Celebrating

Intro

Kidzone

Welcome new guests

Series overview:

As Christians, we know we’re supposed to be hospitable with people, but many of us just see that as inviting them over to our house and feeding them. Hospitality is a gift of the spirit, and is about truly loving people and caring for their needs.

Hospitable: to be friendly and welcoming to strangers or guests.

I want us to shift the idea of hospitality just being something that we do in our homes, to being a key part of who we are in our hearts.

If hospitality is evidence of God in our hearts, then that means it is not optional in our life.

1 Peter 4:9–10 “9 Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace:”

Last week, John Dimmick preached a message from Romans 12 about what it looks like to love those people around us most by meeting them right where they are and inviting them to Jesus, not church.

This Week: I want us to take just a little bit to talk through what it looks like to be a people of celebration in light of the topic of hospitality. If we are being real with one another, which I hope is the case, I don’t typically think of celebrating when I think about hospitality, but I think that is part of the issue. Scripture is clear that from the very beginning, we were made to be a people of praise. So let’s get into the passage for today.

Passage

Philippians 4:4–9 ESV

4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

Teach

This isn’t your “typical” passage that covers celebration, but I think this particular passage shows us the recipe for Kingdom celebration which is what I would like to take the lion’s share of today to talk to you about.

In verses 1-3, Paul seems to be addressing a little “tiff” that he is aware of in the church at Philippi. He is encouraging the church to come alongside them to help then settle whatever disagreement that may exist, then he lifts the chin of the church to gaze at something a little bit higher.

Celebration is to be:

Constant:

Philippians 4:4 “4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.”

Psalm 34:1–3 “1 I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. 2 My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad. 3 Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together!”

Common:

Philippians 4:5–6 “5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”

Psalm 118:24 “24 This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Isaiah 41:10 “fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

John 16:33 “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.””

Matthew 11:28–29 “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

Central:

Philippians 4:8 “8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”

James 1:17 “17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.”

Colossians 3:2 “2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.”

Respond

I will spend time each morning to celebrate the things that are praiseworthy in my life.

I will take time to authentically celebrate people around me this week.

I will not allow the enemy to affect my view of others or the work of God in their life.