God's Unchanging Nature in Times of Crisis
Summary
### Summary
Today, we delved into the profound truth that while our circumstances may change, God remains unchanging. Drawing from Malachi 3:6, we explored the significance of God's immutability, especially during times of crisis and uncertainty. I shared personal stories, including the tragic loss of a dear staff member and the emotional turmoil of sending my son to the Marines, to illustrate how God's unchanging nature provides stability and hope. We were reminded that God is sovereign, omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, and trustworthy. These attributes assure us that no matter what we face, God is in control, has the power to act, knows what is best, is always present, and can be trusted completely.
### Key Takeaways
1. God's Sovereignty: In times of uncertainty, it is crucial to remember that God is still sovereign. He is the ultimate head of our lives, our families, our church, and the entire world. No matter how chaotic our circumstances may become, God remains in control, and His throne is established from everlasting to everlasting. [13:12]
2. God's Omnipotence: When we feel powerless and weak, God's omnipotence is our strength. He has the power to rule and make all things work together for our good. Even when we are beyond our ability to help ourselves or others, God is still on the throne, and nothing is too hard for Him. [19:38]
3. God's Omniscience: God not only has the right and power to rule, but He also has the wisdom to rule. He knows what to do in every situation, even when we do not. Trusting in His omniscience means believing that He will guide us step by step, making the right decisions for our lives. [23:50]
4. God's Omnipresence: In our darkest hours, God is always present. He is like a sentinel, keeping watch over us, ensuring that we are never alone. His presence brings comfort and assurance that He will be there, no matter what we face. [29:25]
5. God's Trustworthiness: Ultimately, we can trust God completely because He does not change. His faithfulness endures through all generations. In every mountain and valley, He has proven Himself trustworthy. Our circumstances may change, but God's character and promises remain steadfast. [35:00]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:26] - Introduction and Personal Story
[02:23] - God's Unchanging Nature
[03:24] - Prayer and Offering
[04:47] - Personal Testimony: July 3rd, 2005
[07:00] - The Impact of Tragedy
[09:29] - Five Unchanging Attributes of God
[10:37] - God's Sovereignty
[13:12] - God's Omnipotence
[14:53] - Personal Story: Son in the Marines
[17:59] - God's Power in Our Weakness
[19:38] - God's Omniscience
[20:27] - Pastoral Transition Story
[23:50] - Trusting God's Wisdom
[24:26] - God's Omnipresence
[25:30] - Personal Story: Sister's Death
[29:25] - God's Presence in Dark Times
[30:10] - God's Trustworthiness
[35:00] - Personal Testimony: Lifelong Faithfulness
[37:40] - Conclusion and Encouragement
[41:02] - Final Thoughts and Worship
[42:04] - Closing Prayer and Worship
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
- Malachi 3:6 (ESV): "For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed."
- Psalm 93:1-2 (ESV): "The Lord reigns; he is robed in majesty; the Lord is robed; he has put on strength as his belt. Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved. Your throne is established from of old; you are from everlasting."
- Jeremiah 32:17 (ESV): "Ah, Lord God! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you."
### Observation Questions
1. What does Malachi 3:6 reveal about God's nature? How does this attribute provide comfort in times of change? [02:23]
2. According to Psalm 93:1-2, what are some of the characteristics of God's reign? How do these characteristics assure us of His control over our lives? [13:12]
3. In Jeremiah 32:17, what does the prophet declare about God's power? How does this declaration relate to the sermon’s message about God's omnipotence? [19:38]
4. What personal stories did the pastor share to illustrate God's unchanging nature? How did these stories help to emphasize the sermon’s key points? [05:29] [14:53] [25:30]
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does understanding God's immutability (unchanging nature) help us navigate through personal crises and uncertainties? [02:23]
2. The pastor mentioned that God is sovereign, omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, and trustworthy. How do these attributes collectively provide a foundation for our faith during difficult times? [09:29]
3. Reflecting on the pastor's story about his son joining the Marines, how does God's omnipotence offer strength when we feel powerless? [14:53]
4. How does the pastor's experience with his sister's death illustrate God's omnipresence and the comfort it brings? [25:30]
### Application Questions
1. When facing a sudden change or crisis, how can you remind yourself of God's unchanging nature? What practical steps can you take to focus on His sovereignty? [02:23]
2. Think of a time when you felt powerless. How did you experience God's omnipotence in that situation? If you haven't, how can you seek His strength in future challenges? [14:53]
3. How can you cultivate a deeper trust in God's omniscience, especially when you are unsure of the next steps in your life? What specific prayers or actions can help you rely on His wisdom? [20:27]
4. In moments of loneliness or despair, how can you become more aware of God's omnipresence? Are there specific scriptures or practices that help you feel His presence more tangibly? [25:30]
5. Reflect on a situation where you struggled to trust God. What aspects of His character can you focus on to build your trust in Him? How can you apply this trust in your current circumstances? [30:10]
6. The pastor shared personal stories to illustrate God's faithfulness. Can you think of a personal story where you experienced God's trustworthiness? How can sharing this story with others encourage their faith? [35:00]
7. How can you support someone in your life who is currently facing a crisis, using the truths about God's unchanging nature discussed in the sermon? What specific actions can you take to be a source of comfort and hope for them? [41:02]
Devotional
Day 1: God's Sovereignty in Chaos
In times of uncertainty, it is crucial to remember that God is still sovereign. He is the ultimate head of our lives, our families, our church, and the entire world. No matter how chaotic our circumstances may become, God remains in control, and His throne is established from everlasting to everlasting. This truth provides a solid foundation for our faith, especially when we face life's storms. When we acknowledge God's sovereignty, we can find peace and assurance that He is orchestrating everything according to His perfect will. [13:12]
Psalm 103:19 (ESV): "The Lord has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all."
Reflection: Think of a current situation in your life that feels chaotic or out of control. How can you remind yourself of God's sovereignty in this situation today?
Day 2: Strength in God's Omnipotence
When we feel powerless and weak, God's omnipotence is our strength. He has the power to rule and make all things work together for our good. Even when we are beyond our ability to help ourselves or others, God is still on the throne, and nothing is too hard for Him. This understanding can transform our perspective, allowing us to rely on His strength rather than our own. In moments of weakness, we can turn to God, knowing that His power is made perfect in our weakness. [19:38]
Jeremiah 32:17 (ESV): "Ah, Lord God! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you."
Reflection: Identify an area in your life where you feel weak or powerless. How can you lean on God's omnipotence to find strength and hope in this area today?
Day 3: Trusting God's Omniscience
God not only has the right and power to rule, but He also has the wisdom to rule. He knows what to do in every situation, even when we do not. Trusting in His omniscience means believing that He will guide us step by step, making the right decisions for our lives. This trust can alleviate our anxieties and fears, as we rest in the knowledge that God is all-knowing and His plans are always for our good. [23:50]
Isaiah 40:28 (ESV): "Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable."
Reflection: Think about a decision you are currently facing. How can you seek and trust God's wisdom in this decision-making process today?
Day 4: Comfort in God's Omnipresence
In our darkest hours, God is always present. He is like a sentinel, keeping watch over us, ensuring that we are never alone. His presence brings comfort and assurance that He will be there, no matter what we face. This truth can be a source of immense comfort, especially during times of grief, loss, or fear. Knowing that God is always with us can help us navigate through life's toughest moments with a sense of peace and security. [29:25]
Psalm 139:7-10 (ESV): "Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me."
Reflection: Recall a time when you felt alone or afraid. How can you remind yourself of God's omnipresence and find comfort in His constant presence today?
Day 5: Faith in God's Trustworthiness
Ultimately, we can trust God completely because He does not change. His faithfulness endures through all generations. In every mountain and valley, He has proven Himself trustworthy. Our circumstances may change, but God's character and promises remain steadfast. This unwavering trust in God's faithfulness can anchor our souls, giving us confidence to face whatever comes our way. [35:00]
Lamentations 3:22-23 (ESV): "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when God has shown His faithfulness in your life. How can you hold onto this memory to strengthen your trust in Him during current or future challenges?
Quotes
1. "Because he does not change, when you fail, you When you fall, whether it's because of something, a moral issue in our lives, or when the storms of life just completely knock us down, and we're overwhelmed, whether it's a positive or a negative statement. When circumstances change, God doesn't. And that's what I want to bring home to you today." [02:23] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "In light of your current circumstances, what has changed about God? When the taxman shows up at your door, when the doctor shows up at your door, when the undertaker shows up at your door, I want to remind you to ask yourself, wait a minute, my circumstances have changed, but in light of my now most current circumstances, what has changed about God? And of course the answer is nothing. Absolutely nothing." [08:36] (48 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "I want to remind you here, today, I'm not in control. I'm not... I don't see myself as Alexander Haig. I know who the vice president is, but more importantly, I know who the sovereign of the universe is and he is still in control. The psalmist said, the Lord reigns. He's clothed with majesty. The Lord is clothed. He has girded himself with strength." [12:30] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "I want to remind you, not only does he have the right to rule, but he's got the power to rule our God. Jeremiah put it this way, Oh, Lord God, behold, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm, and there is nothing too hard for you. And so I want to remind this family and this church family today that in light of your new circumstances, there's nothing that's changed about God. He still knows what is best and he still makes all things work together for your good." [19:00] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "The question here today in light of my current circumstances is not do I know what to do, but I know he knows what to do and I know him and we trust him. Can you say amen? He is omniscient. Psalm, the psalmist put it this way. I try to have a scripture to back every one of these up because this is not thus saith David Kemp. This is thus saith the word of God. And I love this particular one because it brings all three, the first three fingers together. Great is our Lord, Psalm 147. That's his sovereignty and mighty in power. That's his omniscience and his understanding is infinite. That is his omniscience." [23:20] (51 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "I promise you, in your darkest hour, the sovereign, omnipotent, all-wise God will be there. Proverbs 15 and 3 says, the eyes of the Lord are in every place keeping watch on the evil and the good. That keeping watch is like a sentinel, a guard that's guarding the gate, guarding the fort, the camp. And he's guarding you. In light of your current circumstances, be assured that God will be there." [29:25] (55 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "I want to remind you that God has the wisdom to rule. He is omniscient. He's sovereign, he's omnipotent, and he's omniscient. I remember my first pastoral transition as a bishop, as an administrative bishop. Sonja and I, my first assignment, we were privileged to serve what the Church of God calls the North Central Church. It's a regional region, which is North and South Dakota and Montana, some of the most beautiful country in all the world." [20:27] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "None of us know what God's going to do, but I know he's going to do something. He's going to do something good. Never how many times you need to go to him and say, help me. You keep going you get that assurance because I promise you that the sun's going to rise again. Sorrow is going to be turned into joy and hope will spring forth even in this desert season because God's still God. And at the end of the day, God not only loves, He is loved." [40:22] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "So rest assured that one day the final curtain will fall and the story of planet Earth will be completed and then we will understand and we will all agree that He has done good and right and just and we shall praise Him for eternity. In the meantime, keep trusting Him." [41:02] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "I want to remind you today that God is still sovereign. He is still the rightful head of salvation. He still the rightful head of salvation. Now, when things drastically change, especially in a negative way, and it feels like the ground has been pulled out from under us and we're in empty space and we're dropping, when things are uncertain, when somebody that is usually behind this pulpit that is bigger than life, that is operating under the anointing of the Holy Spirit, and we put our trust in them, and that is a voice. We know he's not Jesus, but that is a voice that reminds us of Jesus." [10:37] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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