Galatians 4:9-11 and Romans 14:5-7 provide guidance on observing religious holidays. They teach that individuals have liberty in their personal choices, but should not bind their views on others or force ritual observance. The principles are: do not bind what God has not bound, consider each other's backgrounds, and ensure God is praised in all actions rather than demanding others follow specific rituals or traditions.

1. Observing Religious
Holidays
What is allowed / forbidden in
the observance of religious
holidays?

2. Many Religious Holidays

3. Three Views
• Nothing Wrong
– We can observe them just like
denominations do
• Personal Choice
– Not a “church” ritual
– But each individual can choose to observe
as they choose
• All Observance Forbidden
– We must not acknowledge the day in any
way

4. Apply the Principles
• What does the Bible teach on this
subject?
– Not a direct command in NT
– But we must apply the principles of NT
• Two Passages touch this matter
– Galatians 4:9-11
– Romans 14:5-7

5. Galatians 4:9-11
But now after you have known God, or
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rather are known by God, how is it that
you turn again to the weak and
beggarly elements, to which you desire
again to be in bondage? 10You observe
days and months and seasons and
years. 11I am afraid for you, lest I have
labored for you in vain.

6. Examine Galatians 4:9-11
• Addressed to Jewish Christians
• Don’t allow yourself to be enslaved with
rituals
• DAYS – Atonement, Sabbath
• MONTHS – New Moon feasts
• TIMES – Passover, Pentecost,
Tabernacles, annual feasts
• YEARS – Sabbath year, Jubilee year

7. Examine Galatians 4:9-11
• Here is the message of these verses:
• IF YOU CONTINUE TO OBSERVE ALL
THESE JEWISH FESTIVALS – TO
WHAT WERE YOU CONVERTED?
• YOU HAVE RETURNED TO THE LAW
OF MOSES AND AWAY FROM THE
FREEDOM IN CHRIST

8. Romans 14:5-7
One person esteems one day above another;
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another esteems every day alike. Let each
be fully convinced in his own mind. 6He who
observes the day, observes it to the Lord;
and he who does not observe the day, to
the Lord he does not observe it. He who
eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God
thanks; and he who does not eat, to the
Lord he does not eat, and gives God
thanks. 7For none of us lives to himself, and
no one dies to himself.

9. Examine Romans 14:5-7
• Addressed to Gentile Christians
• Be assured in your mind
– You cannot bind on others
– They cannot bind on you
• Meat vs. Vegetarian; Eat vs. Fast;
Observe vs. Ignore

10. Examine Romans 14:5-7
• All of us bring along some “baggage”
• Each of us has different backgrounds,
cultures, family customs, traditions
• What matters most is – Is God
praised in your actions?

11. Examine Romans 14:5-7
• NOTE:
NOTE
– We are not alone in this life
– Consider each other – feelings,
background, customs, traditions
• DON’T:
DON’T
– Force your views on others
– Allow others to force their views on you

12. Conclusions:
• Both Jews and Gentiles are condemned
• PRINCIPLE: Do not bind on others
PRINCIPLE
what God has not bound!
• PRINCIPLE: Individual liberty is allowed
PRINCIPLE
– It must not conflict with NT teaching
– You may – blow out candles, send cards,
decorate trees, give gifts, have family for
dinner, eat sloppy joes, sing songs, read
the Bible, take a day off work

13. Conclusions:
• PRINCIPLE: What these passages
PRINCIPLE
forbid is the “BINDING” –
– Forcing others to observe your rituals
– Elders, deacons, song leader, minister
• OBSERVATION: There are two
OBSERVATION
dangers facing the church today:
– Some seek to make rules that God did not
make
– Others seek to ignore the rules that God
did make

14. Where are you?
• Some questions to ask yourself:
– Do you demand that others observe your
rituals, customs, or traditions?
– Do you make sure that God is glorified in
how you observe each day of the year?
• God is the only one who can BIND
His rules on you.
– Are you bound to obey the rules of God?