Turning from Idols to the True God

 

Summary

In the book of Jeremiah, we find a profound message that resonates with our current world. The children of Israel, despite being God's chosen people, turned their backs on Him, choosing instead to worship idols made of wood and stone. This folly led to their downfall, as they faced calamity and despair without the true God to guide them. The essence of their error was a refusal to think and consider the truth of their situation. They relied on false gods, which were powerless to save them in times of trouble. This message is not just a historical account but a reflection of our modern world, where many still turn to false idols—whether material possessions, philosophies, or self-reliance—rather than the living God.

The sermon challenges us to examine our own lives and the foundations upon which we build them. It asks us to consider what we truly rely on in times of crisis. False religions, whether ancient or modern, leave us ashamed and confounded when they fail to deliver in our darkest hours. In contrast, the true religion, centered on the living God, offers strength, comfort, and salvation. The God of the Bible is not a creation of human hands but the eternal, almighty Creator who revealed Himself in Jesus Christ. This God is able to help us in temptation, illness, grief, and even death. He offers forgiveness for our sins and the promise of eternal life.

The sermon concludes with a call to turn away from false idols and embrace the true God. It is a plea to recognize the futility of relying on anything other than God and to seek His mercy and grace. In doing so, we find not only salvation but also a life of purpose and fulfillment, grounded in the eternal truth of God's love and power.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Folly of Idolatry: The Israelites' downfall was due to their reliance on idols, which were powerless to save them. This serves as a warning against placing our trust in anything other than God, as false idols will ultimately leave us ashamed and confounded. [03:53]

2. The Nature of True Religion: True religion is characterized by a relationship with the living God, who is eternal and almighty. Unlike false gods, the God of the Bible is not a creation of human hands but the Creator of all things, offering us a foundation that is unshakeable. [04:42]

3. God's Power to Save: In times of crisis, false religions fail to provide the help we need. In contrast, the true God offers strength, comfort, and salvation, demonstrating His power through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. [18:15]

4. The Promise of Forgiveness: Through Jesus Christ, we find forgiveness for our sins and the promise of eternal life. This assurance is not found in any false religion but is a unique gift of God's grace, available to all who turn to Him in faith. [43:57]

5. A Call to Turn to God: The sermon concludes with a call to abandon false idols and embrace the true God. By doing so, we find not only salvation but also a life of purpose and fulfillment, grounded in the eternal truth of God's love and power. [54:02]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:10] - Introduction to Jeremiah's Message
- [01:08] - Israel's Folly and Idolatry
- [02:10] - God's Plea for Repentance
- [03:53] - The Refusal to Think
- [04:42] - True vs. False Religion
- [06:07] - The Test of Our Faith
- [08:38] - The Nature of False Gods
- [12:18] - The Futility of False Idols
- [18:15] - The Power of True Religion
- [22:54] - Facing Death and Judgment
- [30:35] - The Ultimate Degradation
- [39:09] - The Glory of the True God
- [43:57] - The Promise of Forgiveness
- [54:02] - A Call to Turn to God

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
- Jeremiah 2:26-28: "As the thief is ashamed when he is found, so is the house of Israel ashamed; they, their kings, their princes, and their priests, and their prophets, saying to a stock, Thou art my father; and to a stone, Thou hast brought me forth: for they have turned their back unto me, and not their face: but in the time of their trouble they will say, Arise, and save us. But where are thy gods that thou hast made thee? let them arise, if they can save thee in the time of thy trouble: for according to the number of thy cities are thy gods, O Judah."

#### Observation Questions
1. What actions did the Israelites take that led to their downfall, according to Jeremiah 2:26-28? How does this reflect their relationship with God? [00:29]
2. In the sermon, what is described as the primary reason for the Israelites' calamity and despair? [01:26]
3. How does the sermon describe the nature of false gods compared to the true God? [09:50]
4. What does the sermon suggest is the ultimate consequence of relying on false idols? [24:42]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the sermon interpret the Israelites' reliance on idols as a refusal to think and consider their true situation? [03:53]
2. What does the sermon suggest about the nature of true religion and its foundation in the living God? How is this contrasted with false religions? [04:42]
3. How does the sermon explain the power of the true God to save in times of crisis, and what examples are given to illustrate this? [18:15]
4. According to the sermon, what is the significance of turning away from false idols and embracing the true God? [54:02]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life: Are there any "idols" or false reliances you might be turning to in times of trouble? How can you begin to shift your reliance to God instead? [06:55]
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of thinking and considering our true situation. How can you incorporate more reflection and consideration of your spiritual life into your daily routine? [03:53]
3. In what ways can you strengthen your relationship with the living God, as described in the sermon, to ensure it is unshakeable in times of crisis? [04:42]
4. The sermon calls for a recognition of the futility of false idols. What steps can you take this week to identify and remove any false idols in your life? [54:02]
5. How can you actively seek God's mercy and grace in your life, and what changes might you need to make to fully embrace the true God? [54:02]
6. Consider a recent crisis or challenge you faced. How did your faith or reliance on God help you through it, and what might you do differently next time to rely more fully on Him? [18:15]
7. The sermon speaks of a life of purpose and fulfillment grounded in God's love and power. What specific actions can you take to align your life more closely with this vision? [54:02]

Devotional

Day 1: The Danger of Misplaced Trust
The Israelites' reliance on idols led to their downfall, as these false gods were powerless to save them in times of trouble. This serves as a warning against placing our trust in anything other than God. In today's world, we may not worship physical idols, but we often place our trust in material possessions, personal achievements, or societal philosophies. These modern idols can leave us feeling ashamed and confounded when they fail to deliver in our darkest hours. Instead, we are called to examine our lives and consider what we truly rely on during crises. [03:53]

Jeremiah 2:27-28 (ESV): "Who say to a tree, ‘You are my father,’ and to a stone, ‘You gave me birth.’ For they have turned their back to me, and not their face. But in the time of their trouble they say, ‘Arise and save us!’ But where are your gods that you made for yourself? Let them arise, if they can save you, in your time of trouble; for as many as your cities are your gods, O Judah."

Reflection: Identify one "idol" in your life that you tend to rely on more than God. How can you begin to shift your trust back to Him today?


Day 2: The Foundation of True Religion
True religion is characterized by a relationship with the living God, who is eternal and almighty. Unlike false gods, the God of the Bible is not a creation of human hands but the Creator of all things. This relationship offers us a foundation that is unshakeable, providing strength and stability in a world full of uncertainties. By understanding the nature of true religion, we can build our lives on a foundation that will not falter, even in the face of life's greatest challenges. [04:42]

Isaiah 44:6-8 (ESV): "Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts: 'I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no god. Who is like me? Let him proclaim it. Let him declare and set it before me, since I appointed an ancient people. Let them declare what is to come, and what will happen. Fear not, nor be afraid; have I not told you from of old and declared it? And you are my witnesses! Is there a God besides me? There is no Rock; I know not any.'"

Reflection: What steps can you take to deepen your relationship with the living God and ensure He is the foundation of your life?


Day 3: The Power of God to Save
In times of crisis, false religions fail to provide the help we need. In contrast, the true God offers strength, comfort, and salvation, demonstrating His power through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This power is not just historical but is available to us today, offering hope and assurance in our daily struggles. By turning to God, we can experience His saving power in our lives, finding peace and strength in His presence. [18:15]

Psalm 46:1-3 (ESV): "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling."

Reflection: Think of a current crisis or challenge you are facing. How can you invite God's power and presence into this situation today?


Day 4: The Gift of Forgiveness
Through Jesus Christ, we find forgiveness for our sins and the promise of eternal life. This assurance is not found in any false religion but is a unique gift of God's grace, available to all who turn to Him in faith. Understanding and accepting this gift can transform our lives, freeing us from guilt and shame and allowing us to live in the light of God's love and mercy. [43:57]

Micah 7:18-19 (ESV): "Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression for the remnant of his inheritance? He does not retain his anger forever, because he delights in steadfast love. He will again have compassion on us; he will tread our iniquities underfoot. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea."

Reflection: Is there a sin or burden you need to bring to God for forgiveness? How can you embrace His grace and let go of guilt today?


Day 5: Embracing the True God
The call to abandon false idols and embrace the true God is a call to find not only salvation but also a life of purpose and fulfillment. By recognizing the futility of relying on anything other than God, we can seek His mercy and grace, grounding our lives in the eternal truth of His love and power. This decision leads to a life that is not only saved but also enriched by the presence and guidance of the Almighty. [54:02]

Deuteronomy 30:19-20 (ESV): "I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life and length of days, that you may dwell in the land that the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them."

Reflection: What is one practical step you can take today to turn away from a false idol and embrace the true God more fully in your life?

Quotes


Here are these children of Israel in terrible trouble, everything had gone wrong, there was a national decline in every conceivable respect, and here they are not knowing what to do and utterly bewildered, turning to various experiences, none of them are of any value. They, in fact, are doing everything except the one thing that they should have done at the beginning, and that is to turn back to God. But God in His love and in His mercy and kindness, in spite of their folly and their rebellion, hasn't forsaken them. [00:86:04]

The first test always to apply to any kind of religion is the nature of the character of the god who is worshipped. The second is to test the capacity and the power of that God to help you in the crises and the troubles of life. And the third test is this: in what kind of state or condition does your religion leave you at the end? [00:530:15]

What do I ask of my religion? Well, I want help when I'm confronted by temptation. The world is full of temptation, and men need something that can help him to withstand the power and the force of temptation. What's the value of what you believe in when you're tempted? How does that to which you pin your faith really help you when evil makes an onslaught upon you? [00:1121:52]

What about illness? Here's a crisis in life, isn't it, when a man is taken ill. This is very much in my life and in my mind at the present moment for this reason: I stood at the bedside of a man who is a minister of religion as I am myself, and whom I'd known for some thirty years, and he said a very profound thing to me. [00:1156:84]

The test of our religion is how does it help us at the moment of grief or of anguish or of sorrow or of bereavement? What a gold age which is bound to come, what a test this is. Did you hear the great men on the wireless the other day confessing quite openly that he couldn't look forward to anything? You've got nothing to look forward to. [00:1301:42]

What a fraud this false religion is. When you need it, it's got nothing to give you. In the moment of your agony, it forsakes you. How could it have helped you? It's only a stock, it's only a stone, it's only you yourself and your thoughts and your brilliant philosophies. They can't make death, they can't meet judgment, they can't help you when your heart is broken. [00:1441:07]

The first thing he is saying is this: that a false religion will always be found out. Look at his comparison: as the thief is ashamed when he's found. Look at the thief, clever fellow this, he knows how to do things, he's not going to be caught. He watches, waits for his opportunity, lights have gone out everywhere, slips round corners, nobody seen him. [00:1513:61]

When a man comes against the crises, he not only finds he's gotten nothing, but there's something still more humiliating. Listen to this: here they are saying to the stocks, thou art my father, into a stone thou has brought me forth, but in the time of their troubles has got to them, they will say arise and save us. [00:1737:80]

The nature of the God: stocks, stones, and over against them, me. They have turned their back and to me. Who is he? Is he a stock? Is he a stone? Is he a precious metal? No, no, he says I am that I am. He's being, his person, me, God the Almighty, the everlasting, the creator of the ends of the earth, glorious in holiness, almighty in power. [00:2057:79]

He is the brightness of God's glory and the express image of his person. He is the brightness of the Father's glory. Who is he? His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. That's who he is, the Mighty God. Here is the one from whom men are turning. [00:2285:28]

He came to be made an offering for your sins and mine. He came to take our guilt upon him who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree. By His stripes we are healed. Yes, he's been bruised for our iniquities and for our transgressions. Can he help? He's the only one who can, and he can, blessed be his name. [00:2676:42]

He passes my second test with flying colours. He's all-sufficient. He is the complete. He's the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. He's made unto me wisdom and righteousness and sanctification and redemption. He's my all and in all. He satisfies my second test. What of my third test? [00:2783:12]

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Transcript
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