In Exodus 32:1-6, we learn about how the Israelites decided to design and worship a golden calf.
Why did they do this? Because, they didn’t think Moses was coming back.
Did they really care that much about Moses? No. They just wanted to know that the presence of God was with them. When Moses was around, they knew God was there. They could have more confidence that they would get fed and find water in the desert. They could trust that they would overcome enemy forces. However, because Moses was gone, they lost their comfort in the presence of God.
So, what did they do? They did exactly what the teachings of their society taught them to do: they built an image of an animal so they could be confident that the presence of God was with them.
What’s the problem? This is idolatry. Mixing the false teachings of society with the true teachings of God produces something God wants nothing to do with.
In this week’s episode of “Cooking with Ken”, we see an example of what happens when you mix two things that are totally incompatible:
This is what our lives look like when we mix idolatry with the teachings of Jesus.
Everything we do, think, and feel is worship. We are worshiping all day long. The questions is, who are we worshiping… or what are we worshiping?
All of us commit idolatry, every single day of our lives. Whenever we sin, there is some form of idol that is luring. Idols lead us to do/think/feel things we shouldn’t do/think/feel. Idols lead us to not do/think/feel things that we should do/think/feel.
Here’s a list of some of today’s most popular idols among Jesus-followers (in no particular order):
1. Our Own Personal Ego’s (Self)
2. People-Pleasing (Parents, Friends, Culture)
3. Fear
4. Success
5. Work
6. Religion
7. Family (Husband, Wife, Kids)
8. TV/Computer/Cell
9. Stuff
10. Politics
What are your thoughts on this subject, in light of the situations we find ourselves in today’s society?
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Monday, 23. November 2009
The “a little cat poop” reminds me of “a little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough.” When something gets in us it spreads and spreads. ONE sin got into Adam and Eve and you know what happened from there. I try (and fail sometimes but succeed sometimes) to be self-aware so that I keep my own impurities and bad decisions from spreading and taking over. It’s a daily battle but I/we work out our faith in fear and trembling.
I feel that rich people aren’t the only ones for whom it would be easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle, than for they to get into the kingdom of Heaven.
Will there be more Cooking With Ken in our future?
Monday, 23. November 2009
I believe that if we meditate on God and his word and we have a real relationship with him we end up worshiping him. When carreer or other things become too important then these are going to be the things that we are going to worship. There is not going to be enough time for God in our lives if we worship other things.
Tuesday, 24. November 2009
Re Alex:
“Cooking with Ken” has been a big hit, so yes, I’d say we can probably all look forward to future appearances. Glad you enjoyed.
Thanks Georgie and Alex for your excellent comments!
Tuesday, 24. November 2009
I was once a man looking for a temple, I wanted to be in a simple place where Hashem’s spirit moved about therein, a place without money exchangers, sellers and such… a place where I would be accepted in a brotherhood of love, just in the same way I expect to be accepted in the sight of the lord, for his love is greater than my deserving. A place with no onther doctrine than the law given to Moses (written by the finger of the almighty), and the grace dispensed by the blood of the lamb, a place where evil has no power (the perfect setting for my inmortal soul to scape the possibilities of temptation), a temple with no name other than the house of the lord, a place of peace and spiritual security, a place of worship and reverance, where I could seat at its entrance door, not to beg for a coin, but to wash the feet of my enemies with water and clothe, and perhaps they are my enemies no more… I am a sinfull man but adherent to the covenant of the blood of the lamb: If i don’t find this temple, it won’t change a thing, but it would help if I did.
Tuesday, 24. November 2009
And just like me, there are many people looking for a temple with no other name than “the house of the lord”…
Not “the circus”, nor “the network”, nor “the house of the graphic ilustration”, nor “the house of the money exchangers”, nor “the social club of believers”, nor “the sunday morning fashion house”, nor “the house of free music and comedy”, nor “It’s ok to sin, I am forgiven’s house”, nor “you give me a dollar and the lord will give you two”…
Wednesday, 25. November 2009
Ken, are you really eating that cookie? wow, you really are trying very hard… I wish I had your zeal.
Wednesday, 25. November 2009
You brothers in the faith (Ken and Chris) are trying very hard, and I hate to pass judgement on such noble task (fishermen of men for the Kingdom), but I find your approach somewhat unorthodox, and some people might find it offensive and borderline blasphemous and profane,
but I admire your zeal and ardent eagerness.
May the Lord bless you plentifully.
Thursday, 26. November 2009
O. Chils, I see you have a lot of passion. I’d like to invite you to our church. I don’t know whether you live in the area but you are always welcome. I know you mentioned having very high standards for a church, and that’s great. I think the teaching and the togetherness and the Biblical adherence at Ekklesia would impress you. We’re confident that God moves in our church.
I have a question for you… I’ve never heard the name “Hashem”. Where does that come from?
Friday, 27. November 2009
Alexander: The term Hashem is the hebrew word for “my Lord” when addressing the G-d of Jacob and Moses, it is a very reverential and poetic form (as seen in the jewish opening prayer: Baruch ata alef Hashem adonayu elochainu…Blessed art thou my one and only lord…), etc. I am in Miami Beach, and Detroit is a little far for me, but I constantly pray that one day I find a temple that fits these standards. Miami City needs to wake up to the truth.
Tuesday, 1. December 2009
O. Chils, yes I really ate those brownies, however, they were store bought. If you notice you never see the brownies taken out of the oven. The moment I was done filming the cat poop scenes, the mix was tossed in the garbage.
As for our approach, I agree it can come across as unorthodox. And I’m sure it is offensive and borderline blasphemous and profane to some people. Instead of arguing the ‘meat and the alter’ or the ‘all things to all people,’ I just try to examine the work and pray on it to make sure I’m not using shock value to bring glory to myself, but to the Kingdom. To those who don’t like it I merely suggest not watching our videos. I don’t say that to be mean either, but so I can remove that conflict between myself and fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.
Also I didn’t find your comment to be passing judgment, but one of honesty. Thank you very much for taking time to not only watch our video, but to comment on it.