Transforming Seasons: Faith, Love, and God's Intervention

 

Summary

In today's message, we explored the profound truth that God has a word for each of us in our specific season of life. We began by reflecting on the story of Jesus at Lazarus's tomb, where Jesus wept as a man but then commanded life as God. This duality illustrates that while we may face hardships and moments of weeping, when we invite God into our circumstances, everything can change in an instant. The key is to have the faith of God working within us, transforming our weeping into rejoicing.

We delved into the concept of seasons, both in nature and in our lives. Just as seasons change, so do our circumstances. However, we must guard against the mindset that our current struggles are permanent or that they define us. Instead, we should embrace the expectancy that God can and will intervene. The study on love and healing relationships highlighted that love, especially God's love, has the power to heal us emotionally, spiritually, and even physically. This is a testament to the transformative power of a word from God in our lives.

The message also emphasized the importance of being attuned to God's voice, especially in the quiet moments of early morning prayer. It is in these moments that God can awaken our ears to hear His word and give us the wisdom to speak words in season to those who are weary. Jesus exemplified this by setting His face like a flint, determined to fulfill God's will despite the suffering He faced. This determination is a call for us to trust in God's word and not be swayed by our circumstances.

Finally, we were reminded that God's love and grace are unconditional. Our weaknesses are opportunities for God's strength to be manifested in our lives. Just as Jesus waited until Lazarus's situation seemed impossible to demonstrate His power, God often allows us to reach the end of our resources so that His glory can be revealed. We are encouraged to put our confidence in God, knowing that He is not bound by time and can change our circumstances with a single word.

Key Takeaways:

1. Transformation Through Faith: Just as Jesus turned weeping into rejoicing at Lazarus's tomb, our circumstances can change when we invite God into them. Faith in God allows us to see beyond our current struggles and anticipate His intervention. [41:03]

2. The Power of Love: Love, especially God's love, has the power to heal us in every aspect of our lives. A word from God in our season can bring emotional, spiritual, and physical healing. [52:42]

3. Hearing God's Voice: Early morning prayer is a powerful time to hear from God. In these quiet moments, God can awaken our ears to receive His wisdom and speak words in season to those who are weary. [57:06]

4. Unconditional Grace: God's love and grace are not dependent on our actions. Our weaknesses are opportunities for God's strength to be revealed, and His grace is sufficient for us. [01:10:44]

5. Expectancy in God's Word: We must trust in God's word and not be swayed by our circumstances. God's timing is perfect, and He can change our situation with a single word, just as He did with Lazarus. [01:14:46]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [39:00] - Joy is Coming
- [41:03] - From Weeping to Rejoicing
- [42:03] - God's Power to Redeem
- [42:58] - Awakening to God's Voice
- [44:11] - Prophecy of Jesus' Suffering
- [45:06] - Setting Face Like Flint
- [45:51] - Trusting in God's Word
- [48:09] - Seasons of Life
- [50:08] - Love and Healing
- [51:40] - The Healing Power of Love
- [54:22] - A Word in Season
- [57:06] - Power of Early Morning Prayer
- [01:01:58] - God's Timeless Intervention
- [01:10:44] - Faith and Expectancy

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. John 11:35-44 (Jesus at Lazarus's tomb)
2. Isaiah 50:4-7 (Prophecy of Jesus' suffering and determination)
3. 2 Corinthians 12:9 (God's grace is sufficient)

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Observation Questions:

1. In the story of Lazarus, what was the significance of Jesus weeping before performing the miracle? How does this illustrate His dual nature as both human and divine? [41:03]

2. According to the sermon, what role does early morning prayer play in hearing God's voice? How does this practice help us receive wisdom and speak words in season? [57:06]

3. How does the sermon describe the impact of love, particularly God's love, on our emotional and physical healing? What study was mentioned to support this claim? [52:42]

4. What does the sermon suggest about the nature of seasons in our lives, and how should we view our current struggles in light of God's intervention? [48:09]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the duality of Jesus weeping and then commanding life at Lazarus's tomb reflect the transformative power of faith in our own lives? [41:03]

2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of being attuned to God's voice. How might early morning prayer change one's perspective or actions throughout the day? [57:06]

3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that God's love and grace are unconditional, and how can this understanding affect our view of personal weaknesses? [01:10:44]

4. How does the concept of setting one's face like a flint, as Jesus did, challenge us to remain steadfast in our faith despite difficult circumstances? [45:06]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you experienced a significant change in your life circumstances. How did your faith play a role in that transformation, and how can you invite God into your current struggles? [41:03]

2. Consider your current prayer habits. How might incorporating early morning prayer help you become more attuned to God's voice and wisdom? What steps can you take to make this a regular practice? [57:06]

3. Think about a relationship in your life that could benefit from more love and healing. How can you demonstrate God's love in that relationship this week? [52:42]

4. Identify a personal weakness or struggle you are facing. How can you view this as an opportunity for God's strength to be revealed in your life? [01:10:44]

5. Reflect on a situation where you need to set your face like a flint and remain determined in your faith. What practical steps can you take to stay focused on God's will despite challenges? [45:06]

6. How can you cultivate an expectancy for God's intervention in your life, especially in areas where you feel stuck or hopeless? What specific promises from God's word can you hold onto? [01:14:46]

7. Consider someone in your life who is weary and in need of encouragement. How can you be a source of strength and speak a word in season to them this week? [01:09:23]

Devotional

Day 1: Transformation Through Faith
In the story of Jesus at Lazarus's tomb, we see a powerful demonstration of faith transforming circumstances. Jesus wept as a man, sharing in the sorrow of those around Him, but then He commanded life as God, turning mourning into rejoicing. This duality shows that while we may face hardships and moments of weeping, inviting God into our circumstances can change everything in an instant. Faith in God allows us to see beyond our current struggles and anticipate His intervention. It is this faith that transforms our weeping into rejoicing, as we trust in God's power to redeem and restore. [41:03]

John 11:43-44 (ESV): "When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, 'Lazarus, come out.' The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, 'Unbind him, and let him go.'"

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to invite God to transform your circumstances? How can you actively express your faith in His power to change your situation today?


Day 2: The Power of Love
Love, especially God's love, has the power to heal us in every aspect of our lives. It is a transformative force that can bring emotional, spiritual, and even physical healing. When we receive a word from God in our season, it can be a catalyst for healing and restoration. God's love is not just a feeling but an active force that works within us to bring about change. Embracing this love allows us to experience healing in our relationships, our hearts, and our bodies. It is a testament to the transformative power of a word from God in our lives. [52:42]

1 John 4:18-19 (ESV): "There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. We love because he first loved us."

Reflection: Think of a relationship in your life that needs healing. How can you allow God's love to flow through you to bring healing to that relationship today?


Day 3: Hearing God's Voice
Early morning prayer is a powerful time to hear from God. In these quiet moments, God can awaken our ears to receive His wisdom and speak words in season to those who are weary. Jesus exemplified this by setting His face like a flint, determined to fulfill God's will despite the suffering He faced. This determination is a call for us to trust in God's word and not be swayed by our circumstances. By being attuned to God's voice, we can receive the guidance and strength we need to navigate the challenges of life. [57:06]

Isaiah 50:4 (ESV): "The Lord God has given me the tongue of those who are taught, that I may know how to sustain with a word him who is weary. Morning by morning he awakens; he awakens my ear to hear as those who are taught."

Reflection: How can you create a habit of listening for God's voice in the quiet moments of your day? What specific time can you set aside tomorrow morning to seek His guidance?


Day 4: Unconditional Grace
God's love and grace are not dependent on our actions. Our weaknesses are opportunities for God's strength to be revealed, and His grace is sufficient for us. Just as Jesus waited until Lazarus's situation seemed impossible to demonstrate His power, God often allows us to reach the end of our resources so that His glory can be revealed. We are encouraged to put our confidence in God, knowing that He is not bound by time and can change our circumstances with a single word. [01:10:44]

2 Corinthians 12:9 (ESV): "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me."

Reflection: What is a weakness in your life that you can surrender to God today, trusting that His grace is sufficient for you? How can you allow His strength to be made perfect in your weakness?


Day 5: Expectancy in God's Word
We must trust in God's word and not be swayed by our circumstances. God's timing is perfect, and He can change our situation with a single word, just as He did with Lazarus. This expectancy in God's word calls us to live with hope and anticipation, knowing that He is faithful to fulfill His promises. By holding onto His word, we can navigate the changing seasons of life with confidence, trusting that He will intervene at the right time. [01:14:46]

Isaiah 55:10-11 (ESV): "For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it."

Reflection: What promise from God's word are you holding onto in this season of your life? How can you cultivate a sense of expectancy and trust in His perfect timing today?

Quotes


You know, Jesus was standing at, at Lazarus's tomb, and it's, it's, it's an amazing verse, but it says Jesus wept. Jesus wept, and, and there's speculation on what he was weeping about, but if we just take it at face value, Lazarus had died, Lazarus was his friend, all of the family was weeping, family was grieving for their brother, for their friend, and Jesus at face value was joining in because he was grieving as a man, and Jesus wept, and then Jesus as God says, roll the stone away. [00:39:19] (60 seconds)


I want you to know, life's going to do you some hardships, but when you connect to God, everything changes, and it can change in a moment. You can go from one verse of weeping to another verse of rejoicing when God gets involved. [00:40:23] (21 seconds)


The Lord hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary. He wakeneth morning by morning. He wakeneth mine ear by, everybody say, wakeneth my ear. Wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned. [00:42:58] (37 seconds)


Therefore shall I not be confounded. Therefore have I set my face like a flint. You know, a piece of flintstone is very hard. That's what they would use. To make sparks, to start fires and shoot guns. And I know that I shall not be ashamed. Everybody say, I know. [00:45:10] (19 seconds)


Who is among you that feareth the Lord, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness and hath no light? Let him trust in the name of the Lord and stay upon his God. Behold, all ye that kindle a fire, that compass yourselves about with sparks, walk in the light of your fire, and in the sparks that ye have kindled, thus shall ye have of mine hand, ye shall lie down in sorrow. I want to tell you right now what this verse is. This verse is telling us it doesn't matter what you face. God has an answer to your problem and he will help you if you will trust in him. [00:45:51] (41 seconds)


And the time it takes for a wound to heal. So if someone is in a hostile relationship, if there's a lot of fighting in the home, it actually lengthens the amount of time it takes for wounds to heal. That's an interesting study. Zero... At zero... So... Wounds not healed from zero to 100%. And the amount of time in days. It takes approximately four to five days for a wound to heal in a low hostile or a high loving environment. [00:50:45] (44 seconds)

It begins to heal you. How many of you can testify and say the love of God actually healed you? You felt different when you got... Sister Cornelison was in leadership. You in here, sis? And she testified. Where you at? She testified. Your testimony was so powerful. Because really... You could apply this to your life. God told her he loved her with an everlasting love in this moment when she was going through such a difficult time. And she said it healed her. That was your moment. You literally said something effective. It healed you emotionally. It healed you of your past. It healed you of so many different complex things. It was the love of God. The love of God. [00:53:14] (43 seconds)


He wakeneth me morning by morning. He wakeneth my ear to hear as the learned. He said, He's given me wisdom beyond my situation. Brother and sister Carrasco, God will give you a word that you don't have the wisdom to even know. But in season, He'll give you a word. Why? To speak as the learned. [00:55:30] (29 seconds)


And there's power in early morning prayer. There's less distractions. Your mind is not cluttered with the day. You're not focused on what you have to do. If you get up early in the morning before everybody else, demands are not put on you and your family. And so it's good to spend time with the Lord early in the morning. And if you're not focused on what you have to do, it's very powerful. But he says here that he opens my ear. He wakens my ear to hear as the learned morning by morning. He wakens my ear. [00:57:29] (33 seconds)


God's not bound by time. Time didn't create God. God created time. When did God create time? Yeah, very good. On the fourth day. You know why? Because we tell time by the sun. Morning to evening, 24-hour day. Earth spins 25,000 miles an hour, whatever it is. We spin 24-hour day. We go around the sun. That's one year. Sundial was the only way to tell time. You take the sun away, what time is it? It's dark. It's nighttime, forever. There is no time. [01:00:13] (57 seconds)


When you step into God's world, when God speaks, He shifts. He shifts everything. I don't know what you're going through right now, but God can reverse it, change it, make it new, undo it, fix it, lift it, promote it, demote it, kill it, make it alive. A word from God changes everything. [01:01:58] (25 seconds)


God's love for you does not fail because of the way you treat him or do him God's love is unconditional love and his favor towards you is undeserved that's why you call it grace because God's grace is sufficient the weaker you are the stronger you become the more inefficient you are the more powerful God can use you the weaker you become the greater the glory of God can be manifest in your life it's in that moment when Lazarus was dead four days and it looked impossible that the greatest glory came Jesus said I'm glad that I didn't show up early for your sakes Jesus said I wanted to make sure that this situation was as impossible as it could get so that you could believe do you realize God's going to increase your faith and you're going to believe him for everything you're going to believe him for everything you're going to believe him for everything that he's promised hallelujah I wish you would speak it man do you feel it stand to your feet and begin to praise God right now just stand to your feet and begin to exalt the king of glory because your help is coming somebody needs to speak it out my help is coming help is on the way yeah I know that's a popular phrase but with God help is on the way amen it's not in the mail well he's already moving on your behalf you you feel alone you feel weak you feel inferior and he's already got your answer coming [01:12:39] (98 seconds)


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Transcript
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