Everybody likes a party! Parties are usually associated with the celebration of life in some way. A New Years party celebrates the start of a new year of life. A birthday party celebrates the length of ones life. An anniversary party celebrates the years of life a couple has enjoyed together. A graduation party celebrates the start of a new life. Parties are about living. Nobody likes a dead party, but everybody enjoys being around the life of the party.One of the most commonly used words in the New Testament referring to the relationship that exists between Christians has the connotation of a party. It is the word "koinonia," usually translated in the 1611 KJV as "fellowship". An accurate twenty-first century paraphrase could be the word "party." Through the work of the cross the Trinity has dealt with the sin issue in our lives. Now, the Holy Spirit has been sent to invite us to enjoy the divine, supernatural party which will last for all eternity. Forever we will celebrate His life! Is your life characterized by an aura of celebration? On the night before His crucifixion, Jesus clearly said that He wants His joy to fill our lives (John 15:11).
Several elements often characterize parties. Every party is filled with fun. Singing, music and laughter usually set the mood of a party. It would seem really strange to attend a party where these things weren't prevalent. Acts 2:46 says the early church were enjoying meals together in each others homes with gladness. The believer should exemplify the spirit of gladness in this world. There are far too many whiners in the modern church. I'm not talking about sincere Christians sharing legitimate burdens. I'm talking about perpetual belly-achers who have a "woe is me" mentality every time you see them. Away with moaning and complaining. The tomb is empty, remember? We won!
Remember Jeremiah the weeping prophet? How's this song for the modern church whiners?
Jeremiah was a prophet, He is a good friend of mine, I don't remember a single word he said, But he sure taught me how to whine!
If this seems familiar in a musical way, you're showing your age :)
Away with whining forever! As those who share in the very nature of Christ (2 Peter 1:4), we should instead:
Celebrate! Celebrate! Dance to the music of His grace!
Another element sometimes found in worldly parties is drunkenness. At parties, it's often a short-lived attempt to try to experience "a rush." On the day of Pentecost there was a rush alright - a rushing Mighty Wind. Those seeing the Christians there were mocking and saying, 'They are full of sweet wine' (Acts 2:13). They were indeed drunk, but not on wine. They were totally intoxicated with the life of Christ being expressed through them by the power of the Holy Spirit. They were "under the influence" of Christ's life and couldn't keep quite about Him. The reason that the evangelism of the early church was so effective is that these folks were celebrating the life they experienced in Jesus with unbridled, uninhibited joy! They understood that Christ is Life. That's the reason for saints of every age to celebrate!
Sometimes the outlook in life is dismal. When that happens, let's remember that, in reality, we are already seated with Christ and He has everything under His control. Then, with that truth firmly in mind, let's party!
Steve,
ReplyDeleteThis reminded me of the Prodigal Son. It's like we come home expecting to work for Dad, but when we get there He throws the biggest party on the block!
Great blog! I've noticed that all cultures have a party to commemorate life-transitions, and I think even a funeral is meant to celebrate a person's life and their presence with Jesus (if applicable) - and of course to gather to mourn together, which is also a 'koinonia' moment. There's something about getting together to celebrate an event that sets it in place in a person's life, even goodbye parties. Welcome parties cement a person's bonding into their new situation too, and I think that's what the angels are doing rejoicing at every one who comes to Jesus for new life.
ReplyDeleteI so agree about the Jeremiah story - self-pity is a party I never want to attend: in my own and in others' lives. (It really is like meeting with a bullfrog!! Croak, croak.)
Two fruits of the Spirit are fruit of love and joy. Everytime I feel the Spirit, moving in my heart, I want to celebrate: Celebrate the choice I now have to obey Christ or sin. And the freedom to really live without fear of doing wrong. Animated by His cross we are. We sit at Christ's feet, confident in His accomplishments, not weary in well doing. Because before Christ (that's B.C.) I sinned on impulse and whim. As a child of seven or five I deliberately sinned some. When I gave my heart to Christ I felt forgiven for the first time and joy entered my life!! Sin is finished now and death is dominated because Christ arose: THE TOMB IS EMPTY. I'm not perfect (I'm also 52) but forgiven. God took the Blood of His Son and made a New Covenant between the Godhead and the sin problem was solved and we are the beneficiaries! God bought me by redemption and I owe Him big time. He paid a debt He did not owe, I owed a debt I could not pay, and now I sing a brand new song: AMAZING GRACE, Christ Jesus paid the debt that I could never pay. Let's party Church, koinonia-like. Let's take our place to let the life of Christ Divinely live through us everywhere and at anytime necessary. It seems Paul went everywhere to share the Gospel of God's indiscriminate and unconditional love to all kinds of people and a revival started (or a riot.) He even wanted Spain by God's Power.. Super-fantastic blog Steve!
ReplyDeleteLet's tell our faces we're full of the joy of God's grace, mercy, and love at the feet of Jesus! Sometimes we look like we've been baptized in bad vinegar.
DeleteI love this blog. Tragically, in too many churches in America, it's just the old covenant with the cross tacked on. Let's wrap our heads around the fact that the cross changed everything and act accordingly.
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