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Distinguishing Reality from What Is Real 2 Corinthians 4.16-18 Introduction:
Last week many watched as a large balloon sailed through the skies.
Supposedly this balloon got loose with a six year old boy inside.
People watched as the TV cameras showed this balloon for a couple of
hours. Eventually it landed after
traveling for 50 miles. But then they found out the boy was not inside.
It now appears as if the father perpetuated the hoax.
This family had been on a number of “reality” television shows and
this may have been an attempt to get them their own show. I)
The Results of This Hoax A)
A few days of fame B)
Millions of people felt abused and angry C)
People risked their lives trying to track and catch this balloon D)
All flights from and to the E)
The boy was told to lie about why he was hiding in a box in the house F)
In interviews the next day the little boy got sick, perhaps due to the stress of
facing the cameras and being told to lie G)
The father is now facing criminal charges II)
Lessons To Learn From This A)
A lot of what people think is real is not “real” 1.
In the reality TV shows we must keep in mind that most are not “real”
a. The cameras changes how people act and respond to each
other. I remember with the
O.J. Simpson trial and the attempts by
lawyers to appeal to the cameras. That
is one reason cameras have
not been allowed until recently into courtrooms.
b. The money connected with the television shows changes for
better or worse the lifestyle of the people
c. The editing is often done to show conflict or to create a sense of
excitement.
d. We wind up watching a TV version of reality which is not real. 2.
There are a lot of things in life that people think is real but is not really
“real”
a. The idea we can spend ourselves into prosperity and happiness is just
one purchase a way is not real.
i. The borrower becomes a slave to the lender, Proverbs
22.7
ii. If you were not happy
before you purchased the new item
you will not be happy afterward. In other words contentment is not in
what we purchase, Phil. 4.11-12, 1
Timothy 6.8
b. A pill can
solve whatever problems you have. I
realize that in
some situations medicine can solve a lot of physical and mental
problems. But some people
believe a pill can make they smarter,
have more friends, etc.
i. I am talking about the
recreational use of drugs. Proverbs
23.21
ii. Scorcery was
linked with the use of drugs, see Galatians
5.20
c. The idea one
can destroy their own families and still be happy is
not real, Proverbs 11.29; 15.27;
24.3-4
i. The relationship between husband and wife is one where
each is to love each other .
ii. To think one can then simply betray that love and still be ok is not
possible. Genesis 2.24
iii. True happiness is in that family relationship B)
What is real is often neglected or considered as being unrealistic 1.
A lot of people will not accept reality
a. Remember the show “Who Wants To Marry A Millionaire”.
The show
received some criticism because they selected a millionaire
that own apartments and fixed his own plumbing.
He drove an ordinary car and
was frugal with his money.
b. It was not glitzy enough for “reality TV.”
He should have been
driving an expensive sports car and hanging out on the beach or at
some fabulous resort. 2.
Reality is…
a. Christians having everyday mundane problems.
Some small and some large.
James 1.2
b. You are going to face temptations, James
1.14; 1 Corinthians
10.11-13
c. We will not
live forever, Psalm 90.10
d. Not everyone is going to go to heaven, Matthew
7.13-14
e. God condemns false religion no matter how zealous and sincere a
person is in their belief, Colossians
2.20-23
f. Material blessings are to be accepted with thanksgiving but
spiritual blessings are more important, 1
Timothy 4.4 We should not
trade off our spiritual blessings for material things. Not be like the
rich
young ruler that went away sad because he had many possessions, Matthew
19.22,21; Mark 10.21 shows how close he was.
g. Only the faithful will go to heaven, Matthew
25.21 Conclusion:
Unfortunately television often gives us a distorted view of reality.
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