Our Unchanging Savior

“OUR UNCHANGING SAVIOR” Hebrews 13:8

FBCF – 11/26/23

Jon Daniels

INTRO – Video report on Pedernales church.

Our church’s mission is to make much of Jesus any way we can, anywhere we can, using any & all the resources we can. That means we will make much of Jesus here in Flora & in the Dominican Republic. Through our tithes & offerings & even having a pickup truck donated to us for missionaries to use, we will make much of Jesus all over the world (LMCO starts next week). We will continue to challenge every Christ-follower to witness to those who are lost (I regularly hear reports of our church members sharing the Gospel w/ others). We will continue to challenge every Christ-follower to be intentionally involved in discipling other believers. We will continue to challenge all Christ-followers to tithe 10% of their income & give offerings above that 10% in obedience to God’s Word – generously, sacrificially, & cheerfully.

And the reason for all of this is b/c we know & serve & love & obey an unchanging Savior whose name is JESUS!

EXPLANATION – Hebrews 13:8 (p. 1009)

We’ve turned the page now from Thanksgiving & are headed toward Christmas. As our thoughts turn to the “Sweet Little Jesus Boy” & the “Infant Lowly”, let’s remember who this Christ-child truly is. There’s no doubt that He is truly the “holy infant, so tender & mild.” But He’s more, so much more! And the book of Hebrews emphasizes that over & over again.

Theme & focus of book of Hebrews: JESUS – His absolute supremacy & sufficiency as the Savior of the world. Turn back to Hebrews 1.

- Jesus is fully God – Hebrews 1:1-3a

o The Creator of the world – “through whom He created the world” (v. 2)

? Colossians 1:16-17 – “For by Him all things were created, in heaven & on earth, visible & invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through Him & for Him. And He is before all things, & in Him all things hold together.”

o The radiance of God’s glory – God’ brilliance is displayed through Jesus.

o The “exact imprint of [God’s] nature” – exact representation. If you want to know what God is like, look at Jesus.

o The One who upholds the universe – He sustains it & maintains it – “…in Him all things hold together.” (Colossian 1:17)

- Jesus is fully man – Hebrews 2:17-18 – Jesus “HAD to be like” us – IT WAS NOT AN OPTION FOR HIM – so that He could die for us to give salvation & eternal life to us.

o As one of us, He suffered in every way we suffer:

? Physical – hungry – tired – abused – tortured – bled – died a cruel, torturous death

? Emotional – “Jesus wept” – Got angry -disappointed – frustrated – weary

? Relational – Knows the pain of people attacking Him. The pain of people deserting Him, walking away from Him, & abandoning Him in His time of greatest need.

? Spiritual – sweat drops of blood in Garden.

- Jesus is superior to the angels – Hebrews 1:4 – God never said to any angel, “You are my Son” (v. 5). We don’t revere angels or worship them. THEY, like us, worship JESUS – “Let all God’s angels worship Him” (v. 6).

- Jesus is our Great High Priest who has suffered like us, been tempted like us, & is able to help us when we are suffering & being tempted (Hebrews 2:18).

o Academically speaking, a male doctor knows that a mom in labor is going to be in pain. But a female doctor who has gone through labor & childbirth herself can truly empathize. As a mother, she’s actually felt that pain. As a doctor, she can help others through it.

o As our “merciful & faithful high priest”, Jesus has truly felt our pain, no matter what it is, & will help us through it.

And in this last chapter of Hebrews, we find this grand summary statement: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday & today & forever.” Everything else in your life will change – relationships, health, finances, Presidents, world situations, the seasons. But not Jesus! He will never change! He will never fail! And IF you know Him & He’s your Savior, you can rest assured that He will never leave you! He will never disown you! He will never desert you! He will never run out on you! He will never condemn you!

APPLICATION – An unchanging Savior will change you forever.

Knowing this unchanging Savior means:

You have a Savior whose LOVE for you will never change.

Last week, Jon Anderson & Cameron out of preschool for T’giving. Meant they were at our house earlier than normal. I’d be upstairs having my quiet time. Hear them come in. Hear them say, “Where’s Pops?” Hear them bounding up the stairs. Hear them round the corner, laughing, yelling, “Hey Pops!” Pile on top of me in my recliner. Man! I love that & I love them!