Day 1 Session 3 - Destroying Every Idol
Watch the Live Stream of the Hyderabad Conference 2015. Theme: An Overcoming Life and True Fellowship. 28th & 29th November 2015.
Summary
The speaker emphasizes that the two great commandments—loving God with all your heart and loving your neighbor as yourself—are distinct and not equal. The primary focus must be on being devoted to Jesus Christ first, which is the foundational step in Christian living.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
A prayer to be God's templeThe opening song expresses a deep desire for God to dwell within the believer as a temple and to lead them through His presence.
Confidence in who we believeThrough the English hymn 'I Know Whom I Have Believed', the congregation affirms their certainty in God's power to keep them and fulfill His promises.
The transformative power of God's wordThe final songs emphasize that God's word is like a sharp two-edged sword that cleanses the heart and guides the believer through all life's shadows.
A prayerful start with worshipThe session begins with musical worship focused on the victory of Jesus over Satan and a prayer for God's presence and anointing.
The hierarchy of commandmentsUsing Matthew 22:36, the speaker explains that loving God with all our heart is the first and foremost command, while loving our neighbor is the second.
The difference between evangelism and discipleshipUsing the analogy of a baby, the speaker notes that while many preach the gospel to bring people to Christ (birth), few focus on teaching them to obey Jesus (maturity).
The difference between making legs and making a tabletopUsing an illustration of people making table legs but no tops, the speaker explains that bringing people to Christ is only half the work; we must also focus on making them mature disciples.
How the devil leads us astray from the Tree of LifeReflecting on how Eve was led from the Tree of Life to the Tree of Knowledge, the speaker uses 2 Corinthians 11:3 to show that the devil seeks to lead believers away from simple devotion to Jesus.
Identifying and destroying idols in our livesThrough personal stories of a noisy scooter and a stolen wallet, the speaker demonstrates that we only become upset when something has become an idol, and concludes with Jesus' warning in Matthew 10:37 about prioritizing Him above all earthly loves.
Loving family more than JesusJesus warns that if we love our parents or children more than Him, we cannot be His disciples. Many Christians prioritize their children's worldly success over their spiritual devotion.
Overcoming the chains of idolsEvery idol in our heart acts like a chain that prevents us from running the race of faith. To follow Jesus fully, we must lay aside every weight and sin that hinders us.
The true measure of love is sacrificeGod's love for the world was shown through sacrifice, and we show our love for Him by sacrificing our time, energy, and resources. Using the widow's mite as an example, the speaker notes that God values the heart of sacrifice over the amount given.
Why God accepted Abel's offering but not Cain'sBy looking at Genesis 4, we see that the difference was not in the type of law followed, but in the heart behind the gift.
The distinction of giving the bestAbel brought the best of his flock to show his love, whereas Cain simply brought an offering without that same devotion.
Sacrifice as the ultimate proof of loveGod uses the sacrificial nature of a mother's love for her newborn as a metaphor for His own sacrificial love and commitment to us.
