06.07.2015 How to Focus on What's Really Important

Michael Peters: Greetings from The Rock, Cleveland. Dave sends his greetings!
As we get started, we are in the midst of a difficult time of year for me to concentrate. I am a pretty big sports fan. My office was painted wine and gold. I have been a Cleveland fan as long as I can remember – and I associate Cleveland sports with ice cream – because my dad would take us out for ice cream after those agonizing losses. We think – is it ever going to happen? As a sports fan – you think – my life would be complete if I could just see one win a championship before I die! I’ve always thought that. There is a man who is local to us now who won 3 super bowl rings with the NE Patriots – and he comes and speaks to the kids I lead – and he tells of how they were waiting for a field goal – and they made it and the confetti was flying and he thought to himself – is this all there is? From experience – as a Buckeye fan at least – once you win one championship, you want another one – because they just don’t satisfy – when we chase anything other than God, it will never fully satisfy.
Thank You, God, that we can hear from You – speak to our hearts – give us ears that are open to hear from You – that we might not only hear from You, but take Your word and live it.
Acts 19:23-41
23 About that time there occurred no small disturbance concerning the Way. 24 For a man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Artemis, was bringing no little business to the craftsmen; 25 these he gathered together with the workmen of similar trades, and said, “Men, you know that our prosperity depends upon this business. 26 You see and hear that not only in Ephesus, but in almost all of Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away a considerable number of people, saying that gods made with hands are no gods at all. 27 Not only is there danger that this trade of ours fall into disrepute, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis be regarded as worthless and that she whom all of Asia and the world worship will even be dethroned from her magnificence.” 28 When they heard this and were filled with rage, they began crying out, saying, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” 29 The city was filled with the confusion, and they rushed with one accord into the theater, dragging along Gaius and Aristarchus, Paul’s traveling companions from Macedonia. 30 And when Paul wanted to go into the assembly, the disciples would not let him. 31 Also some of the Asiarchs who were friends of his sent to him and repeatedly urged him not to venture into the theater.
32 So then, some were shouting one thing and some another, for the assembly was in confusion and the majority did not know for what reason they had come together. 33 Some of the crowd concluded it was Alexander, since the Jews had put him forward; and having motioned with his hand, Alexander was intending to make a defense to the assembly. 34 But when they recognized that he was a Jew, a single outcry arose from them all as they shouted for about two hours, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” 35 After quieting the crowd, the town clerk *said, “Men of Ephesus, what man is there after all who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is guardian of the temple of the great [Artemis and of the image which fell down from heaven? 36 So, since these are undeniable facts, you ought to keep calm and to do nothing rash. 37 For you have brought these men here who are neither robbers of temples nor blasphemers of our goddess. 38 So then, if Demetrius and the craftsmen who are with him have a complaint against any man, the courts are in session and proconsuls are available; let them bring charges against one another. 39 But if you want anything beyond this, it shall be settled in the lawful assembly. 40 For indeed we are in danger of being accused of a riot in connection with today’s events, since there is no real cause for it, and in this connection we will be unable to account for this disorderly gathering.” 41 After saying this he dismissed the assembly.
God’s word for God’s people.
Artemis was the goddess of fertility – and the temple there was considered to be one of the Seven Wonders of the World. This was shortly after the showdown with the Seven Sons of Sceva – many people were following Christ – and they tried to cast out demons – and the demons replied – we know Jesus, and we know Paul, but who are you – and kicked them out of the house naked.
Something big is going on with “The Way” – people are starting to follow Jesus and were stopping buying the silver statues that they were making. He need s to do something about this – because they were losing money – so he appeals to the spiritual side of things – what happens to Artemis – what happens to our way of life – and they walk out chanting “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians” – and they march to the theatre – which may have held as many as 20000 peoples. And they blame Paul and the Christians – and the mayor comes in and points out the true motivation and points out that Paul has not done anything offensive to the temple.
At the end – many who followed witchcraft took their sorcery books and burned them – up to 50,000 dollars worth.
People should see a difference in us. As the mayor stood up to defend Paul – we know Paul to be bold – never to back down – always speaks the hard truth. And the mayor says that he has not blasphemed the temple or Artemis. How could he do that? He preached what he was for – not what he was against. He did not attack what they hold dear. The gospel will point that out – once you get deep into it – but no matter what is going on in the culture – on social media – we tend to rail against what is going on. I have not seen your face book feeds – but everyone is railing against Bruce/Caitlin Jenner. No one has mentioned the hurt that must be going on inside? Who wants to know a god of people who slam people all the time? Paul and his friends were able to preach the gospel without making a direct attack on the culture.
There is a bigger issue at heart here – we think why would they worship something made with human hands – we think they were backward and third world –
We think – why would I buy this thing when I know it is not a god? They knew that. They knew it was not a god, but it meant something in their hearts. What Demetrius was missing – it was not about the statues – but what they represent and the attitudes of the hearts of the people – what they were trusting in. Things are just idols until we put trust in them. Just because we don’t have statues in our houses, doesn’t mean we don’t have idols in our lives that need to be thrown away and no longer pursued. Because we don’t have statues, they are a little harder to spot. Maybe it is money – that is even easier than most things –
Tim Keller wrote Counterfeit Gods – in which he asks 20 questions to answer – where do I have idols in my life.
Life only has meaning, or I only have worth if…
I only have worth if I have power and influence over others – Power idolatry.
Love and respect – approval idolatry
Life only has meaning if I have this pleasure experience – Comfort idolatry.
This one is difficult to spot:
I only have worth if only I have mastery in my life over ______.
Life would be complete if I could just get control over this – or if people are dependent on me or need me.
… being recognized in accomplishment – achievement idolatry.
Adhering to moral code – religion idolatry – seeking after rituals.
I only have worth if Mr. or Mrs. Right is in love with me – relationship idolatry.
Body image. Look a certain way – be a certain way – move up the ladder – there is a danger in those – a danger in idols. When we put our trust in idols, it leads us down two paths – an idol makes a promise that we will never be able to achieve – so we destroy ourselves trying – how much money is enough? Just a little more!
If it is relationships and people – when one lets you down, you chase another. It never satisfies. As much as an athlete goes after that title – once they get it they want another. We either destroy ourselves trying – or discovering that there is nothing there.
Either way – the promise is empty – when we put our trust in idols or those things that are not God – that is what ends up happening.
The other danger – we add something to Jesus – we cling to our idols – and when we do that – we are saying that what Jesus has done is not good enough.
The vernacular we use – asking Jesus into our hearts – but if you stick with that picture – move in – decorate it how you want – but this room here – leave it alone – I will give you a roommate who can help you out in this process. If you think about it like that – it doesn’t make sense – of course Jesus is all I need – but we all have roommates in our hearts that we need to kick out.
We think – what do we do? We start think about getting rid of idols – and it becomes the idol! What is the cure? Jesus and the gospel. The gospel can debunk any lie that the idol promises – when it says – you need authority, the gospel reminds us that all authority has been given by God.
When the idol says – you deserve a comfortable lifestyle, the gospel says, you deserve sin and death, but Jesus has conquered those.
When the idol says you must muster power to achieve mastery over sin – the gospel says – it is Christ alone who gives mastery over sin.
Approval
Relationship – when the idol says we need this relationship – the gospel says the only relationship you need is with Jesus – because none of these other relationships is going to save you. That is why we focus on Him – and He’ll get rid of the ‘roommates’.
If we want to make a difference and clear our hearts of the idols within – making sure we are not chasing that thing that will never satisfy – we must focus on Christ alone. When you kick an idol out – it fights back. When these people through away their idols – those leaders got 20000 people riled up. When you focus on Christ, you don’t need to focus on the attack. We can focus on the Holy Spirit inside of us who can help us with any attack. Sometimes idols are people who don’t want to leave.
We need to turn our eyes to Jesus and put our trust in Him. If there are any here who have yet to put their faith in Christ – then all you have is a heart full of idols. You are chasing things that represent god instead of the one true God. There is no treasure at the top of the mountain. There is no finish line at the end of the race. All those things will let you down – ideologies do not solve the problem of sin – that we are separated from God by our sin – we deserve death – but fortunately – while idols can’t solve that problem – Christ already has – while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. He lived a perfect life and took the punishment we deserve – and He has the power to give us everything we need. If you have not yet put your faith in Christ – Quit chasing the things that will never satisfy and follow the One who will. For those of us who have - let’s continue to follow Him – and to remember that the promises of the idol are temporary – but the promises of Christ are eternal.
Lord, show us where we are following something other than You. We recognize it is only through Your spirit we can see those things that keep us from You – help us to put them at Your feet and allow You to heal us. Point our eyes to You – to put our trust solely in You. In Jesus’ name – amen.