A Better Party
Notes
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Introduction
Introduction
Series Introduction
Series Introduction
We are in the middle of an important sermon series for our church where we are unveiling the vision that God has given us for who we are to be and what we are to do as a church.
Review Mission
Review Mission
At the beginning of this series we took a look at what the mission of the church is as we unveiled our new mission statement: to invite all people to life under a better King.
The reason that WSBC exists is to see more and more come underneath the rule of King Jesus and experience how much better life is with him.
Review Values
Review Values
We then turned to examine the values that we want to shape our culture as a church. These are somewhat of an aspiration, but I believe that at least a spark of each of these values exists. We hope to pour gas on that spark and see each of these values turn in to a wildfire that shapes our church’s culture.
The first of those values is A Better Message. We believe that the good news that Jesus died on the cross for our sins and rose from the dead should be the foundation of everything that we do together as a church.
The second of our values is A Better Family. We believe that Jesus saved us to be a part of his forever family and that we are better together. So biblical community will be the context for our ministry as a church.
The third value is A Better Job. We believe that every member of our church is an official representative of King Jesus and his agenda in the world. We want to commit to equip our members for the most important job in the universe.
This now brings us to our fourth and final value that will shape how our church does ministry. A Better Party.
A Better Party
A Better Party
When we say that we value a better party, we are saying that one of our core values as a church is celebration. In other words, we know how to have a good time and are overflowing with joy as we live under King Jesus’ gracious rule. I want to turn to several passages this morning that show us why celebration ought to characterize our life together as WSBC. Let’s turn first to Romans 5.
We celebrate God’s work for us
We celebrate God’s work for us
Up to this point in the book of Romans, Paul has been unpacking the gospel for the Roman Christians. In Chapter 4 he reminded the church of Abraham as the model for a person who is justified, or made right with God, by faith, not works.
In chapter 5 we see Paul reflecting on the peace that we now have with God as a result of our faith in his work through his Son Jesus. As we shall see, according to Paul, we have more reason to celebrate than anyone else on the planet.
We party because we know what God’s gonna do
We party because we know what God’s gonna do
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
As Paul reflects on the peace we now have with God through Jesus, he points Christians to our future hope. Then he says that reflecting on that future hope leads us to rejoice. What is that future hope?
Romans 5.1-
Jesus is coming back. He will right every wrong. He will abolish pain and death and sin and fear and suffering. His rule will be realized across the universe.
We will be resurrected and receive renewed, perfected bodies, unstained by sin and its effects. No more sickness, no more weakness, no more death and decay.
Church we have reason to celebrate because our future is exceedingly bright!
We party because we know what God’s doing
We party because we know what God’s doing
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
Not only do we rejoice for what is to come. We can rejoice in what God is doing today. Paul says that, as Christians, we can rejoice in our present suffering, because we know that God is doing something amazing for us and in us through our present pain.
Romans 5.3-
Paul says that one of the things that happens in our pain as Christians, is that the Holy Spirit pours God’s love into our hearts. What he means is that we are reminded of God’s love for us in our pain. He is not done with us. He is working in us. And the Spirit reminds us.
God is so concerned with you that he is actively at work in your life right now, church. So rejoice! Celebrate!
We party because we know what God has done
We party because we know what God has done
For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5.6
Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.
Romans 5.9-
More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
Romans 5.1
We rejoice over our future. We rejoice over our present. We also rejoice over our past.
We were wretches. We were fallen. We were sinful. We were deserving of God’s wrath. AND CHRIST DIED FOR US! What amazing love this is. God saves his enemies.
God reconciled us to himself through his Son Jesus. And we are to rejoice. Church, even your past mistakes are mean to erupt in celebration over what God has done for you.
We have more reason to celebrate than anyone else on the planet. It is fitting then that such celebration should characterize all we do as a church. Even more than that, our celebration is a reflection of a partying God. Turn to Luke 15.
We celebrate with God for others
We celebrate with God for others
We want to celebrate because we serve a God who likes to party. While Jesus was hanging out with sinners, some of the religious elite were critical of him. So Jesus told them these parables about God’s heart for sinners.
Heaven parties when the lost are found
Heaven parties when the lost are found
“What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.
“What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.
Luke 15.4-
Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”
So he told them this parable: “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.
A shepherd who loses a sheep will leave those safe and secure to go find the wandering sheep. Once he finds it, he is thrilled and carries it back home. He tells his friends and celebrates with them that he has found a missing member of his flock.
Luke 15.1-
Jesus says that heaven parties like that when even one sinner turns from their sin to Jesus. No eye rolling. No I told you so. Just joy. Just a party.
Angels party when the lost are found
Angels party when the lost are found
“Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it? And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”
So he told them this parable: “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.
“Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it? And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
And he said, “There was a man who had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them. Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything.
“But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.” ’ And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.
“Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.’ But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, but he answered his father, ‘Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!’ And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.’ ”
Again, Jesus tells another lost and found story. This time a woman who has lost a precious coin turns her house upside down to find it. When she finally finds it she calls up her friends to rejoice that she found it.
Luke 15.8-
Again, the angels in heaven rejoice in similar fashion. They party when one sinner turns to Jesus.
Then we come to the most famous parable of them all.
The Father parties when the lost are found
The Father parties when the lost are found
And he said, “There was a man who had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them. Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything.
“But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.” ’ And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.
And he said, “There was a man who had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them. Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living.
And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything.
Luke 15.14
“But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.” ’
And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
Luke 15.17-
But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.
Luke 15.20-
We know this story well. The son who rebelled against his father eventually returns. And how does this distinguished and honorable patriarch respond to his wayward son’s return?
Luke 15.11-
He runs to him. Distinguished men don’t run. He hugs and kisses him. Honorable men don’t show such affection. He showers his son with gifts and blessing and restores him fully as his son. Then look what he does.
He throws a party. The message is clear. The Father parties when sinners are saved. He celebrates. He rejoices. And he invites us to party with him. The rest of the parable goes on to speak of the other son, where the father ends up pleading with him to join the party. So too, does God call him to join him in celebrating like crazy for those who turn to King Jesus.
Sons should party when the lost are found
Sons should party when the lost are found
“Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.’ But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, but he answered his father, ‘Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!’ And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.’ ”
Let’s look at one more text, an account of Jesus’ first miracle, which paves the way to understand the new era he is ushering in, an era of celebration.
Luke 15.25-
Christ, the life of every party
Christ, the life of every party
Jesus’ hour, prelude to the greatest party
Jesus’ hour, prelude to the greatest party
On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples. When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”
Here at the start of John’s gospel we find Jesus invited to a wedding at the start of his ministry. He had just begun calling a handful of disciples to himself. While at the wedding they run out of wine, which would have been a disgrace in that culture. Jesus’ mom approaches him, thinking that she can get him to help as his mother.
John 2.1-
However, Jesus offers his mother a mild rebuke. It is not yet his hour. Jesus hour would come at his death and resurrection, which would usher in the new age of the Messiah. The new creation will not be ushered in because Jesus’ mom said so.
Even so, Mary trusts in her Son. Even though it is not yet THE hour, she wants to place the situation squarely in his hands. She tells the servants to do whatever he says. It’s up to Jesus now.
Jesus brings better wine
Jesus brings better wine
Now there were six stone water jars there for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. And he said to them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the feast.” So they took it. When the master of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now.”
Now there were six stone water jars there for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. And he said to them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the feast.” So they took it.
John 2.6-
When the master of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now.”
John 2.9-
Jesus has the servants draw water from the well to fill up several ceremonial jars to the brim. They draw from the jars not water, but wine. That’s a ton of wine! Probably more than 150 gallons! Now there is a TON of stuff going on here in this passage.
Jesus has the servants draw water from the well to fill up several ceremonial jars to the brim. They draw from the jars not water, but wine. That’s a ton of wine! Probably more than 150 gallons! Now there is a TON of stuff going on here in this passage.
Nothing Jesus does is without purpose. Jesus has the servants fill up these jars for Jewish purification in order that they might represent the Old covenantal system of laws. Jesus is replacing the water of the old ways with the wine of the new age. The Messianic age was symbolically described by the Old Testament prophets as a time when wine would flow liberally in the land of Israel. 150 plus gallons of wine is pretty liberal for a wedding! Jesus is intentionally inviting his disciples to see that they are on the edge of this new age.
The wine Jesus provides isn’t just better than the water. It’s better than all other wine. The head waiter of the party is amazed by it. Most people bring out the watered down stuff later, since people are probably buzzing too much to notice. But the wine Jesus provides is richer and fuller, superior in every way. Jesus brings better wine. He makes the celebration better.
Jesus bringing
Additionally, this is not just any party. This is a wedding feast. Jesus makes this party better because the wedding points forward to a greater wedding between the Messiah and his people, the church. He wants to increase the celebrations so that they better reflect the celebration to come.
Christians ought to be the life of every party.
John 2.6-
Jesus makes every party better, and so Christians ought to be the life of every party. We have more reason to party than anyone else, and we want others to have a taste of the party to come. More than that, a better party glorifies Jesus. Look what John says next.
A better party glorifies Jesus
A better party glorifies Jesus
On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples. When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”
Now there were six stone water jars there for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. And he said to them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the feast.” So they took it. When the master of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now.” This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him.
After this he went down to Capernaum, with his mother and his brothers and his disciples, and they stayed there for a few days.
On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples. When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”
Now there were six stone water jars there for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. And he said to them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the feast.” So they took it. When the master of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now.” This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him.
This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him.
John points out that this is the first of Jesus’ signs in the gospel of John, which is fitting since it points to the dawn of the Messianic age, the better party with better wine.
Jesus makes the party better, and as a result he is glorified and his disciples believe in him. When Jesus is the reason for celebration, he draws people to himself. Our celebrations draw others to celebrate in Jesus’ Kingdom.
What this means for us
What this means for us
Slaying Stereotypes
Slaying Stereotypes
Why have a better party as one of our core values? Christians have a reputation, particularly in New England, of being fuddy-duddies. People view us as being prudes with perpetual, disapproving scowls plastered to our faces. They believe that our default posture is with our arms crossed and our brows furrowed. This must change. Our joy should blast stereotypical stick-in-the-mud Christianity to bits.
This is another one of those areas where I already see that spark in our congregation. We DO know how to have a good time. I’ve been to some great parties in this church, from football parties, to barbecues, to weddings and to Bulgarian celebrations!
Christians have more reason to celebrate than anyone on the planet
As a church we are inviting others to celebrate with us and God. Not only should others see how much fun we are having together but they should also be able to interpret our actions as filled with a different, better joy than anything they have experienced. There should be something incredibly attractive about our celebrations together.
So we will be looking at our various ministries and looking at
So an attitude of celebration should permeate all of our ministry and life together. Our worship services should be filled with joy. Our small groups should be times of letting your hair down and cutting up with one another. When people join us for Lights On, Halloween, or a Block Party, they should have a blast with us. Our lost friends and family ought to want us at all of their parties and celebrations. And we ought to go. Because we bring Jesus with us and he makes the party better.
Christians should be the life of every party
Fighting joy killers
Fighting joy killers
Even though I have seen much in our congregation that contributes to the better party, there are times where we as individuals work against this value. Some of our actions can suck the joy right out of a room, and we need to watch out for it.
Want to know how to kill a spirit of celebration in someone? Complain and be critical. Unfortunately, some of us act as though we are professional critics, as though it were our jobs to point out all of the flaws and issues we see in the church or its members. Talk about a kill joy! Now, there are times where we need to address issues in others. Of course there is a place for that! But, for some, that is all they do. Fight against such a desire in your own hearts. Because when we are constantly critical, we make others miserable and take away from people enjoying Jesus.
Let’s be real. Do you want to be around someone who complains all the time? Do you want to hang out with someone who makes you feel as though you need to walk on egg shells when you are around them? I don’t. I tend to avoid such people, because I find that I allow them to rob my joy too easily. I don’t know about you, but I want joy!
Others are
What message do we send out as Christians when all we do is complain about our health, or the government, or the church, or our families, or finances, or our jobs? We proclaim that Jesus does not increase our happiness. We proclaim that Jesus has not given us reason to celebrate. We proclaim that the world has better reasons to party. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to communicate that with my attitude.
So as we set out, church, to invite all people to life under a better King, let’s show people that life under Jesus is nothing short of an amazing celebration. We want people to experience a better party.
Have you experienced the better party?
Have you experienced the better party?
Friend, if you are not yet a disciple of Jesus and you feel like you have never experienced such joy and celebration, I can tell the you the reason is that you do not know Jesus. He is the greatest treasure in the universe. You can experience that today. Speak with me after church, I’ll be hanging out in the cafe. I can share with you how you can know the best joy the world’s ever known.