How we are to respond to the changing seasons of God in our lives The Seasons of God How we are to respond to the changing seasons of God in our lives

Introduction This sermon born out of personal walk and a seeking to understand why God changes seasons. What should our response be and how can we prepare ourselves for change?

Seasons are God’s idea And God said, Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night, and let them be signs and tokens [of God's provident care], and [to mark] seasons, days, and years, Genesis 1:14 While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease. Genesis 8:22

The seasons The length and type of season is determined by God. The change of seasons are marked by the stars – which means there will always be signs to show us that the season is about to change. “Surely the Sovereign LORD does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets.” Amos 3:7

Daniel understood He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and sets up kings. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding! He reveals the deep and secret things; He knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with Him! Daniel 2:21-22

God never changes “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and for ever.” Hebrews 13:8 This is an important element of our stability knowing that even though our circumstances change, God and the way He thinks about us does not change.

God’s master plan still applies today God is working to a master plan and we only ever see the smallest part of that plan. The rest is not our business and we are only responsible for our part. God reveals to us only what we need to know.

God knows! For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:11-13

Ecclesiastes 3:1-4 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,

Ecclesiastes 3:5-8 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.

Ecclesiastes 3:9-11 What does the worker gain from his toil? I have seen the burden God has laid on men. He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.

An eternal perspective “But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining towards what is ahead, I press on towards the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenwards in Christ Jesus. All of us who are mature should take such a view of things.” Philippians 3:13-15

The seasons of man Birth to conception Birth to 5 years 5 to 12 years old Adolescence Adult Old age Protected in womb Very dependent on parents Increased awareness of self Increasing independence Finds partner and starts own family Maturity with wisdom

Our spiritual seasons Our spiritual walk has a similar pattern. As we grow older in God He expects more of us – we are called to maturity through testings and trials . “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:2-4

Church seasons Each church has a specific call and mantle. The leadership of each church need to identify this mantle and then recognise and respond to the call to change as seasons change. John 15 tells us that branches that bear no fruit are pruned and burnt and that branches that bear fruit will also be pruned.