Between the first and second coming of Christ, the Lord is sounding alarms so that we will be aroused from our “sleep” and motivated to do what we are called to do as Christians.  The 7 trumpets in Revelation represent 7 civil defense sirens going off to sound two warnings to us:

1.                  Our Lord God is ANSWERING OUR PRAYERS.

2.                  Our Lord God is TEARING DOWN ALL IDOLS. 

These days, there’s a lot of things going on in the world and even in churches throughout the world; but one dynamic few people seem to want to deal with is the dynamic of IDOLATRY. 

What is IDOLATRY?  Functionally, well, Well, IN THE BIBLE, and IN OUR LIVES, an IDOL is ANY PART OF CREATION that becomes the focus of our TRUST and HOPE.  In the Bible and in life itself, people look to something BESIDES God to bring them the “good life,” to bestow “blessings” upon them, to guide their decisions, to give them security & significance.

As part of the sermon, I encouraged you to jot down 4 SIMPLE QUESTIONS that, when answered, would reveal to all of us individually what God we REALLY worship.  A number of people asked me to reproduce those questions.  Let me encourage you to read them, to write them down, and use them as a diagnostic tool in your life. 

1) Who/What defines for me what the “GOOD LIFE” is?  

2)  Who/what do I look to for BLESSINGS in this life?  

3)  Who/what guides my DECISIONS?  

4)  To whom/what do I look for SECURITY & SIGNIFICANCE?  

Whether you claim to be a Christian or not, when you answer those questions, your answers reveal the GOD you REALLY worship!  Yes, indeed, we all still have a problem with idolatry.   

One last question to ponder:  Since every problem in this fallen world – including our own personal problems -- can be traced back to idolatry, how would our answering those 4 questions in light of the Gospel solve our problems, and the problems in the world?

Please think about that, OK?

Until next time, Grace and Peace.

-- Pastor Steve