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  YOUR GOD IS TOO SMALL
  by J.B. Phillips
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Summary: The sermon warns against the danger of worshiping an inadequate
god, a god who is limited to our own denomination or point of view.

Topics: "Idolatry", "True Worship"
Scripture References: 1 Samuel 16:7, Isaiah 55:8, John 4:23, Romans 2:11, 1 Corinthians 1:10

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DESCRIPTION
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J.B. Phillips addresses the degeneration of Christianity into
churchiness, attributing it to the worship of an inadequate god who
aligns with the worshipper's own denomination, leading to a narrow view
of the Gospel. He highlights how one's behavior reveals the true object
of worship, cautioning against unconsciously shaping God to fit personal
preferences. Phillips emphasizes the folly and sin of viewing God as a
partisan leader of a specific viewpoint, rather than the Almighty above
all differences.

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CONTENT
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There are doubtless many reasons for the degeneration of Christianity
into churchiness, and the narrowing of the Gospel for all mankind into a
set of approved beliefs; but the chief cause must be the worship of an
inadequate god -- a cramped and regulated god who is a 'good churchman'
according to the formulas of the worshipper. For actual behaviour
infallibly betrays the real object of the man's worship.

All Christians, whatever their Church, would of course instantly
repudiate the idea that their god was a super-example of their own
denomination, and it is not suggested that the worship is conscious.

Nevertheless, beneath the conscious critical level of the mind it is
perfectly possible for the Anglo-Catholic, for example, to conceive God
as particularly pleased with Anglo-Catholicism, doubtful about
Evangelicalism, and frankly displeased by all forms of Nonconformity...
The ultra-low Churchman on the other hand must admit, if he is honest,
that the God whom he worships disapproves most strongly of vestments,
incense, and candles on the altar.

The tragedy of these examples -- which could be reproduced ad nauseam
any day of the week -- is not difference of opinion, which will probably
be with us till the Day of Judgment, but the outrageous folly and
damnable sin of trying to regard God as the Party Leader of a particular
point of view.

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/jb-phillips/your-god-is-too-small/
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