Entertainment I. Introduction A. Let us spend some time today speaking of a modern obsession in our society B. Entertainment 1. It is not that all entertainment is bad, or that there is something inherently sinful about being entertained 2. Very few, however, moderate how much entertainment they receive, and spend all available time possible in being entertained C. The entertainment industries have become exceedingly big business 1. How many billions of dollars are spent on TV, movies, shows, Internet sites, and so on? 2. Much is spent on marketing, attempting to induce more people to come and be entertained 3. The appeal is strong! D. In this modern, entertainment-obsessed climate, what are we to do? E. Let us spend some time exploring this issue 1. What is entertainment? 2. What kinds of entertainment are there? 3. Is there some value in entertainment? 4. What are the difficulties with some entertainment? 5. What are the hindrances that entertainment can cause? II. The Nature and Kinds of Entertainment A. What is entertainment? 1. The original concept and the basic meaning refers to hospitality 2. In our lesson, we focus on the second definition from Webster's: the amusement, pleasure or instruction, derived from conversation, discourse, argument, oratory, music, dramatic performances, etc.; the pleasure which the mind receives from any thing interesting, and which holds or arrests the attention. 3. We can see, then, that entertainment represents anything done for pleasure and the pleasure gained from such B. Entertainment can take many forms 1. We have the standard forms: television, movies, shows, the Internet 2. Likewise, many recreational sports like fishing, pool, and many others 3. Reading can also be for entertainment 4. Even going out to eat, walks, travels, etc., can be for entertainment purposes 5. Pretty much anything done for amusement or pleasure is a form of entertainment! C. Having seen, then, the nature and kinds of entertainment, let us explore how the Christian ought to handle entertainment III. Some Value in Entertainment A. Before we begin to look at many of the difficulties involved in many kinds of entertainment, it is good for us to begin with seeing that entertainment can be valuable B. There is nothing wrong with entertainment in moderation 1. It is not that Christians can have no "fun"! 2. God's establishment of the Sabbath for the Jews demonstrated the need that man has to stop from his usual labors and have a time for rest 3. There is nothing to condemn a person for taking a rest and enjoying some entertainment C. Entertainment can even be used by the Christian to have association with fellow brethren 1. After all, the command for the Christian to show hospitality in 1 Peter 4:9 shows that we can entertain brethren in our home! 2. We can help have stronger association by spending entertainment time together, going out to see movies, going fishing, just sitting in a café or something and talking, etc. 3. We can use our entertainment, then, to facilitate the association of brethren and the development of the community! D. Entertainment time can also develop the relationship between husband and wife and parents and children 1. Many times good memories are made on vacations, going out to see movies, etc. 2. Such is not the only way that families should spend time together, but it certainly can promote a good family life E. Therefore, we can see that entertainment is not inherently wrong or always wrong, but that it can have good uses in moderation IV. The Difficulties of Some Entertainment A. Having seen that not all entertainment is bad, and that indeed entertainment can have many good benefits, let us now see some of the difficulties of entertainment B. Glorification of Immorality 1. One of the greatest troubles with many forms of modern entertainment is the glorification of immorality present 2. Movies are so full of violence that no one even gives it a second thought 3. People committing adultery and fornication are present in all kinds of movies 4. Video games are getting more violent, and even feature inappropriate conduct with prostitutes! 5. Few are the works of the flesh not being glorified on television, in movies, in music, and in video games (Galatians 5:19-21)! 6. Furthermore, the violence and the sexuality is getting more and more explicit, for it is like a drug-- the more and the longer people see it, the more they want to see it taken to the "next level" 7. People are certainly giving their approval to these things (Romans 1:32)...yet we should not (Romans 12:1-2) C. Rejection of Godliness 1. Just as many of these forms of entertainment have become more ungodly, they therefore reject godliness and make fun of it 2. Many forms of entertainment will exploit inappropriate conduct by some professing Christianity and use it to discredit Christians 3. You never see a positive image of a person of faith! 4. They are either skeptical, derided, or compromising their principles! 5. We must remember that those in the entertainment industry are not of us and are hostile to us (1 Peter 4:3-5) D. Many forms of entertainment are simply sinful! 1. Many entertain themselves by going to bars and getting drunk, which is sin (Galatians 5:19-21) 2. Many entertain themselves with dancing at clubs, engaging in lasciviousness, which is also sin (Galatians 5:19-21) 3. Many entertain themselves with pornography, which is inappropriate lust and sin (Matthew 5:28) 4. Even things that seem as "innocent" as horoscopes and psychic readings is dabbling in sorcery, which is sin (Galatians 5:19-21) 5. These are just a few of the many types of entertainment that are in reality forms of sin, and things that the Christian should entirely avoid E. Having established some of the difficulties that some forms of entertainment provide, let us now see how entertainment can be a great hindrance to people V. The Hindrance of Entertainment A. As with anything that mankind finds pleasurable, entertainment can very easily be abused 1. We must realize that with all other pleasures of the flesh, entertainment has its proper time and place 2. As Christians, we are called upon to be self-controlled and sober-minded (1 Peter 4:7, 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11) a. therefore, we must have control over our faculties and not be intoxicated by anything b. likewise, we will exercise self-control and not just go after every kind of entertainment that can be imagined 3. Unfortunately, there is plenty of abuse of entertainment, both within and without the church B. Entertainment is often a hindrance because it becomes the god of many a person 1. While no one will say that they go and worship the god of entertainment, by their actions they demonstrate what rules in their lives 2. They spend all their time thinking about going out and engaging in whatever forms of entertainment they like 3. They feel like they do not have any time in their lives...because all of it is going to work and to entertainment 4. Much of their money goes to enjoy entertainment 5. Since everything in their lives revolves around entertainment, it is truly said that such has become their god 6. When entertainment has become one's god, it is now idolatry and sin (Galatians 5:19-21) 7. We are to avoid this! C. Entertainment can be a hindrance because what you are not doing because you're being entertained! 1. As we have established, it is certainly not wrong to be entertained at times, and entertainment can be directed so as to achieve many aims 2. We must always keep in mind, however, how time spent engaged in entertainment is time not spent doing other things 3. We must always keep James 4:17 in mind-- even if our entertainment choices are not inherently sin, if we always choose to be entertained over doing good things, it is sin to us! D. We must always ask ourselves: where are our priorities? 1. We must be honest when it comes to the choices we make with our time and resources 2. We all have necessities that we must deal with a. in terms of time, we need to work, eat, and sleep b. in terms of money, we need to support the needs of our families (shelter, food, drink, toiletries, etc.) 3. Yet when we get beyond the necessities, what do we do with our time and money? 4. When you have some free time, is it spent in front of the television or at the movies, or do you strive to go and visit some brethren or try to help some people in need? 5. If you sit down to read, is it the thriller or romance novel or is it the Bible? 6. When it comes time to make financial decisions, is your giving to the church and giving to others first, or does it come after whatever movies are seen or shows are visited? 7. Be not deceived-- we will all be called into account for how we use our time! E. We must remember that time is a precious resource that cannot be regained 1. While people have different means, everyone has the same amount of time 2. The time is short, really, and there is much to do! 3. Again, this is not to say that we should spend no time in entertainment-- far from it! 4. We just need to consider, however, how we are using our time and resources, and to make sure that we have our priorities in the right order-- God, spouse, children, work, ourselves 5. If we have made entertainment and our desires our priority, we will be called into account for having done so! VI. Conclusion A. We have examined the nature of entertainment B. We have seen what entertainment is and some of the forms it can take C. We have seen that entertainment is not inherently wrong, has many good uses, and can be used to bring brethren and families closer D. On the other hand, we saw how many forms of entertainment are outright sin, and how others have godless influences upon those who enjoy them E. Likewise, we have seen how entertainment can be a hindrance, becoming as a god to people and something we seek when we should be doing things of greater spiritual importance F. Let us then make good entertainment choices and keep God and His Kingdom as our first priority! G. Invitation/songbook H. If you are present and have not established the one true God as the God you serve, but instead serve another object you have made your god, realize that you will be called into account for that decision and the wages of your sin is death (Romans 6:23) 1. You have the opportunity, however, to put the false gods away and to come to faith in Christ Jesus! 2. Obey Him today! I. Perhaps you are a Christian and need the encouragement of the brethren for some reason J. Whatever your need, please let us help you today; come to the front as we stand and sing