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An Unchanging God in an Ever-Changing World

An Unchanging God in an Ever-Changing World. 4.28.13. Fact of Life:. Nothing in this world lasts forever. Change usually happens when we’re not even paying attention. Where were you 3 years ago?

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An Unchanging God in an Ever-Changing World

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  1. An Unchanging God in an Ever-Changing World 4.28.13

  2. Fact of Life: Nothing in this world lasts forever.

  3. Change usually happens when we’re not even paying attention. • Where were you 3 years ago? • How old were you? Where were you living? What were your hobbies? What school did you go to? Who were your friends? What was your personality like? • How did you and your surroundings change?

  4. Nothing in this World Lasts Forever ALWAYS CHANGING! • Youth • Beauty • Wealth • Health • Achievements • Relationships • Happiness • Pain • Good & Bad Circumstances

  5. Change is… • Change is inevitable. • Change is incredibly scary. • Change is incredibly exciting.

  6. 1 John 2:15-17 • "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever."

  7. Nothing Lasts Forever • "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever." 1 John 2:15-17

  8. “And the world is passing away along with its desires” • Everything in this world is temporary • How do we deal with an ever-changing world?

  9. How do I Deal with Change? • Give Thanks for Today. • 365 Days of Thanksgiving. • Feel the moment. • Appreciate it. • Enjoy it. • Savor it. • Remember it. If nothing lasts forever, always be thankful for what you have while you have it. Savor your blessings.

  10. God gives. Always give thanks. “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18“And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, [do] all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” Colossians 3:17

  11. Enjoy the Present Moment. Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. Matthew 6:31-34

  12. How to Deal with Change: 2. Embrace Change • Don’t get attached to material and worldly things. • Welcome change as an opportunity to grow.

  13. Embrace Change • "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever." 1 John 2:15-17

  14. A. Don’t Get Attached to Worldly Things • 37 “Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.” Matthew 10:37-38

  15. A. Don’t get attached to worldly things • Everything on Earth belongs to God: Psalms 24:1 — "The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it." • Talents, health, money, gifts, even the people we love • God gives, but God can also take away at any moment • Be willing and able to let go

  16. B. Change is an opportunity for growth. • Change is good. • Joshua 1:1-18 - Joshua takes over leadership of the Israelites after the death of Moses. • “After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua …”

  17. 2. Embrace Change. “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.” • Change is part of God’s plans • We have a mission from God to fulfill • Things change, but the mission hasn’t

  18. 2. Embrace Change. • Recognize, appreciate and celebrate the past, but continue moving forward. • Fear of change  stagnation, complacency, discontent, restlessness • Change  growth, new opportunities • God requires us to let go of the world, so that we may learn to rely on Him, and Him only

  19. Mark 8:34 • 34 Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 35 For whoever wants to save their life[b] will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. 36 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?”

  20. How to Deal with Change: 3. Remember that God NEVER changes: • His word – God’s laws, His right and wrong • His promises – God’s promise of eternity and salvation • His vision – for your life, for this world • His love – God’s mercy, love for you doesn’t change Matthew 5:18 “I tell you the truth, until heaven and earthdisappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, willby any means disappear from the Law until everything isaccomplished.”

  21. 2. God NEVER changes • God is the only constant in this world. • This fact brings us: • Hope • Comfort • Strength • Stability • “As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will neverleave you nor forsake you.”

  22. God is the key to lasting forever. • "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever." 1 John 2:15-17

  23. Our circumstances, relationships, careers, age, looks, etc. may change, but throughout it all…God’s love for us, His word, His laws, His vision for the world doesn’t and won’t ever change!

  24. How to Deal with Change 3. Store your Treasures in God, not in worldly possessions.

  25. Know Where to Invest • 19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

  26. 3. Store your Treasures in God: • Why? A. God is the only one who lasts: "Be strong and courageous[…] the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” B. Only the Gospel can produce real life change • Don’t be afraid of the unknown. • Change = more open doors, opportunities, exploration and self-discovery

  27. 3. Store your Treasures in God. • Luke 8:26-39: the once demon-possessed man was found “sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind” • Change is an opportunity to grow, to be forgiven and healed by Christ, and to move closer towards fulfilling God’s vision for our lives. • Things on Earth decay, but seek God and He will guide you towards everlasting life.

  28. Change is… • …incredibly scary. • …incredibly exciting. • …ultimately inevitable.

  29. How to Deal with Change: • Give Thanks for Today. • Embrace change. • Don’t get attached to worldly possessions. • Welcome change as an opportunity to grow. • Remember that God NEVER changes. • May this fact bring you hope, strength, joy! • Store your Treasures in God, not in worldly possessions! • The Gospel is the only thing that can bring real-life change. • Change will bring you new friends, adventures, learning lessons, experiences. Change in the hands of a changeless God is a good thing! Don’t be afraid! 

  30. “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10

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