GOD IS IMMUTABLE

Source : www.ccf.org.ph

Vol. 7 No. 22, 03 June 2007

WORSHIP:

Suggested Songs: Celebrate the Lord of Love

God is Good All the Time

Ancient of Days

You Are So Faithful

WELCOME:

What has changed in and about you? And what has not changed?

WORD:

What does God’s immutable attribute mean?

· God does not change, He is always the same. He cannot improve because He is already perfect. Being perfect, He cannot change for the worse.

· (Hebrews 13:8) He is the same yesterday, today and forever.

· (Psalm 90:2) He is from everlasting to everlasting

· (Psalm 102:25-27) Nothing is permanent, everything will decay, except God.

· (Revelation 22:13) He is the First and the Last, the beginning and the end.

In what ways is God immutable?

1. In His character

If God is immutable, what does that say about God’s character?

· He is absolutely dependable and trustworthy.

· (Malachi 3:6-12) God does not change in the sense that He is righteous though we are unrighteous, He remains faithful even when we are unfaithful, He loves us though we are sinners (He hates sin but because He loves us, Jesus paid for our sins. When we still sin, He disciplines us so we will return to Him and learn to turn away from sin, that we may be blessed, which is what God wants to do for us). He blesses those who obey His Word, and curses those who are in disobedience.

In your own personal experience, how has God revealed His immutable character?

2. In His Word

What does God’s immutability in His Word mean?

Since God is dependable and trustworthy in His character:

· (Matthew 24:35) His Word shall not pass away.

· (Matthew 5:17-18) Every Word He says is true; and His Word will be accomplished accordingly. When He says something, He does it without fail.

What are just a few examples showing God’s unchanging Word?

· (1 Corinthians 6:9-11) We are all sinners unworthy of God’s Kingdom, but we have been justified and sanctified through Jesus Christ.

· (Joshua 6:26; 1 Kings 16:34) God told the people not to rebuild Jericho’s walls during that time, but they disobeyed, with a warning that a curse would be upon them if they did. The curse did indeed come. In fact, Jericho remains desolate and uninhabited until now.

· (Deuteronomy 28:64; Ezekiel 36:22-24, 34-37) He said the Jews would be scattered as strangers in foreign lands because of their disobedience, and they were, the Holocaust serving as a reminder. But He also said that they will be gathered again to become a nation, which happened when Israel became a nation in 1948 after the Holocaust. He also said the land, from desolation, would be cultivated again and the nation will again be prosperous, and that is what’s happening now, with Israel as the fruit capital of Europe; even the banana seedlings are exported to the Philippines. The Jews from around the world, to this day, continue to return to Israel because of the prosperity it is now experiencing.

How should we respond to God’s immutability in His Word?

· When He makes a promise, we need to claim it by faith and count on it.

· When He warns us, we must take heed and avoid what He warns us about.

· (Malachi 3:10-11) We can test God and prove His faithfulness to His promise to bless us when we obey His command to give our tithes and offerings.

In what manner have you proven God’s unchanging Word?

What promise has God given you that you need to claim by faith? And what warning do you need to take heed of?

3. In His purpose

What is God’s unchanging plan for us?

· Salvation, sanctification, and service to God (especially in sharing God’s message of salvation to others)

· (Hebrews 6:17-19) Possession of His Kingdom

· (Jude 1:24) To make us stand before God’s presence, blameless and with great joy. Though we may stumble in sin, He will help us stand up, provided we confess and repent.

What plan of God for your life are you not being cooperative about?

WORKS:

1. Write down what step(s) you need to take towards change in accordance with God’s immutable character, Word, and purpose/plan. Make it your prayer and action point.

2. Who in your family, social circle, or office needs to hear God’s unchanging Word in the Gospel? Write down what you need to do to share God’s message of love and salvation to them. Make a commitment to God and seize the first opportunity.

3. If you have made a faith pledge for the CCF Building Fund, have you been committed in fulfilling your pledge? If you have not made any pledge yet, make one by faith.

4. Memory and meditation verses: Hebrews 13:8 and Matthew 24:35. Write down your

thoughts/insights based on the verses.

5. Read the Bible at least one chapter a day.

6. Spend quiet time daily. Journal these times.