Why We Do Not Celebrate Halloween

Prepared for distribution at THE BIBLE Baptist Church.  Posted here for your reading enjoyment and thoughtful consideration.

WHY WE DO NOT CELEBRATE HALLOWEEN

1.     While there is some difference of opinion as to the specific origins of the many Halloween traditions (jack-o-lanterns; costumes; trick-or-treating; bobbing for apples; association with ghosts, spirits, witchcraft, and death), it is undeniable and universally agreed that:

Giving Account to God -- Part 2

Romans 14:10-12 But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ…So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

Let’s break down this statement.

I.  SO THEN EVERY ONE OF US SHALL GIVE ACCOUNT

What does it mean to give account?  Consider this example from Luke 16:1-2 And he said also unto his disciples, There was a certain rich man, which had a steward; and the same was accused unto him that he had wasted his goods.  And he called him, and said unto him, How is it that I hear this of thee? give an account of thy stewardship; for thou mayest be no longer steward.

Giving Account to God

The first passage we will study that specifically mentions the judgment seat of Christ is Romans 14:7-13.

Romans 14:7 For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. 

I always thought that this verse was speaking to the influence my actions have on those around me.  That’s a valid application of the statement that doesn’t violate the text and is supported by other scriptures, but if you examine the context (2 Peter 1:20), that’s not the meaning here.  Verse 7 is defined by verse 8.

Romans 14:8 For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's. 

Eternal Perspective

The objective of entering into a study of the judgment seat of Christ is to influence Christians to live a life now that will matter for eternity; to live a life now that will count for something at the judgment seat of Christ; to approach people and places and situations and decisions with an eternal perspective.  That is the theme of this second introductory lesson.

I.  GOD CALLS US TO AN ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE