OUR GREATEST BOAST 2: The Joy of Knowing the Lord

INTRODUCTION

YOU SEE, WE CAN’T GET OUR MINDS AROUND SOMEONE WHO DOES NOT AND CANNOT CHANGE. OUR ONLY WAY OF THINKING IS CONFINED TO AND SUMMED UP BY THE WORDS OF MY MAN THAT R&B LYRICAL POET - GEORGE BENSON IN THE 1977 VERSION OF THE SONG: EVERYTHING MUST CHANGE

Everything must change, Nothing stays the same. Everyone must change Nothing stays the same.

The young become the old, Mysteries do unfold. 'Cause that's the way of time Nothing and no one goes unchanged.

THE IDEA, THE REALITY AND THE INEVITABILITY OF CHANGE IS EMBEDDED IN THE EXPERIENCE OF HUMANITY.

IN FACT, WHEN THINGS AND PEOPLE DON’T CHANGE WE GET MAD, FRUSTRATED AND EVEN DISGUSTED:

· Parents have that moment when they look at their children and say, Is that boy eve gonna change?”

· WHEN ARE THINGS GONNA CHANGE IN AMERICA

· WHEN IS MY SPOUSE GOING TO CHANGE

WE KNOW CHANGE IS NOT ONLY INEVITABLE, BUT NECESSARY BECAUSE WE AND THINGS CAN ALWAYS GET BETTER AND CERTAINLY THEY CAN GET WORSE.

YOU SEE, WHEN GEORGE BENSON SAYS EVERYTHING MUST CHANGE HE IS ONLY SPEAKING OF HUMANITY AND THIS WORLD.

While things CHANGE AND PEOPLE CHANGE KNOW THIS: THE LORD DOES NOT CHANGE

OUR TITLE FOR THE SERMON TODAY

HE IS THE IMMUTABLE LORD

This is a theological term that means God does not change:

HE IS THE CHANGELESS GOD IN THESE CHANGING TIMES

HE IS NOT SUBJECT TO CHANGE

READ THE TEXT

THIS PUTS EVERYTHING IN PERSPECTIVE:

If God never changes and everything and everyone does- here’s the question:

WHY AM I TRUSTING FOR MY JOY AND SATISFACTION ALL THAT WHICH WILL ALWAYS AND ONLY DISAPPOINT?

The immutability of God is involved in his aseity. God is “unchangeable in his existence and essence; as he is in his thought and will, in all his purposes and decrees.”9 He is called the Jehovah who changes not, (Mal 3:6) and with him there is no shadow that is cast by turning.[1]

Binning writes that “when we think on his unchangeableness, let us consider our own vanity, whose glory and perfection is like a summer flower … To be one thing, and then another thing, is a property of sinful and wretched man.” Therefore, we ought not to put our ultimate trust in finite things, but in “God, ‘who changeth not.’ ”498[2]

LET ME ASK A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS ABOUT GOD NOT CHANGING:

1. WHO ELSE CAN GOD BE?

He greater than everything and everyone?

Jamie Fox played Ray Charles

· Listen we know that other could have played the role, but we don’t know anyone who could have played it like Jamie Fox.

· THIS LEADS ME TO MY SECOND QIUESTION: IF WE CANT THINK OF ANYONE BETTER THAN FOX TO PLAY CHARLES – LET ME ASK YOU THIS:

2. WHO ELSE CAN BE GOD?

o I know we like to audition for that role from time to time, but we don’t have the skill-set – WE ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE – THE LORD IS NOT

YOU SEE, GOD CANNOT BE ANYONE ELSE AND NO ONE ELSE CAN BE GOD BECAUSE, AS ONE MAN SANG

“NO BODY GREATER

NOBODY GREATER

NOBODY GREATER THAN YOU”

BUT BEFORE HE PENNED THESE WORDS – LET’S HEAR FROM SOME WHO SPOKE FOR GOD

Exodus 3:14 ESV

God said to Moses, “I am who I am.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I am has sent me to you.’ ”

This is “… a declaration of his self-existence and his eternal changelessness; a reminder to mankind that he has life in himself, and that what he is now, he is eternally.”1

Exodus 15:11 ESV

“Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders?

Psalm 113:5 ESV

Who is like the Lord our God, who is seated on high,

Psalm 89:6 ESV

For who in the skies can be compared to the Lord? Who among the heavenly beings is like the Lord,

Psalm 71:19 ESV

Your righteousness, O God, reaches the high heavens. You who have done great things, O God, who is like you?

Psalm 77:13 ESV

Your way, O God, is holy. What god is great like our God?

Isaiah 40:18 ESV

To whom then will you liken God, or what likeness compare with him?

Isaiah 44:7 ESV

Who is like me? Let him proclaim it. Let him declare and set it before me, since I appointed an ancient people. Let them declare what is to come, and what will happen.

Jeremiah 10:6 ESV

There is none like you, O Lord; you are great, and your name is great in might.

James 1:17 ESV

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

Hebrews 13:8 ESV

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

SINCE GOD CANNOT CHANGE THIS MEANS THAT WHO HE IS TOWARDS HIS CREATION CANNOT CHANGE:

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO US THAT GOD DOES NOT CHANGE?

HOW DOES A KNOWLEDGE THAT GOD IS IMMUTABLE – THE HE DOES NOT CHANGE – COMMAND OUR BOAST AND PRAISE AND OBEDIENCE TO HIM ALONE?

I. GOD IS IMMUTABLE WITH RESPECT TO HIS PURPOSES AND WILL

Psalm 33:11 ESV

The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of his heart to all generations.

Isaiah 46:8 ESV

“Remember this and stand firm, recall it to mind, you transgressors,

Isaiah 46:9 ESV

remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me,

Isaiah 46:10 ESV

declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose,’

GOD WILL ACCOMPLISH ALL OF HIS PURPOSES AND NONE OF THEM CAN BE STOPPED.

A. The will and purposes of God cannot be stopped

Isaiah 14:27 ESV

For the Lord of hosts has purposed, and who will annul it? His hand is stretched out, and who will turn it back?

Job 42:2 ESV

“I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.

It does not matter what MAN says, ONLY what GOD has said and has decreed by His divine, powerful and eternal word! AND THIS IS HOPEFUL TO US!

CONSIDER YOUR LIFE:

The doctor said you got six year left – God said YOU A LIE! THAT’S NOT MY PLAN - and has given you 16 more!

???

???

BUT IF THAT’S NOT ENOUGH:

ASK DANIEL IF GOD’S WILL CAN BE STOPPED:

They put Daniel in the den – God said: I aint ready for Him yet and made the lion became Daniel’s pet

ASK THE THREE HEBREW BOYS IF GOD’S WILL CAN BE STOPPED:

Threw them in the furnace to burn them up – God said “Not yet” those brothers were down there making smoares

IF THAT’S NOT ENOUGH

ASK MARY IF GOD’S WILL CAN BE STOPPED: SHE WOULD TELL YOU THAT WHEN THEY KILLED EVERYONE THOUGHT IT WAS OVER BUT WHEN SHE WENT TO LAY SPICES ON THE TOMB IT WAS EMPTY - GOD’S PURPOSES CANNOT BE STOPPED

ASK PETER IF GOD’S WILL CAN BE STOPPED: HE HAS A LIST:

HE WOULD TELL YOU ABOUT THE TIME THEY THE AUTHORITIES TRIED TO STOP THE GOSPEL AND LOCKED HIM UP, BUT THE ANGEL CAME AND BROKE HIM OUT! - GOD’S PURPOSES CANNOT BE STOPPED

ASK PAUL IF GOD’S WILL CAN BE STOPPED:

HE WOULD JUST SAY THIS

2 Corinthians 4:8 ESV

We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair;

2 Corinthians 4:8–9 ESV

We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;

2 Corinthians 4:10 ESV

always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.

HERE IS WHAT PAUL WOULD SAY:

YOU CAN TORTURE MY BODY AND MY MIND BUT YOU CANT STOP HIS WORK IN ME OR THROUGH ME UNTIL HE SAYS SO!

SO BE ASSURED OF THIS BELOVED AND DON’T BE DISMAYED IF THE NEGATIVE PREVAILS

If the doctor gave you six years to live and you die in six - The doctor wasnt right - It was GOD’S PURPOSE

If you are in the lions den and the lion is hungry – THAT’S GOD’S PURPOSE

If the fire consumes you – it was the will of the Lord

AND GET THIS: WHEN GOD IS READY - HIS WILL WILL STAND

THERE IS NO CURE AGAINST THE WILL OF THE LORD

THERE IS NO WEAPON AGAINST THE WILL OF THE LORD

GOD’S PURPOSES, LIKE BUSINESS PEOPLE SAY, ARE DATE CERTAIN

IF YOU ARE KNOWN BY JESUS: THIS IS YOUR GOD

2. GOD IS IMMUTABLE WITH RESPECT TO JUDGING SIN

WE LIVE IN A DAYT OF INCREASING MORAL RELATIVISM. THIS MEANS THAT WE LIVE IN A TIME WHERE ANYTHING THAT IS MORALY RIGHT AND WRONG IS WHAT YOU SAY IT IS.

WE LIVE BY AN UNGODLY CREED WHEN WE SPEAK ABOUT TRUTH AS “MY TRUTH.”

SO PEOPLE HAVE IDEAS ABOUT MORALITY AND SAY: WELL THAT’S MY TRUTH, AS IF THAT MEANS IT CANNOT BE QUESTIONED.

People fornicate and say God understands - THAT’S YOUR TRUTH

People steal time from their job and say, it really is not that bad - THAT’S YOUR TRUTH

People flirt on the job with their co-workers and call it innocent - THAT’S YOUR TRUTH

BUT THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE TAKE OUR CUES FROM UNGODLY PEOPLE IN THE WORLD AND THE CHURCH ABOUT WHO GOD IS. AND WE PLACE OURSELVES IN GRAVE DANGER

THE WORLD HAS SANCTIONED ALL KINDS OF SIN. IN FACT, THE IDEA AND LANGUAGE OF SIN HAS ALL BUT DISAPPEARED FROM POPULAR TALK.

BUT LET’S MAKE THIS VERY CLEAR:

WHATEVER YOUR TRUTH IS ABOUT WHAT IS NOW MORALLY ACCEPTABLE -

GOD’S TRUTH IS LIKE THE BIG JOKER IN SPADES: IT TRUMPS YOUR TRUTH EVERY TIME - AND HIS TRUTH IS UNCHANGING

THIS IS WHAT GOD SAYS ABOUT SIN

THE FIRST SIN AND THEY DIED (SPIRITUALLY) AS HE SAID

Exodus 20:5 ESV

You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me,

Isaiah 13:11 ESV

I will punish the world for its evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; I will put an end to the pomp of the arrogant, and lay low the pompous pride of the ruthless.

Isaiah 59:18 ESV

According to their deeds, so will he repay, wrath to his adversaries, repayment to his enemies; to the coastlands he will render repayment.

Psalm 37:37 ESV

Mark the blameless and behold the upright, for there is a future for the man of peace.

Psalm 37:38 ESV

But transgressors shall be altogether destroyed; the future of the wicked shall be cut off.

Proverbs 11:21 ESV

Be assured, an evil person will not go unpunished, but the offspring of the righteous will be delivered.

Jeremiah 21:14 ESV

I will punish you according to the fruit of your deeds, declares the Lord; I will kindle a fire in her forest, and it shall devour all that is around her.”

Matthew 3:12 ESV

His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”

Matthew 7:19 ESV

Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

1 Corinthians 6:9–10 ESV

Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.

Romans 2:1–2 ESV

Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things. We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things.

3. GOD IS IMMUTABLE WITH RESPECT TO HIS PROMISE TO FORGIVE AND LOVE OF SAINTS

As one man said: Here is medicine for every sick condition; here is an ointment that can heal every wound; here is the source of the strength needed to carry every burden. Would you lose your worries and fears this day? Then you must immerse yourself in the doctrine of the immutabilty of God and His changeless love for Bride of Christ

Num 23 19 - a

Numbers 23:19 ESV

God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?

Titus 1:2 ESV

in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began

Hebrews 6:18 ESV

so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us.

SINCE GOD CANT LIE AND CANNOT CHANGE HE HAS BOUND HIMSELF TO THIS OATH – TO THIS PROMISE

John 13:1 ESV

Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.

HE WILL LOVE US TO THE END - AND THAT WILL NEVER CHANGE BECAUSE HE WILL NEVER CHANGE

THE SIN THAT WAS IN US AND STILL, MAKES IT APPEARANCE THROUGH US -

AREN’T YOU GLAD THAT IN THAT TIME WHEN YOU CHANGED ON GOD, GOD DID NOT CHANGE ON YOU?

YOU KNOW – THAT TIME YOU SAID YOU LOVED HIM, BUT HAD SEX WITH SOMEONE THAT WAS NOT YOUR SPOUSE – THAT TIME

OR THE TIME, YOU SAID YOU LOVED HIM, BUT YOU SNUGGLED UP WITH SLEEP INSTEAD OF WORSHIP – YEAH THAT TIME

OR THE TIME YOU CLAIMED HE WAS YOUR ALL IN ALL, BUT THEN YOU LIED TO GET THAT JOB, THAT CAR, THAT WHATEVER – YES – THAT TIME

BUT OH, I AM GLAD THAT EVEN WHEN I CHANGED AND FORGOT HIM, HE NEVER CHANGED OR FORGOT ME.

IM GLAD HE IS TRUE TO THIS WORD:

2 Timothy 2:13 ESV

if we are faithless, he remains faithful— for he cannot deny himself.

I’M GLAD GOD DIDN’T CHANGE UP AND LOOK AT ME AND SAY

LET ME GET THEM BACK AND HOLD UP OXYGEN IN THE ATMOSPHERE FOR A FEW SECONDS

LET ME SHOW THEM WHOSE BOSS BY MAKING THE EARTH MOVE A CENTIMETER FASTER AND KILL ALL OF THEM

OH YES,

BUT LISTEN TO ME – HE COULD NOT EVEN DO THAT BECAUSE HE BOUND HIMSELF TO HIS WORD AND HIS PROMISE AND HE PROMISED TO THOSE WHO LOVE HIS SON IN

John 13:1 ESV

Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.

TO LOVE US TO THE END

YOU KNOW WHAT IT MEANS WHEN SOMEONE SAYS THEY ARE WITH YOU TO THE END? THEY ARE SAYING THAT THEY ARE YOU RIDE OR DIE.

THEY ARE PROFESSING EXTREME LOYALTY TO YOU!

BUT PEOPLE CHANGE; AND THE END GAME CHANGES

BUT WE HAVE A GOD WHO DOES NOT CHANGE - HE IS YOU ETERNAL AND UNCHANGING RIDE OR DIE

BUT HERE’S THE DIFFERENCE:

1. HE DID NOT RIDE WITH ME – HE RODE FOR ME

2. HE DID NOT DIE WITH ME – HE DIED FOR ME

GOD IS BETTER THAN MY RIDE AND DIE BECAUSE

HE RODE THE WAVES OF THE SIN I COMMITTED

AND THEN DIED THE DEATH THAT HAD MY NAME ON IT

WHY – CAUSE UNLIKE ME –

HIS LOVE IS NOT FICKLE

ALL OF HIS PROMISES TO ME HE KEEPS

THIS IS WHY THE

My promise to love you to the end is a promise that will never change: My love for you will not change

CONCLUSION

As this confirms God’s tender respect to man (whereof see Sec. 131), so it should stir us up to the more thankfulness, and move us the rather to make the right use of that which God so aims at for our good, which is stedfastly to believe his word.[3]

This, therefore, is seriously and frequently to be meditated on. Nothing is of such force to remove all manner of doubts as this. There are many doubts which use to arise, partly from our own inward corruptions, and partly from Satan’s injections. Sometimes doubts arise from the exceeding greatness of the things promised; sometimes from seeming difficulties; sometimes from oppositions, lets, and incumbrances; sometimes from our own unworthiness. But if God’s word and oath be immutable, who can imagine that it shall not stand? Put these two immutable things into one scale, and all manner of doubts into the other, and you shall find that the former will infinitely weigh down the latter.[4]

Here is what God is saying to us

I am not like you. I don’t lie to you. But You lie to me all the time

· You tell me you love me but you have more shows in your closet than receipts for giving – YOU LIED TO ME

· You tell me you love me but know more about the tv shows

o Power

o How to get away with murder

o The Haves and the Have nots

o Who did what to who on General Hospital

o But don’t even know all of the ten commandments – YOU LIED TO ME

· You tell me you love me BUT throw food away with no heart or thought for the poor in your context or in the world - – YOU LIED TO ME

· You tell me you love me BUT you still having sex with your friend who went to church with you after church – YOU LIED TO ME

· You tell me you love me and leave have empty water bottle around without a thought of the millions who drink dirty water cause that’s all they have – YOU LIED TO ME

· You tell me you love me but always chasing more money with financial gluttony but you don’t give to world missions with 700 million people live on $2 a day – YOU LIED TO ME

Did I cover everyone? Did I show how you lie to the Lord? CAUSE WE ALL HAVE AND WE ALL ARE PRONE TO EVERYDAY OF OUR LIVES

OH, I KNOW WHAT ITS:

· I KNOW WHAT IT’S LIKE TO SAY I LOVE THE LORD BUT BE LATHERED IN LUST

· I KNOW WHAT IT’S LIKE TO SAY I LOVE THE LORD BUT BE LISTENING TO LEVIATHAN

· I KNOW WHAT IT’S LIKE TO SAY I LOVE THE LORD BUT BE SPIRITUALLY LAZY AND LATHARGIC

OH, BUT I’M GLAD THAT’S NOT ALL I KNOW?

· I KNOW THAT EVEN THOUGH I WAS CHANGING ON HIM – HE WOULDN’T STOP LOVING ME – CAUSE HE BOUND HIMSELF TO NEVER GIVE UP ON THOSE WHOM HIS SON PURCHASED WITH HIS OWN BLOOD.

ARENT YOU GLAD THAT HE NEVER LIED TO YOU? OR AS SOME MIGHT SAY IT:

“HE AINT NEVER LIED”

AND THIS UNCHANGING LOVE DOES SOMETHING TO ME;

THE EXPERIENCE OF THIS KIND OF LOVE MOTIVATES ME TO GIVE ALL OF ME BACK TO HIM AS A LIVING SACRIFICE

· IT MAKES ME WANT TO LIVE EVEY MOMENT IN UNCHANGING DEVOTION TO HIM

· WHILE I KNOW I CAN’T BE PERFECT I SAY WITH ROBERY MURRAY MCCHEYNE

o “Lord make me as holy as a pardoned sinner can be!”

BUT ONE DAY, THE LORD PROMISED,1 JOHN 3:1-2

THAT I SHALL SEE BE LIKE HIM FOR I WILL SEE HIM AS HE IS.

· THERE WILL BE NO MORE PAIN – BECAUSE CHANGE WILL BE OVER

· THERE WILL BE NO MORE TEARS – BECAUSE CHANGE WILL BE OVER

· THERE WILL BE NO MORE SORROW – BECAUSE CHANGE WILL BE OVER

YOU SEE, THIS UNCHANGING GOD WILL NOT ALWAYS ACCEPT CHANGING DEVOTION FOREVER. NOOOOO. HE HAS MADE IT WHERE WHEN WE GET TO WHERE HE IS:

· WHEN WE GET TO THAT PLACE WHERE WE DWELL IN HIS ETERNAL PRESENCE WE WILL CONTINUALLY SPEAK A LANGUAGE AND WORD THAT IS UNCHANGING.

· THERE HAVE BEEN MANY THINGS SPOKEN ABOUT GOD IN THE EARTH

· BUT IN HEAVEN, WHEN WILL CONTINUALLY SAY TWO THING:

ISAIAH GOT TO HEAR IT

JOHN ON THE ISALND OF PATMOS GOT TO HEAR IT

AND ONE DAY, WITH THIS UNCHAGING GOD WRAPS UP THIS CHANGING WORLD WE WILL ALL SAY IT TOGETHER:

REVELATION 6:8 HOLY, HOLY HOLY IS THE LORD GOD ALMIGHTY WHO WAS AND IS AND IS TO COME

BUT NOT ONLY WILL WE CONTINUALLY SPEAK THIS WORD OF THE LORD BUT WE WILL BEND IN POSTURE OF WORSHIP IN DEVOTION TO HIS UNCHANGING LOVE

· WE WILL BOW DOWN AND CAST DOWN OUR CROWNS

· REVL 6:10

We will sing a praise that is unchanging - Motown has its enduring sound But before there was Motown there was Heaven Town. And This unchanging God has a lot of hits throughout this world ohhhh but in heaven, he has saved the best one for last.

PS 119:106

Sanctifying graces do give unto us assured evidence of that good counsel of God, 1 Cor. 1:7–9, Philip. 1:6.[5]

THAT’S YOUR GOD

THAT’S YOUR GOD

SERMON

That the only response to the Lord whose love and character and ways of grave and mercy are unchanging toward those known by Him.

All of our fight to have unchanging praise and devotion leads is dress rehearsal for heaven.

Isaiah got a glimpse of it. John got to hear it. For all of eternity we will sing one song

holy holy holy...

We will render a worship that is unchanging. When we get there we won’t just sing but we will bend in a posture of worship for ever. What’s that posture:

We will brown down and cast our crowns before the Lord.

You see the only response to an immutable God is immutable praise.!!

Instead let us seek to live the Lord with

Romans 11:29 -

9 Bavinck, 2, p. 141.

[1] Van Til, C. (1979). An Introduction to Systematic Theology. The Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing Company: Phillipsburg, NJ.

498 Binning, Common Principles, in Works, p. 46; cf. Baxter, Divine Life, I.vi.3.

[2] Muller, R. A. (2003). Post-Reformation reformed dogmatics: the rise and development of reformed orthodoxy; volume 3: the divine essence and attributes (p. 320). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic.

[3] Gouge, W. (1866). A Commentary on the Whole Epistle to the Hebrews (Vol. 2, p. 72). Edinburgh; London; Dublin: James Nichol; J. Nisbet & Co.; G. Herbert.

[4] Gouge, W. (1866). A Commentary on the Whole Epistle to the Hebrews (Vol. 2, p. 72). Edinburgh; London; Dublin: James Nichol; J. Nisbet & Co.; G. Herbert.

[5] Gouge, W. (1866). A Commentary on the Whole Epistle to the Hebrews (Vol. 2, p. 71). Edinburgh; London; Dublin: James Nichol; J. Nisbet & Co.; G. Herbert.