Time For A Change

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” – Hebrew 13:8

Our current teaching series is entitled Making Change and as the name implies, it is about making changes in our lives. I believe most people think the idea of change sounds good, until we realize we may have to do things differently. And too often we spend our time and effort trying to change others other than changing ourselves. Warren Wiersbe said, “Real contentment must come from within. You and I cannot change or control the world around us, but we can change and control the world within us.”

The Christian life is fundamentally a changed life. And it is never too late or too early to make changes. Regardless of what season of life you are in or how long you have been a Christian, you can change.  Jesus equipped you to experience the abundant life of glorifying God in all you do. It sounds easy but then there is that uncomfortable space in between, the desire to make a change and moments of second guessing and questioning of whether making the change is the right thing to do. If God is nudging us to make a change, we pause and ask God a question: “Am I hearing you right?”

I know people who are not intimidated by change, in face they embrace it. But there are others who run from change as if it is the worst possible outcome. They find comfort in the familiar and in the predictable. They like to know what’s coming and how it will turn out. To many people change is an itch they prefer not to scratch. But it is these moments of uncertainty that God can teach us about change and in fact change us. It is in these times that we realize that change is not so bad.

Preaching for 19 plus years at Northstar has afforded me priceless experience. Years of developing a sermon each week taught me how to prepare efficiently and how to comfortably communicate. In preaching, like most other disciplines, there really is no substitute for experience. But looking back, I realize how much both my preparation and delivery have changed, or maybe the better word is evolved, over the years.

Don’t fear change. Embrace change. It is helpful to remind ourselves that change is God’s idea, He orchestrates it, and it never takes Hm by surprise. Since He doesn’t fear it, neither should we.

Discussion Questions:

1. What changes would you like to make in your life?  What are the obstacles to making those changes? 
2. What changes would you make as a result of this week’s sermon on less is more?