A study that I did months ago, but learned in my life just recently: God NEVER Changes, But You Must Prepare for Change “Everything continues in a state of rest unless it is compelled to change by forces impressed upon it.” Issac Newton, First Law of Motion Q: How many of you would like to change something about yourself right now if you could? (I would change my nose size) What would you change about you? Your church? Youth group? Home? School? Friends? Etc. Q: How have you changed since grade school? Q: What changes have you seen in another person in this group? Q: How do you react to change in your life? 1. Turtle ~ a. “That’s not how we do it!”; b. “We’ve never done it that way before!”; c. “If it’s always worked, why change it?”; d. “Remember, the good ol’ days, the way things use to be?” e. (lack of change was fall of Jeroboam, 1 Kgs.13:33) 2. Rabbit ~ a. Accept change for changes sake b. Jump from fad to fad, no questions c. Lingo: “hipgroovyswayfar-outhappeninggnarlycoolsweet” 3. Balanced view ~ “a Tur-bit” Ways God Never Changes: 1. God’s Love Never Changes “I the LORD do not change” Mal.3:6 “The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness.” Jer.31:3 “See how I love your precepts; preserve my life, O LORD, according to your love.” Ps.119:159 “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Rom.8:38 2. God’s Word Never Changes “The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.” Is.40:8 “Long ago I learned from your statutes that you established them to last forever.” Ps.119:152 a. Jesus Christ Never Changes “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (Heb.13:8) b. God’s Mind Never Changes “The LORD has sworn and will not change his mind:” (Ps.110:4/Heb.7:21) 3. God’s Purpose for your life Never Changes “He who is the Glory of Israel does not lie or change his mind; for he is not a man, that he should change his mind.” 1 Sam.15:29 “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” James 1:17 Q: Which part of God’s unchanging character are you most thankful for? Why? (His presence/forgiveness/waiting for you)
Lesson from Ezekiel on God and Change Ezekiel 36:25-29 Theme: “the Knowledge and Glory of God” Key Phrase: “this is what the Sovereign LORD says” (210X’s) Background: God just judged Israel for sin, but now is promising both present and future restoration (vs.23-24). This particular restoration is of the New Covenant. The Problem in this context is the sin of worshipping idols. God is making a way for man to change his problem of sin. 1. A person cannot change what is wrong on the outside until they first change what is inside.(v.25) a. Fact: Change of heart is to happen before idols are removed. b. Fact: If I don’t change the heart (internal), I don’t change the problem (external). c. Fact: Promises to change are worthless, unless there are priorities that change first. 2. A person cannot change what is wrong on the inside without God changing them. (v.26a) a. Fact: Real change in your life can only come from God. b. Fact: God is the one doing the work of change, all I do is allow Him change me. c. Fact: Your change will not last if it’s done in your own effort. 3. When God changes a heart, it becomes more aware that it is not the only one with needs and problems (v.26b) a. Fact: There are people with equal or great problems than me. b. Fact: When your problem seems big, it is probably because you are focusing too much on your own problem. c. Fact: When I help other people with their problems my problems look smaller. d. Fact: When you help others problems it helps your problem. 4. When God changes a heart, it becomes more sensitive as to how God wants them to live.(v.27) a. Fact: When God works on my heart I become more aware of how He wants me to live my life. b. Fact: When I become dull as to how to live my life, it is evident I have not allowed God to work on my heart in a while. 5. When God changes a heart, God shifts ones attention from dealing with problems to building a relationship with the Father. (v.28) a. Fact: God does not focus on the negative (sin-idol worship), He focuses on the positive (a relationship with Him). b. Fact: Focus on the Father, the problem will become blurry and fade. c. Fact: All things fall into place when God is at the center. 6. When God changes a heart, the success of the problem is in Gods hand and work, not mine.(v.29a) a. Fact: Your change will not last if it’s done in your own effort. b. Fact: Change in my life is more dependent on God, than it is dependent upon me.
spreading the fame 