Celebrate Sunday 2025

  • Pastor Josh Smith, Pastor Sumer Smith
Have you ever wondered why gratitude is so emphasized in the Bible, even in the toughest times? Discover how giving thanks in all circumstances can transform your life and deepen your connection with God and others. Join us as we explore the biblical call to celebrate God’s presence and the power of community.

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Celebrate Sunday 2025

Message Summary
Have you ever wondered why gratitude is so emphasized in the Bible, even in the toughest times? Discover how giving thanks in all circumstances can transform your life and deepen your connection with God and others. Join us as we explore the biblical call to celebrate God’s presence and the power of community.
Key Scripture
“And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Ephesians 5:20 NLT
Additional Scriptures

5 Day Devotional

Day 1

Day 1: The Call to Gratitude

  • Scripture: Ephesians 5:18-20 NLT
    Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
  • Devotional:
    Gratitude is a central theme in the Christian life, as it aligns our hearts with God’s will. Paul encourages us to be filled with the Holy Spirit, which naturally leads to a life of worship and thanksgiving. This gratitude is not limited to good times but extends to every circumstance, recognizing God’s sovereignty and goodness. As we cultivate a heart of gratitude, we become more aware of God’s presence and work in our lives.
  • Response Questions:
    1. How can you cultivate a heart of gratitude in your daily life?
    2. What are some specific things you can thank God for today, even if they are challenging?
    3. How does being filled with the Holy Spirit influence your ability to give thanks?
  • Prayer Points:
    1. Pray for a heart that is continually grateful, regardless of circumstances.
    2. Ask the Holy Spirit to fill you and guide you in living a life of worship and thanksgiving.

Day 2

Day 2: Joy in All Circumstances

  • Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NLT
    Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
  • Devotional:
    Joy and gratitude are intertwined in the life of a believer. Paul instructs us to always be joyful, which may seem impossible in difficult times. However, joy is not dependent on our circumstances but on our relationship with Christ. By maintaining a constant dialogue with God through prayer, we can find reasons to be thankful in every situation. This is God’s will for us, as it reflects our trust in His plan and purpose.
  • Response Questions:
    1. What does it mean to be joyful in all circumstances?
    2. How can prayer help you maintain joy and gratitude?
    3. In what ways can you align your life with God’s will as described in these verses?
  • Prayer Points:
    1. Pray for the ability to find joy in every situation, trusting in God’s plan.
    2. Ask for a deeper prayer life that sustains your joy and gratitude.

Day 3

Day 3: Celebrating God’s Deliverance

  • Scripture: Exodus 12:14-17 NLT
    This is a day to remember. Each year, from generation to generation, you must celebrate it as a special festival to the Lord. This is a law for all time. For seven days the bread you eat must be made without yeast. On the first day of the festival, remove every trace of yeast from your homes. Anyone who eats bread made with yeast during the seven days of the festival will be cut off from the community of Israel. On the first day of the festival, and again on the seventh day, all the people must observe an official day for holy assembly. No work of any kind may be done on these days except in the preparation of food.
  • Devotional:
    The Israelites were commanded to celebrate their deliverance from Egypt with a festival. This act of remembrance was not just about looking back but also about recognizing God’s ongoing faithfulness. Celebrations in the Bible often serve as reminders of God’s mighty works and His promises. As believers, we are called to remember and celebrate God’s deliverance in our lives, acknowledging His power and grace.
  • Response Questions:
    1. How can you incorporate celebrations of God’s faithfulness into your life?
    2. What are some personal “deliverance” moments you can remember and celebrate?
    3. How does celebrating God’s past works strengthen your faith for the future?
  • Prayer Points:
    1. Thank God for His deliverance and faithfulness in your life.
    2. Pray for a heart that remembers and celebrates God’s mighty works.

Day 4

Day 4: Living as a New Creation

  • Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:17-19 NLT
    This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him. For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation.
  • Devotional:
    As believers, we are transformed into new creations in Christ. This transformation is not just a change in status but a call to live differently. Our new life is marked by gratitude, joy, and a commitment to God’s purposes. We are entrusted with the message of reconciliation, sharing the good news of Christ’s love and forgiveness. Embracing our new identity in Christ empowers us to live with purpose and passion.
  • Response Questions:
    1. What does it mean to you to be a new creation in Christ?
    2. How can you live out your new identity in your daily life?
    3. In what ways can you participate in God’s work of reconciliation?
  • Prayer Points:
    1. Thank God for making you a new creation in Christ.
    2. Pray for opportunities to share the message of reconciliation with others.

Day 5

Day 5: The Joy of Community

  • Scripture: Acts 2:42-47 NLT
    All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer. A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity—all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.
  • Devotional:
    The early church exemplified the joy and strength found in community. They devoted themselves to teaching, fellowship, and prayer, creating a vibrant and supportive community. This unity and generosity were a powerful testimony to God’s love and drew others to the faith. As believers, we are called to cultivate similar communities where gratitude, joy, and generosity abound, reflecting God’s kingdom on earth.
  • Response Questions:
    1. How can you contribute to building a strong and joyful community of believers?
    2. What role does fellowship play in your spiritual growth?
    3. How can you practice generosity and hospitality in your community?
  • Prayer Points:
    1. Pray for a heart that values and invests in community.
    2. Ask God to help you be a source of joy and encouragement to others.

GrowGroup Guide

A weekly guide to carry the conversation beyond Sunday morning.

Introduction: Welcome your group and open with a brief prayer, inviting the Holy Spirit to guide your discussion. Share a quick overview of the sermon, emphasizing the importance of gratitude, community, and celebrating God’s presence in our lives.

Discussion Questions and Context:

  1. How can you cultivate a heart of gratitude in your daily life?
    • Context: The sermon highlighted the biblical call to give thanks in all circumstances, as seen in Ephesians 5:20. Discuss how gratitude is not just for the good times but is a spiritual discipline that aligns us with God’s will. Encourage group members to share practical ways they can incorporate gratitude into their daily routines.
  2. What are some specific things you can thank God for today, even if they are challenging?
    • Context: The sermon mentioned that disruptions in life can be divine interruptions. Reflect on how even challenging situations can be opportunities to see God’s hand at work. Encourage participants to identify and share specific challenges they face and how they can find reasons to be thankful in those situations.
  3. How does being filled with the Holy Spirit influence your ability to give thanks?
    • Context: The sermon referenced Ephesians 5:18-20, emphasizing the role of the Holy Spirit in leading us to a life of worship and thanksgiving. Discuss how the Holy Spirit empowers us to see beyond our circumstances and maintain a heart of gratitude.
  4. What does it mean to be joyful in all circumstances?
    • Context: The sermon drew from 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, which calls us to always be joyful. Explore the idea that joy is rooted in our relationship with Christ, not our circumstances. Discuss how maintaining a joyful attitude can impact our lives and those around us.
  5. How can prayer help you maintain joy and gratitude?
    • Context: The sermon emphasized the importance of prayer in sustaining joy and gratitude. Discuss how a consistent prayer life can help us stay connected to God and find strength in difficult times. Encourage group members to share their experiences with prayer and its impact on their attitudes.
  6. How can you incorporate celebrations of God’s faithfulness into your life?
    • Context: The sermon highlighted the importance of celebrating God’s deliverance, as seen in the festivals commanded in Exodus. Discuss how intentional celebrations can serve as reminders of God’s faithfulness and encourage group members to share ideas for personal or communal celebrations.
  7. What are some personal “deliverance” moments you can remember and celebrate?
    • Context: Reflect on the sermon’s message about remembering and celebrating God’s past works. Encourage participants to share personal testimonies of God’s deliverance and discuss how these memories can strengthen their faith.
  8. How can you contribute to building a strong and joyful community of believers?
    • Context: The sermon referenced the early church’s example in Acts 2:42-47, highlighting the joy and strength found in community. Discuss practical ways group members can invest in their church community and foster an environment of joy and generosity.

Closing: Conclude the session by summarizing key insights from the discussion. Encourage group members to apply what they’ve learned in their daily lives. Close with a prayer, asking God to help each person cultivate gratitude, joy, and a sense of community.

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