Embracing New Seasons: Moving Beyond Loss
Summary
### Summary
In today's sermon, we explored the theme of moving on from past seasons of loss and stepping into the new opportunities that God has for us. Drawing from 1 Samuel 16, we examined the story of Samuel, who was stuck mourning the loss of King Saul's reign. God challenged Samuel to stop mourning and to prepare for the new season by anointing David as the next king. This narrative serves as a powerful reminder that while mourning is a natural and necessary part of life, there comes a time when we must look forward and embrace the future that God has planned for us.
We often find ourselves fixated on past losses, whether it's a job, a relationship, or a significant life change. This fixation can prevent us from seeing the new opportunities that God is placing before us. Just as Samuel was instructed to fill his horn with oil and move forward, we too must prepare ourselves for what comes next. This preparation involves not just physical readiness but also spiritual and emotional readiness. We must fill our lives with God's presence and be ready to act when He calls us.
Moreover, God doesn't always give us the full picture of what lies ahead. He provides just enough information to get us started, requiring us to trust Him for the rest. This process of moving forward in faith, even when we don't have all the answers, helps us grow spiritually and strengthens our relationship with God.
In summary, the key to moving on from a season of loss is to stop mourning, prepare for what’s next, and trust God with the unknowns. Our best days are not behind us; they are ahead, and God has a purpose and a plan for each of us.
### Key Takeaways
1. Stop Mourning Over What is Lost: Mourning is a natural and necessary part of life, but there comes a time when we must stop looking back and start looking forward. Prolonged mourning can rob us of the future that God has planned for us. Just as Samuel was told to stop mourning Saul, we too must recognize when it's time to move on. [10:04]
2. Prepare for What’s Next: Preparation is crucial for stepping into the new opportunities that God has for us. This involves filling our lives with God's presence and being ready to act when He calls. Just as Samuel was instructed to fill his horn with oil, we must prepare ourselves spiritually, emotionally, and physically for the next season. [18:07]
3. Trust God with the Unknowns: God often gives us just enough information to get started but not the full picture. This requires us to trust Him for the rest. Moving forward in faith, even when we don't have all the answers, helps us grow spiritually and strengthens our relationship with God. [25:52]
4. God Has a Purpose for Your Life: No matter what you've lost, God is not done with your story. He has a purpose and a plan for you, and your best days are ahead. Just as Samuel had to move on from Saul to anoint David, we must be willing to step into the new roles and opportunities that God has for us. [15:30]
5. Act Despite Fear and Doubt: Fear and doubt are natural, especially when stepping into the unknown. However, God can make a way even when we can't see it. Samuel had real fears about anointing a new king, but he trusted God and moved forward. We too must act in faith, trusting that God will guide us and make a way. [31:27]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:02] - The Spider at the Zoo
[03:12] - Struggling to Move On
[04:53] - The Word of God Has Answers
[05:53] - Samuel’s Story
[07:10] - God’s Challenge to Samuel
[08:08] - Stop Mourning Over What is Lost
[10:04] - The Danger of Prolonged Mourning
[11:50] - Looking Back While Moving Forward
[12:48] - Fixing Our Eyes on Jesus
[14:30] - Don’t Let Loss Define You
[16:34] - Prepare for What’s Next
[18:07] - The Importance of Preparation
[24:10] - Go on What You Know
[25:52] - Trusting God with the Unknowns
[31:27] - Act Despite Fear and Doubt
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1 Samuel 16:1-3 (NIV)
> The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.” But Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears about it, he will kill me.” The Lord said, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.’ Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what to do. You are to anoint for me the one I indicate.”
### Observation Questions
1. What was Samuel mourning over, and why did God tell him to stop? ([07:10])
2. What specific instructions did God give Samuel to prepare for the new season? ([07:10])
3. How did Samuel respond to God's command despite his fears? ([24:10])
4. What does the passage suggest about God's way of providing guidance? ([25:52])
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think God asked Samuel to stop mourning and move forward? What does this tell us about God's perspective on prolonged mourning? ([10:04])
2. How does the act of filling the horn with oil symbolize preparation for a new season? What might this look like in our own lives? ([18:07])
3. What does Samuel's fear of Saul teach us about the challenges of stepping into new opportunities? How can we relate to this in our own experiences? ([24:10])
4. Why does God often give us only partial information about our future? How does this help us grow in faith? ([25:52])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you were stuck mourning a loss. How did it affect your ability to see new opportunities? What steps can you take to move forward now? ([10:04])
2. What are some practical ways you can prepare yourself spiritually, emotionally, and physically for the next season God has for you? ([18:07])
3. Think about a situation where you had to trust God without knowing all the details. How did that experience strengthen your faith? How can you apply that trust to your current circumstances? ([25:52])
4. Identify an area in your life where you feel God is calling you to act despite fear and doubt. What specific actions can you take to move forward in faith? ([31:27])
5. How can you ensure that you are not letting past losses define your future? What steps can you take to embrace the new roles and opportunities God has for you? ([15:30])
6. In what ways can you fill your life with God's presence to be ready for His call? Are there specific spiritual disciplines or practices you need to focus on? ([18:07])
7. How can you support others in your small group who might be struggling to move on from a season of loss? What practical steps can you take to encourage and help them prepare for what’s next? ([03:12])
Devotional
Day 1: Embrace the Future God Has for You
Description: Mourning is a natural and necessary part of life, but there comes a time when we must stop looking back and start looking forward. Prolonged mourning can rob us of the future that God has planned for us. Just as Samuel was told to stop mourning Saul, we too must recognize when it's time to move on. Fixating on past losses, whether it's a job, a relationship, or a significant life change, can prevent us from seeing the new opportunities that God is placing before us. God challenged Samuel to stop mourning and to prepare for the new season by anointing David as the next king. This narrative serves as a powerful reminder that while mourning is a natural and necessary part of life, there comes a time when we must look forward and embrace the future that God has planned for us. [10:04]
1 Samuel 16:1 (ESV): "The Lord said to Samuel, 'How long will you grieve over Saul, since I have rejected him from being king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil, and go. I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have provided for myself a king among his sons.'"
Reflection: Think of a loss or disappointment that you have been holding onto. How can you begin to release it to God and open yourself to the new opportunities He has for you?
Day 2: Prepare for God’s New Opportunities
Description: Preparation is crucial for stepping into the new opportunities that God has for us. This involves filling our lives with God's presence and being ready to act when He calls. Just as Samuel was instructed to fill his horn with oil, we must prepare ourselves spiritually, emotionally, and physically for the next season. This preparation involves not just physical readiness but also spiritual and emotional readiness. We must fill our lives with God's presence and be ready to act when He calls us. By doing so, we position ourselves to receive and embrace the new roles and opportunities that God has for us. [18:07]
Ephesians 6:13 (ESV): "Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm."
Reflection: What specific steps can you take today to prepare yourself spiritually, emotionally, and physically for the next season God has for you?
Day 3: Trust God with the Unknowns
Description: God often gives us just enough information to get started but not the full picture. This requires us to trust Him for the rest. Moving forward in faith, even when we don't have all the answers, helps us grow spiritually and strengthens our relationship with God. Samuel had to trust God when he was instructed to anoint David without knowing the full plan. Similarly, we must trust God with the unknowns in our lives, believing that He has a purpose and a plan for us. This process of moving forward in faith, even when we don't have all the answers, helps us grow spiritually and strengthens our relationship with God. [25:52]
Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV): "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are struggling to trust God with the unknowns? How can you take a step of faith today, trusting that He will guide you?
Day 4: God Has a Purpose for Your Life
Description: No matter what you've lost, God is not done with your story. He has a purpose and a plan for you, and your best days are ahead. Just as Samuel had to move on from Saul to anoint David, we must be willing to step into the new roles and opportunities that God has for us. This involves recognizing that our past losses do not define us and that God has a greater purpose for our lives. By trusting in God's plan and being open to His guidance, we can move forward with confidence, knowing that our best days are ahead. [15:30]
Jeremiah 29:11 (ESV): "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt that a loss defined you. How can you shift your perspective to see that God has a greater purpose and plan for your life?
Day 5: Act Despite Fear and Doubt
Description: Fear and doubt are natural, especially when stepping into the unknown. However, God can make a way even when we can't see it. Samuel had real fears about anointing a new king, but he trusted God and moved forward. We too must act in faith, trusting that God will guide us and make a way. This involves recognizing that fear and doubt are part of the journey but choosing to act in faith regardless. By doing so, we demonstrate our trust in God's plan and His ability to lead us through uncertain times. [31:27]
Isaiah 41:10 (ESV): "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
Reflection: Identify a specific fear or doubt that is holding you back from stepping into what God has for you. How can you take a step of faith today, trusting that God will guide and support you?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "The good news today is that we are not without answers, but the word of God has an answer and guidance for us. When we go through those moments where we get our feet knocked out from underneath us, and we don't know how to move on from a season of loss that the word of God has answers for us and guidance about how we can move on from that and step into our best seasons." [04:53] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "You may be wrestling with pain. You may be looking at the loss of the last season, but let me just let you, let me remind you of something as damaging as that season has been. And all that you've lost, those are not your best days. Your best days are in front of you. And in God, there is always hope. No matter what you've lost, it may be incredibly painful, but there is always hope for tomorrow in God." [05:53] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "I believe that our God gives us the power and the help, not to look back and mourn, but to look forward and believe in him that our greatest days are just around the corner." [05:53] (13 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Don't let what is missing in your life turn to missing out on life. God has called you to so much more. He is not done with your story yet." [14:30] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Do not for a minute believe the lies of the enemy that your best days are behind you and he can't use you anymore. God has purpose for your life. God has a mission for your life and God is not done using you even in the midst of failure and loss with a season that is ended." [16:34] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "Sometimes we get into these moments where season has ended and many times because of loss, and we just cannot see beyond the loss of the last season. You wrestle with that or going through that. The good news today is that we are not without answers, but the word of God has an answer and guidance for us." [04:53] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Yes, it's healthy to mourn. Yes, there's a time for mourning. But what God says to Samuel is, how long will you keep mourning? In other words, the almighty, omniscient God of the universe gives us insight that yes, mourning is healthy. But there's actually a time where mourning actually has to end and you need to move on and look forward to what is next." [10:04] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "If you are trying to move forward in God, but you are still looking at the last season of what you've lost. If you're still looking at the relationship that ended, if you're still looking at the job that you can't get back, if you're still mourning about the dream that has passed now, you will never live the life that God has called you because you will constantly be tripping up and getting hurt in ways that you shouldn't because you're looking back when God has called you to move forward." [11:50] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "If we have been in a season of mourning too long like Samuel, or have just been stuck focusing on what we've lost in the past, it can rob us of being prepared for what God has next. Colossians 4 tells us that we should devote ourselves to the right things so that we can make the most of every opportunity." [18:07] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "You have enough right now. Go and trust that God will show you the rest as you move in the process. Sometimes the place that trust grows is when the thing that we feel like we must know shrinks. God, I trust you, but if I always have to know everything that I'm never going to move." [28:34] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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