IT’S ALL ABOUT CHANGE
“If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. What was old has disappeared, and now everything has become new!” 2 Corinthians 5:17 (International Standard Version)
Those of us who have been following the news lately have been hearing an awful lot about the need for “change”. Both political parties are calling for change and by the looks of the recent balloting, the voters agree. We will have to wait and see if the entire nation agrees.
You may be thinking “All I have been hearing lately is change, change, change! Do I really need to hear it in church also?” The answer is obvious; church is where you should here it on a regular basis for two very sound reasons. One reason is that Christians who are not living as they should need to change their ways and begin to live godly lives. A second, and even more urgent reason, is in regards to the lost. For the non-Christian, change is absolutely essential! Jesus said: “You must be born again” (John 3:3, 7). Paul continued the thought writing, “for flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does corruption inherit incorruption.” (1 Corinthians 15:50 NKJV)
I. THE REALITY OF A CHANGING WORLD:
The certainty of change:
It has been said that the only constant thing in life is change. Let’s consider the ways in which this is true.
The world is constantly changing. How many times over the past year have you heard the term “Global Warming”? The world is changing numerically; demographically; politically and economically. We, as individuals, are continually changing physically; culturally; intellectually; emotionally; materially and attitudinally.
II. THE NECESSITY OF A CHANGED LIFE;
Our text makes that absolutely certain. There can be no greater change than the new birth experience. Through the new birth, old things indeed pass away and all things become new. Be reminded that a faith that is too weak to change a man’s life is a faith too weak to save his soul. Dwight L. Moody is reported to have said that when a man truly gets saved even his dog will know it. One sentence in the little kids’ chorus captures the thought quite well, “If you’re saved and you know, then your life will surely show it.” James drove this truth home when he wrote “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” (James 2:26)
III. THE RICHES OF AN UNCHANGING GOD:
In theological terms we refer to the teaching of the unchangeable nature of God as "The Immutability of God". We need to give attention to the attributes and the characteristics of our unchanging God.
A. The attributes of God never change. They are, as He is, eternal.
1. He is omnipotent (all-powerful)! This fact is comforting to our hearts when we realize there is nothing in this entire world that can withstand the almighty power of God. We rejoice when we read: “You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4)
2. He is omniscient (all-knowing)! How joyous is the thought that there is nothing, past, present or future that is outside the knowledge of God. John tells us that God “knows all things” (1 John 3:20). Isaiah records the Lord as saying, “For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me, Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things that are not yet done.” (Isaiah 46:9b-10a)
3. He is omnipresent (all-present)! How awesome the inner peace that is ours when we realize that God is not only with us at this very moment but He is already where we are going, as well as where we were previously. David said it so well. “Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend to heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there. If I take the wings of the dawn, If I dwell in the remotest part of the sea, Even there Your hand will lead me, And Your right hand will lay hold of me.” Psalm 139:7-10 (NASB)
B. The characteristics of God never change. How wonderful is the declaration of the writer of Hebrews, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8).
1. His love: “For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39 NKJV)
2. His mercy: “For as the heavens are high above the earth, So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him.” (Psalm 103:11 NKJV)
3. His grace: “He did this so that in the coming ages He might display the limitless riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.” (Ephesians 2:7)
CONCLUSION:
The refuge that His changelessness provides the weary saint is priceless. When pronouncing his final blessing upon Israel, Moses said, “The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.” (Deuteronomy 33:27 NIV) The psalmist added this blessing of encouragement, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1). Encompassed with such mighty and glorious assurances, we can confidently proclaim, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31)
AMEN!
