That's Entertainment

Philippians 4:18, “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

In 1985, Neil Postman argued; in his seminal work Amusing Ourselves to Death: Public Discourse in the Age of Show Business, that the public had an oppressive addiction to entertainment through the content available on television.[1]  Today, media and technology have advanced to the place where this entertainment addiction has risen to epidemic proportions.

The use of gaming consoles, televisions, smartphones, laptops, personal computers, mp3 players, DVDs, tablets, and so on has swept our culture.  These technologies entertain people from the cradle to the tomb.  It is common today to see a 4 year old playing a game on a mobile device while nearby a74 year old is playing a Scrabble game on a smartphone.

Other forms of entertainment include: movies, sporting events, amusement parks, outdoor activities, and even literature.  It’s not our suggestion that Christians divorce themselves from all forms of entertainment, but that we choose our entertainment based upon the principles of our faith found in the Word of God.

 As Christians we understand the necessity of adhering to Paul’s teaching when considering what choices we make regarding our entertainment. Therefore, we need to be vigilant when it comes to the content of entertainment we allow into our homes, minds, and even the church house.

With that in mind, Texas pastor and writer Rodney Shaw suggests that Christians ask themselves the following questions when making entertainment choices:[2]

1. Can I maintain my Christian witness and engage in this activity?
2. Can I glorify God in this activity?
3. Can I invoke the blessings of God, praying in the name of Jesus, for my involvement in this activity?
4. Does this activity leave me feeling as if I have compromised my values?
5. Would I be comfortable inviting my spiritual mentor to engage in this activity with me?
6. Does this activity promote godly attitudes and behaviors?
7. Do I leave this activity more or less equipped for the spiritual life?
8. Does this activity appeal to my carnal nature, i.e., the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, or the pride of life?
9. Does this activity portray, promote or condone behaviors, attitudes or philosophies which are condemned in the Bible?
10. Do I feel guilty, like I am violating my conscience, or the need to repent after I have engaged in this activity?
11. Am I committed to ceasing my involvement in any activity which turns out to be in violation of biblical principles, including but not limited to turning off a device or walking out of a venue?
12. How does my commitment of time and resources to this activity compare to my commitment to spiritual disciplines and participation in the life of the church?

 

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[1] http://www.amazon.com/Amusing-Ourselves-Death-Discourse-Business/dp/014303653X

[2] http://rodneyshaw.wordpress.com/2011/01/13/questions-to-help-christians-make-entertainment-choices/ . Accessed: 2/18/2012.

The Corinthians - Bishop E. S. Harper

Bishop E. S. Harper presents: The Corinthians

This is an expository work looking at the instructions of the Apostle Paul to the 1st century church in Corinth as he addressed their successes and challenges. 

If you enjoyed chapter one of this series you can order Part One of The Corinthians (a 15 DVD set) by contacting ALC Media:

• 304-781-2525
• media@lifecathedral.com

 Other sets available by Bishop Harper:

• Eschatology (a 19 DVD set)
• The Book of Romans (a 13 DVD set)

 

_______________________

Bishop Edwin S. Harper

The son of godly parents, Bishop Edwin S. Harper received a call to preach the Gospel at an early age in the hills of West Virginia. 

 A student of the Word of God, he holds a doctor of divinity, and with his wife, Sharon, has over forty years of pastoral experience.

A dedicated Christian, church builder, loving father, affectionate grandfather, and visionary, his life has been given to reaching all people with the positive message of our Lord Jesus Christ.

As a gifted writer, a consistent teacher, and an anointed preacher he makes the doctrine of the Word of God simple, tangible, understandable, and livable.

Bishop James A. Johnson - The Importance of Properly Identifying Jesus

Merry Christmas! 

Here's one of my favorite sermons preached during an Anniversary Service to the congregation of Zion Tabernacle (Kokomo, IN) sometime between 1991-1995 when Nathaniel Paul Urshan was my pastor.  It's Bishop James A. Johnson, pastor of Bethesda Temple in St. Louis, MO, and the former presiding bishop of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, preaching The Importance of Properly Identifying Jesus.

I hope you and yours have a great day celebrating the birth of our Savior.

On Quitting -Edgar Albert Guest

I have been living for some time now by the simple motto: "Don't Quit." I still hold to that mantra, but I read a great poem the other day by Edgar Albert Guest entitled "On Quitting."  I hope you get as much from it as I have.

On Quitting

by: Edgar Albert Guest

How much grit do you think you’ve got?

Can you quit a thing that you like a lot?

You may talk of pluck; it’s an easy word,

And where’er you go it is often heard;

But can you tell to a jot or guess

Just how much courage you now possess?

You may stand to trouble and keep your grin,

But have you tackled self-discipline?

Have you ever issued commands to you

To quit the things that you like to do,

And then, when tempted and sorely swayed,

Those rigid orders have you obeyed?

Don’t boast of your grit till you’ve tried it out,

Nor prate to men of your courage stout,

For it’s easy enough to retain a grin

In the face of a fight there’s a chance to win,

But the sort of grit that is good to own

Is the stuff you need when you’re all alone.

How much grit do you think you’ve got?

Can you turn from joys that you like a lot?

Have you ever tested yourself to know

How far with yourself your will can go?

If you want to know if you have grit,

Just pick out a joy that you like, and quit.

It’s bully sport and it’s open fight;

It will keep you busy both day and night;

For the toughest kind of a game you’ll find

Is to make your body obey your mind.

And you never will know what is meant by grit

Unless there’s something you’ve tried to quit.

Bishop E. S. Harper - The Rapture of the Church

Are You Ready for the Rain?

Right now, while you’re reading this, someone received the Holy Ghost for the first time...in just a few seconds someone else will as well.

In 1999, Pastor Gary Gilley, of Springfield, IL, reported that Pentecostals were “growing at a rate of 13 million a year, or 35,000 a day.”  If this statistic continues to hold true, in the time it takes for a regular scheduled church worship service to begin and end (about 2 hours) around 48 people will have received the gift of the Holy Ghost for the first time somewhere in the world in those 120 minutes.  Jesus is so good!

Truly we are seeing God’s Word fulfilled as we witness the continued restoration of Apostolic ministry and the unprecedented outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon all mankind (Joel 2:22-30).

We must shake off the lethargy accompanying the satisfaction derived from past moderate outpourings and seek to become part of the Holy Ghost deluge that God is bringing to pass right now.

When Home Is Not There - J T Pugh

Here's another Sunday morning message preached by Rev. J T Pugh to Zion Tabernacle (Kokomo, IN): When Home Is Not There.


This sermon was preached on November 12, 1995, and it was another moment of destiny for many of the people in that house of worship that morning.

Try this alternate site if needed, or to download: When Home Is Not There.