LOG LANE COMMUNITY CHURCH WEEKLY BULLETIN
Sunday, October 29, 2006
What the Church Believes - Entertainment
[continued from October 22, 2006]

What is the moral harm or danger of attending movies in film theaters? What about others forms of secular entertainment such as television, theatrical plays, etc.? Are there cautions to be taken when seemingly neutral forms of entertainment become an increasingly large part of one’s life?

The movie theater in which a film is viewed may present an added factor of concern-the unwholesome behavior of non-Christians watching the film at the same time a Christian, often with family members, is present. In all entertainment forms, the Christian must consider the atmosphere created by other audience members as well as the actual content of the entertainment. In some instances wholesome entertainment can be spoiled by cursing, drunken, violent, and abusive crowds.

Television. Television has impacted society and the lives of Christians more than any other worldly influence. Even the sometimes tawdry presentation of religious programming has affected what believers expect in the local church. The slant that news reporters place on the news they report subtly influences our attitudes toward people and issues. Advertisers influence buying habits and desires for new ‘toys” to occupy leisure time. It all seems so attractive and innocent that cautious judgment is often not exercised.

The movies and plays that appear on television should have the same scrutiny mentioned above. But the sitcoms, late night programs, and comedy presentations are especially seductive. The things we laugh at seem so harmless. They are just funny, not intended to teach truth. But ever so subtly the humor deadens our sensitivity to things that we know are contrary to biblical truth. Some Christians have decided that the television should be carefully monitored and never used as a baby sitter for the children.

Cable television presents an additional challenge to adults, parents and spiritual leaders concerned about the moral fiber of our society. In the privacy of one’s own home all forms of salacious material can be accessed through pay-per-view as well as cable channels promoting non-Christian themes and evil practices. Parents and all adults have a responsibility before God of promoting the good and avoiding the evil. Christians should require their cable company to thoroughly block out all poorly scrambled video and audio signals of cable channels that air objectionable programming. Cable companies are required by law to provide total blocking filters free of charge to keep such channels from ever reaching the home.

Reading Material. The public library in some communities has become, under the guise of unlimited access without censorship, a collection containing immoral and even pornographic literature in print and through Internet access. Those who remember the libraries of a few decades ago might be shocked at changes that have taken place. This is not evidence of a less prudish public attitude but of quiet changes that have transpired while Christians neglected to observe and speak out. At the same time, activist groups with anti-Christian agendas have pressed for the inclusion of literature promoting their causes. Bookstores and magazine sections of retail stores blatantly parade reading material that violates general morality as well as biblical teaching. Christians must be discriminating in what they choose to read.

Internet. This most recent of entertainment media promises to be the battlefield on which the church struggles to preserve the purity of its youth and adults. While morality standards have been loosely set for other media forms [though such standards have greatly eroded in recent years], the Internet so far has been free of any constraints or standards. There are blocking programs that do not allow access to certain sites, but these are voluntary and in adequate for eliminating all objectionable sites. Every Christian who surfs the Internet would do well to have affixed to the computer monitor the pledge; “I pledge before God that I will keep my heart and mind pure by avoiding any contact with pornography or inappropriate relationships, especially via the internet. I will use my computer resources entirely for the glory of God.”

Concerns:
In addressing personal standards of holiness, one always runs the risk of being charged with either legalism or promoting worldliness. Some consider any definition of standards as an encroachment on Christian liberty. Others view the failure to denounce specific instances of worldliness as a compromise of holiness. Christians should keep in mind that the above mention of particular media manifestations only illustrates activities that assault our devotion to Christ by repeatedly exposing us to values, standards, and conduct contrary to truth taught by Christ and His apostles. As such, they are alien to the eternal character of the kingdom of God.

Although there is a place for relaxation, entertainment and wholesome exercising of body and mind, God holds us accountable for our choices in the use of our time. Not only will we give account of every idle word that comes from our lips [Matt. 12:36], but we will give account for our stewardship of time and resources. Some Christians feel such a burden for the Lord’s work that they have minimal time for entertainment and recreation, just enough to maintain strong physical and mental strength. The committed Christian wisely weights the best use of God’s great gift of time. Believers should pray and seek God as they evaluate and rethink the place of entertainment in their personal lives.

(Note: This is part 3 on What the Church believes about “Entertainment.” If you have missed any of the lessons on Christian Character just order them from Pastor).

Next Sunday: A change in service times:
Sunday School 9:30 A. M.
All classes will meet at 9:30 in the sanctuary for the opening and then be dismissed to their classes. Remember, Sunday School will be from 9:30 – 10:30 A. M.

Worship Service will start promptly at 10:45 A. M. We will have 15 minutes break between services for prayer and fellowship. Pray about these changes.

The Complaint Book

A certain preacher had a method of dealing with those people who were critical of others. He kept a complaint book on his desk. When a church member would come to tell him of another’s faults, he would say, “Well here is my complaint book. I’ll write down what you say, and you can sign your name to it. Then I’ll go and take it up with our brother,” Invariably, the critic would stammer, backtrack, and insist nothing be written or signed. In his 40 year ministry, that preacher opened his complaint book hundreds of times – but never made a single entry. How about it? Would you be willing to write out and sign the ugly things you have said about others? If not, perhaps it would be best to leave judgment where it belongs – with God.

Old Ben Putnitoff

Ben Putnitoff was a regular member of the Lord’s church. Morally, he was a good man. He did not lie, curse, drink, beat his wife, or smoke. He paid his income tax, came to Bible class and worship services, paid his bills and gave a “few bucks” to the Lord. He was never opposed to anything that was good.

One day old Putnioff died and stood before the Righteous Judge. The Judge said, “Ben, you are charged with trying to close the church. Are you guilty or not guilty?”

“Not guilty,” pleaded Ben Putnitoff, “I didn’t do a thing!”

“Guilty as charged,” the Judge ruled. And then He continued, “Ben, you have confessed to the most effective way ever devised of closing the church. You ‘did not do a thing.’ You did not visit the sick. You did not encourage the weak. You did not feed the hungry. You did not reach out to the lost with the Gospel.”

“But, Judge,” Ben pleaded, “I intended to do all of those things, but I was too busy making a living and enjoying myself. I have just been putting it off!”

The Gospel Tract Harvester