#76 -- Gospel and Spiritual Growth

Valley – February 2, 2003 p.m.

The world system often uses that which is good and useful to manipulate the sin natures of human beings. Music is one of those elements. Music is a part of a believer's expression before and to God in both the Old and New Testaments. Music is where the world system began its development of entertainment and amusements. From their musical foundations other forms of arts and entertainment developed. World system amusements were developed in reaction to the curses upon the ground and upon Cain. They were designed to reach a person suffering from the curse with the purpose of distracting that person from the reality and stress of each curse. They were designed to manipulate the human race through the senses. Multiple arts sprang from the musical roots of the amusements of the system. Music led to dance and dance to visual arts to other arts all of which were designed to make some or the entire race feel good. 1 John 2:16 describes the appeal of the world system to a human being. Amusements stimulate, direct and gratify the lust of the flesh. They stimulate and direct the lust of the eyes. They enhance the vainglory of biological human life de-emphasizing the spiritual and replacing it with the physical. Physical well-being becomes the goal of entertainment and amusements. These amusements function primarily in manipulation of one's soul making one's feelings more important that his or her thinking. Three terms generally describe the expanse of entertainment and amusements: arts, attractions and amusements. Amusements and entertainment fit well with 1 John 2:16

The key person in founding in the sphere of amusements of the world system was Jubal the son of Lamech of the line of Cain. He is identified as the father of all that handle harp and organ (Gen. 4:21). The harp or lyre is a stringed instrument while the organ or pipe is a wind instrument. As father of this class, Jubal would be considered the originator or patron of musicians. The idea of "handling" has the idea of the possession of skill in areas of development, fabrication and playing of these instruments. The term is used to describe skilled or expert handlers of the law (Jer. 2:8), in use of sword (Ezek. 38:4), shield and bow (Jer. 46:9; Amos 2:15), the sickle (Jer. 50:16) and in rowing (Ezek. 27:29). One might ask where Jubal got the idea of making and playing instruments. It is very likely that there was some Satanic influence in developing musical instruments and music itself in that Ezek. 28:13 uses a word that probably describes his musical ability when he was in the government of God on earth. Other spirit beings may have also assisted in helping develop musical instruments and their music. The Hebrew Bible describes three categories of instruments. It describes specific stringed instruments with two words. It describes wind instruments with five key terms. It also describes percussion instruments with five key terms. Which came first? Instrumental or vocal music? Jubal developed instrumental music. This would naturally progress to vocal music and dancing. Poetry provides a rhythm that easily converts to music. Soon visual arts develop as instruments of amusement and religion. Athletic amusements and endeavors easily provide a distraction from the pressures of physical life. They enhance the vainglory or pride of biological life. They are often a diversion or channel for the sin nature from certain lusts of the flesh. Under the Mosaic Law amusement and entertainment was most often musical. Musical arts held a place of importance in the life and religion of Israel. Visual arts are rarely mentioned except in connection with the tabernacle and temple. This is probably a response to the prohibition of having any other god above Jehovah and prohibition of making graven images in the first two commandments.

II. winds its way through the Old and New Testaments describing the various types of amusement and entertainment mentioned in the Bible. All of these become a part of the manipulation of the world system in specific venues. Some of the passages are most interesting since they refer to common forms of entertainment known to everyone (often as a basis for illustration). Some Christians are reluctant to accept the fact that children's play is manipulated by the world system. Their games generally have their origin in the system. They had ball games (cf. Isa. 22:18) but nothing quite like football, basketball or baseball. These were probably more like soccer. Pets are very much a part of the world system. They are bred for many purposes but often it is to provide the amusement that can only come from a pet. Job 41:5 mentions a bird as a pet in a cage. Toys of many kinds have their origin in the world system – just watch cartoons some Saturday morning. B. lists a number of sporting events that existed in the biblical era. The list continues in the outline. Modern technology and communication has expanded the influence of amusement and entertainment extensively in the lives of believer and unbeliever alike.

Last Saturday night I went to bed planning to preach this whole subject in one message. The plan was a good one with mere reference to some of the passages. All of the passages in the outline filled eight pages of text (English, Hebrew and Greek). Additional material filled three additional pages. Sunday morning I changed the game plan and was led to divide the message into two parts. Sunday I plan to finish the material. I have attached the whole outline and will not send it again next week though will do the synopsis.

1 John 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

Blessed with all blessings in the heavenlies,

DKS

ENTERTAINMENT AND AMUSEMENT AS AN APPEAL FROM THE WORLD SYSTEM

1 John 2:15, 16

Proposition: To survey the teaching concerning the involvement of the world system with amusements and entertainment. These directly relate to the mechanisms of the world system described in 1 John 2:16.

Introduction

A. The Origin of the Entertainment and Amusements of the World System

B. The Reason for the Entertainment and Amusements of the World System

1. Distraction from the Results of the Curse

2. Manipulation of the Race Through the Senses

C. The Progression of Entertainment and Amusements in the World System

D. The Direction of the World System Appealing to the Senses – 1 Jn. 2:16

1. Lust of the Flesh – Stimulation, Direction and Gratification

2. Lust of the Eyes – Stimulation and Direction

3. Vainglory of Biological Life – Misdirection from Spiritual Life to Physical Life

4. The Control of the Soul – Feeling Over Thinking

E. The Composition of Entertainment and Amusements of the World System

1. Arts

2. Attractions

3. Athletics

TRANS: Jubal is identified as the father of those who take hold of two types of musical instruments. This involves not only the playing of the instruments but also the development and construction of the instruments as well as the composition of the music to be played on them.

I. THE PRODUCTION OF MUSIC AND MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH JUBAL THE SON OF LAMECH OF THE LINE OF CAIN – THE ORIGINATOR OR FATHER OF ALL SKILLED IN MUSICAL AMUSEMENTS – THE CONCENTRATION OF THE AMUSEMENTS OF THE WORLD SYSTEM MUSIC AS A FOUNDATION – Genesis 4:21

A. The Emphasis on Two Sons of Lamech by Adah – Gen. 4:20, 21

1. Jabal = Conduit, Stream or Product

2. Jubal = One Who Has Been Caused to Be Borne Along or to Flow

3. Both Names from the Same Hebrew Root lb;y" (yahbal) = conduct, bear along

B. The Exclusiveness of Jubal the Son of Lamech – Gen. 4:21

1. He [emphatic pronoun] Was [completed state]

2. Father = Originator or Patron of a Class

3. All = Inclusive

C. The Establishing of Musical Art and Entertainment

1. Father of All Who Handle

2. Characterized as Having Skill

D. The Evidence of the Foundation for Amusements and Entertainment

1. The Probability of the Influence of Spirit Beings (cf. Ezek. 28:13)

2. The Provision of General Categories of Musical Instruments

a. String Instruments c. Percussion Instruments

b. Wind Instruments

3. The Progression from Instrumental Music to Other Amusements

a. Song – Vocal and Instrumental

b. Dancing

c. Visual Arts

4. The Program for Athletic Endeavors

a. As a Distraction from the Pressures of Biological Life

b. As a Direction for the Vainglory of Biological Life

c. As a Diversion for the Sin Nature

E. The Extent of the Influence of the World System's Entertainment and Amusements on

Israel Under Law

1. Musical Arts

2. Visual Arts

TRANS: It is interesting how the revelation of Scripture gives some voice to the elements of the world system involving amusements and entertainment. Even though the amusements and entertainment of the world system are not core to the teaching of the Scriptures, they are used in illustration and in elements of life in by people with whom God is dealing throughout Scripture. There are many illustrations of using the arts and entertainment in the Bible while not abusing them. Some of these are seen in the pages of Scripture.

II. THE PARTS OF THE ENTERTAINMENT AND AMUSEMENTS OF THE WORLD SYSTEM – THE OPERATIONS OF THE AMUSEMENTS AND ENTERATINMENT OF THE WORLD SYSTEM – THE COMPONENTS OF THE AMUSEMENTS OF THE WORLD SYSTEM

A. Children's Play and the World System

1. Games (ex. Ball – Isa. 22:18)

2. Pets (ex. Bird – Job 41:5)

3. Toys

B. Sports

1. Running – 1 Sam. 8:11; 2 Sam. 1:23; Psa. 19:5; Eccl. 9:11; 1 Cor. 9:24; Heb. 12:1;

2 Tim. 4:7

2. Archery – 1 Sam. 20:20, 35-38

3. Target Shooting – w. stones – Judg. 20:16; 1 Sam. 17:49

4. Weight Lifting – Zech. 12:3 (a stone of lifting)

5. High Jumping – Psa. 18:29

6. Horse and Chariot Racing – Hippodrome

7. Greek Gymnasium

8. Roman Circus

9. Isthmian Games / Olympic Games

10. Boxing – 1 Cor. 9:26

11. Stadium – 606' 9" in Length

12. Wrestling – Eph. 6:12

C. Gambling or "Gaming" = Games of Chance and Skill – Dice/Bones – Matt. 27:35; Jn. 19:24

D. Music

1. Vocal

2. Instrumental

E. Dancing – Judg. 16:25, 27; Job 21:11; Eccl. 3:4; Matt. 11:17; 14:6

1. Around the Golden Calf – Ex. 32:19

2. Prophets of Baal Around the Altar on Carmel – 1 Ki. 18:26

F. Verbal Entertainments

1. The Telling of Stories

2. The Writing and Telling of Proverbs – amusement and instruction – Proverbs

3. The Writing and Reciting of Poetry – ex. Psalms

4. The Making and Telling of Riddles – Judg. 14:14; Num. 12:8

5. The Writing and Reading of Literature

6. Oratory

G. Theatre and Drama – Acts 19:29-31; 1 Cor. 4:9

H. Fine Arts – ex. Ex. 35:34

1. Painting

2. Sculpture – ex. 1 Ki. 6:24, 27

3. Textiles – ex. Tabernacle Hangings

I. Crafts

J. Modern Adaptations of the Amusements of the World System

1. Audio

2. Visual

TRANS: The purpose for entertainment and amusement in the world system is clearly a response to the curses from the fall and upon Cain. It further is designed to curb and direct certain propensities of the sin nature in order to control it and its potentials for opposing the system.

III. THE PURPOSES OF AMUSEMENTS AND ENTERTAINMENT OF THE WORLD SYSTEM – THE OBJECT FOR HAVING AMUSEMENTS AS A PART OF THE WORLD SYSTEM – THE CONTROLS DEEMED NECESSARY BY THE SATANIC WORLD SYSTEM FOR AMUSEMENT AND ENTERTAINMENT

A. Distractions from the Curses

1. On the Ground in the Fall – Gen. 3:17-19

2. On Cain – Gen. 4:11, 12

B. Direction of the Fallen Sin Nature of Man

1. Curbing It – Subtle Restriction

2. Channeling It – Societal Management

3. Controlling It – System Manipulation

C. Development of System of Gratification

1. An Appeal That Will Compensate for an Appetite

2. An Appeal That Will Give Satisfaction for an Appetite

3. An Enhancement of "Self Esteem" of a Person and the Sin Nature

D. Diversifying the Influence of the System on Distinct Elements of Society

1. Appealing to the Interests of Specific Groups

2. Attempting to Keep Conformity to the World System by Amusements

TRANS: There are two principles that are very important for the Christian to remember in his or her relationship to amusements and entertainment in the world system. This is a perfect place to be reminded of the divine limits placed on a believer concerning the potential abuse of the world system.

IV. THE PRIMARY PRINCIPLES FOR THE GRACE BELIEVER AND AMUSEMENTS AND ENTERTAINMENT OF THE WORLD SYSTEM – THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE CHRISTIAN TO MAINTAIN A PROPER RELATIONSHIP TO THE WORLD SYSTEM – THE CONNECTION OF THE BELIEVER TO AMUSEMENTS OF THE WORLD SYSTEM

A. In the World System but Not of It – Jn. 17:14, 16

B. Use the World System but Not to Abuse It – 1 Cor. 7:31

C. Live in the World System but Not to Love It – 1 Jn. 2:15

TRANS: Amusements and entertainment can be a huge source of distraction for Christians from the spiritual life. There is nothing inherently wrong with the amusements or entertainment but when they take one from his or her spiritual life, this is abuse.

Valley Baptist Church

P. O. Box 99, Gaston, OR 97119