We know idol worshipers will eventually pay, but they sure have fun in the mean time. We often think of sin as a wicked thing, but a wicked thing that brings us pleasure and joy. Yes, sex can be an idol, but it is a fun idol. Yes, worshiping money is a sin, but having money is so much fun. Yes power and control can be a idol, but it it is so much fun to run the lives of other people. I know coveting is idol worship, but boy it is such to joy to look at those things I want and long for them.
However,
Hosea paints a different picture. In
Hosea 2 God accuses Israel of giving silver and gold to the Baals, the idols of
the day. Israel is running around worshiping idols. This involved theft, sexual immorality, and power plays. But this does not lead to fun. Instead God says he will put an end to
all Israel’s mirth (Hosea 2:11). Mirth is an old word meaning laughter, joy, cheer and
merrymaking. We look out at sin and we
think, I know it is wrong, but wouldn’t it be fun. But the reality is that idol
worship leads to joy evaporating. When we worship idols, feasting,
merrymaking, wine, laughter are all destroyed. Two things I want to remind you of
this morning as we prepare to confess our sins.
First, have
you lost your joy? If so, then there is an idol somewhere that is eating at
you. Find it, repent of it, and kill it.
Second, as
a church one way we know we are worshiping God is the presence of joy, laughter, and mirth. Sundays
are not easy days, but they are joyful days. Do you like to feast? Do you like
to fellowship? It is odd, but when we laugh together and fellowship together and eat together, we are putting idols to death.
Exhortation Before Confession of Sin: March 8th, 2015
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