06AM April 30 Various Verses
April 30, 2006—Morning Worship
Celebrating Life in Christ
Personifications of Celebration
Various Verses
Intro: [When I was a youngster, I played Little League Baseball. My position was left field (some of you think I’m still in it). During one particular game, the coach moved the players around, & I wound up on 3rd base. Now I’d never played 3rd base before, so I didn’t know all the in’s & out’s of the position.
In the 9th inning, w/a man on 1st & 2nd & the winning run at the plate — our pitcher was behind in the count & had to throw a hard fastball right down the middle of the strike zone. The batter sung for the fences & made contact w/the ball, which flew off the bat & headed directly over my head. Merely out of instinct, I threw my left arm up in the air & the crowd when wild w/excitement. I assumed it was b/c the ball was now headed over the fence for a walk-off homerun. & then I realized that the ball was in my glove! I had caught the ball! Almost everyone in the crowd was jumping up & down & giving high 5’s to one another. So I acted like I knew I had it all along.
The coach told me later that, “If you weren’t so tall for your age, they’d been no way for you to catch that ball.” But I did & a big celebration ensued as the coach took the team for ice cream.]
How do you celebrate life achievements? Do you jump for joy? Do you reward yourself w/food? Do you clap your hands? Do you shout out loud? How do you celebrate the good things that happen in your life?
Or more to the point, how often do we even celebrate life? We’ve been given the most precious gift of all – not just life, but eternal life! How do you celebrate that? How often do you celebrate that gift?
Let's look at 3 separate Biblical examples of celebrating life in various circumstances so that we might learn how to be the personification of celebration.
- 1st, let’s look at the life of…
1. Miriam – who personifies a heart of gratitude. (Exodus 15:20-21) 20 Then Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took the timbrel in her hand; & all the women went out after her w/timbrels & w/dances. 21 & Miriam answered them: "Sing to the Lord, For He has triumphed gloriously! The horse & its rider He has thrown into the sea!"
- Notice 1st of all that…
A. Miriam demonstrated gratitude to the Person of God.
- Miriam’s name is the Hebrew equivalent of the Greek name of Mary.
- Her name literally means “rebellion.” & it comes from the bitterness of the times & the harsh conditions of slavery into which she was born.
- She is described in our text as “the prophetess.”
- That word is used to describe 5 women in the OT: Miriam, Deborah, Huldah, a false prophetess named Noadiah & the unnamed wife of Isaiah the prophet.
- The word “prophetess” has 4 possible meanings, each 1 associated w/1 of the names just mentioned.
- In ancient times, it meant “one endowed w/the gift of song” which Miriam & Deborah represent.
- In later times, it meant “one experienced in the Word” which Huldah represents b/c she was consulted to authenticate the Book of the Law that Hilkiah the priest found in the days of King Josiah.
- It is also used of a false prophetess, Noadiah & of the wife of Isaiah.
- So the Bible tells us that Miriam was gifted w/song.
- But I also discovered in the Scripture that God spoke, not only through Moses, but through Aaron & Miriam also. (Found in Numbers 12:2 & Micah 6:4)
- You can also find in the Scriptures the fact that Miriam was apparently a lot older than Moses.
- The Bible tells us how Miriam stood at a distance & watched to see what would happen to Moses after he was placed in the basket in the river.
- When Pharaoh’s daughter found Moses, she told Miriam to go & get a Hebrew woman to nurse him.
- The Bible says that, “the maiden went & called the child's mother.”
- The word “maiden” literally means, “a young, virgin woman of marriageable age.”
- Our text also tells us that Miriam was, “the sister of Aaron.”
- She is called Aaron’s sister b/c she & Aaron are both older than Moses.
- & so, now that you know who Miriam was, you can see that she personifies a heart of gratitude & she does that by demonstrating gratitude to the Person of God.
- She was born into harsh conditions; her youngest brother’s life was threatened; her family took drastic measures for his safety; & God rescued him from the river!
- But not only that, God also rescued the nation of Israel from their bondage in Egypt!
- But not only that, God also rescued them from the advancing Egyptian army!
- So what was her response? Miriam sang a song in celebration of their rescue from the Egyptians.
- It was a time when all Israel saw the mighty hand of God defeat the army of the Egyptians by drowning them in the Red Sea.
- Miriam led the women who played tambourines & danced in celebration of God’s deliverance & salvation.
- They repeated the 1st line of Moses’ song & sang & played & danced for God’s glory!
- They said, "Sing to the Lord, For He has triumphed gloriously!”
- They gave all the praise to God; they’d seen His victory!
- Are you praising Him for who He is? Are you praising Him for His victory in your life?
- Not only did Miriam demonstrate gratitude to the Person of God but…
B. Miriam demonstrated gratitude to the Power of God.
- “The horse & its rider He has thrown into the sea!"
- That means there was complete victory! God had the power to prevail!
- His deliverance left no doubt that it was God’s doing!
- & when it comes to salvation today, there is no doubt when someone is saved that it’s God who did it!
- His victory is complete in us! His power is demonstrated in us! His grace is bestowed on us!
- Are we singing & playing & dancing in our hearts & in our lives as a demonstration of our gratitude to the power of God at work in us?
- I can tell you now that the pagans of this world know how to celebrate! If you’ve ever been to a ballgame or a race you know that’s true!
- & we come into church w/our Sunday best on, & sit in quiet reserve as someone sings to the glory of God or as someone testifies to the power of God!
- I’m not advocating that we establish disorder in our services. But I am saying that if God’s Spirit moves you to raise your hand or say Amen -- then my all means do it!
- Don’t sit there in silence & deny God’s glory or His Person or His power!
- But praise Him in demonstration of your grateful heart for who He is & what He does!
- Miriam even led others to do the same as she personified the heart of gratitude.
- But now, let’s turn our attention to…
2. David – who personifies a heart of worship. (2 Samuel 6:12-15) 12 Now it was told King David, saying, "The Lord has blessed the house of Obed-Edom & all that belongs to him, b/c of the ark of God." So David went & brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed-Edom to the City of David w/gladness. 13 & so it was, when those bearing the ark of the Lord had gone six paces, that he sacrificed oxen & fatted sheep. 14 Then David danced before the Lord w/all his might; & David was wearing a linen ephod. 15 So David & all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the Lord w/shouting & w/the sound of the trumpet.
- David was bringing the Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem the right way.
- He had tried before w/disastrous results; He had tried to do it man’s way rather than God’s way.
- But now, David follows the instructions of God & there is cause for celebration b/c God blesses that which is done according to His word!
- & so…
A. David worshiped God b/c of His Revelation.
- If it were not for God revealing Himself to man, no one would know God.
- He would be a complete mystery to us; we wouldn’t even know His name if He didn’t reveal it to us!
- The Ark of the Covenant was a visible symbol of God’s revelation & presence w/His people.
- It was symbolic of God’s blessings & provisions for His people.
- Ark was symbolic of God’s promise to never leave or forsake His people.
- So David was overjoyed as they brought the Ark back to its rightful place.
- But not only that, but there was a constant focus on worship all the way.
- David was sacrificing offerings to the Lord all along the way.
- He wanted everyone to be involved in the worship experience as this wonderful day unfolded.
- & David, as the King, the main religious leader, as the leader in worship on that special day, did his best to obey God & to encourage his people to follow the word.
- & ladies & gentlemen, that’s the purpose of every pastor; that’s the purpose of everyone charged w/leading others in worship!
- It’s our desire to obey God to encourage you to follow the word!
- That’s why preaching is central & so vital to all we do! It’s to encourage you to follow!
- We are to worship God b/c He has revealed Himself to us in a way we can understand!
- We worship Him b/c He alone is always w/us & will never leave us for any reason!
- David worshiped God b/c of His revelation, but not only that, but…
B. David worshiped God b/c of His Righteousness.
- He was dancing before the Lord w/all his might.
- There were trumpet players & the people were shouting to the Lord His praise & for joy.
- This was a glorious event & people could see that God was being honored!
- God deserves honor & glory! & God is worthy b/c He is righteous!
- As David did what God prescribed, God blessed David’s work.
- If God had slain those men who carried the Ark that day in the way that God described, then He would have been unrighteous.
- God would have been unrighteous if He had not slain Uzzah, who touched the Ark, the 1st time they tried to move it to Jerusalem, b/c he touched it in the wrong way.
- But God did what was right & righteous b/c that’s what He is!
- & you can always trust Him to always do what is right & what is righteous!
- You can always rejoice in the glory of the Lord!
- But the question is, “Do you rejoice to see the Lord glorified?”
- The overall experience of worship is to be a celebration of life in Christ as you worship the God who reveals Himself & His righteousness to men.
- David led others to do the same as he personified the heart of worship.
- But not let’s turn our attention to the NT & to…
3. Paul and Silas – who personify a heart of praise. (Acts 16:22-25)
- Paul & Silas were in prison b/c Paul had cast a demon from a young slave girl.
- That girl had followed them around for several days shouting, "These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation."
- Can you imagine hearing that over & over again – day after day?
- Finally Paul couldn’t stand it anymore & by the power of God expelled the demon from the girl.
- But there was another reason he did that. It was b/c no demon should speak for God!
- God is holy & proclamation about Him & praise of Him should be spoken by faithful believers!
- When it comes to praising God & proclaiming His virtues, there should be a line of faithful followers who can’t wait to speak about the glory of their God!
- So the Bible says that as soon as Paul had cast the demon out of the girl, her owners became aware that their money making investment had just lost it potential.
- & they dragged Paul & Silas from the market place & took them before the authorities.
- It was there that they accused Paul & Silas of stirring up trouble in the city by teaching unlawful customs for Jews or Romans!
Acts 16 22 Then the multitude rose up together against them; & the magistrates tore off their clothes & commanded them to be beaten w/rods. 23 & when they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to keep them securely. 24 Having received such a charge, he put them into the inner prison & fastened their feet in the stocks. 25 But at midnight Paul & Silas were praying & singing hymns to God, & the prisoners were listening to them.
- Just before they threw Paul & Silas in prison, they had been stripped & beaten. Demo
- The jailer placed them in the stocks, which were designed for torture as well as security.
- In the stocks, their feet would have been placed into holes & stretched as far apart as possible.
- Then their bodies would have been twisted & their hands cuffed by chains & spread as far apart as possible.
- There was no way for them to even think about escaping – not to mention being comfortable.
- What was their reaction? They prayed & sang praises to God!
- Notice that…
A. Paul and Silas praised God b/c He is Worthy.
- I want you to remember that these men had not just walked across the street to tell people about Jesus.
- They were 100’s of miles from home! They made the trip b/c they had Someone to share; they had Good News to tell; they had the knowledge of the best gift ever!
- & their whole mission was to tell the truth about Jesus; who He is & what He did & what He can do!
- So these men had invested their lives into helping others know Jesus!
- They knew He was worthy of any experience they faced; any hardship they encountered; any problem; any prison; any punishment; any disaster; any disappointment!
- God is worthy of our sacrifices & God is worthy of praise regardless of what happens to us!
- The 1st thing these men thought about after fully waking up from their semi-unconscious state – was to praise God!
- What’s the 1st thing you think about when you wake up each morning?
- Do you think about all you have to do today? Do you think about how much you’d like to stay in bed? Do you think about how much you wish your life was different?
- Or is the 1st thing on your mind in the morning your Master & His praise? Is it your Lord & His purposes for you on that day?
- God is so worthy of our praise & we so miserably fail to adequately praise Him!
- Paul & Silas praised God b/c He is worthy &…
B. Paul and Silas praised God b/c He was With them.
- God has promised never to leave or forsake His children.
- & Paul & Silas knew that they were never closer to God than when they are in the center of His will.
- They sensed God had led them to Philippi; they believed He had a purpose for their journey; they knew God would use them – even if they didn’t know how!
- They knew God was w/them even while they were in stocks & chains – prison & pain.
- & ladies & gentlemen, you can be assured that God is w/you if you are following His Lordship.
- If you are going where He says go; if you are doing what He says do; if you are speaking when He says speak; if you are loving who He says love; if you are sharing what He says share; if you are giving what He says give!
- God is always w/His children but in some special, unexplainable, only experienced way, those who fulfill His will are so much more aware of His presence!
- I’m sure Paul & Silas didn’t want to be in that Philippian jail!
- But I’m just as sure they wouldn’t have traded the experience of God’s presence & His purpose being fulfilled in them for any other experience on earth!
- How do we know God was w/them? Their chains fell off; their feet were freed; their cell doors opened; & everyone stayed put in awe of what God had done!
- & the jailer & his family were saved that night – probably there were others as well – but we know that whole family was saved!
- But even if the circumstances of your life don’t produce similar results – know that God is still working through you if you are yielded to Him!
- I really believe there was a celebration of life that night down in Philippi!
- & I’m just as convinced that there ought to be an ongoing celebration of life right here in Gastonia b/c of what God has done – is doing – & will do through the gospel & power of Jesus Christ!
Conclusion: Whether you are motivated by the Lord's works, by His character, by the salvation He provides, or by any other aspect of His glory, the important thing is that you celebrate Him! Celebrate life in Christ by your words & your actions! Brag on Jesus every chance you get! Praise God from whom all blessings flow! & never ever stop being a light in the midst of this dark world! Shine for Jesus as you celebrate Him!
Invitation: The question before us today is, “Do you have anything to celebrate?” Are you a faithful follower of the Lord Jesus Christ? Do you know Him in a personal love relationship? Have you trusted in Him alone to save your eternal soul? If not, would you come today in repentance of sin & place your faith in Jesus as your Lord & Savior?
Or maybe today, God has spoken to you about your lack of celebration over your salvation. Maybe He’s spoken to you about your lack of commitment to His work in you & around you. Maybe God has spoken to you today about some besetting sin that has gripped your heart.
However God may have spoken to you today, I encourage you to come. I plead w/you to come & pledge yourself to Him as His disciple. God is drawing you – how will you respond to His grace?
Hymn 134 Jesus Paid It All