The Hill Church · Sermon Series

Gods at War

The false gods every culture in Scripture bowed to - and how they mirror the ones we serve today.

1 Week One Egypt The gods of Egypt vs. the God of Israel
The Setup

Out of Captivity

The Hebrew people had been in captivity for a long time. God wanted to bring them out - and deliver them into something.

So often, followers of God drift back into captivity when they quit following Him and get swayed by the god of culture - by desires, hopes, and fears. They stop following the God who delivered them and fall into destruction.

Anchor

"Who Am I?"

But Moses said to God, "Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?" He said, "But I will be with you…" … God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM." And he said, "Say this to the people of Israel: 'I AM has sent me to you.'" … "This is my name forever, and thus I am to be remembered throughout all generations." Exodus 3:11-15 · ESV
Who am I?Everything through the lens of me - my ability, my limits, my identity.
vs
I AMBigger. Greater. More powerful. "I AM that."
It's not about who you are or what you can do. It's about Who God is and what He wants to do.
I AM That

The Names of God

Every name is a reminder of who He is. Tap a name to reveal it.

Tap any tile to flip it back.

I'll Prove It

He Proves Himself

The Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I stretch out my hand against Egypt and bring out the people of Israel from among them. Exodus 7:5 · ESV

In our culture we often feel like we have to talk people into faith. But if I have to talk you into it, it's not faith.

I don't try to prove God's real. I ask Him to show up - and He'll prove it Himself.
…and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power. 1 Corinthians 2:4 · ESV
The Showdown

Ten Plagues. Ten Fallen Gods.

Egypt followed false gods looking for real answers. So God brought plagues that went head-to-head with those gods - and then asks us where those same idols live in our lives today.

Magicians copied it "The finger of God" Israel spared
1 Water into BloodExodus 7:14-25
Magicians copied it
Egypt's Gods Confronted
Khnum · guardian of the river's sourceHapi · spirit of the NileOsiris · the Nile was his blood
What God Showed
The Nile held fish and game and brought life to the whole region. God showed their false gods held no power - He put the water in those river banks, and He controls it.
Today's Idol
The Source of Life - Paycheck, economy, retirement.

What would I panic over if I lost it?

Saved
2 FrogsExodus 8:1-15
Magicians copied it
Egypt's Gods Confronted
Heqet · frog goddess
What God Showed
Frogs were tied to fertility and sexuality. What they worshiped for life became something they couldn't escape.
Today's Idol
Sexuality & Family - When family becomes the god of my life.

What reigns supreme - my family, or my faith in Christ?

Saved
3 LiceExodus 8:16-19
Finger of God
Egypt's Gods Confronted
Geb (Seb) · god of the earth
What God Showed
They trusted the earth - and the god of the earth - to bring forth their crops. From this point on, Pharaoh's magicians could no longer duplicate the miracle: "This is the finger of God" (Ex 8:19).
Today's Idol
The God of Control - The magicians couldn't manufacture it anymore - and neither can we.

Am I okay trusting God beyond my ability to control?

Saved
4 FliesExodus 8:20-32
Finger of GodIsrael spared
Egypt's Gods Confronted
Uatchit · the fly god
What God Showed
The first plague that did not touch the Israelites. God drew a line between His people and Egypt.
Today's Idol
The God of Control - Plagues 3 and 4 both confront our need to be in control.

Am I okay trusting God beyond my ability to control?

Saved
5 Disease on LivestockExodus 9:1-7
Finger of GodIsrael spared
Egypt's Gods Confronted
PtahHathorMnevisAmon
What God Showed
Cattle meant provision and property. All of a sudden, those things weren't their source anymore.
Today's Idol
Wealth & Security - Wealth and security as an identity.

Is my identity in my income or my career?

Saved
6 BoilsExodus 9:8-12
Finger of GodIsrael spared
Egypt's Gods Confronted
Sekhmet · goddess of epidemicsSerapis · healingImhotep · healing
What God Showed
Egyptians worshiped and sacrificed to false gods for healing. God showed who the real Healer is.
Today's Idol
Wellness as Religion - Healing and health as the thing we ultimately look to.

Do I ultimately trust God as my Healer?

Saved
7 HailExodus 9:13-35
Finger of GodIsrael spared
Egypt's Gods Confronted
Nut · sky goddessIsis & Seth · agricultureShu · god of the atmosphere
What God Showed
A storm unlike anything Egypt had seen. God showed He controls the fields, the sky, and the weather.
Today's Idol
Protection & Safety - What we look to to keep us safe and provided for.

Do I trust God as my Protector and Provider?

Saved
8 LocustsExodus 10:1-20
Finger of GodIsrael spared
Egypt's Gods Confronted
Serapis · protector from locusts
What God Showed
There is only one Protector who can hold back the devourer - including from your finances.
Today's Idol
Protection & Safety - Plagues 7 and 8 both confront where we find security.

Do I trust God as my Protector and Provider?

Saved
9 DarknessExodus 10:21-29
Finger of GodIsrael spared
Egypt's Gods Confronted
Re / Amon-Re / Atum / Horus · sun godsThoth · god of the moon
What God Showed
Egypt's greatest gods ruled the light. God turned it off.
Today's Idol
Light & Knowledge - Visibility, information, enlightenment.

In an age where AI is everywhere for knowledge, where do I go for wisdom and true enlightenment?

Saved
10 Death of the FirstbornExodus 12:29-36
Finger of GodIsrael spared
Egypt's Gods Confronted
All the gods of EgyptPharaoh himself
What God Showed
Pharaoh had killed the sons of Israel - and judgment came. Everything Egypt held as high and mighty, their very hope, faced judgment.
Today's Idol
King Me - The kings of our lives - political systems, self-governance, trusting others (or ourselves) to "save" us.

By my actions and thoughts - who do I really trust for my future?

Saved
"Whatever your heart clings to and relies on, that is really your God." Martin Luther

The idols have changed.
The heart hasn't.
Who holds yours?

Pause

Who Holds Your…

Where do I place my wisdom?

For the wisdom of this world is folly with God.1 Corinthians 3:19 · ESV

God's wisdom may look foolish to the world. Whose voice do you trust most?

Saved

Where is my treasure?

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.Matthew 6:21 · ESV

Follow your time, money, and attention - they point to what your heart clings to.

Saved

Where is my hope?

Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life.Proverbs 13:12 · ESV

When your hope is in something that can't deliver, your heart gets sick waiting on it.

Saved
Now What?

What If Other Things Have Been Holding Me?

Then the LORD said, "I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters. I know their sufferings, and I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land to a good and broad land, a land flowing with milk and honey…" Exodus 3:7-8 · ESV
I've SeenHe's seen what you're facing and going through.
I've HeardHe's heard your prayers - and promises to wipe every tear.
I'm MovingHe's about to move in your situation. We have to let Him.
Respond

My Next Step

What's one "god" I need to take off the throne this week - and what will I trust God with instead?

Saved

God, You are I AM. Not my paycheck, not my plans, not my strength, not the voices around me - You.

Show me what my heart has been clinging to. Knock down every idol I've built, and take Your rightful place over my head, my heart, and my hope.

Thank You that You've seen me, You've heard me, and You're moving. I trust You to deliver me. In Jesus' name, amen.

2 Week Two Coming Soon Unlocks after Sunday
THE HILL CHURCH · GODS AT WAR