Key Takeaways

Our gods can’t speak but our God can.

When we are waiting in the gap between what we expected and what we are experiencing, it is easy to fall into the trap of giving our devotion to something other than the one true God. Through the book of Habakkuk God reminds us that it is foolish to trust in idols to do what only he can do. Dethroning our idols is about recentering our lives on God, listening for his voice, and surrendering to his guidance.

• The Book of Habakkuk – In Habakkuk 2, God explains why it is foolish to worship false idols.
• What is an Idol? – An idol is anything we give our devotion to instead of the one true God. Anything can become an idol, even good things.
• Misplaced Worship – At the heart of idolatry is misplaced worship. We turn to things that can’t save us and ask them to do what only God can do. Instead, we should center our lives on the one true God and worship him alone.
• Idols deceive us – Idols make promises they can’t keep and assure us they can provide us with security, direction, even identity. But in the end, they are made and controlled by us, so they cannot guide us or hold up to the weight of our lives. Only God can.
• Idols can’t speak, but God can – God wants to speak into our lives, but we have to listen. God tells us what to do, through his word, his son Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and other people.
• Following Jesus – Idolatry means asking a god we made to help us get what we want for our own glory. Following Jesus means giving up control and asking the God who made us what we can do for his glory.

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Pray

As you talk with God this week, ask him to reveal any idols that may live in your heart.

Heavenly Father, you are worthy to be praised for you are the one true God. You are sovereign, mighty, and wonderful. There is none like you.

Forgive us Lord because at times we have put other things before you. Our lives are busy and so full of distractions that our priorities, at times, are not in order as they should be.

Help us, God, to recognize any idols that have taken your place, and give us the wisdom and strength to remove them from our lives. Help us to remember that only you deserve to be number one in our lives.

Thank you for your faithfulness and mercy towards us and for your love that never fails.

In the precious name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.

Worship

Bring the worship set from this weekend into your Slot and Spot and praise God for he is the one true God.

• Move of God – SEU Worship
• So Much – Life Church Worship
• Goodness of God – CeCe Winans

Learn

This week, read through the scripture shared in the message and dive deeper into God’s word.

What good is an idol carved by man, or a cast image that deceives you? How foolish to trust in your own creation— a god that can’t even talk! What sorrow awaits you who say to wooden idols, ‘Wake up and save us!’ To speechless stone images you say, ‘Rise up and teach us!’ Can an idol tell you what to do? They may be overlaid with gold and silver, but they are lifeless inside.  – Habakkuk 2:18-19

• Scripture – Habakkuk 2:18-20
• Scripture – Romans 1:21-23
• Scripture – Romans 8:14
• Scripture – 1 John 5:21
• Read – Shatter: Leave Your Idols Behind a seven day devotional
• Watch – Bible Project’s 1st Commandment: No Other Gods
• Listen – Habakkuk 2 from Through the Word

Reflect

Reflect on these questions during your Slot and Spot/discussions with others.

Read Habakkuk 2:18-19 – Not all idols are wooden statues. Some actually start out as good things in our lives. What kind of idols exist in your life and culture today?

• Idols deceive us by making us believe that they can provide us with security, direction, and identity. Have you ever been deceived by a false idol? What was it?
• Have you ever recognized something in your life that started out as good, but then began to receive your devotion over God? What did you do to reorder your worship back to God?

Read 1 John 5:21. As you consider this verse, what area of your life feels the most challenged?

• In what ways have you been relying on things—whether material possessions, status, or human approval—that cannot truly guide or save you?
• Are there areas where you have prioritized worldly pursuits over your spiritual well-being?
• Is there anyone in your life who you see putting their faith in false gods? How do you see that playing out in their lives? How can you apply that observation to your own self-reflection?
• How can you point others toward putting their faith in God?

Read Habakkuk 2:20 – “But the Lord is in his holy Temple. Let all the earth be silent before him.”

• God speaks through his Word, His son, the Holy Spirit, and his people. How do you tend to hear from God?
• When was the last time you intentionally spent time in silence to listen to God?

Next Steps

God wants to speak to you. Every day this week set aside a few moments with no distraction. Boldly ask God if anything has taken his place in your heart. Then, sit in silence before God and listen.

Find your place and part in our community of faith. Make plans to attend Plugged In and join the J-Team.

What’s one thing you learned from this message that you want to apply to your life this week? Share it in the comment section below.