Sermons
Jesus, The Same Yesterday
Sun, Jun 18, 2017
Teacher: Tom Blackford Series: Sunday Sermons - 2017 Scripture: Hebrews 13:8
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Jesus, the Same Yesterday
Hebrews 13:8
Intro:
Good morning.
First of all I’d like to wish a Happy Fathers’ Day to all the dads here. I had intended to do a lesson on father’s day and of coarse thought about our heavenly father. Then I distracted myself with Hebrews 13:8 where the Hebrew writer tells us that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” I found this verse intriguing, and as I thought about it I realized it was something I wanted to follow. What I would like to do today is look at Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and see what we can learn. If possible we will look at Jesus Christ is the same today next week and the following week Jesus Christ is the same forever. However, before we get to that part of the lesson we should spend some time considering the whole verse.
I’ll start with a story. A Sunday school teacher was teaching her students a series of lessons on God’s abilities. She explained that God can do everything and she described the differences between omnipresent, omnipotent and omniscient. She then asked, ‘Is there anything God can’t do?’ Everybody was silent. She’s became hopeful now that the students understood. Finally, one boy held up his hand. The teacher, on seeing this, was disappointed that they had missed the point of the lesson. She sighed and asked, ‘What is it you think God can’t do?’ The boy replied, ‘He can’t please everybody.’
After I chuckled at the story I started to think there might be some truth in that young boy’s answer because all the way through the scriptures we see people who are never pleased with the things that God does and the way He does them.
God was not pleased with Cain and Cain wasn’t pleased with God and His ways. When the Jews were in the wilderness they showed they weren’t pleased with God and His ways. In the New Testament the religious leaders weren’t pleased with God and His ways.
Even today, people are still not pleased with God and His ways. They want to promote same-sex marriage, they want to promote assisted suicide, or they want to promote abortion.
People want to change God and His Word. They want to make the Gospel more appealing with ‘feel good’ preaching and avoiding the hard bits. Others appeal to people’s emotions instead of teaching the truth.
It doesn’t matter whether it is in Bible times or today, people seem to want to change God and His ways for one reason and one reason only - they refuse to change their own ways.
If there was ever a Scripture to draw encouragement from in an ever-changing world, this would be it, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” Hebrews 13:8. In an ever-changing world this gives us comfort, and it should give us pause too. This scripture is letting us know that, everything around you may change, people you know may change, but Jesus Christ won’t change and He hasn’t changed.
He won’t cancel His offer of unconditional love; He won’t cancel His offer of grace. But at the same time He won’t change His mind about people who try to change His word. He won’t withdraw His demands for repentance and obedience either. He still wants people to repent and be obedient to Him… What does scripture say? If the Bible tells us anything, it tells us over and over again, God will not change.
Let me give you a few examples, the first being Hebrews 6:17-18 – “Thus God, determining to show more abundantly to the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath, that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us.” The word ‘immutability’ certainly might confuse some readers, but a quick check of the dictionary shows the definition to be; ‘unchangeable – not changing or not able to be changed’. God wanted to make certain the unchanging nature of His plan was clear to the heirs of the promise so He confirmed it with an oath. That is, by two unchangeable things, it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us, may be greatly encouraged.
In Malachi 3:6 – “For I am the Lord, I do not change…” We are told God won’t change. Look at what James says in James 1:17 – “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.” Remember when Balaam was paid to curse Israel? God didn’t allow it; instead He pronounced a blessing on them through the prophet. Numbers 23:19 – “God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do it? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?”
God wanted them to know He won’t change and, folks, nothing has changed today. Jesus Christ will not change. I want to focus today on Jesus being the same ‘yesterday’, but what we should understand is that ‘yesterday’ can go back as far in history as you like.
It could go back to a literal ‘yesterday’ (Saturday) or it could go back to when you were born.
I. In the context of Hebrews 13 where we were reading earlier, it’s speaking about yesterday as the time since the arrival of Jesus as we read about Him in the Gospels. I would like for us to go even further back in history, I want us to go back to a time before Jesus existed as a man.
A. Turn your Bibles to John 1:1-3 – “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.”
B. The obvious question we have to ask ourselves here is: who is ‘the Word’ mentioned in these verses? Of course, it is Jesus.
C. We know John is speaking about Jesus because as any good bible student we read on in John 1:14 – where it says that, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.”
1. Here’s something we often forget. Remember Jesus was not called Jesus, until He ‘became flesh’. That will help us with our understanding. This tells us that Jesus was ‘the Word’ before He became Jesus, God in the flesh. We know that the Word, who is Jesus, existed before creation because John says, “The Word was in the beginning.”
D. The Word was in existence before the world was even created.
1. Jesus wasn’t a created being in the manner some people teach because He existed before the beginning of creation.
2. The Word didn’t come into being; He already existed when everything else was created.
E. Jesus Himself claimed His own divine pre-existence in John 8:58 when He said to the Jews, “Jesus said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.”
1. John doesn’t leave any room for ‘ifs’ ‘buts’ or ‘maybes’, he says, ‘In the beginning was the Word.’
2. Which is very similar to what Moses wrote in Genesis 1:1 – “In the beginning God… ”
II. Both Moses and John are writing as a matter of fact. The Bible doesn’t set about trying to convince us that God exists; it’s written as a matter of fact that He does exist.
A. We might ask, what did the Word do in the beginning? Before we answer that question, let’s consider this question, what does the word, ‘Word’ mean?
B. Words help us to communicate thoughts and ideas to other people. If I want you to understand what I’m thinking, the best way for me to do that is to use words to tell you.
C. The Greek word for ‘Word’ is the word ‘Logos’ and it means ‘a thought expressed’, or ‘something said’, “word,” “reason,” or “plan”. Scholars tell us that to the Greeks the term ‘logos’ was reason or wisdom and they considered ‘the Logos’ the active rational and spiritual principle that permeated all reality. That is, the expression of the mind of God to the material universe.
D. The Jews would understand what ‘Logos’ meant, and their minds would have gone straight back to Genesis because they understood that this was a revelation of the mind of God.
1. Turn your Bibles to Genesis 1 and notice throughout Genesis 1 we find the words, ‘God said.’
2. For example in Genesis 1:3 “God said, “Let there be light.”
3. In Genesis 1:6 – “God said, "Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.''”
4. We could go on through the book of Genesis but the point here is that Creation is being spoken into existence.
E. Just as a side note, each of these was a command. The Word of God was the One commanding creation into existence. The Word, wasn’t just present at creation, but actively involved in creation.
F. I know that from our point in time where we think of a word as being an object in a dictionary this can seem a little confusing. Careful thought and study should make it clear to us.
G. It is what Paul is trying to get us to understand in Colossians 1:16-17 – “For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.”
1. Do we understand what Paul is saying? He is saying what John is saying in John 1:1-3 - “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.”[NKJ]
2. Paul and John are explaining to us that ‘The Word’ was there before creation, ‘the Word’ commanded creation into existence and ‘the Word’ was with God even before creation and the Word was God, John 1:1.
III. When we put this together we see that ‘the Word’ is an entity, not an attribute of God or a production of God, He is of the same essence as the Father, in other words, He is Deity.
A. Hebrews 1:2-3 says; “God, who at various times and in different ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets. 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; who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.”
B. Notice that phrase, ‘the express image of His person’.
C. We hear the word ‘trinity’, but that word doesn’t exist in the Bible. However, we do find the word “theion” (θεῖος theîos thi'-os) which in the Greek means divine or godhead. In the King James we find the word ‘Godhead’ used.
1. When Paul is speaking on Mars Hill he says in Acts 17:29 – “Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device.” [KJV] the NKJ uses “Divine Nature” instead of Godhead.
2. Paul says in Romans 1:20 – “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,”
3. In Colossians 2:9 – “For in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.” The N.I.V translates that verse, this way, Colossians 2:9, “For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form.”
D. I heard this explanation one time as to how the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are one, but yet different. The person got a potato and put it in the middle of the table. Then got a plate of mashed potatoes, a plate of boiled potatoes and a baked potato. He went on to explain that although the mashed potato was different in appearance from the boiled and baked potatoes, and vice versa, they are all essentially still potatoes but in different forms.
E. The Bible talks about the Father as being Deity, the Bible talks about Jesus as being Deity and the Bible talks about the Holy Spirit as being Deity.
1. Three different beings but one in the same, as 1 John 5:20 tells us “And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.”
2. Notice whenever we read our Bible and we find Jesus referring to Himself as the ‘Son of man,’ He’s talking about His human or earthly nature.
3. When He refers to Himself as the ‘Son of God’, He’s talking about His divine or Godly nature.
4. Therefore, although, the Son existed ‘in the beginning with God’, it was necessary that ‘the Word’ should ‘become flesh’ and ‘dwell’ or ‘tabernacle’ among us as John 1:14 tells us.
IV. Why did Jesus need to come in bodily form? Paul tells us in Philippians 2:6-8 that Jesus “who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a servant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.”
A. Notice Jesus existed ‘in the form of God’ and Paul says without that human form, it would’ve been impossible for Him to fulfill the unique purpose for which He came.
B. But why did He need a body? John 20:30-31 - “And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.”
1. John says Jesus did many ‘signs’ which were to be the authentication and endorsement of His Messiahship. To do that He needed a body.
2. He needed a body to set the perfect example of obedience to the will of the Father for the human race.
3. Above all, by means of that perfect life, to demonstrate His worthiness to become the perfect offering for the sin of the world.
C. The Word became flesh because this was the divine plan right from start. Remember what God said to the serpent in Genesis 3:15 – “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel.” The Word needed a body, so He could die on the cross, defeat death and crush Satan once and for all.
D. We find the writer of the letter to the Hebrews, quoting from Psalm 40:6-8 in; Hebrews 10:5-7 – “Therefore, when He came into the world, He said: "Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, but a body You have prepared for Me. In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin you had no pleasure. Then I said, 'Behold, I have come in the volume of the book it is written of Me to do Your will, O God.'”
1. Notice that the ‘a body’ You have prepared for Me.’ The Word becoming flesh was a part of God’s plan.
2. Why did He come in the flesh? He needed a body to do the signs necessary for people to understand who He was. He needed a body to die on the cross as the perfect sacrifice for our sins. He needed a body to show that He conquered death and He needed a body to communicate with mankind in a personal, unmistakable and uncomplicated manner.
V. Over and over again, He told His people He was coming but they simply didn’t understand. Isaiah 7:14 – “"Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.”
A. Malachi 3:1 – “Behold, I send My messenger, and he will prepare the way before Me. Talking there about John the Baptist And the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple, even the Messenger of the covenant, who is this? Jesus. in whom you delight. behold, He is coming,'' says the Lord of hosts.”
B. Jesus had to come in the form of man to explain to us in simple human terms what God wants us to hear. Do you want to know what God is like? Look at Jesus. The clues are there.
C. Do you remember when Philip wanted to know what God was like? John 14:9 – “Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, 'Show us the Father'?”
D. Do you want to know what God’s will is? Listen to Jesus. John 6:38 – “For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.”
E. Do you want to know how to live a life which pleases God? Follow the example of Jesus. 1 Peter 2:21 – “For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:”
VI. The point is that everything we can know about God is revealed in Jesus Christ. It’s all there, right before our eyes. In other words, Jesus isn’t merely a representation of the Word, He is the Word of God.
A. Revelation 19:13 – “He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God.” John is speaking about the sacrificed Jesus, as the Word of God.
B. John 5:37-40 – “And the Father Himself, who sent Me, has testified of Me. You have neither heard His voice at any time, nor seen His form. But you do not have His word abiding in you, because whom He sent, Him you do not believe. You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.”
C. Jesus rebuked the Pharisees because they searched the Scriptures and didn’t find Jesus, even though the Scriptures did speak of Him. Jesus said, “you haven’t looked enough”.
D. What does all this mean in light of Hebrews 13:8? It means that yesterday Jesus was the Word, it means that yesterday Jesus was God in the flesh, it means that yesterday Jesus was the Word of God. Not only yesterday, but today and forevermore, He is the Word.
VII. Jesus never changes… but He does ask us to change. The word for that in the Bible is the word ‘repent’. I believe the word ‘repent’ has had a lot of bad press over the years, sometimes all you hear people say is, ‘repent, repent, repent’ in a very negative way.
A. The word ‘repent’ isn’t used at all in some religious circles because it’s seen as offensive and comes across as a very negative word.
1. The Greek word we translate as repent is ‘metanoeo’ and it simply means to think differently, to reconsider, to change your mind.
2. In the Bible, repentance, just like faith, leads us somewhere else.
3. Folks, the word ‘repent’ is really a positive word because it leads us to blessings. Yes, it does mean we have something to reconsider, an “Ooops, my bad moment” perhaps.
4. Repentance means we have recognized the problem, accepted our personal responsibility and are responding. Changing our mind.
B. Remember when king Hezekiah became ill in 2 Chronicles 32? 2 Chronicles 32:24-26 – “In those days Hezekiah was sick and near death, and he prayed to the Lord; and He spoke to him and gave him a sign. But Hezekiah did not repay according to the favor shown him, for his heart was lifted up; therefore wrath was looming over him and over Judah and Jerusalem. Then Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart, he and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the wrath of the Lord did not come upon them in the days of Hezekiah.” Do we see what happened?
1. Hezekiah’s repentance led to him and the people of Jerusalem being blessed by God. How is that a negative thing? It’s positive.
2. Proverbs 1:23 – “Turn at my reproof; Surely I will pour out my spirit on you; I will make my words known to you.”
3. Solomon says “Repent at God’s rebuke!” When a person repents, God will let you know what His will is.
4. When Peter preached the first Gospel sermon, he said to the Jews listening in Acts 2:38 – “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
5. 2 Corinthians 7:10 – “For godly sorrow produces repentance to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.”
C. Do we see how real, Biblical repentance, always leads to blessings? Hezekiah had to think differently, Solomon encourages us to think differently and Peter asked the Jews to think differently. Still there’s more to repentance than just thinking differently.
D. The Bible tells us that our thinking differently is more than just feeling sorry for our sins, it should lead us somewhere. It should lead to a change of direction, and a change of behavior. A preacher recalled speaking with a young girl who became a Christian and he asked her, ‘what difference had Christ made in her life?’ She replied, ‘well, before I used to run towards sin, but now I try my best to stay away from it’.
E. That’s what Biblical repentance is, it’s taking the time to think differently, which leads us to live differently.
F. The Christian will find though that repentance isn’t a onetime act, Christians will repent many times during their life, especially if they have sinned against God or their fellowman. Turning away from sin, repentance, is something God wants all of mankind to do. God is not going to change His mind on that. Acts 17:30 – “Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent”
CONCLUSION:
Have you ever wondered why God hasn’t come back yet to judge the world?
2 Peter 3:9 tells us; “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”
God hasn’t come back yet because He’s giving us time to think differently about Him, He’s giving us time to think differently about our lifestyle. He’s giving us time to think differently about our relationship with Him.
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever,” as Hebrews 13:8 tells us. He is the Word, and that Word became man who died for our sins. The Word of God and that Word remains the same no matter how much people want to change it. His Word is the same yesterday, today and forever.
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We learn from the New Testament how to be saved. We need to hear the word; believe in Jesus; repent of our sins; we must confess our belief that Jesus is the Son of God; and be baptized for the remission of our sins… If we follow these steps, the Lord adds us to His church.
Perhaps there is someone in the assembly today with the need to be buried with Christ in baptism. If you have never done these things, we urge you to do so today. If anyone has this need or desires the prayers of faithful Christians on their behalf, we encourage them to come forward while we stand and sing.
# 78 – Hark, the Gentle Voice
Reference Sermon
Mike Glover
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Chardon, Ohio 44024