Seasons Change
Romans 10:14-17 NKJV
[14] How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? [15] And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!” [16] But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our report?” [17] So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
As I look out the window this morning I can see change.
The air is cooler.
The days are not as long.
The sun doesn’t come up as quickly as it was.
The leaves are not as vibrant and are starting to wilt a bit.
The Lord is letting us know that the time is changing. That one season is ending and another about to begin.
In all of His power and might He subtly changes things. It is like His warning to us. Speaking without saying a word.
Even if there are no words spoken, the Lord’s creation still obeys His command and follows, even if it believes it is not time.
There is not a person that walks this earth that doesn’t know that seasons are changing.
The heart of Man is the same.
Seasons in the hearts of Man change too.
There are times when we are softened to the Word of God. We are moldable, shapeable. We conform to what the Lord gives us instruction to do.
There is that small still voice that cries out to us that change must come.
Those that listen prepare and expect it.
We allow the Lord to either subtly or unexpectedly do His Redemptive work in our hearts.
Then there are so many that don’t know this voice – don’t hear this voice or don’t listen.
Some have never heeded to the changing seasons of life, not seeing the dangers of it, but rather, living the repercussions.
Sin is very captivating. If you have breath right now you have experienced it.
It chokes life out. It brings blindness to the eye. It mutes the ear. It captures thoughts.
It wreaks havoc mentally, emotionally, physically. It causes the soul to shrivel and weakens it to almost nothingness.
Weren’t you once there?
Living a life unredeemed. No life, no joy.
Suffering the consequences of those very sins before you laid it all down and pleaded to the Lord for His mercy.
How did you know?
How did you know that the season of your life had to change?
How did you know the fire of your heart was growing cold? That the leaves of the fruit you bear was losing its color.
Even when we walk in our sins the Lord somehow gives us subtle warnings that things are not right with Him.
Guilt settles in. Shame becomes a way of life. Hopelessness pops up like a shield to the wounded heart.
How did you know that season of your life had to change?
Did you hit rock bottom?
Did you suffer the consequences of sin?
Were you so lost that you never thought you’d be found again?
There was a turning point.
What was that point?
When was that time?
Who did God send to you?
What obedient heart was sent to you, specifically to you, at the right time and the right moment in the right season?
When it seemed like nothing would change. God sent a Worker from His Kingdom to reach your battered wounded heart – sent out so that you in your depravity could hear of the Hope of Jesus Christ!
Are we not tasked to do the same?
How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard?
The inspired Word of God!
If your ears had never heard that there was mercy to be had, where would you be?
If your heart had never known there was forgiveness waiting, would you still be?
If the Lord in that same mercy and awaiting forgiveness had sent someone out and they didn’t obey His Command, you would have never been able to call on Him as Lord and Savior!
Subtly the seasons change.
And how shall they hear without a preacher?
This is how the Glory of God continues.
This is where the Gospel of Jesus Christ goes forth.
He cleanse one, then sends one, then cleanse one and sends another!
This is His formula!
He takes the Heart, Purifying it and Cleansing it with Water of His Word. Then He seals it His Blood!
That heart is now ready for service! But Is that heart willing?
We are all called to be preachers of the Word of God. We are all to be heralds of great news and glad tidings. Bringing the lost sheep back into the Holy Fold of the Great Shepherd, using His Word and your experience to bring the wandering soul into its changing season with the Lord!
“How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!”
How much peace and comfort was afforded to you?
How much of the storm has calmed?
How many wrongs were made right?
How will they know if a preacher is not sent?
If we could be just as brave and bold as the preacher that the Lord sent to us!
If we could be so empathetic and compassionate as the heart the Lord put in our path!
The needed change of season for the Glory of the Kingdom of God and for the building of that same Kingdom! It takes one preacher at a time. One preacher to one heart.
No fancy eloquent Words needed.
Nothing shiny or flashy.
What words were said to you?
Were they extravagant and lofty?
Were they just simple and just pointed you to the One with the answers and Healing In His Hand?
How will they know!
All I ask today is that you remember the first time you heard. Remember that time the Lord sent someone to you in your most desperate hour and time – that one preacher of peace – in a season of chaos!
Then ask yourself if it would not have been for that one, where you would be? Would you even know? Would you still believe as you do?
Finally, ask yourself why haven’t you been the preacher of God’s Word of Hope to someone else’s heart stuck and desperate for a change of season?
The weather is cooling. The season is changing. For some this could be the moment the season changes for the Glory of the One who sits in the Throne through the Power of His mighty love and His generous Mercy! But, how will they know if you are not preaching the Gospel?
The continuation of the Gospel must come through us. If we are not willing to be the preacher to the ear that has never heard, the heart that hurts, or the soul that is condemned, then how then can we claim to be a true follower of Christ if we don’t heed His Commands?
How will they know?
Pastor Ed