Let’s start by reading two separate passages of scripture. Ecclesiastes 3:1–8 “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.” Then in Ephesians 2:10 “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Today, we conclude our Builders Series by seeing the finished masterpiece. A life fully surrendered to God’s timing and radiating His glory. We have journeyed from the burden of vision (Part 1) to multiplying disciples (Part 6). Now, we focus on the completion. Embracing God’s seasons to finish the unfinished areas of our lives. Becoming a masterpiece that reveals His glory. Let’s Recap: Part 1: The Burden – Vision begins in the heart. Part 2: The Blueprint – God reveals His divine plan. Part 3: The Foundation – Jesus is the Cornerstone. Part 4: The Structure – We are living stones, custom-cut for our place in the wall. Part 5: The Presence – The house is for Him to dwell and for His glory. Part 6: The Work Continues – True builders make disciples who multiply. We’ve built step by step and block by block. But completion happens in God’s seasons and His timing, not ours. Like the mosaic of broken pieces made beautiful, God completes our unfinished areas to display His Kingdom. God is a God of seasons and completion. He always finishes what he starts. Our lives are an active construction site. We’ve been building, from burden to blueprint, from structure to presence. But to what end? What is all of this for? Ecclesiastes 3 reminds us that God works in seasons, not shortcuts. Just like nature moves from spring to summer, summer to fall, fall to winter, and winter to spring… Your life is unfolding by divine design. The unfinished areas of your life aren’t evidence of God’s absence. They’re proof of His process. God has a plan for all people. It is what Jesus coming was all about. He provides cycles of life, each with its work for us to do. And although we may face many problems that seem to contradict God’s plan, these should not be barriers to believing in Him. Rather opportunities to discover that without Jesus, life’s problems have no lasting solutions! GOD COMPLETES THROUGH SEASONS A time to plant and a time to uproot…” (Eccl. 3:2) Timing is important. All of the experiences listed here in chapter 3 are appropriate at certain times. The secret to peace with God is to discover, accept, and appreciate God’s perfect timing. Every season God takes us through has a purpose. Even the painful ones. God does not author such things, be He does turn it all to our good. The building becomes a masterpiece not in the moment, but over time. According to Ephesians 2:10 “We are God’s workmanship…” But that masterpiece is shaped season by season. It is his powerful, creative work in us. If God considers us His works of art, we to have to trust His timing of completion. There is Rhythm in the Seasons of building and in life. God is the great conductor, and His creation, especially us, flow to the rhythm of the orchestra. Consider the natural rhythm of: spring’s growth, summer’s abundance, fall’s harvest, And winter’s rest. A builder adjusts to each, laying foundations in spring, framing in summer. Similarly, our spiritual building project flows through God’s appointed seasons. So don’t resist the season. Learn what you are to know. Stretch, grow, and heal. Ask yourself “What is God completing in me right now?” Unfinished areas in our lives? Unhealed wounds? Stalled callings? These are like half-built walls. Completion requires embracing God’s timing to become His masterpiece. “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build…” (Eccl. 3:1-3) These seasons shape us into God’s masterpiece And then in verse 4… “A time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance…” (Eccl. 3:4) These contrasts show that life is not random, it is divinely orchestrated. The masterpiece of your life is made up of highs and lows, trials and triumphs. The thing that I find most interesting about the transition of verse 3 and 4. The negative flips to the 1st position so that the good can follow. Tearing down, weeping, and mourning gives way to healing, building, laughing, and dancing. Trust Him with unfinished areas. There is joy that comes in the morning. That stalled dream or lingering pain. It’s a season God is using to shape your masterpiece. Surrender to His timing. Surrender to His understanding. Understand that it’s ok not to understand. But never forget the goodness of the Father. OUR FINISHED MASTERPIECE IS FOR HIS GLORY Isaiah 60:1 “Arise, shine… the glory of the Lord rises upon you.” Your story, especially the unfinished and imperfect parts, reflects God’s redemptive beauty. To which He will receive the glory. A mosaic is made from broken pieces. Without the contrast, there’s no beauty. Without the broken pieces there is no masterpiece. COMPLETION REQUIRES TRUST IN GOD’S TIMING “He has made everything beautiful in its time.” (Eccl. 3:11a) God is not in a hurry. He is intentional. There will be Seasons of Contrasts. We must build through joy and challenge. He does not abandon mid-project. Philippians 1:6 “He who began a good work in you will complete it…” Don’t judge the building by the scaffolding. What looks unfinished is just under construction. Life’s contrasts, joy and sorrow, building and tearing down, mirror the building process, shaping us for completion. Let the contrasts refine you. JESUS: THE CONSTANT IN EVERY SEASON “A time for war and a time for peace…” (Eccl. 3:8) Life can feel unstable, but Jesus is unchanging. He is the solid rock on which we stand. He is our ever present help. He is our friend in the midnight hour. He is the brother that never leaves our side. Hebrews 13:8 “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” Through every time and season, He is the foundation and finisher. Hebrews 12:2 “Looking unto Jesus… the Author and Finisher of faith.” He cries, mourns, and journeys with us. But He is not shaken, rocked, nor does He stumble. He carries us when we can no longer carry ourselves. SO DON’T QUIT IN THE MIDDLE OF YOUR MASTERPIECE! “A time to tear and a time to mend…” (Eccl. 3:7) Some of us feel stuck in the tearing down season, but the mending is coming. Your unfinished seasons; pain or failure are pieces God uses for beauty. Completion turns your life into a testimony that draws others. Let the Holy Spirit finish what He started in your character, calling, family, faith. Resist the season delays the masterpiece. We can’t control seasons, but we can respond faithfully. Look to Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith. In winter, rest and heal. In spring, sow vision. In summer, grow in presence. In fall, reap glory and multiply builders! Stay Encouraged. Trust the Builder. Stay on the wheel. Don’t tap out before God reveals what He’s doing. Before He reveals the finished work. Embrace the Season, and Expect the Glory. Ecclesiastes doesn’t deny the pain of process. It reveals the rhythm of redemption. You are God’s work in progress, but you’re also His declared masterpiece. The masterpiece shines when unified. It is through the finished work of Jesus that the work is already completed. We just have to walk it out. Jesus’ finished work on the cross completes what we cannot. And that’s really the whole point. We can’t do it on our own anyway. And when the building is complete, the glory will rest on it. Galatians 6:9 “Let us not grow weary in doing good, for in due season we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” LAYING DOWN THE UNFINISHED AREAS Lay down the unfinished areas; unforgiveness, stalled dreams, incomplete callings. Recommit to the Builder’s hand. Let the Holy Spirit fill you for completion. Bring the places in your life that feel stuck, broken, or delayed. Invite the Holy Spirit to bring completion to what God began. Recommit to being a builder, even when the season is slow. Don’t resist your season; ask for wisdom to navigate it faithfully Every season has beauty when surrendered—like a completed house radiating God’s glory. Let’s do one FINAL DECLARATION Together: “I am a builder. The Holy Spirit has placed a burden in me to restore what’s broken, to strengthen what’s weak, and to prepare a dwelling for the glory of God. I embrace the season I’m in. I trust the Builder. And I will see the Masterpiece completed.” A Time of Communion: As a church, we take communion to remember Jesus’ finished work on the cross, the foundation of our completion. His body was broken to make us whole; His blood was shed to cleanse and empower us. As we take communion, we proclaim that every season, every unfinished area, is redeemed in Him. In 1 Corinthians 11:23-25 “The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, ‘This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.’ “In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.’” Just as God completes His masterpiece in us, Jesus’ sacrifice completes our redemption. Go as builders, embracing God’s seasons, trusting His process, and shining as His masterpiece. May His peace and power complete His work in you!