Be on Guard Against Idols | 1 John 5:20-21
Preacher: Carlos Montijo Series: First John Scripture: 1 John 5:18–21, Jeremiah 17:9, Exodus 20:3–7, Deuteronomy 5:12, Colossians 3:5, Matthew 6:24, 1 Samuel 15:23, Genesis 3:5, Isaiah 14:13–14, Galatians 4:8–9, John 1:1, Romans 13:12, Ephesians 6:10–11, 2 John 1:9–11, 1 Timothy 6:20–21, 1 John 5:11
Lord's Day: August 9, 2026 Preacher: Carlos Montijo Series: First John Topic: Sin Scripture: 1 John 5:18–21; Jeremiah 17:9; Exodus 20:3–7; Deuteronomy 5:12; Colossians 3:5; Matthew 6:24; 1 Samuel 15:23; Genesis 3:5; Isaiah 14:13–14; Galatians 4:8–9; John 1:1; Romans 13:12; Ephesians 6:10–11; 2 John 9–11; 1 Timothy 6:20–21; 1 John 5:11
And we know that the Son of God has come, and has given us understanding so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life. Little children, guard yourselves from idols. 1 John 5:20-21
- Concludes with an exhortation, two commands: to do something and not do something
I. Children, guard yourselves from idols.
- John Calvin: The fallen, sinful human heart (inner man) is an “idol factory,” and the “mind begets an idol, and the hand gives it birth."
- Belgic Confession, Article 22: The Righteousness of Faith
II. What is an idol?
- Idolatry is a fundamental sin, root sin, major sin
- The Baptist Catechism, Q. 51-52
III. Idolatry is a pervasive sin
- Widespread sin, motivates many sins, encompasses several sins
- See Timothy F. Kauffman, “‘Getting Sanctification Done’: The Primacy of Narrative in Tim Keller’s Exegetical Method,” The Trinity Review (Unicoi, TN), no. 311 (June 2013), https://www.trinityfoundation.org/journal.php?id=293.
- For criticisms and refutations of Doug Wilson, see: https://thorncrownministries.com/search?q=wilson
- Thomas Manton: “Now self is the great idol of the world.”
IV. How do we protect ourselves from idols?
- One of the most important gifts that God has given us, and to protect ourselves with—is understanding, knowledge, truth
- Jehovah’s Witnesses
- Ephesians 6:10–1, Romans 13:12
- Abstain from false teaching—do not let false teaching/teachers into your home, church (2 John 9-11)
- Six S’s of Spiritual Deliverance & Combat
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Sermon series, Know Your Enemy: The World, the Flesh, the Devil: https://www.thorncrowncovenant.church/sermons/series/know-your-enemy:-the-world-the-flesh-the-devil
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- ThornCrown Covenant Baptist Church
4712 Montana Ave
El Paso, Texas 79903
Contact us at:
- web: ThornCrownCovenant.Church
call/text: (915) 843-8088
email: ThornCrownCovenantBChurch@gmail.com
Scripture quotations taken from the (LSB®) Legacy Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2021 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Managed in partnership with Three Sixteen Publishing Inc. LSBible.org and 316publishing.com
other sermons in this series
Aug 2
2026
The God Who Gives Understanding | 1 John 5:20
Preacher: Carlos Montijo Scripture: 1 John 5:18–20, 1 John 5:1, John 14:6, 1 John 5:6, Galatians 4:3–9, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Romans 4:22–25, Romans 4:6–8, Luke 10:29, John 6:63, John 17:1–3, 2 John 1:1–3, 1 John 2:23–25, Romans 1:16 Series: First John
Jul 26
2026
We Are of God, Not of the World of the Evil One | 1 John 5:19
Preacher: Carlos Montijo Scripture: 1 John 5:18–19, Colossians 1:12–14, 1 John 2:1–2, 1 John 2:15–20, 1 John 3:1, 1 John 3:13, John 17:9, Galatians 1:3–5, 1 John 4:3–5, John 15:19, Revelation 19:15–19, 2 Corinthians 4:3–4, 2 Timothy 3:1–14, 1 John 5:4–5 Series: First John
Jul 19
2026
The Power of God vs the Evil One | 1 John 5:18-19
Preacher: Carlos Montijo Scripture: 1 John 5:18–20, Psalm 97:10, 2 Timothy 2:15, Matthew 5:37, Matthew 6:13, 1 John 3:8–13, 1 John 2:13–14, 1 John 4:4, Job 1:8–22, Job 2:3–6, Luke 22:31–32, Ephesians 6:12–13, Ephesians 4:26–27, 1 Peter 5:8, Ephesians 6:16, Romans 8:28–39, Philippians 1:6 Series: First John