Sermon
The Next Chapter
Theme
Coping with changes in our life
Object
A book with several chapters in it.
Scripture
Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. (Philippians 3:12 ESV)
We are once again about to undergo some changes. For all of us, it is moving into warmer weather & getting a new pastor. For others, it involves going to a new school, or moving to a new home, or getting a new sister or brother. Transitions (or changes) can be exciting and positive, or difficult. Exciting things like getting to go to a new school, knowing you may get a new brother or sister, or moving to a new home. Difficult transitions include sickness or death in your family. Our church is in transition. Pastor Kay is leaving Tabernacle to go to a new church and we are getting a new pastor. Our church is getting a new fellowship hall and the parsonage is getting a new kitchen remodeling. You may be transitioning to a new school next year. Some people are transitioning to live on the lake for the summer, or to live on the lake full time or to retire, to take a new job after graduation or to get married. Questions may be going through your mind, such as these: Can I do this? What’s next? What will I do?
For most of us, our life is not limited to just a single chapter. When you come to the end of a chapter, turn the page. Don't get stuck; like a good book, it may have been a good chapter, but it is over. Time has a way of always moving forward. In Phil 3:13, the bible reminds us to forget what lies behind and press forward to what lies ahead. We need to leave the previous chapter and open the next chapter. The great thing about next chapter (in our lives) is this: it has not been written yet. The future is full of possibilities, for us here at Tabernacle and for Pastor Kay. There is a word we use for this – Hope. According to Jeremiah 29:11 - "I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for calamity, to give you a future hope." In all our transitions, it is the one thing that is constant. We know how the final chapter will end, so keep the end in mind. Never lose sight of the greatest hope of all – Jesus. He will give meaning to all your little hopes. He will help you move from chapter to chapter in your life.
Prayer: In all of these changes I am going through, help me have hope that you are with me along my journey and will help me through all life’s transitions.
If time permits, sing chorus to the song “I Know Who Holds Tomorrow”.
