thank you I need to start by explaining that I really did get the memo from the
that I really did get the memo from the
that I really did get the memo from the TEDx organizers and presenters are not
TEDx organizers and presenters are not
TEDx organizers and presenters are not supposed to wear ties these are supposed
supposed to wear ties these are supposed
supposed to wear ties these are supposed to be informal and engaging talks and
to be informal and engaging talks and
to be informal and engaging talks and ties make it too formal and stuffy but I
ties make it too formal and stuffy but I
ties make it too formal and stuffy but I have to confess I am a lifelong fan of
have to confess I am a lifelong fan of
have to confess I am a lifelong fan of the Chicago Cubs and it’s October 29th
the Chicago Cubs and it’s October 29th
the Chicago Cubs and it’s October 29th of 2016 and for the first time in my
of 2016 and for the first time in my
of 2016 and for the first time in my life the Cubs are playing in the World
life the Cubs are playing in the World
life the Cubs are playing in the World Series and I am thrilled and my day job
Series and I am thrilled and my day job
Series and I am thrilled and my day job is I’m a Presbyterian minister and I’ll
is I’m a Presbyterian minister and I’ll
is I’m a Presbyterian minister and I’ll just say that being a Cub fan is really
just say that being a Cub fan is really
just say that being a Cub fan is really the best possible preparation for being
the best possible preparation for being
the best possible preparation for being a Christian minister but my topic today
a Christian minister but my topic today
a Christian minister but my topic today is laughter is carbonated holiness which
is laughter is carbonated holiness which
is laughter is carbonated holiness which is a phrase that writer Annie Lamott
is a phrase that writer Annie Lamott
is a phrase that writer Annie Lamott said and I think it’s really really a
said and I think it’s really really a
said and I think it’s really really a good good way for us to think about
good good way for us to think about
good good way for us to think about laughter because laughter has power
laughter because laughter has power
laughter because laughter has power that’s one of the things I want you to
that’s one of the things I want you to
that’s one of the things I want you to leave this talk with today is
leave this talk with today is
leave this talk with today is recognizing laughter has power the other
recognizing laughter has power the other
recognizing laughter has power the other thing is that worship and laughter are
thing is that worship and laughter are
thing is that worship and laughter are this close together and with that I
this close together and with that I
this close together and with that I present the picture you probably have
present the picture you probably have
present the picture you probably have seen a reproduction of this picture
seen a reproduction of this picture
seen a reproduction of this picture without my 21st century Edition three
without my 21st century Edition three
without my 21st century Edition three things you need to notice about that
things you need to notice about that
things you need to notice about that picture oh and I know which one you want
picture oh and I know which one you want
picture oh and I know which one you want me to start with first but no first
me to start with first but no first
me to start with first but no first thing you need to know is that this is
thing you need to know is that this is
thing you need to know is that this is Adam Adam is the first human being his
Adam Adam is the first human being his
Adam Adam is the first human being his his name comes from the Hebrew word
his name comes from the Hebrew word
his name comes from the Hebrew word anima which means soil or earth the
anima which means soil or earth the
anima which means soil or earth the first human being god made left-handed
first human being god made left-handed
first human being god made left-handed okay who’s left-handed here huh about
okay who’s left-handed here huh about
okay who’s left-handed here huh about 10% of you yeah this is this is this is
10% of you yeah this is this is this is
10% of you yeah this is this is this is all for us the second thing you need to
all for us the second thing you need to
all for us the second thing you need to notice is Adam has a belly button now
notice is Adam has a belly button now
notice is Adam has a belly button now let that sink in a little bit there are
let that sink in a little bit there are
let that sink in a little bit there are two people on earth who probably should
two people on earth who probably should
two people on earth who probably should not have belly buttons that would be
not have belly buttons that would be
not have belly buttons that would be Adam and Eve because they were not
Adam and Eve because they were not
Adam and Eve because they were not connected to their mothers now I made
connected to their mothers now I made
connected to their mothers now I made this point to a gathering last month and
this point to a gathering last month and
this point to a gathering last month and someone said well maybe God thought Adam
someone said well maybe God thought Adam
someone said well maybe God thought Adam was like the Pillsbury Doughboy and just
was like the Pillsbury Doughboy and just
was like the Pillsbury Doughboy and just gave him one of those little things I
gave him one of those little things I
gave him one of those little things I don’t think so I think the artist got it
don’t think so I think the artist got it
don’t think so I think the artist got it wrong
wrong
wrong um the third thing I want you to notice
um the third thing I want you to notice
um the third thing I want you to notice Adam is circumsized now think about this
Adam is circumsized now think about this
Adam is circumsized now think about this he is the only person on earth right so
he is the only person on earth right so
he is the only person on earth right so it’s a selfie okay and I did the
it’s a selfie okay and I did the
it’s a selfie okay and I did the research metalwork wasn’t invented until
research metalwork wasn’t invented until
research metalwork wasn’t invented until the fourth chapter of Genesis which
the fourth chapter of Genesis which
the fourth chapter of Genesis which means either it was a sharp rock or
means either it was a sharp rock or
means either it was a sharp rock or there was one of these creatures that
there was one of these creatures that
there was one of these creatures that God made before humanity that that did
God made before humanity that that did
God made before humanity that that did the deed most audiences they’re a little
the deed most audiences they’re a little
the deed most audiences they’re a little edgy a little uncomfortable at that but
edgy a little uncomfortable at that but
edgy a little uncomfortable at that but let me tell you when I made this point
let me tell you when I made this point
let me tell you when I made this point to the National gathering of
to the National gathering of
to the National gathering of Presbyterian women last summer they
Presbyterian women last summer they
Presbyterian women last summer they loved it they loved the idea of of self
loved it they loved the idea of of self
loved it they loved the idea of of self and a man inflicting pain on himself
and a man inflicting pain on himself
and a man inflicting pain on himself okay and I’m gonna make that go away I
okay and I’m gonna make that go away I
okay and I’m gonna make that go away I hope or someone will make that go away
hope or someone will make that go away
hope or someone will make that go away because that’s kind of distracting my
because that’s kind of distracting my
because that’s kind of distracting my topic is is laughter is carbonated
topic is is laughter is carbonated
topic is is laughter is carbonated holiness and I really think it’s
holiness and I really think it’s
holiness and I really think it’s important to understand what laughter is
important to understand what laughter is
important to understand what laughter is how it works
how it works
how it works and even how humor works when I was in
and even how humor works when I was in
and even how humor works when I was in seminary I decided I would write a
seminary I decided I would write a
seminary I decided I would write a project write a paper a year-long
project write a paper a year-long
project write a paper a year-long project on humor in the Bible and I like
project on humor in the Bible and I like
project on humor in the Bible and I like humor I understand how it works and I
humor I understand how it works and I
humor I understand how it works and I figured I would find these
figured I would find these
figured I would find these long-forgotten passages that go like
long-forgotten passages that go like
long-forgotten passages that go like this and then the Israelites said unto
this and then the Israelites said unto
this and then the Israelites said unto Moses tell us again the one about the
Moses tell us again the one about the
Moses tell us again the one about the concubine the Pharaoh and the 40
concubine the Pharaoh and the 40
concubine the Pharaoh and the 40 serpents then they smote some
serpents then they smote some
serpents then they smote some Philistines I figured the Bible’s full
Philistines I figured the Bible’s full
Philistines I figured the Bible’s full of this this was really read all the
of this this was really read all the
of this this was really read all the Bible right I didn’t find any any jokes
Bible right I didn’t find any any jokes
Bible right I didn’t find any any jokes like that and what I found was that
like that and what I found was that
like that and what I found was that humor is a very very difficult thing to
humor is a very very difficult thing to
humor is a very very difficult thing to define it’s a very difficult thing to
define it’s a very difficult thing to
define it’s a very difficult thing to study because everybody has their own
study because everybody has their own
study because everybody has their own sense of humor and what I find funny
sense of humor and what I find funny
sense of humor and what I find funny other people don’t find funny and then
other people don’t find funny and then
other people don’t find funny and then to think about what it could mean that
to think about what it could mean that
to think about what it could mean that the the people who first told and wrote
the the people who first told and wrote
the the people who first told and wrote these stories originally what they would
these stories originally what they would
these stories originally what they would have understood is humorous in different
have understood is humorous in different
have understood is humorous in different cultures and what they would have
cultures and what they would have
cultures and what they would have laughed at in in societies that we
laughed at in in societies that we
laughed at in in societies that we really can’t reconstruct
really can’t reconstruct
really can’t reconstruct it was simply beyond what I could do so
it was simply beyond what I could do so
it was simply beyond what I could do so rather than studying humour in the Bible
rather than studying humour in the Bible
rather than studying humour in the Bible I studied laughter and I found some
I studied laughter and I found some
I studied laughter and I found some interesting things about laughter first
interesting things about laughter first
interesting things about laughter first laughter is involuntary communication
laughter is involuntary communication
laughter is involuntary communication now think about that
now think about that
now think about that usually when we communicate it’s because
usually when we communicate it’s because
usually when we communicate it’s because we’re talking we’re writing we’re in
we’re talking we’re writing we’re in
we’re talking we’re writing we’re in control of that but laughter when it’s
control of that but laughter when it’s
control of that but laughter when it’s genuine when it comes spontaneously it’s
genuine when it comes spontaneously it’s
genuine when it comes spontaneously it’s involuntary laughter is also a very very
involuntary laughter is also a very very
involuntary laughter is also a very very social thing this group of people about
social thing this group of people about
social thing this group of people about I think a hundred of you bought tickets
I think a hundred of you bought tickets
I think a hundred of you bought tickets for TEDx Oshkosh you’re much more likely
for TEDx Oshkosh you’re much more likely
for TEDx Oshkosh you’re much more likely to laugh in a presentation like this in
to laugh in a presentation like this in
to laugh in a presentation like this in a group of a hundred than if you were
a group of a hundred than if you were
a group of a hundred than if you were alone because laughter is it’s about
alone because laughter is it’s about
alone because laughter is it’s about communication and I’m sure I can’t prove
communication and I’m sure I can’t prove
communication and I’m sure I can’t prove this I think I might have read it
this I think I might have read it
this I think I might have read it somewhere but you can tell when laughter
somewhere but you can tell when laughter
somewhere but you can tell when laughter is genuine and when it’s not even if
is genuine and when it’s not even if
is genuine and when it’s not even if you’ve never heard this person laugh
you’ve never heard this person laugh
you’ve never heard this person laugh before you know when they’re when
before you know when they’re when
before you know when they’re when they’re laughing sincerely or when
they’re laughing sincerely or when
they’re laughing sincerely or when they’re faking it laughter is
they’re faking it laughter is
they’re faking it laughter is communication and it’s involuntary
communication and it’s involuntary
communication and it’s involuntary communication and babies babies laugh
communication and babies babies laugh
communication and babies babies laugh long before they can speak
long before they can speak
long before they can speak babies are able to laugh and communicate
babies are able to laugh and communicate
babies are able to laugh and communicate whoever’s tickling them or doing
whoever’s tickling them or doing
whoever’s tickling them or doing whatever is making them laugh I’m liking
whatever is making them laugh I’m liking
whatever is making them laugh I’m liking this laughter is involuntary
this laughter is involuntary
this laughter is involuntary communication and it also has power it
communication and it also has power it
communication and it also has power it also has power and I’m going to talk a
also has power and I’m going to talk a
also has power and I’m going to talk a little bit about that power I talked
little bit about that power I talked
little bit about that power I talked about I found three in the Bible what I
about I found three in the Bible what I
about I found three in the Bible what I was studying laughter I found there are
was studying laughter I found there are
was studying laughter I found there are really three reasons the occasions that
really three reasons the occasions that
really three reasons the occasions that laughter is recorded in the Bible and by
laughter is recorded in the Bible and by
laughter is recorded in the Bible and by far the most numerous the largest group
far the most numerous the largest group
far the most numerous the largest group is laughter that comes at someone’s
is laughter that comes at someone’s
is laughter that comes at someone’s expense laughter that ridicules
expense laughter that ridicules
expense laughter that ridicules diminishes belittles humiliates some
diminishes belittles humiliates some
diminishes belittles humiliates some examples the second chapter the the
examples the second chapter the the
examples the second chapter the the second Psalm God sits enthroned in the
second Psalm God sits enthroned in the
second Psalm God sits enthroned in the heavens and laughs at the plans of
heavens and laughs at the plans of
heavens and laughs at the plans of mortals and the 31st chapter book of
mortals and the 31st chapter book of
mortals and the 31st chapter book of proverbs where the the ideal wife is
proverbs where the the ideal wife is
proverbs where the the ideal wife is described it says this worthy competent
described it says this worthy competent
described it says this worthy competent woman can laugh at the problems of the
woman can laugh at the problems of the
woman can laugh at the problems of the day because she’s better than that these
day because she’s better than that these
day because she’s better than that these these problems don’t threaten her and
these problems don’t threaten her and
these problems don’t threaten her and she can laugh them off
she can laugh them off
she can laugh them off my favorite one laughter this this kind
my favorite one laughter this this kind
my favorite one laughter this this kind of laughter comes from the book of Job
of laughter comes from the book of Job
of laughter comes from the book of Job where it says the ostrich laughs at the
where it says the ostrich laughs at the
where it says the ostrich laughs at the horse and it’s rider and I love to
horse and it’s rider and I love to
horse and it’s rider and I love to picture this I presume that’s because
picture this I presume that’s because
picture this I presume that’s because the ostrich can outrun someone on
the ostrich can outrun someone on
the ostrich can outrun someone on horseback but I imagine an ostrich
horseback but I imagine an ostrich
horseback but I imagine an ostrich running away today and looking over its
running away today and looking over its
running away today and looking over its shoulder at this point I always realize
shoulder at this point I always realize
shoulder at this point I always realize I don’t know do ostriches have shoulders
I don’t know do ostriches have shoulders
I don’t know do ostriches have shoulders I don’t know but whatever whatever it is
I don’t know but whatever whatever it is
I don’t know but whatever whatever it is it looks over an entity ha can’t catch
it looks over an entity ha can’t catch
it looks over an entity ha can’t catch me I’m factor than you are the mocking
me I’m factor than you are the mocking
me I’m factor than you are the mocking ostrich I love that that’s in the Bible
ostrich I love that that’s in the Bible
ostrich I love that that’s in the Bible um there’s another passage on another
um there’s another passage on another
um there’s another passage on another person who talks about how painful it is
person who talks about how painful it is
person who talks about how painful it is to be laughed at and that’s the Prophet
to be laughed at and that’s the Prophet
to be laughed at and that’s the Prophet Jeremiah when things were going really
Jeremiah when things were going really
Jeremiah when things were going really well in Judah and Israel he foretold
well in Judah and Israel he foretold
well in Judah and Israel he foretold doom and destruction and sure enough
doom and destruction and sure enough
doom and destruction and sure enough Babylon came down and destroyed the
Babylon came down and destroyed the
Babylon came down and destroyed the country when things were really bad
country when things were really bad
country when things were really bad after the destruction and the people
after the destruction and the people
after the destruction and the people were carried up into exile he started
were carried up into exile he started
were carried up into exile he started preaching words of hope and
preaching words of hope and
preaching words of hope and encouragement said God’s gonna come and
encouragement said God’s gonna come and
encouragement said God’s gonna come and restore us he was always out of time
restore us he was always out of time
restore us he was always out of time with people and he also complained a lot
with people and he also complained a lot
with people and he also complained a lot about how awful it was to be God’s
about how awful it was to be God’s
about how awful it was to be God’s prophet he said people mock me they make
prophet he said people mock me they make
prophet he said people mock me they make mouths at me I am a laughingstock
mouths at me I am a laughingstock
mouths at me I am a laughingstock because he has responded to God’s call
because he has responded to God’s call
because he has responded to God’s call so you know and laughter that kind of
so you know and laughter that kind of
so you know and laughter that kind of laughter is by far the most numerous
laughter is by far the most numerous
laughter is by far the most numerous most common in the Bible last night we
most common in the Bible last night we
most common in the Bible last night we were talking about how Jesus never
were talking about how Jesus never
were talking about how Jesus never laughed and then I had to back up and
laughed and then I had to back up and
laughed and then I had to back up and say wait a minute the Bible never
say wait a minute the Bible never
say wait a minute the Bible never records Jesus as having laughed but
records Jesus as having laughed but
records Jesus as having laughed but Jesus was laughed at there’s a story in
Jesus was laughed at there’s a story in
Jesus was laughed at there’s a story in the first three Gospels of Matthew Mark
the first three Gospels of Matthew Mark
the first three Gospels of Matthew Mark and Luke about how Jesus gets word that
and Luke about how Jesus gets word that
and Luke about how Jesus gets word that this twelve year old girl is is very
this twelve year old girl is is very
this twelve year old girl is is very sick and he goes to her house and when
sick and he goes to her house and when
sick and he goes to her house and when he gets there he finds that the the
he gets there he finds that the the
he gets there he finds that the the doorway is crowded with people mourning
doorway is crowded with people mourning
doorway is crowded with people mourning and wailing because the girl has died
and wailing because the girl has died
and wailing because the girl has died and he says don’t weep and mourn the
and he says don’t weep and mourn the
and he says don’t weep and mourn the girl is not dead she’s only sleeping and
girl is not dead she’s only sleeping and
girl is not dead she’s only sleeping and the very next words in the New Revised
the very next words in the New Revised
the very next words in the New Revised Standard Version are and they laughed at
Standard Version are and they laughed at
Standard Version are and they laughed at him knowing that she was dead they
him knowing that she was dead they
him knowing that she was dead they laughed at Jesus because he was wrong
laughed at Jesus because he was wrong
laughed at Jesus because he was wrong well Jesus got the last laugh he
well Jesus got the last laugh he
well Jesus got the last laugh he in and said little girl get up and she
in and said little girl get up and she
in and said little girl get up and she did great that’s a happy story but that
did great that’s a happy story but that
did great that’s a happy story but that but that’s the first kind of first kind
but that’s the first kind of first kind
but that’s the first kind of first kind of laughter and the power that laughter
of laughter and the power that laughter
of laughter and the power that laughter has is to really diminish and harm other
has is to really diminish and harm other
has is to really diminish and harm other people the second kind of laughter is
people the second kind of laughter is
people the second kind of laughter is laughter as an emotional release this is
laughter as an emotional release this is
laughter as an emotional release this is this is often contrasted with tears in
this is often contrasted with tears in
this is often contrasted with tears in the Bible those of you who are between
the Bible those of you who are between
the Bible those of you who are between the ages of 40 and 70 when I say to
the ages of 40 and 70 when I say to
the ages of 40 and 70 when I say to everything turn turn turn there is a
everything turn turn turn there is a
everything turn turn turn there is a season okay now stop and a time for
season okay now stop and a time for
season okay now stop and a time for every purpose under heaven a time to
every purpose under heaven a time to
every purpose under heaven a time to laugh and a time to weep laughter and
laugh and a time to weep laughter and
laugh and a time to weep laughter and tears are often contrasted because both
tears are often contrasted because both
tears are often contrasted because both of them are ways that we express
of them are ways that we express
of them are ways that we express something emotion feeling passion spirit
something emotion feeling passion spirit
something emotion feeling passion spirit somehow laughter is is how we get that
somehow laughter is is how we get that
somehow laughter is is how we get that out some of you probably all of you have
out some of you probably all of you have
out some of you probably all of you have laughed till you’ve cried I personally
laughed till you’ve cried I personally
laughed till you’ve cried I personally and some other people I know have cried
and some other people I know have cried
and some other people I know have cried until they’ve laughed and that kinda
until they’ve laughed and that kinda
until they’ve laughed and that kinda laughter feels good when you’re done
laughter feels good when you’re done
laughter feels good when you’re done with you have to take a deep breath and
with you have to take a deep breath and
with you have to take a deep breath and it feels you just feel better because
it feels you just feel better because
it feels you just feel better because you’ve gotten this stuff that’s been in
you’ve gotten this stuff that’s been in
you’ve gotten this stuff that’s been in you you’ve been able to get it out now
you you’ve been able to get it out now
you you’ve been able to get it out now last month in my church office I walked
last month in my church office I walked
last month in my church office I walked in there were four people standing there
in there were four people standing there
in there were four people standing there and they were laughing uproariously
and they were laughing uproariously
and they were laughing uproariously about something I didn’t know what it
about something I didn’t know what it
about something I didn’t know what it was someone had pulled a joke I didn’t
was someone had pulled a joke I didn’t
was someone had pulled a joke I didn’t hear the joke I didn’t hear the
hear the joke I didn’t hear the
hear the joke I didn’t hear the punchline but I was in this room with
punchline but I was in this room with
punchline but I was in this room with four other people and I started laughing
four other people and I started laughing
four other people and I started laughing laughter was contagious this kind of
laughter was contagious this kind of
laughter was contagious this kind of laughter is contagious and it’s the
laughter is contagious and it’s the
laughter is contagious and it’s the laughter of children at play
laughter of children at play
laughter of children at play yes four year old what’s so funny it’ll
yes four year old what’s so funny it’ll
yes four year old what’s so funny it’ll say just fun fun and funny of the same
say just fun fun and funny of the same
say just fun fun and funny of the same things to preschoolers because they’re
things to preschoolers because they’re
things to preschoolers because they’re always finding things to laugh at
always finding things to laugh at
always finding things to laugh at children laughed between five and thirty
children laughed between five and thirty
children laughed between five and thirty times more than more often than adults
times more than more often than adults
times more than more often than adults every day so this laughter that’s
every day so this laughter that’s
every day so this laughter that’s contrast with peers and Jesus says this
contrast with peers and Jesus says this
contrast with peers and Jesus says this in the Sermon on the Mount he says
in the Sermon on the Mount he says
in the Sermon on the Mount he says blessed are you who mourn and weep for
blessed are you who mourn and weep for
blessed are you who mourn and weep for you will laugh and woe to you who are
you will laugh and woe to you who are
you will laugh and woe to you who are laughing now for you will mourn and weep
laughing now for you will mourn and weep
laughing now for you will mourn and weep so there’s that contrast in in the
so there’s that contrast in in the
so there’s that contrast in in the second kind of laughter and that’s the
second kind of laughter and that’s the
second kind of laughter and that’s the second most frequent kind of laughter
second most frequent kind of laughter
second most frequent kind of laughter in the Bible now I’ve given this a
in the Bible now I’ve given this a
in the Bible now I’ve given this a similar presentation in many groups and
similar presentation in many groups and
similar presentation in many groups and civic organizations and gatherings and
civic organizations and gatherings and
civic organizations and gatherings and churches and and I have said that I’m
churches and and I have said that I’m
churches and and I have said that I’m convinced that there’s only one place in
convinced that there’s only one place in
convinced that there’s only one place in the Bible where laughter is recorded as
the Bible where laughter is recorded as
the Bible where laughter is recorded as a response to a humorous incongruity now
a response to a humorous incongruity now
a response to a humorous incongruity now I need to confess I went to the
I need to confess I went to the
I need to confess I went to the University of Chicago so that’s all I
University of Chicago so that’s all I
University of Chicago so that’s all I had to talk about the phenomenon of
had to talk about the phenomenon of
had to talk about the phenomenon of laughter laughter as a response to a
laughter laughter as a response to a
laughter laughter as a response to a humorous incongruity everywhere else on
humorous incongruity everywhere else on
humorous incongruity everywhere else on earth you say laughter at something
earth you say laughter at something
earth you say laughter at something that’s funny okay so that’s one talking
that’s funny okay so that’s one talking
that’s funny okay so that’s one talking about now and and I’m convinced that the
about now and and I’m convinced that the
about now and and I’m convinced that the only place this happens is the stories
only place this happens is the stories
only place this happens is the stories around the book around the birth of
around the book around the birth of
around the book around the birth of Isaac the story goes that God first came
Isaac the story goes that God first came
Isaac the story goes that God first came to Abram before he was Abraham and said
to Abram before he was Abraham and said
to Abram before he was Abraham and said you’re gonna have an heir and Abraham
you’re gonna have an heir and Abraham
you’re gonna have an heir and Abraham said Abram said I’m really old I don’t
said Abram said I’m really old I don’t
said Abram said I’m really old I don’t see how that it’s gonna happen and God
see how that it’s gonna happen and God
see how that it’s gonna happen and God said step outside of the tent count the
said step outside of the tent count the
said step outside of the tent count the stars in the sky that’s how many
stars in the sky that’s how many
stars in the sky that’s how many descendants you’re gonna have two
descendants you’re gonna have two
descendants you’re gonna have two chapters later God appeared to Abram
chapters later God appeared to Abram
chapters later God appeared to Abram again and Abram recognized with God and
again and Abram recognized with God and
again and Abram recognized with God and it says he worshiped which means he fell
it says he worshiped which means he fell
it says he worshiped which means he fell on his face he he prostrated him I
on his face he he prostrated him I
on his face he he prostrated him I wasn’t be careful that word he
wasn’t be careful that word he
wasn’t be careful that word he prostrated himself before God and God
prostrated himself before God and God
prostrated himself before God and God said Abe you’re gonna have a son and and
said Abe you’re gonna have a son and and
said Abe you’re gonna have a son and and change his name to Abraham and when when
change his name to Abraham and when when
change his name to Abraham and when when God said to Abraham you’re gonna have a
God said to Abraham you’re gonna have a
God said to Abraham you’re gonna have a son this time he fell on his face in
son this time he fell on his face in
son this time he fell on his face in laughter he lost muscle control at the
laughter he lost muscle control at the
laughter he lost muscle control at the idea it was so preposterous that this
idea it was so preposterous that this
idea it was so preposterous that this old man could have a son with his wife
old man could have a son with his wife
old man could have a son with his wife Sarah and the New Revised Standard says
Sarah and the New Revised Standard says
Sarah and the New Revised Standard says this very delicately it had ceased to be
this very delicately it had ceased to be
this very delicately it had ceased to be for Sarah after the manner of women so
for Sarah after the manner of women so
for Sarah after the manner of women so they were both really old and yet God
they were both really old and yet God
they were both really old and yet God came to them and said you’re gonna have
came to them and said you’re gonna have
came to them and said you’re gonna have a child now in the 18th chapter of
a child now in the 18th chapter of
a child now in the 18th chapter of Genesis three men appear to Abraham and
Genesis three men appear to Abraham and
Genesis three men appear to Abraham and somehow we’re not really clear who they
somehow we’re not really clear who they
somehow we’re not really clear who they are but the Lord is kind of among them
are but the Lord is kind of among them
are but the Lord is kind of among them and the Lord and and Abraham is a great
and the Lord and and Abraham is a great
and the Lord and and Abraham is a great host he snaps into action and he has
host he snaps into action and he has
host he snaps into action and he has Sarah whip up some pot roe
Sarah whip up some pot roe
Sarah whip up some pot roe for the visitors washes their feet and
for the visitors washes their feet and
for the visitors washes their feet and gives them this wonderful feast and
gives them this wonderful feast and
gives them this wonderful feast and after they’re done eating one of them
after they’re done eating one of them
after they’re done eating one of them says I will return and due season and
says I will return and due season and
says I will return and due season and Sarah will have a son and it says and
Sarah will have a son and it says and
Sarah will have a son and it says and Sarah laughed and then the Lord said why
Sarah laughed and then the Lord said why
Sarah laughed and then the Lord said why did Sarah laugh and Sarah said no I
did Sarah laugh and Sarah said no I
did Sarah laugh and Sarah said no I didn’t laugh and Lord said oh yes you
didn’t laugh and Lord said oh yes you
didn’t laugh and Lord said oh yes you did now okay this is Genesis 18 now I
did now okay this is Genesis 18 now I
did now okay this is Genesis 18 now I know Bible knowledge isn’t what it
know Bible knowledge isn’t what it
know Bible knowledge isn’t what it should be in the United States in the
should be in the United States in the
should be in the United States in the 21st century but most of you remember
21st century but most of you remember
21st century but most of you remember what was happening in Genesis 1 when God
what was happening in Genesis 1 when God
what was happening in Genesis 1 when God was saying let there be light let us
was saying let there be light let us
was saying let there be light let us create humankind in our own image God
create humankind in our own image God
create humankind in our own image God would say these things and stuff would
would say these things and stuff would
would say these things and stuff would happen
happen
happen 18 17 chapters later God is having this
18 17 chapters later God is having this
18 17 chapters later God is having this argument with this 90 year old woman
argument with this 90 year old woman
argument with this 90 year old woman you’re gonna have a son are you you know
you’re gonna have a son are you you know
you’re gonna have a son are you you know Sarah’s gonna have a son how can this be
Sarah’s gonna have a son how can this be
Sarah’s gonna have a son how can this be you laughed
you laughed
you laughed no I didn’t yes I did and and when I
no I didn’t yes I did and and when I
no I didn’t yes I did and and when I write my own version of Scripture the
write my own version of Scripture the
write my own version of Scripture the book of Tom I’m gonna have Sarah saying
book of Tom I’m gonna have Sarah saying
book of Tom I’m gonna have Sarah saying nah
nah
nah and I think I think nah really kind of
and I think I think nah really kind of
and I think I think nah really kind of captures the incredulity that Sarah had
captures the incredulity that Sarah had
captures the incredulity that Sarah had but God came through God came through
but God came through God came through
but God came through God came through 21st chapter Genesis um Sarah has a son
21st chapter Genesis um Sarah has a son
21st chapter Genesis um Sarah has a son and she is filled with joy
and she is filled with joy
and she is filled with joy and she says everyone everyone who hears
and she says everyone everyone who hears
and she says everyone everyone who hears this will laugh and with joy with me for
this will laugh and with joy with me for
this will laugh and with joy with me for I have had a son in my old age she’s
I have had a son in my old age she’s
I have had a son in my old age she’s thrilled she names him Yitzhak that’s
thrilled she names him Yitzhak that’s
thrilled she names him Yitzhak that’s Hebrew for Isaac which means laughter
Hebrew for Isaac which means laughter
Hebrew for Isaac which means laughter she says God has given me laughter in my
she says God has given me laughter in my
she says God has given me laughter in my old age it’s a happy happy story of
old age it’s a happy happy story of
old age it’s a happy happy story of redemption and deliverance oh and do I
redemption and deliverance oh and do I
redemption and deliverance oh and do I point out that that Abraham and Sarah
point out that that Abraham and Sarah
point out that that Abraham and Sarah and Isaac are the founders are the the
and Isaac are the founders are the the
and Isaac are the founders are the the patriarchs of Judaism and Christianity
patriarchs of Judaism and Christianity
patriarchs of Judaism and Christianity okay so Judaism and Christianity start
okay so Judaism and Christianity start
okay so Judaism and Christianity start with this divine joke of laughter we
with this divine joke of laughter we
with this divine joke of laughter we start with this gift of joy that this
start with this gift of joy that this
start with this gift of joy that this old woman and the school band could have
old woman and the school band could have
old woman and the school band could have a baby I’m not going to stop there
a baby I’m not going to stop there
a baby I’m not going to stop there I could and sometimes when I give this
I could and sometimes when I give this
I could and sometimes when I give this sermon as a guest preacher I’ll say I
sermon as a guest preacher I’ll say I
sermon as a guest preacher I’ll say I could stop here and I just watch the
could stop here and I just watch the
could stop here and I just watch the he’s almost done and then I say but I’m
he’s almost done and then I say but I’m
he’s almost done and then I say but I’m gonna go in a little more okay uh yeah
gonna go in a little more okay uh yeah
gonna go in a little more okay uh yeah so um but the conclusion is when Isaac
so um but the conclusion is when Isaac
so um but the conclusion is when Isaac is two and a half or three when when
is two and a half or three when when
is two and a half or three when when he’s weaned Abraham throws a huge feast
he’s weaned Abraham throws a huge feast
he’s weaned Abraham throws a huge feast and at the feast Sarah sees her Isaac
and at the feast Sarah sees her Isaac
and at the feast Sarah sees her Isaac her toddler laughter being played with
her toddler laughter being played with
her toddler laughter being played with by Ishmael Ishmael is Isaac’s
by Ishmael Ishmael is Isaac’s
by Ishmael Ishmael is Isaac’s half-brother the the child that Abraham
half-brother the the child that Abraham
half-brother the the child that Abraham had with Hagar Sarah’s maid and he’s
had with Hagar Sarah’s maid and he’s
had with Hagar Sarah’s maid and he’s about 12 or 13 and she sees Hagar no I’m
about 12 or 13 and she sees Hagar no I’m
about 12 or 13 and she sees Hagar no I’m sorry she sees Ishmael Isaac Inge with
sorry she sees Ishmael Isaac Inge with
sorry she sees Ishmael Isaac Inge with Isaac and that is really really painful
Isaac and that is really really painful
Isaac and that is really really painful for her and she has Ishmael and his
for her and she has Ishmael and his
for her and she has Ishmael and his mother Hagar expelled from the household
mother Hagar expelled from the household
mother Hagar expelled from the household and their their you go out into the
and their their you go out into the
and their their you go out into the wilderness I said before worship and
wilderness I said before worship and
wilderness I said before worship and laughter are this close together and
laughter are this close together and
laughter are this close together and they are when Abram falls on his face in
they are when Abram falls on his face in
they are when Abram falls on his face in worship and then when he falls on his
worship and then when he falls on his
worship and then when he falls on his face in laughter they’re very close
face in laughter they’re very close
face in laughter they’re very close together but also laughter has power
together but also laughter has power
together but also laughter has power laughter has power to ridicule diminish
laughter has power to ridicule diminish
laughter has power to ridicule diminish humiliate but it can also bring people
humiliate but it can also bring people
humiliate but it can also bring people together when we’re laughing together
together when we’re laughing together
together when we’re laughing together when we’re getting all these great
when we’re getting all these great
when we’re getting all these great feelings out in being together it can
feelings out in being together it can
feelings out in being together it can also be a way that we express I hate to
also be a way that we express I hate to
also be a way that we express I hate to say this we express our appreciation for
say this we express our appreciation for
say this we express our appreciation for humorous incongruity which means
humorous incongruity which means
humorous incongruity which means sometimes we laugh when it’s funny thank
sometimes we laugh when it’s funny thank
sometimes we laugh when it’s funny thank you
you
you [Applause]
”
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