THE MORE THINGS CHANGE...

Pastor Rick Jackson

Sixteen years doesn't mean the same thing to everybody. To some its a lifetime or more, to others it seems but a few days. A lot can happen in 16 years. A lot can change in 16 years. A lot can stay the same in 16 years. Consider:

I. THE LOCAL CHURCH HAS CHANGED IN 16 YEARS

1. Some are no longer with us.

Some have moved away [Acts 18:1-2] After these things Paul departed from Athens, and, came to Corinth; ; And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came unto them.

Some have passed away [1 Thessalonians 4:13-14] But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him

Some have gone away [1 John 2:19] They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.

2. Some have Come to us [Acts 18:1-2]

3. Some Have Been Saved [Acts 2:47] Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

II. THE PASTORAL QUALIFICATIONS HAVEN'T CHANGED [I Tm. 3]

No man is perfect. Not this pastor nor any other. But the Scripture gives us a standard for the man who would pastor a church.

1. The Life must be right [v. 1-3]

2. The Home must be right [v. 4-5]

3. The Testimony must be right [v. 6-7]

III. THE FOUNDATIONS HAVE NOT CHANGED!

1. God's Person Has Not Changed!

Malachi 3:6 For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.
Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

2. God's Word Has not Changed!

Psalm 119:89 For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.
Psalm 119:160 Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.
1 Peter 1:25 But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.

3. God's Salvation Has not Changed!

Luke 24:25-27 Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.

Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby ° we must be saved.