11/14/2024 Midtown Church Thursday Service
Celebration Sunday
“What the Church Should Celebrate”
Gilbert Acevedo III
Whats Worth Celebrating?
What we celebrate is a clear symptom of what we worship, what we prioritize, and what matters most.
When we lose our grip on gratitude, we often start to celebrate: the temporary, the superficial, or the self-centered.
*Material Success:
*Personal Accomplishments:
*Comfort and Convenience:
Personal preference over God’s provision or purpose?
*Preferences over Provision:
*Comfort over Calling:
*Self over Surrender:
*Opinions over Obedience:
– Preferences Take Priority:
– Culture Over Conviction:
– Self-Will Over Surrender:
Gratitude anchors us in God’s reality, keeping our celebrations aligned with His provision, His purpose, and His presence rather than getting caught up in our own preferences. Gratitude keeps our focus on what is eternal and aligns our celebrations with what truly matters.
Main Text: Acts 2:43-47 (NIV)
“Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”
3 KEY THINGS THE CHURCH SHOULD CELEBRATE REGULARLY
#1: Celebrate God’s Presence
WALK IT OUT:
A) Practice Intentional Fellowship
B) Engage in Acts of Generosity
#2:Celebrate Transformed Lives
WALK IT OUT:
Embrace Evangelism and Discipleship
#3:Celebrate Healthy Church Growth
WALK IT OUT:
Foster Community and Commitment
BOTTOM LINE:
The key to a fulfilled life is to make celebration of God’s presence, transformed lives, and healthy growth central—not just focusing on what we oppose.
Revelation 7:9-17
For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; ‘he will lead them to springs of living water.’ ‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’ ‘Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat down on them,’ nor any scorching heat. Therefore, “they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence”. I answered, “Sir, you know.” And he said, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Then one of the elders asked me, “These in white robes—who are they, and where did they come from?” saying: “Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!” All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, And they cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.