Contrasting parties

A popular phrase not long ago was, "Party on!" Our society does have quite an emphasis on having a good time. These parties could be an innocent birthday party at a pizza place or a party with drugs and booze.

Continue to think about a contrast in parties. Several years ago the 25th anniversary of the Woodstock rock music festival was held. Heavy rains caused it to be nicknamed "Mudstock." That name could indeed have a double meaning when we saw news reports and pictures of the crowd frenzy, nudity, immorality, and drug usage. It could be representative of the direction of our culture in emphasizing sensual excess and the loss of our moral foundations. Both "Woodstock and "Mudstock" were hyped up by some of the media and entertainment leaders.

Contrast that with another party, the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem on the Sunday we now call Palm Sunday. Picture this party with its glory and drama, its pageantry, symbolism, festivity and joyful celebration. As is the case in many good big parties, children are actively involved. Such was the case on Palm Sunday as children ran ahead and along with Jesus. In some respects it might be like a great Fourth of July parade, a Sweet Corn Festival parade, a Thanksgiving parade, or a Rose Bowl parade and party. The purpose of the party on Palm Sunday was to welcome Jesus, the Messiah.

The spirit of the Woodstock type party goes on in many weekend parties. On the other hand, Jesus is welcomed with rejoicing in many celebrations of Christians gathering together to worship God. Of course the difference between these two parties may be eternity.

Continuing our series today we consider the fear of threats to our children. One of those greatest fears that Christian parents might have is that our children might choose the Woodstock party instead of the Jesus party.

I. Fear producing.

The hype of the Woodstock party life is not intended by the media to be fear producing, but for those with some values and discernment that may well be the case. Some parents whose values are in the mud with the Woodstock party may not care. They may expect their children to have similar immoral, self-centered, intoxicated lifestyles.

For many parents, even some who have not committed their lives to Jesus Christ, the thought that their children might get involved in drugs, immoral behavior, gangs, crime etc. is extremely fear producing. This is the way of the world that we and our children are bombarded with in our society and especially through media day after day. How can a child live a pure life with such influences one might ask?

While the exposure to such filth may be greater now than it was years ago, similar fear producing parties have been going on for many generations. While they may not have been called parties, that might have been descriptive of the activities at the tower of Babel. People were living in sin apart from God, seeking to make a name for themselves. Some today are seeking to make a name for themselves, not caring about Godly values and the people they mistreat in the process.

Think of the morally bankrupt activities that went on in Sodom and Gomorrah. How far are we from such behavior today? What about the dance party around the golden calf in sinful idol worship soon after God had led them out of bondage. They placed themselves in bondage to sin.

Sadly, some who were invited to and joined in these "Woodstock" type parties centuries ago and a few years ago knew they were wrong. Yes, that can be very fear producing for us as parents and grandparents.

Let's move our thoughts from fear producing to fear relieving parties.

II. Fear relieving

As we think about the party on that first Palm Sunday, consider why the party was held. Jesus was coming into Jerusalem to fulfill the promise of God and invite us to share in His party. While the occasion was festive and party like on Palm Sunday, the implications were far reaching. Jesus was coming to set in motion a series of events that would make it possible for us to be set free from a life of mere momentary sinful pleasure to experience a life of joy and peace that continues through eternity.

I am not suggesting that all involved in this Palm Sunday party were devout followers of Jesus Christ who understood the implications of His kingship. Our Lord however was being honored as the coming king. Certainly many were looking forward to Jesus building an earthly kingdom that would save them politically and nationally, rather than just spiritually. As events unfolded leading to Jesus' death some remained faithful in the midst of their wondering how He was going to be king? Of course we know that Jesus rose from the dead triumphing over death to become the king in the hearts of all place their trust in Him.

Fears of parents regarding their children can be relieved as our children follow our examples and choose Jesus' party rather than the "Woodstock" variety. Remember how our Lord spoke of children receiving the kingdom of God by having child like hearts of faith. That is a choice for all to make, children, youth, parents, and grandparents.

Conclusion

If you are a parent who has chosen the Jesus party assisting your children in making that choice may help relieve your fears concerning them. Let's make the right choices and continue to diligently live up to these choices, for our sake and our children's. In doing so we should also live out our faith in practical ways and set godly examples of being in God's house to celebrate each week. We should demonstrate that we really do want to gather with the people of God and that it is a top priority.

"Prepare me for the hosannas and for the hostilities which come from following you. Come into the courts of your temple and purge from my heart every sin. Reveal the glory and triumph of your kingdom because I believe You are the Christ, the Savior, the King of All." John Drescher

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