Lesson 4 - Question 3 of 26

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Calling Upon the Lord:

As was introduced at the start of this lesson, when a person has a desire to say thank you, or to praise someone for something that they have done, or if they have a request or petition of another...they would usually communicate that message by some regular form of communication.

In the balance of this lesson, we will focus on what the New Testament says about calling upon...or praying to God.  In Revelation 8:4, the prayers of God's people...the saints...are pictured as ascending to God with the smoke of incense.  The prayers of those who belong to the Lord ascend to the heavens to be heard by the one true Creator of this universe; our Lord and our God.

Before we look at the guidance given in scripture for our prayers to God, it is important that we first look at the dangers for those who have made created things the object of their prayer, veneration, devotion and/or worship.

Who Do You Call On?

There are some people today who worship other men or women (e.g., sports figures, movie stars, people of wealth of power, war heroes, self-proclaimed prophets or high priests, etc).  They focus their lives and attention on these individuals and communicate their praise and/or requests to them.

There are some people who pray to false gods...to images made of wood, stone, etc. or resembling men or women, animals or other.  There are some who pray to the heavens, stars, rocks, or other things created by God. 

Such objects of prayer and worship are spoken of in Romans chapter 1:

For since the creation of the world His (God's) invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. 21 For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God, or give thanks; but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures. 24 Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, that their bodies might be dishonored among them. 25 For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. Romans 1:20-25 (NAS)

Question:

According to Romans 1:20-25, those people who exchange the truth of God for a lie, will worship and serve ______________. (fill in the blank with the best answer)

  1. A god with an image in the form of corruptible (mortal) man.
  2. A god with an image in the form of a bird.
  3. A god with an image in the form of four-footed animals and crawling creatures.
  4. Anything that is created by God (the creature).
  5. Any of the above would apply (1-4).

1. Image of Man 2. Image of Bird 3. Other Image 4. The Creature 5. Any of the Above


Other Translations - Romans 1:20-25:

For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities-- his eternal power and divine nature-- have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles. 24 Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. 25 They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator-- who is forever praised. Amen. (NIV)

For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man-- and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. 24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, 25who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. (NKJ)

For the invisible things of him since the creation of the world are clearly seen, being perceived through the things that are made, (even) his everlasting power and divinity; that they may be without excuse: 21 because that, knowing God, they glorified him not as God, neither gave thanks; but became vain in their reasonings, and their senseless heart was darkened. 22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God for the likeness of an image of corruptible man, and of birds, and four-footed beasts, and creeping things. 24 Wherefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts unto uncleanness, that their bodies should be dishonored among themselves: 25 for that they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. (ASV)

For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. 24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. (KJV)

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