April “Fool”s’ Day

-Introduction

-Well, the month of April is now upon us.  That means that we are more than one quarter

 of the way into 2009.  Hard to believe isn’t it?  Time does continue on (what seems to

 be) a rather rapid pace.

-Of course, April was ushered in once again with “April Fools’ Day,” an observation of

 uncertain origin characterized by pranks and practical jokes.

            -Now what makes pulling a prank or practical joke on that day difficult is the fact that

             many are expecting it.  Yet, some are able to accomplish the task anyway.

            -Some of these pranks are on a very small level while others are on a rather grand

             scale.

                        -The BBC network in Europe once did a story on cultivating and growing

                         spaghetti trees.  Many called in asking about the plants.

                        -In 1998 Burger King advertised a special left-handed Whopper.  There were

                         customers who actually ordered the left-handed version.  Others requested the

                         original right-handed version.

                        -BMW has been a regular participant in April Fools’ Day down through the years.

                        -example of this year’s online prank by Car and Driver

-So, with April “Fool”s’ Day now behind us, let’s consider some things that the scriptures

 say about fools.

-Matthew 5:21-23

-The Jews had developed the idea that, as long as they didn’t murder their brother, they

 could justifiably do just about anything short of it – i.e. hate and despise their brother,

 have contempt for the brother, be unwilling to forgive their brother, etc.

-Jesus was informing them of the original intent of the Law.  It extended beyond the

 actual act of murder and included those things that would be involved in the whole

 process leading to it.

-The use of the word “fool” here would be one of a derogatory fashion, the vilification of

 another person, a severe personal attack of one’s character.  “…[T]his is a malicious

 censuring and condemning of him, as abandoned of God” (Matthew Henry's  Commentary).

-Yet, this word “fool” does have a valid use.  We can see this in the fact that Jesus Himself

 utilized this word – Matt. 7:26.

-So, let’s see who the scriptures describe as a fool.

1.  “The fool says in his heart, "There is no God."  They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds,

       there is none who does good” (Psalm 14:1).  See also Ps. 53:1.

            -There are those who do not believe in God who portray themselves as the enlightened ones

             even though they dwell in darkness.  They claim to be the educated ones when in reality

             they’ve been educated beyond their own intelligence.  They claim to have logic and reason

             on their side when they only have false theories, assumptions and flat out lies.

            -Logic and reason lead to God, not away from Him.

                        -Acts 17:2-3, 24:24-25

2.  “Some were fools through their sinful ways, and because of their iniquities suffered

       affliction” (Psalm 107:17).

            -The scriptures clearly represent righteousness as the way of wisdom and knowledge.

                        -Prov. 2:6-9

            -The ways of sin are foolishness – Prov. 14:8-9 (NASB)

            -Num. 12:1, 9-11

            -1 Sam. 13:13

            -Ps 69:5 (KJV)

3.  “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice” (Prov. 12:15).

            -Prov. 14:12 (16:25); Prov. 28:26

            -Rom. 1:20-22 – Notice the path they followed when they failed to look to God for

                                                                guidance.

            -Jer. 10:23-24

                        -We hear verse 23 quoted from time to time.  Now, notice the first words of vs 24.

                        -Prov. 15:5 (NIV)

                        -Correction is one of the functions of God’s word – 2 Tim. 3:16

4.  “But God said to him, 'Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you

             have prepared, whose will they be?'” (Luke 12:20).

            -One who put his priorities in material things and the pursuit of them is a fool.

            -Material things are temporary.  The soul is eternal.  To place the temporary above the

             eternal is simply foolish.

                        -Luke 12:15

-Summary and Invitation

-We need to be careful of that which is foolish.  We want to grow in scriptural knowledge

 and apply proper wisdom in our pursuit of righteousness.

-Let’s continue to grow spiritually and thereby grow closer to our God in heaven.

            -Matt. 7:24, 26

-Let’s follow the teachings of Christ.  Are you?

-Have you obeyed the Gospel?  Notice what Jesus instructs:  Believe (John 3:16, 8:24);

 Confess your faith (Matt. 10:32), Repent of Sin (Luke 13:3,5), Be Baptized (Mark 16:16).

            -Please, don’t be foolish.  Do as Jesus says.

-If you’ve obeyed the Gospel, have you remained faithful.  If not, you’re following the path

 of foolishness.  But, you can take a very wise step in coming back to God – confess your

 shortcomings, repent and pray for God’s forgiveness (1 John 1:7-9, Acts 8:22-24).