When we realize how holy God is, how awful sin is, and the high price Jesus paid to rescue us, we want to celebrate ! Since God has saved us and given us a great future, we ought to rejoice and give thanks.

Jesus said, "There will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent." (Luke 15:7)

In a general sense everything we do should be an act of celebrating God’s goodness to us. We should live with a thankful heart, praising God with our mouth, singing, and sharing with others what God has done for us.

In a more specific way, however, the Lord has asked that we participate in two important activities, which speak of the life we enjoy through Jesus Christ. These are commonly referred to as the ordinances of the church. One is the initial celebration as we begin our new life. The other is to be repeated regularly as long as we live.

Water baptism is the real coming out party that Jesus has chosen for us to declare publicly our new life in Christ. Jesus Himself was baptized to set the example for us.

Mark 1:9 says, "Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. As Jesus was coming up out of the water, He saw heaven being torn open and the Sprit descending on Him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven saying: ‘You are my Son, whom I love; with You I am well-pleased.’"

The word "baptized" literally means immersed . We know that Jesus was immersed because the scripture says, "as Jesus was coming up out of the water . . ." (Matthew 3:16)

God does everything for a reason . We are told in Romans 6:4, "We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life." That tells us that being baptized in water is like a big picture of what Christ has done for us. When we go down under the water we illustrate the death of Jesus for us. It also illustrates that we have died to our old life of sin. When we come up out Of the water, we are reminded that Jesus rose from the dead. We also have been raised up with Him and now share His resurrection life.

"For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory." (Colossians 3:3-4)

Jesus said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matthew 28:18-20) Christ’s instructions to us are not suggestions. We must follow the example of our Lord after our salvation experience by being baptized.

As humans we tend to forget . To help us remember what Christ did for us, Jesus instituted another celebration time that we usually call Holy Communion. Also called the Lord’s Supper, communion is when we remember the sacrifice Jesus made for us.

Just a few hours before Jesus was arrested by the Romans and Jews and was crucified, He sat down with His disciples to celebrate the Old Testament Feast Of Passover . The Passover was a remembrance of God’s deliverance of Israel from Egypt. This is a symbol of our spiritual release from being enslaved to sin.

Jesus explained that the broken bread represents His broken body . The wine represents His blood .

(I Corinthians 11:23-26)

Jesus did not tell us how often to take the communion elements. He only told us that whenever we eat and drink it, we are to do it in His memory . Jesus wants us to remember and to be thankful. Communion is a reminder of how God sees our worship

of Him as being very important.

I Corinthians 11:27-32 provides for us a solemn warning: "Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself. That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. But if we judge ourselves, we would not come under judgement. When we are judged by the Lord we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned with the world."

Taking lightly the holy things of God is very serious. Notice the scripture tells us that we should examine ourselves. Psalm 139:23 says, "Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."

Like keeping weeds out of a garden, we must continually invite God to check our hearts. II Corinthians 13:5 says, "Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you - unless, of course, you fail the test?"

Water baptism and holy communion are really the only ceremonies or rituals that Jesus instituted. They are important illustrations and reminders of what Christ has done for us. Let us participate in them and never forget God’s great love for us!