Why church? – Part 6 idols?
Let us turn to 2 kings 18. Hezekiah is king of Judah. Verse 5 says he trusted in the LORD God of Isreal.
2 Kings 18:5 English Standard Version (ESV)
5 He trusted in the Lord, the God of Israel, so that there was none like him among all the kings of Judah after him, nor among those who were before him.
We are reading about church, why are we reading about Hezekiah ?
Good question. Let us read further.
Hezekiah believed in God. and (verse 6) he kept commandments, which the LORD commanded Moses.
But in verse 4, Hezekiah does brake in pieces the brazen serpent that Moses had made:
Why? There seems to be a conflict. Why did Hezekiah do that? One end he keeps the commandment given through Moses and other side he brake what Moses made. Did Hezekiah do in error?
No.
LORD was with him; and he prospered.
Why then he brake the brasen serpent that Moses had made?
What is this brasen serpent? If you are not aware, turn to Numbers 21
Numbers 21:7-9 English Standard Version (ESV)
7 And the people came to Moses and said, “We have sinned, for we have spoken against the Lord and against you. Pray to the Lord, that he take away the serpents from us.” So Moses prayed for the people. 8 And the Lord said to Moses, “Make a fiery serpent and set it on a pole, and everyone who is bitten, when he sees it, shall live.” 9 So Moses made a bronze[a] serpent and set it on a pole. And if a serpent bit anyone, he would look at the bronze serpent and live.
Who said to Moses to make brass serpent and put it upon a pole?
The LORD.
Who brake it?
Hezekiah and the LORD was with him; and he prospered.
Hmmm… why?
What was once meant to display God’s saving grace to people now had become an idol.
Read, verse 4 in 2 King 18
for until those days the people of Israel had made offerings to it (it was called Nehushtan).
What was used to save had now become an idol.
Some of you, would have got the point by now. Bishops, pastors, teachers have a role. But people have this desire to worship idols.
I do not why?
Remember in Exodus, the LORD brings them out of Egypt. And Moses is gone for 40 days with the LORD and people forget LORD and make a golden calf to worship it.
You can not understand it. How can people be so dumb? You might think.
But it is ever so. Earlier churches had cravings and paintings because as I said before, most people back then did not know to read or write, they used the cravings and paintings to tell Biblical stories and history. Just like us having cinema today. But people start burning incense before these statues.
We in present world, can look at it and shake our head and say how can people be so dumb?
So in modern churches, they took the idols and symbols out. And now people make the pastor,the place as idol.
So far, I came against pastors that they are misleading people. But sometimes and most times the pastors have pure heart, but people at error worshiping them, looking upto them, idolizing them. I do not know, why it happens. But it does happen.
The solution is this. If you and each one of you have read your Bible and when you come together, each of you have a hymn, an instruction, then the church will not be centered around pastor but will be centered around the Word, Jesus Christ.
Interesting thought, read Mark 12:39
Speaking of scribes, Jesus says beware of scribes
Mark 12:37-39 English Standard Version (ESV)
38 And in his teaching he said, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes and like greetings in the marketplaces
39 and have the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at feasts,
I wonder, why the elders in church have designated seats up in the front? 🤔
Oh logistics, they have to pray and go to stage often. Oh I get it. I am making fun of you elders, you bunch of hypocrites. You love yours seats at your synagogues. I mean your synagogues. You are not building up church for Him. But for your ego. You love your seats.
Repent!
Every church has a building project. Ask them how are they using the facility now?
They cant answer.
‘We are growing, we need more seating?’, they say.
What about Monday to Saturday, how are you using your facility?
Are you feeding the poor? Are you running day care for elderly or children?
Nope. You pastors who are full time. If I come to church can I see you clocking in to work at church. No.
What do you do Monday to Saturday?
How do you use the space? And you want bigger shiner building to feed your ego.
Shut up and repent. Brake into pieces, go small, that each of you can have hymn or instruction.
Little children, wherever you are, God is with you.
You do not need a building or anything to worship HIM, the one who saved you.
24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”
John 4:24 English Standard Version (ESV)
If you are born again, you have HIS Spirit living within you. All you need is, your willingness.
Worship and spend time with HIM.
Be blessed in Jesus mighty Name.
Amen