Embracing Seasons: Preparing for Spiritual Harvest and Growth

Summary

In today's gathering, we celebrated the remarkable journey of Pastor Jimmy and Deborah Miller, who have been instrumental in shaping the spiritual lives of many, including my own. Their dedication to the mission field and their unwavering faith have been a testament to God's work through them. As we reflect on their journey, we are reminded of the importance of recognizing and embracing the seasons God places in our lives. Seasons are a divine orchestration, each with its unique purpose and lessons. They come and go, and it's crucial to discern the reason behind each one, whether it's a time of growth, rest, or preparation for something greater.

Galatians 6:1-5 serves as a foundation for understanding our roles in these seasons. We are called to bear one another's burdens and to restore those who have faltered with gentleness. This passage challenges us to examine our own work and to grow spiritually, moving beyond the spiritual infancy stage. Spiritual maturity is not just about personal growth but also about helping others along their journey. It's about being ready to transition into new seasons and not clinging to the past, as doing so can hinder the harvest God has prepared for us.

The concept of "due season" is pivotal. It signifies a time of harvest, a time when the seeds sown in faith and perseverance bear fruit. However, reaching this season requires not growing weary in doing good. It's about sowing into the spirit and not the flesh, ensuring that our actions align with God's will. As a church, we must be prepared for the influx of new believers, ready to nurture and guide them. This readiness involves spiritual maturity and a willingness to embrace change, even if it means stepping out of our comfort zones.

In conclusion, we are on the brink of a new season, a season of harvest and growth. It's a time to sow into the spirit, to support our leaders, and to prepare for the new souls God will bring into our midst. Let us not grow weary but continue to sow in faith, knowing that in due season, we shall reap a bountiful harvest.

Key Takeaways:

1. Embrace the Seasons of Life: Each season in life has a purpose, whether it's a time of growth, rest, or preparation. Recognizing and embracing these seasons allows us to align with God's divine plan and purpose for our lives. Seasons come and go, and holding onto the past can hinder the new harvest God has prepared for us. [01:10:10]

2. Spiritual Maturity and Growth: Spiritual maturity involves moving beyond the infancy stage and helping others along their journey. It's about being ready to transition into new seasons and not clinging to the past. This growth is essential for personal development and for nurturing new believers in the faith. [01:17:30]

3. The Law of Harvest: The principle of sowing and reaping is central to our spiritual journey. Sowing into the spirit, rather than the flesh, ensures a spiritual harvest. Supporting our leaders and not allowing them to grow weary is crucial for the church to reach its due season of harvest. [01:30:55]

4. Due Season and Harvest: Due season signifies a time of harvest, a time when the seeds sown in faith and perseverance bear fruit. Reaching this season requires not growing weary in doing good and being prepared for the influx of new believers. It's a time to sow into the spirit and embrace change. [01:34:51]

5. Spiritual Birth and New Beginnings: The church must be ready for spiritual birth, welcoming new believers and nurturing them in their faith. This readiness involves spiritual maturity and a willingness to embrace change, even if it means stepping out of our comfort zones. It's about bringing God a "baby" and experiencing the joy and growth that comes with it. [01:42:05]

Youtube Chapters:

- [0:00] - Welcome
- [01:02:01] - Celebrating Pastor Jimmy and Deborah
- [01:03:24] - Seasons of Life
- [01:05:15] - Introduction to Galatians 6
- [01:06:05] - Coming into Due Season
- [01:07:17] - Humility and Self-Examination
- [01:08:44] - Learning to Receive
- [01:09:23] - The Purpose of Seasons
- [01:10:10] - Embracing Change
- [01:11:22] - Transitioning into New Seasons
- [01:12:39] - The Anointing for Each Season
- [01:14:56] - Spiritual Maturity
- [01:16:26] - Helping Others Grow
- [01:17:30] - Becoming Spiritually Mature
- [01:19:16] - Feeding Yourself Spiritually
- [01:20:57] - Authority and Submission
- [01:22:12] - Spiritual Growth and Reproduction
- [01:23:00] - The Importance of Spiritual Maturity
- [01:24:24] - The Role of the Church
- [01:25:36] - Entering Due Season
- [01:26:39] - Sowing and Reaping
- [01:27:10] - Family and Spiritual Growth
- [01:29:06] - Embracing New Seasons
- [01:30:55] - The Law of Harvest
- [01:32:12] - Supporting Our Leaders
- [01:32:55] - Sowing in the Spirit
- [01:34:51] - Understanding Due Season
- [01:35:30] - Preparing for Harvest
- [01:36:44] - Spiritual Birth and New Beginnings
- [01:38:31] - Spiritual Birth Control
- [01:39:22] - Embracing Change and Growth
- [01:40:28] - Spiritual Readiness
- [01:41:15] - The Messiness of Growth
- [01:42:05] - Preparing for New Life
- [01:44:06] - The Joy of New Beginnings
- [01:44:50] - The Role of Joy in Growth
- [01:45:42] - The Importance of Play
- [01:46:52] - The Power of Acceptance
- [01:47:37] - The Joy of New Believers
- [01:48:24] - The Cost of Growth
- [01:49:37] - Delivering What God Has Given
- [01:50:40] - The Blessing of New Beginnings
- [01:51:17] - Embracing God's Gifts
- [01:52:10] - The Promise of Harvest
- [01:53:43] - Faithfulness and Reward
- [01:54:38] - The Coming Harvest
- [01:56:00] - Responding to God's Call

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Galatians 6:1-5

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Observation Questions:

1. What does Galatians 6:1-5 say about how we should treat those who have faltered in their faith? How does this relate to the concept of spiritual maturity discussed in the sermon? [01:06:05]

2. According to the sermon, what are some of the different seasons that individuals and churches go through? How are these seasons described? [01:09:23]

3. What is the significance of the "due season" mentioned in the sermon, and how does it relate to the concept of sowing and reaping? [01:34:51]

4. How does the sermon describe the role of spiritual maturity in preparing for new believers and new seasons? [01:17:30]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the passage in Galatians 6:1-5 challenge believers to examine their own spiritual maturity? What does it mean to bear one another's burdens in this context? [01:06:05]

2. The sermon mentions the importance of not clinging to past seasons. What might be some reasons people struggle to transition into new seasons, and how can this affect their spiritual growth? [01:11:22]

3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that spiritual maturity involves both personal growth and helping others? How can this dual focus impact a church community? [01:16:26]

4. The concept of "due season" is pivotal in the sermon. How does this idea encourage believers to persevere in doing good, and what might be the consequences of growing weary? [01:34:51]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a recent season in your life. What was its purpose, and how did you respond to it? How can you better embrace the current season you are in? [01:10:10]

2. Consider your own spiritual maturity. Are there areas where you feel you are still in the infancy stage? What steps can you take to grow and help others in their journey? [01:17:30]

3. The sermon emphasizes the importance of supporting church leaders. How can you actively contribute to preventing weariness among your church leaders? [01:32:55]

4. Think about a time when you were hesitant to embrace change. What held you back, and how can you overcome similar hesitations in the future to align with God's plan? [01:11:22]

5. Identify a "due season" in your life where you experienced a harvest. What actions led to this season, and how can you apply those lessons to your current spiritual journey? [01:34:51]

6. How can you prepare yourself and your church community for the influx of new believers? What practical steps can you take to nurture and guide them in their faith? [01:42:05]

7. Reflect on the idea of spiritual birth and new beginnings. Is there a new ministry or direction you feel called to pursue? How can you take the first steps toward this calling? [01:38:31]

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing Divine Seasons
In life, we experience various seasons, each orchestrated by God for a unique purpose. These seasons may be times of growth, rest, or preparation for something greater. Recognizing and embracing these seasons allows us to align with God's divine plan and purpose for our lives. Holding onto the past can hinder the new harvest God has prepared for us. By understanding the purpose of each season, we can move forward with faith and anticipation, trusting that God is working all things for our good. [01:10:10]

"For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted." (Ecclesiastes 3:1-2, ESV)

Reflection: What season do you believe God has you in right now, and how can you embrace it fully without clinging to the past?

Day 2: Growing in Spiritual Maturity
Spiritual maturity involves moving beyond spiritual infancy and helping others along their journey. It requires readiness to transition into new seasons and not clinging to the past. This growth is essential for personal development and for nurturing new believers in the faith. As we mature spiritually, we become more equipped to support others and to embrace the changes God brings into our lives. This maturity is not just for our benefit but for the benefit of the entire community of believers. [01:17:30]

"But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil." (Hebrews 5:14, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you actively pursue spiritual maturity this week, and how can you help someone else grow in their faith journey?

Day 3: Understanding the Law of Harvest
The principle of sowing and reaping is central to our spiritual journey. Sowing into the spirit, rather than the flesh, ensures a spiritual harvest. Supporting our leaders and not allowing them to grow weary is crucial for the church to reach its due season of harvest. This principle reminds us that our actions have consequences and that we must be intentional about what we sow. By aligning our actions with God's will, we can expect a bountiful harvest in due season. [01:30:55]

"Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life." (Galatians 6:7-8, ESV)

Reflection: What are you currently sowing in your life, and how can you ensure that you are sowing into the spirit rather than the flesh?

Day 4: Anticipating Due Season and Harvest
Due season signifies a time of harvest, a time when the seeds sown in faith and perseverance bear fruit. Reaching this season requires not growing weary in doing good and being prepared for the influx of new believers. It's a time to sow into the spirit and embrace change. As we anticipate this season, we must remain steadfast in our faith and continue to do good, trusting that God will bring about the harvest in His perfect timing. [01:34:51]

"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." (Galatians 6:9, ESV)

Reflection: How can you remain steadfast in doing good, even when you feel weary, and what steps can you take to prepare for the harvest God has promised?

Day 5: Welcoming Spiritual Birth and New Beginnings
The church must be ready for spiritual birth, welcoming new believers and nurturing them in their faith. This readiness involves spiritual maturity and a willingness to embrace change, even if it means stepping out of our comfort zones. It's about bringing God a "baby" and experiencing the joy and growth that comes with it. As we prepare for new life, we must be open to the messiness of growth and the joy of new beginnings. [01:42:05]

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." (2 Corinthians 5:17, ESV)

Reflection: How can you actively participate in welcoming and nurturing new believers in your community, and what changes might you need to embrace to do so effectively?

Quotes

1) "The mind can only receive what the behind can endure. And so he's gotten better over the years. And so, but I am so thankful for he and Deborah. Deborah has been a worshiper and a intercessor for as long as I know, have known her. And if you, if you don't want prayer, don't ask her to pray. If you don't want to go under a chair somewhere or a pew, then don't ask her to pray, because she will pray you under one." [01:02:01] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2) "God gives you different seasons for different reasons. And summer is different than winter. And in Florida, we don't have the seasons like you guys have. We have summer, then we have hot them. And then we have love bug season, mosquito season, and hurricane season. We never get it. We have a day or an hour of winter." [01:09:23] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3) "But if I, if I stayed there, it wouldn't be called a season. Because seasons have one thing in common is that they come and that they go. And sometimes we wonder why God brings a winter into our life. But winter kills some of the bugs. And sometimes God uses a winter to kill some things that are bugging him and that are bugging you." [01:10:10] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4) "One of the challenges though, Pastor, for churches and people is the inability to transition into the next season. And those who do not missed their next harvest. Because you're so wanting to be back in the last season that you forfeit the harvest of the season. And you're not going to be back in the last season." [01:11:22] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5) "Your anointing is assigned to seasons. And there are some people that are in seasons that you're not anointed for because you never moved. I'm not talking about location -wise. I'm talking about in your spirit, in your mind. I think I heard Pastor Michael say, you didn't read the book. You didn't go to the class. You didn't get ready for the next season of your life." [01:12:39] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6) "If you're always at the baby stage, then something is wrong with you in your formation, and you need to go back. You need to go back to Calvary, and be born again. 1 Corinthians 13 says, when I was a child, I spoke as a child, and I thought I was a child. But I reasoned like a child, and when I became a man, I gave up childish things." [01:17:30] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7) "We will always need each other, but we need to become strong enough to be free in Christ. You can tell when somebody's spiritually immature because they are always saying things like this. I'm not being fed. Oh. The spirit of slap comes on me. When I hear that. I'm not being fed. I said, I guess not. You only come once a month." [01:19:16] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8) "But what happens when a church gets full of mature Christians? There's some pregnancies that start happening. There's some ministries that start happening. There's some people that start getting birthed into the kingdom of God. When people grow up in God, point three, when people grow up in God, a new season kicks in called due season." [01:25:36] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9) "Due season. What is due season? What term do we use for a woman who is carrying a baby and she is now full term? We say she is due. She is due. She has a due date. Even the earth has a due date. Man, I'm going to tell you right now, if you don't believe we're living in the last days, the earth is groaning and moaning." [01:34:51] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10) "Due season is about a harvest of sons and daughters it's a harvest of reaping where you did not sow God is sending people to you that you have never met before some of you are pregnant with ministry God says that ministry will only mature when you bring it to him you only unlock the peace when you bring it to him." [01:42:05] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

Chatbot

Transcript

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