Fourth of July 2018

Sunday School Ministry Blog

Happy Holidays!!

(Colossians 2:16): Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of a Holy day (holiday), or of the new moon, or of the Sabbath days.

Vocabulary

Holiday – Heorte (Greek), a festival day, a Holy day; a day of freedom from labor, often set aside by law or by tradition; a day of joy and happiness.

Should Christians Celebrate Independence Day?

Independence Day or the Fourth of July is on the horizon. Some believers are questioning whether or not they should celebrate this holiday, since it is not a Religious Holiday. The Bible speaks very plainly about this subject. “Let no man therefore judge you (criticize or censure you) concerning what you decide to respect or to observe.”

Celebrating the Fourth of July is completely in order. We too are to commemorate the founding of our Great Nation. We are to remember it and not forget the freedom and advantages that we enjoy in this wonderful Nation.

However, Our God has standards for all of His believers that must be followed while en

joying a Holiday Celebration.

Believers Celebration Norms (Standards & Rules)

I - Prayer - Isaiah 56:7

The servants of the Lord must honor Him in prayer before, during and after celebration.

II - Christian Fellowship – Philippians 1:25

The Lord wants His believers to care and share together when they celebrate.

III - Christian Giving – 2nd Corinthians 8:2

The Lord wants his believers to give liberally to those who have need. The examples are the churches at Macedonia who gave liberally to the believers at Jerusalem until it hurt them.

IV - Christian Comfort – 2 Corinthians 7:47

The Lord wants His believers to soothe the distress or the sorrow of His people; and to console those that are going through something disagreeable.

All celebrations should keep these Norms in mind. Amen.

CONCLUSION

The Fourth of July is a time of celebration. It is a time of gladness of heart-joy. All of these things can be expressed in Songs; (Genesis 31:27); with Musical Instruments (1st Samuel 18:6); with Sounds; (1st Chronicles 15:16): with Praises (2nd Chronicles 29:30); with Shouting (Ezra 3:12-13) and with the Heart (1st Kings 2 1:7).

We must all purpose in our Hearts (Acts 11:23) to have a joyous time in the Lord by placing Him first in all things; o

ur families and friends second; and we ourselves last.

Happy Holidays and Praise the Lord!

Bishop Paul E. Moss, Jr., Pastor and Teacher - www.smfwbc.org