If you use any or all of this message--would you be willing to fire off a quick email to:pastorjerryvargo@juno.com? I would like to have an idea of how often my sermons are actually being preached to strengthen the Body of Christ. Thanks!
Adjusting to Inevitable Change
Pastor Jerry C. Vargo
I. Introduction.
Opening Story
Christmas night, I had an experience that serves as the seedbed for this message today. We had a great day as a family. We opened our presents (I received a new guitar), had breakfast, a nap, and finally the most incredible dinner together.
Sandy and I know that life is changing—and so like many of you, we are cherishing times when the entire family can be together.
It wasn’t long after dinner that our son Jeffrey (19 years old) decided that he was going to travel to New Hampshire to see his girlfriend—He was leaving in the morning anyway to go back to college. I surely didn’t blame him for wanting to be with his girlfriend—young love makes young men do all kinds of crazy things!
The reality of Jeff leaving hit me (and Sandy) like a ton of bricks. It was just so sudden. Therefore, being the macho man that I am—I sat on the couch and cried like a big baby!
CHANGE ISN’T ALWAYS EASY!
A. In fact—it is inevitable! The sooner we embrace it—the sooner we will be at peace.
B. I didn’t embrace Jeffrey leaving right away. We actually went to see a movie. "Cheaper by the Dozen." Great Movie—But when we left the theater—we talked about adopting a few kids! I must be crazy!
C. Anyway, this whole experience got me thinking about how to deal with change.
D. Knowing it is not easy—but inevitable—we need tools or principles to help us to keep moving forward into God’s plan.
II. Body.
A. I struggle with change—and yet I eventually embrace it. Why? Because I know that God is doing the changing—and I trust Him!
B. Consider this: When Adam and Eve were in the garden—they were fully alive—made in the image of God. Yet, because of sin—they changed for the worse! Sin changes us for the worse!
C. When Jesus came — His plan and desire was and is to conform us back into the same image—just like Him! How many of you know—that takes time?
D. Today’s foundational verse: Philippians 4:4-9:
Philippians 4:4-8
"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Let your forbearing spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things."
1. Rejoice In The Lord Always!
A. When life lets you down—REJOICE! ALWAYS! Life might let you down—but God NEVER lets you down.
B. God is a God of process—and He has it under control—even the unforeseen changes.
C. There is something about rejoicing that adjusts our spirits and gives us new perspective.
D. All of a sudden—we see things differently. We actually are telling God that whatever He allows to pass through His hands is OK with us.
E. Rejoicing sends a message to God that we KNOW He sees—and we are trusting HIM regardless of the changes:
Psalm 31:7-8
"I will be glad and rejoice in your love, for you saw my affliction and knew the anguish of my soul. You have not handed me over to the enemy but have set my feet in a spacious place."
2. Be Patient With All Men!
A. We are to be patient with all men because we KNOW the Lord is near.
B. This is really important too! Why? Because when change takes place—we often blame others for that change.
C. Somebody does something that affects us and we become offended by their actions.
D. Yet, God tells us to be patient with all men because He is near.
E. That can be taken two ways:
1) Be patient because the Lord is near and He is watching!
2) Be patient KNOWING the Lord is near to help you!
F. I choose door number two. In all of life’s changes—as hard as they get—God is there to help you!
3. Do Not Be Anxious!
A. If we are honest—we must admit that change tempts us to become anxious.
B. The trigger of Anxiousness should be the engine that drives us into His presence:
Psalm 94:19
"When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, Thy consolations delight my soul."
C. The prophet Isaiah had something to say to those who were anxious about change:
Isaiah 35:4
"Say to those with anxious heart, "Take courage, fear not. Behold, your God will come with vengeance; the recompense of God will come, but He will save you."
D. I choose to believe this verse. God saves us in all our circumstances—even life’s unexpected changes.
E. Be anxious about NOTHING! EVEN Changes in the YEAR 2004.
4. Pray with Thanksgiving!
A. To pray with thanksgiving is to pray with a centered heart. It is to pray with an attitude that says:
"God, I choose to believe that in the midst of life’s changes—you are worthy to be thanked—because You can be trusted in all circumstances."
B. Praying with thanksgiving in the midst of change allows you to focus on the positive NOT on the negative.
Pray with thanksgiving for NEW opportunities to grow and stretch.
Pray with thanksgiving asking God to help you through the change.
Pray with thanksgiving that the challenges that He has given you will make you more like Jesus AND will better equip you to help others.
Lastly…
5. Think on Good Things!
A. The problem with dealing with changes is that we perceive that change is NEGATIVE—and this ALWAYS skews our thinking.
B. I can give you a hundred reasons why my changing family is hard—but I must dwell on the good that comes of it.
C. We know from Ecclesiastes that there is a time for everything:
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
"There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven—A time to give birth, and a time to die; A time to plant, and a time to uproot what is planted. A time to kill, and a time to heal; A time to tear down, and a time to build up. A time to weep, and a time to laugh; A time to mourn, and a time to dance. A time to throw stones, and a time to gather stones; A time to embrace, and a time to shun embracing. A time to search, and a time to give up as lost; A time to keep, and a time to throw away. A time to tear apart, and a time to sew together; 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."
D. Listen brothers and sisters—it’s time to expect that God is working all things together after the counsel of His own will.
E. Let’s begin to meditate on the good that God is working in our lives.
F. Focus on what is true, honorable, right, pure, and lovely.
G. The result? The Peace of God shall guard your hearts and mind!
H. I can handle change if I have the Peace of God—and so can you.
III. Conclusion.
A. As we move into 2004, I know that all of us will face many changes.
B. Let us purpose to go with the flow and trust the KING. Let us honor Him with our lives in the midst of change.
In our personal lives
In our families
With our friends
In our circumstances
In our church
In our community
In ALL He sends our way
Romans 8:28-31
"We know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the first-born among many brethren; and whom He predestined, these He also called; and whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?
