1. the picture of Dorian Gray
Written by Oscar Wilde in 1890
Dorian Gray sells his soul so that as long as his portrait exists, he will not age. (The portrait records every sin, and corrupting action).
Of course, in reality… we all change (temporal life.)
This is good!
(2 Corinthians 5:1), “For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.”

2. These things do not change…
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning”
James 1:17
In the midst of a changing world, there is a need for us to hold on to some things which do not change.
God, for one….
James 1:17 indicates that the character of God is unchanging
God has not changed for he is eternal
"The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms” (Deuteronomy 33:27).

3. These things do not change…
Jesus Christ (Hebrews 13:8)
(Hebrews 13:8), “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”
Christ is eternal as God is.
Christ was in the beginning with God
(John 1: 1), “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
His eternal and unchanging nature is self-professed in Revelation 1:8
(Revelation 1:8), “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End," says the Lord, " who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty."

4. These things do not change…
Jesus Christ (Hebrews 13:8)
The Word of God (Matthew 24:35)
Judgment of God upon Jerusalem (AD 70)
(Matthew 24:35), “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.”
Since God does not change, it follows that His words (His will) are unchanging as well.
(1 Peter 1:25), “But the word of the Lord endures forever." Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached to you.”
This is why it is not appropriate to listen to those who would seek to alter or disregard God’s revealed word!
(Galatians 1:8), “But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed.”

5. These things do not change…
Jesus Christ (Hebrews 13:8)
The Word of God (Matthew 24:35)
The New Testament Church – Must Not! (Colossians 1:18)
The New Testament Church must not change: (Note: It is within our power, but not our authority, to alter (corrupt) the church.
We live in an age when men try to modernize the church for a modern century.
Since we have just learned that the Bible does not change and the only thing we know about the church comes from the Bible, the church must remain the same as it was in the days of the apostles. (This is when Christ revealed it as He wished it to be!
The church as a body has the same head - Christ (Colossians 1: 18), “And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.”
The same organization - the local congregation with its elders, deacons and members (Phil. 1:1).
The church still has the same work - preaching the gospel (I Tim. 3:15; Eph. 4:16) and taking care of her needy saints (I Tim. 5:16).
The church still has the same worship.

6. These things do not change…
Jesus Christ (Hebrews 13:8)
The Word of God (Matthew 24:35)
The New Testament Church – Must Not! (Colossians 1:18)
Standard of Right and Wrong (Titus 2:11-12)
It is still right to do right and never right to do wrong.
(Titus 2:11-12), “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, 12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age.”
The standard of living "soberly, righteously and godly” remains the same. It has been revealed in His word.
Some hold the view that the Bible ethic is no longer workable or relevant in our time.
To claim this is to deny the capabilities of God!

7. Conclusion
God’s unchanging word gives life! Trust not in the wisdom of men, trust in the promises of God.
Psalm 119:89-93
(Psalm 119:89-93), “Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven. 90 Your faithfulness endures to all generations; You established the earth, and it abides. 91 They continue this day according to Your ordinances, For all are Your servants. 92 Unless Your law had been my delight, I would then have perished in my affliction. 93 I will never forget Your precepts, For by them You have given me life.”