2 Kings 17:12-15

12 They worshiped idols, though the LORD had said, "You shall not do this." [b] 13 The LORD warned Israel and Judah through all his prophets and seers: "Turn from your evil ways. Observe my commands and decrees, in accordance with the entire Law that I commanded your fathers to obey and that I delivered to you through my servants the prophets."
 14 But they would not listen and were as stiff-necked as their fathers, who did not trust in the LORD their God. 15 They rejected his decrees and the covenant he had made with their fathers and the warnings he had given them. They followed worthless idols and themselves became worthless. They imitated the nations around them although the LORD had ordered them, "Do not do as they do," and they did the things the LORD had forbidden them to do.

At the risk of offending any Michael Jackson fans out there, I believe the events surrounding his life and death are a perfect opportunity to address the subject of “idol worship”.  But let me first say that I believe that Michael Jackson was blessed with a gift from God.  Even though I was not a fan, I do think he was tremendously talented and very creative.  And God created a beautiful child in Michael Jackson, with a beautiful face and beautiful brown skin.  But Michael Jackson himself spent the rest of his life denying the person that God created in him.  He butchered and bleached his own face and skin in order to be something that he was not created to be.  And he turned himself from a beautiful child of God into a freak show.  I find that very, very sad.  They say he was the most famous and most recognized person in the world.  He was loved by millions, and sadly I think, WORSHIPPED by millions.  I even heard that more than a dozen of his fans committed suicide simply because Michael Jackson is dead.  That is so very tragic.  I saw a clip from his memorial service this week, and the Andrae Crouch Choir was singing, “Halleluhah, We’re Going to See the King” as Michael’s gold casket was rolled in.  Don’t get me wrong, I love Andrae Crouch and I think he and his choir have a heart for God.  Liz and I attended one of his live concerts years ago.  But I couldn’t help but wonder how many of those people at the service, and watching at home, thought that they were singing about Michael Jackson, the “King of Pop,” instead of the KING OF KINGS, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.  It was a complete media orgy.  If there was ever any evidence of our “celebrity culture” this entire episode was it.  And I think the election of Barack Obama last fall is evidence of this culture too… style over substance.  It matters not that Obama is destroying the fabric of America.  He looks good doing it.   And it seems that the media seem to glorify the ones who defy the laws of God the most.  I believe (my personal opinion) that Michael Jackson was a child molester, who just happened to have millions of dollars to silence the families of his child victims.  But he was still a child molester, nothing to be worshipped.  Just as I believe that O. J. Simpson IS a murderer, even though a biased jury of hero worshippers “found him not guilty.”  He is still a murderer!  And I believe that Bill Clinton IS a rapist, even though his adoring public still worship him and his charming, evil grin.

I will say this.  I have been as guilty as anyone of “idol worship” in my life.  I think that anything… money, people, things, sex, power, can become an idol… anything that we place higher than our true calling to glorify God who created us for His purpose.  God himself thought it was pretty important.  The very First Commandment, of the Ten Commandments he gave us states very simply, "Thou shalt have no other Gods before me."