Weekend Sermon

      For today's message, I am reposting a message from a couple of years ago. Starting next week, we will begin a new series of messages. At the end of the sermon, you will find prayer requests that are updated for this week. I am thankful for all of your prayers. The storms in my area have not caused damage where I live. Please pray about the situation over the next couple of days that there won't be any trouble with this new batch of storms that are forecasted. 

Sermon:

Today, I want to share with you why Hebrews 13:8 is one of the most meaningful verses in the Bible to me. Hebrews 13:8 says, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." It is a short verse packed with a lot of meaning. 

     The main reason why this verse is so important to me is that it reminds me of the fact that I can always count on Jesus being just as He was in the Bible, and I can always count on Him to keep His promises. He did in the past, and He will keep on doing it. Let's look at this a little deeper.

     In the Gospels, we are presented with a picture of Jesus who always acts with compassion and mercy. On several different occasions, the Bible tells us that Jesus was moved with compassion. He felt compassion on those who were sick and on those who were hungry. He had compassion for those who were being led astray by the religious leaders of His day. Jesus cared about people, and He went about doing good and helping as many people as He could. 

     Since Jesus was that way while He was on this earth, I know according to Hebrews 13:8 that Jesus is that way now and will be in the future. He still is compassionate, caring and merciful. He cares that people are hurting in this world, and He wants those of us who claim to follow Him to do all that we can to help people and to make this world a better place. Jesus wants us to work for peace and for the alleviation of suffering. 

     Jesus also cared about the fact that people needed salvation and forgiveness of sins. And He certainly still does. That is why He gave His followers the Great Commission that tells us to go into the world and preach the Gospel to every creature. Jesus forgave people while He was on earth. He even did it while He was on the cross. Jesus wants us now and in the future to share His message of love and forgiveness so that they can know Him and the peace and love that He will bring to their lives. 

     Hebrews 13:8 speaks to me because it lets me know that I can trust Jesus into the future. Jesus said that He would not cast out anyone who would come to Him. He said that He would give new life and and an abundant life to those who would trust in Him. I have put my faith and trust in Jesus believing that since I have come to Him, He has forgiven me and saved me from my sins. 

     Jesus said that He would not leave us. Hebrews 13:8 helps me to hold on that promise. Jesus was trustworthy in the past, so I can trust Him now to be with me in every circumstance that I face. He will not forsake me. 

     Jesus told us clearly that He has gone to prepare a place for us so that we would be with Him forever. I am counting on this. I believe that my family and friends are with Jesus in Heaven right now. One day, I will be with Him. I can count on Him keeping His word because Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. 

     Jesus also told us that He would come to this earth one day and establish His eternal kingdom. We can have confidence that this will happen just as He said because Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Amen.

Prayer Requests

     Please pray that I will get to feeling better. I am still having health issues. 

     Pray for the people in Papua New Guinea. Pray that they will get the help needed. There was a terrible mudslide in that country. 

     Please pray for those affected by the storms here in the US. Pray that they will get the help that is necessary. 

     Continue to pray for peace in the world. Pray especially for Ukraine, Israel, Gaza and Sudan this week. 

     For our prayer focus countries, let us pray for those in the nations of Bosnia and Algeria. Pray that many will come to know Jesus. 

     Next week, we begin a new sermon series. I will post the verses on Monday. May God bless you all.