THE PREDICTABLE CHRIST

HEBREWS 13:8                      Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.                                             

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. HOW IS CHRIST PREDICTABLE?

 

1. Christ’s Actions Always Please the Father [Jn. 8:29]

 

2. Christ’s Words are Always True [Jn. 8:30-47]

 

3. Christ’s Inaction is Always Right [John 11:1-6, 2 Peter 3:3-9]

Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

 

II. WHO FINDS CHRIST TO BE PREDICTABLE?

 

1. The Enemies of Christ Found Him to be Predictable [Mt. 12:9-14]

And when he was departed thence, he went into their synagogue: And, behold, there was a man which had his hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they might accuse him. And he said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out? How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days. Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other. Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him.

 

2. The Unsaved Found/find Him to be Predictable [Jn. 3:1-2, 6:37]

-THERE was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.

-All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

 

3. The Friends of Christ Found Him to be Predictable [Jn. 6:67-69]

Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.

 

III. WHY IS CHRIST OFTEN PREDICTABLE?

 

1. Christ’s Plan is Consistent [Gen. 6:8, Rm. 4:3, 4:6-8]

-But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord

-For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness

-Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.

 

2. Christ’s Pattern of Thought is Consistent [Heb. 10:5-24]

 

3. Christ’s Person is Consistent [Heb. 13:8]    Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.