Preparing for a Spiritual Birthday
1 Timothy 1:12-17
Does God place a special meaning in our birthdays? I tried to look up the word “birthday” in the Bible. Here are the two references to birthday:
Now it came to pass on the third day, which was Pharaoh’s birthday, that he made a feast for all his servants; and he lifted up the head of the chief butler and of the chief baker among his servants. Then he restored the chief butler to his butlership again, and he placed the cup in Pharaoh’s hand. But he hanged the chief baker, as Joseph had interpreted to them.
(Genesis 40:20-22 NKJV)
Pharaoh was the first reference. The second is Herod.
But when Herod’s birthday was celebrated, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod. Therefore he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask. So she, having been prompted by her mother, said, "Give me John the Baptist’s head here on a platter." And the king was sorry; nevertheless, because of the oaths and because of those who sat with him, he commanded it to be given to her. So he sent and had John beheaded in prison.
(Matthew 14:6-10 NKJV)
Job also talks about the day of his birth. He curses that day. So, we have three different examples in the Bible about birthdays and how they were celebrated. Based on these three examples, some groups don’t celebrate birthdays at all. Jehovah Witnesses are one such group.
But does that mean that we can’t celebrate birthdays at all? We are made in the image of God. Our physical birthday reveals this. While many human leaders in history made the celebration of their birthdays a holy day – Pharaoh was one, the Bible never places such emphasis on this. This is one of the reasons why we are never commanded to celebrate Christmas. We may do that, but it is not because it comes from the Bible.
The Bible talks about our physical death date.
A good name is better than precious ointment,and the day of death than the day of one’s birth;
(Ecclesiastes 7:1 NKJV)
And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment,
(Hebrews 9:27 NKJV)
So we are all born and we are all going to die physically.
The Bible also talks about a spiritual birthday. Like the saying goes: born once, die twice, but born twice, die once.
Jesus said it this way:
Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."
(John 3:3 NKJV)
That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
(John 3:6 NKJV)
The Bible doesn’t even say to celebrate our own spiritual birthday. But it does tell us to look forward and prepare for someone else’s spiritual birthday.
Have you ever helped prepare for someone else’s physical birthday? Have you ever helped prepare a birthday party?
Whether it is planned or it is a surprise, there are many things to do to prepare:
You decorate
You bake a cake
You invite friends and family
You plan an eventual party, games, and celebration
The Bremer have a tradition. When they turn 30 and they are not yet married, the men have to sweep the floor in front of the “Dom” - the cathedral, and the women have to clean door-handles.
The Southern Germans, specifically the Swabians really make a big deal on birthday #40. They even say that a Swabian becomes intelligent when they turn 40. (Mit 40 wird d’r Schwob g’scheid).
What we do for someone on their physical birthday, we should do for someone to prepare for their spiritual birthday. So how can you and I prepare for someone’s spiritual birthday?
HOW TO PREPARE FOR SOMEONE’S SPIRITUAL BIRTHDAY
1.
God teaches me to look for those around me who don’t have a spiritual birthday.
There are many people who don’t know Jesus Christ. They have not been re-born. They don’t have any idea about the importance of being reborn and growing spiritually. So, we should be on the look out for those who need a spiritual birthdate.
Here is why:
And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment,
(Hebrews 9:27 NKJV)
And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God,[3] and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books.
(Revelation 20:12 NKJV)
For everyone there is a time to die. Everyone in this room will die. For everyone, there will be a judgment. You and I will be judged by how we lived on this earth. The only difference between the Christian and someone who is not a Christian is the Book of Life.
The Book of Life records your spiritual birthdate. Some will have one. Many will not have one. The Bible shows that at the judgment, we will want to come to God with all of our good works. But He shows us a “Spiritual Birth Book” and finds out if we are recorded in it. If not, we go to a place called Hell. Hell is a place that is as far away from God as you can get. It is the penalty for not following Jesus.
But the fact of the matter is – every one of us deserve to be judged by our works. We are all sinners. Paul says this to Timothy.
This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.
(1 Timothy 1:15 NKJV)
But Paul also recognizes that someone came to him and shared with him a way to escape judgment. Someone told him about Jesus and God used many circumstances to bring Paul into the Spiritual Birth Book.
However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life.
(1 Timothy 1:16 NKJV)
Paul knows that he did not deserve this salvation. As a result, since he obtained mercy, he wants to live a life that helps others receive the same mercy.
Who around you do you know that needs to be written in the Book of Life? Who do you know around you that needs to have a spiritual birthday?
2.
God teaches me to plan for someone else’s spiritual birthday
But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.
(1 Timothy 1:16 NIV)
The planning takes patience.
You will not be able to plan for somoene’s spiritual birthday overnight. It takes time. It takes a relationship. For most of us, we will not be very effective in sharing the message of Jesus with people we don’t know. Surprise birthday parties don’t work for people who don’t expect to have a birthday.
The patience will be fulfilled in prayer.
What do you do while you are patient? You pray for that person. This is the most important part of the preparation. You need to pray for the people around you who need Jesus. I know I have said it often, but you need to be praying. This is a spiritual birthday you are planning and it requires spiritual tools and methods.
The party requires an invitation.
Paul lived his life as an example for others. In order to do that, you have to be inviting. That means you have to be inclusive. You have to want to let others get into the God’s Children’s Spiritual Birthday Book.
At some point, while you are patient, while you are praying, you are going to have to invite. You keep inviting this person to opportunities that can become spiritual birthdays. You keep inviting them to the church, to the baptism services, to the Vacation Bible School, to the other opportunities.
Inviting others shows you want to include them. Now I have seen some exclusive Christians in this church. People from this church who don’t really accept others. I know it is hard because we are international. But we have to be inviting.
The person needs to feel accepted.
Have you ever been at a birthday party, and felt that you were not accepted? Were you invited as just a token guest? I have been on some occassions. Happens quite often as a pastor. Coming to the birthday of a friend or family member is much different than coming as a pastor. The feeling of acceptance is very different. Sometimes, you don’t feel like you belong.
That is not what you want out of people who need Jesus Christ. They need to feel like they can belong. That also means that you have to accept the way they come to the party. Just like some people will dress differently when they come to a birthday party, people will come to Jesus Christ differently.
What I mean by that is yes, they come to Jesus Christ – they realize that they are a sinner and that they need God and that Jesus is the only to God. But the birthing process is unique. Just as every physical birth is similar but unique, every spiritual birth process will be similar and yet unique. We should not look down at how a person comes to Jesus. We should be happy that they are coming to Jesus. Again, let’s look at the example of Paul.
Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
(1 Timothy 1:13-14 NIV)
Paul was not the type of guy you would want hanging out with your children. Yet, the grace of God was shown to him in faith and with love. It is not just the faith and love of Jesus that he experienced. Paul experienced the faith and love (and therefore the acceptance) of Jesus through the faith and love and acceptance of Christians.
You and I need to set the same example. We need to show faith and share love with everyone who is coming our way. We need to be accepting of those who don’t know Jesus. God loves everyone and He wants everyone to come to Him. He wants everyone in this world to experience a spiritual birthday. He wants you to help find them and prepare them for it.
