Celebration

Does God want us to celebrate?
We celebrate to thank God for all he has done for us, to recall his acts of goodness, and to enjoy each others company.

Deuteronomy 16:9-17 - Seven weeks shalt thou number unto thee: begin to number the seven weeks from such time as thou beginnest to put the sickle to the corn. And thou shalt keep the feast of weeks unto the LORD thy God with a tribute of a freewill offering of thine hand, which thou shalt give unto the LORD thy God, according as the LORD thy God hath blessed thee: And thou shalt rejoice before the LORD thy God, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and the Levite that is within thy gates, and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, that are among you, in the place which the LORD thy God hath chosen to place his name there. And thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in Egypt: and thou shalt observe and do these statutes. Thou shalt observe the feast of tabernacles seven days, after that thou hast gathered in thy corn and thy wine: And thou shalt rejoice in thy feast, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and the Levite, the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, that are within thy gates. Seven days shalt thou keep a solemn feast unto the LORD thy God in the place which the LORD shall choose: because the LORD thy God shall bless thee in all thine increase, and in all the works of thine hands, therefore thou shalt surely rejoice. Three times in a year shall all thy males appear before the LORD thy God in the place which he shall choose; in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles: and they shall not appear before the LORD empty: Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD thy God which he hath given thee.

Joy and fun, as God intended, are important parts of celebration because they lift our spirits and help us see the beauty and meaning in life.

Nehemiah 8:10 - Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our LORD: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.

Celebration allows us to rest and focus on what is good. It should take our minds off the ordinary and routine.

Leviticus 23:25 - Ye shall do no servile work therein: but ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD.

We celebrate to mark important milestones in our lives; we also celebrate to teach our children the ultimate reason for our celebration.

Exodus 13:4-11 - This day came ye out in the month Abib. And it shall be when the LORD shall bring thee into the land of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, which he sware unto thy fathers to give thee, a land flowing with milk and honey, that thou shalt keep this service in this month. Seven days thou shalt eat unleavened bread, and in the seventh day shall be a feast to the LORD. Unleavened bread shall be eaten seven days; and there shall no leavened bread be seen with thee, neither shall there be leaven seen with thee in all thy quarters. And thou shalt shew thy son in that day, saying, This is done because of that which the LORD did unto me when I came forth out of Egypt. And it shall be for a sign unto thee upon thine hand, and for a memorial between thine eyes, that the LORD's law may be in thy mouth: for with a strong hand hath the LORD brought thee out of Egypt. Thou shalt therefore keep this ordinance in his season from year to year. And it shall be when the LORD shall bring thee into the land of the Canaanites, as he sware unto thee and to thy fathers, and shall give it thee,

We celebrate to praise and worship God because he loves us, because of the blessings he has given us on earth, and because of the eternal blessings he has waiting for us in heaven.

Psalm 47:1 - O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph.

Psalm 98:4-6 - Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise. Sing unto the LORD with the harp; with the harp, and the voice of a psalm. With trumpets and sound of cornet make a joyful noise before the LORD, the King.

Psalm 150:Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power. Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness. Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp. Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs. Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals. Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.

What kind of celebration is inappropriate?

Celebration that is self centered, indulgent, involves sinful acts, or has conditions that can tempt you into sin is wrong.

Exodus 32:25 - And when Moses saw that the people were naked; (for Aaron had made them naked unto their shame among their enemies

Numbers 25:1-2 - And Israel abode in Shittim, and the people began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab. And they called the people unto the sacrifices of their gods: and the people did eat, and bowed down to their gods.

1 Peter 4:3 - For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:

Promise From God:
Psalm 5:11 - But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.

Boredom

Doesn't being a Christian sound boring to unbelievers?
Focusing on the eternal rewards God promises to believers should make life continually exciting. If we become bored in our Christian life it is because we are not walking with God and experiencing the daily blessings he is ready to give us.

Hebrews 6:12 - That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

Isn't a sinful way of life more exciting?
With God, it is hard to get bored, for his reach is as far as the universe and as broad as eternity.

Proverbs 14:14 - The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man shall be satisfied from himself.

Chasing other gods is a tiring business, one pursuit after another, ends with disappointment and dissatisfaction. Sin has a debilitating sameness at its core. God alone truly satisfies.

Jeremiah 2:2 - Go and cry in the ears of Jerusalem, saying, Thus saith the LORD; I remember thee, the kindness of thy youth, the love of thine espousals, when thou wentest after me in the wilderness, in a land that was not sown.

Promise From God:
Galatians 6:9 - And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

Bitterness

How do we become bitter?
We become bitter when we demand our way and stop forgiving and forgetting. We would do well to remember that God has forgiven us despite our continual sinful tendencies.

Ephesians 4:31-32 -Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

We become bitter by letting anger and hatred control us.

Genesis 27:41 - And Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing wherewith his father blessed him: and Esau said in his heart, The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then will I slay my brother Jacob.

Esther 5:9 - Then went Haman forth that day joyful and with a glad heart: but when Haman saw Mordecai in the king's gate, that he stood not up, nor moved for him, he was full of indignation against Mordecai.

We become bitter by forgetting God's grace, which is showered upon us each day.

Hebrews 12:15 - Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;

How can we cause bitterness in others?
When we are unjust or unfair in our dealings with others, particularly those who are poor and oppressed.

Amos 5:7 - Ye who turn judgment to wormwood, and leave off righteousness in the earth,

What is a remedy for bitterness?
There are times when simple forgiveness can relieve a lifetime of bitterness.

2 Corinthians 2:7 - So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow.

Promise From God:
Isaiah 26:3 - Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

Sin

Such a little word..such big consequences. Sin is any thought or action that goes against God's will - like that dreaded "fruit incident" in the Garden of Eden that's plagued humanity every since. Because of our human nature, we will all sin. That, however, is not a license to sin. While God knows we will sin, He has also provided a way of escape so that we can avoid sin's consequences and live to please Him. That way of escape is Jesus.

1 John 2:1-2 - My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

Romans 6:6-7 - Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin.

Psalm 103:12 - As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.

Christ's death and resurrection marked the end of sins power to control the believer. Just as sin could not control the Son of God, so it is powerless to control those who have been placed into Christ through faith.

Galatians 1:3-4 - Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:

1 Peter 2:24 - Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

Acts 10:43 - To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.

Isaiah 53:5-6 - But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Hebrews 8:12 - For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.

Romans 5:20 - Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:

1 John 1:7 - But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

Isaiah 1:18 - Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

Self Control

Keep control over yourselves - Christians and non Christians alike are watching to see how you react to the situations of life. Your choice to stand strong in your faith, to resist temptation, or to respond in love will be an encouragement to others. However, a thoughtless word or action can destroy the testimony you're trying to maintain. Who do you really want to be? Much of the answer to that question comes down to self control.

1 Corinthians 6:9-11 - Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

Moral failure is rarely the result of a blowout; almost always, it's the result of a slow leak.

Titus 2:11-14 - For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

Philippians 4:5 - Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

1 Peter 2:21-23 - For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:

Proverbs 25:28 - He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.

2 Peter 1:5-8 - And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Romans 8:12-13 - Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

I am happy and thankful that God is still God today...and forevermore.

Gratitude

Thanksgiving should be a continuous attitude expressed by the Christian. We all have many reasons to thank God - take a few minutes to list His blessings and you'll be amazed at what He's done for you. Give God praise for what He has done in your life and for what He will do in the future!

Ephesians 5:19-20 - Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

James 5:13 - Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.

1 Chronicles 16:34 - O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.

True Thanksgiving means that we need to thank God for what He has done for us, and not to tell Him what we have done for Him.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 - In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

1 Corinthians 15:57 - But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Timothy 4:4 - For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:

Colossians 3:17 - And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

Psalm 9:1 - I will praise thee, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works.

Psalm 92:1-2 - IT IS A GOOD THING TO GIVE THANKS UNTO THE LORD, AND TO SING PRAISES UNTO THY NAME, O MOST HIGH:To shew forth thy lovingkindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night,

Hebrews 12:28 - Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:

Psalm 136:1 - O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.

Anger

What are the effects of anger?

Anger isolates us from others

Genesis 27:41-43 - And Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing wherewith his father blessed him: and Esau said in his heart, The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then will I slay my brother Jacob.And these words of Esau her elder son were told to Rebekah: and she sent and called Jacob her younger son, and said unto him, Behold, thy brother Esau, as touching thee, doth comfort himself, purposing to kill thee.Now therefore, my son, obey my voice; arise, flee thou to Laban my brother to Haran

Anger produces ungodly motives in us.

Psalm 37:8 - Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.

James 1:19-20 - Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.

Anger blinds us to what is really good and right.

1 Samuel 20:30-31 - Then Saul's anger was kindled against Jonathan, and he said unto him, Thou son of the perverse rebellious woman, do not I know that thou hast chosen the son of Jesse to thine own confusion, and unto the confusion of thy mother's nakedness?For as long as the son of Jesse liveth upon the ground, thou shalt not be established, nor thy kingdom. Wherefore now send and fetch him unto me, for he shall surely die.

Anger, in it's strongest form, can lead to murder.

Genesis 4:1-12 - And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD.And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD.And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering:But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen?If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.And the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother's keeper?And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground.And now art thou cursed from the earth, which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother's blood from thy hand;When thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength; a fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth.

Anger leads to conflict and arguments.

Proverbs 15:1 - A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

When we are angry, what should we avoid?

Avoid discipline in the heat of anger.

2 Corinthians 2:5-7 - But if any have caused grief, he hath not grieved me, but in part: that I may not overcharge you all.Sufficient to such a man is this punishment, which was inflicted of many.So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow.

Ephesians 6:4 - And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

Avoid speaking your mind when you are angry. You are bound to say something you will regret.

James 3:5 - Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!

Avoid acting on impulse.

1 Samuel 19:9-10 - And the evil spirit from the LORD was upon Saul, as he sat in his house with his javelin in his hand: and David played with his hand.And Saul sought to smite David even to the wall with the javelin: but he slipped away out of Saul's presence, and he smote the javelin into the wall: and David fled, and escaped that night.

We all get angry at times. What should we do about it?

Don't encourage anger. Get rid of it as soon as possible.

Ephesians 4:26 - Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:

Confront those with whom you are angry and restore your relationship.

Matthew 5:21-26 - Ye have heard that it was said of them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.
Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.

1 Corinthians 13:5 - Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;

Promise From God:
Psalm 103:8 - The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.