Today’s Message: Seeing God In the Midst of Change

I.Change Is Inevitable A.Most Of Us Don’t Like Change B.Why Do We Resist Change? C.God Is Into Change! D.Change Forces Us To Trust God!

Hebrews 1:10-12 (NIV) He also says, “In the beginning, O Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. 11 They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. 12 You will roll them up like a robe; like a garment they will be changed. But you remain the same, and your years will never end.”

Isaiah 43:18-19 (NIV) “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. 19 See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.

II.The Problem With Resisting Change A.To Resist Change Is To Resist Life

Matthew 9:16-17 (NIV) “No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch will pull away from the garment, making the tear worse.

Matthew 9:16-17 (NIV) 17 Neither do men pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst, the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.”

II.The Problem With Resisting Change A.To Resist Change Is To Resist Life B.It Can Be a Form of Idolatry C.It Can Be A Form Of Rebellion

Numbers 14:3-4 (NIV) Why is the LORD bringing us to this land only to let us fall by the sword? Our wives and children will be taken as plunder. Wouldn't it be better for us to go back to Egypt?” 4 And they said to each other, “We should choose a leader and go back to Egypt.”

II.The Problem With Resisting Change A.To Resist Change Is To Resist Life B.It Can Be a Form of Idolatry C.It Can Be A Form Of Rebellion D.To Resist Change is Antithetical to Faith

III.Seeing God In The Midst Of Change A.We Can Embrace Change Because… 1)We Know The One Who Holds The Future

Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

III.Seeing God In The Midst Of Change A.We Can Embrace Change Because… 1)We Know The One Who Holds The Future 2)God Brings Good Things Out of All Things

Romans 8:28 (NIV) 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.

A.We Can Embrace Change Because… 1)We Know The One Who Holds The Future 2)God Brings Good Things Out of All Things 3)Change Causes Us To Grow In Faith

Joshua 1:9 (NIV) Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”

A.We Can Embrace Change Because… 1)We Know The One Who Holds The Future 2)God Brings Good Things Out of All Things 3)Change Causes Us To Grow In Faith 4)The Things That Really Matter Don’t Change

Hebrews 12:26-29 (NIV) … “Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.” 27 The words “once more” indicate the removing of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain.

Hebrews 12:26-29 (NIV) 28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, 29 for our “God is a consuming fire.”

III.Our Response A.Allow The Holy Spirit To Examine Our Hearts B.Put Our Trust In God For the Future

Change no matter whether it is good or bad is a place to trust God and to stand in faith. Putting our trust in God will drive out the fear and insecurity of change.