Thank you for listening to Servants for Christ. And all that we do and all that we say, we want to give glory and honor to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Thank you for tuning us in as we get into the wonderful Word of God. For the next few minutes, let's take the beautiful Word of God and share it with each and every one of you as we have a sense of anticipation to take the Word of God and to listen to its truth for each and every one. Thank you for tuning us in. I'm Darrell Bailey here, Sunday night, Servants for Christ. We want to talk to you about our mission remains the same. Take your Bibles to 1 Corinthians chapter 15, verse 58. Hebrews chapter 13 verse 8. Listen to the reading of the Word of God. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. And then, further on into Hebrews chapter 13 verse 5, the Bible says, Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, and today, and forever. The writer of Hebrew reminds us that God's character and purpose are unchanging, providing a foundation of stability and faithfulness in uncertain times. And Paul said in 1 Corinthians 15 that as we look and realize that the unchanging nature of Jesus Christ, unlike the shifting, unpredictable nature of life, Jesus remains constant and unchangeable through all ages past, present, and future. And the author of Hebrews reminds readers that because Jesus is steadfast, our faith in him is secure no matter the changes or our lives or in the world that is around us. In Paul's writing of 1 Corinthians 15 58, he encourages believers to remain steadfast, unwavering in their dedication to God's work because Jesus has conquered death. Believers can live with hope and purpose, knowing that their efforts for the Lord have eternal value. And it calls all Christians to be consistently committed to their faith understanding that no service done for Christ will go unrewarded. Let's open up with a word of prayer. Father, we come before you tonight, this Sunday night, in humility seeking your forgiveness for every sin and shortcomings in our lives. Your word declares that you're the same yesterday, today, and forever. And we thank you for your unchanging love and grace clothe us each day with the full armor of God, that we may stand firm in our faith, yielded by your truth, equipped with the breastplate of righteousness, holding fast to the gospel of peace. Guide our steps as we get into the word tonight, and let it penetrate our hearts, renew our minds, strengthen our commitment to serve you with unwavering dedication. And Lord, remember all of our loved ones, Our brother in Christ, Daryl Pruitt, Lord Andy Anderson, those with cancer, Pat Campbell, the many fathers, Steve May out in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, with his overcoming of cancer. The many, many, many people that we know that we're praying for that, Lord, that you know exactly who all of them are in our family at Bethel Cross Rose Baptist Church. We lift them all up in the mighty name of Jesus Christ to be the great physician and to replenish their health in Jesus' marvelous mighty name. Amen. You know, a few years ago, there was a friend that shared a worship service that they attended at their daughter's church on November the 13th, 2016, right after the presidential election, just like this past week. The church bulletin was identical to the one from the week before except the date had been changed. The order of worship, the hymns, even the scripture readings, everything was exactly the same as it was November the 13th, 2016. Well, the pastor got up and he began to explain to the congregation. We planned it this way because no matter the outcome of this election, our purpose remains unchanged. We come together to glorify God tonight and our mission remains to proclaim the blessed name of Jesus Christ. Whether either candidate had won, whether President Trump or whether Vice President Kamala Harris or whatever had transpired, above all, the God that we serve remains the same because he's the Lord of all creation. And so the pastor reminded everyone of a fundamental truth that while the world may shift, the church's mission and God himself remains steadfast and eternal. And so I'm going to talk to you about our mission remains the same. Our mission remains the same. And so, the first thing that we see is the eternal foundation of our mission. In Hebrews 13, chapter 13, verse 8, Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today, and forever, is we know that we're in a changing world of people who often feel insecure or lost as values and beliefs shift around them. Many people today don't believe the government because of what's transpired this past White House situation. And the verse reminds us that Jesus is our unchanging foundation in a world where truth seems relative. His steadfastness is a source of comfort and strength. Jesus's character, love and promises are unchanging and this can anchor our lives and guide our actions. There seem to be for Biden's last election was 19,000 more votes than there was for Camilla that had ever voted and Camilla did better than Biden did in some of the areas that his voters were. It makes a question, wonder how someone can get into office because that's what's wrong with the world today, is many people are becoming anti-government. But I'm glad that this verse reminds us that Jesus is our unchanging foundation. In a world where truth seems relative, His steadfastness is a source of comfort and strength. Jesus' character, His love, His promises are unchanging, and this can anchor our lives and guide our actions. Charles Spurgeon said one time, there's no change in Jesus Christ's love. He's the same yesterday, today, and forever. And so, I'm glad that Christ's nature is eternally unchanging, giving us a solid foundation to rest our faith upon no matter how much the world around us changes. In an age where opinions and beliefs are fleeting as the next trend, We hope in knowing that Jesus remains faithful, trustworthy. For us, that means that we don't need to shift our beliefs with the winds of society. We stay rooted in the truth of the gospel, unwavering, because we serve an unchanging Savior. And so, the eternal foundation of our mission is the unchanging character of Christ, but also our identity as Christ's followers. In 1 Peter 2, verse 9, the Bible says, But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood. And I'm glad that all of us, even as the writer of Hebrews said about our Christian living, that we focus on love, hospitality, and our faith. And believers are to stay firm in our trust in God as we honor our marriage. And each and every one of us, we have a reminder that Jesus is eternal, unchanging. And so each and every one of us as we go through life today, The Christian singer Matthew West sings a song, he says, the God who stays, who never runs away, he's the God who stays. And so our mission remains the same. That the eternal foundation of our mission is the unchanging character of Christ. Our identity as Christ's followers, but also a call to continual obedience. Because John 15 says, I'm the vine, you're the branches. Our connection to Christ anchors us despite any worldly changes that are happening out there right now. And so we look and realize that our mission remains the same. And so the eternal foundation of our mission was the first thing, but the second point that I make is the stability of our calling in service. In 1 Corinthians 15, verse 58, we see and reminded about the story. Imagine a lighthouse standing on the edge of a rugged storm-beaten coast, year after year after year. It weathers the crashing waves, the howling winds, but it remains in place, shining its light to guide ships safely to shore. The lighthouse never changes its position or its purpose. And no matter how fierce the storm or how high the waves, its mission remains the same. Stay put, stand firm. Well, in 1 Corinthians 15, 58, Therefore, my beloved brethren, be you steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord. Like the lighthouse, our purpose is unchanging. God calls us to be steadfast in our faith, regardless of the changing tides of culture or circumstances. And in a society that is constantly shifting, where values change, people are often unsure of what's right or wrong, God's people are called to be like that lighthouse. We must stay firm in our commitment to Christ, holding to his truth, and illuminating the path to hope for others. Christians are watching our lives, and so, We see the stability of our calling in service, amen. And that is, we stand firm in our faith, amen. Because it encourages us to stay dedicated to God's work, even when life is challenging. Whether in serving others, sharing the gospel, or standing up for truth, we're reminded that our labor in the Lord is never in vain. And so, in 1 Corinthians 15 verse 58, It encourages all believers to find hope in their work for Christ, knowing that what they do in His name has eternal significance. One of my favorite writers, A.W. Tozer, reminds us, outside of the will of God, there is nothing I want. Inside the will of God, there is nothing I fear, unquote. And so, we're abounding in the work of the Lord. knowing that our labor is not in vain in the Lord. And Tozer's words remind us that being in God's will is a place of peace and power, knowing that no work done for Him will ever be in vain. With many around us in a constant state of restlessness, striving for meaning and security, we can be a voice of peace and purpose when we remain focused on God's will and His mission. We live fearlessly trusting that His purpose for us is greater than any shifting trend or temporary trial. And so, I'm glad that all of us, when we look and realize that the eternal foundation of our mission, but also the stability of our calling and service, is standing firm in our faith, amen, and embracing our labor in the Lord. Paul said in Galatians 6, 9, and let us not be weary in well-doing. Each act of service matters in God's eternal plan. I'm glad that even as Corrie ten Boom survived the Nazi concentration camp, Despite the unimaginable trauma she experienced, God's love still stands even there. His light shines even in the darkness that she was in. Corrie's faith in God's unchanging nature helped her forgive and continue her ministry even when the world around her was engulfed in hatred. And so, We face all kinds of pressures and oppositions in our faith. Yet like Corey, we are called to love and forgive, trusting that God remains the same even in the face of adversity. In a world where hostility can often meet our convictions, we can be steadfast in love, anchored by the unchanging nature of God's grace. And so, 1 Corinthians chapter 15 is the resurrection chapter. It provides an extensive explanation of the resurrection of Jesus and the future resurrection of all believers. And Paul argues that the resurrection is essential to the Christian faith because without it, hope and faith would be meaningless. He reassures us, believers, of the resurrection's power, motivating us to live with purpose and hope. And so, I'm glad that to be steadfast is the Greek word, Hedrakios. Hedrakios, that conveys the idea of standing firm, unwavering, grounded in our purpose. And the Jewish mindset was steadfastness, was a virtue that was modeled by many Old Testament figures like Daniel, who stood firm in their faith under pressure. And Paul calls Christians to have a similar resolute spirit, standing firm in our faith, remaining grounded in the hope of the resurrection. And I'm glad that he said the word abounding, which means perissolu. And it implies not just doing the minimum, but going above and beyond. Because in Jewish culture, there was the great honor in dedicating oneself fully to the law of God and His commandments. And Paul's call for all Christians to abound in God's work means giving all that we have in service to God and not holding back, praise God. And so, The enduring symbols often illustrate in the culture of Jewish culture, steadfastness like the olive tree. The olive tree is one of the oldest trees in Israel, known for its resilience, growing even the rocky soil, surviving adverse conditions. And the olive tree, like Paul's call for all believers to be unmovable, represents the longevity The ancient Israel saw these qualities as divine attributes and Paul builds on this imagery calling all believers to be steadfast, deeply rooted in their faith. And so every one of us look and we realize that we all have the stability of our calling in service, praise God, that each and every one of us can stand firm in our faith, embrace our labor in the Lord, and thirdly, our work is not in vain, because Paul said in Philippians 2.16, holding forth the word of life. The purpose of our work, regardless of earthly success, remains valuable before God. Because we look and we see the three things. The first one was the eternal foundation of our mission. Secondly, the stability of our calling in service. But thirdly, in closing, the unchanging message of salvation and hope. Praise the mighty name of Jesus Christ. Because in Acts chapter 4 verse 12, The first thing we see is the exclusivity of Christ's salvation. Acts chapter 4 verse 12 says, neither is there salvation in any other. John Newton, the author of Amazing Grace, the old captain on the ship, said, if the Lord be with us, we have no cause of fear. His eye is upon us, his arm over us, and his ear open to our prayers. Well, we see the unchanging message of salvation and hope because the exclusivity of Christ is salvation, but also our responsibility to proclaim the gospel. In Matthew 28, verses 19-20, Go ye therefore, teach all nations. We're to share that unchanging gospel in a changing world. And so, how many of us, when we remember the parable of the wise and foolish builders, Jesus talks about two men that built their homes, one of them on the rock, and the other one on the sand. And when the storms came, only the house on the rock stood firm. The one built on sand collapsed. And Jesus explained that the one who hears his words and follows them is like the wise man who built on the rock. Hallelujah. And so Jesus Christ, the same yesterday and today and forever, Christ is our rock. He is our unchanging and for sure foundation. And when we build our lives on Him, we're anchored against life's storms. Whatever candidate in politics wins, whatever house has the majority, whatever representatives has the majority, We are anchored in our Lord, and in our world, many build their lives on shifting sands, success, wealth, popularity, but when trials come, those foundations will fall. But Jesus is our solid rock. And if we build on Him, we're unshakable no matter what life brings. Our mission remains to point others to that same secure foundation, praise God. And so I'm glad that we've been talking about three things, amen. We talked about the eternal foundation of our mission, the stability of our calling in service, amen. And then thirdly, we talked about the unchanging message of salvation and hope. that there, as we see, is an exclusivity of Christ's salvation. Our responsibility to proclaim the gospel. And lastly, and closing, living in hope for all eternity. Titus chapter 2, verse 13, looking for that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior, Jesus Christ. Our mission is underpinned by hope that is unwavering and eternal. And so, as I close out, Remember the story of the old oak tree that stood at the edge of a vast field, weathered by years of strong winds, fierce storms, blazing sun. Though the storm shook its branches, the tree stood firm, its roots reached deep into the ground. A nearby sapling once asked, how do you stand so tall and strong? And that oak tree replied, My strength comes from my roots and they go deep and give me the stability that I need to endure any storm. And I'm glad that Paul said, therefore, my beloved brethren, be you steadfast, unmovable like that old oak tree. We're called to root ourselves deeply in Christ, drawing strength from Him to remain steadfast in every trial. And in today's society, there's constant changes to our faith, pressures to conform, doubts that shake us, trials that test our resolve. And if our roots are deep in Christ, We find the strength to stay unmovable, just like that oak. And our mission remains the same, amen? Because we stand firm, bearing witness to life, giving truth to Jesus Christ. The message for every one of us, men and women of God, is crystal clear. Regardless of worldly events, our mission remains the same. We serve an unchanging God, anchored in eternal truth, entrusted with an unaltered calling. And just as the pastor reminds all congregations every week and the churches across America, our reason for gathering, our purpose and the one that we serve has not shifted what one very eeny beeny inch. Because in times of uncertainty, Let us hold firm to these truths, that Jesus is forever the same, that our work in him is steadfast and sure, and that the hope we cling to is eternal. How can we remain steadfast in faith amidst societal changes? Remember that Jesus is unchanging. And Hebrew 13.8 teaches us that we draw strength from his eternal nature and love. What are some practical ways to abound in God's work daily? intentional prayer, looking for opportunity to serve others, sharing our testimony as commanded by Matthew chapter 28 verse 19. And lastly, how can we keep our hope focused on eternity when distractions abound us all? We focus on scriptures like Titus chapter 2 verse 13 that helps us lift our eyes from the temporary to the eternal promises of God. Each and every one of us every day. That is how we do it. There's the call to stay grounded in Christ, to be unwavering in our mission, and to find peace in his unchanging nature by sharing our lives and our testimonies with those that are around us. I hope and pray that you Remember that no matter what's happening in the world and what changes on a daily basis in the White House or any other power or country in the world, our mission remains the same. Father, thank you for an unchanging Savior. that we come to you grateful for the constancy of your love and truth. Forgive us, Lord, where we have failed you, and strengthen our resolve to walk in your ways each day. Arm us with the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shield of faith, so that we may stand against the schemes of the enemy. And as we go forth, may we proclaim your salvation boldly, live out our mission faithfully, stir the hearts of those who do not yet know you. that they may come to repent and to renew their hearts for you to come into the family of God before it's too late, and to save their lost souls from the depths of hell. Keep us steadfast and unmovable in your will, abounding in every good work that we ask all in the mighty, powerful name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, amen. you