Season or No Season

II Tim 4:1-5

 

1. Now we are in the beautiful peak season of fall colors, but soon cold winter will come. Season exists not only in nature but also in our life and even in missionary work of the church. We support missionary work in four countries: Mexico, Russia, Kenya, and Uganda. But there are fruitful season and hard season in mission and evangelism. In the church history, there were times of growth and times of non-growth or even decrease.

2. Jesus Christ gave us the Great Commission to “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you,” promising that “surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”(Matt 28:19-20) His emphasis on “always, to the very end of age” implies that we have to be engaged in mission always in any situation. Apostle Paul, the representative missionary, made it clear: “Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season.”(2)

3. We like mission and evangelism “in season” when it easily bears fruits, but “out of season” we are discouraged and neglect our responsibility. We are too selective to justify our disobedience. Of course, there is a significant difference between season and no season. And we need wisdom and mission strategy. But it has to be an act of obedience, not that of disobedience.

4. And why did Jesus and Paul command for us to do mission and evangelism in season and out of season? First, it means that there are season and no season in mission and evangelism. The New Testament uses two Greek words for time: chronos and kairos. While chronos means simply succeeding time like clock and calendar, kairos means the right time or favorable time. We Christians are commanded to know and discern what time we are living now. The Korean Church had grown 2 or 3 times in each decade of 60s, 70s, and 80s, but it stopped since 90s. Why? There are some internal problems, but external problems are crucial. As a general principle, people accept the Gospel when they are poor, suffering and humble but it stops when they become rich, well and proud. As far as Korea is concerned, the season of the Gospel is passed now. Of course, it is same with the West and America, though we don’t know when another season will come. Now, the Gospel has its season in some developing countries in Asia and Africa, and the former Communist countries, except those with strong national religions like Islam and Buddhism. With a little missionary effort, great conversion happens in those countries. We have to understand the season of the Gospel and utilize it for effective mission following the season full of the grace of God: “Now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation!” (2 Cor 6:2)

5. Second, it means that we have to continue the work of mission and evangelism even in the difficult times. Why do such times come? There are several reasons. Paul warned the change of the world trend: “The time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.”(3-4) It is the time when people like wrong religion to satisfy their selfish desires and justify their secular thinking. So, the pure Gospel of the Cross is rejected. It happens from within the church and it is called secularization. Then, the unbelievers in the community are disappointed of the church and reject their invitation. In this situation of no season, church community needs to repent and return to the Gospel and do the good work for the community. Jesus emphasized this secret to restore its persuasion: “Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”(Matt 5:16) Also, church has to heal the inner division and become the community of reconciliation to embrace enemies and dislikes: “May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me!”(John 17:23) Out of season, church has to restore its moral reputation and inner unity to expand acceptability. In this hard time, church has to examine its problem and restore its credibility. Or, the church cannot handle newcomers even if God send many people, like a child to whom million dollars is given.

6. It is why God gives us both times of season and no season to discipline and train us for growth and strengthening our capacity for the Kingdom. Like a tree, which growth is portrayed in its annual ring, God intended for us to grow in the cycle of season and no season, whether individually or collectively. Too fast growth results in destructive problems like a fast grown tall plant that is thrown by a strong wind. But plant like reed is not thrown by strong winds because it has grown with various winds. Pascal said that man is a thinking reed. We need to grow with winds in thinking, feeling, and living. It is same with the church. Jesus wants that His church grow with discipline and training by fire and water.

7. It is the will of God to be joyful even in suffering times and grow through those sufferings and tests. So, Paul said: “But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.”(5) It is the way to convert no season to season. Season may not come totally from outside. It seems that God uses us to change no season to season, whether it is evangelism and mission, or our life or church community. May God give you endurance with joyful gratitude in difficult times to discipline us for growth as well as obedient wisdom to convert no season to season! Amen.