Sermon Snippet – Putting the Fun into Fundamentalism – Part VI
INTRODUCTION –Today’s message might seem to be a bit unusual, given this week’s assassination of a prominent and devout Christian. Without Jesus, people increasingly become vile and evil, vicious and violent. The American left is an obvious example of this truth. With Jesus, though, we can lead balanced, fruitful lives. Ecclesiastes 3:4a tells us that there is “a time to weep, and a time to laugh.” Let us consider God’s gift of laughter, of good humor, of a generally humorous outlook on life.
1. HUMOR IS GOOD FOR US
Proverbs 15:13 states, “A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.” Verse 15 adds, “All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.” Thus, even though our lives are frequently challenging, my wife and I have “a continual feast” of humor. The A. A. Milne character Eeyore is not a good model for us. Christians are not called to be doom-and-gloomers. We are serious about our faith and families, our beloved country and our daily work. However, a “merry” perspective is useful in helping us to cope with the difficulties and disappointments of life. Proverbs 17:22 counsels, “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.” Humor is “good” for us.
2. HUMOR AND HAPPINESS WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD
Psalm 126 records the return of the Israelites from cruel captivity. Verse 2a says, “Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing” (and, in fact, this Psalm is itself a song). James 5:13 establishes this principle: “Is any among you afflicted? Let him pray. Is any merry? Let him sing psalms.” We can be happy warriors in the spiritual war that is so obviously raging. Singing is one Biblical expression of that attitude toward life.
3. HUMOR REFLECTS THE CHARACTER OF GOD
The verses that we have studied reveal God’s will for us, and a part of that will is humor. Jonah 4:11 is an example of the gentle irony of God. Similarly, Matthew 7:3-5 is a vivid example by God the Son of irony and physical humor. Jesus adds this beatitude in Luke 6:21b: “Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh.” Our Lord knows that we need humor, that we need to laugh.
CONCLUSION – Let us be serious about the life-and-death matter of salvation – the eternally life-and-death matter of salvation. We all need Jesus as Savior. Without Him, we will become bitter, nasty people, and we will not live with him forever in heaven. May each of us trust in Him for the everlasting life that He freely offers. As His people, we have different personalities. Some laugh and smile less, and some are downright jolly. May we appreciate these differences (think of how bland life would be if we were all exactly the same!), and may we learn to laugh together.