Defying Gravity: Rising Above Idols Through Christ

Today’s gathering began with a call to worship from Psalm 97, reminding us that God reigns above all, and that righteousness and justice are the foundation of God’s throne. The imagery of clouds, fire, and mountains melting before the Lord set the stage for a deep exploration of what holds us down in life—what keeps us from rising into the freedom God intends for us. Drawing from the song “Defying Gravity” and the story of Elphaba, we reflected on the universal human experience of feeling weighed down by invisible forces, much like the relentless pull of gravity on a playground merry-go-round.

We looked to the stories of Israel in Exodus and Isaiah, seeing how even after being set free, God’s people were tempted to return to the comfort of old patterns and idols. Idolatry, we learned, is not just about golden calves or obvious evils, but about anything—good or bad—that takes God’s place in our hearts. Idols can be as subtle as our work ethic, our pursuit of excellence, our traditions, or even our families and nation. When these good things become ultimate things, they become cruel masters, weighing us down and dividing our allegiance.

The gravity of idols is powerful and often invisible, manifesting in our habits, desires, and assumptions. Yet, the good news is that God does not leave us spinning helplessly. Through Christ, the pull of these idols is broken. Hebrews 12 calls us to lay aside every weight and sin, to let go of what pins us down, and to run with perseverance by fixing our eyes on Jesus. Ephesians 2 reminds us that God, rich in mercy, raises us up with Christ, seating us in heavenly places—not by our own strength, but by God’s power.

To live in this freedom, three steps are essential: first, recognize and name the idols in our lives; second, lay them down and refuse to play by their rules; and third, rise up by trusting in God’s power, not our own. Communion becomes a powerful symbol of this reality: just as the world could not keep Jesus down, so too are we invited to let go of our burdens and trust God to raise us up. As we leave, we are called to consider what we need to let go of, to support one another in this journey, and to live as people who soar in the freedom Christ gives.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Idols Are Often Good Things Turned Ultimate Idolatry is not always about obvious evils or golden statues; it often involves good things—like work, family, tradition, or even justice—that become ultimate in our lives. When these things take God’s place, they become burdens that weigh us down, dividing our hearts and distorting our values. The subtlety of these idols makes them especially dangerous, as they can masquerade as virtues while quietly demanding our allegiance. [33:06]
• 2. The Gravity of Idols Is Invisible but Powerful Just as gravity is unseen yet ever-present, the pull of idols in our lives is often hidden in our habits, desires, and assumptions. These forces set rules for us, dictating what we can and cannot do, and keep us from rising into the freedom God intends. Recognizing this invisible gravity is the first step toward breaking free and living in the Spirit. [36:46]
• 3. Freedom Comes by Naming and Laying Down Our Idols We cannot defy the gravity of idols unless we are willing to name them honestly and lay them down. This means refusing to play by their rules, letting go of the weights that cling so closely, and sometimes making sacrifices that are neither easy nor comfortable. True freedom begins with the courage to recognize what holds us back and the faith to let it go. [42:23]
• 4. Rising Above Idols Is God’s Work, Not Ours Alone While we are called to lay down our idols, it is ultimately God’s power that lifts us up. Ephesians 2 assures us that God raises us with Christ, not by our own strength but by divine mercy and might. Our role is to fix our eyes on Jesus, trust in God’s promises, and allow worship to lift us above the world’s pull. [46:11]
• 5. Communion and Community Are Means of Grace for Freedom The table of bread and cup is a reminder that the world could not keep Jesus down, and neither can it keep us down when we trust in God. Letting go of idols is not a solitary journey; it requires the support of community, prayer, and the continual remembrance of Christ’s sacrifice. As we partake and serve, we are strengthened to live out our freedom and help others do the same.
  
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Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [03:03] - Connection Cards and Prayer Concerns
• [03:33] - Call to Worship: Psalm 97
• [04:58] - God’s Sovereignty and Righteousness
• [23:37] - “Defying Gravity” and the Longing to Rise
• [24:59] - The Playground Merry-Go-Round: Life’s Gravity
• [26:03] - Israel’s Story: Freedom and the Pull of Idols
• [28:51] - Modern Idols: Money, Success, and Self-Image
• [30:26] - The Idols of Approval, Authority, and Fear
• [32:29] - Good Things as Idols
• [36:46] - The Invisible Gravity of Idols
• [38:54] - Laying Aside Every Weight: Hebrews 12
• [41:54] - Three Steps to Defy Gravity
• [49:46] - Communion: Christ’s Victory Over Gravity
• [59:23] - Offering and Living Out Freedom
• [68:23] - Announcements and Closing Blessing

Bible Reading

Psalm 97:1-7 (ESV) — > The Lord reigns, let the earth rejoice; let the many coastlands be glad!
> Clouds and thick darkness are all around him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.
> Fire goes before him and burns up his adversaries all around.
> His lightnings light up the world; the earth sees and trembles.
> The mountains melt like wax before the Lord, before the Lord of all the earth.
> The heavens proclaim his righteousness, and all the peoples see his glory.
> All worshipers of images are put to shame, who make their boast in worthless idols; worship him, all you gods!

Exodus 32:1-8 (ESV) — > When the people saw that Moses delayed to come down from the mountain, the people gathered themselves together to Aaron and said to him, “Up, make us gods who shall go before us. As for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.”
> So Aaron said to them, “Take off the rings of gold that are in the ears of your wives, your sons, and your daughters, and bring them to me.”
> ...And he received the gold from their hand and fashioned it with a graving tool and made a golden calf. And they said, “These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!”
> ...And the Lord said to Moses, “Go down, for your people, whom you brought up out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves.
> They have turned aside quickly out of the way that I commanded them. They have made for themselves a golden calf and have worshiped it and sacrificed to it and said, ‘These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!’”

Hebrews 12:1-2 (ESV) — > Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
> looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Observation Questions

1. In Psalm 97, what are the foundations of God’s throne, and how does the psalm describe God’s power over idols? ([03:33])
2. According to Exodus 32, what did the Israelites do when they felt abandoned, and what did they make as a substitute for God? ([26:03])
3. In Hebrews 12, what are believers called to lay aside, and what are they encouraged to focus on as they run their race? ([38:54])
4. The sermon mentions that idols are not always obvious evils. What are some examples of “good things” that can become idols, as described in the message? ([33:06])

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think the Israelites were so quick to make a golden calf after being set free from Egypt? What does this reveal about human nature and our tendency toward idolatry? ([26:40])
2. The sermon says that idols can be invisible and found in our habits, desires, and assumptions. How might someone recognize an idol in their own life if it’s not obvious? ([36:46])
3. Hebrews 12 talks about “laying aside every weight and sin.” How might the “weights” in our lives differ from outright sins, and why is it important to lay both aside? ([38:54])
4. The message claims that rising above idols is ultimately God’s work, not just our own effort. How does this shape the way we approach change and spiritual growth? ([46:11])

Application Questions

1. The sermon challenges us to “recognize and name the idols in our lives.” What is one area—such as work, family, tradition, or approval—where you might be tempted to let something good become ultimate? How can you honestly name this in your own life? ([42:23])
2. When you think about your daily routines, is there a habit or desire that has more control over you than you’d like? What would it look like to “lay it down” this week? ([44:04])
3. The message says that sometimes letting go of idols requires sacrifice and isn’t easy. Is there a specific comfort, security, or value you sense God asking you to release? What step could you take to begin letting go? ([58:04])
4. Hebrews 12 encourages us to “fix our eyes on Jesus.” What is one practical way you can shift your focus from an idol to Christ this week—maybe through prayer, worship, or a change in your schedule? ([46:11])
5. The sermon highlights the importance of community and communion in helping us live free from idols. Who in your life can support you in this journey, and how can you invite them to walk with you? ([58:35])
6. The message asks, “What weight is pulling you down?” Take a moment to reflect: What is one burden you want to bring to God in prayer today, trusting Him to lift you up? ([48:07])
7. As you leave group tonight, what is one specific action you will take this week to “defy gravity”—to refuse to play by the rules of an idol and instead trust God’s power to raise you up? ([45:02])