Redeem The Time
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· 2 viewsChristian's response to halloween and other secular activities.
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Social
Family Sunday
Family Sunday
I am so glad to be a part of this family.
There are three specific areas that I love:
Jesus is the head of this church
This church loves each other and this community
This church has had a Spirit of Unity as we obey Jesus together
RedemptionFest
RedemptionFest
I want to take some time today and explain what we are doing tomorrow.
Tomorrow is halloween.
For some, this is a religious holiday where the dead are remembered. It, in many cases, contains satanic rituals.
For others, halloween is a cultural celebration for dressing up, getting candy, and watching scary movies.
Now there is a lot of spiritual warfare going on October 31st.
Ephesians tells us we are in a Spiritual Battle and the response of Christians says a lot about what we truly believe about God.
Christian Response
Christian Response
There are three typical responses I have noticed from the people of God. Much of this has to do with your conviction and so it is good to pray about it, do research, and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit.
Avoidance - These Christians and churches do not want to have any appearance in partaking in evil activities, so they avoid it altogether. Many are great Christian brothers and sisters - who feel that taking any part in activities on October 31st dishonors God.
Who created Oct 31st?
Is God less Himself on that day?
I feel like Goliath is mocking the people of God and we need to be Davids with bold defiance. If pagan celebrations bring fear into your life, you need to get to know God a little better.
My encouragement to those who avoid the day, is to be like Jesus. Who, did not avoid people because of their sin. He was near them and loved them in the midst of it.
Inclusion - Over time, many Christians and churches have seen halloween as a cultural event. They join in the celebration with the intent of loving the world, but often don’t know where the line is. They can glorify death and destruction in the name of fun. Rather than avoiding this celebration, they join in with the world and become part with it.
Jesus prayed in John 17:15 a very special prayer over His disciples
15 I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one.
15 No ruego que los quites del mundo, sino que los guardes del mal.
I would encourage those Christians who only see this day as a cultural celebration to take some time and talk with the pagan and wiccan. They will probably explain this is not just a cultural day, but a religious day.
Jesus did not call us to become part of the world. In fact He said in John 15:19 that we are not of this world. We need to keep ourselves from becoming part of the rituals of this world.
Redeeming - Many churches, ours included, have seen October 31 as an opportunity to glorify God in the midst of a worldly event. So many only know halloween culturally and want to enjoy themselves in a party-like fashion. This is a unique opportunity to take something the devil intends for evil, and to turn it for the gospel of Jesus.
We need to remember why our church is here:
7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace
7 en quien tenemos redención por su sangre, el perdón de pecados según las riquezas de su gracia,
Those in the world do not know of His redemption. We can share this with them.
Let’s look at what Paul talks about regarding walking in the Light and Wisdom:
8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light
9 (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth),
10 finding out what is acceptable to the Lord.
11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.
12 For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret.
13 But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light.
14 Therefore He says: “Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light.”
15 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise,
16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
8 Porque en otro tiempo erais tinieblas, mas ahora sois luz en el Señor; andad como hijos de luz
9 (porque el fruto del Espíritu es en toda bondad, justicia y verdad),
10 comprobando lo que es agradable al Señor.
11 Y no participéis en las obras infructuosas de las tinieblas, sino más bien reprendedlas;
12 porque vergonzoso es aun hablar de lo que ellos hacen en secreto.
13 Mas todas las cosas, cuando son puestas en evidencia por la luz, son hechas manifiestas; porque la luz es lo que manifiesta todo.
14 Por lo cual dice: Despiértate, tú que duermes, Y levántate de los muertos, Y te alumbrará Cristo.
15 Mirad, pues, con diligencia cómo andéis, no como necios sino como sabios,
16 aprovechando bien el tiempo, porque los días son malos.
How can we prepare for RedemptionFest
Pray
Pastors and Leaders
Not just here but around the world
Those who are volunteering
Those who would come and hear the Gospel
Great Weather
Spiritual Protection
Volunteer
Help with the event
Love those who come
Smile and look for ways to show them the love of God
Bring candy
We are still in need of “non-halloween” candy
If you cannot, don’t worry about it.
Let’s Pray