVING FORWARD AT THE CHURCH OR VIA AMAZON.