SUBJ: The supremacy of our God set off against the impotence of idols and the futility of worshiping them in that they cannot respond in any way.

AIM: That we might reflect on and look to the interactions that our Lord has promised and manifests to us.

INTR: In the day of so many and varied forms of religion it may seem that our thoughts here may be of no consequence or have any relevance. Recall the admonition of John regarding idols.
1. Anything that is worshiped and/or trusted instead of the Lord may be characterized as an idol and will be found with the same limitations as described in this passage.
2. Furthermore, as we learn from the Lord and we are the servants of something: 16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? 17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Romans 6:16-17.
3. Those things that characterize idols are the very things brought to life and experience in the provisions of our God.

THESIS: Ours is a living and interactive union with our God and sweet communion is the order of the day in those who trust in Him and know by experience great assurance therein.

I. The position and freedom of our God to save (vv. 1-3)
1. It is the desire of all true believers that glory be given unto the worthy One and that the reason that glory is rendered up is found in the mercy and truth manifested in them.
2. Thus, it is that His position as above all in heaven and earth is declared as of One who has entered the sanctuary that is His and His alone
1) From here we note the ascension of Christ and His function even now as both intercessor and ruler over all.
2) And, the exaltation in this way provokes true worship is those who know.
3. The sovereignty of God is always a source of delight to those who love Him and is hated by those who love themselves more – such are they who create the idols of their own wisdom.
4. That He hath done whatsoever He pleased is comforting especially as we read that it pleased the Lord to bruise Him!

II. The impotence of idols (vv. 4-8)
1. The very idea of the idolater and the work of their hands is to create gods that will agree with them in their course to destruction.
1) They conform their Gods to their image
2) Our God conforms us to the image of His Son and that is life in its purest form.
2. We note their characteristics
1) Mouths but do not speak – Our God has spoken to us abundantly and especially through the living Word – His only begotten Son.
2) They have unseeing eyes – whereas our God sees us, sees our needs, and is in every place beholding the evil and the good. It is He that looks on the heart and ministers in accordance with the needs discovered there.
3) They have ears through which prayers are never heard while our God is ever attentive to the cry of His people. He heard the cry in Egypt and He is ever attentive to the contrite: For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. 1 Peter 3:12.
4) They have noses that cannot smell anything offered them; the things of Christ in us are reflective of the sacrifices of His people: And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake; for the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done. Genesis 8:21 and 14 Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place. 15 For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: 2 Corinthians 2:14-15.
5) They have hands that can never touch those whom the Lord can and does bless – He touches and is touched.
6) And He walks to us, and with us, and thus we experience Righteousness shall go before him; and shall set us in the way of his steps. Psalms 85:13.
7) And there is no character to their voice as did the Lord in speaking with human voice.
3. Sadly, they are a reflection of their creators while joyfully we become a reflection of our God.

III. The encouragement to serve the true and the living God and see vv. 11-13