Slaying the god of Me Pastor Dave Jansen October 6, 2019 Series: Slaying gods

God raised him from death and set him on a throne in deep heaven, in charge of running the universe, everything from galaxies to governments, no name and no power exempt from his rule. --Ephesians 1:20-22 (The Message)

And not just for the time being, but forever And not just for the time being, but forever. He is in charge of it all, has the final word on everything. At the center of all this, Christ rules the church. --Ephesians 1:20-22 (The Message)

How do you slay the god of me?

“In your great pride you claim, ‘I am a god “In your great pride you claim, ‘I am a god! I sit on a divine throne in the heart of the sea.’ But you are only a man and not a god, though you boast that you are a god. You regard yourself as wiser than Daniel and think no secret is hidden from you. With your wisdom and… (cont’d) --Ezekiel 28:2-5 (NLT)

…understanding you have amassed great wealth—gold and silver for your treasuries. Yes, your wisdom has made you very rich, and your riches have made you very proud. --Ezekiel 28:2-5 (NLT)

How do you slay the god of me?

1. Admit that you are not self-made How do you slay the god of me? 1. Admit that you are not self-made

30 As he looked out across the city, he said, “Look at this great city of Babylon! By my own mighty power, I have built this beautiful city as my royal residence to display my majestic splendor.” 31 While these words were still in his mouth, a voice called down from heaven… (cont’d) --Daniel 4:30-34 (NLT)

“O King Nebuchadnezzar, this message is for you “O King Nebuchadnezzar, this message is for you! You are no longer ruler of this kingdom. 32 You will be driven from human society. You will live in the fields with the wild animals, and you will eat grass like a cow. Seven periods of time will pass while you live this way, until you learn that the Most High… (cont’d) --Daniel 4:30-34 (NLT)

“…rules over the kingdoms of the world and gives them to anyone he chooses.” 33 That same hour the judgment was fulfilled, and Nebuchadnezzar was driven from human society. He ate grass like a cow, and he was drenched with the dew of heaven. He lived this way until… (cont’d) --Daniel 4:30-34 (NLT)

…his hair was as long as eagles’ feathers and his nails were like birds’ claws. 34 After this time had passed, I, Nebuchadnezzar, looked up to heaven. My sanity returned, and I praised and worshiped the Most High and honored the one who lives forever. --Daniel 4:30-34 (NLT)

1. Admit that you are not self-made How do you slay the god of me? 1. Admit that you are not self-made

How do you slay the god of me?

2. Recognize your mortality How do you slay the god of me? 2. Recognize your mortality

Therefore, this is what the Sovereign Lord says: “Because you think you are as wise as a god, I will now bring against you a foreign army, the terror of the nations. They will draw their swords against your marvelous wisdom and defile your splendor! They will bring you down to… (cont’d) --Ezekiel 28:6-10 (NLT)

…the pit, and you will die in the heart of the sea, pierced with many wounds. Will you then boast, ‘I am a god!’ to those who kill you? To them you will be no god but merely a man! You will die like an outcast at the hands of foreigners. I, the Sovereign Lord, have spoken!” --Ezekiel 28:6-10 (NLT)

2. Recognize your mortality How do you slay the god of me? 2. Recognize your mortality

Then he told them a story: “A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops. He said to himself, ‘What should I do? I don’t have room for all my crops.’ Then he said, ‘I know! I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll have room enough to store all my wheat and… (cont’d) --Luke 12:16-20 (NLT)

…other goods. And I’ll sit back and say to myself, “My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!”’ “But God said to him, ‘You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?’ --Luke 12:16-20 (NLT)

2. Recognize your mortality How do you slay the god of me? 2. Recognize your mortality

How do you slay the god of me?

How do you slay the god of me? 3. Stay before the Lord

“Those people who pray know what most around them either don’t know or choose to ignore: Centering life in the insatiable demands of the ego is the sure path to doom. They know that life confined to the self is a prison, a joy-killing, neurosis-producing, disease fomenting prison.” --Eugene Peterson--

How do you slay the god of me? 3. Stay before the Lord

How do you slay the god of me?

4. Make God-promotion your primary purpose How do you slay the god of me? 4. Make God-promotion your primary purpose

Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’ --John 1:29-30 (NIV)

4. Make God-promotion your primary purpose How do you slay the god of me? 4. Make God-promotion your primary purpose

He must become greater; I must become less. --John 3:30 (NIV)

4. Make God-promotion your primary purpose How do you slay the god of me? 4. Make God-promotion your primary purpose

“The God-centered life works and rescues us from a life that doesn’t.” --Max Lucado--

Slaying the god of Me Pastor Dave Jansen October 6, 2019 Series: Slaying gods