Irony – You Become What You Worship • | A Sermon Series on Irony in the Bible | Messianic Teaching

Today’s Bible teaching from Founded in Truth Fellowship, delivered by Matthew Vander Els, delves into the fascinating literary device of irony as it permeates the Bible and, more importantly, explores the profound spiritual principle that we tend to become what we worship. The sermon highlights how this concept manifests through ironic twists and turns in biblical narratives and in our own lives.

The speaker begins by establishing the community’s foundation on the love of the Sabbath and the entirety of God’s Word, centered on the person of Yeshua (Jesus). The current series focuses on irony in the Bible, a device the speaker expresses a fondness for. Several examples of biblical irony are revisited from the previous week, setting the stage for the day’s topic.

The book of Jonah is presented as a prime example of irony. Jonah’s attempt to flee from God’s command to prophesy against Nineveh, driven by his fear of their potential repentance and God’s subsequent mercy, ironically leads him to the very place he tried to avoid. His disobedience results in being swallowed by a large fish, followed by his eventual journey to Nineveh where his brief, five-word Hebrew sermon (“Forty days, destruction coming”) sparks city-wide repentance. The irony is further emphasized by the fact that pagan sailors on the ship were the first to praise God in the story, not the prophet named “dove.” Even the king’s decree that both people and animals, including cows and camels, should wear sackcloth and cry out to God underscores the unexpected and ironic outcome Jonah sought to prevent.

Moving beyond Jonah, the teaching explores other instances of irony in the Old Testament. Jacob’s deception of his father Isaac to receive the blessing is ironically mirrored later when his own sons deceive him into believing Joseph is dead. In the New Testament, Judas Iscariot’s betrayal of Jesus for 30 pieces of silver, seemingly an act of evil, ironically sets the stage for the central event of Christian belief: the resurrection.

The sermon then shifts to the irony of God’s judgment, where individuals often face consequences that mirror their own sins. King David’s actions of taking Bathsheba and orchestrating the murder of her husband, Uriah, are followed by the ironic echo of similar sins within his own family, such as Amnon’s sexual assault on Tamar. This illustrates the principle that what one plants, one will eventually harvest.

The central theme of the teaching is then explicitly stated: we tend to become what we worship. This principle of irony extends beyond biblical narratives into our own lives. The speaker references Christian scholar Greg Beal’s assertion that we resemble what we revere. The story of Lance Armstrong, the once-revered cyclist who won the Tour de France seven times after battling cancer, is used as a compelling modern-day illustration. Armstrong, who built his image on victory and resilience, was eventually exposed for using performance-enhancing drugs, the very antithesis of clean sport. His relentless pursuit of an image led him to embody dishonesty and cheating, resulting in the loss of his titles and a lifetime ban. This narrative twist highlights the devastating irony of becoming the opposite of what one outwardly portrays and strives for.

The tendency to mimic what we desire, whether it’s status, power, or wealth, is presented as a natural human inclination. Just as children mimic their parents, and our personalities are influenced by our close friends, we often unconsciously adopt the characteristics of what we admire or worship. The speaker humorously points out how seemingly harmless mimicry, like wearing certain clothes, can be rooted in a desire to emulate someone. However, this natural tendency becomes detrimental when it turns into worship, leading to our spiritual demise.

Idol worship is defined as turning our reverence away from God and placing it onto something else. It occurs when our commitment to God’s mission diminishes, and we seek other things to fill the void of worth and worship. The sermon then turns to Psalm 115, which describes pagan idols as being made of silver and gold, having mouths that cannot speak, eyes that cannot see, ears that cannot hear, and so on. The psalm concludes with the powerful statement that those who make and worship these idols will become like them – spiritually inert. This is presented as a form of God’s judgment, where people resemble the lifeless idols they serve.

Psalm 135 echoes this sentiment, initially referring to pagan nations but then subtly shifting to include God’s own people, Israel, and anyone who trusts in idols. The repeated phrases about eyes that do not see and ears that do not hear are identified as metaphors for idolatry throughout the Bible. The speaker asserts that in every instance of idolatry, individuals will become like the lifeless objects of their worship, ultimately facing destruction. By detaching from the life-giving Spirit (Ruach), one inevitably becomes spiritually lifeless.

To find more Bible Teachings, click the link.

Application for Everyday Life: Recognizing and Overcoming Idolatry

• Self-Reflection: Regularly examine your life to identify anything that takes priority over your relationship with God. This could be your career, finances, relationships, hobbies, or even your own image.
• Time Allocation: Analyze how you spend your time and energy. Do these activities draw you closer to God or further away? Are you neglecting spiritual disciplines in favor of other pursuits?
• Heart Motives: Consider the underlying motivations behind your actions and desires. Are you seeking validation, security, or fulfillment from sources other than God?
• Spiritual Discernment: Pay attention to feelings of spiritual dryness, distance from God, or a lack of desire for spiritual things. These can be indicators of idolatry in your life.
• Repentance and Turning: If you identify an idol, confess it to God and make a conscious decision to turn away from it. This may involve setting boundaries, changing habits, or seeking accountability.
• Seeking God’s Presence: Intentionally cultivate your relationship with God through prayer, Bible reading, worship, and fellowship with other believers. This helps to fill the void that idols often try to occupy.
• Using the “Hammer”: Recognize the power and authority you have in the name of Yeshua to break free from the grip of idolatry. Cry out to Him for help and strength to overcome these strongholds.
• Accountability: Share your struggles with trusted Christian friends or mentors who can offer support and prayer.
• Focus on God’s Glory: Shift your focus from your own desires and achievements to glorifying God in all aspects of your life.
• Be Aware of Subtle Idols: Recognize that idols don’t always look like statues. Anything that consistently distracts you from God or takes His rightful place in your heart can become an idol.

References

• Jonah
• Genesis 27
• Genesis 37
• Matthew 26

Resources Mentioned

• The Bible by Jesus Christ