top of page
Search

This Is Your Season

  • Writer: fccreative
    fccreative
  • 7 days ago
  • 8 min read

Your Season For God

Faith Church is honored to welcome special guest speaker Darryl Strawberry! Once celebrated as a baseball legend for his incredible talent and drive, Darryl discovered true redemption and restoration through Jesus Christ. Today, his greatest passion is serving the Lord and inspiring others to experience life-changing transformation through the power of the Gospel.

There is a unique joy and anticipation that comes with gathering in the house of the Lord. It’s not just another day; it’s a sacred opportunity to encounter God, to be transformed, and to be used for His purposes. Life without God is empty, no matter how much we achieve or accumulate. King Solomon learned this, and so have many of us: all our trophies and successes are meaningless apart from Christ. True fulfillment comes only from a real encounter with Jesus—a touch from Him that changes everything. When we surrender our lives, giving Him the keys instead of trying to drive ourselves, we discover the happiness and purpose we’ve been searching for in all the wrong places.


Sin keeps us separated from God, and it’s only by turning away from it and embracing the gift of salvation that we find freedom. The world offers endless distractions and false promises, but the abundant life Jesus gives is marked by peace, joy, wisdom, and power. Our calling is not just for ourselves but to be examples for the next generation, to intercede for them, and to show them what it means to walk in faith. God doesn’t need us, but He chooses to use us—broken, imperfect people—to display His grace and power.


This is a season of activation. It’s time to move beyond passive church attendance and let the Word of God transform us. When we discipline ourselves to study, pray, and seek God in the quiet places, He meets us, fills us, and equips us for His purposes. Sometimes, God has to stop us in our tracks—just as He did with Saul—to complete us and redirect our lives. The journey is not about outward success but about being conformed to Christ, living by faith, and letting God’s power work in and through us.


God desires a personal relationship with each of us. He waits for us to seek Him, to listen, and to surrender. The world’s noise and temptations can drown out His voice, but when we turn off the distractions and enter into His presence, we find the living water our souls crave. Prayer is powerful—especially the prayers of the righteous—and God hears and responds. Our faithfulness, teachability, and willingness to be accountable are keys to spiritual growth and victory. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life; He alone can heal, restore, and fulfill every longing. Today is the day to respond, to come boldly to Him, and to let Him wrap us in His love and grace.

Key Takeaways


1. True transformation begins with surrender.


When we stop trying to control our own lives and hand the keys to Jesus, we experience a freedom and fulfillment that nothing in the world can offer. The pursuit of happiness in worldly things always leaves us empty, but a real encounter with Christ brings lasting joy and purpose.


2. God often stops us in our tracks to complete us.


Like Saul on the road to Damascus, sometimes our plans and ambitions must be interrupted so God can redirect us toward His greater purpose. These moments of divine interruption are invitations to become God’s masterpiece, shaped by His Spirit rather than our own efforts.


3. The discipline of seeking God in the quiet place is essential.


Spiritual growth doesn’t happen by accident; it requires intentional time in the Word, prayer, and shutting out distractions. When we let God turn our “man caves” into classrooms, the Holy Spirit fills us with wisdom, revelation, and the power to live differently.


4. Faith is not just a belief but a way of living.


It means surrendering, committing, and trusting God even when circumstances are hard or unclear. Faith is built by hearing the Word and acting on it, and it empowers us to pray boldly, fight spiritual battles, and experience God’s supernatural provision and miracles.


5. God’s love and grace are available to all, but it requires a response.


He won’t force His way into our lives; we must choose to come to Him, to be teachable, accountable, and faithful. When we do, He wraps us in His love, heals our pain, and gives us a new identity and purpose that no one else can provide.



Bible Study Guide


Bible Reading


Galatians 2:20 (ESV) I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.


Romans 6:23 (ESV) For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.


John 10:10 (ESV) The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.


Observation Questions


  1. According to Galatians 2:20, what does it mean for Christ to live in us? How does this relate to the idea of surrendering control of our lives to Jesus?

  2. In Romans 6:23, what is the contrast between the wages of sin and the gift of God? How did the sermon describe the emptiness of life without God?

  3. What does Jesus promise in John 10:10, and how did the sermon illustrate the difference between what the world offers and what Jesus gives?

  4. The sermon mentioned King Solomon’s experience in Ecclesiastes. What did Solomon discover about success and achievement apart from God?


Interpretation Questions


  1. The sermon says, “True transformation begins with surrender.” Why is surrendering control to Jesus so difficult for many people, and what does it look like in real life?

  2. The preacher shared about God “stopping us in our tracks” like He did with Saul. What are some ways God might interrupt our plans today, and why would He do that?

  3. The discipline of seeking God in the quiet place was emphasized. Why is it so hard to make time for God in our busy lives, and what are the consequences if we don’t?

  4. The sermon talked about being an example for the next generation. What does it mean to “intercede” for others, and why is this important for spiritual growth?


Application Questions


  1. The sermon challenged us to “hand the keys” of our lives to Jesus. Is there an area of your life where you’re still trying to stay in control? What would it look like to surrender that area to God this week?

  2. The preacher described how God sometimes has to “stop us” to redirect us. Have you ever experienced a time when your plans were interrupted, and looking back, you can see God’s hand in it? How did it change you?

  3. The message encouraged turning off distractions and seeking God in the quiet place. What is one specific distraction you need to set aside this week to spend more intentional time with God?

  4. The sermon said, “Faith is not just a belief but a way of living.” What is one step of faith you feel God is asking you to take right now, even if it feels risky or uncomfortable?

  5. The preacher talked about the power of prayer, especially for our families and the next generation. Who is one person you can commit to pray for daily this week, and how will you remember to do it?

  6. The message said, “God’s love and grace are available to all, but it requires a response.” What is holding you back from responding more fully to God’s invitation? Is there a step of obedience or repentance you need to take today?

  7. The sermon emphasized being teachable, accountable, and faithful. Which of these three is most challenging for you, and what is one practical way you can grow in that area this month?


Devotional


Day 1: True Fulfillment Is Found Only in Christ


All the achievements, trophies, and worldly successes we chase after are ultimately empty without a relationship with God. Like Solomon in Ecclesiastes, we can accumulate much, but if we walk away from God, we end up with nothing that truly satisfies. The natural pleasures of life are fleeting, but when Jesus touches your life, you are changed forever and discover a joy and purpose that nothing else can provide. Let your heart be set on being used by God, for that is where real meaning is found.


Ecclesiastes 2:10-11 (ESV)

"And whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them. I kept my heart from no pleasure, for my heart found pleasure in all my toil, and this was my reward for all my toil. Then I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had expended in doing it, and behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun."


  • Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are seeking fulfillment apart from God? How can you surrender that pursuit to Him today and invite Him to fill that space with His presence?



Day 2: New Life and Identity in Christ


When you surrender your life to Jesus, you are no longer defined by your past or your failures. The old you is gone, and you become a new creation, empowered to live differently and walk in victory. This transformation is not just about talking the talk but living out your faith daily, letting Christ rule and reign in your heart. Each day is a new opportunity to experience God’s goodness and to let your life be a testimony of His power to make all things new.


2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV)

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."


  • Reflection: In what practical way can you demonstrate today that your identity is now rooted in Christ and not in your past or what others say about you?




Day 3: God Works All Things for Good for Those Who Love Him


No matter what you face, God is able to work every situation for your good if you love Him and are called according to His purpose. Even when life doesn’t make sense or when you go through trials, you can trust that God is orchestrating everything for your benefit and His glory. This assurance allows you to rest in His sovereignty, knowing that your story is part of a greater purpose and that nothing is wasted in His hands.


Romans 8:28 (ESV)

"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose."


  • Reflection: Think of a recent challenge or disappointment—how might God be using it for your good and His purpose? What step of trust can you take today in response?



Day 4: The Power of God’s Word and the Importance of Spiritual Discipline


True transformation comes when you let God’s Word saturate your life, turning distractions into opportunities for learning and growth. It takes discipline to turn off the noise, seek God in quiet, and let the Holy Spirit teach and guide you. The message of the cross may seem foolish to the world, but to those who are being saved, it is the very power of God. When you commit to studying Scripture and living by its truth, you begin to experience supernatural change and the ability to love and live differently.


1 Corinthians 1:18 (ESV)

"For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God."


  • Reflection: What is one distraction you can set aside today to make space for God’s Word? How will you intentionally seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance as you read?



Day 5: Surrender and Bold Response to God’s Call


God will not force His way into your life; He waits for you to respond, to surrender your heart, and to boldly step forward in faith. When you come to Him, He wraps you in His love, heals your brokenness, and gives you a new beginning. Don’t let fear, pride, or the opinions of others hold you back from the freedom and transformation He offers. Today is your opportunity to say yes, to get connected, and to let God do what only He can do in your life.


John 14:6 (ESV)

"Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'"


Reflection: Is there an area where you sense God calling you to take a bold step of faith or surrender? What would it look like for you to respond courageously today?



Q and A:  Do You Have Specific Questions on this Sermon?



 
 
 

Comments

bottom of page