WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.299 Good morning everyone, I'm Ian and if I haven't met you already, a very happy new year to everybody. 00:00:06.940 --> 00:00:21.260 2022, what a year that was. I think if we hadn't lived through 2020, most of us would be saying that we witnessed more change in 2022 than in any other year of our lives. 00:00:21.260 --> 00:00:33.939 There was the death of the Queen, Queen Elizabeth II, someone who had been a constant for many of us all our lives and a shining example of integrity and of faith. 00:00:34.040 --> 00:00:37.140 So we now have a new king, Charles III. 00:00:38.359 --> 00:00:43.400 During the year we had three prime ministers and four chancellors of the Exchequer. 00:00:43.399 --> 00:00:52.899 We faced soaring inflation and a cost of living crisis that for many people is really just beginning to bite fully now. 00:00:54.019 --> 00:01:00.899 And we had war in Ukraine. Terrible for the people who are living there. 00:01:01.840 --> 00:01:11.439 And even for us who are a long way away, it has had an impact on our lives, probably more so than any conflict since the Second World War. 00:01:11.439 --> 00:01:15.299 A year of great change in our nation. 00:01:15.879 --> 00:01:23.420 Good changes as well, of course, because we're now roughly free of COVID restrictions, though it hasn't gone away completely. 00:01:24.819 --> 00:01:28.319 Then in our church, it was also a year of change. 00:01:29.259 --> 00:01:32.560 Last year we had seven funerals in this building. 00:01:33.259 --> 00:01:40.219 Now I can remember not that long ago when we went several years consecutively without any funerals. 00:01:40.219 --> 00:01:48.239 But seven people connected with this church, many of them long-established members, passed away last year. 00:01:49.219 --> 00:01:55.920 And as we look back, we can think that for many of them they were marked by humble and faithful service. 00:01:57.200 --> 00:02:07.259 That a good number of them suffered greatly, but did it with endurance and with patience and trust in the Lord Jesus. 00:02:07.260 --> 00:02:12.140 And they left us an example of how we should live as Christians. 00:02:12.259 --> 00:02:15.439 But we miss them. They're no longer with us. 00:02:16.580 --> 00:02:21.360 We also, as we go into 2023, we have a number of members who are moving on. 00:02:21.960 --> 00:02:25.780 Moving largely to churches a bit closer to where they live. 00:02:26.159 --> 00:02:28.259 And again, they will be greatly missed. 00:02:28.259 --> 00:02:36.419 Graham mentioned Alistair and Sabina in his prayer moving to Fernie Hill as Alistair takes up the reins of being pastor there. 00:02:36.459 --> 00:02:40.139 But there are quite a number of others, too, who have moved on from the church. 00:02:40.219 --> 00:02:49.219 And I think that gives opportunities for those of us who are here to step up and to become more involved in service for the Lord Jesus. 00:02:49.219 --> 00:02:52.680 And in the church, of course, we have welcomed new people. 00:02:53.039 --> 00:03:00.560 We're delighted to have a number of new people who have joined us in the last year and to have had baptisms and sources of rejoicing. 00:03:00.699 --> 00:03:06.139 But it has been a year of change and things will be a bit different in 2023. 00:03:07.780 --> 00:03:11.259 And then in our personal lives, all our experiences are different. 00:03:11.639 --> 00:03:15.240 But again, many people have seen changes in the last year. 00:03:15.240 --> 00:03:23.420 A lot of bereavement, not just thinking about the church members who've died, but many have lost family members and close friends. 00:03:23.900 --> 00:03:28.700 And those who have been with them for many years are no longer there. 00:03:29.840 --> 00:03:35.200 Quite a number of church members are suffering from illness, some of them life-changing illnesses. 00:03:36.040 --> 00:03:40.320 And for them, things have very much changed over the last year. 00:03:40.319 --> 00:03:50.359 And more positively, we've had weddings, we've had babies, and there have been causes for rejoicing as well. 00:03:50.799 --> 00:03:57.780 But a lot of change in 2022, and no doubt there will be lots of change too in this year. 00:03:59.180 --> 00:04:03.659 And as we face change, it's good for us to have things that are constant. 00:04:04.199 --> 00:04:06.740 What are sometimes called life anchors. 00:04:06.740 --> 00:04:14.420 Things that don't change that we can depend on as we cope with the changes in our lives. 00:04:15.140 --> 00:04:19.840 And this morning, we want to look at the greatest anchor for our lives. 00:04:20.540 --> 00:04:25.040 And we're going to focus on one verse, although we'll talk around other parts of the passage. 00:04:25.319 --> 00:04:30.060 But this one verse, if you remember nothing else I say this morning, please remember this verse. 00:04:30.060 --> 00:04:37.720 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. 00:04:38.459 --> 00:04:47.439 Whatever happens in our circumstances, however things change in our country, in our church, in our personal lives, 00:04:48.279 --> 00:04:51.300 the Lord Jesus doesn't change. 00:04:51.300 --> 00:05:03.560 He has the same love and care for us all through our lives, the same love that took him to die for us on the cross at Calvary. 00:05:04.080 --> 00:05:10.639 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. 00:05:11.800 --> 00:05:16.319 I need to be a little bit careful about not taking a verse out of context and building too much on it. 00:05:16.319 --> 00:05:19.620 So let's give ourselves a bit of context at this point. 00:05:19.680 --> 00:05:24.420 We're at the end of the book of Hebrews, the last chapter of this letter. 00:05:25.199 --> 00:05:33.519 And like a lot of letters in the New Testament, the latter chapters are very much the practical part of what is written. 00:05:34.240 --> 00:05:40.139 In the earlier parts of the book, you have the teaching, the doctrine being presented, particularly about the Lord Jesus. 00:05:40.139 --> 00:05:45.879 And then there are the practical implications that we're reminded of at the end. 00:05:47.019 --> 00:05:51.399 And so as we look at the book of Hebrews, in many ways it's quite a difficult book, 00:05:51.659 --> 00:05:55.159 but it's a wonderful book that presents to us the Lord Jesus. 00:05:55.300 --> 00:06:01.300 In particular says the Lord Jesus is superior to everyone else. 00:06:02.319 --> 00:06:04.680 Jesus is superior to the angels. 00:06:05.339 --> 00:06:06.819 He's superior to Moses. 00:06:06.819 --> 00:06:12.099 He's superior to Aaron and all the high priests of Israel. 00:06:13.099 --> 00:06:18.759 Some of us earlier this morning at the 10 o'clock service were thinking of the new covenant that the Lord Jesus brought in. 00:06:18.819 --> 00:06:20.620 He's the mediator of the new covenant. 00:06:21.139 --> 00:06:24.240 And that's a great theme of Hebrews as well. 00:06:24.759 --> 00:06:28.319 That Jesus Christ became the sacrifice for us. 00:06:28.719 --> 00:06:32.139 And his blood is the blood of the new covenant. 00:06:32.139 --> 00:06:43.180 And as we go through the books, I think we can see something of the yesterday, today, and forever that the writer is presenting to us here. 00:06:44.000 --> 00:06:51.360 Right at the start, the writer of the book of Hebrews says that the universe was made through Jesus. 00:06:51.360 --> 00:06:56.600 That God spoke to us through his son. 00:06:57.420 --> 00:07:04.720 That he suffered and became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him. 00:07:04.939 --> 00:07:05.819 That's the yesterday. 00:07:06.680 --> 00:07:13.740 Jesus, the one who was eternally with God before the world was created, who was this source of creation, 00:07:13.740 --> 00:07:22.100 became a man, became a baby initially, grew up as a man, lived among us, died for us, and rose again. 00:07:23.519 --> 00:07:24.460 And then there's today. 00:07:25.180 --> 00:07:29.000 The writer says that Jesus is the great high priest. 00:07:29.660 --> 00:07:33.040 The one who understands our weaknesses and our situations, 00:07:33.699 --> 00:07:37.160 and who intercedes for us at God's right hand, 00:07:37.519 --> 00:07:40.500 and who today meets our needs. 00:07:40.500 --> 00:07:46.480 The Jesus of yesterday is the Jesus of today as well. 00:07:47.279 --> 00:07:48.180 And what about forever? 00:07:48.319 --> 00:07:54.860 Well, the writer says he will appear a second time to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him. 00:07:55.360 --> 00:07:59.420 And in another passage, his throne will last forever. 00:08:00.060 --> 00:08:00.860 That's the tomorrow. 00:08:01.779 --> 00:08:07.720 Jesus is coming back, and he is coming back to reign, and to reign forever. 00:08:07.720 --> 00:08:12.160 Yesterday, today, forever. 00:08:13.680 --> 00:08:17.500 Now, you might look at that and think, well, Jesus isn't the same as he in these. 00:08:18.020 --> 00:08:19.360 He took on human form. 00:08:19.440 --> 00:08:20.240 That was a change. 00:08:20.320 --> 00:08:21.800 That was something different. 00:08:22.560 --> 00:08:25.540 He died, and he rose again and ascended to heaven. 00:08:25.620 --> 00:08:27.600 That again was something different. 00:08:27.600 --> 00:08:31.060 Well, yes, in a sense, his circumstances changed. 00:08:31.560 --> 00:08:39.920 But his essential essence as divine God with us, the Son of God, that has never changed. 00:08:40.340 --> 00:08:45.420 And his love and concern for us has never changed. 00:08:46.040 --> 00:08:52.379 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. 00:08:52.379 --> 00:08:59.019 And that has some consequences for us, and we're going to look at the earlier verses that Aaron read to us 00:08:59.019 --> 00:09:03.879 and try to learn just a few lessons from what the writer says to us. 00:09:04.580 --> 00:09:09.059 So the first thing he says is that we must love each other. 00:09:09.419 --> 00:09:13.200 That's in the first three verses of Hebrews chapter 13. 00:09:13.340 --> 00:09:17.679 Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. 00:09:17.679 --> 00:09:22.339 The greatest command in the Bible is to love. 00:09:22.979 --> 00:09:28.059 First to love God with all our hearts, to love Jesus because he first loved us. 00:09:28.539 --> 00:09:31.539 But then also to love one another. 00:09:32.159 --> 00:09:38.479 To show real concern and support for everyone in our fellowship, 00:09:38.639 --> 00:09:41.000 for all those we come into contact with, 00:09:41.000 --> 00:09:44.599 to show them the love of the Lord Jesus. 00:09:44.799 --> 00:09:47.419 That love that is unchanging. 00:09:48.459 --> 00:09:51.000 And the writer to Hebrews gives us two examples. 00:09:51.839 --> 00:09:54.959 I think they are just examples, and we think of lots of other situations, 00:09:55.259 --> 00:09:57.959 but these are quite helpful as being representative. 00:09:59.000 --> 00:10:00.239 The first thing he says, 00:10:00.599 --> 00:10:03.299 do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, 00:10:04.000 --> 00:10:09.919 for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. 00:10:09.919 --> 00:10:13.059 I won't get into too much detail about the hospitality to angels, 00:10:13.059 --> 00:10:17.379 but the key thing is here that we should show hospitality. 00:10:17.379 --> 00:10:22.379 We should show love to everyone, even to those we don't know. 00:10:23.039 --> 00:10:28.919 One of the great things about being a Christian is you can go to a church in a city which is unknown to you, 00:10:29.159 --> 00:10:32.039 and where no one knows you or has seen you before, 00:10:32.039 --> 00:10:38.459 and you can experience from them the welcome and the love that Jesus gives. 00:10:38.459 --> 00:10:44.279 And I hope that those who come to this church and are visiting experience something of that. 00:10:44.699 --> 00:10:48.699 And perhaps there's a reminder to all of us that we should be willing to show hospitality 00:10:48.700 --> 00:10:53.000 and to care even for those who are visiting us. 00:10:54.200 --> 00:10:57.580 Then the second thing the writer to Hebrews talks about is people who are in prison 00:10:57.580 --> 00:11:00.300 and those who are being ill-treated. 00:11:01.000 --> 00:11:05.560 And we should treat them and love them as if we ourselves were suffering. 00:11:06.660 --> 00:11:13.100 Now in our country, there aren't that many people who are suffering greatly for their faith in the Lord Jesus. 00:11:13.259 --> 00:11:18.020 Around the world, there are many, many millions who are persecuted for their faith. 00:11:18.019 --> 00:11:21.539 But I think we can widen what this verse says to us. 00:11:22.240 --> 00:11:25.319 And anyone who is going through difficult times, 00:11:26.100 --> 00:11:31.059 times which would test their faith and which they really struggle with, 00:11:31.779 --> 00:11:34.879 we should show the love of Christ to them. 00:11:35.500 --> 00:11:37.480 Sometimes we can do that directly, 00:11:38.199 --> 00:11:39.600 as possibly the people, 00:11:40.340 --> 00:11:41.879 the writer was writing to, 00:11:42.139 --> 00:11:43.659 talking about people who were being ill-treated, 00:11:43.659 --> 00:11:47.120 well perhaps the Christians in the church could go and could help them. 00:11:47.120 --> 00:11:49.919 Some we may not have contact with. 00:11:50.240 --> 00:11:54.440 I imagine that those who were in prison wouldn't have much contact with Christians, 00:11:54.539 --> 00:11:55.659 but we can pray for them. 00:11:55.960 --> 00:12:01.159 And I think that is the way that the Hebrew writer was talking about expressing love. 00:12:01.740 --> 00:12:06.179 But our command, our requirement, is to love each other. 00:12:06.860 --> 00:12:10.460 And in doing that, we are doing what the Lord Jesus does, 00:12:10.460 --> 00:12:12.379 because he loves us. 00:12:12.379 --> 00:12:15.460 He loved us enough to go to the cross and die for us. 00:12:15.639 --> 00:12:17.340 He's loved us throughout our life. 00:12:17.600 --> 00:12:18.840 He still loves us. 00:12:19.160 --> 00:12:26.040 And if we are willing, then we can experience his presence and his help in all our circumstances. 00:12:26.960 --> 00:12:32.960 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. 00:12:32.960 --> 00:12:37.280 But as we move through this passage in verses 4 to 6, 00:12:37.340 --> 00:12:39.200 we've talked about loving one another. 00:12:39.580 --> 00:12:43.920 Verses 4 to 6, I would suggest, are about living holy lives. 00:12:44.420 --> 00:12:49.259 Living lives that are different from the society round about us. 00:12:49.759 --> 00:12:51.400 Being counter-cultural. 00:12:52.360 --> 00:12:55.200 And the kind of issues that affect us there 00:12:55.200 --> 00:13:00.220 are not that different from those the writer to the Hebrews was addressing. 00:13:00.220 --> 00:13:04.879 In the first century, marriage was under threat. 00:13:05.740 --> 00:13:09.340 People were saying, well, why should we be bound by the restrictions of marriage? 00:13:09.440 --> 00:13:12.800 One man and one woman, exclusive relationship for intimacy. 00:13:12.940 --> 00:13:14.399 Why should we be bound by that? 00:13:14.800 --> 00:13:17.100 Let's do the things that make us feel good. 00:13:17.980 --> 00:13:19.779 Is that not our society today? 00:13:20.879 --> 00:13:25.100 People without real moral feelings in these matters, 00:13:25.259 --> 00:13:29.560 without any concern for what is really right and what is wrong, 00:13:29.559 --> 00:13:33.139 if it feels right for you, just do it. 00:13:33.879 --> 00:13:38.459 Well, the writer to the Hebrews reminds us of the importance of marriage. 00:13:38.619 --> 00:13:43.279 Marriage should be honoured by all and the marriage bed kept pure. 00:13:44.159 --> 00:13:47.439 So we need to be very careful in our relationships, 00:13:47.859 --> 00:13:53.199 not to fall into sin, not to go against the instructions of the Bible. 00:13:53.659 --> 00:13:55.239 Right back at the beginning of Genesis, 00:13:55.240 --> 00:13:59.279 we have marriage instituted by God between man and woman. 00:13:59.799 --> 00:14:02.860 The Lord Jesus in his teaching reinforced that, 00:14:03.180 --> 00:14:05.840 the value and importance of marriage. 00:14:06.720 --> 00:14:10.560 And Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, forever. 00:14:11.259 --> 00:14:13.940 And our society's standards may change, 00:14:14.000 --> 00:14:15.799 our laws may change, 00:14:16.019 --> 00:14:19.019 but God's standards are constant. 00:14:19.019 --> 00:14:25.120 And then the writer moves on to perhaps for some of us even a more difficult area 00:14:25.120 --> 00:14:27.740 of the love of money. 00:14:28.259 --> 00:14:31.679 We live in a very materialistic society. 00:14:32.500 --> 00:14:37.419 And it is really easy for Christians to get sucked into that, 00:14:37.919 --> 00:14:40.340 to always be wanting more. 00:14:40.819 --> 00:14:42.779 A bigger house, a flashier car, 00:14:43.120 --> 00:14:44.439 all the newest gadgets. 00:14:44.440 --> 00:14:46.220 If we've not got them, 00:14:46.520 --> 00:14:51.480 we may want them and be willing to spend our money on them. 00:14:52.920 --> 00:14:54.360 Well, the writer here says, 00:14:55.000 --> 00:15:00.460 the right attitude is to be content with what God has given you. 00:15:01.200 --> 00:15:03.560 Don't always be looking for more. 00:15:04.440 --> 00:15:06.620 Instead, trust in God. 00:15:06.780 --> 00:15:09.820 Trust that he will never leave you or forsake you. 00:15:09.820 --> 00:15:15.080 Trust that he is your helper through all situations in life. 00:15:16.240 --> 00:15:17.340 C.S. Lewis said, 00:15:18.020 --> 00:15:19.740 he who has God and everything 00:15:19.740 --> 00:15:23.920 has no more than he who has God alone. 00:15:24.080 --> 00:15:26.420 Let me repeat that because it may be difficult to pick a first time. 00:15:26.740 --> 00:15:28.600 He who has God and everything, 00:15:28.920 --> 00:15:31.000 all that this world could give, 00:15:31.640 --> 00:15:35.660 has no more than he who has God alone. 00:15:35.659 --> 00:15:40.639 Much better to be in poor circumstances, 00:15:41.219 --> 00:15:43.519 to be living humbly and simply, 00:15:44.000 --> 00:15:48.419 and to have God and a living relationship with him, 00:15:49.100 --> 00:15:51.419 than to have all that this world can give, 00:15:51.799 --> 00:15:54.659 and our relationship with God to slip. 00:15:55.199 --> 00:15:57.279 We need to live lives that are holy, 00:15:57.799 --> 00:15:58.860 that are different, 00:15:59.379 --> 00:16:00.919 that are distinct. 00:16:01.879 --> 00:16:04.860 Because that is the standard that Jesus Christ set for us, 00:16:04.860 --> 00:16:07.840 that is the standard that he modeled for us. 00:16:08.519 --> 00:16:10.259 And so we need to follow it. 00:16:10.680 --> 00:16:13.580 We need to live holy lives. 00:16:14.639 --> 00:16:16.159 So we need to love one another. 00:16:16.779 --> 00:16:18.879 We need to live holy lives. 00:16:19.240 --> 00:16:20.720 And then the third thing the writer says 00:16:20.720 --> 00:16:23.560 is we need to learn from our leaders. 00:16:23.680 --> 00:16:26.419 That's in verse 7 of the passage. 00:16:26.419 --> 00:16:30.519 Remember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you. 00:16:30.519 --> 00:16:32.139 Now our leader, 00:16:32.279 --> 00:16:33.659 our great leader and our teacher 00:16:33.659 --> 00:16:35.639 is the Lord Jesus, of course. 00:16:36.000 --> 00:16:38.340 And we seek to follow his example. 00:16:39.139 --> 00:16:40.799 But many of us can look back 00:16:40.799 --> 00:16:45.120 and we can see leaders who set great examples for us. 00:16:45.679 --> 00:16:48.460 And they did what the writer describes here. 00:16:49.179 --> 00:16:51.019 They spoke the word of God to us. 00:16:51.079 --> 00:16:52.699 They taught us the Bible 00:16:52.699 --> 00:16:55.000 and taught us what it means 00:16:55.000 --> 00:16:58.720 and the importance of following the scriptures. 00:17:00.019 --> 00:17:03.179 They had a way of life that was an example to us. 00:17:03.840 --> 00:17:06.259 They lived lives that were set apart for Christ 00:17:06.259 --> 00:17:08.759 and were devoted to him. 00:17:09.559 --> 00:17:12.240 And they had a faith that is worth imitating. 00:17:12.980 --> 00:17:14.420 A trust in the Lord Jesus 00:17:14.420 --> 00:17:17.640 that we too can have. 00:17:18.460 --> 00:17:21.759 Now again, many of us will have different memories on this. 00:17:21.759 --> 00:17:24.619 I can look back to my younger years 00:17:24.619 --> 00:17:26.400 and I remember men like Matthew Shearer 00:17:26.400 --> 00:17:28.200 who was my first Sunday show superintendent. 00:17:28.619 --> 00:17:31.160 That's Maggie's father for those who know her. 00:17:31.839 --> 00:17:35.359 And Mr. Shearer was someone who throughout my youth 00:17:35.359 --> 00:17:37.400 had a constant interest not just in me 00:17:37.400 --> 00:17:39.640 and all the young people who would talk to us, 00:17:39.680 --> 00:17:41.500 who would ask about our spiritual welfare, 00:17:41.839 --> 00:17:44.240 who was really concerned for us. 00:17:45.079 --> 00:17:46.819 Others, Jim McDowell, Margo's father, 00:17:47.059 --> 00:17:48.579 who was my Bible class leader, 00:17:48.779 --> 00:17:51.579 who week in, week out, met with us. 00:17:51.759 --> 00:17:52.940 Taught us the Bible, 00:17:53.440 --> 00:17:55.220 took us into his home, he and Margo, 00:17:55.640 --> 00:17:58.240 and showed real concern for us. 00:17:58.640 --> 00:17:59.579 Oh, and there was a young man, 00:17:59.660 --> 00:18:00.799 there was Willie Matthews 00:18:00.799 --> 00:18:03.319 who must have seen something in me 00:18:03.319 --> 00:18:04.680 of leadership potential 00:18:04.680 --> 00:18:06.500 and gave me real encouragement 00:18:06.500 --> 00:18:08.799 and help in those years. 00:18:08.879 --> 00:18:10.920 Now your examples will be different. 00:18:11.420 --> 00:18:12.519 But I'm sure many of us 00:18:12.519 --> 00:18:14.440 who have been Christians for a long time 00:18:14.440 --> 00:18:15.759 can look back 00:18:15.759 --> 00:18:17.279 and we can see people 00:18:17.279 --> 00:18:19.000 who have been our leaders in the past 00:18:19.000 --> 00:18:22.640 and we can give thanks to God for them. 00:18:23.420 --> 00:18:25.859 Of course, we don't need to look back very far. 00:18:26.640 --> 00:18:28.079 In the last years at church, 00:18:28.140 --> 00:18:30.400 we've lost two of our leaders. 00:18:31.019 --> 00:18:31.819 At the start of the year, 00:18:31.900 --> 00:18:33.140 Archie Naismith, my father, 00:18:33.220 --> 00:18:35.279 who'd been an elder for over 40 years 00:18:35.279 --> 00:18:37.640 before he retired a few years ago. 00:18:38.319 --> 00:18:39.700 And one of the things that really struck, 00:18:39.819 --> 00:18:40.779 I think, all the family 00:18:40.779 --> 00:18:43.279 is a number of people who look to Dad 00:18:43.279 --> 00:18:46.680 for wisdom and for help and encouragement. 00:18:47.460 --> 00:18:48.559 And then at the end of the year, 00:18:48.960 --> 00:18:50.519 Alistair Chalmers, as we've already mentioned, 00:18:50.599 --> 00:18:52.980 has moved to be pastor at Fernie Hill. 00:18:53.680 --> 00:18:55.099 And over the last five years, 00:18:55.160 --> 00:18:56.440 we've benefited enormously 00:18:56.440 --> 00:18:59.339 from Alistair's care for everybody, 00:18:59.740 --> 00:19:01.740 for his leadership of the church, 00:19:01.819 --> 00:19:03.440 from his pastoral heart 00:19:03.440 --> 00:19:05.740 and his wholehearted commitment. 00:19:06.579 --> 00:19:07.779 And we'll miss him. 00:19:07.839 --> 00:19:09.960 We miss the leaders who have gone on. 00:19:09.960 --> 00:19:13.480 But actually, it is not the leaders 00:19:13.480 --> 00:19:15.079 who make the church. 00:19:15.660 --> 00:19:18.720 This is the church of Jesus Christ. 00:19:19.539 --> 00:19:20.740 And as we move on, 00:19:21.100 --> 00:19:21.920 and as there are people 00:19:21.920 --> 00:19:23.860 who are no longer with us, 00:19:24.400 --> 00:19:26.420 if we are looking to the Lord Jesus, 00:19:26.980 --> 00:19:28.700 then we will know as a church 00:19:28.700 --> 00:19:31.539 that we will continue to be blessed spiritually, 00:19:32.059 --> 00:19:34.880 that we will continue to know his presence. 00:19:34.880 --> 00:19:39.160 He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. 00:19:39.960 --> 00:19:42.440 Leaders come, leaders go. 00:19:42.860 --> 00:19:44.000 We give thanks for them. 00:19:44.380 --> 00:19:45.539 We learn from them. 00:19:45.900 --> 00:19:47.539 We follow their example. 00:19:48.440 --> 00:19:49.319 But ultimately, 00:19:49.640 --> 00:19:50.980 it is the Lord Jesus 00:19:50.980 --> 00:19:52.660 who we need to look to. 00:19:53.200 --> 00:19:55.920 He is the one who is constantly with us, 00:19:56.100 --> 00:19:58.519 who will never leave us 00:19:58.519 --> 00:20:00.079 or forsake us. 00:20:01.420 --> 00:20:02.640 And then finally, 00:20:03.140 --> 00:20:05.440 we've thought about loving one another. 00:20:05.860 --> 00:20:08.240 We've thought about living holy lives. 00:20:08.240 --> 00:20:10.039 We've thought about learning from leaders. 00:20:10.559 --> 00:20:11.200 And finally, 00:20:11.200 --> 00:20:13.819 we need to learn to look to Jesus. 00:20:14.900 --> 00:20:16.039 And that's the verse eight. 00:20:16.099 --> 00:20:17.279 That's our key verse here. 00:20:17.420 --> 00:20:19.819 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday 00:20:19.819 --> 00:20:22.720 and today and forever. 00:20:24.160 --> 00:20:25.319 Early in the book, 00:20:25.460 --> 00:20:26.120 in chapter 11, 00:20:26.339 --> 00:20:27.079 the writer of Hebrews 00:20:27.079 --> 00:20:28.480 goes through a long list 00:20:28.480 --> 00:20:30.900 of great followers of God 00:20:30.900 --> 00:20:31.940 in the past. 00:20:32.039 --> 00:20:33.279 Noah, Abraham, Moses, 00:20:33.700 --> 00:20:34.500 lots more. 00:20:34.500 --> 00:20:36.420 And then in chapter 12, 00:20:36.480 --> 00:20:36.759 he says, 00:20:36.859 --> 00:20:37.059 yes, 00:20:37.359 --> 00:20:38.660 remember these people 00:20:38.660 --> 00:20:40.119 run the race 00:20:40.119 --> 00:20:41.240 with perseverance 00:20:41.240 --> 00:20:43.839 looking unto Jesus, 00:20:44.460 --> 00:20:45.240 the author 00:20:45.240 --> 00:20:46.759 and perfecter 00:20:46.759 --> 00:20:48.619 of our faith. 00:20:50.220 --> 00:20:50.519 Jesus 00:20:50.519 --> 00:20:51.980 is the one 00:20:51.980 --> 00:20:52.779 who we, 00:20:52.980 --> 00:20:53.660 as a church, 00:20:53.960 --> 00:20:54.920 look towards, 00:20:55.220 --> 00:20:56.420 want to glorify, 00:20:56.880 --> 00:20:58.339 want to live for. 00:20:58.779 --> 00:20:59.500 He is the one 00:20:59.500 --> 00:21:00.500 whose love for us 00:21:00.500 --> 00:21:01.200 is constant, 00:21:01.200 --> 00:21:02.259 who we know 00:21:02.259 --> 00:21:03.380 we can rely on 00:21:03.380 --> 00:21:04.840 through the good times 00:21:04.840 --> 00:21:06.380 and the bad times. 00:21:06.819 --> 00:21:08.960 We can always learn from him. 00:21:09.400 --> 00:21:11.200 We can always be confident 00:21:11.200 --> 00:21:12.480 in him. 00:21:13.120 --> 00:21:14.620 And as we enter 2023, 00:21:15.279 --> 00:21:17.180 we need to look to Jesus 00:21:17.180 --> 00:21:19.160 and to trust him 00:21:19.160 --> 00:21:20.240 as the one 00:21:20.240 --> 00:21:21.180 who is the same 00:21:21.180 --> 00:21:22.200 yesterday 00:21:22.200 --> 00:21:23.740 and today 00:21:23.740 --> 00:21:25.080 and forever. 00:21:25.880 --> 00:21:27.019 What would that look like? 00:21:27.680 --> 00:21:28.200 Well, 00:21:28.259 --> 00:21:29.039 for some people, 00:21:29.039 --> 00:21:30.819 it may be looking to Jesus 00:21:30.819 --> 00:21:32.359 for the first time. 00:21:33.839 --> 00:21:35.099 Recognizing that your life 00:21:35.099 --> 00:21:35.940 has been lived 00:21:35.940 --> 00:21:37.259 for yourself 00:21:37.259 --> 00:21:38.500 and that you need 00:21:38.500 --> 00:21:39.139 the forgiveness 00:21:39.139 --> 00:21:40.980 that can only come 00:21:40.980 --> 00:21:41.980 through Jesus. 00:21:42.159 --> 00:21:42.980 Trusting him 00:21:42.980 --> 00:21:43.859 through his death 00:21:43.859 --> 00:21:44.420 on the cross 00:21:44.420 --> 00:21:45.379 to take the punishment 00:21:45.379 --> 00:21:46.399 for our sins 00:21:46.399 --> 00:21:48.339 because his saving power 00:21:48.339 --> 00:21:49.619 is the same 00:21:49.619 --> 00:21:51.659 as it's always been. 00:21:52.259 --> 00:21:53.359 If you're not already 00:21:53.359 --> 00:21:54.399 trusting in Jesus, 00:21:54.559 --> 00:21:55.319 I would urge you 00:21:55.319 --> 00:21:56.639 to consider him 00:21:56.639 --> 00:21:57.480 the one 00:21:57.480 --> 00:21:58.360 who is the same 00:21:58.360 --> 00:21:59.240 yesterday, 00:21:59.819 --> 00:22:00.240 today, 00:22:00.460 --> 00:22:01.440 and forever. 00:22:02.000 --> 00:22:03.120 The one who died 00:22:03.120 --> 00:22:04.819 for your sins. 00:22:06.440 --> 00:22:07.299 Or perhaps there are some 00:22:07.299 --> 00:22:08.140 here this morning 00:22:08.140 --> 00:22:09.160 and as we've been talking, 00:22:09.299 --> 00:22:10.299 as we've been thinking 00:22:10.299 --> 00:22:11.099 about what God 00:22:11.099 --> 00:22:12.240 looks for from us, 00:22:12.740 --> 00:22:13.460 you recognize 00:22:13.460 --> 00:22:14.339 that although you're 00:22:14.339 --> 00:22:14.779 a Christian, 00:22:14.920 --> 00:22:15.700 although you're trusting 00:22:15.700 --> 00:22:17.180 in the Lord Jesus, 00:22:17.920 --> 00:22:19.019 your life has been 00:22:19.019 --> 00:22:20.000 far from what 00:22:20.000 --> 00:22:21.120 it should be. 00:22:22.039 --> 00:22:22.900 Graham mentioned earlier 00:22:22.900 --> 00:22:24.339 about new resolutions 00:22:24.339 --> 00:22:25.559 and the best resolution 00:22:25.559 --> 00:22:27.379 is to follow Christ 00:22:27.379 --> 00:22:29.079 more devotedly. 00:22:29.819 --> 00:22:30.839 Do you need to think 00:22:30.839 --> 00:22:32.179 about your relationships? 00:22:33.059 --> 00:22:34.220 Do you need to think 00:22:34.220 --> 00:22:35.259 about your lifestyle? 00:22:36.159 --> 00:22:37.279 Do you need changes 00:22:37.279 --> 00:22:38.319 to your desires 00:22:38.319 --> 00:22:40.379 and your priorities? 00:22:41.139 --> 00:22:42.179 Do you need to be 00:22:42.179 --> 00:22:43.819 more wholeheartedly committed 00:22:43.819 --> 00:22:45.279 to the Lord Jesus 00:22:45.279 --> 00:22:46.539 this year? 00:22:47.099 --> 00:22:48.220 And perhaps part of that 00:22:48.220 --> 00:22:49.279 will be becoming 00:22:49.279 --> 00:22:50.179 more involved 00:22:50.179 --> 00:22:51.199 in serving 00:22:51.199 --> 00:22:52.519 in the church. 00:22:52.519 --> 00:22:54.400 The expectations 00:22:54.400 --> 00:22:55.480 that Jesus has 00:22:55.480 --> 00:22:56.700 of those who follow him 00:22:56.700 --> 00:22:57.879 haven't changed. 00:22:58.480 --> 00:22:59.440 He looks for 00:22:59.440 --> 00:23:00.240 and expects 00:23:00.240 --> 00:23:00.980 wholehearted 00:23:00.980 --> 00:23:02.019 devotion 00:23:02.019 --> 00:23:03.160 to him. 00:23:03.940 --> 00:23:05.240 Can we give that 00:23:05.240 --> 00:23:06.359 this year? 00:23:07.240 --> 00:23:08.019 Can we come 00:23:08.019 --> 00:23:08.779 to the Christ 00:23:08.779 --> 00:23:09.940 who died for us, 00:23:10.460 --> 00:23:11.220 recognize he's 00:23:11.220 --> 00:23:12.460 the same yesterday, 00:23:13.059 --> 00:23:13.480 today, 00:23:13.680 --> 00:23:14.619 and forever, 00:23:15.119 --> 00:23:16.420 and commit ourselves 00:23:16.420 --> 00:23:17.059 wholly 00:23:17.059 --> 00:23:18.259 to him? 00:23:19.859 --> 00:23:20.819 Or perhaps some people 00:23:20.819 --> 00:23:21.639 are looking forward 00:23:21.640 --> 00:23:22.280 to this year, 00:23:22.340 --> 00:23:23.380 actually not looking forward 00:23:23.380 --> 00:23:24.060 to this year. 00:23:24.340 --> 00:23:25.440 As they look forward 00:23:25.440 --> 00:23:26.240 it's with a sense 00:23:26.240 --> 00:23:27.259 of trepidation, 00:23:27.660 --> 00:23:29.340 facing uncertain times, 00:23:29.720 --> 00:23:31.320 not sure what is going 00:23:31.320 --> 00:23:32.960 to happen for them 00:23:32.960 --> 00:23:34.320 and their family. 00:23:35.540 --> 00:23:36.340 The writer of Hebrews 00:23:36.340 --> 00:23:36.900 would say, 00:23:37.480 --> 00:23:38.860 in times of uncertainty, 00:23:39.560 --> 00:23:40.440 the one thing 00:23:40.440 --> 00:23:41.700 we can cling on to 00:23:41.700 --> 00:23:43.860 is the unfailing love 00:23:43.860 --> 00:23:45.440 of the Lord Jesus. 00:23:46.280 --> 00:23:47.620 He loved us enough 00:23:47.620 --> 00:23:49.240 to give his life for us. 00:23:49.240 --> 00:23:51.140 He loves us still 00:23:51.140 --> 00:23:51.920 today, 00:23:52.539 --> 00:23:53.039 and whatever 00:23:53.039 --> 00:23:53.940 circumstances 00:23:53.940 --> 00:23:54.940 we may face, 00:23:55.599 --> 00:23:56.500 we can look to him 00:23:56.500 --> 00:23:57.460 for confidence, 00:23:57.900 --> 00:23:58.640 with confidence 00:23:58.640 --> 00:23:59.440 for comfort 00:23:59.440 --> 00:24:00.960 and for strength 00:24:00.960 --> 00:24:02.599 in our circumstances. 00:24:03.480 --> 00:24:05.140 If you're dreading 00:24:05.140 --> 00:24:06.279 the coming year, 00:24:07.039 --> 00:24:07.819 look to Jesus 00:24:07.819 --> 00:24:09.779 and trust in him 00:24:09.779 --> 00:24:11.480 and know that he is able 00:24:11.480 --> 00:24:12.180 to be with you 00:24:12.180 --> 00:24:13.539 every step of the way, 00:24:14.000 --> 00:24:14.880 however easy 00:24:14.880 --> 00:24:16.120 or hard 00:24:16.120 --> 00:24:17.359 it may be. 00:24:17.359 --> 00:24:18.919 All of us, 00:24:19.240 --> 00:24:20.439 let's go into the year 00:24:20.439 --> 00:24:21.699 with this verse 00:24:21.699 --> 00:24:22.819 in our minds. 00:24:23.500 --> 00:24:24.359 Jesus Christ 00:24:24.359 --> 00:24:25.740 is the same 00:24:25.740 --> 00:24:26.740 yesterday 00:24:26.740 --> 00:24:28.259 and today 00:24:28.259 --> 00:24:29.699 and forever. 00:24:30.119 --> 00:24:31.119 Let's pray together. 00:24:33.319 --> 00:24:34.000 Our Father, 00:24:34.079 --> 00:24:34.479 we thank you 00:24:34.479 --> 00:24:35.399 for your word to us. 00:24:35.939 --> 00:24:36.419 We thank you 00:24:36.419 --> 00:24:37.619 for this wonderful truth 00:24:37.619 --> 00:24:39.419 about your unchanging son, 00:24:40.359 --> 00:24:41.619 that the love he showed 00:24:41.619 --> 00:24:42.799 when he was in this world 00:24:42.799 --> 00:24:43.899 to so many people, 00:24:44.819 --> 00:24:45.679 the love he showed 00:24:45.680 --> 00:24:47.380 supremely when he died 00:24:47.380 --> 00:24:48.100 on the cross, 00:24:48.880 --> 00:24:49.960 is the same love 00:24:49.960 --> 00:24:51.039 that he has for us 00:24:51.039 --> 00:24:51.840 today. 00:24:52.759 --> 00:24:54.120 All may change, 00:24:54.700 --> 00:24:56.039 but Jesus never. 00:24:56.880 --> 00:24:58.740 Glory to his name. 00:24:59.400 --> 00:25:00.380 Help us this year 00:25:00.380 --> 00:25:01.759 to cling on to that, 00:25:02.320 --> 00:25:03.220 to understand 00:25:03.220 --> 00:25:05.100 that in all the circumstances 00:25:05.100 --> 00:25:05.740 of life, 00:25:06.340 --> 00:25:08.200 Jesus is with us. 00:25:09.080 --> 00:25:10.560 And to rededicate ourselves 00:25:10.560 --> 00:25:10.900 to him 00:25:10.900 --> 00:25:11.980 or perhaps to trust him 00:25:11.980 --> 00:25:13.220 for the first time, 00:25:13.220 --> 00:25:15.420 knowing him as saviour, 00:25:15.940 --> 00:25:16.740 as Lord, 00:25:17.319 --> 00:25:18.279 as our friend. 00:25:19.380 --> 00:25:19.839 We thank you 00:25:19.839 --> 00:25:20.279 for this time 00:25:20.279 --> 00:25:20.819 we've had together 00:25:20.819 --> 00:25:21.319 this morning. 00:25:21.460 --> 00:25:22.680 Thank you for the privilege 00:25:22.680 --> 00:25:23.519 of being able to 00:25:23.519 --> 00:25:24.400 worship together 00:25:24.400 --> 00:25:25.339 and to learn 00:25:25.339 --> 00:25:26.160 from your words. 00:25:26.640 --> 00:25:27.519 And we commit ourselves 00:25:27.519 --> 00:25:28.200 to you now 00:25:28.200 --> 00:25:29.279 in the name of 00:25:29.279 --> 00:25:29.960 the Lord Jesus. 00:25:29.960 --> 00:25:31.400 Amen.