Do We Have To Celebrate Our Birthday?

I. EXORDIUM:

Do we have to celebrate our birthday? Optional. We have to celebrate CHRIST's birthday in us. Rather celebrate our spiritual birthday, if we have to do this, make our spiritual birthday more extravagant or make JESUS CHRIST the Center of every celebration.

II. AUDIENCE PROFILE:

Advanced Believers

III. OBJECTIVES:

To show that JESUS CHRIST needs to be the Center of every human celebration - birthday, death, anniversaries, mother's day, father's day, etc.

IV. TEXT:

Matthew 1:18 (Amplified Bible)

1:18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place under these circumstances: When His mother Mary had been promised in marriage to Joseph, before they came together, she was found to be pregnant [through the power] of the Holy Spirit.

Matthew 14:6 (Amplified Bible)

14:6 But when Herod’s birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced in the midst [before the company] and pleased and fascinated Herod,

V. THESIS:

I celebrate JESUS CHRIST today in my birthday, I acknowledge my life belongs to Him and I do this celebration in His Name, for His Glory alone. Thank You JESUS for another year of life and blessings with You.

VI. TITLE:

Do we have to celebrate our birthday?

VII. EXPLICATION:

A. Author: Matthew (also called Levi)

B. Date written: 60 A.D.

C. Purpose: To show that Jesus of Nazareth was the kingly Messiah of Jewish prophecy.—Thompson Chain - Bible Book Outlines

D. To whom written: Jews

E. Main Theme: Jesus is God's promised anointed Messiah, the King of the Jews.—Thompson Chain - Bible Book Outlines

F. Keywords: Fulfilled

G. Key verses:

Matthew 16:16-19 (The Message)

16:16 Simon Peter said, "You're the Christ, the Messiah, the Son of the living God."

16:17 Jesus came back, "God bless you, Simon, son of Jonah! You didn't get that answer out of books or from teachers. My Father in heaven, God himself, let you in on this secret of who I really am.

16:18 And now I'm going to tell you who you are, really are. You are Peter, a rock. This is the rock on which I will put together my church, a church so expansive with energy that not even the gates of hell will be able to keep it out.

16:19 "And that's not all. You will have complete and free access to God's kingdom, keys to open any and every door: no more barriers between heaven and earth, earth and heaven. A yes on earth is yes in heaven. A no on earth is no in heaven."

VIII. MAIN BODY:

A. Birthday celebration must not be focused on ourselves

1. Facts from the Bible:

a. Recorded are two kings, when celebrated their birthday, there's always death

Pharaoh's birthday celebration is also a time of death for the chief baker

Genesis 40:20-22 (Amplified Bible)

40:20 And on the third day, Pharaoh’s birthday, he made a feast for all his servants; and he lifted up the heads of the chief butler and the chief baker [by inviting them also] among his servants.

40:21 And he restored the chief butler to his butlership, and the butler gave the cup into Pharaoh’s hand;

40:22 But [Pharaoh] hanged the chief baker, as Joseph had interpreted to them.

King Herod's birthday celebration is also a time for John, the Baptist death

Matthew 14:6-8 (Amplified Bible)

14:6 But when Herod’s birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced in the midst [before the company] and pleased and fascinated Herod,

14:7 And so he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask.

14:8 And she, being put forward and prompted by her mother, said, Give me the head of John the Baptist right here on a platter.

They always go for the head, "off with the head". I wonder how many heads have to go off every year just for these two kings to celebrate their birthdays.

b. Job's son's birthday celebration is a time for sinning, cursing, or disowning GOD.

Job 1:4-5 (Amplified Bible)

1:4 His sons used to go and feast in the house of each on his day (birthday) in turn, and they invited their three sisters to eat and drink with them.

1:5 And when the days of their feasting were over, Job sent for them to purify and hallow them, and rose up early in the morning and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all. For Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned and cursed or disowned God in their hearts. Thus did Job at all [such] times.

c. Abraham tried to celebrate the birthday or time of weaning of Isaac and it ended up "death" for Ishmael.

Genesis 21:8 (Amplified Bible)

21:8 And the child grew and was weaned, and Abraham made a great feast the same day that Isaac was weaned.

Death here is not physical death, but separation of the son (Ishmael) with his father Abraham.