In what ways can we ensure our celebrations honor God as in Josiah's time? Scripture Snapshot 2 Chronicles 35:17—“So the Israelites who were present kept the Passover at that time, and they observed the Feast of Unleavened Bread for seven days.” The Heart Behind Josiah’s Celebration • Centered on obedience to God’s explicit command (Exodus 12; Deuteronomy 16) • Marked by corporate unity: priests, Levites, leaders, and people moved together (2 Chron 35:2–6) • Saturated with Scripture: everything done “according to the word of the LORD” (v. 6) • Characterized by joyful reverence—celebration without compromise (v. 18) Principles for God-Honoring Celebrations Today 1. Align with God’s Word – Evaluate every tradition by Scripture, not sentiment (Mark 7:8–9). – Speak, sing, and read the Word publicly during gatherings (1 Timothy 4:13). 2. Prepare with Purity – Josiah had the priests consecrated (2 Chron 35:4). – Examine hearts before celebrating (1 Corinthians 11:28). – Remove hidden “leaven” of sin (1 Corinthians 5:7–8). 3. Keep Christ Central – Passover foreshadowed “Christ, our Passover lamb” (1 Corinthians 5:7). – Let every holiday highlight the gospel—His birth, death, resurrection, and return. 4. Cultivate Corporate Participation – Involve every generation and gifting (Nehemiah 8:2). – Encourage testimonies, readings, and songs from the whole body (Ephesians 5:19). 5. Practice Generous Hospitality – Josiah provided abundantly for the people (2 Chron 35:7–9). – Share resources so all can rejoice (Deuteronomy 16:11; Acts 2:46). 6. Express Joy with Reverence – Celebrate gladly (Psalm 98:4) yet worship “in spirit and truth” (John 4:24). – Avoid distractions that shift focus from God to self-gratification (Colossians 3:17). Guardrails to Keep Celebration from Drifting • Regularly revisit the biblical purpose of the event. • Set apart time for reflection and confession before festivities begin. • Guard against syncretism—no blending with ungodly practices (2 Corinthians 6:14–17). • Ensure leadership models holiness; Josiah led by example (2 Chron 35:1). Living It Out All Year • Let holidays launch habits—daily gratitude, weekly rest, frequent fellowship. • Review family and church calendars: do planned events magnify the Lord or merely entertain? • Record and share testimonies of God’s faithfulness after each celebration, strengthening future generations (Psalm 78:4). When our gatherings mirror Josiah’s pattern—Word-driven, Christ-centered, pure, united, generous, and joy-filled—we can be confident they honor the Lord. |
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