Ecclesiastes 3:1 “To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven…”
Again, the text makes clear to us the fact that seasons in our lives are continually changing. I am more convinced today than ever before that God moves in seasons in churches and in individuals.Acts 3:19 “Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord…”
My sermon title may seem a little unusual, but it serves the purpose, because the directions are the same for all people through the seasons of change that we all face.
Acts 10:9-16 “The next day, as they went on their journey and drew near the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray, about the sixth hour. Then he became very hungry and wanted to eat; but while they made ready, he fell into a trance and saw heaven opened and an object like a great sheet bound at the four corners, descending to him and let down to the earth. In it were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds of the air. And a voice came to him, “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.” But Peter said, “Not so, Lord! For I have never eaten anything common or unclean.” And a voice spoke to him again the second time, “What God has cleansed you must not call common.” This was done three times. And the object was taken up into heaven again.”
(2) We must make whatever change God requires for our destiny to be fulfilled!
Proverbs 6:6-8 “Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise, which, having no captain, overseer or ruler, provides her supplies in the summer, and gathers her food in the harvest.”
-Notice what God is doing around you.
-Be willing to trust in His plan rather than in your own.
Acts 10:34 “Then Peter opened his mouth and said: "In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality.”
Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”
(4) We must manage our season’s strengths and weaknesses as we press on to our destiny in Christ!
If you have not properly managed a season properly you can go back to learn its lesson, but it’s much more difficult the second time. Why?
-You are physically older.
-No one there is your age.
-You are learning out of sequence.
But God can help you make up lost time. “So I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten” (Joel 2:25).
-We cannot stop progress. Change will come whether you want it to or not.
-We are all given equal opportunities in each season to make right or wrong decisions that make a bearing on the direction of our lives.
-We can change the ultimate destination of your life. We all are given that right individually by God.
Behavioral scientists tell us that change is one of the major sources of stress in our lives - therefore many people try to deny or ignore change.
(1) We cannot stop progress-life will go on!
1 Chronicles 12:32 “…of the sons of Issachar who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, their chiefs were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their command…”Acts 10:9-16 “The next day, as they went on their journey and drew near the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray, about the sixth hour. Then he became very hungry and wanted to eat; but while they made ready, he fell into a trance and saw heaven opened and an object like a great sheet bound at the four corners, descending to him and let down to the earth. In it were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds of the air. And a voice came to him, “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.” But Peter said, “Not so, Lord! For I have never eaten anything common or unclean.” And a voice spoke to him again the second time, “What God has cleansed you must not call common.” This was done three times. And the object was taken up into heaven again.”
(2) We must make whatever change God requires for our destiny to be fulfilled!
Proverbs 6:6-8 “Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise, which, having no captain, overseer or ruler, provides her supplies in the summer, and gathers her food in the harvest.”
-Notice what God is doing around you.
-Be willing to trust in His plan rather than in your own.
Acts 10:34 “Then Peter opened his mouth and said: "In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality.”
(3) We must take advantage of God’s plan in every season and make the best of it!
Psalm 37:23 “The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD, and He delights in his way.”Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”
(4) We must manage our season’s strengths and weaknesses as we press on to our destiny in Christ!
If you have not properly managed a season properly you can go back to learn its lesson, but it’s much more difficult the second time. Why?
-You are physically older.
-No one there is your age.
-You are learning out of sequence.
But God can help you make up lost time. “So I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten” (Joel 2:25).
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