Preventing Autolatry: A very common type of Idolatry inside the home

IDOLATRY: Gods Of Our Making
Theme For November 2009
Preventing Autolatry: A very common type of Idolatry inside the home
November 15, 2009- 2 Timothy 3

2 Tim 3:1 But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. 2 For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good,

4 treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God; 5 holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; and avoid such men as these. 6 For among them are those who enter into households and captivate weak women weighed down with sins, led on by various impulses,

7 always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 8 And just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men of depraved mind, rejected as regards the faith. 9 But they will not make further progress; for their folly will be obvious to all, as also that of those two came to be.
IDOLATRY:
EIDOLON (idol)
LATREIA (service- worship)

IDOLATRY happens when….
We love, adore, respect, or even fear someone or something in the same manner of degree we love, adore,etc. God.:

Last 2 weeks: BIBLIOLATRY – Book-service
COSMOLATRY:World -service
Today: Autolatry
PHILAUTOS - .Lover of Self

Autolatry is dangerous and destructive but it is Preventable. How?

Understand What it is and what its common symptoms are then renounce it. 3 Questions to ask:

I- What is a good description of Autolatry?
Philautos - I am important, I must not be hurt, my needs are my priorities, If I want it, it must be mine…. My life the most important and deserving of all attention. Everything I do and allow to be done is for me importance. Everything because of men and for me. This was the sin of Adam and Eve. We can and we should love the self. But, it becomes wrong when the self becomes the center of our life. To love the self outside of our higher and greater love of God, we go into the wrong path. Remember what Jesus has said in Mt. 22, You shall LOVE the Lord your God with all your heart, the second is like to it “you shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

II- What are the usual Symptoms of Autolatry?
Boastful- Alazon. Originally, the Alazon referred to quack doctors. People who move from one city to another convincing people of their unusual powers and skills and of the unusual power of their medicines. Often times, their claims are something they cannot back-up. This is the person who promises to do what he cannot do, speaks of a quality that he does not have.

Arrogant- Huperaphanos is someone who is “believe sa sarili.” He may not be noisy like the boastful person. But, he treats other people with contempt. In his heart he cannot accept of something or someone having a bigger and greater ability.

Reviler- When you combine boastfulness and pride or arrogance, you will naturally end up being abusive of the rights of others. The word literally means blasphemy and refers to someone who loves to insult God and in this case, loves to insult people.

Conceited- Puts too much importance on self.
disobedient to parents- clear enough?
ungrateful- thank you is no longer a part of vocabulary
unloving – not unable to love but not willing to make others feel loved
irreconcilable- nurtures anger, does not want to be reconciled
malicious gossips- enjoys talking about and against other people
haters of good- is not happy when good things happen
treacherous- cannot be trusted
reckless- no sense of safety or wisdom in his activities

III- What is the best way to deal with Autolatry?
Love God above – God’s approval and he must be pleased in everything
Love others- consider their feelings and welfare
Love self in the context of..

What have we learned? (Summary)
What is the description of autolatry?
What are the usual symptoms of autolatry?
What is the best way to deal with autolatry?

How is this related with us? (Application)
We are all capable of becoming autolatrous
Autolatry can destroy our family life and the lives of those we love
Autolatry is the enemy in the home

How Should we respond? (Challenge)
Detect the presence of autolatry
Gather as a family and ask to be forgiven for autolatry
Ask God for deliverance from autolatry
If necessary, ask a Pastor to pray for you in your home

How Should We Respond Right Now? (Altar Call)
We can ask God right now for freedom from the power of autolatry in our home- let’s break it right now