No Gods Before Me
Mercy Culture Church | Pastor Chris Donald
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If you would like to learn more about our culture, how you connect with God, get plugged into community and begin your journey to encountering God daily, MC Connect is your next step!
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Matthew 16:13-18
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13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, He questioned His disciples: “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”
14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
15 “But what about you?” Jesus asked. “Who do you say I am?”
16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by My Father in heaven.
18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.
14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
15 “But what about you?” Jesus asked. “Who do you say I am?”
16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by My Father in heaven.
18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.
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I came here today to tell you today that you radically love God when you have no other gods before Him.
The Greatest Commandment is the key to keeping all Ten — and that’s Radical Love!
Matthew 22:37-38
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37 Jesus declared, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’
38 This is the first and greatest commandment.
38 This is the first and greatest commandment.
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Obedience is an act of radical love.
1 John 5:3
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3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome,
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If you love God, His commandments will not be burdensome.
Law without love is legalism. But love without law is lawlessness.
God commands; He does not demand.
Exodus 20:1-3
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1 And God spoke all these words:
2 “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.
3 You shall have no other gods before Me.
2 “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.
3 You shall have no other gods before Me.
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Romans 5:8-10
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8 But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
9 Therefore, since we have now been justified by His blood, how much more shall we be saved from wrath through Him!
10 For if, when we were enemies of God, we were reconciled to Him through the death of His Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through His life!
9 Therefore, since we have now been justified by His blood, how much more shall we be saved from wrath through Him!
10 For if, when we were enemies of God, we were reconciled to Him through the death of His Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through His life!
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Question:
What has your response been to Him?
What has your response been to Him?
James 2:19
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19 You believe that God is one. Good for you! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.
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Question:
What's the difference between you and the devil?
What's the difference between you and the devil?
The devil believes and will never follow.
You believe, and should follow.
You believe, and should follow.
Exodus 20:1-3
BSB
1 And God spoke all these words:
2 “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.
3 You shall have no other gods before Me.
2 “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.
3 You shall have no other gods before Me.
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Romans 12:1-2
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1 Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.
2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.
2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.
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Exodus 20:3
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3 You shall have no other gods before Me.
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לֹאיִהְיֶהלְךָ (Lo Yihyeh Lekha) — “there shall not be to you”
אֱלֹהִיםאֲחֵרִים (Elohim Acherim) — “other gods”
עַל־פָּנָי (Al-Panay) — “before My face”
אֱלֹהִיםאֲחֵרִים (Elohim Acherim) — “other gods”
עַל־פָּנָי (Al-Panay) — “before My face”
When God says "no other gods before Me", it literally means "no other gods in My face/in My presence."
This isn't just about priority—it's about exclusivity.
Idolatry is spiritual adultery—it places rivals "in God's face."
Simple Definition: God comes first—no competition.
2 Corinthians 4:4
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4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers so they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
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Warning:
If Satan can make you selfish, distracted, or consumed with lesser things, he's accomplished his goal.
If Satan can make you selfish, distracted, or consumed with lesser things, he's accomplished his goal.
Jesus did not say, "Deny the devil, pick up your cross and follow Me." He said, "Deny yourself."
Luke 9:23-25
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23 Then Jesus said to all of them, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me.
24 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.
25 What does it profit a man to gain the whole world, yet lose or forfeit his very self?
24 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.
25 What does it profit a man to gain the whole world, yet lose or forfeit his very self?
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Warning:
Satan's goal is always idolatry—stealing worship that belongs to God alone.
Satan's goal is always idolatry—stealing worship that belongs to God alone.
Luke 4:5-8
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5 Then the devil led Him up to a high place and showed Him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world.
6 “I will give You authority over all these kingdoms and all their glory,” he said. “For it has been relinquished to me, and I can give it to anyone I wish.
7 So if You worship me, it will all be Yours.”
8 But Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.’ ”
6 “I will give You authority over all these kingdoms and all their glory,” he said. “For it has been relinquished to me, and I can give it to anyone I wish.
7 So if You worship me, it will all be Yours.”
8 But Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.’ ”
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Deuteronomy 6:12-15
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12 be careful not to forget the LORD who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.
13 Fear the LORD your God, serve Him only, and take your oaths in His name.
14 Do not follow other gods, the gods of the peoples around you.
15 For the LORD your God, who is among you, is a jealous God. Otherwise the anger of the LORD your God will be kindled against you, and He will wipe you off the face of the earth.
13 Fear the LORD your God, serve Him only, and take your oaths in His name.
14 Do not follow other gods, the gods of the peoples around you.
15 For the LORD your God, who is among you, is a jealous God. Otherwise the anger of the LORD your God will be kindled against you, and He will wipe you off the face of the earth.
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Jesus teaches us how to win in spiritual warfare—keep God first.
James 4:7
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7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
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Practical Advice:
1. Fast
2. Worship
3. Pray in the Spirit
4. Connect with God through Remembrance
5. Practice the value of Gratitude
6. Come to corporate encounters and be around the church in community
1. Fast
2. Worship
3. Pray in the Spirit
4. Connect with God through Remembrance
5. Practice the value of Gratitude
6. Come to corporate encounters and be around the church in community
James 4:8
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8 Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
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Luke 6:40
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40 A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher.
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Matthew 16:13-18
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13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, He questioned His disciples: “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”
14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
15 “But what about you?” Jesus asked. “Who do you say I am?”
16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by My Father in heaven.
18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.
14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
15 “But what about you?” Jesus asked. “Who do you say I am?”
16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by My Father in heaven.
18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.
BSB
I have been to the nations and have seen what other gods have to offer. No matter the nation, and no matter the false god, there is only one true God: Jesus. Every other god leaves people empty; only Jesus saves.
Who do you say that He is?
