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EZEKIEL 14:1-6

"IDOLATRY"

I. "THESE MEN HAVE SET UP IDOLS IN THEIR HEART."
        A. I don't believe that any of you would be guilty of worshipping
           or praying to an image.
                1. For this reason, idolatry seems like an Unnecessary
                   subject to warn against in our enlightened age.
                2. These men being, Jews and under the law, would no doubt
                   have recoiled at the accusation of idolatry.
        B. Yet God said "they have set up their idols in their hearts."
                1. This is the place of true idolatry.
                        a. What is the first love of your life?
                        b. What is that project that even now absorbs the
                           thoughts of your mind.
                                1. These men had come to inquire of God.
                        c. That which takes pre-eminence in my heart and
                           mind.
                                1. Home, job, girl friend, car, sport,
                                   pleasure, intellect, money.
                2. It is a mistake to think that you can hide your sin
                   from God.
                        a. "God looks on the heart."
                        b. In Chapter 8 God showed Ezekiel what the people
                           were thinking.
        C. Outward religious observance not enough.
                1. Outward dedication will not suffice.
                2. This is all of no value if in my heart I have set up
                   idols.
                        a. "Rend your hearts and not your garment."
                        b. "Out of the heart are the issues of life."

II. "THEY ARE ALL ESTRANGED FROM ME THROUGH THEIR IDOLS."
        A. This is always the effect of idolatry - estrangement from God.
                1. Backsliding is usually such a subtle thing.
                2. A slow drifting from the path.
                        a. "Let us take the more earnest heed..."
                3. Have you sort of felt far from God of late?
        B. It is so important that we maintain the true perspective in
           life.
                1. What is the most important thing in life.
                        a. If life is just a probationary period.
                        b. If our eternal destiny depends upon our
                           relationship to Jesus Christ.
                        c. Then this relationship should take preeminence
                           over anything and everything else.
                2. "But, seek ye first..."
                3. When I start getting second things first, I am in
                   trouble.
                4. The greatest commandment.

III. GOD'S WORD TO THE IDOLATROUS MAN.
        A. Repent.
                1. Too often we seek to justify through rationale.
                        a. In my job, appearance is important.
                        b. Well I need something to relax me.
                                1. Have you ever tried prayer?
                        c. If I had more money then I could give to God.
                        d. Everything I have belongs to God.
                2. Be honest with God.
                        a. "Dearest Lord, I don't love them as much as I
                            should." "O God I hate them."
                        b. When I seek to deceive God, the only one being
                           fooled is me.
        B. Turn from your idols.
                1. The true sign of repentance is when one turns away.
                2. When one says, "O God I'm sorry," and turns and does
                   the same thing over.
                        a. They may be sorry but not repentant.
                                1. Godly sorrow worketh repentance.
        C. Therefore let a man examine himself.