Transition
COTRJ/ss070107
Key Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:1 ¶ To everything [there is] a season, A time for every purpose under heaven:
The first week of July each year reminds me of things like:
New Birth
New Vision
New Adventure
This week the
On July 4, 1776, our forefathers made a declaration of independence from those controls of the past and declared their new dependence on the guiding, guarding and gracious hand of Almighty God.
This began the American Revolution. By the way, there is a marked difference between a revolution and a rebellion.
A revolution is more than just leaving something you no longer want … rather it’s reaching out to something you must embrace.
Any fool can curse the darkness but only an envisioned man will light a lamp.
When those 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence fixed their names to that freshly written document they knew that they were signing their death warrants. However, it was not done in haste nor even in frustration but such was their calculated commitment that they further pledged:
Their Lives; Their Fortunes; and Their Sacred Honors
These were not the rash words of those who had merely had enough … no … though these were difficult words, nonetheless these were words from the heart of men who knew their destiny and understood that:
Truth is not determined by a show of hands and destiny neither waits nor depends on any man.
They were ready to bring birth to the vision they had been given and begin the adventure.
It’s the same thing here this morning.
Today we all begin a new adventure
Today we all take another step towards destiny
Today, after 2 decades of faithful service to this church, Senior Pastor Richard Bishop is beginning a new chapter in his life and ministry and so is this congregation.
We are here to honor him and his family for their years of dedicated service to the vision God gave him and to join our hearts and prayers with him as we believe that their greatest day is yet ahead.
We are also here to seek God together for this new season the church is entering … a season of transition for our new day.
Transitions in leadership are always difficult. Always have been and always will be. However, they are necessary to the process of life.
God’s word teaches that Success is more than a one step process and success belongs to those who can endure that process.
In just a moment we are going to take a brief look at the life of Joseph. You can turn in your bibles to: Genesis 37
Joseph is often underestimated yet he is a central figure in the bible. From Genesis 30 through then end of the book, Genesis 50:26, fully 40 percent of the whole Book of Beginnings is dedicated to the life of Joseph. We can learn a lot from him.
On this sad and great day, one door is closing and another is opening for Pastor Bishop, his family and for each one of us.
In light of this let me give you three things which are certain:
Genesis 37:5 ¶ Then Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him even more.
When Joseph was 17 years old he spoke about his dream … when he was 40 years old, his dream spoke about him. Both of them were hard for others to imagine.
Genesis 45:9 "Hurry and go up to my father, and say to him, ‘Thus says your son Joseph: "God has made me lord of all
God speaks to man about destiny but walks with him on his journey.
Those three things that are certain:
1. God Has A Plan
What seems like a surprise to us is often a plan to God.
What we are going through in life is not designed as punishment for our past but as positioning for our future.
2. He Will Succeed
He will succeed even if it costs Him your life or comfort or resources or credibility
3. We Have A Chance To Participate
Our greatest day is yet ahead.
Close: Bring Pastor Bishop and family forward for laying on of hands and prayer.
