Jesus warns in the Sermon on the Mount of four woes (four heart conditions) of those NOT entering the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus' contrasts the eight blessings and eight heart conditions of entering His Kingdom with those shut out of Jesus' Kingdom/future heaven because they lived for themselves and thus pursued 1. worldly possessions (woe of riches), 2. worldly satisfaction/comforts (woe of being well-fed now), 3. worldly entertainment/party life (woe of laughing now), and 4. the approval of sinful men rather than seeking to please/worship a Holy God (woe of men speaking well of you now) .

In this sermon, Pastor Chad explains the 3rd woe (woe of laughing now) by showing the contrast between laughter and weeping and explaining how Jesus was warning that those who party now are in danger of of Hell later (weeping and gnashing of teeth). Hell is no laughing matter, even though the unbelieving world makes light of it, fun of it, ignores it, and denies its reality all the time. By laughing, ridiculing, or mocking God's coming wrath and judgment, unbelievers are banking that the Bible is wrong even though it has been perfectly accurate in predicting the future. The Bible warns repeatedly that those who reject Jesus Christ as Lord and maintain their idolatry of living for themselves as the god of their own life, will die, will stand before God in judgment, and without Christ will experience the wrath of God in Hell.

Hell is described in the Bible as a place of separation from all of God's common graces (light, love, life, peace, etc.) and therefore is a place of eternal darkness, isolation, weeping/gnashing of teeth, and fiery torment. Overall, Hell is the just/fair punishment of God's wrath and justice for those who maintain their rebellion against God. So then why do people deny Hell or say its unfair? Isn't it just/fair for God to give people what they ask for? The unbelieving world says they don't believe in God, don't want or need God, and won't submit to God, but they need reminded that God is the source of everything good that unbelievers enjoy/take for granted and so separated from God and these graces forever is a hellish thought indeed!

Pastor Chad also gives a Biblical balance by explaining the differences between wholesome/Biblical laughter and the times/places/situations where laughter is sinful. For example he shows the Bible says NOT to laugh if it expresses 1. Doubt of God's Word/Promises 2. Scorn/Mockery/Ridicule of God or others 3. Passive Approval of Sinful things (laughing at dirty jokes, harm to others, satire or sarcasm about God/His Word/His people) 4. a lack of concern or hatred of sin/evil 5. a rebellion/opposition to genuine love and fear of God.

Practically, Pastor Chad warns of the pitfall and trap of Christians who think they can party like the world or with the world and at the same time serve and worship God (Matthew 6:24, 7:22-23, Romans 6:16). Ephesians 5:11-12 is clear that this is not an option and commands true Christians to have NOTHING to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather to expose them. 2 Corinthians 4:2 and 6:17 make clear that a Christian is not to participate in sin/evil activities, but rather to RENOUNCE them and be SEPARATE from them.

Join Truth Bible Church as they study Luke 6:24-26 and pursue the Biblical goals of knowing, loving, serving, and worshiping the Lord Jesus. Thanks for watching and may God richly bless you as you study and seek to live out His Holy Word!