CELEBRATE

INTRO

Why is it important to practice the discipline of celebration?

christ entered into the world oh a high note of celebration

Luke 2:10 ESV

And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.

he left the world giving us joy as our inheritance

John 15:11 ESV

These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

John 15:10 ESV

If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love.

Jesus began his public ministry proclaiming the year of the jubilee

Luke 4:18–19 ESV

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

luke 4: 18

THE SOCIALSTIPULATIONS OF THE YEAR OF THE JUBILEE

cancel all debt

release slaves

plant no crops

return property to original owner

CLELBRATION BRINGS JOY TO LIFE

CHILDBIRTH

MARRIAGE

TEEN YEARS

THE JOY OF OBEDIENCE

Luke 11:27–28 ESV

As he said these things, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to him, “Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts at which you nursed!” But he said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”

LUKE 11:27-1

Christian spiritual formation has nothing essentially to do with such practices. Many of these practices are useful, to be sure, and some are more useful than others. But none is essential. What is essential is life with Jesus, interactive relationship with the great God of the universe, inner transformation into Christlikeness.