Do Men Make Their Own Gods?
The sermon warns against the sin of idolatry, highlighting its dangers and the need for repentance.
C.H. Spurgeon addresses the issue of idolatry, emphasizing that while men may create their own gods, these are not true gods. He warns that modern idolatry manifests not in physical idols but in the worship of materialism, pride, and even misplaced affection for children, which can lead to spiritual ruin. Spurgeon highlights the folly of prioritizing these false deities over the living God, urging believers to recognize the danger of their attachments and to seek purification from such iniquities. He calls for a return to true worship, free from the distractions of vanity and self. The sermon concludes with a heartfelt plea for God to help believers remove their idols and worship Him alone.
Text
"Do men make their own gods? Yes--but they are not gods!" Jeremiah 16:20
One great besetting sin of ancient Israel was idolatry, and we who are the spiritual Israel are vexed with a tendency to the same folly! We no longer bow down to sticks and stones--but Mammon still intrudes his golden calf; and the shrines of pride are not forsaken. SELF in various forms, struggles to subdue the chosen ones under its dominion; and the flesh sets up its altars wherever it can find space for them.
Children are often the cause of much sin in believers. The Lord is grieved when He sees us doting upon them above measure; they will live to be as great a curse to us--as Absalom was to David, or they will be taken from us to leave our homes desolate. If Christians desire to grow thorns to stuff their sleepless pillows--let them dote on their children!
It is truly said that "they are not gods," for the objects of our foolish devotion are very doubtful blessings; the solace which they yield us now is dangerous, and the help which they can give us in the hour of trouble is little indeed.
Why, then, are we so bewitched with vanities?
We pity the poor heathen who adore a god of stone--and yet worship a god of gold! Where is the vast superiority between a god of wood--and one of flesh? The principle, the sin, the folly is the same in either case; only that in our case--the crime is more aggravated because we have more light--and sin in the face of it. The heathen bows to a false deity--but he has never known the true God. But we commit two evils, inasmuch as we forsake the living God--and turn unto idols! May the Lord purge us all from this grievous iniquity!
"The dearest idol I have known,
Whatever that idol be;
Help me to tear it from Thy throne,
And worship only Thee!
Sermon Outline
- I. The Sin of Idolatry
- A. Ancient Israel's struggle with idolatry
- B. The modern forms of idolatry (Mammon, pride, self)
- II. The Dangers of Idolatry
- A. Children can be a source of sin in believers
- B. The fleeting nature of earthly solace and help
- III. The Reason for Idolatry
- A. The bewitchment of vanities
- B. The superiority of the true God
- IV. The Call to Repentance
- A. Pitying the heathen, yet committing greater sin
- B. Forsaking the living God for idols
Key Quotes
“Do men make their own gods? Yes--but they are not gods!” — C.H. Spurgeon
“The dearest idol I have known, Whatever that idol be; Help me to tear it from Thy throne, And worship only Thee!” — C.H. Spurgeon
Application Points
- Recognize the dangers of idolatry and prioritize the true God.
- Avoid the worship of Mammon, pride, and self.
- Seek to tear down idols and worship only the true God.