Great Change

The Bible often associates the power, wrath, and judgment of God with physical calamities, such as storms and earthquakes, to portray times of great change (Rev. 6:12-14; cf. Matt. 24:29; Isa. 13:10-13; 34:4; Joel 2:30-32; 3:14-21). The vivid imagery present in the Book of Revelation and other prophetic texts is not to be taken literally, but is designed to depict a world in uproar as God's enemies fall in defeat (cf. Rev. 18:21; 19:15), and His people rise up in victory (cf. Rev. 20:4-6; Ezek. 37:11-14).

It is during times of change that it sometimes appears as if the entire world is falling apart, and that everything that we know and love is being taken away. Though difficult to cope with, it is important for us to understand that sometimes things get shaken up; and it is during these times where we make some of the most important choices in our lives; to prepare for the future and watch our world come together, or live in the past and let it fall apart; to let God lift us up, or to drag ourselves down. Too often, people choose the latter.

As we can clearly see from the bulk of the New Testament, the Jews of the first century had this same problem. The time period in which these people lived was the most significant in history. It was a time of great change, as Jesus Christ walked this earth, sacrificed His life for our sins, and brought forth through His apostles a system of religion for the whole world, that was unlike any other. It was during this time that men and women had to make a decision to embrace Jesus and His church, or cling to their traditions and ideas about what they thought and wanted the Messiah and His kingdom to be.

Unlike the majority who decided otherwise, it is those who first made the decision to embrace Christianity that understood some things about change, indeed great change, which we need to keep in mind today.

1. Change is Sometimes Necessary

   1. Change is a fact of life: seasons change, people get older, knowledge increases (or decreases), hair styles and fashion change, technology changes, the economy changes, and even laws change.
   2. The fact that change is inevitable means that sooner or later we will be faced with a choice: to embrace that change or reject it.
      1. Many of those in the first century literally looked change in the face, in the form of Jesus Christ, and rejected it.
      2. Some did not believe change was necessary because they were comfortable in their wealth and in their sins, and thought life did not get any better (Rev. 18:7; Lk. 12:15-21; 18:11-12; Mk. 10:25).
         1. It is difficult to preach a message of change to those who see no need to change (Matt. 13:15; Acts 28:27).
         2. Sometimes we have a tendency to tell people they need to change without first explaining why: that mankind has a problem with sin and is need of forgiveness; and that forgiveness comes as a result of change (Isa. 59:2; Rom. 6:23; Acts 2:38; 3:19).
   3. We need never think we are beyond change, and we must be prepared to do so when and if it is needed.
      1. The first century Jew who converted to Christianity understood that the Old Testament foretold of a great change, and so they were prepared for the change that was needed (Jer. 31:31; Heb. 12:18-29; Hag. 2:4-7). They all should have been so prepared.
         1. They should have known that in order for people to be saved change was needed, because the blood of bulls and goats could not take away sins (Heb. 10:4).
         2. They should have known that the Messiah had to die to make salvation possible (Acts 2:16-36; 3:18-26; 13:32-27; 1 Cor. 15:3; Heb. 2:9-10; 5:8-9; 9:22; Ps. 16:10; 22; Isa. 53; Zech. 12:10).
         3. They should have known that the ultimate sacrifice of Christ would usher in a new age and a new law (Heb. 7:12; 8:6; 8:13).
         4. They should have known that God desires all men to be saved and would not leave out the Gentiles (1 Tim. 2:4; Acts 10:34; Rom. 1:16; Gal. 3:28; Eph. 2:13-15).
         5. They should have known that Christianity was a necessary change for the better, and embraced it.
   4. Christianity is a life of change
      1. When is change needed? If we find we are not consistent with God, we need to change.
         1. This is basically the definition of repentance, a change in mind that leads to change in action (2 Cor. 7:10; Acts 3:19).
         2. This is what it means to walk in the light (1 Jn. 1:7-9).
      2. Christianity is about conforming to an ideal (Rom. 8:29; 2 Cor. 10:5). It is a transformation (Rom. 12:2). It is a new way of life and new way of thinking (Rom. 6:4; 2 Cor. 5:17; Rev. 21:5).
      3. Growth implies change (2 Pet. 3:18). We cannot be more like Christ if we do not change (cf. Lk. 6:40; 1 Pet. 2:21).

2. Change is Sometimes Inconvenient

   1. The change that is needed is not always the change that is desired or expected.
      1. What many Jews desired and expected the Messiah and His kingdom to be was different than what they actually were.
      2. They were blinded from the truth by their own desires (Matt. 15:14; Jn. 8:44; Acts 6:14).
         1. They rejected the truth for the sake of tradition (Matt. 15:2, 6; Mk. 7:8-9).
         2. Jesus said they knew not the Scriptures, nor the power of God (Matt. 22:29; cf. Jn. 7:52 and Isa. 9:1-7).
         3. Even the disciples did not fully expect what happened (Lk. 24:21; Acts 1:6).
      3. Christ's kingdom is not like other kingdoms (Dan. 2:44; Jn. 18:36; cf. Isa. 2:1-4; 65:15-25).
      4. We cannot let our desires overrule the truth.
         1. The deliverance from sin was not the deliverance they wanted or expected so to change would have been inconvenient, and in rejecting that opportunity they left no room for deliverance of any kind (Rev. 18:14).
   2. What is the real inconvenience?
      1. Fear. Fear of what others think (Jn. 12:42). Fear of the unknown. You can never learn anything new if you fear what you don't know.
         1. Felix knew he had to change, but it was not convenient (Acts 24:25). If we do not confront our fears they will not go away.
      2. Pride (Ps. 10:4)
      3. Cost
         1. Some of us do not change because of what we have to lose (Matt. 19:16-24).
         2. It was no doubt inconvenient for Paul, a prominent Pharisee, to change, but he did (Phi. 3:4-8).
         3. It wasn't convenient for Jesus come to earth to die on the cross, especially for the sins of others, but he did so anyway (Rom. 5:7-9).
   3. Change might be scary, but we need to face our fears (Matt. 10:28; Heb. 13:6; Heb. 2:14-15; Pr. 3:5-6).
   4. Change might not be how we would like, but we need to throw out that deceptive pride (Obad. 1:3).
   5. Change might cost us a lot, but it's worth it (Matt. 16:26).
   6. What happens to you, though inconvenient, is to give you an opportunity to grow closer to God (Acts 17:26-27). Times of change may seem like your world is falling apart, but that doesn't have to be the case.

3. Change is Always Personal

   1. Many people want to change others rather than themselves
      1. Some want to change God
         1. Jews tried by their traditions (Matt. 15:2, 6; Mk. 7:8-9).
         2. Many today do the same (Rom. 1:23-25).
         3. Some think abiding by the New Testament is living in the past and that change is needed. But what are they really changing?
            1. "It's more entertaining" or "It will bring more people in" or "It feels good" sound more like reasons to satisfy one's own desires rather than changing in order to please God (2 Tim. 4:3; Matt. 15:9; Mk. 7:7; cf. Col. 2:23).
            2. Changing what God has commanded because of our own desires is not an option.
         4. It is not God or His word that needs to change (Isa. 40:8; Ps. 102:27; Mal. 3:6; Heb. 1:12; 13:8; Jas. 1:17), but ourselves (Rom. 3:23; Acts 17:30; all MEN everywhere need to repent).
      2. Some want to change others
         1. We are to work out our own salvation (Phi. 2:12).
         2. We need to focus on the "plank" in our own eye rather than the "speck" in our brother's (Matt. 7:3-5).
            1. You can encourage others (Jas. 5:19), but you can only truly change yourself.
            2. It's your sins and your soul (Isa. 59:2).
   2. Everyone has the potential to change, but all the potential in the world means nothing without action. You CAN change! (2 Pet. 3:9; 1 Cor. 6:9-11; Phi. 4:13).
   3. Change is always personal, and we need to personally choose to be more like Christ (Rom. 12:1-2).

Conclusion

Fall is a time of change, and great change is on the horizon, both in this congregation and in this country. Whatever happens, we should use this time to examine our lives and make decisions that will bring us closer to God rather than farther away.

To a Christian, a time of change can become the dawn of a new day; a new heaven and new earth as stated in the Bible (Rev. 21:1; Isa. 65:15-19; 66:18-24; 2 Pet. 3:13). While we ultimately look forward to that eternally new day, the blessings of heaven, we also know that our decisions to change today can make for a better tomorrow. Read Joel 3:14-16. Your world can be coming together, rather than falling apart. It's your decision.

Men and women in the first century who viewed their world as falling apart were correct. A great day of wrath awaited those who were unprepared and unwilling to change (Rev. 6:12-17; Joel 2:11), as the world they loved and wanted to keep, their temple, their city, and their traditions, was coming to an end (cf. 1 Cor. 10:11; Heb. 8:13; 9:26). It is sad to think that a new life awaited them, if they would have only embraced it.

Likewise today, a great day of wrath awaits those who reject Jesus Christ (1 Thes. 1:7-9). While some wish that all things remain as they are (cf. 2 Pet. 3:4), the world as we know it will come to an end one day (Heb. 1:10-12, Ps. 102:25-26; 2 Cor. 4:18; 1 Jn. 2:17; 2 Pet. 3:10-12). And just like those in the first century, there is an opportunity, before it is too late, to take hold of something far greater: if only we are willing change (Rom. 1:18).

Jesus personally died on the cross for your benefit. It wasn't convenient, but it was necessary. He changed everything for you, will you change for Him? Just because you've never done something before, doesn't mean you can't start. You don't have to wait to make a resolution for the New Year; you can change today.