THE SAME JESUS YESTERDAY, TODAY AND FOREVER

SPECIAL EMPHASIS ON “THE SAME” JESUS

Now that we have entered into this pre-Christmas season it must be restated that “Jesus is the reason for the season.”

 No matter what the commercial industry does, says or put on display “Jesus is the reason for the season.”  No matter how beautiful the blinking lights and ornaments may look “Jesus still is the reason for the season.”  In other words it is not about the sales; it is about the Savior!

I hope you will hold fast to your faith regarding the true meaning of this holiday season. I believe Christmas would lose all its meaning if Christ was not the center piece.  Christ must be in Christmas.  Amen.

Listen, my brothers and sisters, there is nothing more noticeable to me as to see the things which has come and gone.  Just the other day I was speaking with our chief engineer about how the once state of art “cassette player”, which was the recording industries greatest breakthrough.  Recording tracks on a thin piece of tape was the backbone of the television and radio industry, but now is obsolete. 

Brian quickly reminded me of the phonograph turn table which played lp’s and 45’s and of course the real to real.  I don’t know if you remember the picture of a dog named “Nipper “looking transfixed into a large RCA speaker; now a days, that same dog “Nipper” is wearing earplugs and listening to an i-pod.     And soon that too will be gone.  Nothing is here to stay.  Amen.

 Anybody still have relics around the house, waiting to become antiques?   There are many things that have come and gone during our lifetime.  I know you can name many things you thought would never change, but today they do not exist or have very limited use.

My brother and sisters, the point I am making  and I hope you will agree, there is only one thing that is here to stay and that is the word of the living God. 

Did you know that over the years the word of God in the Bible has been buried, burned, forbidden, forsaken and it still is the most read “free” book in the entire world?  Did you know that?

Let’s look at the bible and ask ourselves if this book will ever become extinct in this advanced age of information, which we live.  What do you think?

 Historians tell us the Bible is a collection of writings, and the earliest ones were set down nearly 3,500 years ago. The first five books of the Bible are attributed to Moses and are commonly called the Pentateuch (literally "five scrolls").

Can you name the first five books?  Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deut.

Listen, do a little math.  Add another 3,500 years to 3,500 years equals 7,000 years, which is the “Age of Completion”.  This book called the Bible would have made a full circle in year 7,000 A.D. to bring mankind into the perfection with God.  Amen.

Image with me just for one moment:  As we listen to a child upon seeing a open Bible encased in gold asking his guide in that “Perfected Age” of 7,000 A.D. as they walk through the museum of life.  The child asked, “What type people were they in the age of the Bible?”

I can image hearing the guide say to the child that there lived a rebellious people unwilling to love their neighbor and only pursued war and delight in suffrage and self serving pleasures.  But then the smiling guide said to the inquiring child, but this book called the Bible was protected by guardian Angels and guided mankind to Salvation and to the “Perfected Age.” 

A Protected Book   (The reason Jesus is the same)

Have you have read Rev. 22: 18.  For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:   19.  And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

The Bible will never be irrelevant or outdated and will guide creation to God from generation to generation and from one age to another.  Remember, Jesus say in John 10: 16.  And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

Your Bible has been use as a spiritual compass (GPS) for creation and guides us to our Father house.  As a benefit of the book whatever you need in this life is in the Bible.  Whether it is health, happiness or wealth it in the book!

One saint said, Ps. 119:  103.  How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!   104.  Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.   105.  Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.  Somebody ought to shout glory in this house today!

The inquisitive child continue looking at the ancient relics in the “Museum of  “life” and sees a large wooden stake and asks what it was use to do, because it seem not to fit among the beautiful displays.  It was not draped in gold, but filled with holes.  The answer came quickly from the guide as he told the child the story; “On a hill far away, stood an old rugged cross, the emblem of sufferring and shame;  where the dearest and best;  for a world of  lost sinners was slain.  For the dear Lamb of God left his glory above, to bear it to dark Calvary.   

Yes, saints of God, the cross of Calvary was used to lift us from darkness to light.    So let your light so shine this holiday season. 

Jesus is the light of the world that shines the brightest and He still is the greatest gift ever to be given.  Why not give yourself the gift of life by inviting Jesus into your heart and experiencing live anew. 

Heb. 13:8.  Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever.

That Jesus, God talked about in Genesis that would bruise the enemies.

That Jesus, Abraham met in the way and got his blessing called Melchizedek.

That Jesus, the angels announced “Peace and goodwill to all men.

That Jesus, Saul run across on the Damascus road and had a name change.

That Jesus, is available now to all who will confess Him with their mouth and believe in their heart that God rise Him from the dead shall be saved.

That Jesus, rose from the dead and is seated at the right hand of God making intercession for us.

That Jesus, the same yesterday, and today, and forever.

John 3:16 is the reason for the season.

Preached by:  Rev. Sylvester Williams, Jr.

I.C.U., Ministries, Inc.

November 30, 2008