God Gave His People All Things to Richly Enjoy 8-27-26

• 

Balance is the KEY!

Usually when someone asks a question about certain things, I feel that it would be proper to write a message, because some others may have the same question. The question was brought up about how I feel about line dancing.

Remember these points- 

When Timothy and the other writers of the Bible wrote they were inspired by the Holy Spirit.

Command-

those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life (1 Timothy 6:17-19). Enjoy things but not let things be our first priority.

Balance- 

not to be obsessed go over board -so spiritual that you are judging others for enjoying things (sports, celebrations and so); nor do not be so carnal that you think is okay to do worldly things.

Reminder from Jesus- 

They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world (John 17:16-17).

Let’s talk about things that God gave us to enjoy richly Jewish culture/customs. The Greek word for enjoy is ἀπόλαυσις (apolausis), which denotes the act of enjoying or obtaining satisfaction. Richly (abundantly). Strong’s Greek 4146 conveys more than mere quantity; it signifies a divine quality of overflowing sufficiency. God is the God of all sufficiency. Jesus came that we would have life and have it more abundantly (John 10:10).

Does having clean fun glorify God? Of course it does! The Lord wants us to freely enjoy all those wonderful that He has blessed us with. Flip side- if hanging out with sinners and doing the same thing they are doing, you are not glorifying God.

Strong’s Greek 4146 conveys more than mere quantity; it signifies a divine quality of overflowing sufficiency. God is the God of all sufficiency.

Special celebrations- Jesus turned water into wine (John 2:9). This was not to get drunk but a part of the custom, real wine (not grape juice) was used at the Lord’s Supper (communion)- (Matthew 26:26-29).

The Jews enjoyed festivals, parties and elaborate celebration- Why would it be wrong for anybody to have the same liberty today. It is a secular part of the enjoyment that we can experience as long as it is in balance, depending on the way we dance, how much we drink (in any setting), and what type of music do we listen to (some songs are downright dirty). There is a difference between secular music and worldly music. The world will say do your own thing; God says whatever we do (drink, eat) He is to be glorified.

FYI- The church is God’s physical building,  but it is spiritual.

Sports and games in the Bible -Paul knew about sports, there were theatres and colosseum, boxing, wrestling, races, and so on.

 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? 

Run in such a way that you may obtain it.  And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown.

Therefore, I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus, I fight not as one who beats the air.  But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified (1 Corinthians 9:24-27).

Although we have been given all things to enjoy, let’s make sure we have them in the proper perspective.

• 

Betty A. Burnett ~ burnettministries.org