The Immutability Of The Lord

Temple Baptist Church - 11-9-2008

Malachi 3:1-6

Introduction:

A. We live in a world of change. A lot has been said in the past few months in the political realm about change. The changes that they are talking about are not the changes that need to be made.

1. The world is changing. It is either flood or drought. It is either a category 5 hurricane or it is a storm that fizzles. There are wars and rumors of war on every hand. Voices crying “peace, peace” when there is no peace. People looking for all of the wrong answers in all of the wrong places. Instead of looking to the Lord and righteousness, they look to man and unrighteousness. Immorality is acceptable while morality is ridiculed! To be pure is to be mocked while sensuality is being popularized. Fewer morals, less character, and greater wickedness is the “rule of the day.”

2. People are changing. What happened to old fashioned manners? What happened to old fashioned morals? Iniquity abounds and the love of many waxes cold in these last days. It is all for me and my four and nothing more. Very few good neighbors and very few even know their neighbors.

3. Churches are changing. I could spend the rest of the service here. Ear tickling preachers ministering to itching ear “Christians.” Worldly churches entertaining worldly people with worldly methodology. Soul winning decreases as sinful living increases and the churches of America are in a mess.

B. I am glad to report that there are still some things that are not changing.

1. There are still Christians in this world that are trying to make a difference. They love God, America, apple pie, and the souls of men. There are some of history’s greatest Christians living today who are ridiculed and mocked for their love for the Savior and separated living. God bless them!

2. There are still good, fundamental, bible believing men of God who are trying to “withstand” and having done all, “stand” in this evil day. I know some good, godly men of God who I am proud to call my brothers. Men who are willing to pay a price for the privilege of being God’s man instead of the world’s man!

3. There are still some good fundamental, separated, God fearing churches in this world. They are few in number with fewer numbers on the pews because they are not what the “many” of Matthew 7:13 are looking for. They have a lot of one time visitors. That is the kind of church that I would be looking for. One that would raise my standards instead of lowering them. A church that would preach and teach the bible so that my family could get some help.

C. In light of all of the changes taking place over the span of my lifetime, I am glad that the Lord declared, “I change not!”

Psalms 90:2 Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou [art] God.

Psalms 102:27 But thou [art] the same, and thy years shall have no end.

Hebrews 1:12 And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail.

Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

1. The Lord Does Not Change In His Person - 1 Timothy 6:16 Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom [be] honour and power everlasting. Amen.

a. Spurgeon said it like this: “The sun itself grows dim with age; the world is waxing old; the folding up of the worn-out vesture has commenced; the heavens and earth must soon pass away; they shall perish, they shall wax old as doth a garment; but there is One who only hath immortality, of whose years there is no end, and in whose person there is no change.”

b. The Lord Is Immutably Holy - 1 Peter 1:16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. (He still hates sin while loving sinners. He can neither commit nor condone sinfulness!)

c. The Lord Is Immutably Good - 1 Chronicles 16:34 O give thanks unto the LORD; for [he is] good; for his mercy [endureth] for ever. (The Lord is good all of the time. He is merciful and longsuffering. “Longsuffering to us-ward.”)

d. The Lord Is Immutably Wise - Isaiah 55:9 For [as] the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. (The Lord’s way is always the right way as He knows the end from the beginning.)

e. The Lord Is Immutably Faithful - Lamentations 3:22-23 [It is of] the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. 23 [They are] new every morning: great [is] thy faithfulness. (He will be there in your darkest hour as He is in your brightest one.)

2. The Lord Does Not Change In His Promises

a. His Promise To Save The Sinner - John 6:37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

Matthew 11:28 Come unto me, all [ye] that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

b. His Promise To Secure The Believer - Matthew 6:31-33 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. (Spiritually, physically, financially, and in every other way He cares for us. He is a refuge when fearful, He is a stronghold in trouble, He is a very present help in time of need. He secures you; He feeds you; He loves us in spite of our faults and failures; He loves you with an everlasting love!)

3. The Lord Does Not Change In His Purposes

a. His Purpose In Salvation – 1 Timothy 2:4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

b. His Purpose In Sanctification – 1 Thessalonians 4:3-4 For this is the will of God, [even] your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: 4 That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;