Forsaking Idols: A Call to True Commitment

Devotional

Day 1: God's Grace Covers Our Unworthiness

Despite the enemy’s attempts to make us feel unworthy, God’s grace and the blood of Jesus cover all our sins. We must believe in His forgiveness and move forward in faith, knowing that we are clean and pure in His eyes. This truth is a powerful reminder that our worth is not determined by our past mistakes or failures but by the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. When we accept this grace, we can live in the freedom and peace that God promises.

God’s grace is sufficient for all of us, no matter how unworthy we may feel. The enemy often tries to convince us that we are beyond redemption, but God’s truth tells us otherwise. We are forgiven, loved, and cherished by our Creator. Embracing this grace allows us to move forward in faith, leaving behind the chains of guilt and shame. [41:58]

Ephesians 1:7-8 (ESV): "In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight."

Reflection: Think of a time when you felt unworthy of God’s love. How can you remind yourself of His grace and forgiveness today?

Day 2: Forsaking Idols for True Commitment

The call to forsake idols is a call to abandon anything that takes precedence over God in our lives. This requires a conscious decision to renounce these idols and fully commit to serving the Lord, as seen in Joshua 24:14-16. Idols can be anything that distracts us from our relationship with God, such as material possessions, career ambitions, or even relationships. By identifying and forsaking these idols, we can fully commit to serving the Lord with all our heart, soul, and mind.

Forsaking idols is not just about removing physical objects from our lives but also about addressing the deeper issues of the heart. It involves a sincere examination of what we prioritize and value most. When we choose to forsake idols, we are making a deliberate decision to put God first in every aspect of our lives. This act of renunciation is a powerful step towards a deeper, more authentic relationship with Him. [54:00]

1 John 5:21 (ESV): "Little children, keep yourselves from idols."

Reflection: What are the idols in your life that you need to forsake? How can you take tangible steps to remove them this week?

Day 3: Superficial vs. Deep Commitment

Joshua’s challenge to the Israelites highlights the difference between superficial and deep commitment. True commitment to God involves understanding the covenant and the consequences of disobedience, as well as a willingness to take up our cross daily. Superficial commitment is often characterized by outward appearances and verbal declarations, but deep commitment requires a heart transformation and a daily dedication to following Christ.

Deep commitment to God is a transformative journey that goes beyond mere words. It requires a willingness to embrace the cost of discipleship, which includes self-denial and taking up our cross daily. This level of commitment is not easy, but it leads to a more profound and fulfilling relationship with God. By understanding the covenant and the consequences of disobedience, we can fully appreciate the depth of our commitment to Him. [01:00:42]

Luke 14:27 (ESV): "Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple."

Reflection: In what areas of your life have you been making superficial commitments to God? What steps can you take to deepen your commitment to Him today?

Day 4: Action Steps in Faith

Verbal commitments are not enough; we must take tangible steps to remove idols from our lives. This involves identifying specific areas where we need to forsake other things to fully follow Christ, as Joshua instructed the Israelites. Taking action in faith means making deliberate choices that align with our commitment to God, even when it is challenging or uncomfortable.

Taking action in faith requires intentionality and perseverance. It is not enough to simply declare our commitment to God; we must also demonstrate it through our actions. This may involve making difficult decisions, such as letting go of certain habits, relationships, or possessions that hinder our spiritual growth. By taking these tangible steps, we can move closer to living a life that is fully devoted to Christ. [01:04:37]

James 2:17 (ESV): "So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead."

Reflection: What specific steps can you take this week to remove idols from your life and fully commit to following Christ?

Day 5: Living in Freedom and Peace

True freedom and peace come from living in the truth of God’s forgiveness and grace. By forsaking idols and fully committing to God, we can experience the joy and peace that come from a deep, abiding relationship with Him. This freedom allows us to live without the burden of guilt and shame, knowing that we are loved and accepted by our Creator.

Living in freedom and peace is a result of embracing God’s grace and forgiveness. When we let go of the idols that hold us back and fully commit to God, we can experience the true joy and peace that He offers. This freedom is not just about the absence of external pressures but also about an inner sense of contentment and security in our relationship with God. [46:07]

John 8:36 (ESV): "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed."

Reflection: How can you embrace the freedom and peace that come from God’s forgiveness and grace today? What changes can you make to live more fully in this truth?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Today, we delved into Joshua 24, focusing on the importance of forsaking idols and fully committing to God. We began by acknowledging the struggles and anxieties that many of us face, recognizing that the enemy often tries to convince us that we are unworthy. However, God’s truth and grace remind us that we are forgiven and covered by the blood of Jesus. This morning, I shared my personal journey of consecration and the battle against feelings of unworthiness, emphasizing that we are all in this together and that God’s grace is sufficient for all of us.

We then turned to Joshua 24:14-16, where Joshua challenges the Israelites to make a clear decision to serve the Lord and forsake other gods. The word "forsake" means to abandon or renounce completely, and Joshua calls the people to forsake their idols and fully commit to God. This call to action is not just about verbal commitment but requires tangible steps, such as removing idols from our lives.

Joshua’s message is a reminder that following God is not a superficial commitment but a deep, transformative journey. He warns the Israelites that serving God under the covenant means there are consequences for disobedience. This is echoed in Luke 9:23, where Jesus calls His followers to take up their cross daily, signifying the cost and commitment required to truly follow Him.

The sermon concluded with a call to action for us to identify and forsake the idols in our lives. We were encouraged to write down three things that we need to deal with this week, recognizing that choosing Christ means forsaking other things. This is a step towards living in the freedom and peace that God promises, moving beyond superficial commitments to a deep, abiding relationship with Him.

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Key Takeaways

1. 16. [54:00]
3. Superficial vs. Deep Commitment: Joshua’s challenge to the Israelites highlights the difference between superficial and deep commitment. True commitment to God involves understanding the covenant and the consequences of disobedience, as well as a willingness to take up our cross daily.

4. Action Steps in Faith: Verbal commitments are not enough; we must take tangible steps to remove idols from our lives. This involves identifying specific areas where we need to forsake other things to fully follow Christ, as Joshua instructed the Israelites.

5. Living in Freedom and Peace: True freedom and peace come from living in the truth of God’s forgiveness and grace. By forsaking idols and fully committing to God, we can experience the joy and peace that come from a deep, abiding relationship with Him.

### [54:00]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[34:29] - Opening Prayer
[38:24] - Personal Story and Struggles
[41:58] - God’s Grace and Forgiveness
[54:00] - Forsaking Idols
[60:42] - Superficial vs. Deep Commitment
[64:37] - Action Steps in Faith
[69:48] - Living in Freedom and Peace
[72:47] - Closing Prayer and Worship

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What does Joshua challenge the Israelites to do in Joshua 24:14-16?
How does Jesus describe the commitment required to follow Him in Luke 9:23?
According to Galatians 5:1, what has Christ set us free from, and what are we encouraged to do with that freedom?
In the sermon, what personal struggle did the pastor share about feeling unworthy? ([41:16])

Interpretation Questions

Why does Joshua emphasize the need to forsake idols in Joshua 24:14-16? What does this imply about the nature of commitment to God?
How does the concept of taking up one's cross daily in Luke 9:23 relate to the idea of forsaking idols and making a deep commitment to God? ([01:01:48])
What does it mean to live in the freedom mentioned in Galatians 5:1, and how does this freedom relate to forsaking idols and committing to God?
How does the pastor's personal story of battling feelings of unworthiness illustrate the importance of believing in God's grace and forgiveness? ([41:58])

Application Questions

Reflect on your own life: Are there any "idols" or distractions that you need to forsake to fully commit to God? What are they, and how can you begin to remove them this week? ([01:04:37])
Jesus calls us to take up our cross daily. What does this look like in your daily life? Are there specific areas where you need to deny yourself to follow Him more closely? ([01:01:48])
The pastor shared his struggle with feelings of unworthiness. Have you ever felt unworthy of God's grace? How can you remind yourself of God's forgiveness and move forward in faith? ([41:16])
Galatians 5:1 speaks about living in freedom. What steps can you take to stand firm in the freedom Christ has given you and avoid falling back into old patterns or "yokes of slavery"?
Joshua called the Israelites to make a clear decision to serve the Lord. What tangible steps can you take this week to show your commitment to God, beyond just verbal affirmations? ([01:04:37])
The sermon emphasized the difference between superficial and deep commitment. How can you deepen your relationship with God and move beyond a surface-level faith? ([01:00:42])
Identify three specific things in your life that you need to deal with this week to fully follow Christ. Write them down and share with the group how you plan to address these areas. ([01:07:26])

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "God, if we pulled out the church evaluation sheets, we could go down the line and before too long, West Rome Baptist Church would be a pretty good church to go to. Good stuff happening. Lives being changed. Had a young man give his life to Christ last night as part of our weekend, fam jam weekend. God, you're at work." [35:21] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "But God says to me today that he put the love of Christ and he put this in jars of clay, right, so that he could say to us, you're pressed in, but you ain't crushed. I feel crushed. Y'all ever feel crushed? Sometimes you feel like you missed it and you're like, no, no, no, one pat. I am crushed. But we're not." [43:49] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "And my hope and prayer is that we can all just keep moving forward and trusting in him when it says you're forgiven and you're clean and you're whole, move on, that we can say, amen, thank you. And maybe the challenge for you in this, this morning, is that you're right where I have been and you're like, yeah, I hear those verses, but I don't feel clean and pure and ready to move on." [44:26] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Because if there is no peace, it's hard to have joy. If there is no joy, it's hard to tell people about Jesus. It's hard to share the joy of Christ when you're walking around without it. So I pray for you this morning. Father, I'm just sharing my heart. I hope it's making sense and I know these people love me so much. And I thank you for the blood of Jesus Christ." [44:58] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "Galatians 5, 1, we use it all the time. God, you gave us freedom so that we could be free. Not so that we could look at freedom. Not so that we could look through the fence at freedom and other people's freedom, but we could be free. I pray for a freedom in this room this morning. A freedom to trust in you. A freedom to know that we are your children." [46:07] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "Some of us deal with that oppression plays, that the enemy plays in saying things to us that are just not true and God keeps trying to tell us this is what's true and the enemy comes in and says, yeah, but this is what you think and you have to, as scripture teaches us, guard our hearts and guard our minds and take every thought captive." [39:20] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "But the only reason I get up here and am able and called by God to get up here and do what I do is because he has forgiven me and he has covered me in grace and the blood of Jesus covers me just like it covers you. And in my counsel, I would say to you, you just need to believe what God said and move on." [41:58] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "When Joshua tells the people in verse 14, now fear the Lord and serve him. Throw away all the gods before you. Choose this day whom you're going to serve. He says to them, who are you going to forsake today? Who are you going to honor and who are you going to keep and who are you going to get rid of?" [55:57] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "You don't express your commitment by what you say, but by what you do. See, in church, we have a lot of those commitments. I'm going to do this. I'm going to change this and I'm going to go do this and be one of those and be that and I'm going to do it different. And Joshua said to them, I hear you boys. I don't really believe you I know you, but I hear what you're saying and I'm challenging you." [01:06:03] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "What are three things in your life that this week have to be dealt with? Because you know if you go home and if you choose one of those things, you're forsaking Christ. And if you go to your house and say, I'm going to choose Christ, then these three things I must forsake. I must remove. I must get rid of. I must let go of." [01:07:26] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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