Introduction

Good morning, brothers and sisters in Christ. I am so glad to see each and every one of you here today. There's a warmth in this room, a sense of community, a feeling of shared purpose that makes this place more than just a building. It's a family, it's a home, it's a sanctuary. And it's in this sanctuary that we gather today to learn, to grow, and to be nourished by the word of God.

Today, we're going to be spending time with a verse that is both familiar yet profound in its simplicity. It's Hebrews 13:8, and it reads,

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."

Now, you may have heard these words before. You may have read them, recited them, held them close in times of uncertainty. But today, we're going to unpack them anew. We're going to look at them not just as words on a page, but as a living, breathing testament to the unchanging nature of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

As we do so, let's keep in mind the words of Lysa TerKeurst, who once said, "In the meantime, we must hold fast to the truth of who God is and His unchanging nature: God is good. His plans are good. His requirements are good. His salvation is good. His grace is good. His forgiveness is good. His restoration is good." It's a powerful reminder that not only is God unchanging, but he is so, so good.

We'll be considering three main points today: "Jesus' Juxtaposition: Past, Present, Future", "Journeying with the Consistent Christ", and "Justifying our Faith through Jesus' Faithfulness". Each of these points will help us to understand more deeply the unchanging nature of Jesus Christ and the implications of this truth for our lives.

But before we begin, let's bow our heads in prayer.

Dear Heavenly Father, we thank You for this day, for this gathering, and for Your Word. As we reflect on Your unchanging nature today, we ask that You open our hearts and minds to understand You more deeply. Help us to grasp the fullness of Your love, the constancy of Your presence, and the steadfastness of Your faithfulness. May the words we hear today not just inform us, but transform us, drawing us closer to You. We ask all of this in the name of Your Son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Let’s get started!

Jesus' Juxtaposition: Past, Present, Future

When we look at the life of Jesus, we see a man who is both timeless and timely. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. This is a powerful statement about the constancy of Christ. It tells us that Jesus is not swayed by the changing tides of culture or the shifting sands of time. He is the same, unchanging, and eternal.

In the past: Jesus was the Word made flesh, the Son of God who came down from heaven to dwell among us. He was born in a humble manger, lived a sinless life, and performed miracles that testified to His divine nature. He was the same Jesus who taught with authority, who loved the unlovable, who healed the sick, and who gave hope to the hopeless. He was the same Jesus who was betrayed, crucified, and buried, but who rose again on the third day, conquering death and sin once and for all.

In the present: Jesus is our High Priest, our Advocate, our Friend. He is the same Jesus who intercedes for us before the Father, who comforts us in our affliction, who guides us in our decisions, and who strengthens us in our weakness. He is the same Jesus who is with us in every trial, who hears our every prayer, and who promises never to leave us nor forsake us. He is the same Jesus who is building His church, who is preparing a place for us in heaven, and who is coming back for us one day.

In the future: Jesus will be our King, our Judge, our All in All. He is the same Jesus who will return in glory, who will judge the living and the dead, and who will establish His eternal kingdom. He is the same Jesus who will wipe away every tear, who will make all things new, and who will reign forever and ever. He is the same Jesus who will be our joy, our treasure, our everything.

A source of great comfort and assurance for us: It tells us that no matter what happens, no matter how much the world changes, Jesus remains the same. His love for us does not change. His promises do not change. His power does not change. His plan does not change. His purpose does not change. His presence does not change.

A challenge for us: It calls us to be like Him, to be constant in our faith, to be steadfast in our love, to be unwavering in our hope. It calls us to resist the temptations of the world, to reject the lies of the enemy, to renounce the desires of the flesh. It calls us to follow Jesus, to trust in Jesus, to abide in Jesus, to be transformed by Jesus.

A mystery for us: It invites us to ponder the depths of His love, to marvel at the wonders of His grace, to be awed by the majesty of His glory. It invites us to seek Him, to know Him, to love Him, to worship Him. It invites us to be still in His presence, to listen to His voice, to rest in His arms, to gaze upon His face.

A hope for us: It assures us that our faith is not in vain, that our labor is not in vain, that our suffering is not in vain. It assures us that our future is secure, that our inheritance is imperishable, that our reward is great. It assures us that our life is meaningful, that our death is gain, that our resurrection is certain. It assures us that in Jesus, we have everything we need, everything we long for, everything we hope for.

Journeying with the Consistent Christ

Now, let's turn our attention to the constancy of Christ ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO