Be on Guard Against Idols | 1 John 5:20-21

Lord's Day: August 9, 2026  Preacher: Carlos Montijo  Series: First John  Topic: Sin  Scripture: 1 John 5:18–21; Jeremiah 17:9; Exodus 20:3–7; Deuteronomy 5:12; Colossians 3:5; Matthew 6:24; 1 Samuel 15:23; Genesis 3:5; Isaiah 14:13–14; Galatians 4:8–9; John 1:1; Romans 13:12; Ephesians 6:10–11; 2 John 9–11; 1 Timothy 6:20–21; 1 John 5:11 And we know that the Son of God has come, and has given us understanding so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life. Little children, guard yourselves from idols. 1 John 5:20-21 Concludes with an exhortation, two commands: to do something and not do something I.  Children, guard yourselves from idols. John Calvin: The fallen, sinful human heart (inner man) is an “idol factory,” and the “mind begets an idol, and the hand gives it birth." Belgic Confession, Article 22: The Righteousness of Faith II. What is an idol? Idolatry is a fundamental sin, root sin, major sin The Baptist Catechism, Q. 51-52 III. Idolatry is a pervasive sin Widespread sin, motivates many sins, encompasses several sins See Timothy F. Kauffman, “‘Getting Sanctification Done’: The Primacy of Narrative in Tim Keller’s Exegetical Method,” The Trinity Review (Unicoi, TN), no. 311 (June 2013), https://www.trinityfoundation.org/journal.php?id=293. For criticisms and refutations of Doug Wilson, see: https://thorncrownministries.com/search?q=wilson Thomas Manton: “Now self is the great idol of the world.” IV. How do we protect ourselves from idols? One of the most important gifts that God has given us, and to protect ourselves with—is understanding, knowledge, truth Jehovah’s Witnesses Ephesians 6:10–1, Romans 13:12  Abstain from false teaching—do not let false teaching/teachers into your home, church (2 John 9-11) Six S’s of Spiritual Deliverance & Combat Sermon series, Know Your Enemy: The World, the Flesh, the Devil: https://www.thorncrowncovenant.church/sermons/series/know-your-enemy:-the-world-the-flesh-the-devil Join us on Sundays for worship at 10:00am: ThornCrown Covenant Baptist Church4712 Montana AveEl Paso, Texas 79903 Contact us at: web: ThornCrownCovenant.Churchcall/text: (915) 843-8088email: [email protected] Scripture quotations taken from the (LSB®) Legacy Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2021 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Managed in partnership with Three Sixteen Publishing Inc. LSBible.org and 316publishing.com