Title: Understanding the Seasons of Life
Theme: Showing the seasons of life and how we should react to them.
Text: Psalms 1:1-3, Ecc 3:1
Introduction
Psalms 1:1 Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; 2 But his delight is in the law (the will and the ways) of the Lord, And in His law (the will and the ways) he meditates day and night.
We are told over and over again in scripture to: 1) do the will of God 2) find the will of God
The Will of God
Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Ephesians 5:15-17 Be very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise, (16) making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. (17) Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is.
Nebuchadnezzar learned that God rules over all. No matter if they are a follower or not.
Dan 4:17 'This decision is by the decree of the watchers, And the sentence by the word of the holy ones, In order that the living may know That the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, Gives it to whomever He will, And sets over it the lowest of men.'
Dan 4:32 And they shall drive you from men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. They shall make you eat grass like oxen; and seven times shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses."
The most high is sovereign over the kingdom’s of men and gives them to anyone he wishes.
Seasons
(3) He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.
Ecc 3:1 To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven:
Understand God has a Plan for Your Life
Jer_29:11 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.
Lessons on Life
There was a man who had four sons. He wanted his sons to learn not to judge things too quickly. So he sent them each on a quest, in turn, to go and look at a pear tree that was a great distance away. The first son went in the winter, the second in the spring, the third in summer, and the youngest son in the fall. When they had all gone and come back, he called them together to describe what they had seen. The first son said that the tree was ugly, bent, and twisted. The second son said no it was covered with green buds and full of promise. The third son disagreed; he said it was laden with blossoms that smelled so sweet and looked so beautiful, it was the most graceful thing he had ever seen. The last son disagreed with all of them; he said it was ripe and drooping with fruit, full of life and fulfillment. The man then explained to his sons that they were all right, because they had each seen but only one season in the tree's life. He told them that you cannot judge a tree, or a person, by only one season, and that the essence of who they are and the pleasure, joy, and love that come from that life can only be measured at the end, when all the seasons are up. If you give up when it's winter, you will miss the promise of your spring, the beauty of your summer, fulfillment of your fall.
Going Through Seasons
Understand
1) We are all going through a season
2) All seasons have a purpose
3) If we don’t fulfill the purpose of the season then we will cause problems for the others seasons
4) Preparation is the key to have a successful season.
5) We can bear fruit even if we don’t cultivate and plant the land that season
6) If we want to bear an abundant fruit it is more than just sitting and waiting on the land to come up.
Winter Characteristics
Short days
Cold
Darkness
Death
Winter Benefits
Intimacy
Evaluation
Sabbath
Planning
Automatic
“that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts,” Ephesians 4:22
Spring Characteristics
Transition
Preparation
New Life
Spring Benefits
Planting
Preparation
“Lo, the winter is over; the rains are over and gone” Song of Songs 2:11
Summer Characteristics
Long days
Harvest
Growth
Summer Benefits
Reaping
Celebration
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self–control.” Galatians 5:22
Autumn (Fall) Characteristics
Transition
Preparation for Winter
Autumn (Fall) Benefits
Preparation
Resume Routines
And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Galatians 6:9
HOW TO RESPOND TO THE SEASONS OF LIFE from Responding to Seasons of Life by Pat Damiani
1. Choose faith over frustration
Psalm 33:11But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.
2. Choose gratitude over grumbling
1 Thessalonians 5:16-19 Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit.
Philippians 4:6-7 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; (7) and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
3. Choose good over gain
Galatians 6:9, 10 (NIV) Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believer
4. Choose to fear God rather than fear life
The fear of the LORD leads to life: Then one rests content, untouched by trouble. Proverbs 19:23 (NIV)
2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear (cowardice, timidity opposite – boldness, confidence), but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
