2. Food, Fun, and Frolic
Introduction
Common to see churches furnishing entertainment and recreation for their members.
Some call it “food, fun, and frolic.”
Some call it the “social gospel.”
It claims to “minister to the whole man.”

3. Paradise Baptist Church
The Ministry, Recreation and Business Center features a full kitchen, snack bar, arcade, gym (which may also be used as a banquet facility), bookstore, fellowship hall, conference room, youth room, classrooms, computer lab and administrative offices. It is designed to further expand the stewardship of the Paradise Baptist Church from its members to the surrounding community, and to nurture and develop the next generation of disciples.
Paradise Baptist Church
Luke 17:20-21: “The kingdom of God does not come with observation; 21 nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.”
Romans 14:17: “for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”

4. Why No Food, Fun, and Frolic?
Romans 14:17

5. “for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”
Romans 14:17
Spiritual house
The church is the temple of God: 1 Pet. 2:5; Eph. 2:20-22
It is not the nature of the Lord’s kingdom to be the center of food, fun, and frolic: Rom. 14:17; Jn. 18:36
God rules in our hearts! Lk. 17:20-21; Acts 20:28
Why No Food, Fun, and Frolic?

6. Have houses for that Luke told us so: Acts 2:46
“for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”
Romans 14:17
Have houses for that
Luke told us so: Acts 2:46
Paul confirms this: 1 Cor. 11:22
Where did Paul say we should eat “common meals”? 1 Cor. 11:34 “Do you not have houses to eat and drink in?”
“Eating in the building” is not wrong per se, but we must remember divine authority insofar as a meeting place is concerned: Jn. 4:24; Acts 2:42; Heb. 10:25; 1 Cor 11:22
Why No Food, Fun, and Frolic?

7. No command for it Remember what Jesus said: Matt. 28:20
“for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”
Romans 14:17
No command for it
Remember what Jesus said: Matt. 28:20
Churches providing “food, fun, and frolic” need to provide Scripture authorizing it: 1 Pet. 4:11; Col. 3:17; Jn. 12:48
I’ve looked and “have found no such command-ment” : Acts 15:24
On the contrary, the only Scripture I’ve found says something quite different: 1 Cor. 11:22
Why No Food, Fun, and Frolic?

8. No approved example for it
“for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”
Romans 14:17
Is there an approved example where the church in the New Testament provided “food, fun, and frolic” with apostolic approval? 1 Pet. 4:11; Col. 3:17
If so, please point it out!
The church not providing entertainment and recreation in the New Testament was not because such did not exist in the first century: 1 Cor. 9:24-27; 2 Tim. 2:3-5
There is no evidence the first century church ever planned, promoted or provided entertainment and recreation for its members. Don’t argue from silence! Heb. 7:14
Why No Food, Fun, and Frolic?

9. “for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”
Romans 14:17
Not equipped for it
The inspired apostle reveals the gifts Christ gave the church: Eph. 4:11 “apostles…prophets…evangelists…pastors and teachers”
Would you go to the local hospital emergency room if your car was overheating? Why not?!
Would you go to the car dealership and order a ham-burger, French fries, and a coke? Why not?!
Then why go to the local church seeking what Christ did not equip it for?! Eph. 4:12-16
Why No Food, Fun, and Frolic?

10. Not the work of the church
“for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”
Romans 14:17
The inspired apostle also reveals the work Christ gave the church to do: Eph. 4:12
“the perfecting of the saints”
“the work of ministry”
“the edifying of the body of Christ.”
If that’s what you’re seeking we can provide that! (note all are spiritual activities)
Why No Food, Fun, and Frolic?

11. No funds for it Recall Paul’s instructions: 1 Cor. 16:1-2
“for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”
Romans 14:17
No funds for it
Recall Paul’s instructions: 1 Cor. 16:1-2
What was the “collection” “for” ? Food, fun, and frolic? No! It was “for the saints” !
Remember when the church at Philippi supported Paul’s preaching in Thessalonica? Phil. 4:15-16
There is no record of any first century congregation using their funds for “food, fun, and frolic.”
They were totally committed to three spiritual activities!
Evangelism
Edification
Relief of needy saints
Why No Food, Fun, and Frolic?

12. Pillar and ground of the truth
“for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”
Romans 14:17
Pillars provide support; the church supports, upholds the truth: 1 Tim. 3:15
The church does not exist to provide support for “food, fun, and frolic.”
Recall what Jesus said: Jn. 8:32; 17:17
Imagine the church spending its precious resources on baseball mitts, hot dogs, and trips to King’s Island when the world is full of lost and dying souls!
What would you rather answer for on the Day of Judgment?
Why No Food, Fun, and Frolic?

13. The cross of Christ is the attraction
“for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”
Romans 14:17
Jesus declared, “And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.” Jn. 12:32
“A church that uses fried chicken, iced tea, and ice cream to attract people is as cold as the cream, as weak as the tea, and as dead as the chicken.”
Paul reminded the Corinthians, “For I am determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.” 1 Cor. 2:2
To suggest we need entertainment and recreation to get folks to come and keep them coming, is to say the cross of Christ is insufficient and inadequate.
Why No Food, Fun, and Frolic?

14. The gospel is God’s power to save
“for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”
Romans 14:17
Paul stated this great truth, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation…” Rom. 1:16; 1 Cor. 1:21; 2 Thess. 2:13-14; Rom. 5:10-11; Lk. 19:10
God fashioned “the message of the cross” , the gospel, to “draw” men to Him for salvation: 1 Cor. 1:18; Jn. 6:44-45; Lk. 8:11-15
God fashioned the gospel message to tell us of His great love and mercy: Eph. 2:4-7
Any other “calling card” is a false one, incapable of saving men’s souls.
Whatever is used to draw men is what is needed to keep them: Jn. 6:66
Why No Food, Fun, and Frolic?

15. Food, Fun, and Frolic
Conclusion
We simply offer the “gospel” : Rom. 1:16; 2 Thess. 2:13-14; Rom. 5:11
That’s all we can provide for you here at Westside.
If salvation is what you’re looking for you’ve come to the right place: 1 Cor. 2:2
If you’re looking for entertainment and recreational activities, I would highly recommend one of the many denominations or liberal ‘churches of Christ’ in town.