3 Things to Remember

Birthday, Baptism, and Wedding

Why Do We Celebrate Birthdays?

The focus of a birthday celebration should not be

on self but on the one who created life.
 But when Herod’s birthday was celebrated,
the daughter of Herodias danced before them
and pleased Herod

Matthew 14:16
 People who do not acknowledge God as their Creator and
Authority have no greater reason to live other than to eat,
drink, and be merry in their own works

Ecclesiastes 2:24
Jesus’ Birthday
We don’t know the exact day of Jesus Christ’s birth, but the
particular date is really not the point anyway. What is important about
the birth of Jesus Christ is the reminder for all of us.
Jesus loved us so much and sacrificed Himself to wash away all of
our sins with His sinless blood (Revelation 1:5).
If we are to love others as Jesus commanded, then we need to
remember the love of Jesus and what He did for us (John 13:34–35).
Why do we need to celebrate our Baptism?
Our savior’s gospel visualized
Baptism serves as a picture and reminder of the gospel: Jesus’ life,
death, burial, and resurrection (1 Cor 15:1-8; Rom 6:1-11). When we
observe baptism, we should be reminded of Jesus’ own death and
resurrection and the new believer’s participation in that death and
resurrection, giving him a new life (Rom 6:4; 2 Cor 5:17-21; Eph 4:24; Col
2:11; 3:10)
 Our salvation made public
Baptism also serves as a public (1 Tim 6:12) sign and symbol before God, believers, and
possibly even non-believers that one has been saved by God—that one has repented of his
sins and professed faith in Christ. Not only does baptism point to the gospel, it also points to
the baptized one’s salvation, a salvation made possible (and sure) because of the gospel that
it visualizes (Mark 1:14-15; 1 Cor 15:2; Rom 1:16-17; Eph 1:13).
Our acknowledgment of Christ

At baptism, believers identify with and show their stand with Christ.
At baptism, we acknowledge the glory of Christ and our allegiance with
him. While Scripture gives evidence that someone can be saved if he is
not baptized (Mark 6:16; Luke 23:43), as well as evidences that
someone can be baptized and still not saved (Acts 8:14-24)
Our Triune God at work
Baptism reflects and reminds us of the work of all three persons of
the Trinity. Just as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit all play a specific
role in the salvation of believers, so the believer is baptized in the name
of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matt 28:18-20). As well, the
salvation made public at baptism is the salvation all three persons
brought about. God the Father originates our salvation (Eph 1:3-6).
Our entry into the church
Last but certainly not least, baptism is one of the two regularly
practiced ordinances of the church. While the Lord’s Supper is
on ongoing practice in the church, baptism serves as
our introduction into the church. So, not only does a believer become
one with Christ but he also becomes one with Christ’s bride, the church
(1 Cor 12:13). Those truly baptized make up the one people of God
(Eph 4:4-6).
Is a wedding anniversary important?
Wedding anniversaries are about remembering our
vows before God.

Ephesians 5:22–23 speaks so clearly and powerfully

about marriage. Read and pray this section together, and
ask God to make it true for each of you.
 Anniversaries are about honoring God for what he’s
done.

As you celebrate, remember the gospel of Jesus Christ that ripped you
from eternal destruction, into everlasting life (John 5:24). Look past those
petty annoyances — how your spouse chews his food, or how she drives,
or how he cleans (or doesn’t clean) the house — and see them as your
brother or sister in Christ. Remember that he or she has received the same
Spirit and the same grace. And remember that God put up, in love, with far
more from you, and then suffered for all your sin against him.
Anniversaries are about telling others about God

What greater, and more difficult, privilege is there than to present the
gospel in the union of marriage? God himself ordained marriage to
display the most important relationship of Christ, the bridegroom, with his
bride, the church (Ephesians 5:22–33; Revelation 19). Use your
anniversary to share the gospel with the world (Ephesians 6:19; John
13:35). Share it in the caption under your anniversary Instagram (1
Corinthians 9:16). Share it in your perfunctory annual anniversary
Facebook status update (2 Corinthians 5:20).
 Stamp eternity on your eyeballs and see your
marriage (and all your anniversaries) through the
lens of what God has done and is doing. Let your
anniversary be more than gifts and getaways. Let it
be about God.

Jonathan Edwards
 Let us come before His presence with
thanksgiving, Let us shout joyfully to Him
with psalms
Psalms 95:2