100:00:00,960 –> 00:00:02,960I200:00:03,640 –> 00:00:06,680Reckon that at first sight the second commandment looks pretty easy300:00:07,240 –> 00:00:13,020It’s rather like a wall or a rock that from a distance makes you say hey, I could climb that one400:00:13,940 –> 00:00:17,420No one suggests to you that learning to truly worship500:00:18,200 –> 00:00:20,200God as he is600:00:20,959 –> 00:00:25,180Is indeed one of the greatest struggles of any of our lives700:00:26,000 –> 00:00:29,820Welcome to open the Bible with Pastor Colin Smith. I am David Pick800:00:29,860 –> 00:00:32,380I’m glad you could be with us today and Colin900:00:32,380 –> 00:00:35,660Maybe one of the reasons why Christians would say worshiping1000:00:35,660 –> 00:00:39,439God is easy is because we tend to worship God not as he is1100:00:39,439 –> 00:00:44,720But as we’d like him to be yeah, and the Bible has a name for that and it’s idolatry1200:00:44,740 –> 00:00:48,939And I think most people think hey one thing I’m not is an idolatry1300:00:48,939 –> 00:00:52,860I don’t carve any wooden images or metal images or whatever else1400:00:53,279 –> 00:00:56,900But you really nailed it idolatry at its heart is1500:00:57,419 –> 00:01:00,939Making up our own God and of course the tragedy of it1600:01:00,939 –> 00:01:06,739Is that a God that I make up in my own imagination dies with my own imagination and is absolutely no use to me1700:01:06,739 –> 00:01:13,220Because he has no has no existence let alone any power to save so it’s important for us to hear how God says he is1800:01:13,220 –> 00:01:16,019I am who I am that’s the great statement?1900:01:16,540 –> 00:01:19,260With which God revealed himself to Moses in other words2000:01:19,260 –> 00:01:22,639he was saying I am who I say I am not who you say2100:01:24,139 –> 00:01:29,120Yeah, he is God other people don’t define us, and it’s not for us to go around defining2200:01:29,120 –> 00:01:32,040God so let’s learn more about this God of the Bible2300:01:32,059 –> 00:01:37,559We’re in Colossians chapter 1 as we begin a message your struggle with worship2400:01:37,620 –> 00:01:39,800Here’s Colin now a couple of weeks ago2500:01:39,800 –> 00:01:43,839I had the pleasure of meeting some folks who had come to this church for the very first time2600:01:44,540 –> 00:01:48,779They had heard the ministry on the unlocking the Bible radio2700:01:48,900 –> 00:01:53,959program and because they had heard the ministry they decided to come to visit the church2800:01:54,620 –> 00:01:58,220Came up at the front here to introduce themselves to me at the end of the service2900:01:58,220 –> 00:02:00,500And they said it’s nice to meet you3000:02:00,500 –> 00:02:05,000they said we’ve been listening to you on the radio, and then they sort of paused and3100:02:05,699 –> 00:02:07,459said3200:02:07,459 –> 00:02:10,220You don’t look anything like we imagined3300:02:12,339 –> 00:02:14,339Now this raises a very obvious question3400:02:14,740 –> 00:02:18,240What on earth did they imagine?3500:02:21,839 –> 00:02:23,699Discretion was the better part of valor3600:02:23,699 –> 00:02:27,820I thought let’s not go there in case it turns out that you are a huge3700:02:28,479 –> 00:02:30,979disappointment to these people3800:02:31,660 –> 00:02:38,720Now it is the most natural thing in the world to project an image from our imaginations of something or someone we have not seen3900:02:39,940 –> 00:02:42,059and God is invisible and4000:02:42,720 –> 00:02:49,419So it is therefore the most natural thing in the world quite instinctive for us to create within our minds and sometimes in art and4100:02:49,740 –> 00:02:51,039craft and4200:02:51,039 –> 00:02:52,320sculpture4300:02:52,320 –> 00:02:56,479images that are intended to point to him remind us of him4400:02:57,220 –> 00:03:00,619represent him in some kind of a way and4500:03:01,660 –> 00:03:06,460At the very simplest level the Second Commandment speaks to this issue4600:03:09,000 –> 00:03:11,240Don’t make an idol4700:03:12,960 –> 00:03:19,000The problem with any image that is intended to represent God is that it can never do him justice4800:03:20,279 –> 00:03:22,279any image4900:03:22,339 –> 00:03:26,360Will in its nature be far far far less5000:03:27,059 –> 00:03:34,380Than God is to the point where it will distract us from him more than it will draw us to him5100:03:35,000 –> 00:03:39,460And so it just at a very simple level. I want to commend this for your consideration5200:03:40,179 –> 00:03:47,419The Second Commandment speaks directly to this issue. I know that there are many folks who say that they find icons and5300:03:50,380 –> 00:03:54,520Sometimes beads and pictures as a kind of aids to devotion5400:03:55,179 –> 00:03:57,380And I want to ask you to consider this5500:03:58,339 –> 00:04:00,500Don’t try to be wiser than God5600:04:02,460 –> 00:04:04,220It’s very common for folks to say yes5700:04:04,860 –> 00:04:11,740It’s very common for folks to say yes, but I really worship God through this and this is a thing that helps me to worship5800:04:11,740 –> 00:04:15,660God you will find that kind of language by the way very very prominent within hinduism5900:04:17,559 –> 00:04:20,179And the Second Commandment urges us not to go down that road6000:04:22,019 –> 00:04:27,679Remember that images do as much to distract us from God as to6100:04:27,679 –> 00:04:32,600Represent him to us. Think of the famous piece of artwork in the Sistine Chapel6200:04:32,739 –> 00:04:39,619Of God the finger of God coming out of the sky gives some representation of his awesome power none whatsoever of his love6300:04:40,140 –> 00:04:43,480You get that image fixed in your mind. You’ve got a distorted image of God6400:04:44,540 –> 00:04:46,859because while it represents one thing it6500:04:47,279 –> 00:04:52,140Obscures another that’s the problem art is a created thing6600:04:52,640 –> 00:04:56,100It’s limited as part of the creation it cannot represent the Creator6700:04:57,720 –> 00:04:59,720Some of us were6800:04:59,980 –> 00:05:03,079Distracted by pictures of Jesus in children’s books6900:05:04,160 –> 00:05:11,980Years later in adult life we carry within us some idea that Jesus is essentially spineless anemic and rather week7000:05:12,959 –> 00:05:19,739Because that was the picture that we picked up from a children’s book 50 years ago, and it’s stayed with us somewhere7100:05:21,320 –> 00:05:23,320Gentle Jesus making mild7200:05:24,279 –> 00:05:30,399Part of the truth, but it’s obscured as much as it has revealed7300:05:32,079 –> 00:05:33,920Many people wear little7400:05:33,920 –> 00:05:35,079crucifixes7500:05:35,079 –> 00:05:38,079crucifix an image of Jesus on the cross7600:05:38,920 –> 00:05:45,820Well now that reveals something doesn’t it it reveals and reminds that Jesus died on the cross for our sins7700:05:46,000 –> 00:05:52,179But it also obscures something the fact that he’s not on the cross now. He’s risen from the dead7800:05:52,239 –> 00:05:58,100He’s exalted. He is triumphant and his sacrifice for sin is completed7900:05:58,100 –> 00:06:00,760It is over and my salvation is found by resting8000:06:00,920 –> 00:06:04,779in this and by looking up to the risen Lord and Savior who loves me and8100:06:05,019 –> 00:06:08,140Embraces with me and walks with me every day of my life8200:06:10,100 –> 00:06:15,040So there’s an issue here for us to consider and perhaps for some of us to consider in a fresh way8300:06:16,420 –> 00:06:18,420art and sculpture8400:06:18,679 –> 00:06:25,079Can capture the beauty and the wonder of creation they are wonderful gifts that should be used in this way8500:06:26,100 –> 00:06:30,339But they cannot capture the glory of the Creator and when art and sculpture8600:06:31,179 –> 00:06:33,760attempts to capture the glory of the Creator it8700:06:34,279 –> 00:06:37,059obscures as much as it reveals8800:06:38,380 –> 00:06:42,059Now I want to suggest to you that that of course is one of our great difficulties in worship8900:06:42,059 –> 00:06:46,779Not just in terms of art, but in terms of our whole thinking about God9000:06:46,859 –> 00:06:50,679You see my most intimate experience of love9100:06:51,700 –> 00:06:53,459my most9200:06:53,459 –> 00:06:55,600wonderful experience of being loved9300:06:56,779 –> 00:07:00,079Doesn’t get near the love of God for me9400:07:01,899 –> 00:07:09,160Our most awesome apprehension of power the hurricanes we’ve seen in Florida that make us gasp with all9500:07:10,940 –> 00:07:14,980They don’t get near the awesome power of God9600:07:14,980 –> 00:07:16,420And9700:07:16,420 –> 00:07:24,279one of the struggles that I think we experience in worship is that too often we try and shave God down to9800:07:24,619 –> 00:07:29,660a system of thought or to the limited horizons of our experience9900:07:29,660 –> 00:07:35,980And you just can’t do that. God says to what will you compare me?10000:07:35,980 –> 00:07:40,040there is nothing with which we can compare the10100:07:40,899 –> 00:07:42,899incomparable one and10200:07:43,000 –> 00:07:46,100And it’s for that reason that worship is one of the most difficult10300:07:46,440 –> 00:07:52,619Challenges one of the greatest struggles in all of our experience and we’re coming to look at it in the second commandment. I10400:07:54,220 –> 00:07:57,320Reckon that at first sight the second commandment looks pretty easy10500:07:57,859 –> 00:08:03,619It’s rather like a wall or a rock that from a distance makes you say hey I could climb that one10600:08:04,299 –> 00:08:08,540I might struggle with some of the other commandments, but you know, I have no totem poles in the garden10700:08:08,540 –> 00:08:14,040I’m not overwhelmed by some great urge to go and create a piece of wood that whittle a piece of wood10800:08:14,040 –> 00:08:18,380There’s going to be an object of worship. I’m just good on the second commandment. Well, as10900:08:19,459 –> 00:08:24,220We look at what it really means we’re going to see it goes far far deeper than that11000:08:25,260 –> 00:08:28,760Now I want suggest to you that learning to truly worship11100:08:29,679 –> 00:08:31,679God as he is11200:08:32,320 –> 00:08:34,979Is indeed one of the greatest struggles11300:08:36,200 –> 00:08:38,200of any of our lives11400:08:38,900 –> 00:08:44,559You’re listening to open the Bible with pastor Colin Smith and a message called your struggle with worship11500:08:44,739 –> 00:08:48,460It’s part of our series the 10 greatest struggles of your life11600:08:48,780 –> 00:08:52,900All about the 10 commandments and how they’re so relevant to our lives today11700:08:53,400 –> 00:08:57,380If you’ve missed any of the series so far or if you want to go back and listen again11800:08:57,380 –> 00:09:01,619You can do that by coming online to our website. Open the Bible.org11900:09:01,619 –> 00:09:07,739Dot a uk there you’ll find all the messages which have already gone out on air and you’ll also find them as a podcast12000:09:07,739 –> 00:09:14,500If you want to go to your favorite podcast site search for open the Bible UK and subscribe if you want to receive regular12100:09:14,799 –> 00:09:15,900reminders12200:09:15,900 –> 00:09:21,659Open the Bible is supported by our listeners financially. And if that’s something you’re considering doing this month12300:09:21,780 –> 00:09:23,320We have an offer for you12400:09:23,320 –> 00:09:30,440It’s the book by pastor Colin Smith called drive through the Bible a 30-day journey through the Bible12500:09:30,840 –> 00:09:37,059We’re very grateful to open the Bible listeners who provide the funds for us to stay on this station12600:09:37,200 –> 00:09:39,520So if that is something you’re considering doing12700:09:39,520 –> 00:09:43,659I hope you’ll stay with us to the end of the program when I’ll be talking to pastor Colin12800:09:43,719 –> 00:09:48,719About his book in the meantime. You can find out about this offer by coming online to our website12900:09:49,280 –> 00:09:51,239open the bible org13000:09:51,239 –> 00:09:53,460Uk and you can also give online13100:09:54,099 –> 00:09:55,679back to the message now13200:09:55,679 –> 00:09:57,599We’re in Colossians chapter 113300:09:57,599 –> 00:10:04,940here’s Colin want to give you a famous definition of idolatry given hundreds of years ago by Augustina a great13400:10:05,239 –> 00:10:12,419Leader of the Christian Church, I find this profoundly helpful and it opens up to dimensions that are involved in idolatry13500:10:13,820 –> 00:10:15,820Idolatry says Augustine is13600:10:17,099 –> 00:10:19,919Worshipping what should be used or using?13700:10:21,739 –> 00:10:25,099What should be worshipped very important definition?13800:10:26,000 –> 00:10:29,179Idolatry what is condemned within the second commandment?13900:10:30,119 –> 00:10:33,799Idolatry is worshiping what should be used or14000:10:34,719 –> 00:10:36,099using14100:10:36,099 –> 00:10:42,140What should be worshipped and I found that I was helped to understand this better14200:10:42,599 –> 00:10:43,799by a14300:10:43,799 –> 00:10:45,179distinction that C.S14400:10:45,179 –> 00:10:50,380Lewis makes in his famous book the screw tape letters between five different phrases14500:10:50,380 –> 00:10:54,380I’m gonna give them to you and then we’ll work them through together. Here are the five phrases14600:10:55,200 –> 00:10:57,200my boots14700:10:57,679 –> 00:10:59,719My dog14800:10:59,719 –> 00:11:01,640my wife14900:11:01,640 –> 00:11:03,640my country and15000:11:03,840 –> 00:11:05,719my god15100:11:05,719 –> 00:11:10,739Now it’s very interesting that these phrases cover the entire spectrum of love. I15200:11:11,679 –> 00:11:17,140Can say that. I love my boots. I love my dog. I love my wife. I love my country. I love my god15300:11:18,479 –> 00:11:23,760Fact is interesting as it happens that just the other week Karen and I we’re out shopping15400:11:24,320 –> 00:11:28,960She bought some new shoes she’s been wearing them to school and just the other day15500:11:29,739 –> 00:11:36,580She said to me I really love my new shoes. She’d been finding them really comfortable great15600:11:38,080 –> 00:11:41,500Later in the day she said, I love you15700:11:43,679 –> 00:11:45,679Now this is interesting isn’t it15800:11:47,440 –> 00:11:51,140I’m hoping that there is some kind of a difference or15900:11:51,520 –> 00:11:54,400Distinction between the way in which words are being used here16000:11:56,119 –> 00:12:00,840These five statements take you all the way from ownership to worship16100:12:01,919 –> 00:12:05,479From that, which is to be used as a resource16200:12:06,359 –> 00:12:08,599To the one who is to be worshiped16300:12:09,200 –> 00:12:11,200alone16400:12:11,559 –> 00:12:15,340And I found it helpful to understand that spectrum and then to ask the question16500:12:16,799 –> 00:12:20,380What do I mean when I say my god16600:12:22,039 –> 00:12:26,820You let’s look at the spectrum a little more closely together first of all my boots think about this I16700:12:27,799 –> 00:12:30,419choose the boots that I like I16800:12:31,440 –> 00:12:35,179Chose them because they appeal to me. They fit my style16900:12:36,400 –> 00:12:40,820They make me look good, and they are comfortable for me to wear17000:12:42,039 –> 00:12:45,719They exist entirely for my comfort my use and my pleasure17100:12:45,719 –> 00:12:50,840If I ever see a better pair of boots that I like much more than the ones that I’ve got I will feel it17200:12:50,900 –> 00:12:52,919liberty to change them if17300:12:53,400 –> 00:13:00,219I tire of my boots if my boots wear out I can replace them my boots. Help me to avoid pain17400:13:00,419 –> 00:13:02,799Which I’d experience if I walked without them17500:13:03,960 –> 00:13:07,400but if my boots ever cause me pain I17600:13:09,000 –> 00:13:11,179Will dispose of them of course17700:13:12,679 –> 00:13:14,679instantly17800:13:15,340 –> 00:13:17,340Now let’s move on to my dog a17900:13:17,820 –> 00:13:22,080dog has its uses doesn’t it a dog can be a good friend a dog can guard your18000:13:22,179 –> 00:13:26,000Property a dog can make sure that you get some exercise that we all need18100:13:26,919 –> 00:13:29,099All kinds of uses for a dog18200:13:30,599 –> 00:13:34,799But a man who treats a dog in the same ways he treats his boots is a disgrace18300:13:36,039 –> 00:13:41,760There is some loyalty here. There is some responsibility. The dog is more than the boots18400:13:41,760 –> 00:13:43,820Don’t just have a dog to use it18500:13:45,700 –> 00:13:47,700My wife a18600:13:48,619 –> 00:13:53,159Man who cannot tell the difference between my boots and my wife is in big trouble18700:13:55,080 –> 00:13:57,080And actually if you think about that18800:13:57,799 –> 00:13:59,799It’s a pretty serious comment18900:14:00,179 –> 00:14:05,599Because isn’t that precisely why some marriages are in big trouble today?19000:14:06,359 –> 00:14:13,580The tragedy is that instead of being a relationship of mutual love and support and comfort and strength a19100:14:14,539 –> 00:14:21,179Partnership to pursue the glory of God that a marriage can too easily degenerate into a relationship in which two people19200:14:21,219 –> 00:14:23,500use each other as a resource I19300:14:24,719 –> 00:14:30,119Need him for the money to support my lifestyle. I need her to raise the kids I19400:14:31,859 –> 00:14:33,859I19500:14:34,419 –> 00:14:36,419Need her for my image19600:14:37,380 –> 00:14:40,659My pleasure or whatever19700:14:42,919 –> 00:14:50,179Instead of being a relationship between two people in which there is mutual loving caring and serving and honoring19800:14:52,219 –> 00:14:54,219Becomes a relationship of use19900:14:55,960 –> 00:14:58,919That’s one step from a relationship of abuse20000:14:58,919 –> 00:15:05,179When I was preparing this I looked back to what I just written about the boots20100:15:05,280 –> 00:15:07,320Can I read you20200:15:07,500 –> 00:15:13,760What we said about the boots only this time we’ll put in my wife or my husband instead of the boots20300:15:13,960 –> 00:15:15,580I find it quite revealing20400:15:15,580 –> 00:15:19,960I chose my wife my husband because I like the way she looks20500:15:20,880 –> 00:15:24,659Because she fitted my style and because she’s comfortable for me to be with20600:15:24,820 –> 00:15:31,000My wife exists entirely for my comfort use and pleasure. If I see a better wife, I can change her at will20700:15:31,299 –> 00:15:35,059If I tire of her or if she wears out, I will replace her20800:15:35,219 –> 00:15:43,260My wife helps me avoid pain. And of course if she were ever to give me pain, I would dispose of her instantly20900:15:44,539 –> 00:15:48,880But do you see that’s not too far from where a lot of people are in our society today, right?21000:15:48,960 –> 00:15:56,559See what happens in a society where we lose the capacity to regard another person as greater than ourselves21100:15:57,719 –> 00:16:02,960My country, here we move even further in the direction of responsibility21200:16:03,159 –> 00:16:06,119We’re moving away from ownership all the time you see21300:16:06,760 –> 00:16:08,479I own the boots21400:16:09,880 –> 00:16:11,979No sense really of owning the country21500:16:12,099 –> 00:16:13,760I belong to the country21600:16:13,760 –> 00:16:15,440The country is so much bigger than me21700:16:16,479 –> 00:16:19,559You don’t choose the country you like21800:16:21,080 –> 00:16:24,400You are loyal to the country to which you belong21900:16:26,580 –> 00:16:28,640My country is far bigger than me22000:16:28,640 –> 00:16:31,159There may be times when I’m called upon22100:16:31,239 –> 00:16:35,780A time when I’m called upon to lay down my life for my country22200:16:37,239 –> 00:16:38,979Do you remember President Obama?22300:16:38,979 –> 00:16:41,460To lay down my life for my country22400:16:43,080 –> 00:16:45,940Remember President Kennedy’s great words22500:16:45,940 –> 00:16:49,380Ask not what your country can do for you22600:16:49,380 –> 00:16:53,340Ask what you can do for your country22700:16:55,559 –> 00:16:58,599You see, we’re moving away from using something as a resource22800:16:58,599 –> 00:17:01,580To serving something that is greater than ourselves22900:17:03,599 –> 00:17:05,040And so we come to my God23000:17:05,359 –> 00:17:10,959Here we come to the relationship of worship in its purest form23100:17:10,959 –> 00:17:13,859And here’s the problem23200:17:13,859 –> 00:17:19,400Some folks can’t tell the difference between my God23300:17:19,400 –> 00:17:21,699and my boots23400:17:21,699 –> 00:17:24,180And that’s idolatry23500:17:24,640 –> 00:17:27,579If you say my God23600:17:27,579 –> 00:17:32,859with the same sense of wanting to try and use him as a resource23700:17:32,859 –> 00:17:35,520as you would mean when you say my boots23800:17:35,520 –> 00:17:39,060You are an idolater23900:17:39,060 –> 00:17:41,599That’s what idolatry is24000:17:41,599 –> 00:17:44,719It confuses the Creation with the Creator24100:17:44,719 –> 00:17:48,859It takes Yahweh who invites us into a personal relationship24200:17:48,859 –> 00:17:51,500and it regards him as being there24300:17:51,500 –> 00:17:55,699for my convenience and my pleasure24400:17:55,699 –> 00:17:58,699So let’s go back now to Augustine’s definition of idolatry24500:17:58,699 –> 00:18:00,020Remember, two parts24600:18:00,020 –> 00:18:03,180Idolatry is worshipping what should be used24700:18:03,180 –> 00:18:05,020in other words, taking stuff like the boots24800:18:05,020 –> 00:18:07,339and putting it in the place of God24900:18:07,339 –> 00:18:09,540or it is using what should be worshipped25000:18:09,540 –> 00:18:10,520taking God25100:18:10,520 –> 00:18:14,400and regarding him in the same way as you regard the boots25200:18:14,400 –> 00:18:16,699Think of these two things25300:18:16,780 –> 00:18:22,000Worshipping what should be used25400:18:22,000 –> 00:18:25,479Of course, that’s what Paul talks about in Romans 1 in verse 2525500:18:25,479 –> 00:18:31,239replacing the Creator with created things25600:18:31,239 –> 00:18:35,300and there’s only one way to dethrone creative things25700:18:35,300 –> 00:18:37,280and that is to ask the question25800:18:37,280 –> 00:18:40,819What are they for?25900:18:40,819 –> 00:18:43,180Take marriage26000:18:43,319 –> 00:18:46,680Marriage is a created thing26100:18:46,680 –> 00:18:48,660It is not eternal26200:18:48,660 –> 00:18:53,939It is a good gift of God given for a purpose26300:18:53,939 –> 00:18:56,500If I’m to avoid it, taking the place of God26400:18:56,500 –> 00:18:58,540and making an idol out of my marriage26500:18:58,540 –> 00:19:00,060I need to start asking the question26600:19:00,060 –> 00:19:03,000What is my marriage for?26700:19:03,000 –> 00:19:05,479That’s the most important question a young couple can ask26800:19:05,479 –> 00:19:07,380before you get married26900:19:07,380 –> 00:19:09,280What is marriage for?27000:19:09,280 –> 00:19:11,040It’s the most important question for me27100:19:11,280 –> 00:19:15,219for any other married person to be asking now27200:19:15,219 –> 00:19:16,420And the answer of course is that27300:19:16,420 –> 00:19:19,599marriage is a partnership of mutual love and support27400:19:19,599 –> 00:19:21,260so that two people together may27500:19:21,260 –> 00:19:24,380serve God more effectively27600:19:24,380 –> 00:19:27,520If I have discovered that this is what it’s for27700:19:27,520 –> 00:19:29,719then I will be prevented from making it27800:19:29,719 –> 00:19:33,699an idol and putting it in the place of God27900:19:33,699 –> 00:19:34,839Same with a family28000:19:34,839 –> 00:19:39,160What is our family for?28100:19:39,219 –> 00:19:40,839So easy to think of a family as being at28200:19:40,839 –> 00:19:43,959an end in itself and putting the family28300:19:43,959 –> 00:19:45,400in the place of God28400:19:45,400 –> 00:19:47,479The family is a created thing28500:19:47,479 –> 00:19:48,760Created for a purpose28600:19:48,760 –> 00:19:50,479What is its purpose?28700:19:50,479 –> 00:19:52,540So the children may be raised28800:19:52,540 –> 00:19:53,619in the knowledge of God28900:19:53,619 –> 00:19:55,239and then experience of His love29000:19:55,239 –> 00:19:56,739reflected through parents29100:19:56,739 –> 00:19:59,280and be given a good establishment29200:19:59,280 –> 00:20:00,420for life itself29300:20:00,420 –> 00:20:03,479If that’s what it’s for29400:20:03,479 –> 00:20:04,699then I will understand how to29500:20:04,699 –> 00:20:07,119pursue family life29600:20:08,119 –> 00:20:10,579It’s the same with money29700:20:10,579 –> 00:20:12,319I’ve got to ask the question29800:20:12,319 –> 00:20:14,420What is money for?29900:20:14,420 –> 00:20:15,880and remember that money30000:20:15,880 –> 00:20:18,920is a resource to be used30100:20:18,920 –> 00:20:22,239not a God to be worshipped30200:20:22,239 –> 00:20:23,839I am a steward of whatever30300:20:23,839 –> 00:20:25,420He places into my hands30400:20:25,420 –> 00:20:27,119but what He places into my hands30500:20:27,119 –> 00:20:30,079is given to me that It be used30600:20:30,079 –> 00:20:31,920used30700:20:31,920 –> 00:20:33,260If I don’t use it30800:20:33,260 –> 00:20:35,680I’m making a God of it30900:20:35,680 –> 00:20:36,739So the question is31000:20:37,119 –> 00:20:39,000Lord, how do you want me to use31100:20:39,000 –> 00:20:41,560what you have given to me31200:20:41,560 –> 00:20:42,699don’t let it become a God to me31300:20:42,699 –> 00:20:45,619Maybe the most important question31400:20:45,619 –> 00:20:47,239that any individual has to ask is31500:20:47,239 –> 00:20:49,280What am I for?31600:20:49,280 –> 00:20:51,699I mean, am I just a machine31700:20:51,699 –> 00:20:53,319to be kind of fine-tuned31800:20:53,319 –> 00:20:56,500for physical performance?31900:20:56,500 –> 00:20:58,180Am I a temporal soul32000:20:58,180 –> 00:20:59,520to be expanded32100:20:59,520 –> 00:21:02,719for endless experiences of pleasure?32200:21:02,719 –> 00:21:06,680No, you and I are special creations32300:21:06,680 –> 00:21:08,719of God32400:21:08,719 –> 00:21:10,780We are made intentionally by Him32500:21:10,780 –> 00:21:12,079in His image32600:21:12,079 –> 00:21:13,579for His glory32700:21:13,579 –> 00:21:15,800and that is why you cannot find32800:21:15,800 –> 00:21:18,040the fulfillment of your own self32900:21:18,040 –> 00:21:19,560or purpose apart33000:21:19,560 –> 00:21:25,239from becoming a worshipper of Him33100:21:25,239 –> 00:21:26,280That’s the second commandment33200:21:26,280 –> 00:21:28,260You’ve been listening to33300:21:28,260 –> 00:21:30,000Open The Bible with Pastor Colin Smith33400:21:30,000 –> 00:21:31,280and a message called33500:21:31,280 –> 00:21:33,359Your Struggle With Worship33600:21:33,359 –> 00:21:34,560A really helpful look today33700:21:34,939 –> 00:21:37,359at what idolatry really is33800:21:37,359 –> 00:21:38,479For many of us today33900:21:38,479 –> 00:21:40,140the word isn’t much in use34000:21:40,140 –> 00:21:41,219outside the church34100:21:41,219 –> 00:21:42,380and its real meaning34200:21:42,380 –> 00:21:43,500in our everyday life34300:21:43,500 –> 00:21:45,959as Christians isn’t obvious34400:21:45,959 –> 00:21:48,140Anything we put in the place of God34500:21:48,140 –> 00:21:50,239is idolatry34600:21:50,239 –> 00:21:52,060The message comes from our series34700:21:52,060 –> 00:21:53,459The 10 Greatest Struggles34800:21:53,459 –> 00:21:54,579In Your Life34900:21:54,579 –> 00:21:56,140and if you have missed any of the series35000:21:56,140 –> 00:21:57,060or if you want to go back35100:21:57,060 –> 00:21:58,439and listen to them again35200:21:58,439 –> 00:21:59,900you can do that by coming online35300:21:59,900 –> 00:22:01,140to our website35400:22:01,140 –> 00:22:02,400openthebible.org.uk35500:22:03,400 –> 00:22:05,140There you’ll find all the messages35600:22:05,140 –> 00:22:07,199which have already been broadcast35700:22:07,199 –> 00:22:09,400and you’ll also find them as a podcast35800:22:09,400 –> 00:22:11,339on your favorite podcast site35900:22:11,339 –> 00:22:13,260search for Open the Bible UK36000:22:13,260 –> 00:22:14,560and subscribe if you want to36100:22:14,560 –> 00:22:17,020receive regular reminders36200:22:17,020 –> 00:22:18,319Don’t forget, you can also find36300:22:18,319 –> 00:22:20,319on our website and as a podcast36400:22:20,319 –> 00:22:22,099Open the Bible Daily36500:22:22,099 –> 00:22:23,459That’s a series of short36600:22:23,459 –> 00:22:25,3592-3 minute reflections36700:22:25,359 –> 00:22:27,400based on Pastor Colin’s teaching36800:22:27,400 –> 00:22:28,699A fresh one everyday36900:22:28,719 –> 00:22:31,979and it’s read in the UK by Sue Mclish37000:22:32,619 –> 00:22:35,000Open the Bible is supported financially37100:22:35,000 –> 00:22:36,219by our listeners37200:22:36,219 –> 00:22:37,780and if you already do that37300:22:37,780 –> 00:22:39,319Thank you so much37400:22:39,319 –> 00:22:41,099If you’re thinking of supporting37500:22:41,099 –> 00:22:42,800Open the Bible in that way37600:22:42,800 –> 00:22:44,459and you’d like to begin doing that37700:22:44,459 –> 00:22:46,060in this month of May37800:22:46,060 –> 00:22:47,680We have an offer for you37900:22:47,680 –> 00:22:49,060If you’re able to set up a38000:22:49,060 –> 00:22:50,880new direct debit to the work of38100:22:50,880 –> 00:22:51,900Open the Bible38200:22:51,900 –> 00:22:54,420in the amount of £5 per month or more38300:22:54,420 –> 00:22:57,160or a one off gift of £50 or more38400:22:57,359 –> 00:22:58,780We’d love to say thank you38500:22:58,780 –> 00:23:00,060by sending you a copy of38600:23:00,060 –> 00:23:01,540pastor Collin’s book38700:23:01,540 –> 00:23:03,119Drive through the Bible38800:23:03,119 –> 00:23:04,959A 30 day journey38900:23:04,959 –> 00:23:06,400and as well as that39000:23:06,400 –> 00:23:07,520we’ll send you a lovely39100:23:07,520 –> 00:23:08,859Open the Bible tote bag39200:23:08,859 –> 00:23:10,959pen and book mark39300:23:10,959 –> 00:23:13,420Collin, what are some of the ways39400:23:13,420 –> 00:23:15,599you see this book being used?39500:23:15,599 –> 00:23:18,119Well this takes us all the way39600:23:18,119 –> 00:23:20,040through the Bible story39700:23:20,040 –> 00:23:21,859and folks who are familiar39800:23:21,859 –> 00:23:23,280with Fly through the Bible39900:23:23,280 –> 00:23:25,500will know that there are40000:23:25,500 –> 00:23:26,880snapshots of people40100:23:27,339 –> 00:23:28,640events and gifts40200:23:28,640 –> 00:23:30,939but what drive through the Bible does40300:23:30,939 –> 00:23:33,359is it strings the whole of the40400:23:33,359 –> 00:23:34,819Bible story together40500:23:34,819 –> 00:23:36,479from beginning to end40600:23:36,479 –> 00:23:39,079in a very very short compass40700:23:39,079 –> 00:23:42,199I mean these are 30 short chapters40800:23:42,199 –> 00:23:44,060so over the course of a month40900:23:44,060 –> 00:23:46,699if you read for 5 minutes a day41000:23:46,699 –> 00:23:49,020you would get right through the Bible41100:23:49,020 –> 00:23:50,680from Genesis to Revelation41200:23:50,680 –> 00:23:52,140and see how the whole story41300:23:52,140 –> 00:23:54,219points to the Lord Jesus Christ41400:23:54,219 –> 00:23:56,339So this is something you could read41500:23:57,180 –> 00:23:59,439But it’s really designed to be shared41600:23:59,439 –> 00:24:00,959with another person41700:24:00,959 –> 00:24:04,380I mean you could read this with your kids41800:24:04,380 –> 00:24:06,640you could give it as a resource to41900:24:06,640 –> 00:24:08,719teenagers right middle school42000:24:08,719 –> 00:24:10,280high school students42100:24:10,280 –> 00:24:12,479It’s written very very simply42200:24:12,479 –> 00:24:14,660or perhaps you could share it with a friend42300:24:14,660 –> 00:24:16,520and just take this journey over42400:24:16,520 –> 00:24:18,199the period of a month42500:24:18,199 –> 00:24:19,420have a conversation about42600:24:19,420 –> 00:24:21,439the big picture of the Bible story42700:24:21,439 –> 00:24:22,859that points us everywhere42800:24:22,859 –> 00:24:24,579to the Lord Jesus Christ42900:24:25,099 –> 00:24:26,800I hope and pray that this will be a43000:24:26,800 –> 00:24:28,819great blessing, really useful43100:24:28,819 –> 00:24:30,900to people who want to see the Bible43200:24:30,900 –> 00:24:33,119open to discover the whole story43300:24:33,119 –> 00:24:34,520and of course to be pointed to43400:24:34,520 –> 00:24:35,680the Lord Jesus Christ43500:24:35,680 –> 00:24:37,520Well, Drive Thru the Bible43600:24:37,520 –> 00:24:38,540is our gift to you43700:24:38,540 –> 00:24:39,939if you’re able to begin43800:24:39,939 –> 00:24:41,000a new direct debit43900:24:41,000 –> 00:24:42,579to the work of Open the Bible44000:24:42,579 –> 00:24:45,520in the amount of £5 per month or more44100:24:45,520 –> 00:24:46,439or a one-off gift44200:24:46,439 –> 00:24:48,959of £50 or more this month44300:24:48,959 –> 00:24:50,540Full terms and conditions44400:24:50,540 –> 00:24:52,000on our website44500:24:52,000 –> 00:24:54,040and you can also give online44600:24:54,560 –> 00:24:55,640For Open The Bible44700:24:55,640 –> 00:24:56,979and Pastor Colin Smith44800:24:56,979 –> 00:24:58,359I’m David Pick44900:24:58,359 –> 00:24:59,420and I hope you’ll join us again45000:24:59,420 –> 00:25:00,459next time45100:25:07,160 –> 00:25:09,040Idolatry isn’t limited45200:25:09,040 –> 00:25:11,199to worshipping statues45300:25:11,199 –> 00:25:12,560Find out about the many45400:25:12,560 –> 00:25:13,660different disguises45500:25:13,660 –> 00:25:15,280that idolatry can wear45600:25:15,280 –> 00:25:17,839next time on Open the Bible