The last couple years showed us more than ever how divided we are as a people. We are divided along racial lines, political lines, gender lines, religious lines, and economic lines. It is too easy for us to think in terms of “us and them.” We judge others on this basis, and we feel superior. We tend to emphasize the weaknesses of those on “their” side and minimize the weaknesses of those on “our” side. We spend lots of time at the “altar of pride” and feel superior in terms of morality, religion, race, and ethnicity. These false gods have a very divisive power in our world, and can take the allegiance of our hearts from God to these “sides” we end up making into idols instead of blessings. We will look at God’s Word today to see how it can defeat these idols from taking God’s place in our hearts.

Divine Savior Church-Sienna Plantation

The Danger of Us and Them |

“They must be doing something right!” Have you ever thought or muttered that when someone roared past you in their sports car or fancy boat? Or while you were watching a professional sports contest or singing contest? Or browsing the blog or YouTube channel of a successful influencer? We spend lots of time at the “altar of influence” worshiping gods of people, celebrities, influencers, and culture. Wishing we could be more like them. Wishing we could have what they have. These false gods have incredible influence in our world. It can be hard not to get carried away with them, and let them guide and direct us more than the God who actually knows best how this world works. We will look at God’s Word today to see how it can defeat these idols from taking God’s place in our hearts.

They Must Be Doing Something Right

Would you do anything for love? “Falling in love” with another person often keeps us from thinking straight. It takes a high place of importance. It isn’t hard for that kind of infatuation to take a place higher in our hearts than it should. We spend lots of time at the “altar of love” worshiping gods of romance, family, and our own ego. These things are actually good gifts and blessings from God, but can step out of order in our hearts and become more important to us than the love we have for the God who made and redeemed us. It’s good to love our spouse and family, and even have a healthy esteem of ourselves. But God needs first place in our hearts. Even over family. Let’s love our spouses, but love God more. Spouses make bad gods. We will look at God’s Word today to see how it can defeat these idols from taking God’s place in our hearts.

Would You Do Anything For Love? | Battle For Our Hearts

It is easy in this world to think that the “best life” or “life to the full” means binging on all the things that bring us temporary pleasure. Didn’t the year of shut-down show us how powerfully addicting binging on Netflix, snack foods, and alcohol can be? We were made to worship God, but we often end up spending lots of time at the “altar of pleasure” worshiping gods of food, sex, and entertainment. These false gods, which wield a very powerful mental, physical, and emotional lure, keep us from the real relationship with Jesus that we need, when they become more important to us than Him. We will look at God’s Word today to see how it can defeat these idols from taking God’s place in our hearts.

Life to the Full | Battle for Our Hearts

We live in a world where everyone wants to be “King of the hill,” right? Climb the ladder. Be on top. Be the highest paid whatever we are. We were made to worship God, but we often end up spending lots of time at the “altar of power” worshiping gods of success, money, and achievement. These false gods, which are so attractive to our world, keep us from the real relationship with Jesus that we need. We will look at God’s Word today to see how it can defeat these idols from getting God’s place in our hearts.

King of the Hill | Battle for Our Hearts

There are false gods battling for the place of honor in our lives. We can’t live the life God wants us to live when we are pursuing something else. Behind the sins we struggle with, the discouragement we deal with, and the lack of purpose we live with, are false gods that are winning the battle for our hearts. We were made to worship God, but we often end up valuing and honoring the idols of success, money, achievement, food, sex, entertainment, romance, family, our own ego, and many more things. These false gods keep us from the real relationship with Jesus that we need. This week, we begin looking at God’s Word to see how it can help us defeat the idols that want God’s place in our hearts. It’s a battle for our hearts!

Jealous For Your Whole Heart | Battle For Our Hearts

We believe that Jesus is the fulfillment of all God&apos;s promises. Through Him, we utter our Amen to God.The creed summarizes the many promises God has made to us. It&apos;s appropriate we conclude with our "Amen." In the end, we are still and know that our Lord is God. In the end, we have confidence in his promises because of Christ. 

Amen | I Believe

We believe there will be a future physical resurrection of the dead for those who turn from sin and to Jesus. Those who believe will be raised to eternal reward.We hope for many things, yet there must be some ultimate hope that provides the drive to propel us forward each and every day. For those who confess the words of the creed, that hope is the resurrection and the life everlasting.We rebel against worldly hope. 

The Resurrection and Life

We believe only through faith in the person and work of Jesus Christ and repentance from sin can one be reconciled to God and experience true life and joy.The beauty of God&apos;s grace allows us to openly admit our failings and weaknesses, relying on a God who is full of compassion and grace. We rebel against cancellationism. 

The Forgiveness of Sins

We believe the universal Church contains all Christian believers, spanning the time of the early church to today.The creed reminds us that the life of a Christian is one that desires community with other believers. We rebel against isolationism.

The Communion of Saints

We believe the Holy Spirit is living and working in the heart of every believer. No one can know Jesus Christ except by the Spirit.The Holy Spirit makes known an optimism that transcends our experience as he brings Christ&apos;s peace and Christ&apos;s presence. We rebel against pessimissm. 

The Holy Spirit

We believe Jesus will return and judge the sin of each person. Believers should prepare for and eagerly await this second coming.While our confession is of truth, it is belief in the truth God has revealed. We don&apos;t insist on all the details, but rely on the wisdom of God in his plan. We reject fatalism and self-righteousness.

Judge the Living and the Dead

We believe Jesus went to heaven after His resurrection. He rules and reigns over all things with the Father and the Holy Spirit.Are we there yet? As Christians we certainly have a longing for heaven. We long for the complete removal of sin from our life and the lives of those around us - its consequences and its nature. Perhaps because we long and trust, we also grow impatient with God&apos;s timetable. The creed gives us the symmetry we need to both long for heaven, and accept God&apos;s work and wisdom in our present circumstances. 

Ascended Into Heaven

We believe Christ experienced death with us and for us. He descended into the grave but He defeated death and was resurrected.The creed reminds us that the war is over. Victory is complete. Let&apos;s remember to live in such victory, and carry ourselves with the triumph of Christ - his triumph over sin, death, hell, and Satan. 

Descended Into Hell, Rose Again

We believe Jesus died as the sacrificial substitute to pay the penalty for sin. He truly suffered and died on the cross for us and was buried in a tomb.The historical, spiritual, and biblical truths of the cross assault our intellect and reason. Through our confession of faith, we reject the intellectualism that has become the god of our age. 

Suffered, Died, and Buried | I Believe

Worship. Connect. Serve. Divine Savior Church is committed to connecting people to Jesus because we believe Jesus changes lives.We do that by providing opportunities to worship, connect to God’s Word and other people, and honor Him by serving the Divine Savior family and local community.

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Divine Savior Church-Sienna Plantation

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