Mad Upon Their Idols — E.A. Johnston

The Corrupt Heart and Its Idols

That the hearts of men are corrupt and are set upon their idols is seen in the book of Jeremiah in chapter 50 in verse 38 Which states a drought is upon her waters and they should be dried up. For it is the land of graven images and they are mad upon their idols.

And that's the title of my message today friends mad upon their idols. It is a truth that the hearts of men are set upon the things of this world and that their affections are Intoxicated by it. It cannot be denied every ambition.

Every interest every holding they have is fueled by the cravings and lusts of their hearts by the following three things profit pleasure and Prestige. And I want to look at these three things today. For a man's life force is employed to advance these three things for their own self-interest.

The Idolatry of Profit and Greed

Number one profit men whose lives are bent on the Accumulation of things that many men have much of the world by way of owning land homes and diversified investment. Portfolios is proven by their display of wealth.

Yet with the abundance they control they crave after more profit. If they have a hundred thousand dollars, they crave millions if they have millions. They crave more millions by more profit. That's why you see so many old craggy billionaires in courts suing one corporation for more control of it.

Because they're never satisfied what wealth they have. They're like King Solomon who observed he that love is silver shall not be satisfied with silver. They're bankrupt souls driven on by greed never satisfied with what they have.

The Pursuit of Pleasure

They pursue what other men have so it will be theirs. The love of profit is a ruling force in their lives. Number two pleasure. That man is like the Greek epicureans at heart whose life is bent on self-gratification and pleasure.

They begin each day with the question. How may I amuse myself today? How shall I bring myself pleasure and along with Solomon say I said in my heart Go to now I will prove thee with mirth therefore enjoy pleasure.

Their hearts revolve around themselves and are centered upon finding ways to bring pleasure to themselves. That's why they spend so much money and time on their entertainment sports and other enjoyments.

They are always seeking other Opportunities to indulge themselves either by travel or the accumulation of goods that bring them more pleasure. But their lusts are never satiated. They need more and more Enticements in their mad search for pleasure like our text from Jeremiah.

The Idol of Prestige and Human Recognition

They are mad upon their idols. Number three prestige. How man looks in another man's eyes is of great importance to him. That man loved to boast and brag of what they have and what they've done is a consuming force in their life.

That man is always looking for more avenues to travel to bring honor and recognition upon himself. The heart of man has a deep longing to be acknowledged and recognized. That's why so many pastors are weak and uninfluential in the spiritual lives of their people because they pray and preach for the sole purpose of receiving acknowledgement and Recognition from the lips of man the love of prestige grips their hearts.

And although some men hold great sway over the reins of their church because of their position and Prominence within their community and although they give much money to the support of it. Yet if Christ himself Stood facing them with the same injunction as he did to the rich young ruler to sell all and follow him They would turn and walk away from Christ Just as shamefully for they would rather abandon their religion.

Scripture Reveals the Rottenness of the Heart

Then give up the riches of this world for another. As they are shackled hand and foot to their goods and they are mad upon their idols. And when you take the light of scripture and shine it upon the heart of man It will produce the same effect as if you shown a spotlight onto a dark field in the night and there is a scrambling of all sorts of snakes and venom Scurrying over each other for cover.

The heart of man does not like to be revealed and it surely will fight you if you do. Very few individuals know the rottenness of their hearts. They believe themselves to be very good and are very proud of themselves to their own fault and ruin.

Holy Ghost Conviction Awakens the Lost Soul

Only Almighty God Can show a man his heart beneath the search and spotlight of Holy Ghost conviction. Then and only then When a man sees the blackness and badness of his own heart and condition Will he be awakened to his lost condition and become alarmed to his great danger of dying in his natural state In love with himself and the world but with no true love to God.

Christ as the Only Remedy for Sin

When a man sees the poison in his blood and the rottenness in his heart and Recognizes his malady and need for a remedy only then will that person seek an interest in Christ Jesus Christ who is the only refuge and remedy for sin.

Let us pray.