1. Celebrations
Lev 23:1-8, Col.2:16-17

2. Leviticus 23:1-8 (NIV2011)
1 The LORD said to Moses, 2 “Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘These are my appointed festivals, the appointed festivals of the LORD, which you are to proclaim as sacred assemblies. 3 “ ‘There are six days when you may work, but the seventh day is a day of sabbath rest, a day of sacred assembly. You are not to do any work; wherever you live, it is a sabbath to the LORD. 4 “ ‘These are the LORD’s appointed festivals, the sacred assemblies you are to proclaim at their appointed times: 5 The LORD’s Passover begins at twilight on the fourteenth day of the first month. 6 On the fifteenth day of that month the LORD’s Festival of Unleavened Bread begins; for seven days you must eat bread made without yeast. 7 On the first day hold a sacred assembly and do no regular work. 8 For seven days present a food offering to the LORD. And on the seventh day hold a sacred assembly and do no regular work.’ ”

3. Why do we celebrate?
Have you ever wondered why we celebrate events, remember anniversaries, hold commemoration ceremonies and put aside special days so that we can enjoy the festivities?

4. Why do we these things repeatedly?
Same celebrations
Why do we these things repeatedly?
(We never seem to get bored!)

5. It us obvious that most people engage in these events to have fun.
Obviously, to have fun.
It us obvious that most people engage in these events to have fun.
This is especially true of things like Christmas & New Year’s Eve.
(It is amusing that non-believers like to participate in ‘religious celebrations’ even though it is against their beliefs.)

6. Today we too will celebrate.
Today, we will not only commemorate Jesus as part of our worship we will also acknowledge the achievements of our children & young people as they end their bible classes for another year.

7. Where does the idea of celebration come from?
Have you ever stopped to consider the source of such thinking?
(Have you thought about how we party?)

8. It is a part of our true nature!
We are created beings, created in His image & therefore have the ‘inbuilt’ desire to appreciate things and to express that appreciation.
Genesis 1:31 (NIV2011) 31 God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day. Genesis 2:1-3 (NIV2011) 1 Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array. 2 By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. 3 Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.
God was pleased with His work and upon completion He rested and meditated upon this work.

9. Later, Men began to express gratitude to the Lord.
Genesis 4:3-4 (NIV2011) 3  In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the LORD. 4  And Abel also brought an offering—fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The LORD looked with favor on Abel and his offering,
Abel came to worship the Lord & give thanks and he expressed joy for the bounty of his herd.

10. Eventually, God commanded what to do.
There came a time when God commanded the people what events should be commemorated & celebrated. (Lev.23:ff)
Passover
Feast of unleavened bread
First fruits
Weeks (Pentecost)
Trumpets
Day of atonement
Feast of booths
Sabbath – rest day!

11. God commanded how things should be done.
He also told the people how things should be done with emphasis placed on the spiritual aspect of each ceremony or act of worship.

12. Most important of all was the attitude with which celebrations should be practiced!

13. Leviticus 10:1-3 (NIV2011)
1  Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu took their censers, put fire in them and added incense; and they offered unauthorized fire before the LORD, contrary to his command. 2  So fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed them, and they died before the LORD. 3  Moses then said to Aaron, “This is what the LORD spoke of when he said: “ ‘Among those who approach me I will be proved holy; in the sight of all the people I will be honored.’ ” Aaron remained silent.

14. Christian celebrations are simple!
There is only 1 act of commemoration we are to engage in (both as a tradition & as an act of worship), which is the ‘Lord’s Supper’. Everything else commanded for the Hebrews was ‘fulfilled’ by Christ’s death and cancelled. (Col.2:16-17)
16  Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. 17  These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.

15. The correct perspective still needed!
Romans 12:1-2 (NIV2011) 1  Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2  Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

16. Discernment as to what is appropriate.
Even though we are no longer under the Law of Moses we are under the grace of Jesus Christ and must still behave in a manner that befits our saviour. It also means that we need to give careful consideration to what festivals, anniversaries, birthdays, ceremonies and events we will participate in or support.

17. Encouraging our children is truly appropriate!
As we close out this year’s bible classes, we should remind ourselves of the great responsibility entrusted to us by the Lord as parents and brethren.
We are also privileged to observe their progress and transition from children, to youths, to adults.

18. Praise God!

19. Another milestone to think about.
20 Years as Metro!

20. 2009

21. 2017

22. With the Lord’s help we will continue for another 20 years and beyond
With the Lord’s help we will continue for another 20 years and beyond. Amen.