The worship of multiple gods at the same time (polytheism) has always been a problem with God's people. It was present in the stories of Israel, it was present at the time of Jesus, it has been present in the history of the church, and it is present today in the Church. Yet, with each generation the way idolatry is practiced changes, and knowing what constitutes idolatry is confusing.

This message profiles three idols of the Old Testament: Baal, the Golden Calf, and Molech. Of course, I don't think anyone would ever think of worshiping any of these three idols - we actually would think such a thing absurd - yet is it possible that the names and shapes of these idols have changed over time to the point that they are not recognizable, but still highly worshiped? It is not only possible, but likely.

So, to help identify contemporary idols, this message points out the core characteristics of each idol and challenges Christians to look into their own lives for patterns of worship toward a similar god.

Do you worship powers of the world (Baal)? Do you worship a self-created god who is a combination of God and patterns of the world (Golden Calf)? Do you worship a god that requires the sacrifice of others so that you might be happy (Molech)?

Idolatry is rooted in one seeking a higher power for a self-centered agenda. In the ancient world, this took on the form of statues. It may surprise many Christians that we still have idols today, and idol worship is widespread in America ... and I'm not talking about the television.

This message is an introduction to modern idolatry. It addresses three false assumptions that modern people often have about higher powers: (1) there is only one god that can be worshiped, (2) we don't have idols today, and (3) "I would never worship anything but God".

As an example, the President and the U.S. Government are highlighted to illustrate how idolatry is deceptively creeping into the American home as an idol.

Are you experiencing or facing difficult times? Sometimes you have got to think back on what God has done for you, so that He can help you through what you are going through, and so that you can testify what he is doing for you. God deserves your praise even in trouble!

Through this, you can experience hope.

There are a variety of opinions about the nature of Jesus of Nazareth, ranging anywhere from close friend to socialist leader to self-help guru. For the creators of these views, Jesus is simply customized and mythicized to fit nicely into a self-defined spiritual framework.

Yet, Christ reveals himself as God. When we are able to relate to Jesus as Lord, Messiah, and Savior then we enter into a relationship whereby spiritual strength and healing become a reality.

Everyone has deficiencies. Everyone has flaws. Sometimes, our deficiencies and flaws keep us from achieving and growing, and this can be frustrating. God knows that we are not whole, and His vision for us is to obtain a wholeness through our relationship with Him and our relationship with others.

The word that the Bible uses to communicate the concept of wholeness is shalom, and when we receive a measure of shalom then we benefit by also receiving its fruits such as peace, contentment, safety, harmony, and health/welfare. Further, as we are made whole, we are better able to surmount and overcome some challenges of life that we were previously unable to reach.

In the latter part of Song of Songs, we see a contrast between two pursuits of unity and peace. In the past, Solomon had pursued unrighteous relationships with a harem of women in order to establish peace with surrounding nations. But, in so doing, his disobedience destroyed the relationship he had with God and ultimately destroyed everything for which he had worked. But now, he writes about a pure and godly relationship with the Shulamite. It is relationship like one that brings about wholeness or shalom, and he is able to better achieve the positive things of life.

Poems, chocolate, flowers, cards, holding hands, and words of affirmation are all frequently a part of our dating routine before marriage. This "language" emphasizes how much a person is cherished and valued, and the result is a pollination that allows both the relationship and the person to grow.

Why stop once the honeymoon is complete? The relationship still needs to grow and each participant in the relationship has so much potential that needs to be realized. Yet, if affirmation and encouragement ceases from the very one who knows us most intimately and holistically, the result may be an impotent relationship that neither feels good nor functions well.

The deepening and maintenance of an intimate relationship does not end when "I Do" is vowed at the altar. Yet, we may have a tendency to relax and not be attentive to our spouse.

God's love always pursues us when we stray from him. God yearns to repair the relationship. Not surprisingly, then, we yearn to repair the relationship when our close relationships suffer negative circumstances, when deeply hidden issues surface, or when we might offend one another. Marriage is not the time to stop the development and practice of intimacy. Rather, we must attentively discover and respond to the intimate needs of our spouse, just as we did in the initial periods of the courtship.

Love can be intoxicating. Love can be euphoric. If passion or love is awakened too early in a relationship, then we may find ourselves on a slippery slope, tumbling deeper and deeper into an unhealthy relationship.

Typically, we allow our passions to develop far too early in the dating cycle, during a period when most people are still superficial and guarded. Once we begin "falling in love", then our ability to objectively evaluate the person diminishes ... and we may ignore the wise advice of close friends and family telling us that "he's no good" or "you need to get out of this relationship".

This message helps us to understand that there are some simple questions to ask before allowing emotional or physical intimacy to develop: Am I ready to be married? Do my friends, family, and community affirm this relationship? Is this the person God wants me to be with?