Is Religion All Doom and Gloom? Or the types of people that are heavily ‘Into’ that type of ‘thing’?
In this article, or series of three articles – 1) Sport, 2 ) Music and 3) Education I will look at the extremes on both ends of the scale and where I believe God wants us in this Crazy, Mixed up Sinful World, especially at the present time when even most ‘non-Christians’ and believers of ‘all types’ from other ‘Belief Systems’ can see this World getting worse both ‘Morally’ and ‘Physically’!
Please Enjoy this spectrum of thought on these very important subjects that take up a ‘Large’ portion of time in this life:
SPORT
Gary Southwell
21/8/20
I think I am like many young people, when growing up, especially at school, in loving my football, weight-training and running!
Because of my religion I would not play sport on Saturday’s; therefore was not invited to join in the football games because of this, though I used to do ‘Footy-training’ during the week, for fitness’ sake, and loved it. I can still remember the fun of ‘Red-Rover all over’, and jogging around the oval, along with Bench Press, Military Press, curls and Neck press, the usual basic Weight maneuvers, which I still continue even now in my 60’s with my own basic gym setup!
In the back of my mind, though, was the feeling that, if it wasn’t Saturday that stopped me from playing football, being my (or the Lord’s) Sabbath, would I have gotten involved in it in a big way?
The answer is…..NO!!!
WHY NOT?
Let us Study this subject of ‘Competitive Sport’ from a Biblical basis!
- What is our main goal in this life?
Matthew 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, [even] unto the end of the world. Amen.
- Where should our affections lie?
Galations 5:24 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
5:25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
5:26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.
Colossians 3:1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
3:2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
- What activities may come under the following condemnation?
2Timothy 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
3:2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3:3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
3:4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
- Along with ‘Lovers of their own selves (or Teams etc)’ what other Bible injunction goes against the spirit of ‘COMPETITION’?
Philippians 2:3 [Let] nothing [be done] through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
2:4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
2:6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
2:7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Luke 9:46 Then there arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be greatest.
9:47 And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a child, and set him by him,
9:48 And said unto them, Whosoever shall receive this child in my name receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me receiveth him that sent me: for he that is least among you all, the same shall be great.
- What is the CRUX of the Question of Christian Involvement with Competitive Sport?
2 Corinthians 10:12 For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.
Proverbs 16:18 Pride [goeth] before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
1 John 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things [that are] in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
2:16 For all that [is] in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
2:17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
- What is the Answer to the Cravings of Pleasure within each one of us?
1 Corinthians 2:12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
2:13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
John 4:14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.
6:35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.
Revelation 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
John 8:31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, [then] are ye my disciples indeed;
8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
Psalms 16:11 Thou wilt show me the path of life: in thy presence [is] fulness of joy; at thy right hand [there are] pleasures for evermore.
SPORT, DANCING AND CHRISTIANITY
8/6/19
GARY SOUTHWELL
- WE ARE LIVING IN THE DAY OF JUDGMENT, SHOULD WE BE INVOLVED WITH SPORTS?
Revelation 14:6 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,
14:7 Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come:
2 Timothy 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
3:2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3:3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
3:4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
1 Thessalonians 5:6 Therefore let us not sleep, as [do] others; but let us watch and be sober.
- IS IT APPROPRIATE AT THIS TIME TO INVOLVE OURSELVES IN DANCING CLASSES AND DANCING FOR PLEASURE?
1 Samuel 18:6 And it came to pass as they came, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women came out of all cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet king Saul, with tabrets, with joy, and with instruments of music.
Psalm 149:2 Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: let the children of Zion be joyful in their King.
149:3 Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp.
150:4 Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs.
150:5 Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals.
23:27 Also on the tenth [day] of this seventh month [there shall be] a day of atonement: it shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD.
23:28 And ye shall do no work in that same day: for it [is] a day of atonement, to make an atonement for you before the LORD your God.
23:29 For whatsoever soul [it be] that shall not be afflicted in that same day, he shall be cut off from among his people.
23:30 And whatsoever soul [it be] that doeth any work in that same day, the same soul will I destroy from among his people.
23:31 Ye shall do no manner of work: [it shall be] a statute for ever throughout your generations in all your dwellings.
23:32 It [shall be] unto you a sabbath of rest, and ye shall afflict your souls: in the ninth [day] of the month at even, from even unto even, shall ye celebrate your sabbath.
Isaiah 22:12 And in that day did the Lord GOD of hosts call to weeping, and to mourning, and to baldness, and to girding with sackcloth:
22:13 And behold joy and gladness, slaying oxen, and killing sheep, eating flesh, and drinking wine: let us eat and drink; for to morrow we shall die.
22:14 And it was revealed in mine ears by the LORD of hosts, Surely this iniquity shall not be purged from you till ye die, saith the Lord GOD of hosts.
- WHAT ARE THE MORAL PRINCIPLES THAT CONDUCT OUR LIFE ACTIVITIES?
1 Corinthians 10:31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
2 Peter 1:5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; 1:6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; 1:7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
- ARE THEY COMPATIBLE WITH PLEASURE SEEKING?
Romans 13:11 And that, knowing the time, that now [it is] high time to awake out of sleep: for now [is] our salvation nearer than when we believed.
13:12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.
13:13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.
13:14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to [fulfil] the lusts [thereof].
- ARE WE TO WORK, WORK, WORK WITH NO TIME FOR A BREAK EXCEPT FOR RELIGIOUS WORSHIP ON SABBATH?
Mark 6:31 And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat.
Jeremiah 8:20 The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.
John 9:4 I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.
Ecclesiastes 3:1 To every [thing there is] a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
3:2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up [that which is] planted;
3:3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
3:4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
- DOES GOD WANT US TO BE MISERABLE? OR DEEPLY SERIOUS? ALL THE TIME?
Proverbs 14:12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof [are] the ways of death.
14:13 Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth [is] heaviness.
Ecclesiastes 2:1 I said in mine heart, Go to now, I will prove thee with mirth, therefore enjoy pleasure: and, behold, this also [is] vanity.
2:2 I said of laughter, [It is] mad: and of mirth, What doeth it?
2:3 I sought in mine heart to give myself unto wine, yet acquainting mine heart with wisdom; and to lay hold on folly, till I might see what [was] that good for the sons of men, which they should do under the heaven all the days of their life.
Isaiah 53:3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were [our] faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
Hebrews 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset [us], and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of [our] faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Psalms 16:11 Thou wilt show me the path of life: in thy presence [is] fulness of joy; at thy right hand [there are] pleasures for evermore.
- WHAT TYPE OF ENJOYMENT AND PLEASURE SHOULD A TRUE CHRISTIAN SEEK IN THIS LIFE?
Matthew 11:28 Come unto me, all [ye] that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
11:30 For my yoke [is] easy, and my burden is light.
Hebrews 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset [us], and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of [our] faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Psalms 16:11 Thou wilt show me the path of life: in thy presence [is] fulness of joy; at thy right hand [there are] pleasures for evermore.
- HOW ARE WE TO DRESS, WHEN ENGAGING IN RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES? WHAT WOULD JESUS DRESS LIKE? WOULD HE BE HAPPY WITH THE WAY I LOOK WHEN I AM DOING THIS ACTIVITY – THESE QUESTIONS WE SHOULD BE ASKING OURSELVES WHEN MAKING DECISIONS IN THIS REGARD. AFTER ALL, HEAVEN IS CHEAP ENOUGH AND WORTH EVERY SACRIFICE!
Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
Jude 1:4 For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. (Lascivious = Loose, Lewd, Lustful ie. Sexually permissive)
1 Timothy 2:9 In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;
2:10 But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works. (Is it ok for men to wear these things then? or dress this way? No, of course not, but tended to be more a woman’s temptation to do so) and known, not for their fancy clothes, but their lifestyle, good works! Finding their joy in helping anyone they can, not for money, but to bring them to the Lord!
- WHAT HEAVENLY PRINCIPLES ARE BROKEN WHEN ENGAGED IN COMPETITIVE SPORTS?
Proverbs 16:18 Pride [goeth] before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
2 Corinthians 10:12 For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.
10:17 But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
10:18 For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.
(1 – Pride, 2 – Honouring Man above God)
- WHAT DOES GOD PROPOSE WE DO TO FILL OUR TIME WHEN NOT ENGAGED IN WORK OR STUDY?
2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
Ephesians 5:15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,
5:16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
5:17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord [is].
5:18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
5:19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
5:20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
Mark 6:31 And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat.
- REMEMBERING THESE IMPORTANT THEMES THAT SHOULD BE AT THE BACK OF OUR MINDS ALWAYS –
Revelation 14:7 Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come:
2 Timothy 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
3:2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3:3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
3:4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
- LET US BE LOVERS OF GOD RATHER THAN LOVERS OF PLEASURE! LET US DEVELOP OUR TALENTS IN THE WAY OF MUSIC, CRAFT, ART, PHOTOGRAPHY, ECONOMICAL AND MODERATE TRAVEL, BUILDING CONSTRUCTION, FOOD PREPARATION ETC. ALL WHOLESOME AND HELPFUL ACTIVITIES AND, BALANCED WITH WORK AND WITNESSING FOR OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR, MAKING OUR LIVES BOTH BEAUTIFUL AND USEFUL IN GOD’S OVERALL PLAN,  IN THINGS PERTAINING TO THIS PRESENT TIME, AND FINALLY  LEADING UP TO THE TIME OF ETERNITY!
AMEN!
