Discipline of Celebration

Introduction

What is The Difference Between Joy And Happy

Can you be joyful even in depression

Celebration is at the heart of the way of Christ. Many times we look at the Bible and we see fire and brimstone or laws and rules. But the Bible as a whole and the story of Jesus is all about redemption and celebration

John 15:11

John 15:11 LEB

I have spoken these things to you in order that my joy may be in you, and your joy may be made complete.

Jesus himself entered the world in celebration

Luke 2:10 LEB

And the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring good news to you of great joy which will be for all the people:

and he wrote these things in order that we may have joy.

In the Old Testament there was even a year dedicated to jubilee - Celebration. which involved canceling all debts, releasing slaves, planting no crops, returning property o the original owner.

It was all about celebration of the gracious provision of God.

Because we know he cares for us, we can cast all our care upon him. God has turned our mourning in to dancing.

Celebration makes us Strong

Celebration brings joy into life, and joy makes us strong.

Nehemiah 8:10 CSB

Then he said to them, “Go and eat what is rich, drink what is sweet, and send portions to those who have nothing prepared, since today is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, because the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

If you don’t have the Joy of the Lord you wont continue long in anything. It will eat you up.

Parent hold steady through the teen years, knowing that their children will emerge at the other end human once again.

Think about all the things that you started. But if there is no joy in it you didn’t finish it. like piano lessons. or that exercise routine.

Spiritual disciplines are the same.

Richard Foster - Without Joy disciplines become dull, death-breathing tools in the hands of the modern Pharisees.

Which is harsh words but very true

Joy itself is part of the fruit of the Spirit. and through the Holy Spirit Joy is like the motor that keeps everything else going. and Thus Joy Makes us Strongers

Path To Joy

If Joy is that important what do we do to get joy. what produces joy.

What do you think produces Joy?

Stuff? People? Things? Bible reading? Prayer? Going to church?

The answer is Obedience

Reminds me of that old hymn that we sing. There is no better way to be happy in Jesus than to Trust and Obey

Some people live in such a way that it is impossible to have any kind of happiness in their home, but then they go to church and sing songs and pray hoping that God will somehow give them and infusion of joy to make it through the day. they are looking for some kind of heavenly transfusion that will bypass the misery of their daily lives and give them joy. God Desires to transform the misery, not bypass it.

God doesn’t bypass life he redeems and sanctify’s the ordinary junctures of human life, of your life.

As Christians we are called to Freedom from care, anxiety

Matthew 6:25 LEB

“For this reason I say to you, do not be anxious for your life, what you will eat, and not for your body, what you will wear. Is your life not more than food and your body more than clothing?

We are called to Focus on the things of God.

Benefits of Celebration

1. Saves us from taking us to seriously

We are able to relax in Christ

2. Effective antidote for the periodic sense of sadness

3. perspective

We can laugh at ourselves.

4. Leads to more celebration

How to Practice Celebration

Singing Dancing and shouting

Laughing

Give into the creative gifts of fantasy and imagination, and relish in the creativity of others

Make family time a time of celebration Holidays, little gatherings.

Next Steps

In What areas of your life is it hardest for you to choose to place carefree trust in God’s ability to meet all your needs?

How might celebration of the wonder and glory of God, especially as manifested in our enjoyment of “the good things of the earth” help keep us from taking ourselves and even our problems to seriously?

In what ways can celebration as a corporate Discipline strengthen us during times when the difficulties of life leach the joy from our spirit?

In your opinion how is celebration properly at the center of all the Spiritual Discipline?

How is the practice of celebration leading you into a deeper experience of intimacy with God?

Where has celebration been present in your practice of the Spiritual Disciplines?