Sermon Sandwich
Mark 10:17-31—Sermon Sandwich
Trinity Church, 1589 Hwy 174, Edisto Island, SC 29438
www.trinityedisto.com 843-869-3568
20th Sunday after Pentecost, October 10, 2021
Holy Eucharist - Renewed Ancient Text; 2019 BCP, p.123
Mark 10:17-31 Sermon Notes
Background - What is wrong with me?
What is the matter with me?
Psalm 139:23 -Search me, O God, and know my heart!
Try me and know my thoughts!
The Basic Problem - Our hearts are idol factories.
Counterfeit Gods, Tim Keller
Diagnostic Questions to Discern My Surface Idols:
1. Imagination - What do my thoughts effortlessly go to when there is nothing else demanding my attention?
2. Emotions - What uncontrollable emotions do I have?
3. Unanswered Prayers - How do I respond to unanswered prayers?
4. Money - Where does my money flow most effortlessly?
Surface Idols:
Bad Things - addictions; alcohol, drugs, gambling, pornography, shopping, eating.
Good Things - Spouse, Children, Grandchildren, friends, work, possessions - home, car and on Edisto Island, our boat.
Deep Idols - our heart’s motivational drives and temperaments that we make into absolutes. The thing we have to have.
The Diagnostic Question To Discern My Deep Idol:
“Life only has meaning/ I only have worth if -
Power Idolatry - I have power and influence over others.”
Approval Idolatry - I am loved and respected by _______.”
Comfort Idolatry - I have this kind of pleasure experience or
this particular quality of life.”
Control Idolatry - I am able to get mastery over my life
in the area of ______.”
Story of the Miser and the Spendthrift
(Counterfeit Gods, Tim Keller, p.65)
The Deep Idol drives our Surface Idols.
How do we deal with our Idols? Repenting and Rejoicing
Repenting - lay it down, leave it alone, let it go, release it to Jesus.
Rejoicing - Turn our eyes upon Jesus and His Gospel.
The Gospel is the Good News of
the Cross and Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
II Corinthians 8:8-9 - I say this not as a command, but to prove by the earnestness of others that your love also is genuine. 9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.
The heart of the Gospel is Substitutionary Sacrifice.