Jesus Never Changes “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” Heb. 13:8 1. Aim: To discuss the truth about Christ and His unchanging nature. 2. Hebrews 13:8 “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.”

Jesus Never Changes Hebrews written to encourage Christians Sacrificed for their faith - Heb. 6:10 “work and labor of love” Lost Possessions - Heb. 10:34 “plundering of your goods” Suffered Persecution - Heb. 10:32 “endured a great conflict of sufferings” 1. The Book of Hebrews was written to encourage Christians under great trials to remain faithful to the Lord. a. They Had sacrificed for their faith - Hebrews 6:10 “For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love, which you have shown toward His name.” b. Many Had lost material possessions - Hebrews 10:34 c. Suffered Persecution - Hebrews 10:32 d. Many were in danger of giving up their faith in Christ, turning back to Judaism; thus forfeiting all the benefits provided by Christ. 4. In order to encourage them to remain steadfast, they were reminded of the UNCHANGING NATURE OF CHRIST a. These people lived in time of “great change.” And to hear and learn that Jesus did not change would be of great help. b. Our day is characterized by great change: Scientific, social, economic and Religious 5. The truth that Jesus Never Changes can be of encouragement to us.

Jesus Never Changes Past = yesterday Present = today Future = forever “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever.” Heb. 13:8 Jesus never changes because He is eternal He and His doctrine are unchangeable “LIKE A CLOAK YOU WILL FOLD THEM UP, AND THEY WILL BE CHANGED. BUT YOU ARE THE SAME, AND YOUR YEARS WILL NOT FAIL” Heb. 1:12 “For I am the LORD, I change not.” Mal. 3:6 Past = yesterday Present = today Future = forever JESUS NEVER CHANGES A. Hebrews 13:8 “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day. and for ever” 1. The author is encouraging them to remain faithful the same as their savior. 2. If Jesus had been changeable, accepting something one day and not the next or plan something but change His mind later, there would be no encouragement to give to the followers of Christ. B. Jesus never changes - because He is eternal 1. He is a. Eternal past = yesterday, before He came into the world b. Eternal present = today = He is in Heaven c. And eternal future = for ever = into the future - time without end 2. He has always been. 3. Hebrews 1:12 “LIKE A CLOAK YOU WILL FOLD THEM UP, AND THEY WILL BE CHANGED. BUT YOU ARE THE SAME, AND YOUR YEARS WILL NOT FAIL.” C. We can depend on Jesus ! 1. Both He and his doctrine are unchangeable. 2. Malachi 3:6 “For I am the LORD, I change not”

False Conclusions Christ still performs miracles - Creation - Col. 1:16 “by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth” Adam and Eve - Gen.1:28 “replenish” - Raised the dead - Lazarus - Jn. 11:43-44 Jn. 20:30-31 “that you might believe” - Apostles and Early Christians - miraculous power 1 Cor. 13:8 “fail, cease, vanish away” FALSE CONCLUSIONS CONCERNING THIS STATEMENT A. Some conclude that because Christ performed miracles while on earth, He still does today. 1. God created all things through Christ - Colossians 1:16 “For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth.” a. He made man from the dust of earth and woman from Adam's rib. b. Does Jesus still do the same today? No c. Realize that God works through “law.” d. Law of Reproduction - replenish the earth - Genesis 1:28 “Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth” 2. While on earth Christ raised the dead. a. Example - Lazarus - John 11:43-44 “Lazarus, come forth” b. He had THIS power without measure c. But he no longer does these things d. They were done to prove and show that he was the son of God. – John 20:30-31 “But these are written, that you might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God” 3. The Apostles and early Christians the apostles laid hands on also had miraculous power a. Power given to apostles (see Acts 9:36-41; 20:9-12). Claim made that today men are able b. Where is first man raised from the dead? Many sincerely believe, attempt to do so. c. But they cannot do these things! Argument, well Jesus is the same today as yesterday. If He gave them these powers He will give them to us also. d. I Cor. 13:8 “Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away.” 4. It is a misuse of THIS verse in Heb. 13:8 to claim that men can perform miracles today. Jesus Himself does not change. But he has changed some of his ways of dealing with man. But that in no way contradicts the truth of THIS verse.

False Conclusions Baptism not required in olden days Therefore it is not required today Old Testament times - born into the family Now Christ is the head of the church - Eph.1:23 Commanded us to be baptized – Mk. 16:15-16 Must be born again - Jn. 3:1-7 A. Some reason that in times past the Lord did not require men to be baptized, or to be in the church in order to be saved. So they conclude since he is “Unchanging, therefore doesn't require today.” 1. In the Old Testament Times a person was born into the family which put one into a covenant with God a. Males circumcised: b. A time when animal blood taken into holy place for atonement, etc. 2. Now, Christ the head of the church which is His body (Ephesians 1:23), and is the Savior of the body (Ephesians 5:23). 3. He has commanded us to be baptized - Mark 16:15-16 4. We must be born again John 3:1-7

False Conclusions Instrumental Music is Ok in worship today Used it in the past He does not change Therefore it must be OK. Also used incense, worshipped on Sabbath, feasts, etc. “God is a Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth.” Jn. 4:24 A. “Some Reason” that in time past Lord pleased with instrumental music in worship. “Since He does not change, still pleased.” 1. It was a time when incense was burned; worshiped on the Sabbath, new moon feasts observed, etc. 2. God has commanded that we worship Him in many different ways when compared to the Old Law 3. John 4:24 “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” 4. Our worship to God must be authorized by God. We have no authority from God to use instruments in worship in the NT

In His Divine Nature How is Christ the Same ? “You are my Son, today I have begotten You” Heb. 1:5 Redemption: “flesh and blood” = Heb. 2:14 “be tempted” = Heb. 4:15 “be perfected” = Heb. 5:9 Causes Him to be unchanging HOW IS IT THAT CHRIST IS THE SAME YESTERDAY. TODAY. FOREVER? A. IN HIS DIVINE NATURE: 1. Jews had difficulty accepting a “human” savior; worshiping such. a. There were those who denied “God in the flesh.” b. The Hebrew writers argument is that Jesus Christ is not “JUST A MAN” but DEITY embodied in flesh; the Son of God - Hebrews 1:5 “For to which of the angels did He ever say: "YOU ARE MY SON, TODAY I HAVE BEGOTTEN YOU"? And again: "I WILL BE TO HIM A FATHER, AND HE SHALL BE TO ME A SON"? c. In order to accomplish “redemption,” it was necessary for the Son to: (1) “partake of flesh and blood” - Hebrews 2:14 (2) Undergo temptation - Hebrews 4:15 (3) to be “perfected” as the author of eternal salvation - Hebrews 5:9 d. When Christ’s work was completed, He “Sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high” Hebrews 1:3 2. It is the fact of His divine nature that causes him to be unchanging.

How is Christ the Same ? His Characteristics His Love does not Change “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends” Jn. 15:13 “For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died” 2 Cor. 5:14 A. The Characteristics of Jesus do not change 1. His Love does not change a. He is the perfect example of pure love b. His love led Him to die on the cross - self sacrifice c. John 15:13 “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends” d. THIS love Compels us - holds us together - 2 Corinthians 5:14 “For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died” e. Jesus Loves us at all times and wants us to obey Him. f. We love Him because he first loved us

How is Christ the Same ? His Characteristics His Church is Unchanging Dan. 2:44 “never be destroyed… it shall stand for ever” 1 Cor. 15:24-26 - reign until last enemy defeated 1. His kingdom or church is unchanging a. Kingdom will never be destroyed - Daniel 2:44 “And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom. which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people. but it shall break in Pieces and consume all these kingdoms and it shall stand for ever.” b. Reign until last enemy defeated - I Corinthians 15:24 “Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet. The last enemy that will be destroyed is death.” c. With such a one on the throne, no need for fear.

How is Christ the Same ? His Characteristics His Word / Truth is Unchanging God speaks through His Son - Heb. 1:2 “Heaven and earth shall Pass. away. but my words shall not pass away.” Matt. 24:35 “Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation…contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints” Jude 3 3. Law which rules kingdom is HIS UNCHANGING WORD, TRUTH. a. God speaks through Son - Hebrews 1:2 “has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds” b. Word will not pass away (1) Matthew 24:35 “Heaven and earth shall Pass. away. but my words shall not pass away.” c. Law different to that of O.T. Now, final - Jude 3 “Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation…contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints”

How is Christ the Same ? His Characteristics His Word / Truth is Unchanging - Plan of salvation does not change - Moral standard is unchanging - Sin is always an abomination to God “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness” Rom. 1:18 1. Word regulates entrance into kingdom (1) Plan of Salvation does not change Moral standard unchanging: Sin has always been an abomination of God. And sin has been defined the same in every generation. Sin will bring the wrath of God (2) Romans 1:18 “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness”

How is Christ the Same ? His Characteristics Willingness to Save Man “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Lk. 19:10 “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” 2 Pet. 3:9 1. Willingness to save man does not change a. Jesus came to save us - Luke 19:10 “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” b. 2 Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” c. “Knocks,” pleads for opportunity to enter man's heart, life to bless - d. But will not force way into life. Enter those who will open to Him.

Jesus Never Changes Day of Judgment Disobedient Obedient Punished in the Past Same on Judgment Day 2 Pet. 2:4-9 1. In the day of judgment, we will meet a judge who will be unchanged by appeals of the disobedient. a. As disobedience was punished in the past, so shall it be in the day of judgment - 2 Peter 2:4-6 b. The Lord has always rewarded faithful obedience. Assured that those who do His commandments will eat of the tree of life and have an entrance into the eternal city Revelation 22:14 “Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.” 2. Jesus Never Changes- “Jesus Christ the same yesterday. and to day. and for ever” Obedient Always rewarded the faithful Rev. 22:14

Jesus Can Change You Jesus can change you If you will listen to His word it can make you into a new person