I cannot help but think about how important change is to each of us even when it’s not fully welcomed. When we look at Gods majestic creation all around us, it gives us a hopeful picture of change. From stormy clouds that supply us with life giving water and then next they move away unveiling the bright warmth of the sun. From a colorful portfolio in the falling of leaves to seeing the rebirth in spring, all of this is a much-welcomed change. Every year, we welcome these changes as a renewal of the seasons, a rebirth if you will. Each transition of change is appealing to our senses, yet change even as elegant as the seasons are, regrettably it is not always welcomed by many people with allergies, sensitive to temperature extremes and so on. However, like it or not, change is coming, just as the seasons change.
In starting our journey today, we are going to look into how change is in the works, even if we are not ready for it! In this life, we learn quickly that God is always on the move and each of us have a serious decision to make—either get onboard with it or miss out totally for the best plan God has for us. We either accept change and reap the full benefits or turn from it and face the doomed reality; it’s too late. Let us hear again the Gospel of Mark, “Now after John was taken into custody, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, 15 and saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel. 16 As He was going along the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew, the brother of Simon, casting a net in the sea; for they were fishermen. 17 And Jesus said to them, Follow Me, and I will have you become fishers of people. 18 Immediately they left their nets and followed Him.”
Let me first draw your attention to verse 15 “The time is fulfilled.” This word in Greek (play-ro-o) means to make full or make complete which refers to being changed to something new, not old. Then as we continue, we see the fishermen did not wait to accept a new change as they immediately left their nets! This is a serious engagement. Amongst this change which Jesus is doing with spreading the good news, we find that to make a change did not start under pristine conditions, but rather a dark cloud. Without even getting their feet wet, the disciples are already experiencing condemnation with John the Baptist’s arrest. And even though both John and Jesus proclaimed the prophecies that indeed, God’s kingdom is coming, this seemed to make no difference to the ancient world until the reality of it all set in.
Even in today’s world, one of the biggest dark clouds that all Christians face is change—a change in body, mind and spirit. Change is not often thought of or faced until faced with it—reality of our circumstance, our decisions, and our honest review of our relationship with God. Have you ever said to yourself why make a change when things seem so ‘perfect?’ Why try to fix what’s not broken? A lot of it is because we delay in our change. In the Andy Griffith show, one episode where Opie learned from a hobo the analogy “Tomorrow is the perfect time to do anything. It’s the most marvelous day of the week, there is absolutely nothing a man cannot do tomorrow.” What a wrong way to see tomorrow! While tomorrow has no guarantee, our decision to change our lives for the better must start NOW. Romans 8 tells us “The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.” DO we want to live in death or in life and peace?
Most people know that when we look at the food nutrition labels, we sort of cringe when seeing some of the numbers. But you know, there is one big problem with the nutrition label. Even being clearly printed to see, it doesn’t change what we eat, we must choose to do so. It’s one thing to read our bibles, pray and meditate to God everyday, come to church regularly, give our gifts and tithes to God—it’s a whole other matter to actually make a true and genuine change. Throughout scripture, we see countless times where God is declaring we are NOT to it alone. God will provide us with what is needed both physically and spiritually. Let me give you a simple exclaimer that Paul tells us in his first letter to the people of Corinth. “Now I say this, brothers and sisters, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. 51 Behold, I am telling you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.”
Change from our carnal body into an eternal one. Change from making a daily decision from following the worldly desires to following the only solution to sin which is in Christ and Christ alone. A change where even the demons themselves are NOT welcome to the idea of change.
Listen to the evil ones response in the Gospel of Mark chapter, “They went into Capernaum; and immediately on the Sabbath Jesus entered the synagogue and began to teach. 22 And they were amazed at His teaching; for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. 23 Just then there was a man in their synagogue with an unclean spirit; and he cried out, 24 saying, What business do you have with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are: the Holy One of God! 25 And Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be quiet, and come out of him! 26 After throwing him into convulsions and crying out with a loud voice, the unclean spirit came out of him.” In this exorcism, the demons knew Christ even when mankind did not. They knew God’s reign is coming and is present and a true change is in the works. They knew their destiny and it certainly did not include God.
Pauls second letter to the people of Thessalonia tells us “But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.” Lamentations 3 tells us “The Lord’s acts of mercy indeed do not end, For His compassions do not fail. 23 They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.” Gods sustains, God blesses, and God hears the prayers of the faithful. Just as the disciples didn’t wait to follow Christ, we too are answer Gods calling with a welcome change.
There are several things I would like to leave with you about change that is in the works and how to address it in our lives.
First, change equals uncertainty, but Gods Holy words reminds us that we need not worry about the unknown. Jeremiah tells us “For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for prosperity and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” God has a purpose and exhibits his plan for a change for the better.
Second, change makes us stronger. The prophet Job even during his trials gives us a true testimony, “But He [God] knows the way I take; When He has put me to the test, I will come out as gold.” We will always come on top when focusing our change with Gods instructions, guidance and strength.
Third, even as change is hard, it is vital for growth. Romans tells us “Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” We are to be transformed to something new in order to complete His work and work in us.
Fourth, change is temporary. Pauls second letter to people of Corinth tells us “Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer person is decaying, yet our inner person is being renewed day by day.” Our daily bread is delivered, and God gives us renewed strength every single day. All the obstacles and trials that come with change has already been conquered.
Fifth, change will bring us closer to God. Titus tells us “He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we did in righteousness, but in accordance with His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He richly poured out upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” We are not to be wasted away or found near death in order for God to hear us. God is present in every sense of the word. Just as the hymn tells us “Just have a closer walk with thee,” God truly desires this with his beloved.
Sixth, even when everything around us seems to fall apart, God remains steadfast. James 1 tells us “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change.” We can count on the given fact that nothing on earth happens without Gods full permission, even with change that is coming.
Last but certainly not least, our strength to endure change comes only from God. Jeremiah tells us “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, And whose trust is the Lord. 8 For he will be like a tree planted by the water That extends its roots by a stream, And does not fear when the heat comes; But its leaves will be green, And it will not be anxious in a year of drought, Nor cease to yield fruit.” In everything we experience, just like this tree that is rooted in God, so we are to experience that same strength that only comes from God.
In closing friends, let me finish by saying you know as well as I, change and accepting change is very hard. Like it or not, Gods kingdom is coming and there is no time to wait. If there is anything that is hindering us from serving Christ, honoring and worshiping God, it needs to be dealt with. There are no such thing as secret sins. In Jesus ministry, he clearly tells us in order to enter heaven, to be saved, we must change, transform, become a new creation—changing of our hearts and minds to Him. And then, we will experience what Revelation chapter 22 tells us, “Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to reward each one as his work deserves. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end…. The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires, take the water of life without cost.” Don’t wait friends, change is in the works, and each of us must be ready. Amen.