contemporaneous continuity

CONTEMPORANEOUS CONTINUITY

James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

Dennis the Menace lays his hand on the head of little Joey and tries to explain what it was like when he was a little kid!
It was bad enough when kids didn’t understand the rigors of the great depression, but when adults can’t relate to WW II and when a person, who used to rack up enough free games on a pinball machine to play all afternoon on a nickel, can’t score a point in a video game against his kindergarten granddaughter, then one realizes things are moving very fast!

Now we even hear references to the 60’s and the 70’s as the ‘good old days’! (And some of our church members can’t even remember THEM!) When these ‘oldies but goodies’ are played now, I finally understand what my father went through listening to the jamming jive of my youth!

Before the youth become too smug, however, we must remind them, that in today’s speeded-up civilization, it no longer takes years and years to make something obsolete. Whole occupations are being done away, while the workers are still in their prime. Men in their most productive years, find they have spent their entire life striving for excellence in jobs which no longer exist. College graduates are leaving school with outmoded skills, and high school students are finding their earlier training is mostly irrelevant in the job market of ‘hi-tech’.

We are entering an age in which some are becoming ‘has-beens’ before they even reach the age of maturity.

I. EVERYTHING connected with the world system is in a constant state of accelerating change. This world can offer nothing of permanence.

A. Friendships based upon one’s present status are laid aside as one ‘grows’.

B. Humanism now offers a transitory family relationship. Husbands and wives grow apart. Children ‘grow out of the family circle’ etc. Even the definition of family is changed.

C. Even religion changes to accomodate society and the so-called status of the individual!

D. Peace of mind and security depend upon everchanging circumstances. ( the insurance policy that seems almost extravagant to the young couple will barely cover burial expenses in middle age.)

E. Peace treaties among nations are broken almost as fast as they are made.

F. And on and on!

II That which God Gives does not change. Rom 11:29 For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.
A. He gave His only begotten Son. John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
And He is the eternal, unchanging I AM.
Heb 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.
Acts 10:43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.
Rev 22:3 And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:
HE IS THE LAMB!

B Friendships can endure when based upon a mutual relationship with Christ.
The common salvation
Jude 1:3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.

The boards of the tabernacle, each sharing a silver socket with its neighbor, indicating a human relationship based on the redemption of Christ: How different this is, when the roles are reversed, and the relationship with Christ is based upon human relationships. ( ie the friendship or the romance ends and Christ is no longer important, because the relationship to Christ was for the sake of the human relationship and not from repentance and committment to Him.
YOUNG PEOPLE --TURN YOUR THINKING AROUND!

C. Marriage and home is a permanent arrangement when based upon Christ. God instituted home and marriage and has never changed its permanent nature.

1. Relationship with God which is based upon home or spouse will be as fleeting as a Hollywood marriage!
Marrieds--TURN YOUR THINKING AROUND!!!

D. Peace, when it comes from God is lasting.
1. Among nations - swords will be beaten into plowshares
Isa 2:4 And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.

2. Between enemies - Saul of Tarsus becomes the friend of the churches known as Paul, the Apostle.

3. Between God and man -
John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

4. Inner Peace - peace with one’s self -
Phil 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
Phil 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Phil 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

III How to receive --
These are gifts of the grace of God and cannot be received while rejecting Christ or His will in your life!