https://youtu.be/_oVQiOptN3U

From Useless, to Useful (Philemon 1:10-12)Context/History:– This is one of the Apostle Paul’s “prison letters”, he wrote while he was imprisoned in Rome.– Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon.– The other 3 were written to all the believers in a particular city. This one was written specifically to one man, and his small house church.– Philemon is a respected spiritual leader in the city of Colossae. He is known for his loving kindness.– Onesimus was Philemon’s slave, who had run away. (Slavery was wide-spread in the Romans world. This in no way justifies it as right, anymore than incest, etc.. in the Old Testament.)– This letter reads like a compliment sandwich. (Praise him, critical feedback, praise him.)– Example: Just like when any boss wants to correct you! 1. Quick hello, and small talk. 2. Compliment. 3. Correction or critical feedback. 4. End with positive encouragement.– Paul writes this letter to Philemon with specific feedback that he wants to deliver to him.

1. Useless becomes Useful when the Holy Spirit enters the picture.– Onensimus was a runaway slave. The punishment if he was caught was beatings or even death!– What did he do to Philemon? Why would he risk the punishment of running?– The scripture says he was useless to him. He added no value to Philemon’s life.– Onesimus ends up in a Roman prison and is saved, because Paul shared the gospel with him.– Onesimus means “useful”, and he is finally living up to his name. (Play on words in v. 11)– In Col. 4:9, Paul now describes Onesimus as, “A faithful and beloved brother.”

– Forgiven and free in Christ, but not free of the worldly consequence of your actions. Your bad behavior ruins relationships, closes doors, possibly ends in punishment.– Example: Baptism scene from “O Brother Where Art Thou”. Delmar baptized…Delmar: The preacher says all my sins is warshed away, including that Piggly Wiggly I knocked over in Yazoo.Everett: I thought you said you was innocent of those charges?Delmar: Well I was lyin’. And the preacher says that that sin’s been warshed away too. Neither God nor man’s got nothin’ on me now. C’mon in boys, the water is fine.(Pete runs into the water to be baptized too, Everett criticizes them)Pete: The preacher said it absolved us! Everett: Yeah, for him, NOT from the law!

– The world’s trash has become God’s treasure! Useless, has become Useful after salvation.2. God can change THEM, but you have to let Him change YOU too!– Philemon was wronged and betrayed by Onesimus. He has every right to punish him, and be made whole. The law is on his side. It’s natural that he wants what is right.– Humans need to “be right”. It’s in our nature.Example: Time Magazine Marriage Study, “Is it better to be happy, or right?” Husband secretly agrees with everything wife says, even if he really doesn’t. He ends up miserable, and she doesn’t end up much happier either.“The researchers concluded, shockingly, that humans need to be right and acknowledged as right, at least some of the time, to be happy. In politics, people often note that there can be no peace without justice, and that’s true of the domestic sphere as well.”– I’m not suggesting that you give up all your convictions, or never disagree with anyone. (Unhappy)– I’m saying that you should care more about the relationship, and the outcome, than you care about what’s fair, and the need for others to validate your “right-ness”.

– Easy example: Pedestrian right-of-way vs getting hit by a car. (Think of spiritual metaphor.)– Through Jesus Christ you can “give up being right”, and overcome your human nature.– Eph. 4:23-24, Let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God,

https://youtu.be/9gNrS_PHRZw

My Bro Jesus• Today we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ of Nazareth• When he came back from the dead it proclaimed to the world that he was God in the Flesh and indeed had the power to forgive the sins of Men• People who are Christians now put their faith in Jesus and believe that they will have eternal life by believing in him• But that wasn’t always the case for Jesus- he had many disbelievers in his life-• One of his greatest disbelievers was his natural born brother.• Can you imagine what it must have been like being the brother of Jesus?• The Bible says that Jesus lived a sinless life- Think about the stuff that Jesus mother could have said to James- “why can’t you be like your brother” “James, we both know who did this”• Think of how it was for James- always second place. Jesus got first place in everything. Always varsity. Always doing things perfectly.• James Mother was Mary and Joseph was his father- He was technically Jesus half brother. (Matt 13:55)• John 7:5 For even His brothers did not believe in Him.• Here’s Jesus- sent from heaven above, doing his ministry and even his brothers don’t believe in him• These are his brothers they are the ones who have seen him grow up, seen him be the person that he has been and they look at his life and say “you’re not the one”

1. You are who God says that you are- not who others say you are• Here’s the truth- Jesus is the savior of Mankind- Jesus IS the chosen one that provides forgiveness from Sin and life everlasting• Just because his brothers said he wasn’t doesn’t mean that he wasn’t. HE WAS the ONE• Why? Because GOD SAID THAT HE WAS- whoever God says you are YOU ARE• The Bible is very Clear that Jesus was GOD- He is worshiped (Matt. 2:2, 11; 14:33) He was called God (John 20:28; Heb. 1:8) He was called Son of God (Mark 1:1) He is prayed to (Acts 7:59) He is sinless (1 Pet. 2:22; Heb. 4:15) He knows all things (John 21:17)He gives eternal life (John 10:28) All the fullness of deity dwells in Him (Col. 2:9)• Think about this- At the point at which his blood brothers were denying his deity- Jesus had already performed a bunch of miracles• He had healed a man at a pool who couldn’t walk. He did the miracle of the loaves and fishes, where food was miraculously multiplied to feed 5000 people. He had even walked on water at this point• His brother James? I’m not really feeling it. He doesn’t seem like the savior we’ve been waiting for-• Now Jesus was sinless, but my nature I’d be like “HEY MAN- WHAT MORE DO I HAVE TO DO?”• Miracles, miracles, miracles, and I’m still not good enough- I’m sure he didn’t that’s why he is the savior and not me. I know what its like to have someone not believe in me. But I’m not GOD

• What does it mean to you?• You are who God says that you are not who you think you are or what others say that you are• I used to think I was a pretty Good guy. I used to tell myself that. It made me feel good to maximize the little good stuff I did and minimize the bad stuff I did.• This is America- we maximize what others do and minimize what others do• United Airlines had a pretty bad week. But how many people did you destroy with your thoughts and tongue this week? What if your thoughts were a meme? Who would ride your airline?• What I told myself about myself didn’t change what God said about who I was.• It didn’t even matter what others said about me- Its not that hard to hold it together for a few hours• There’s 2 types of people in this room- people that are enemies of God and people that are friends of God• Who are the enemies of God? People who don’t walk according to the scriptures Phil 3:18

• Romans 5: 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners,

https://youtu.be/c2FDZABA6XM

Come Closer!

Subtitle: Intimacy with GodHow?Ephesians 5: 18-21 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, 20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another in the fear of God. – Being subject to one another out of reverence for Christ (AMP)What does submitting to one another have to do with intimacy with you God?God: I cannot have a relationship with ANYONE who does not have any regard for MY BODY, the church.I am the Body and the body is made up of your brothers and sisters – and we are one part of the body and if any part of the body is against the rest of the body, it’s not complete and I cannot reside in that mess and since God will not walk away from the body, I will spit out those that brings division.We are required to submit to one another in the fear of the Lord.What is this fear of the Lord? I am supposed to serve my brother and sisters and when I do, it pleases God – it brings sweet aroma to Him?

This is not the fear we try to overcome in many areas of our lives.This is a fear that if we do not ask God to search our hearts and see our motives, that we might find ourselves outsides Gods will.This is a Holy Fear, a fear that keeps me in the confines of God’s guidance and love.I used guidance because, when we are guided and we abide by the rules set, then we can enjoy the love that comes with obedience. This is the reason we enjoy football – Seahawks games – there are rules, otherwise, the love for the game would not be there if in the field did whatever they wanted.This is not a call to be scared of God – walking tip toeing around God – it’s being consciously aware that if you go out of the confines of Christ, there is danger.1 Peter 5:8 ”Be sober [well balanced and self-disciplined], be alert and cautious at all times. That enemy of yours, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion [fiercely hungry], seeking someone to devour.Its walking around with the awareness of the surrounding danger around you. That if you do not stay in the confines of God’s protection, you will be subject to danger.

Example of Safari: (Picture) Masai Mara =583 mi²God is saying that we need to treat each other, with a Holy fear that if we do not walk in love – Continually, we will find ourselves outside the protection of God.God said, I will not allow you in my courts (presence) if you don’t love my children, your brothers and sisters. If you don’t esteem your brothers and sisters. I weigh you motives and I know your heart.Ephesians 5:1-2 Therefore become imitators of God [copy Him and follow His example], as well-beloved children [imitate their father]; 2 and walk continually in love [that is, value one another—practice empathy and compassion, unselfishly seeking the best for others], just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and sacrifice to God [slain for you, so that it became] a sweet fragranceIt’s like saying that you love your neighbor, but you cannot stand their kids, you like her but you hate the husband, you love one but hate the other? Though they are of the same family.Wait a minute…that does happen…. See in our human nature, this does not compare well.

The best way I can describe this that when Jesus was sent to come and dies on the cross for our sins, Imagine if He went around Jerusalem saying, I will love on that one, I will love on that other one, not that one…. sometimes on that one…maybe that one when they change this and that.Yet, we have been commanded that we need to love each o...

https://youtu.be/IxtY_PKJQE0

Why are you doing this?

• Mark 11:1-11 READ• V 3 And if anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord has need of it,’ and immediately he will send it here.”

• Lots going on in this story.• Today is the day that Christians celebrate Palm Sunday• Why do they call it palm Sunday? Because it’s the day that we commemorate the day in which Jesus did his triumphal entry into Jerusalem• Jesus comes into town, sends his disciples to go and get him a donkey, they go and get it, lay down their clothes and palm branches at his feet to declare that he is the King of the jews! The messiah!• What a messiah? The savior! The one to save the Jews from Rome- establish the throne of David!

• Why is this day important?• One- It’s the fulfillment of the OT prophecy• Living out the prophecy Zechariah 9:9 “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, Lowly and riding on a donkey, A colt, the foal of a donkey.• Treating him as king- 2 Kings 9:13 Then each man hastened to take his garment and put it under him on the top of the steps; and they blew trumpets, saying, “Jehu is king!”• Hailing him as Messiah Psalm 118:25-26 Save now, I pray, O Lord, O Lord, I pray, send now prosperity. 26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! We have blessed you from the house of the Lord.• When Jesus came into Jerusalem he was declaring to the crowd that he was the messiah and people received him as king!

• The problem-• They weren’t really wanting what Jesus came to do-• Ive said it before- Jesus did not come to be a political king in the way that people hoped• Jesus plan to change the world was through love and grace not through political might and laws.• Laws do not change hearts, only the Holy Spirit can do that.• Watch the story line- This week they are hailing him as king- next week they’ll be sending him to the cross! As soon as these people find out that Jesus isn’t going to serve their political means- BYE• Here’s the deal-• The opposite of turning on Jesus is turning TO Jesus-• I’m a simple man- there are many different types of Hermenuetics. High and low Criticism. Textual Critcism. Historical. Traditional.• Depending on where you went to college and why kind of Church you get saved in is usually how you approach scripture

• For the most part- I try to take the simpliest approach to scripture as possible. Things that are obscure or seem inconsistent with other parts of the Bible, I’ll do the historical research to try and figure out what its trying to say• I want to scream what the Bible screams and whisper what the Bible whispers. I’m not a guy who tries to find an obscure scripture that I can camp up around and worship- I want to worship Jesus.• But there’s a simple nugget in here- that squashes all theological arguments- that doesn’t leave a lot of room for interpretation• Christianity is a thinking mans religion- but I’m just tired of arguing about it.• The Nugget-• ; 2 and He said to them, “Go into the village opposite you; and as soon as you have entered it you will find a colt tied, on which no one has sat. Loose it and bring it. 3 And if anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord has need of it,’ and immediately he will send it here.”• “The Lord has need of it” Need- Requirement- Demand• When Jesus said that needed something- it wasn’t a need it was a demand• So this Palm Sunday, I’m not going to be found in the crowd next week crucifying Jesus• I want to be obedient to what Jesus is asking me to do- If the Lord has need of it- I’m IN• I’m done arguing with the people who are always asking Why are you doing this?

https://youtu.be/KLjd2pCV8Xo

Bear and Share

Frodo and Sam- I can’t carry the rig, but I can carry you.

Galatians 6:1-2New King James Version (NKJV)

Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.

2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

Lets first discuss the law of Christ

Paul said this:

1 Corinthians 9:19-22New King James Version (NKJV)

 For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; 20 and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law,[a] that I might win those who are under the law; 21 to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God,[b] but under law toward Christ[c]), that I might win those who are without law; 22 to the weak I became as[d] weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.

Romans 8:2New King James Version (NKJV)

For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.

The law of Christ is in the one who lives according to the Spirit of God. Where the Holy Spirit leads and guides, where God’s laws are written on the heart, in our flesh. It is a life ruled and reigned by the Holy Spirit, lines up with the Word of God and we obey God because we love Him.

Contrary to popular belief, the Word of God is God-breathed, it is not rules and regulations, but it is LIFE to our flesh. It is spiritual law.

Jeremiah 31:33New King James Version (NKJV)

 But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.

This law of Christ gives us sufficient power and grace to live righteously before God.

We have been given a new nature, so that we may love and obey the Lord.

Ezekiel 11:19-20New King James Version (NKJV)

Then I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within them,[a] and take the stony heart out of their flesh, and give them a heart of flesh, 20 that they may walk in My statutes and keep My judgments and do them; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God.

If anyone tells you the law of Christ is only about love they do not understand the Spirit’s purpose- it is the ability to live in accordance with the will and law of God.

EX: I remember when I got saved, I had such a desire to read God’s Word, I could not put it down. It was like I was starving and it was the first meal I had in years. I began to see things differently. Nobody told me to stop having sex outside marriage, the Spirit wrote that law on my heart. Nobody told me to stop partying, that law was written on my heart.

This is the law of Christ then- it is the spirit-led life

Romans 8:5, 12-14 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit

12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh.

https://youtu.be/EqqI40X0CLM

Tell No One

Mark 7:36 Then He commanded them that they should tell no one; but the more He commanded them, the more widely they proclaimed it.

• If Jesus isn’t your savior, you’ll always be disobedient• There is a lot going on in this scripture-• This guy gets healed by Jesus- spit and fingers in the ears- which is an interesting way to get healed- There’s really only one part I really want to focus on today• Why did Jesus tell the people to not tell anyone and why were they disobedient?

1. Why did Jesus tell them to not tell anyone?• Many places, Jesus told people to not tell anyone what had happened• Mark 5:43 But He commanded them strictly that no one should know it,• Matthew 9:30. And Jesus sternly warned them, saying, “See that no one knows it.”• Luke 5:14 And He charged him to tell no one, Matthew 8:4 Jesus said to him, “See that you tell no one;• There’s a few reasons- Jesus had a lot to accomplish and this wasn’t part of the list• Jesus main reason to come wasn’t to heal people- It wasn’t his main mission- Healing was a WAY to be able to share his MESSAGE- it wasn’t his MESSAGE

• YOU DON’T HAVE TO ADD THESE SCRIPTURES He came into the world to be a faithful high priest. (Hebrews 2:17). to put away sin. (Hebrews 9:26). (I John 3:5). (John 1:29). to destroy the works of the devil. (I John 3:8). (Hebrews 2:14). (John 12:31). to seek the lost. (Luke 19:10). to save the lost. (Matthew 18:11). to serve. (Mark 10:45). to send a sword. (Matthew 10:34-36). to bear our sins. (I Peter 2:24). (Hebrews 9:28). to provide a pattern of holy living for Christians. (I Peter 2:21). (Matthew 11:29). to fulfill prophecy. (Matthew 5:17). (Romans 15:8). to abolish the law. (Ephesians 2:13-15). (Matthew 5:17-18). to give His life as a ransom. (Matthew 20:28). that men might have life more abundant. (John 10:10). to bring judgment. (John 9:39). to be king. (John 18:37). to bear witness to the truth. (John 18:37). He came to save sinners. (I Timothy 1:15). to reveal the Father. (Matthew 11:27). (John 14:9). to do the will of God. (Hebrews 10:9). to preach. (Luke 4:43). to bring fire. (Luke 12:49). (Matthew 3:11-12).

• Which isn’t to say that Jesus DOESN’T heal but that wasn’t his MAIN mission• His MAIN message was to PREACH• Jesus had words to say that would set people free- that would draw them into a relationship with the Father and to be freed from their sin• Jesus knew people• People, being the way that they are- would be inclined to follow the SIGNS not the SAVIOR• The Pharisees wanted a sign from Jesus- but he refused to give them a sign from heaven-• Matthew 16:4 A wicked and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign shall be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.” And He left them and departed.• The crowds that followed Jesus weren’t to listen to his message, it was to get the stuff that he was handing out• They wanted to get the free stuff not the Word stuff

• Youll notice, the thousands of people who followed Jesus were no where to be found when he went to the cross• Sure- Jesus had to go to the cross- but Jesus had enough followers that they could have overthrown Rome,• But as soon as they saw that Jesus was going to the Cross- they were no where to be found• What about you?• Why are you seeking after Jesus?• Is it for what you can get? Or what you can have? What position you can have?• Luke 9:46 Then a dispute arose among them as to which of them would be greatest.• No different than today- people want to serve Jesus until something comes around that puts them in a different place• I have seen many people who stop serving Jesus after they don’t get the healing that they want,

https://youtu.be/YXjmOgIJk8I

Crumbs for a Dog

Mark 7:24-30

What is actually happening

Jesus uses the dog statement for a few reasons and many scholars have different ideas about what is really going on. Here’s a few of themOne- Jesus is using phraseology or cultural statements of the day to coyly speak to the woman of the agreed upon status of the day- She’s a dog- a greek- therefore not included in the missionTwo- He calls her a dog because she’s a dog- someone temporarily out of the grace of God unless she recognizes her canine status and does something about it.Three- Jesus knows that everyone will be given the opportunity and uses this as a time to show those around him a foreshadowing of the engrafting of the gentilesFour- This woman changes the course of history through her argument- give me the crumbs at least- and Jesus ends up changing his mind because of her faithFive- (least likely) Jesus was himself caught in the cultural separation at the time and the woman is the one who corrected the savior and revealed truth to him.Hard time this week trying to decipher it- calling other pastors etc. Read a lot. Still not 100 sure

2.Few cultural contexts we have to understand here

Why is the cultural context so important? We don’t want to put our own beliefs into the scripture. We want to know What Mark was saying, why he was saying it, and in what contextJesus didn’t come for everyone initially- it was only for the Jews-Matthew 15:24 But He answered and said, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”Matthew 10: 5 These twelve Jesus sent out after instructing them: “Do not go in the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter any city of the Samaritans; 6 but rather go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.the gentiles were welcomed in because of the rejection of IsraelRomans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.Ezekiel 34:23-24 I will establish one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them—My servant David. He shall feed them and be their shepherd. 24 And I, the Lord, will be their God, and My servant David a prince among them; I, the Lord, have spoken.The Greeks were not viewed well by the jews at the time-

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Jesus even said- Matthew 6:7 And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.Jesus used ‘non jews’ as an example of what you didn’t want to be likesubstandard people- Greeks and Samaritans didn’t view the jews well eitherWomen did not interact with men in the First centuryJudaism in the first century had emerged from the oriental patriarchal tradition in which women were considered the property of men with no rights, no role in society except childbearing, and no education. (tetlow)This equality that exists in America is not the experience of 2000 years ago. A woman wouldn’t even approach a man- Where is this womans husband?Jesus didn’t operate within cultural norms- he talked to women and allowed women to talk to him

Truths we must agree on before dissecting this story

God is who he isWe cannot put our own thoughts about who God is into this story- let God be who he isMalachi 3:6 “For I am the Lord, I do not change; Therefore you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob.Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.God does what he wantsPsalm 115:3 But our God is in heaven; He does whatever He pleases.Isaiah 46:10 Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things that are not yet done, Saying,

https://youtu.be/_Z4RClvbP8g

Choose the Cup of Blessing: 1 Corinthians 10:13-21

Introduction

This evening I want to talk about two things, I want to talk about Idolatry and I want to talk about Blessing.And did y’all know that when it comes to blessing verse Idolatry the book of first Corinthians puts them as a choice. You can either choose idolatry or you can choose blessing, today I wna tot encourage all of us to choose the cup of blessing, amen?!

PRAY PRAY PRAY PRAY PRAY PRAY PRAY PRAY PRAY PRAY PRAY PRAY PRAY PRAY PRAY PRAY PRAY

Would y’all turn with me to 1 Corinthians chapter 10?Now we3 are fixin to read a large chunk of text, tryh your best to follow a long and then I am going to recap and explain it a bit.

1 Corinthians 10:1-12 ESV  (1)  For I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea,  (2)  and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea,  (3)  and all ate the same spiritual food,  (4)  and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ.  (5)  Nevertheless, with most of them God was not pleased, for they were overthrown in the wilderness.  (6)  Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did.  (7)  Do not be idolaters as some of them were; as it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play.”  (8)  We must not indulge in sexual immorality as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in a single day.  (9)  We must not put Christ to the test, as some of them did and were destroyed by serpents,  (10)  nor grumble, as some of them did and were destroyed by the Destroyer.  (11)  Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come.  (12)  Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.

Now Paul here is talking about the exodus… and at one point in time Moses goes up to the mountain to get the 10 commandments and all the people he was leading fall into some crazy sin.Verse 7 says this: Do not be idolaters as some of them were; as it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play.”Paul in this passage talks about Idolatry as a warning for Christians. We need to be aware of the reality that we as Christians are just as capable of making Idols as anyone else.Paul compared our Idolatry to the Idol the Israelites made.Remember, the Israelites, free from the bondage and slavery of Egypt, on their way to the promise land, led by the Lord who was covered by a cloud. This very Israelites who were so literally close to God, and had seen so many miracles, they so quickly feel into Idolatry when Moses was away talking with God. And they made this golden calf to worship.And Paul’s warning to us is “If it happened to them, it can happen to us!”Paul warns us in this passage of some modern Idols that the Israelites also fell into. Particularly in verses 7-10.Paul warns against Idolizing religion: Thinking that if we are religious enough then we can go to heaven. We worship good works instead of God, we worship Pastors, Churches, and Theologies instead of keeping our focus on Christ.We are then warned about idolizing our own version of God: The Israelites called the Golden calf “The lord who delivered them from Egypt”. They did not like that God was meeting with Moses for so long, something like 40 days, so they said “Let’s make our own version of God who we can see and worship right here in front of us” so they made a golden calf to worship.We do the same thing when we decide we don’t like what God says or what He does or who He is,