11.29.08
Entertainment Reform
Phil. 4:8
Today we
are finishing up our series of messages regarding reformation and
lifestyle. In review, we need to keep in
mind that God is wanting to do an amazing work in us in these final days of
earth’s history. We carry the genetic
material of thousands of generations that have gone before us. We are so steeped in sinfulness inside and
out, we can’t even begin to live a righteous life by ourselves.
This is
why God has decided to do something special in this final generation of people,
to show forth His power to heal and to save—to rescue from the pit of sin. If the weakest generation that has ever lived
can experience the transformation of character and empowered life that God
wants to grant us, then Satan’s lie is forever silenced.
One of
Satan’s lies in the beginning was that God was unfair; that He expected His
creations to obey a law that was unfair.
Another closely-related lie was that God just wanted people to blindly
follow Him, because He was selfish, and He was a tyrant.
The TRUTH
is that God is SO FULL OF LOVE FOR US that He goes out of His way constantly to
make sure we have everything we need.
There is not one ounce of selfishness in God. He IS love, according to 1 John 4:8. The Bible says,
“But God
demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners,
Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we
shall be saved from wrath through Him.”
Romans 5:8, 9
“God was in Christ
reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and
has committed to us the word of reconciliation.” 2 Corinthians 5:19
God
doesn’t just TALK about love; He DEMONSTRATES love by sending His own Son to
die for our sins, and through that death, to RECONCILE us back to Himself.
And what
God asks of us in return is to live a life of gratitude. We show our gratitude by allowing the Holy
Spirit to change us and direct us. What
God wants from us is REASONABLE SERVICE.
“I beseech you
therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a
living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable
service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the
renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and
acceptable and perfect will of God.”
Romans 12:1, 2
“For this is the covenant that I will make
with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put My
laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their
God, and they shall be My people.” Hebrews 8:10
So if God
can write His law on the hearts of His people in these last days, and so
transform them that they radiate God’s love and goodness to the world, HE WILL HAVE ACCOMPLISHED SOMETHING THE
UNIVERSE WILL NEVER FORGET: HE WILL HAVE ACCOMPLISHED THAT HE NOT ONLY IS FULL
OF LOVE, BUT THAT HE IS FULL OF POWER, AND FULL OF FAIRNESS, BECAUSE HIS PEOPLE
AT THE END OF TIME ARE KEEPING HIS LAW—AND THEY ACTUALLY ENJOY IT!!
They have
experienced a transformation of character, they’re minds have been renewed, and
instead of conforming to this fallen world, they have proven what the perfect
will of God is.
“And the dragon
was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her
offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus
Christ.” Revelation 12:17
One of
the characteristics of God’s people in the last days, just before Christ
returns, is that they are commandment-keeping people. This automatically means that they are
Spirit-filled people, because you cannot keep God’s law without the indwelling
presence and power of the Holy Spirit.
That’s
not all.
The Bible
also indicates that they follow the Lamb wherever He goes, and they are not
defiled. Speaking of the 144,000—a
highly symbolic number which describes God’s people who go through the final
tribulation—Revelation tells us:
“They sang as it
were a new song before the throne, before the four living creatures, and the
elders; and no one could learn that song except the hundred and forty-four
thousand who were redeemed from the earth. These are the ones who were not
defiled with women, for they are virgins. These are the ones who follow the
Lamb wherever He goes. These were redeemed from among men, being
firstfruits to God and to the Lamb. And in their mouth was found no deceit, for
they are without fault before the throne of God.” Revelation 14:3-5
The world
needs to see the reforming power of God displayed in His people, so they can
run into His powerful, saving arms, and so be saved at last. And God is longing for His people to allow
themselves to become vessels unto His glory.
And that
is why reformation is important, and why we have been talking about it.
It also
has to do with our actual survival in these last days. We simply will not make it unless we are
completely committed to God. We will be
swept away by the mighty winds of deception and conformity.
So we
truly must have our eyes and ears wide open at this time, preparing for what is
to come.
Today we look at another area that is in great
need of reform, if we are to be Christ’s disciples in these final days. It is the area of entertainment and
recreation.
The entertainment
industry is a multi-billion dollar industry.
In fact, it is estimated that the Global Entertainment & Media
Industry will grow to $1.8 trillion in 2010.
The
There is
no doubt about it: WE LOVE TO BE ENTERTAINED!!
THROUGH TV, SATELLITE, INTERNET, RADIO, VIDEO, YOU NAME IT.
And you
know what? Satan knows it, and Satan
CAPITALIZES on it!! Satan will do
anything to degrade us, anything to demoralize us, anything to distract us from
holiness and a godly way of life, anything that will occupy our minds and our
attention.
God gives
us a very special FLASHLIGHT in the Bible that we can shine on any activity,
any recreation, any form of entertainment that we might be considering. It’s found in Philippians 4:8.
“Finally,
brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever
things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are
lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any
virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these
things.” Philippians 4:8
Now, I
guarantee you that if you shine God’s flashlight on something, you will at
least have a pretty good start at deciding on whether it’s good or bad for you.
Is it
true? You know—so much of what we allow
into our minds through our eyes and ears is NOT TRUE. It is fantasy, imagination, myth, fiction,
etc. God gave us an imagination, and it
is to be used to promote godliness, and to think of new ways to reach people
for Christ, and new ways to glorify God.
But what
we have in our society is IMAGINATION AND FANTASY AND ROLE-PLAYING GONE
CRAZY!! This is not right! God does not want us to wrap our minds up in
fantasy and untruth. He wants to PULL us
out of this trap that Satan has laid for us.
Is it
pure? So many things in our culture are
impure!! The entire advertising industry
seems to be founded on our tendency to be impure. So many movies and video games and popular
songs are steeped in impurity! So are so
many of our activities and pastimes and sports.
Is it
lovely in the sense of moral purity and wholesomeness—not in the sense of “oh,
she’s a babe!” That’s not the kind of
“lovely” the Bible is talking about.
Is it just? Is it of a good report? Will it lead you closer to God? Will it in any way detract from your walk
with God? Will it pull you further away
from Him—away from godliness?
There are
some activities that can be engaged in safely, so that it is a benefit to you,
and not a detriment to you.
Take
football. Now, I grew up with
football. I love football. I think there’s a way to play it without
degrading oneself, and bringing out the animal passions. I also think that the way it is portrayed in
collegiate sports and in the NFL is anything but pure, anything but good.
In fact,
if you are really honest with yourself as I have had to be, YOU WILL PROBABLY
AGREE THAT COLLEGIATE AND PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL—AND EVEN THE WAY IT IS
PORTRAYED ON THE HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL—IS ANIMALISTIC AND PRIDEFUL AND
DO-THE-OTHER-TEAM-IN-AT-ANY-COST. IN
FACT, IT IS VERY SIMILAR TO THE OLD ROMAN GAMES THAT WERE PLAYED IN THE
COLOSSEUM, in that it’s completely self-centered and base.
I don’t
think God is very pleased at what we call entertainment.
At first
I thought it was just me; that I was perhaps alone in my estimation that not
all was well with what I called entertainment.
Then I read what God’s modern-day-prophet had to say about it—and I was
confirmed in my conclusions:
“Some of the most popular amusements, such as football and boxing,
have become schools of brutality. They are developing the same characteristics
as did the games of ancient
Other athletic games, though not so brutalizing, are scarcely less
objectionable because of the excess to which they are carried. They stimulate
the love of pleasure and excitement, thus fostering a distaste for useful
labor, a disposition to shun practical duties and responsibilities. They tend
to destroy a relish for life’s sober realities and its tranquil enjoyments.
Thus the door is opened to dissipation and lawlessness with their terrible
results.” Adventist Home, 500
Love of
domination.
Pride in
mere brute force.
Reckless
disregard of life.
It all
demoralizes us, excites our animal passions, stimulates our love of pleasure,
and draws us away from God! The same
thing could be said for Nascar and other spectator sports. I suppose some are worse than others, but
they ALL SHARE IN COMMON A PRIDE OF LIFE AND FIERCE COMPETITIVENESS THAT DRIVES
THE GODLY SENSIBILITIES RIGHT OUT OF US.
The way I
figure, we might as well call it for what it is. I’ve lived there long enough, but the Lord
God has called me out of it, and I’m not turning back around.
“Is the eye single to the glory of God in these games? I know that
this is not so. There is a losing sight of God’s way and His purpose. The
employment of intelligent beings, in probationary time, is superseding God’s
revealed will and substituting for it the speculations and inventions of the
human agent, with Satan by his side to imbue with his spirit. . . . The Lord
God of heaven protests against the burning passion cultivated for supremacy in
the games that are so engrossing.
The Problem of Many Athletic Sports.--Vigorous exercise the
pupils must have. Few evils are more to be dreaded than indolence and
aimlessness. Yet the tendency of most athletic sports is a subject of anxious
thought to those who have at heart the well-being of the youth. Teachers are
troubled as they consider the influence of these sports both on the student’s
progress in school and on his success in afterlife. The games that occupy so
much of his time are diverting the mind from study. They are not helping to
prepare the youth for practical, earnest work in life. Their influence does not
tend toward refinement, generosity, or real manliness.” Adventist
Home, 500
Now, I
know it isn’t always fun to listen to what God has to say. But He has been trying to tell us these
things for a very long time. WE ARE NOT
TO BE ENTERTAINED BY ANYTHING THAT DEGRADES, POLLUTES, TAKES AWAY OUR MORALITY,
TEMPTS US TO LUST, OR ENCOURAGES US TO SAVAGELY WIN AT ANY COST OVER OUR ENEMY.
There
ought to be a difference between the child of God and the person of the
world. WE’RE TALKING TWO DIFFERENT
KINGDOMS!! TWO REALMS!! TWO WORLDVIEWS,
TWO SETS OF PRINCIPLES AND MORALS.
When the
entertainment industry dishes out a movie that involves violence and nudity, we
should say NO NOT TODAY!! When the
entertainment industry hands us on a silver platter a TV show that either
promotes or treats as neutral a homosexual lifestyle in one of its characters,
we should say NO NOT TODAY!! When our
friends invite us over to their homes, and they turn on a video game that
includes magic spells and having special powers over your enemy, we should say
NO NOT TODAY!! I’LL GET MY ENTERTAINMENT FROM THE CREATOR OF THE
UNIVERSE—HE CAN SATISFY ME JUST FINE!!
Jesus’
Example
Which
leads me to talk about Jesus’ example.
Now, to me it really matters how Jesus spent His time. Now, true, He didn’t have many of the fancy
forms of entertainment that we have today, but He still had plenty of
opportunity to listen to things and view things and to go to places that would
drag Him down. Remember—there is nothing
new about sin—the devil just changes the packaging throughout the years.
“The life of Jesus was filled with industry, and He took exercise
in performing varied tasks in harmony with His developing physical strength. In
doing the work that was marked out for Him, He had no time for indulgence in
exciting, useless amusements. He took no part in that which would poison the
moral and lower the physical tone, but was trained in useful labor and even for
the endurance of hardship.
In His earth life Christ was an example to all the human family,
and He was obedient and helpful in the home. He learned the carpenter’s trade
and worked with His own hands in the little shop at
The Bible says of Jesus, "And the child grew, and waxed strong
in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon Him." As He
worked in childhood and youth, mind and body were developed. He did not use His
physical powers recklessly, but gave them such exercise as would keep them in
health, that He might do the best work in every line. He was not willing to be
defective, even in the handling of tools. He was perfect as a workman, as He
was perfect in character. By precept and example Christ has dignified useful
labor.” Adventist Home, 507
Jesus
did not take part in anything that:
was an
exciting, useless amusement
would
poison the moral sense
would
lower the physical tone
What
Jesus did do:
He was
industrious
He did
the work that was marked out for Him
He was
trained in useful labor
He was
trained to endure hardship
He was an
example to the human family
He was
obedient and helpful in the home
He waxed
strong in spirit
He
developed His mind and body
He did
not use His physical powers recklessly
He was
not willing to be defective
He
dignified useful labor
You
wouldn’t find Jesus:
At the
theater watching a thriller/killer movie
Listening
to head-banging, screeching guitars and vocals
Spending
hours on MySpace or Facebook
Spending
hours playing a video game
In a
stadium of an NFL or college football game
Jesus
just wasn’t into competitive, loud, violent, sensual, selfish, prideful,
non-productive, mindless things. And we
shouldn’t be either.
It’s time for radical
entertainment reform in God’s people.
It’s time for Seventh-day Adventists to be done with the entertainment
and pleasures of the world. It’s time to
adopt a better, more wholesome, more godly way of life. It’s time to turn our backs on what we used
to enjoy, and to open our hearts to what GOD WOULD HAVE US ENJOY.
“When Life Was Less Complex.--In early ages, with the people
who were under God’s direction, life was simple. They lived close to the heart
of nature. Their children shared in the labor of the parents and studied the
beauties and mysteries of nature’s treasure house. And in the quiet of field
and wood they pondered those mighty truths handed down as a sacred trust from
generation to generation. Such training produced strong men.
In this age life has become artificial, and men have degenerated.
While we may not return fully to the simple habits of those early times, we may
learn from them lessons that will make our seasons of recreation what the name
implies--seasons of true upbuilding for body and mind and soul.” Adventist
Home, 501
One thing
leads to another:
Artificial
. . . Degeneration
Natural/Simple
. . . Strength
God is
calling each of us and our families to a more simple, natural way of life, even
if we live in the city. We can still be
more simple in our approach and in our lifestyle.
God wants
to entertain us.
God wants
us to enjoy fun, wholesome entertainment and recreation.
The devil
has done his best to distort entertainment:
So that it pulls people away from God
So that our carnal instincts are awakened
If we do
not guard against the inroads of the enemy; if we do not set a guard of purity
and truth to watch over what our eyes are permitted to see and what our ears
are permitted to hear, WE WILL BE OVERCOME, AND WILL SUFFER ETERNAL LOSS.
God has
so much to share with us that is good and wholesome and fun!
“Family Outings.-- Let several families living in a city or
village unite and leave the occupations which have taxed them physically and
mentally, and make an excursion into the country, to the side of a fine lake,
or to a nice grove where the scenery of nature is beautiful. They should
provide themselves with plain, hygienic food, the very best fruits and grains,
and spread their table under the shade of some tree or under the canopy of
heaven. The ride, the exercise, and the scenery will quicken the appetite, and
they can enjoy a repast which kings might envy.
On such occasions parents and children should feel free from care,
labor, and perplexity. Parents should become children with their children,
making everything as pleasant for them as possible. Let the whole day be given
to recreation. Exercise in the open air for those whose employment has been
within doors and sedentary will be beneficial to health. All who can should
feel it a duty to pursue this course. Nothing will be lost, but much gained.
They can return to their occupations with new life and new courage to engage in
their labor with zeal, and they are better prepared to resist disease.” Adventist
Home, 502
God is
calling us to reform in all areas of life.
God is calling us to surrender and to a life that is in full cooperation
with Him.
Jpact
I
commit to . . .
1.
Talk with Jesus throughout the day, as needed, pouring my heart out to Him as
to a Friend
2.
Read God’s Word daily, taking seriously His calls to repentance and
reformation, and believing His promises
3.
Read the writings of Ellen G. White, God’s messenger to the remnant, take her words
seriously, and incorporate her guidance into my life
4.
Share my love for Jesus with others, always being available to truly listen,
and to speak and act according to the Holy Spirit’s leading
5.
Reflect people’s attention to God and not to absorb it, dressing modestly and
responsibly, avoiding the wearing of jewelry except for a simple wedding band,
and avoiding extravagance and display
6.
Keep the Sabbath holy: growing my relationship with God and actively seeking
Him on His day, abstaining from buying and selling, and not viewing or
participating in sports programs or activities
7.
Eat and drink only those things which promote health, keeping the body temple
clean for the Holy Spirit, avoiding refined sugar, dairy products, animal
products, caffeine, drugs and alcohol, and exercising regularly
8.
View and participate only in activities that do not promote pride and the
carnal instincts of the fallen nature, allowing only that which is pure, true, noble, and just, and avoiding violence and selfish
competition
9. Guard the thoughts, so that lust, envy, jealousy, hatred,
resentment, and conceit are not entertained
10. Stand up for the truth and for righteousness when the
opportunity arises