Series “Summer Playlist” Sermon “IS GOD OPPOSED TO FUN”

Impact Church London Podcast

IS GOD OPPOSED TO PLEASURE/ENJOYMENT/FUN

Todays Best Hit. Sly and The Family Stone

That’s when I had Most of my fun, back Hi, hi, hi, hi there Them summer days Those summer days

Hot fun in the summertime Hot fun in the summertime Hot fun in the summertime Hot fun in the summertime

Summertime especially for Canadians is the season for having fun:

Holidays, camping, beach time, BBQ’s, golfing, late night campfires, windows down in the car and the wind blowing through your hair, late night treks to Dairy Queen for Hot Fudge Sundaes.

• Nina Dobrev-“Even though you’re growing up, you should never stop having fun.”
• Will Thomas- “There’s no fear when you’re having fun.” My favourite character to quote Dr. Seuss:

• “Today was good. Today was fun. Tomorrow is another one.”
• “When he worked, he really worked. But when he played, he really PLAYED.”I am really serious about work, but I am really serious about FUN.In fact we are so serious about fun it is one of our values in our “Welcome Home” book page 85, “we make fun and enjoyment a massive priority in all our ministries and activities”.However fun/play are important to our well being.
  Brown of the National Institute for Play, there is a whole national org dedicated to play, so I checked out their website and guess what they had a quiz to determine your play style… Mine came up Joker

  ANYWAY
  He says, we are suffering from a national “play deficit… it is a public health problem. Brown says, depression, anxiety, irritability are all symptoms of a lack of play.

If you haven’t guessed by now today’s message is about pleasure/enjoyment…HAVING FUN,

which the Cambridge dictionary defines as enjoyment, amusement, or lighthearted pleasure.

“ Most non Christians view Christianity as a religion consisting of a bunch of enjoyable actions to avoid.”

Jeremy Jernigan

But having fun, is an experience of liberating engagement- because it requires two things active involvement (immersion into an activity) and a sense of liberation (a release from internal and external restrictions)

What are the benefits of fun?

Stress Reduction: Fun activities serve as a natural stress reliever.
Reduce stress hormones and promote relaxation.
Enhanced Mood: Fun triggers the release of “feel-good” neurotransmitters like dopamine and endorphins, leading to improved mood and a sense of happiness and contentment.
Improved Mental Health: Regularly participating in fun activities can reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, improve cognitive function
Increased Creativity: Fun often involves exploring new activities or experiences, which stimulates creative thinking and problem-solving skills.
Enhanced Social Connections: fun activities foster connections with friends, family, and peers, reducing feelings of isolation.
Better Relationships: Sharing fun experiences with loved ones can strengthen relationships, create lasting memories, and improve communication.
Strengthened Immune System: Positive emotions associated with fun activities have been linked to a stronger immune system.
Increased Resilience: Having fun can serve as a buffer against stress and adversity, enhancing psychological resilience and coping abilities.
Balanced Lifestyle: Incorporating fun into your routine helps maintain a balanced life by providing moments of relaxation and enjoyment amidst work and responsibilities..
Physical Health: Activities, like dancing, playing sports, or hiking, promote physical fitness, cardiovascular health, and overall well-being.
Quality of Life: Contributes to an overall higher quality of life, characterized by happiness, satisfaction, and a sense of fulfillment.
Longevity: Studies have suggested that a positive and joyful approach to life, which often includes having fun, may be associated with increased longevity.

FUN IS IMPORTANT
Having fun is an essential part of our lives, it makes us feel good and keeps us psychologically balanced.

What I know today is that God created pleasure/fun not Satan, that our having fun is not a threat to God, and it doesn’t disgust God.

I propose if Christianity is not fun it is not pleasing to God nor man.

SO Today I want to answer three questions: 1. Is God opposed to Fun?

Incorporating fun into your life isn’t just about short-lived enjoyment; it’s a pathway to improved

physical and mental health, stronger relationships, and a more vibrant and fulfilling life overall.

So, why would we consider God to be against something that is good for us? We are His children, and He

wants the best for us.

2. How do we know God created us for fun?
3. How do we do fun as believers?

Is God opposed to pleasure/enjoyment/fun,

Some people imagine God as a cruel task master opposed to all fun or pleasure, he serious or he is the God of rules, but this is not an accurate picture of God.
“taste and see that the Lord is Good.

Think about God’s Design for Joy:

1. He put us in a garden called “pleasure.”

The name Eden means “place of pleasure and delight.” According to the bible, the Garden of Eden was God’s gift to the first humans.

2. Jesus didn’t mind a good party he often made reference to parties and celebrations as a means of teaching spiritual truths. In fact, Jesus launched His earthly ministry at a party.Jesus declares, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10). Life “to the full” sounds like a pleasurable experience.
3. Then He gives us the Holy Spirit so that His joy might be in us. John 15:11
4. The fruit of His indwelling is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,faithfulness, 2gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
5. Then there is the witness of Scripture

• In the Bible, we see God Himself take pleasure in things. Zephaniah 3:17, for example, says that God delights in us and sings over us.
• Proverbs 8:30-31 Wisdom a metaphor for Jesus… I was there, close to the Creator’s side as his master artist.TPT
• “You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand” (Psalm 16:11).
• One theme that is developed is the idea of “enjoying life while we can.” This theme actually is found throughout the Scriptures both Old and New. When God called Israel and lead them to the Promised Land He expected the people to enjoy the land and prosper. In Deut.8:6ff;

Daily he was filled with delight in me as I playfully rejoiced before him. I laughed

and played, so happy with what he had made, while finding my delight in the children of men.”

• “Observe the commands of the Lord your God, walking in obedience to him and revering him. For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land—a land with brooks, streams, and deep springs gushing out into the valleys and hills; a land with wheat and barley, vines and fig trees, pomegranates, olive oil and honey; a land where bread will not be scarce and you will lack nothing; a land where the rocks are iron and you can dig copper out of the hills.

The call for Israel was to live ‘large’ in the land and enjoy the land and all it produced, it was a sign of God’s Covenant blessing and to be a sign to the surrounding nations of God’s favor.

Here more scriptures that highlight the enjoyment of God and life:

1 Timothy 6:17 (NIV):
“Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.”

James 1:17 (NIV):
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”

Psalm 104:14-15 (NIV):
“He makes grass grow for the cattle, and plants for people to cultivate—bringing forth food from the earth: wine that gladdens human hearts, oil to make their faces shine, and bread that sustains their hearts.”

1 Corinthians 10:31 (NIV):
“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”

Ecclesiastes 2:24-25 (NIV):
“A person can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in their own toil. This too, I see, is from the hand of God, for without him, who can eat or find enjoyment?”

God gives us life as a gift the desire of God’s heart is for us to enjoy the gift of life.

SELAH PAUSE AND THINK ABOUT THAT!

“Now God may have created boundaries around pleasure not to keep us from enjoying life but to show us how to get the fullest experience.” JJ

To answer our initial question. God is not anti-fun. He is the complete opposite.

How do we know God created us for enjoyment?

God created us with the ability to experience pleasure. The beauty of creation and the diversity of humanity show us God’s creative palette.

Our physical being provides several indications that God designed us to enjoy life:

When you have

eaten and are satisfied, praise the Lord your God for the good land he has given you.”

Senses and Pleasure: Our bodies are equipped with senses that allow us to experience the world around us, the ability to

• See
• Hear • Taste • Smell • Touch

These senses are not just functional but are designed for experiencing pleasure.

Neurobiology of Pleasure:

• Our brains are wired to respond to pleasurable stimuli. Endorphins and Well-being:

• Physical activities, such as exercise, dancing, and sports, release endorphins—natural chemicals that promote feelings of happiness and reduce pain.

Sensual Experiences:

• The design of our bodies allows us to engage in intimate and relational experiences, and marital intimacy.
• These experiences are not only functional for reproduction but also contribute to the enjoyment and deep connection between individuals.Beauty and Aesthetics:

• Our capacity to appreciate beauty, whether in nature, art, music, or other forms, suggests that our senses are attuned to the aesthetic aspects of creation.
• The fact that we find beauty pleasurable points to a Creator who designed a world that could elicit wonder and enjoyment.Laughter and Social Bonds:

• The ability to laugh and experience humor is a unique aspect of our human nature.
• Laughter not only brings personal joy but also strengthens social bonds, fostering connections andrelationships.Recognizing that our physical design supports our capacity for enjoyment reinforces the concept thatGod created us to experience a multifaceted and fulfilling life.

  So how should we do fun?

  Sagely advice from a wise King

  The book of Ecclesiastes, which roughly translated means, The Preacher, was most probably written by King Solomon the wise. he ruled the ancient Kingdom of Israel from approximately 970 to 931 BCE.

The variety of tastes, colors, sounds, and textures in the world point to a Creator who designed our

sensory experiences to bring delight and enjoyment.

King Solomon was known for his wisdom, wealth, prosperity, cultural advancement, and his literary contributions. (Proverbs, Song of Songs, and Ecclesiastes.)

He is also known for his challenges and downfalls, lavish lifestyle led to high taxes and labor burdens on the people, which contributed to discontent.

.

Failed Succession and Divided Kingdom: After Solomon’s death, his son Rehoboam became king, the kingdom was divided into two: the northern Kingdom of Israel and the southern Kingdom of Judah. This marked the beginning of a tumultuous period in Israel’s history.

The book of ECC was written later in Solomon’s life as he looked back to apply wisdom to the human experience.

As he does, he realizes that many of life’s situations just defy explanation and therefore he the repeated words, “Vanity, Vanity” or “Meaningless, Meaningless.”

It is a book that doesn’t pull any punches, yet it weighs both good and bad… It starts off kind of despondent and hopeless but ends with sage advice reverence God.

…It is a book of ‘difficult questions’ much like the ones we will be deal with every day.
But for today let’s consider the phrase “eat, drink and be merry” which is found several times in

the book of Ecclesiastes.

He said, “So I commend the enjoyment of life, because nothing is better for a man under the sun than to eat, drink and be glad. Then joy will accompany him in his work all the days of the life God has given him under the sun.” Ecc.8:15

So back to the question, How do we do fun?

1. Embracing the Moment:

Life is comprised of moments, in Ecc 3:1-13 the Solomon gives us a list of moments

13

Solomon concludes, embrace life and enjoy.

Additionally, his accumulation of wealth led to alliances through marriages with foreign wives, which

introduced foreign religious practices into the kingdom

It may appear the Solomon is advocating hedonism, or license but if you consider the phrase

against the backdrop of his collective writings one can find profound lesson about the balance

between enjoying life and seeking a meaningful existence.

So I concluded there is nothing better than to be happy and enjoy ourselves as long as we can.

And people should eat and drink and enjoy the fruits of their labor, for these are gifts from God.

2. Contentment Ecc 5:10-

Eat, drink and be merry isn’t contingent upon money…

While we know that every good thing is from God and that he gives us all things for our enjoyment… enjoyment doesn’t solely come from accumulating and consuming material pursuits. True happiness/ pleasure/ fun is not found in the quantity of our possessions but in the quality of our experiences.

3. Finding Joy in Relationships:

Ecc 9:7-9 MSG Seize life! Eat bread with gusto, Drink wine with a robust heart. Oh yes—God takes pleasure in your pleasure! Dress festively every morning. Don’t skimp on colors and scarves. Relish life with the spouse you love Each and every day of your precarious life. Each day is God’s gift. It’s all you get in exchange for the hard work of staying alive. Make the most of each one!

“Eat, drink, and be merry” is an invitation to cultivate relationships and community. In Ecclesiastes 9:7-9, we’re encouraged to enjoy the company of our loved ones. Sharing a meal, laughter, and conversation are acts of connection that enrich our lives and remind us of the importance of relationships.

4. A Balanced Approach:

While “eat, drink, and be merry” encourages us to relish life’s pleasures, Ecclesiastes also calls for balance.

Ecc. 7:16-18 So don’t be too good or too wise! Why destroy yourself? 17 On the other hand, don’t be too wicked either. Don’t be a fool! Why die before your time? 18 Pay attention to these instructions, for anyone who fears God will avoid both extremes.

Plenty of scriptures about self- control
Gal 5:22-23, 2Tim 1:7, 1 Peter 4:7-8 (be self controlled and sober minded)

5. Eternity in Perspective:

Even as we revel in life’s moments, Ecclesiastes reminds us of life’s transience. While “eat, drink, and be merry” speaks of the present, we must also consider our eternal perspective.

He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his

income; this also is vanity.

In Ecclesiastes 2:24-25, we learn that enjoyment comes from the hand of God. Balancing

our pursuit of joy with responsibility and mindfulness enables us to live purposefully.

1 Corinthians 3:12-14 NIV
If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward.

Our actions should reflect our reverence for God and His commandments, as emphasized in Ecclesiastes 12:13-14.

• Use the good china.
• Savor the beauty of a sunset or mountain vista.
• Hold tightly that sleeping baby and listen to his gentle breathing.
• Let the warm sun or breeze kiss your face.
• Eat that chocolate slowly and the lasagna with joy.
• Savor that sip of wine or that morning coffee.
• take that vacation before it’s too late.
• take time for friends. For Those who have faith in Christ, we know our final destination. We havereservations in glory. But friends and family make the journey interesting.
• Laugh out loud… laugh with your friends
• Sit by the campfire and allow the warmth of fire and friends warm your heart
• Stop and smell the roses- or the lily of the valley
• Go to an art museum
• Swim in the ocean
• Go snowboarding
• Dance at a wedding
• Eat the lobster Mac & Cheese
• Go to a concert
• Learn to play an instrument
• Go back to school if learning is fun for you
• Get a dog… pet a dog, kiss your dog
• Laugh… laugh allot
• Have a glass of wine but not three bottles
• If substances are a problem there are a multitude of ways to activate the pleasure centre of yourbrain without getting high… take a walk
• Enjoy your tub of cherry Garcia but not three
• Go body surfing in the waves
• Take a walk and enjoy natures bounty
• If you love to work than work but remember to playIn conclusion when Solomon counsels to, “enjoy life and eat, drink and be glad” it is in the full realization that what we have, whether much or little, comes from God and it is to be enjoyed with a spirit of gratitude.2nd LAST SLIDE-

“Eat, drink, and be merry” is more than a license to indulge; it’s an invitation to find joy, meaning, and

balance in the tapestry of life.

Live fully, embracing the present moment while keeping our eyes fixed on eternity. So, let us go

forth with gratitude, sharing life’s simple pleasures with a heart full of joy.

When we have the right focus about pleasure, it compels us to not only enjoy the

moment, but to praise the provider of that moment.

That perspective makes all the difference in lifting the eating and drinking and merriment from sin to

blessing, so that we enjoy both the gift and the Giver.

A person can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in their own toil. This too, I see,

is from the hand of God, 25 for without him, who can eat or find enjoyment?

LAST SLIDE

“Religion should never be used as an excuse to exclude joy and laughter from our lives. True spirituality