Opening Song

Welcome/Announcements/ introduce the band

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Vocals – Angela Elliot, Aubrey Bailey, Ariel Ligman

Sax – AJ Kmetz

Guitar - Nathan Harley

Bass - Brian Buehler

Drums - Ben Benekos

On the Piano and Leading Worship this morning - Randy Claes

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Psalm 21:13.  We praise you, Lord , for all your glorious power.  With music and singing we celebrate your mighty acts (NLT).

Psalm 135:1-3.  Praise the Lord!  Praise the name of the Lord!  Praise him, you who serve the Lord, you who serve in the house of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God.  Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good; celebrate his wonderful name with music (NLT).

Two opening songs led by the praise band

Time of Baptism.  Jason, Shelly, Michelle

Main block of worship.

“Let’s Get This Party Started”

-         Today we are taking some time to celebrate Jesus. 

Psalm 145:3. Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom (NIV).

-         (The celebration/ life) It is not about us.  It is all about Him. 

o       We live in a world that says its all about me.  Celebrate me. 

-         Pretend today you are meeting God face to face.

o       How would you respond? 

§        You would humbly celebrate and worship Him and that is why we are here.

1. The easiest thing to celebrate is all the good Jesus has done in and for us.

Psalm 86:5.  You are forgiving and good, O Lord, abounding in love to all who call to you (NIV).

He healed me.  He fixed my marriage.  He answered my prayers.  He got me a better job.  He provided that front row parking space. 

God is hanging out around us doing things for us if we’d just take the time to notice.

EXAMPLE: The blessings he pours out on us are too numerous to count.  (He pours out blessing like a bucket of water over your head.  Unless you choose to ignore it, its all over you, messing up your routine, getting a point across….that He loves you and desires to do great things for His children.

(PowerPoint picture)

Oh how good it is when he takes care of us, gives us stuff, walks us through the green valleys!

2. The hardest thing to do is celebrate in the midst of a struggle.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus (NIV).

Psalm 22:3 says that God inhabitest the praises of His people (KJV).

-         In other words, when we praise Him, He is there with us. 

o       He is sitting at the table and having a meal with us. 

o       He’s sitting on the couch with you watching the game. 

o       He’s in an elevator with you and actually talking to you.

- Whining gets you nowhere. 

-         The Bible says that God will never leave us

o       However, when we make a stink in the midst of the struggle, it is as if God steps back for a breath of fresh air

§        (Whenever I have a negative attitude, I feel as though God has taken a step back.) 

§        (On the other hand, when I gather enough strength to praise Him in the midst of the storm, I sense He is standing right there, holding me up and helping me through.)

§         

-         We can praise Him because He knows what He is doing. 

o       His love will never fail. 

§        He will see us through. 

·        He will always do what is best for His kids!

3. The greatest thing to celebrate is when someone chooses to believe in Jesus.

(NIV) Luke 15:4-7. Parable of the Lost Sheep.

(Same result as below)

(NIV) Luke 15:8-10.  Parable of the Lost Coin

"Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Does she not light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? 9And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.'

 (Like when we Mandy found Mazie’s glasses!)

In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents" .

(NIV) Luke 15:20-24.  The Parable of the Prodigal Son

(NLT) Luke 15:24 We must celebrate with a feast, for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So the party began.

-         There should always be a big celebration when someone gives their life to Jesus or when someone comes back to Him

o       Don’t do it is passing, Cheer them on, throw a party!

-         Every time someone gets saved, God is throwing a party in Heaven

o       I don’t know about you, but if you are throwing a party, I’m there! 

§        If God is throwing a party, you better believe I want to be a part of it!

God is not ashamed you have come back to Him.  He is not upset.  In fact, He throws a party!

4. The greatest day of celebration is when we meet God face to face in Heaven.

When we are faithful in our Christian life, we will celebrate in Heaven

-         The Bible Says when we get to heaven we will have a Wedding Feast.

The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Servants

(NIV) Matthew 25:19-23.

(NLT) Matthew 25:21.  The master was full of praise. ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’

Matthew 25:22-23.  The next servant.  Same result in verse 23:

(NLT) Let’s celebrate together!’

God celebrates you when you return to Him...He does not reject you

Closing

Who wants to celebrate the salvation from Hell that Jesus provided you with?

What about you?  Will you choose today to be one of those who can truly, genuinely celebrate on celebration Sunday?

Do you have a reason to Celebrate?