the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever

Hebrews 13:5-8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.


INTRODUCTION:

We have an unchanging God. God is the same yesterday today and forever.
Immutabilty - "unchangeable," Heb. 6:18 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:
Lam. 3:22-23 It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

Throughout history, mankind has depended upon great people for guidance, leadership, hope, and direction. Think about a time in the past, in any country or kingdom, and you can name many individuals who stepped out from among the masses leading their people to victory over oppression, who have maintained a great nation of people, who have guided their kingdoms through famine or disease, or who guided their people through necessary changes in technology and knowledge in order to maintain their nation’s strength in a tough competitive world.

But through all of the wonderful and terrible changes, through all the times of peace and war, through all of the famines and the harvests of plenty, there has always been One – one person who has stood the test of time – one person who has reigned over all creation from the beginning, one person who set history in motion, one person who has promised the world that He is in control, one person who looks down from His place in heaven who is working through all of the people and physical events, continuously giving people permanent hope until he decrees the end of days.

And His name is Jesus Christ. - and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

All of the great leaders are gone. All of them. Who can we trust today?
There is One. His name is Jesus Christ. He is The One. Because He is not dead. He is risen. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Because He is risen, we can know that His words of wisdom and hope are not only true, but they are still alive, and so His words are true – forever. Because He is risen, we can know that their will always be eternal life available for all who come to Him.
Because He is risen, we can know that there will be peace on earth, and men will demonstrate good will towards each other forever.


Why is Jesus Christ the answer? Because He was God is the past, He is God in the present, and He will always be God in the future for all eternity.
The hopes of mankind cannot rest on a man. With a man or a woman comes temporary hope. Hope that cannot guarantee but a few short years of light. No matter how great the light of a man, that light must necessarily be put out.

With Jesus Christ comes an eternal light, a hope that can never fade away. For it is impossible for the eternal light who created the world to be extinguished.
With Jesus Christ, there is no depending upon a man or a woman for the answers…
With Jesus Christ, there are the words of life. Eternal life. Eternal hope. Permanent answers to life’s toughest questions. We have the spoken words of God in the flesh. Flesh that was once dead, but is now risen.

These words of Jesus Christ not only answer the most important questions of life, but go directly to the question of His becoming a human being in the first place. Why DID Jesus Christ add humanity to His divine glory? Jesus came to seek out and save people who are lost.

Jesus Christ came to save. Not just a certain people, or a nation, or a race. But all who will come to Him. All who recognize not just themselves, but that all of mankind is lost and helpless to save – just as our history lessons have already taught us.
Mankind has been in a mess from the beginning.
Mankind has been lost yesterday, today, and forever.
And now– who are we going to trust to lead us into the future? More great men and women? Or the One who is the same yesterday, today, and forever?

1.    God’s Power is unchanging

Look around you and see how vast this universe is that God has made. God is truly all powerful. The power of God is amazing and it has always been a wonderful things for us. Look at the clouds and the sky and you will just amazed by God’s power. The Bible gives some great descriptions and verses about God’s great power.
God does not rely on other contractor or architect or designer when He created the whole universe and the earth in just six days… Jeremiah 10:12 He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heavens by his discretion.

Psalm 62:11 - …that power belongeth unto God.
1 Corinthians 6:14 - And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power.
2 Corinthians 13:4 - For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you.
Job 9:4 He is wise in heart, and mighty in strength: who hath hardened himself against him, and hath prospered?
Isaiah 26:4 Trust ye in the Lord for ever: for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength:
Matthew 19:26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.
Psalm 66:7 He ruleth by his power for ever; his eyes behold the nations: let not the rebellious exalt themselves. Selah.
Are you weary or heavy laden – tell it to Jesus.
Are you tired or persecuted or discourage – why don’t you tell  it to Jesus and to your God your Father in heaven – the unchanging God – the All Powerful Heavenly Father God. Nothing is impossible to Him.

1. God’s Protection  is unchanging

As humans, we want to see God's protection as a magic force field that keeps us from all harm. Yes, God has to stop any evil or destruction but we must remember that we live in a fallen world where we have free will and sometimes God works in ways that we do not understand. Sometimes God's protection comes in the form of peace and strength in the middle of despair. Sometimes God's protection comes as an ending because he sees something more on the horizon that we cannot see. As a believer in Jesus, we are promised a new life covered under the protection of God in which NOTHING can separate us from His love. Rest knowing that no matter what hardship you face, God is your provider and protector!

Ps. 34:19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.

1 Cor. 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

2 Thess. 3:3 But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.

Deut. 31:6 Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

Isaiah 41:10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

Ps. 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Ps 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

2 Cor. 4:8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;
2 Sam. 22:3 my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation. He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior— from violent people you save me. 4 “I called to the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and have been saved from my enemies.

John 10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.
Ps. 121:1 I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.The Lord is thy keeper: the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand.The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.

     2. God's Promises is unchanging

God's Word is filled with promises from our Creator to provide and deliver. The Bible is the ultimate source for truth and God is faithful to fulfill all His promises. Freedom from addictions, deliverance from sin and evil, financial provision, hope for lost and hurting family and friends, overcoming depression, recovering a marriage, good health, healing, being free from fear and anxiety, strength, and many more are the blessings and gifts that God promises to provide for those who believe in Him.

Exo. 14:14 The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace

Isa. 40:29-31 He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. 30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: 31 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
Isa. 41:10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

Isa. 43:2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

Isaiah 54: No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord.

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.     

Deut. 31:8 And the Lord, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.

Jer. 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

Jos. 1:9 … Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.     

Ps. 27:1 The LORD is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?

Ps. 34:17The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.       

Ps. 50:15 and call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me.”

Rom. 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Phi. 4:6-7 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

That He will save you give you eternal life – Rom. 10:13, John 3:16. John 3:26
That He will give you abundant live John 10:10, Jeremiah 29:11
That He will preserve you – John 10:27-29
ThatGod will never leave you and forsake you
That He will answer your prayer – 2 Chronicles 7:14, Jer. 33:3, Mat. 7:7; Luke 11:9-13; Mark 11:24; John 14:13-16
That He will deliver you – Psalm 9:9-10, Ps. 23:1-6
That He will provide all of your need – Matt. 6:31-33. Philippians 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
That He will give you wisdom and guides you – James 1:5; Prov. 3:5-6
That He will give you strength -
That He will establish you and make you perfect – Eph 3:16-19

CONCLUSION:

We have an unchanging God – His power does not change His Protection and His Promises does not change even His love and faithfulness and mercy towards us does not change…

Heb. 13:5-8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

Lam. 3:22-23 – It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. 23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
Psalm 103:2-5 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's. 


Rey Sandoval Dalde
Ark Bible Way Baptist Mission
reydalde@gmail.com