My husband is not a slave to the Christian holiday calendar. I can't remember the last time he preached a message on motherhood on Mother's Day or a Christmas message on the Sunday closest to Christmas. He simply allows the Holy Spirit to lead and guide his preaching so I was not surprised that there was not a grandiose message on Resurrection Sunday either. In fact, it was just as it always is, simple, easy to understand and logical. I love that he makes the Bible so practical and approachable. Here are the main points (yes, I am privy to his notes! LOL) and my notes (in italics because he rarely sticks too closely to his notes) but I highly recommend that you take a listen by clicking the link below.
TEXT: Hebrews 8-9; 20-21
Human beings do not like sameness. We quickly grow bored and want a change. God actually designed man to change which is why when we are not changing we grow bored with where we are. Change is a natural desire of humanity however, it really matters what we are changing into!
I. Sinful man attempts to change God (v.9)
Paul addresses "various and strange doctrines" in this passage. God created us to be continually apprehending and comprehending Him (an activity that will never be complete until we are either like Him or with him, I might add). If, as Christians, we are not growing and changing we grow bored with God, the Bible, church and prayer. Then we get enticed by the world and all that it has to offer but we still want to keep God in the picture so we come up with our own perception of God. We change God into what we want Him to be so that we can remain the same. HOW BACKWARDS IS THAT? We were created for change! We are the ones who are supposed to be changing. God remains the same!
II. A Holy God Cannot Change (v.8; Mal. 3:6)
A. God is immutable (unchangeable) God created us for fellowship. Though Satan came and destroyed that fellowship, God had a redemptive plan to restore it-the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. God is divine perfection. He cannot be improved upon. He is eternally the same. He cannot be superseded or supplemented. The fact that He never changes is our only protection from the peril of apostasy, error. and the changing whims of man.
He is a God that never changes! That brings great peace to any man. The covenant of Christ will never expire. It's not a coupon religion. My salvation covenant in not of this world. It's not affected by anything of this world. Neither man, devil or time can change one thing about God, the blood or our salvation! The devil tries to remind you of your past. Have faith in what Jesus did. The new covenant is forever sealed. It is eternal!
What a deal God has offered us. We deserved to be cast away. God sacrificed His own son for our redemption. He requires that we live by faith and grace which he then supplies! And then He rewards us for doing what only His grace and faith could empower us to do!
III. A Holy God that cannot change is the only hope for real change in any man. (Rev. 13:8)
God's plan is as old as creation.
It is a plan with everlasting benefits (covenant)
Only an eternal God can craft an eternal covenant.
Only a perfect God can craft a perfect covenant.
Only an unchanging God can craft an unchanging covenant.
Our covenant never gets stale or outdated. It IS because He IS!
The whole point of heaven is "where He is, so we can be there also." God's original eternal purpose is still intact.
Listen to the whole sermon, which the notes do not do justice to, below.
http://sdrv.ms/Yux3Nb
TEXT: Hebrews 8-9; 20-21
Human beings do not like sameness. We quickly grow bored and want a change. God actually designed man to change which is why when we are not changing we grow bored with where we are. Change is a natural desire of humanity however, it really matters what we are changing into!
I. Sinful man attempts to change God (v.9)
Paul addresses "various and strange doctrines" in this passage. God created us to be continually apprehending and comprehending Him (an activity that will never be complete until we are either like Him or with him, I might add). If, as Christians, we are not growing and changing we grow bored with God, the Bible, church and prayer. Then we get enticed by the world and all that it has to offer but we still want to keep God in the picture so we come up with our own perception of God. We change God into what we want Him to be so that we can remain the same. HOW BACKWARDS IS THAT? We were created for change! We are the ones who are supposed to be changing. God remains the same!
II. A Holy God Cannot Change (v.8; Mal. 3:6)
A. God is immutable (unchangeable) God created us for fellowship. Though Satan came and destroyed that fellowship, God had a redemptive plan to restore it-the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. God is divine perfection. He cannot be improved upon. He is eternally the same. He cannot be superseded or supplemented. The fact that He never changes is our only protection from the peril of apostasy, error. and the changing whims of man.
He is a God that never changes! That brings great peace to any man. The covenant of Christ will never expire. It's not a coupon religion. My salvation covenant in not of this world. It's not affected by anything of this world. Neither man, devil or time can change one thing about God, the blood or our salvation! The devil tries to remind you of your past. Have faith in what Jesus did. The new covenant is forever sealed. It is eternal!
What a deal God has offered us. We deserved to be cast away. God sacrificed His own son for our redemption. He requires that we live by faith and grace which he then supplies! And then He rewards us for doing what only His grace and faith could empower us to do!
III. A Holy God that cannot change is the only hope for real change in any man. (Rev. 13:8)
God's plan is as old as creation.
It is a plan with everlasting benefits (covenant)
Only an eternal God can craft an eternal covenant.
Only a perfect God can craft a perfect covenant.
Only an unchanging God can craft an unchanging covenant.
Our covenant never gets stale or outdated. It IS because He IS!
The whole point of heaven is "where He is, so we can be there also." God's original eternal purpose is still intact.
Listen to the whole sermon, which the notes do not do justice to, below.
http://sdrv.ms/Yux3Nb