2600 Lawrence St; Dallas, Texas 75215; 214-428-6657  Preacher's Letter!! The Unchanging Christ in a Changing World “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). INTRODUCTION: This last chapter in the book of Hebrews is a final exhortation to the readers of that day, who so much needed to strengthen their faith in the midst of scorn, threats and severe persecution. This affirmation was a source of strength to them, as it has been a source of strength and encouragement to Christian believers in every generation. It confirms the unfailing reliability of our Savior. Yet, we are made to wonder at the strange juxtaposition of this statement: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever;” set in the middle of, “Remember your leaders,” and “Be not carried away.”  But thank God for what it says; thank Him for the encouragement it inspires. The truth that it teaches applies to all ages and generations, and yet it is not a statement in isolation. It belongs to the context in which it appears, and its significance must be discovered within its context. “Remember your leaders,” not the present leaders of verses 17 and 24, but those who first brought you the “Good News,” those who taught you the Word of God and led you to salvation. They are dead now, but you must “imitate their faith, and consider the outcome of their lives. Yesterday Christ was the source and object of their triumphant faith. Yesterday He had touched the lives of ordinary men and inspired extra-ordinary courage. Yesterday they were with Him on the roads, the hillsides, villages, town squares, synagogues and homes. Yesterday He taught them, filling their minds with new and glowing ideas. Yesterday they were astonished at His power to heal, to care, to love and bind the brokenness of the suffering. Yesterday His suffering brought them redemption and in the power of His suffering they found salvation. Well, He who was with them “yesterday” is still today the same all-sufficient and all-powerful Redeemer and Lord, and will continue to be forever. The same Christ who was with them is with you, and will be with those who come after you, even unto the end of the age. “Yesterday” He was with the fathers; today He is with you, and will be with your children for evermore. What faith, hope, love and courage this ought to inspire in us. The immutability of Christ: He is not capable of  changing; He is not susceptible to change. HIS IMMUTABILITY ESTABLISHES HIS RELIABILITY! “And thou Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands: They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment; 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 1:10-12).  “Change and decay all around I see,” but there is one constant: “Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today, and forever.” What He was, He is; what He is, He will always be! He who “upholds all things,” is not held up by anything. He who “made (shaped) the world” is not made (shaped) by the world. He who controls the raging torrents of history is not baffled by any movement in history. He who in the beginning did lay the foundation is not shaken by the “zephyrs” of current events. He who ordains beginnings and endings, is never subject to the verdict of time. Copyright 2010, Lawrence and Marder Church of Christ. All rights reserved. Site designed by The PM MoneyWeb Center, consulting@pmmoneywebcenter.com