These notes are to accompany Grace Rules, by Steve McVey, published by Harvest House Publishers, 1998

Notes for "Let’s Party"

Introduction:

Early in the ministry of Jesus, He and His disciples were invited to a wedding feast in Cana of Galilee where He performed His first miracle. At the request of His mother, who informed Him that they were out of wine, Jesus commanded the servants to bring him the huge clay pots that contained the water used to wash the feet of the guests and He turned all of it into wine to keep the party going! And when the guests tasted the wine, they were amazed and exclaimed, "This is incredible, usually the best is wine is served first and later after the guests have had a few drinks, the "cheap stuff" is served, but you saved the best for last!!"

When you think of God, are you more inclined to think of a party or a courtroom? Why? Jesus said He came to show us what the Father was like and one of the charges most often brought against Jesus was that He ate and drank with the wrong kind of people…the partygoers!!

Joyful shouting; glad service; singing; thanksgiving; and praising God for His goodness and everlasting mercy!

In the Bible, feasts and festivals were observed to commemorate or emphasize events in the relationship between God and human beings. In the Old Testament, feasts and festivals were occasions of joy. They were times for thanking God for blessings and granting relief to the poor and oppressed. They were often accompanied by singing, instrumental music, dancing, elaborate meals, and sacrifices. Depending on the nature and the requirements of the occasion, they were celebrated either at a sanctuary or at a person’s home. Examples were, the weekly Sabbath, the Year of Jubilee, Passover, Feast of Unleavened Bread and Feast of Booths to celebrate the harvest. Today Christians celebrate Easter, Christmas and the resurrection every Sunday.

Here’s a couple of texts you won’t hear quoted very often: Deuteronomy 14:23,26 Take it (the tithe) to the place the Lord your God will choose where he is to be worshiped. There, where you will be together with the Lord, eat the tenth of your grain, new wine, and oil, and eat the animals born first to your herds and flocks. Do this so that you will learn to respect the Lord your God always…Use the silver to buy anything you wish—cattle, sheep, wine, beer (strong drink), or anything you wish. Then you and your family will eat and celebrate there before the Lord your God.

Identify verses in Acts that show people being drawn to the church because of the celebration that existed among the Christians there.

Acts 2:12-13 They were all amazed and confused, asking each other, "What does this mean?" But others were making fun of them, saying, "They have had too much wine."

These verses show that the early Christians were so excited on Pentecost that some people thought they were drunk and that their daily lifestyle was to eat together with gladness.

Ephesians 5:18 Do not be drunk with wine, which will ruin you, but be filled with the Spirit.

Acts 2:12-13 They were all amazed and confused, asking each other, "What does this mean?" But others were making fun of them, saying, "They have had too much wine."

A person "under the influence" of alcohol or the Holy Spirit will 1) Lose all inhibitions and 2) Become very expressive.

Being "under the influence" often reveals and magnifies the "true" person inside…angry people get very angry…happy people get very happy. When the inhibitions are down, "the real you" comes out!

Revelation 4:5-11 Lightning flashes and noises and thundering came from the throne. Before the throne seven lamps were burning, which are the seven spirits of God. Also before the throne there was something that looked like a sea of glass, clear like crystal. In the center and around the throne were four living creatures with eyes all over them, in front and in back. The first living creature was like a lion. The second was like a calf. The third had a face like a man. The fourth was like a flying eagle. Each of these four living creatures had six wings and was covered all over with eyes, inside and out. Day and night they never stop saying: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty. He was, he is, and he is coming." These living creatures give glory, honor, and thanks to the One who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever. Then the twenty-four elders bow down before the One who sits on the throne, and they worship him who lives forever and ever. They put their crowns down before the throne and say: "You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, because you made all things. Everything existed and was made, because you wanted it."

Sounds like a pretty big celebration to me!!!

Define happiness and joy. What are the differences between the two? Happiness depends on happenings and comes from the outside into us…it depends on external circumstances.

Joy is a gift from God to us…external circumstances have no effect on joy…it’s on the inside of us and cannot be affected by what happens on the outside. It’s a pleasure that flows from our innermost being…an inner sense of well-being and contentment produced by an awareness of our union with Jesus Christ.