(Clip) What Has Become God In Your Life？
Zac Poonen warns that when anything other than God takes the central place in our lives, it becomes an idol that crowds out true worship and devotion.
This sermon discusses how the devil can lead us to worship him by shifting our focus away from God and replacing Him with other things like entertainment, sports, or music. While these are not inherently bad, they can become idols in our lives, pushing God out of the center. The sermon prompts listeners to reflect on their initial commitment to Christ and the sacrifices they were once willing to make, urging them to reevaluate their priorities and make God the priority once again.
Full Transcript
How does the devil make us worship him? By taking away God from the center of our lives and making something else, could be television, could be innocent things like sport and music. All these are good things, sport and music are very good, but it can become a god in your life where it becomes so important that it crowds out God. Can you think of the early days when you were born again? Think back to the time when you were first converted, when you gave your life to Christ.
Just stop for a moment and think how it was then, how you were ready to give up anything for him, how you were willing to give up certain things and you took time, you cut out certain things in your daily routine so that you'd have time to read the word of God. What's happened to that? Now you say you're busy. Who made you so busy? The devil has succeeded in crowding God slowly out of your life because something else has become your God.
Sermon Outline
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I. The Danger of Idolatry
- Anything can become a god if it takes God's place
- Even good things like sports and music can become idols
- The devil uses busyness to crowd God out
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II. Remembering Our First Love
- Recall the zeal when first converted
- Willingness to give up things for Christ
- Making time for God's Word
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III. Identifying What Has Become God
- Evaluate what occupies the center of your life
- Recognize distractions that replace God
- Repent and refocus on God
Key Quotes
“How does the devil make us worship him? By taking away God from the center of our lives and making something else... it crowds out God.” — Zac Poonen
“Think back to the time when you were first converted... how you were ready to give up anything for him.” — Zac Poonen
“The devil has succeeded in crowding God slowly out of your life because something else has become your God.” — Zac Poonen
Application Points
- Evaluate what currently occupies the central place in your life and remove anything that crowds out God.
- Rekindle your initial passion for Christ by recalling the sacrifices you were willing to make when first converted.
- Set aside dedicated time daily to read God's Word and maintain your focus on Him.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to have something become a god in your life?
It means placing something else above God in importance, allowing it to control your time, thoughts, and priorities.
Can good things like sports or music become idols?
Yes, even good things can become idols if they take the central place in your life and crowd out God.
How does the devil cause us to worship him?
By gradually removing God from the center of our lives and replacing Him with other distractions or priorities.
What should we do if we realize something has become a god in our life?
We should repent, remove that idol, and refocus our devotion and time on God.
Why is it important to remember our first love for Christ?
Remembering our initial zeal helps us rekindle our passion and commitment to God.