THE UNCHANGING CHRIST

Hebrews 13:8

January 8, 2006

Pastor William Underwood

We believe that Christ never changes. All that He WAS, He still IS today. He is eternally the same. Think about this with me.

I - The COMPASSIONATE CHRIST Matt. 9:36
A - His LOOK - "He saw the crowds"
1-He sees the individual in the multitudes.
2-Jn. 4:35 "Look at the fields. They are ripe for harvest.
3-II Peter 3:9 "He does not want anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."
B - His LOVE - "He had compassion on them"
1-He never lost His compassion for lost men.
2-He compassion is transmitted through you and me.
3-Are WE seeing the world through the eyes of Christ?
C - The LOST - "They were like sheep without a shepherd"
1-He knows what we really are - not what we pretend.
2-Psa. 142:4 "No one is concerned for me."
3-Religions confuse but Christ saves people.

II - The CLEANSING CHRIST
A - He cleansed the CHURCH Luke 19:45-46
1-He still wants a clean Church today.
2-He weeps over the Church as He did the Temple.
3-Rev. 2 and 3 record His words to His Church and He was not pleased with what He saw.
B - He cleanses the CHRISTIAN - Jn. 15:3 "You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you."
1-II Cor. 5:17 "If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come."
C- He cleanses the CHARACTER - Psa. 119:9 "How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word"

III - The CONCERNED CHRIST
A - He is concerned with our TIME - Psa. 90:12 "Teach us to number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom."
1-Ephesians 5:16 "Make the most of every opportunity because the days are evil."
B - He is concerned with our TALENTS - Matt. 25:24-28 The Parable of the talents - "Wicked and slothful servant"
1-Wasted talents are not excused.
2-Responsibility for talent is heavy on us.
C - He is concerned with our TESTIMONY
1-Jn. 14:15 "If you love me you will keep what I command."
2-Only obedience to Christ produces an effective testimony.

IV - The COMMANDING CHRIST
A - His command to DISCIPLESHIP - Matt. 4:19 - "Come, follow Me."
1-Acts 1:8 "You will be my witnesses----"
2-Some want to be a Christian without being a disciple."
3-"Disciple" means "follower", or "copy".
B - His command to DENIAL - Luke 9:23 "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me."
1-Self-denial is not easy nor pleasant.
2-"Must I be carried to the skies on flowery beds of ease, while others fought to win the prize, and sailed through bloody seas?"

Jesus Christ is still the COMPASSIONATE, CLEANSING, CONCERNED, AND COMMANDING Christ! That is why He requires all of us to become His representatives in this world. Are YOU willing to let Him take command of YOUR life?