TITLE:  A Changing World
TEXT:  1 Corinthians 9:19-23
PROPOSITION:  We must understand what can be changed and what must not change.
QUESTION:  Which?
KEY WORD:  Changes
SCRIPTURE READING:  Same

 INTRODUCTION:

1. Mark Twain, “The only person who likes change is a wet baby.”
2. Think about the changes in our lifetime. (See note below.)
3. Even though we are uncomfortable with many changes in our world – This is the world we are called to reach with the gospel.

 SOME THINGS NEVER CHANGE

1. Jesus
   1. Hebrews 13:8 – Jesus, same yesterday, today, and forever
   2. Blood still cleanses 2000 years later, same sacrifice
   3. Faith in Jesus will still save us
2. Bible
   1. 1 Peter 1:23 – Born again of incorruptible seed, Word of God, lives and abides forever
   2. Isaiah 40:8 – Grass withers & flowers fall, but the Word of God stands forever
3. Divine Principles
   1. Honesty, integrity, love, mercy, kindness, compassion
   2. Salvation, worship, obey God,
   3. Titus 1:9 – Elders  “holding fast the faithful word”
4. Spiritual Needs – Forgiveness, salvation, hope, eternal life

 SOME THINGS ALWAYS CHANGE

1. We change, as we grow older – physically, spiritually, mentally
   1. 4 signs of aging – baldness, bifocals, bridges & bulges
   2. With age we also get wiser, more mature, and have better discernment
2. The culture is changing. (Examples: wearing hats, wedding customs, fashion)
3. There are shifts in our cultural attitudes.
   1. From Christian to pluralistic (Islam, Buddha, Hindu)
   2. From Western influence to Eastern influence
   3. From words/books to images/films
4. The church has always adapted its ministry and methods to the times.

 SOME WAYS TO MEET THE CHALLENGE

1. Obtain a Biblical Worldview – Galatians 3:28 neither Jew nor Greek, bond nor free, male nor female, we are all one in Christ Jesus
2. Embrace new methodologies – Email, Internet, DVD, digital cameras
3. Practice the art of Becoming
   1. 1865 – voices over a wire is impossible and useless
   2. 1897 – Radio has no future
   3. 1943 – chairman of IBM – World demand is for 4 or 5 computers
   4. 1977 – president of Digital Equipment – No reason for computer in the home
   5. Follow Paul’s advice in our text

Changes in 50 years – 50 years ago who would have believed we would have abortion on demand, legalized homosexual marriages in some states, physician assisted suicide, open sex, nudity, violence, and profanity on TV, that performers like Madonna & talk show personalities like Howard Stern would not only be tolerated, but admired and adored?

Who would have ever guessed that these types of changes would take place?