Years Change- God Doesn't
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So, its the first Sunday of the new year- which is great. One of the things that rises to the top of our society around this time of the year is change. Change- seems to somehow become a kind of God around January 1st. People seek it out, run their lives through it and by it, and use it as some form of measuring device for success.
I am going to change my weight, or change my finances, change my job, or change my self esteem…all good and lofty goals to have. Yes, change is often a very good thing, this is not a sermon to downplay change- change can be a good thing in a lot of areas for a lot of things....but there is certainly one thing that change is not good in…GOD.
I mean, if I am being completely honest, the idea of a God who changes is pretty terrifying to me. The idea that there is a God who oversees all of the world, and that I will one day have to answer to this God for my actions and conduct- that is a big enough idea to grapple with, but if you then told me that this same God can just change the rules or expectations, or his own desire and the way he interacts with the world- that is just scary. All of a sudden the entire center of being becomes a moving target- that is terrifying to me to say the least.
I have good news for you today, church. People change, circumstances change, you change, I change… but God does not. Check out these couple verses for a springboard today-
“6 “I the LORD do not change. So you, the descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed. 7 Ever since the time of your ancestors you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you,” says the LORD Almighty.”
“16 Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. 17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows
“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”
The New International Version (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011), .
Now, in seminary we call this doctrine immutability. Immutability has to do with the unchanging nature of God. We have this coined phrase in that many of us use quite often- God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. So, here is my question for us to consider today- do we actually understand what the Bible means- or what we are stating- when we say this phrase? Hopefully we do, but just in case, let’s unpack it today.
The New International Version (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011), .
The New International Version (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011), .
For the intentions of this sermon, let’s place our emphasis on three “P” words- Personality, Promises, and Power.
God’s Power never changes
God’s Power never changes
You know one of the most annoying things in the world is when I am working on something- hanging a shelf for Jess, or fixing something at the barn- and my drill battery dies! So annoying! Right in the middle of the project and now I have to go get a spare battery, or wait for a charge. Just frustrating. Drills lose power…God does not!
God’s Creative power does not change
Creating is not something that God did once, or that God used to do- it is not a past exercise of God- Creating is something God DOES and is STILL ACTIVE IN.
“For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together”
God still creates- he creates new relationships, new opportunities.
The New International Version (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011), .
God’s Redemptive power does not change!
“fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God”
Redemption is central to who God is. Can I tell you one of the things I admire the most about Jessica? It seems like she never runs out of care for our family- her days are full of breathing treatments for the baby, with “mom can you find my shoes? Mom, can I have a snack? Sweet heart, can you come help me with this? Laundry, cooking, cleaning, getting people to appointments- she is always pouring into our family- her care reminds me a lot of God. But Jessica eventually runs out of energy- runs out of patience- runs out of whatever and she too needs to retreat to a quite room to get away from all of us crazy people- But God is not like that AT ALL. His redemptive power never runs out and he never runs out of energy to help you!
God’s Protective power does not change!
The New International Version (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011), .
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
The New International Version (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011), .”
God’s Promises never change
God’s Promises never change
God’s promise to save us does not change
“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
The New International Version (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011), .
God’s promise to supply us does not change
“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.”
God’s promise to sustain does not change
“I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
God’s Personality does not change
God’s Personality does not change
The New International Version (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011), .
He is love
“Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love
He is light
The New International Version (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011), .
“12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life”
He is life
The New International Version (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011), .
“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me
He is Lord
The New International Version (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011), .
“Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah”
The New International Version (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011), .