To 160 th Ave Church of Christ

Ephesians 5:1-5 1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children;2 and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma. 3 But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints; 4 and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.5 For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.

A Shocking Judgment: The majority will not inherit the kingdom of heaven. The narrow way, the narrow gate (Matt. 7) “Many are called, few are chosen” (Matt. 22) Condemnation includes religious people. “Many will say to me on that day Lord, Lord…” And I will say “depart from me workers of iniquity.” (Matt. 7) Shocking actions condemned: Culturally accepted practices condemned Actions of the mind and of the tongue are condemned.

God Is Not Against All Humor! God’s own messages include satire and word plays and irony and hyperbole to make his points. Eccl. 3:4- there is a “time to laugh” A sense of humor can be a great gift from God

Defining Crude Humor/ Inappropriate Joking Eph. 5:4 and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting Eph. 5 mentions “Filthiness” (ESV, NASB, NKJV) “Obscenity” (NIV) “Vulgar speech” (NET) “Foolish talk” (NIV, ESV, KJV) or “silly talk” (NASB) “Coarse Jesting” (NASB, NET) “Crude joking” (ESV)

Inappropriate Joking To Refrain From: Jokes that demonstrate disrespect for God, Jesus, the Bible, and the Church. – Humor that trivializes what is holy – Humor that teaches what is doctrinal error. Humor that is cruel, and laughter at the expense of an individual or a horrible tragedy – Incentive to stop: The golden rule, 2 Kings 2:23-24 Dirty Jokes/Jokes that rely on sexual humor, and innuendo – If the world sees this humor as dirty, we ought to refrain – Humor that a pure person wouldn’t get.

“Lighten up”, “Relax”, “I Don’t Really Mean IT” ? We should not take sin lightly!!! Matthew 12:36-37; 36 And I say to you, that every careless word that men shall speak, they shall render account for it in the Day of Judgment. 37"For by your words you shall be justified, and by your words you shall be condemned”

Dangers Of Inappropriate Joking It diminishes the severity of sin and leads to the commission of sin. – If you laugh, it makes them not seem as bad – If we’re joking about it how bad can it be? – Consider the context: immorality, impurity, greed “The Persians had a rule that they were not to speak about things that you weren’t allowed to do. To jest about a thing or to make a frequent subject of conversation is to introduce it into the mind and to bring nearer the actual doing of it.”- Barclay

Dangers Of Inappropriate Joking It sets a destructive impression – You give the impression that such things are “ok.” – “they know I’m not serious”- Do they? – “I’m only kidding” Proverbs 26:18-19; Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, “I am only joking!”

Guarding From Crude Joking: Guard from intake that will lead to outtake Don’t Laugh – We encourage by laughter Rebuke such things

Guarding From Crude Joking: Be willing to Give up Passing Pleasure (Heb. 11:24) – 24 By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, 25choosing rather to endure ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin Speak what is good (use godly alternatives) – Ephesians 5:4 Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. – Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. Hebrews 11: 24 By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, 25 choosing rather to endure ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin Ephesians 5:4 Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.

Don’t think about BUNNY RABBITS!

Think about Dolphins!