DEALING WITH CHANGE
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We all know how to change. It is something that takes place without us thinking about it, while other things in life require reactions to change. We react to the warmer weather by wearing more appropriate clothing. When it gets cold, we react by putting on heavier clothes. When we change the hour on our clocks, most of us change and adapt very well.
1. SOME THINGS PROVIDE SPIRITUAL SECURITY AND SHOULD NEVER CHANGE.
A. WE SHOULD REMAIN FAITHFUL TO THE ESTABLISHED TRUTH OF GOD’S WORD.
Jude 1:3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.
Psalms 119:89 For ever, O LORD, Thy word is settled in heaven.
THE MESSAGE THAT CHANGING DOCTRINE SENDS TO OTHERS. ** CLARIFY THAT IF SOMETHING IS WRONG, IT NEEDS TO BE CHANGED. BUT TO CHANGE YOUR VIEWS JUST TO ATTRACT PEOPLE, OR BE MORE POPULAR IS DEAD WRONG ! Doing so brings into question your standard of living.
B. CHANGE IS VISIBLE BY YOUR ACTIONS. EVEN A CHANGE IN YOUR THINKING HAS ITS’ EFFECTS IN THINGS YOU DO.
Titus 1:9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
Titus 2:7 In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,
John 15:4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in Me.
***YOU GO TO A STORE THAT HAS FRUIT TREES. YOU COME ACROSS DOZENS THAT ARE LABELED ORANGE TREES. IT IS ORANGE SEASON, AND THE TREES ARE LARGE ENOUGH TO BEAR FRUIT, BUT YOU DON’T SEE ANY. SO YOU ASK A SALESPERSON THERE WHY THEY DON’T HAVE FRUIT. HE SAYS THAT THEY DO ? WHERE ? “THE FRUIT IS INVISIBLE, BUT IT IS THERE. LOTS AND LOTS OF FRUIT.” SO, DO YOU BUY THE TREE ? OF COURSE NOT ! PEOPLE DON’T BUY THE BELIEF IN JESUS WHEN THEY DON’T SEE FRUIT.
C. IT IS A STATEMENT OF FAITH.
FAILING TO STAY ON THE ETERNAL TRUTH JUST TO PLEASE OR ATTRACT MORE PEOPLE DOES PREDICTABLE THINGS. IT DOESN’T BRING MORE PEOPLE TO THE KINGDOM, IT MAKES THEM MORE DOUBTFUL !
—it gives them the false impression that there is no absolute truth.
—it shows people that the church cannot be relied upon to proclaim the truth.
—it confirms that the church doesn’t understand the importance of knowing truth. That Truth may be forfieted in order to get more numbers.
—it creates serious doubts, and cripples true faith.
2. CHANGING OUR BEHAVIOR. WE SHOULD EXPECT TO BE CONSTANTLY CHANGING !
2 Corinthians 3:18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
A. FOR THE BETTER.
—SOME WILL BRING UP THE PAST.
—SOME WILL CRITICIZE IT AS MERELY A STAGE.
***LOOK AT THAT NEW CHRISTIAN. ISN’T IT WONDERFUL THAT THEY HAVE SUCH FAITHFULNESS TO ATTEND EVERY SERVICE, AND SUCH ENTHUSIASM TO SHARE THEIR FAITH.” THEN THEY SAY TO THEM THAT ONE DAY THEY WILL SLOW DOWN IN THEIR ENTHUSIASM AND BECOME “MATURE.” IT ISN’T MATURTITY, IT IS DEATH ! DON’T LET ANYONE PUT DOWN YOU ENTHUSIASM FOR THE LORD. THE CHANGE SHOULD NOT BE ONE OF SLOWING DOWN, BUT INCREASING IN YOUR LOVE AND SERVICE FOR GOD !
—MUST MAKE KNOWN THE REASON FOR THE CHANGE.
1 Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
B. SOME HAVE A FEAR THAT THAT IF THEY CHANGE THINGS WILL BE MORE DIFFICULT FOR THEM.
AFRAID OF WHAT PEOPLE MIGHT SAY. FEAR THAT YOU MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO CONTINUE. ***SOMEONE HAS AN EXPERIENCE WITH THE LORD, AND THEY GROW MORE IN LOVE WITH HIM. SOMETIMES PEOPLE ARE AFRAID TO LET IT CHANGE THEM FOR FEAR OF WHAT OTHERS MIGHT SAY.
—GOD WILL BE FAITHFUL TO HELP YOU.
Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
Philippians 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure.
—REQUIRES FAITH ON YOUR PART.
James 1:6-7 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.
3. CHANGING OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD.
A. BY FAITH IN THE CLEANSING POWER OF THE BLOOD OF CHRIST.
Ephesians 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
”Dealing With Change”
A Bible Study with Dr. Ed J. MacWilliams
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