LEAVE FIREWORKS FOR OUTSIDE THE SANCTUARY

You have to admire their audacious spunk. On July 4, 1777 the colonials celebrated their independence even before they won the war, even when by all appearances they wouldn’t, . On that day they used fireworks to punctuate their celebration. John Adams in a letter had encouraged that celebration saying the occasion of Independence, “Ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the  other, from this time forward forever more.,” and celebrate they did. It puts one in mind of some earlier warriors. God had instructed His people Israel to march around Jericho’s walls and on the last day to shout. The people of God shouted victory before the walls ever fell or one of the enemy had been killed. That was obedience and faith in action. The colonists celebrated before victory. The Israelites celebrated for victory. We too should celebrate. But we celebrate in victory. Jesus has already obtained our victory, our independence from sin and Satan. Our Independence, to adopt and modify John Adams’ words, ought to be celebrated with rejoicing and demonstration, with worship, singing, shouts of praise, handclapping, playing of instruments, outbursts of exclamations, spontaneous dances of joy from one end of this sanctuary to the other, from this time forward forever more. No matter what you are facing, what seems to bind you, what appears to be getting the better of you, celebrate. You are facing what you face in victory. Jesus has already insured your winning. Just one further note: As we celebrate in worship today in our services, leave the fireworks for outside the sanctuary.