The Certainties of Change This resource is Copyrighted by Dr. Norman R. Lindsay. Personal use or download is encouraged. However, sale or other commercial use of this resource is prohibited.

 In this world, there are more houses with televisions than indoor plumbing.  We spend more for housing criminals than for feeding needy children.  The only person who really wants change is a wet baby.  There are only two kinds of churches: changing churches and dying churches.  The greatest obstacle to change is fear. The Certainties of Change

 The more things change, the more they remain the same.  “My son, fear the LORD and the king; Do not associate with those who are given to change” (Proverbs 24:21-22). The Certainties of Change

 God does not change. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). “Also the Glory of Israel will not lie or change His mind; for He is not a man that He should change His mind” (1 Sam. 15:29). I. Some Things Never Change

 God’s Word does not change. The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever. (Isaiah 40:8) “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away” (Matthew 24:35). I. Some Things Never Change

How Will Change Effect South Anchorage Assembly?

II. Some Things are Certain to Change

A. Change is Inevitable Moses said to the LORD, {16} "May the LORD, the God of the spirits of all mankind, appoint a man over this community {17} to go out and come in before them, one who will lead them out and bring them in, so the Lord's people will not be like sheep without a shepherd." {18} So the LORD said to Moses, "Take Joshua son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit, and lay your hand on him.

A. Change is Inevitable {19} Have him stand before Eleazar the priest and the entire assembly and commission him in their presence. {20} Give him some of your authority so the whole Israelite community will obey him. --Numbers 27:15-20 NIV

A. Change is Inevitable There is a time for passing the baton.

B. Change is Often Irreversible After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, the LORD said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses' aide: {2} "Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them--to the Israelites. --Joshua 1:1-2 NIV

B. Change is Often Irreversible God uses different teams for different times. Moses was a patient pastor, leading the people to the Promised Land. Joshua was a courageous captain, leading the people through the Promised Land.

B. Change is Often Irreversible God uses different teams for different times. You cannot live in bondage to the shadow of your predecessor or fear of your successor. God has a purpose for each of you in His kingdom.

C. Change is Indispensable God uses different teams for different times. Moses had to govern a group of grumblers. Joshua had to mobilize a motley menagerie

D. Change is Irrepressible The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.“--John 3:8 NIV

Change is Irrepressible Who can stop the wind? Who can change its direction? Who can change its velocity? D. Change is Irrepressible

This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength." (Nehemiah 8:10 NIV)

D. Change is Irrepressible The trees that stand during the storms of change are those whose roots go deep, surviving, even thriving, in the face of change.

D. Change is Irrepressible 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." -- Matthew 9:17 NIV

D. Change is Irrepressible We have always heard:  If we continue to do things the way we have always done them, we should not be surprised when we get the same results we have always gotten.

D. Change is Irrepressible Even this is no longer true  Steven Covey, author of The Seven Habits of Highly Successful People, states it this way: “Nothing fails like success.”

D. Change is Irrepressible God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change And though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea; 3 Though its waters roar and foam, Though the mountains quake at its swelling pride. Selah. There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, The holy dwelling places of the Most High.

D. Change is Irrepressible 5 God is in the midst of her, she will not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns. 6 The nations made an uproar, the kingdoms tottered; He raised His voice, the earth melted. 7 The LORD of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah. 8 Come, behold the works of the LORD, Who has wrought desolations in the earth. 9 He makes wars to cease to the end of the earth;

D. Change is Irrepressible He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariots with fire. 10 "Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." 11 The LORD of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah. --Psalm 46:1-11