Celebrating God's Faithfulness: Embracing New Seasons Together
Summary
Today is a celebration of God’s faithfulness, a day to mark the moments that matter and to honor the journey we’ve walked together as a church family. Every moment in God’s presence is significant, and we are called to capture and cherish these times, knowing that while the moment may pass, God’s presence and faithfulness remain with us. Over the past 20 years, we have seen God add to our family, raise up new leaders, and transform lives. We are not just a group of people gathering for tradition’s sake; we are a team of kingdom builders, called to make a difference in our city, our nation, and the world.
Life is made up of moments—some joyful, some painful—but all are opportunities to see God’s hand at work. We have experienced loss, asked hard questions, and walked through seasons of testing, but through it all, God has proven Himself faithful. The number 20 in Scripture represents waiting, preparation, and breakthrough. Like Jacob, who waited 20 years for freedom, we too have been prepared for a new season of responsibility, maturity, and blessing. God calls us to be solution-driven people, not just opinion-givers, and to invest our lives generously for His glory.
We are reminded to build monuments—both literal and spiritual—that testify to God’s faithfulness, so that future generations will know what He has done. The stones we lay today are not just for us, but for our children and their children, as a sign that God brings us through our Jordan Rivers and into new seasons of promise. The color green, which stands out in our celebration, is a symbol of life, growth, renewal, and fruitfulness. God desires that our next years be our most vibrant, healthy, and fruitful, regardless of age or circumstance.
As we look ahead, we are called to supernatural faith, to believe for greater things, and to trust that the glory of the present house will be greater than the former. God is doing a new thing—opening doors, bringing restoration, and calling us to exponential impact. Our legacy is not just in what we build, but in the lives we touch and the faith we pass on. Let us lift our hands, honor God with what He has placed in us, and step boldly into the next season, knowing that He who has been faithful will continue to be faithful.
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Key Takeaways
- Moments Matter and God’s Presence Endures
Life is a collection of moments, and each one is an opportunity to encounter God’s presence. While our time together may be brief, the impact of God’s presence lingers, shaping us and sending us out with renewed purpose. We are called to live in the moment, celebrate God’s gifts daily, and recognize that every season—joyful or painful—is a chance to see His faithfulness at work. [30:24]
- Breakthrough Comes After Seasons of Waiting and Preparation
The biblical significance of the number 20 reminds us that breakthrough often follows long periods of waiting, labor, and testing. Like Jacob, who waited 20 years for freedom, we too are being prepared for new levels of responsibility and blessing. God uses these seasons to mature us, to teach us faithfulness, and to ready us for the freedom and impact He has planned. [01:20:20]
- Generosity and Solution-Driven Leadership Build God’s Kingdom
God honors those who not only see problems but bring solutions, and who give sacrificially for His purposes. Our legacy is built not on talk, but on action—on wells dug, churches planted, and lives changed through our generosity. When we invest in God’s work, even if we forget, God remembers and multiplies our impact for generations to come. [01:11:30]
- Monuments of Faith Inspire Future Generations
Building spiritual monuments—reminders of God’s faithfulness—serves as a testimony for our children and their children. These stones are not just for us, but for those who come after, so they may ask, “What do these mean?” and hear the stories of God’s deliverance, provision, and miracles. Our responsibility is to ensure that the next generation knows and experiences the faithfulness of God. [01:38:29]
- God Calls Us to Growth, Renewal, and Greater Glory
The color green symbolizes life, growth, and renewal, reflecting God’s desire for us to flourish in every season. Regardless of age or circumstance, God promises to refresh, restore, and make us fruitful. The best years are not behind us; God is doing a new thing, calling us to greater faith, greater impact, and a legacy that will outlast us. [01:56:17]
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Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[30:24] - Capturing the Moment
[31:36] - Welcoming New Members
[33:17] - Celebrating God’s Family
[34:58] - Advancing God’s Kingdom
[01:04:29] - Joyful Celebration
[01:06:28] - God is an On-Time God
[01:08:06] - Reflecting on 20 Years
[01:11:30] - Generosity and Global Impact
[01:15:40] - Supernatural Faith for the Future
[01:20:20] - The Significance of 20: Breakthrough and Maturity
[01:27:50] - Building Monuments of Faith
[01:38:29] - Teaching the Next Generation
[01:56:17] - The Meaning of Green: Growth and Renewal
[02:06:49] - Built for Greater Glory
[02:09:52] - Stepping Into the New Season
[02:12:06] - Closing and Blessing
Study Guide
Small Group Bible Study Guide: Marking Moments & God’s Faithfulness
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### Bible Reading
- Joshua 4:1-7, 21-24
(The Israelites build a monument of stones after crossing the Jordan to remember God’s faithfulness and to teach future generations.)
- Jeremiah 17:7-8
(“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord… They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green.”)
- Haggai 2:9
(“The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house,” says the Lord Almighty.)
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### Observation Questions
1. In Joshua 4, what did God tell the Israelites to do after they crossed the Jordan River, and why?
2. According to Jeremiah 17:7-8, what is the result of trusting in the Lord?
3. In the sermon, what did the “20 stones” represent for the church? [[01:30:53]]
4. What does the color green symbolize in the context of the sermon and the Bible passages? [[01:56:17]]
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think God wanted the Israelites to build a physical monument after crossing the Jordan? How does this relate to remembering God’s faithfulness in our own lives? [[01:38:29]]
2. The sermon mentioned that the number 20 in the Bible often represents waiting, preparation, and breakthrough. How might seasons of waiting prepare us for new responsibilities or blessings? [[01:20:20]]
3. The pastor talked about being “solution-driven” rather than just having opinions. Why is this important for building God’s kingdom? [[01:11:30]]
4. Haggai 2:9 says the glory of the present house will be greater than the former. What does this mean for us as a church or as individuals looking to the future? [[02:06:49]]
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon emphasized that “moments matter” and that God’s presence endures even after special events are over. What is one way you can intentionally “capture” or remember God’s faithfulness in your daily life this week? [[30:24]]
2. Think about a season in your life where you had to wait or go through testing. How did you see God preparing you for something greater, even if it was hard at the time? [[01:20:20]]
3. The pastor challenged us to be “solution-driven” people. Is there a problem or need you see in your family, church, or community where you could bring a solution instead of just an opinion? What’s one step you could take? [[01:14:10]]
4. The idea of building “monuments of faith” was highlighted as a way to inspire future generations. What is one story of God’s faithfulness in your life that you want to make sure your children, friends, or others hear about? [[01:38:29]]
5. The color green was used as a symbol of growth, renewal, and fruitfulness. In what area of your life do you sense God calling you to new growth or renewal? What practical step can you take to respond? [[01:56:17]]
6. The sermon said, “The best years are not behind us; God is doing a new thing.” Is there an area where you’ve been tempted to think your best days are over? How can you trust God for “greater glory” in the next season? [[02:06:49]]
7. The pastor encouraged everyone to “lift your hands, honor God with what He has placed in you, and step boldly into the next season.” What is one gift, resource, or opportunity God has given you that you want to use more boldly for His glory? [[02:09:52]]
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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Thank God for His faithfulness in every season. Ask Him to help you remember and celebrate His work in your life, to grow in faith, and to be a blessing to future generations.
Devotional
Day 1: Marking Moments of God’s Faithfulness
Throughout our lives, God calls us to remember and mark the moments when He has shown Himself faithful. Just as the Israelites built a monument of stones after crossing the Jordan River, we are encouraged to look back and recognize the ways God has brought us through challenges, provided for us, and fulfilled His promises. These memorials are not just for us, but for the next generation—to remind them that God is trustworthy and active in our story. Take time today to reflect on the “stones” in your own life, the moments where God’s hand was evident, and consider how you can share these testimonies with others. [01:27:50]
Joshua 4:4-7 (ESV)
Then Joshua called the twelve men from the people of Israel, whom he had appointed, a man from each tribe. And Joshua said to them, “Pass on before the ark of the Lord your God into the midst of the Jordan, and take up each of you a stone upon his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the people of Israel, that this may be a sign among you. When your children ask in time to come, ‘What do those stones mean to you?’ then you shall tell them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord. When it passed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. So these stones shall be to the people of Israel a memorial forever.”
Reflection: What is one specific moment in your life where you saw God’s faithfulness? How can you “mark” that moment today—perhaps by sharing it with someone or writing it down as a testimony?
Day 2: Waiting, Breakthrough, and Responsibility
There are seasons in life marked by waiting, testing, and preparation, just as Jacob waited twenty years for freedom and the Israelites waited to come of age and serve. These times are not wasted; they are God’s way of preparing us for breakthrough and greater responsibility. Embracing maturity means letting your “yes” be yes and your “no” be no, stepping into the roles God has for you with integrity and faith. Even when the journey feels long or the breakthrough delayed, trust that God is using this time to shape you for what’s next. [01:20:20]
Genesis 31:38, 41 (ESV)
“These twenty years I have been with you. Your ewes and your female goats have not miscarried, and I have not eaten the rams of your flocks… These twenty years I have been in your house. I served you fourteen years for your two daughters, and six years for your flock, and you have changed my wages ten times.”
Reflection: In what area of your life are you currently waiting or being tested? How might God be using this season to prepare you for greater responsibility or breakthrough?
Day 3: Flourishing Through Trust and Renewal
God desires for us to flourish, to be like trees planted by water whose leaves are always green. Trusting in the Lord brings a continual source of life, renewal, and fruitfulness, regardless of outward circumstances. Even when the world expects us to wither or decline, God’s promise is that those who trust in Him will remain vibrant, refreshed, and full of hope. Let your life be marked by growth, renewal, and a visible difference that points others to the source of your strength. [01:56:17]
Jeremiah 17:7-8 (ESV)
“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.”
Reflection: Where do you need God’s renewal and refreshing today? What would it look like to trust Him more deeply in that area?
Day 4: Building for the Next Generation
Our faith is not just for ourselves; it is a legacy we build for those who come after us. God calls us to invest in the next generation, to teach them about His faithfulness, and to empower them to carry the vision further. Whether through mentoring, serving, or simply sharing your story, you have a role in ensuring that God’s work continues and grows. The monuments we build today—of faith, service, and generosity—become the foundation for future generations to stand on and go even further for God’s glory. [01:52:57]
Joshua 4:21-22 (ESV)
And he said to the people of Israel, “When your children ask their fathers in times to come, ‘What do these stones mean?’ then you shall let your children know, ‘Israel passed over this Jordan on dry ground.’”
Reflection: Who in your life—whether a child, a friend, or someone you mentor—needs to hear about God’s faithfulness? How can you intentionally invest in their spiritual journey this week?
Day 5: Embracing God’s New Thing and Greater Glory
God is always at work, doing new things and calling us to greater glory. He invites us to let go of the past, to trust Him for new beginnings, and to believe that the best is yet to come. No matter your age or stage, God’s promise is that the glory of the present house will be greater than the former, and He is able to do above and beyond what we can imagine. Step forward in faith, ready to receive and participate in the new things God is doing in your life, your family, and your church. [02:06:49]
Isaiah 43:18-19 (ESV)
“Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”
Reflection: What is one area where you sense God inviting you to let go of the past and embrace something new? How can you respond in faith and expectation today?
Quotes
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