Celebration: A Command and Spiritual Practice
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, everyone. Today, we delved into the concept of celebration as a spiritual practice. We began by reflecting on how practices shape our lives, much like going to the gym or practicing gratitude. We then explored the biblical foundation for celebration, starting with Jesus' first miracle at a wedding and the year of Jubilee, which was a time of great joy and restoration. We examined a passage from Deuteronomy 14, which commands the Israelites to set aside a tenth of their produce for a feast before the Lord, emphasizing that celebration is not just a suggestion but a command.
Celebration is essential for several reasons. It prevents us from taking ourselves too seriously, serves as an antidote to sadness, and reminds us of God's goodness and abundance. We also discussed how celebration is a public-private enterprise, meaning it starts within us but is completed in community. We even had a fun exercise with noisemakers to practice celebrating together.
We also touched on the dangers of both avoiding pleasure and making it the center of our lives. True celebration honors God and reflects His joy. We looked at how the Apostle Paul ties celebration to other spiritual practices in Philippians 4, showing that rejoicing, prayer, and gratitude are interconnected.
Finally, we discussed practical ways to incorporate celebration into our lives, such as playing your favorite song, dancing, enjoying delicious food, and sharing your joy with others. The goal is to make celebration a habit that shapes us into people of joy, reflecting the serious business of heaven here on earth.
### Key Takeaways
1. Celebration as a Command: Celebration is not merely a suggestion but a command from God. It is deeply rooted in Scripture, as seen in Deuteronomy 14, where the Israelites are instructed to set aside a tenth of their produce for a feast before the Lord. This command underscores the importance of joy and gratitude in our spiritual lives. [32:07]
2. Antidote to Sadness: In a world filled with reasons for sadness and despair, celebration serves as an antidote. It helps us shift our focus from the negative aspects of life to the goodness and abundance of God. This practice can provide a much-needed perspective that fosters joy and hope. [36:05]
3. Public-Private Enterprise: Celebration starts within us but is completed in community. It is a public-private enterprise that requires both personal gratitude and communal sharing. When we celebrate together, it amplifies our joy and creates a contagious atmosphere of happiness. [54:18]
4. Interconnected Spiritual Practices: Celebration is interconnected with other spiritual practices like prayer, gratitude, and meditation. As Paul mentions in Philippians 4, rejoicing, prayer, and thanksgiving are all part of a holistic approach to spiritual growth. These practices collectively shape us into people of peace and joy. [48:21]
5. Practical Ways to Celebrate: Incorporating celebration into our daily lives can be simple yet profound. Whether it's playing your favorite song, dancing, enjoying delicious food, or sharing your joy with others, these acts of celebration help us honor God and recognize His goodness in our lives. [56:00]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[26:31] - Introduction to The Practice Series
[27:12] - The Power of Practices
[27:57] - Jesus' First Miracle
[28:58] - The Year of Jubilee
[30:01] - Deuteronomy 14:22-27
[32:07] - Celebration as a Command
[34:02] - The Importance of Labor Day
[35:11] - Preventing Seriousness
[36:05] - Antidote to Sadness
[37:01] - Reminding Us of God's Goodness
[38:01] - Ecclesiastes on Joy
[39:01] - The Danger of Over-Celebration
[40:50] - The Sabbath as Celebration
[42:05] - Interactive Celebration Exercise
[45:58] - Celebration as Essential
[48:21] - Interconnected Spiritual Practices
[54:18] - Public-Private Enterprise
[56:00] - Practical Ways to Celebrate
[58:46] - Assignment: Find Something to Celebrate
[01:00:35] - Closing Prayer and Announcements
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Deuteronomy 14:22-27
2. Philippians 4:4-7
3. Ecclesiastes 5:18-20
#### Observation Questions
1. According to Deuteronomy 14:22-27, what were the Israelites commanded to do with a tenth of their produce? How were they to use it? [30:01]
2. In Philippians 4:4-7, what are the three practices Paul mentions that are interconnected with rejoicing? [48:21]
3. What does Ecclesiastes 5:18-20 say about finding satisfaction in one's labor and the role of God in this satisfaction? [38:01]
4. How did the sermon describe the Year of Jubilee and its significance in terms of celebration? [28:58]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think God commanded the Israelites to set aside a tenth of their produce for a feast? What does this tell us about the importance of celebration in our spiritual lives? [30:01]
2. How does Paul’s instruction to "rejoice in the Lord always" in Philippians 4:4-7 relate to the idea of celebration as a spiritual practice? [48:21]
3. The sermon mentioned that celebration prevents us from taking ourselves too seriously and serves as an antidote to sadness. How do these aspects of celebration contribute to a healthy spiritual life? [35:11]
4. In Ecclesiastes 5:18-20, the writer talks about the gift of God in allowing people to enjoy their labor. How does this perspective align with the sermon’s message about the importance of celebration? [38:01]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you celebrated something significant in your life. How did that celebration impact your perspective on God’s goodness and abundance? [36:05]
2. The sermon emphasized that celebration is both a private and public enterprise. How can you incorporate more communal celebrations into your life to amplify joy and create a contagious atmosphere of happiness? [54:18]
3. Paul ties celebration to other spiritual practices like prayer and gratitude in Philippians 4. How can you integrate these practices into your daily routine to foster a more joyful and peaceful life? [48:21]
4. The sermon warned against both avoiding pleasure and making it the center of our lives. How can you find a balanced approach to celebration that honors God without falling into either extreme? [39:01]
5. Think about a specific way you can celebrate God’s goodness this week. Whether it’s playing your favorite song, dancing, or enjoying a delicious meal, how will you make this a habit that shapes you into a person of joy? [56:00]
6. The sermon included an exercise with noisemakers to practice celebrating together. What are some practical ways you can bring this spirit of celebration into your family or community gatherings? [42:05]
7. How can you use the practice of celebration to shift your focus from the negative aspects of life to the goodness and abundance of God, especially during challenging times? [36:05]
Devotional
Day 1: Celebration as a Command
Celebration is not merely a suggestion but a command from God. It is deeply rooted in Scripture, as seen in Deuteronomy 14, where the Israelites are instructed to set aside a tenth of their produce for a feast before the Lord. This command underscores the importance of joy and gratitude in our spiritual lives. By setting aside time and resources specifically for celebration, we acknowledge God's provision and goodness. This practice helps us to cultivate a heart of gratitude and joy, which are essential components of a vibrant spiritual life.
In Deuteronomy 14:22-27, the Israelites are commanded to use a portion of their produce to celebrate before the Lord. This act of celebration is not just about enjoying good food and drink but is a spiritual discipline that reminds us of God's faithfulness and abundance. When we celebrate, we are participating in a divine command that helps us to remember and honor God's goodness in our lives. This practice can transform our perspective, helping us to see our lives through the lens of God's provision and grace. [32:07]
Deuteronomy 14:22-27 (ESV): "You shall tithe all the yield of your seed that comes from the field year by year. And before the Lord your God, in the place that he will choose, to make his name dwell there, you shall eat the tithe of your grain, of your wine, and of your oil, and the firstborn of your herd and flock, that you may learn to fear the Lord your God always."
Reflection: How can you set aside time and resources this week to celebrate God's goodness in your life? What specific blessings can you thank Him for today?
Day 2: Antidote to Sadness
In a world filled with reasons for sadness and despair, celebration serves as an antidote. It helps us shift our focus from the negative aspects of life to the goodness and abundance of God. This practice can provide a much-needed perspective that fosters joy and hope. When we intentionally choose to celebrate, we are making a conscious decision to focus on the positive and to acknowledge God's presence and blessings in our lives.
Celebration is a powerful tool that can help us combat feelings of sadness and despair. By focusing on the good things in our lives and celebrating them, we can shift our perspective and find joy even in difficult circumstances. This practice helps us to remember that God is always with us and that His goodness and love are constant, even when life is challenging. By making celebration a regular part of our lives, we can cultivate a spirit of joy and gratitude that can help us navigate the ups and downs of life with hope and resilience. [36:05]
Nehemiah 8:10 (ESV): "Then he said to them, 'Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.'"
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel sadness or despair? How can you intentionally choose to celebrate God's goodness in that area today?
Day 3: Public-Private Enterprise
Celebration starts within us but is completed in community. It is a public-private enterprise that requires both personal gratitude and communal sharing. When we celebrate together, it amplifies our joy and creates a contagious atmosphere of happiness. This communal aspect of celebration is essential because it helps to build and strengthen our relationships with others, fostering a sense of unity and shared joy.
Celebration is not just a private affair; it is something that we are called to do together as a community. When we come together to celebrate, we are able to share our joy and gratitude with others, creating a ripple effect that can uplift and encourage those around us. This communal aspect of celebration is a powerful reminder that we are not alone in our journey and that we have a community of believers who can support and celebrate with us. By making celebration a regular part of our communal life, we can create a culture of joy and gratitude that can have a profound impact on our relationships and our community as a whole. [54:18]
Psalm 133:1 (ESV): "Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!"
Reflection: How can you involve your community in your celebrations this week? Who can you invite to share in your joy and gratitude?
Day 4: Interconnected Spiritual Practices
Celebration is interconnected with other spiritual practices like prayer, gratitude, and meditation. As Paul mentions in Philippians 4, rejoicing, prayer, and thanksgiving are all part of a holistic approach to spiritual growth. These practices collectively shape us into people of peace and joy. By integrating celebration with other spiritual disciplines, we can create a balanced and holistic approach to our spiritual lives.
The Apostle Paul highlights the interconnectedness of spiritual practices in Philippians 4, where he encourages believers to rejoice, pray, and give thanks in all circumstances. These practices are not meant to be isolated from one another but are designed to work together to help us grow in our faith and deepen our relationship with God. When we incorporate celebration into our spiritual practices, we are able to experience the fullness of God's joy and peace in our lives. This holistic approach to spiritual growth can help us to become more resilient, joyful, and grateful individuals who are better equipped to navigate the challenges of life. [48:21]
Philippians 4:4-7 (ESV): "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Reflection: How can you integrate celebration with your other spiritual practices this week? What specific steps can you take to create a more holistic approach to your spiritual growth?
Day 5: Practical Ways to Celebrate
Incorporating celebration into our daily lives can be simple yet profound. Whether it's playing your favorite song, dancing, enjoying delicious food, or sharing your joy with others, these acts of celebration help us honor God and recognize His goodness in our lives. By making celebration a habit, we can cultivate a spirit of joy and gratitude that can transform our daily lives and help us to become more joyful and grateful individuals.
There are many practical ways to incorporate celebration into our daily lives. Simple acts like playing your favorite song, dancing, enjoying a delicious meal, or sharing your joy with others can have a profound impact on our overall sense of well-being and happiness. These acts of celebration help us to focus on the positive aspects of our lives and to recognize and honor God's goodness and provision. By making celebration a regular part of our daily routine, we can cultivate a spirit of joy and gratitude that can help us to navigate the challenges of life with a positive and hopeful attitude. [56:00]
Ecclesiastes 3:12-13 (ESV): "I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live; also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil—this is God's gift to man."
Reflection: What is one simple act of celebration that you can incorporate into your daily routine this week? How can this act help you to recognize and honor God's goodness in your life?
Quotes
1. "If you begin practicing an instrument for an hour a day for years and years, guess what happens? It shapes and changes who you are. If you were to practice one of the things we talked about earlier in this series, gratitude. If you began every day and said, here are three things that I'm grateful for, you know what happens? That practice begins to shape and change you. We're all being formed internally by the things around us and by the practices." [27:12] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Celebration is a command. Like maybe that doesn't mean anything for you. Maybe that's a mind blowing concept for you. But here it is in the pages of scripture. And when we look at Jesus and we realize like this is part of what he did, is he celebrated. Like people accused him of being a drunkard and a glutton because he was eating and drinking oftentimes with people that they thought he shouldn't be." [32:07] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Celebration is necessary. The reason it's a command is it's necessary. Like we need to celebrate. Yes, I said that. And here's some of the reasons why. So I'm going to put these up here on my little white table. One of them is celebration presents, prevents us from taking ourselves too seriously. Would you agree? Do you know anybody who takes himself too seriously? Sometimes pastors take themselves too seriously, right?" [34:30] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Celebration is an antidote for sadness. Now you and I have to be honest with each other. This world is not set up currently to produce human happiness and flourishing on an ongoing basis. You don't have to look far to find reasons to be sad or depressed. And we're not going to change all of those things all at once. But celebration is an antidote that helps us realize, like, there's a bigger story going on than just what I see when I doom scroll on my phone." [35:11] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "It reminds us of the goodness and the greatness and the abundance of God. Everything that we have comes ultimately from God. And we can forget that, and we can get wrapped up in our own story, but celebration puts us back in that perspective of saying, you know what? God has given me so many good things. Does that mean my life has gone perfectly? No, absolutely not. No. But we can lose perspective." [36:05] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "Joy is the serious business of heaven. Let that soak in for a minute. Joy is the serious business of heaven. Do you think God is full of joy? Some of you are like, I don't know, I haven't checked. I think C.S. Lewis is absolutely right. I think joy is the serious business of heaven. Now think about this. If you're familiar, maybe you grew up in church world, maybe you know the Lord's prayer. Our Father who is in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven." [39:55] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "Celebration is essential. It's essential for all of the other practices that we've been talking about, and many, many more that we haven't talked about. What do I mean? You can think of celebration as kind of the beginning point, but also the culmination of all of these other practices. So think of it as kind of the engine that drives us forward, to say, you know what? I'm going to engage in these other practices, spiritual practices, because I have the power." [45:58] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "When you pray for wisdom or for provision and God grants your request, that's a reason to celebrate. When you meditate on God's word and you hear his spirit speaking to you and directing your life, that's a reason to celebrate. When you're in a season of lament and you invite God into that space and he walks with you through that, that is a reason to celebrate. When you fast for a season and a reason and God begins to help you tear down strongholds and experience victory in your life, that is a reason to celebrate." [52:37] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "Celebration is a public-private enterprise. It's private because it flows from in here, right? It's me saying, I have a heart of gratitude. Maybe it's small. Maybe it's two sizes too small. But we're working on it, right? And so we're celebrating. But it has to come from in here. If it isn't, it's not genuine. Like I realize we're having fun and I made Mo over there blow the horn. Maybe he doesn't want to. And so, okay. But it's, essentially, it has to start from within." [54:18] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "Celebration breeds more celebration. When you're around somebody who's celebrating, you know what like you're like oh yeah i want to i want to be a part of this i want to celebrate too it's contagious it's infectious so why do we hold back so some possible ways to celebrate and i stole these from a resource i was reading so i'll put these up here on the screen um some possible ways to celebrate right in addition to like selling your grain and your hogs and taking the silver and going and buying whatever it is that you want." [56:00] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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