SURVIVING LIFE'S CHANGES

INTRODUCTION:

1. NOTHING ON EARTH LASTS FOREVER
  a) Practically every time we have a storm it becomes evident that nothing lasts forever. On a recent newscast the reporters were lamenting the loss of some 300 year-old trees. "They were there all these years and in a few seconds they were gone" One reporter observed.
2.  We survive life's changes by holding fast to truths that never change.

I. TRUTHS THAT NEVER CHANGE:
  A.  Jesus: it is wise to attach ourselves to the only one who will never change. 
     1) The Hebrew writer says, " Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.    
         Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines. For it is good that the
        heart be established by grace, not with foods which have not profited those who
        have been occupied with them"  (Hebrews 13:8-9).
     2)  Isaiah of old wrote,  "Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look on the earth
           beneath. For the heavens will vanish away like smoke, the earth will grow old like
          a garment, and those who dwell in it will die in like manner; but My salvation will
          be forever, and My righteousness will not be abolished"  (Isaiah 51:6).
  B.  God's one Standard of authority:
1. Jesus is the standard  (Mtt.28:18; 1Tim.6:15-16)
2. Jesus must authorize all that we do, by revelation (2Peter 1:2-4).
3. We must do all things in Jesus' name (Col.3:17).
4. It is not in man to direct his own steps (Jer.10:23)
5. God must speak for man to know (Prov. 20:24).
6. Man often makes mistakes (Prov.14:12).
7. The scriptures provide all we need to know (2Tim.3:16-17).
C. The oneness of the church (Eph.4:4; 1:22-23).
1. Denominationalism cannot be right.
2. Unity must be based on minds united on truth (1Cor.1:10-17; Jno.17:17).
3. Agreeing to disagree is not unity.
4. Ignoring the Bible cannot produce unity.
D. The fact that faith and works belong together (Jas.2:22).
1. Works alone condemn (Gal.3:10)
2. Faith alone condemns (Jas.2:26)
3. It is the obedience of faith that saves (Rom.1:5;16:26).
E. The fact that proper attitudes must accompany sound doctrine (Eph. 4:1-3).
1. Completeness is fundamental (Eph. 4:13-16).
2. Incomplete loyalty is never enough (Matt. 22:37).
F. That Christianity is not a joke or a game.
1. God determines our true values and morals (2Cor.4:18;5:7).
2. We must be controlled by the love of Christ (2Cor. 5:14-15).

II.  FORGIVENESS HAS NOT CHANGED:
A. By God, by the blood of Christ (Acts 8, 1John 1:5-7)
B. Of my fellow man
C. Matt 18:21-35 
III.  THE MARVELOUS FAMILY GOD DESIGNED: THE CHURCH:
A. Matt 12:46-50: "While He was still talking to the multitudes, behold, His mother 
      and brothers stood outside, seeking to speak with Him. Then one said to Him, "Look,      
     Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, seeking to speak with You."
        But He answered and said to the one who told Him, "Who is My mother and who are 
        My brothers?" And He stretched out His hand toward His disciples and said, "Here
       are My mother and My brothers! "For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven
       is My brother and sister and mother."
B. A family that comes when it is called and helps when it's needed (Galatians 6:1-2,10)
IV.  THE FACT THAT ONE MUST TEST WHAT IS BEING TAUGHT
A. 1Thes 5:21 21 Test all things; hold fast what is good.  
B. 1Jno.4:1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

V.  THE TREMENDOUS DIFFERENCE JESUS CAN MAKE IN A LIFE:
A. Luke 8:30 Legion
B. Luke 19:10 Zacheus
C. Lost ones I've seen who are now doing great.
VI. THAT HAPPINESS IS NOT IN THINGS BUT IN 
       SPIRITUAL FULFILLMENT: Matt.12:43-45
VII.  THAT CHURCHES CAN EXIST AND GROW AND 
        PROSPER IN UNITY IF THE PEOPLE SO DESIRE: Eph. 4:3
VIII.  THE VALUE OF CHRISTIAN FRIENDS NEVER CHANGES
IX.     THAT THE BIBLE IS GOD'S WORD, IT IS RELEVANT IN EVERY
           SITUATION AND IN  EVERY AGE.
X.       HOW QUICKLY LIVES START AND END ON THIS EARTH.

CONCLUSION:
1. Eccl 12:13-14 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man's all.  For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil.
2. While images, both natural and manmade come and go, we can rest assured that
 while nothing on Earth remains the same, our Savior will always be the one who  died so that we can have eternal life.