OceanSide church of Christ

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THE PURPOSE OF AN ANNIVERSARY

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.    The OceanSide church of Christ began in 1984.  Today marks the 35th Anniversary of the church.

 

B.      The word “anniversary” is from a compound Latin word:  annus (year) and vertere (to turn).  Thus, it is a date that returns each year.

 

C.     Anniversaries are very important.  If you do not think so, just ask any wife/husband in the audience who has missed one.

 

D.    The anniversary of the OceanSide church of Christ is important as well.  In this lesson, we want to look at the subject:  “The Purpose of An Anniversary.”

 

I.                   IT IS A TIME OF REMEMBRANCE

 

A.    Remembering things helps us to live properly at this time in our lives.

1.      Abraham said to the rich man in the hadean realm:  “Son, remember” (Luke 16:25).

2.      Jesus spoke these words:  “Remember Lot’s wife” (Luke 17:32).

3.      Peter wrote these words about remembering:  “This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance” (II Pet. 3:1).

 

B.      There many things to be remembered:

1.      The things that brought this church into being

2.      The people who established this congregation

3.      The battles that have been fought along the way

4.      The elders who have overseen the church

5.      The ministers who have preached for the church

6.      The teachers who have taught the truth

7.      The special people and families who have sacrificed for the church

 

C.     There are numerous reasons for us to remember the past.

1.      So we do not repeat it mistakes.

2.      So we will continue to fulfill the dreams of those of the past.

3.      So we will appreciate the things that sometimes we take for granted, realizing the cost that brought them into being.

 

II.                IT IS A TIME OF GRATITUDE

 

A.    In our last point, we noted that anniversaries cause us to appreciate the things we take for granted. 

 

B.      Before we look at some things we should appreciate at this time, let us be reminded that ingratitude is a sin.

1.      Nine of the ten lepers who were cleansed were not grateful to God (Luke 17:17-18).

 

And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed?  but where are the nine?  There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.

 

2.      The Gentiles were not thankful and God gave them up to their lusts (Rom. 1:21).

 

Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

 

C.     What do we have to be thankful for?

1.      The name of the church continues

2.      The soundness of the church’s doctrine is proclaimed

3.      The building and grounds are here for us to use

4.      The hard work of planning and working the plan has been done

5.      The finances for big projects has been raised

6.      The obstacles that hindered progress have been overcome

7.      We do not have to face the fears, the worries, the frustrations, and the adversities that those of the past had to face.

 

III.             IT IS A TIME OF DETERMINATION

 

A.    During an anniversary celebration, we not only look back, but we also take note of the future.

1.      The future is ours.

2.      The future of the church for the next several years will be dictated by our decisions, actions, preaching/teaching, plans, programs and sacrifices.

 

B.      We must determine to carry on the legacy that has been left to us by those of the past.

 

C.     There are qualities that we must put in play to bring the things we determine to pass.

1.      Vision:  the ability to look into the future and plan for it

2.      Commitment:  binding or obligating ourselves to see our plans through

3.      Wisdom:  gathering knowledge and understanding it and making application

4.      Endurance:  keeping on keeping on through the obstacles and challenges

5.      Flexibility:  being able to roll and turn and change when needed

6.      Hard work:  giving blood, sweat, tears, time, and finances to the tasks at hand

7.      Team work:  working with all of your brothers and sisters to get the job done

8.      NOTE:  If we had the time, we could apply all of these principles to Nehemiah and his rebuilding the walls of the city of Jerusalem (Ex., Nehemiah’s Vision).

a.      The Problem in Jerusalem (Neh. 1:3)

 

And they said unto me, The remnant that are left of the captivity there in the province are in great affliction and reproach:  the wall of Jerusalem also is broken down, and the gates thereof are burned with fire.

 

b.      The Purpose of Heart (Neh. 2:5)

 

And I said unto the king, If is please the king, and if thy servant have found favor in thy sight, that thou wouldest send me to Judah, unto the city of my fathers’ sepulchres, that I may build it.

 

c.       The Presentation to Israel (Neh. 2:17)

 

Then said I unto them, ye see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem lieth waste, and the gates thereof are burned with fire:  come, and let us build up the wall of Jerusalem, that we be no more a reproach.

 

IV.             IT IS A TIME OF CELEBRATION

 

A.    When the anniversary date comes around each year, those who are involved in the event pause and spend some time in celebration.

 

B.      The three major feast days of the Jews were times of celebration.

1.      During the Passover, the celebrated the Lord’s passing over the houses of the children of Israel when He saw the blood on their doorposts and lintels and spared their firstborn while in Egypt (Lev. 23:4-8).

2.      Pentecost happened fifty days after Passover.  It commemorated the giving of the Law of Moses on Mount Sinai (Lev. 23:15-22).

3.      Tabernacles celebrated the fact that Israel dwelled in booths or tents during the forty years of wilderness wanderings (Lev. 23:33-43, esp. v. 41).

 

And ye shall keep it a feast unto the Lord seven days in the year.  It shall be a statute for ever in your generations:  ye shall celebrate it in the seventh month.

 

a.      “Ye shall celebrate it in the seventh month.

b.      Celebrate:

1)      To move in a circle, that is a solemn procession

2)      To reel to and fro

3)      To dance

4)      To be giddy

5)      To hold a solemn feast

 

C.     Today is OceanSide’s 35 Anniversary.  In just a few minutes, we will celebrate with a potluck meal together.  It should be a time of joy and celebration as we acknowledge 35 years of our presence and service to the Beaches and other parts of the world.

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.    Anniversaries are important.

1.      They are times of remembrance.

2.      They are times of gratitude.

3.      They are times of determination.

4.      They are times of celebration.

 

B.      As a church, let’s do these things today. 

1.      Tomorrow will be the day to return to our work for the future of the congregation.

2.      Today, let’s enjoy the day and one another.

3.      Today, let’s reflect and be thankful and celebrate the OceanSide church of Christ!!!