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WHEN GOD LAUGHS
TEXT: Psalm 2:1-2; 37:13; 59:8; Prov. 1:22-31
SUBJECT: Attitude
PROPOSITION: To study the circumstances of men
in those instances when it is stated that God laughed at them.
OBJECTIVE: To encourage the hearer to avoid
positions and circumstances which would cause God to laugh at him.
INTRODUCTION:
1. Read the texts:
Psalms 2:1-4
Psalms 37:13
Psalms 59:8
Proverbs 1:24-26
2. Regarding the texts:
(1) In each text we find God laughing.
(2) In each passage we note that those at whom
God laughs are displeasing to him.
3. We associate laughter with fun and happiness.
4. The word laugh in these passages is not
associate in this manner.
5. In this lesson we shall give attention to
occasions when men laugh at God and to the times God is said to have laughed.
DISCUSSION: Concerning our subject we notice:
I. MAN LAUGHING AT GOD.
1. From the early morning of time man has in
one way or the other laughed at God.
2. Man only laughs at God when things are
going his way. He never laughs when:
(1) His house is burning down.
(2) The engine of the plane is dead and a crash
is imminent.
(3) His ship is going down miles from shore (The
Titanic)
(4) A loved one is lying with a fever or in a
coma near death.
(5) He follows the casket of a loved one to an
open grave.
(6) The killer storm approaches.
3. Men have laughed at God because they have
made themselves believe that they can live without him, or because they think
that he will not really punish them. (cf. Psa. 50:22; Gal. 6:7-8)
4. Some examples of those who laugh at God.
(1) Philosophers -- Put themselves in the place
of God.
(2) Political States -- Try to stamp out New
Testament Christianity.
(3) The Atheist -- By denying the existence of
God.
(4) The Modernist -- By denying the deity of
God's Son, the miracles of the Bible.
(5) The sectarian and denominationalist -- By
creating sects, and by substituting men's doctrines for the doctrine of Christ.
(cf. II John 9-11; Matt. 15:8-9)
(6) The makers of some so-called bibles -- By
injecting false doctrine into them.
5. Others who laugh at God, perhaps not
really realizing it.
(1) The person who rejects the gospel
invitation. (cf. Prov. 1)
(2) The child of God who deliberately commits
immoral acts, forsakes the assembly, robs God by a failure to give as prospered.
II. GOD LAUGHS AT MAN.
1. Not because he hates man. (cf. John 3:16)
2. God laughs at man to show him that all who
turn away from him cannot proper.
3. Examples:
(1) Pharaoh -- "Who is the Lord that I should
obey his voice."
(2) Sodom and Gomorrah -- Ten righteous could
not be found -- God destroyed them.
(3) Man made religions -- both then and now.
(Baal; Psa. 127:1; Matt. 15:13)
III. GOD NEVER LAUGHS AT THOSE WHO CALL ON
HIM ACCORDING TO HIS REVEALED WILL.
1. The smile of a loving God is upon all who do
his will.
(1) In obeying first principles of the gospel.
(2) In offering worship which he has authorized.
(3) In daily Christian living and service.
2. Those who abide in these things have God and
His love. (II John 9)
CONCLUSION:
1. When man laughs at God he acts foolishly.
2. When God laughs at man, that man is lost.
3. Are you laughing at God?
4. Appeal.
Earnest Underwood
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