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[0:00] Depending upon the help of God, I would direct you on mine this morning to the Epistle of to the Hebrews, chapter 13, verse 8, Jesus Christ, the same yesterday and today and forever.

[0:34] The 8th verse in the 13th of Hebrews, Jesus Christ, the same yesterday and today and forever.

[0:52] What a comforting word to the poor and needy in Zion. To every soul quickened by divine grace and have been brought to feel their need of a Saviour, to read this word.

[1:19] This, our text, the inspired word of God, Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, in the past, today, and in the future.

[1:37] And when we look upon this, our text this morning, cannot we say, with a rejoicing in our heart.

[1:48] Our text stands for Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. For if Christ endures, the Father will, and so the work of the Holy Spirit.

[2:04] These three are one, ever have been, ever will be. Therefore, with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, they will endure.

[2:20] They are the same yesterday, today, and forever. But friends, when we consider, if we are unable to, for a few moments, what a contrast that is between us, whether we belong to the Church of God or otherwise.

[2:48] What a difference there is with us. Are we the same? And we who fear God, are we the same? To Him, to the Trinity, yesterday, today, and forever.

[3:07] This God is unchangeable God. We are so changeable in every way. In our thoughts, in our affections, in our love, in our walk, in our meditation.

[3:27] Oh, how we differ. Oh, how often we change day by day, hour by hour.

[3:38] But Jesus, the same, yesterday, today, and forever. As we view, and I feel these things are to be viewed rightly, and I trust, right in the sight of God, when we consider our nation, the nation that the Lord, in years to the past, manifested His love and His compassion to us.

[4:18] And how many there were that worshipped, and worshipped this one in the text, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. And there was a real concern in their hearts.

[4:40] Oh, many of our forefathers, and some of us can go back a number of years and remember many of the Lord's dear servants, and those, as I've mentioned, forefathers.

[4:58] Oh, they sought their God and followed Him in various ways, shall I say in all ways. And oh, they travelled many miles, even on foot, with a real hunger in their souls for the bread of heaven.

[5:17] I will admit, they changed. They were people of the flesh, as it were, having a carnal nature.

[5:30] But for the most part, I believe, there was a continuing looking and a real hunger in their souls. And they could testify, and those dear servants of old, they could preach on this word we have before us, which one feels is inability, Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today, and forever.

[5:58] So by those godly saints of old, and those dear men that preached to hundreds and thousands of people, how the Lord looked upon this land and blessed it.

[6:15] But where are we today? Well, if we have changed, and definitely we have, that this Jesus is the same, of the past, present, and in the future.

[6:31] And then just a thought here, and I feel it adds to our text, that is, condition that we harden as a denomination.

[6:45] Oh, how there's been a change in our land, and in our denomination, of withholding of the Holy Spirit, of withholding of the Spirit in teaching, convincing, teaching, and in the preaching of the word.

[7:05] But Jesus is the same, and that's our mercy. In Zion, well, I think we can testify, of the loving kindness, and mercy of God.

[7:24] Though, it may be, we cannot look back, so very, very many years, but, one can remember, when many of these little causes, were, filled with anxious souls.

[7:37] As after Christ, knowing, that he was the same, and their eyes, were looking unto him, the author and finisher, of their faith. And then again, when we come, to look within our own heart, oh, how we have changed.

[7:55] Perhaps some of us, can look back, to childhood days, when there's a real concern, in our hearts, a real hunger, and thirsting. And how we long, to come into the house of God, how some of us, long for the Sabbath day, to be separated, from the world, a little while, and the things of it, and to worship God, the one we love.

[8:22] How is it today, with some of us, as I said, there seems, the withholding, of the Spirit, withholding, of the teaching, of the Holy Spirit, in our midst.

[8:35] Christ, and I often, we fear, to be, perhaps so, worldly minded. I've often wondered, friends, whether the world, can see a difference, between us, and themselves.

[8:49] Though we made, an open profession, some of us, and if we haven't, made an open profession, of his name, we profess, the name of Jesus, in attending, to a place of worship, regularly.

[9:08] And the world, I believe, they spot us, they keep their eyes, upon us. But for the most part, are we not, often entangled, with the things, that are of this life.

[9:22] Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today, and forever.

[9:35] If I might so speak, of this dear man, Jesus Christ, he is the same today, as he was, as he laid in the manger.

[9:48] Even of late, we have been, I trust, meditating a little, upon, this one, in the text, Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

[10:08] And cannot we go back, dear friends, before, as it were, the, babe, being laid, in the manger.

[10:20] What have we been, reading, in Proverbs? Before the mountains, were settled, before the hills, was I brought forth.

[10:33] While as yet, he had not, made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part, of the dust, of the world. When he prepared, the heavens, I was there.

[10:48] When he set a compass, upon the face, of the depths, when he established, the clouds above, when he strengthened, the fountains, of the deep, when he gave, to the sea, his decree, that the water, should not pass, his commandment.

[11:04] When he appointed, the foundations, of the earth, then, I was, by him, as one brought up, with him, and I was, daily his delight, rejoicing, always, before, him.

[11:24] Jesus Christ, dear friends, yes, yes, before, before, the earth, was created, he was, by, his father, Jesus Christ, the same, yesterday, in the past, today, forever, and that dear babe, in the manger, in the manger, in the manger, there's no difference, dear friends, in him, he grew, in stature, and also, in wisdom, true, that the spirit, that was in him, that holy principle, of divine grace, holy, and pure, in every way, shape, and form, he isn't, haunted, we came forth, from the womb, into this world, in sin, and wickedness, he came forth, into a world, of sin, and wickedness, we have, a carnal nature, is, holy, holy, and it is, still holy, and all, the parts, of these,

[12:49] God, and those, deep waters, he went into, and the trials, of the way, fainting, as it were, because, of the weakness, of body, yet, he is, the same, he was, the same, in that, holy, holy spirit, of his, in that, holy, holy, body, of his, oh, what a great God, we have, same, yesterday, from, childhood, yes, and as he grew, as I said, in stature, and in wisdom, same, same, same, same, same, same, same, same, same, same, if I might so speak, we, who had, babes, children, as we've seen them, so young in years, and have loved them, and rightly so, it's not long, before we can see, the old nature working, the carnal nature, even in the cart, but not so, with the Lord Jesus, holy, he came forth, to, perform a work, that no other could perform, and in his early days, as you will remember, how Mary, and Joseph, sought him, and found him, in the temple, and the doctors, were astonished, at his, understanding, his wisdom, same, as a babe, to a child, as he journeyed along, through his pilgrimage, dwelling very much, at Jerusalem, and in various places, where he went, to look upon, poor sinners, he was the same, same yesterday, today, and forever, and this, still, this one, is still, dear friends, the same, and may I take, just for a few moments,

[15:05] Jesus, that very day, I try, to take this, as my text, Christmas morning, Jesus, Jesus, that name, oh how sweet, the name of Jesus, sounds, and the believers, hear, soothes his sorrows, heals his wounds, and dries away, his fears, this Jesus, you know friends, that day, he was given a name, he came from heaven, it wasn't Joseph's choice, wasn't Mary's, the angel told them, he should be called, Jesus, Jesus, and that very name, has endured, has it not, there's no name, upon the earth, same as Jesus, because it speaks, of salvation, salvation, Jesus, and that name, will endure,

[16:07] I believe, we've read in the psalm, his name, endure forever, and forever, that goes into, eternity, that name, is in heaven, I believe, there's thousands, of poor sinners, who's trod this earth, cleansed, in that precious blood, of his, now in heaven, remembering Jesus, viewing Jesus, praising Jesus, praising Jesus, where the name, above all names, is the name of Jesus, Jesus, what do you think, of Jesus, the name, dear friends, just the name, consider it for a moment, the name, I'm sure, some of you, love Jesus himself, dear love his name, his name, is to be loved, it'll reach, it reaches from heaven, to, it reaches from, earth to heaven, it's a name, that will never, never die out, it'll continue, forever, forever, forever, forever, forever,

[17:32] Jesus, Jesus, many, alas, today, know they blaspheme, his name, his heart, his hurt me, as I've heard, of the world, know they curse, the name of Jesus, curse it, blaspheme, they know, not him, they know, not themselves, Jesus, I'm sure, some of you, when you have sung, the hymns, with Jesus name, in it, there's been, a little touching, a softening, of spirit, and the love, Jesus, who came, to save me, came, to redeem me, Jesus, well dear friends, that name, will continue, as I said, it was yesterday, it was a past, it's today, and it will be, forever, we can believe, the truth of this, in our young days, and still now old, many years, have passed away, with some of us, into eternity, but this name, is still the same,

[18:55] Jesus, Jesus, so what do you, think of it, I'm sure, some of you, are thinking this, I wish I could love, even this name, more than I do, is to be loved, especially, when the Holy Spirit, in the name, as it were, what is in the name, of Jesus, and what Jesus, holds forth, for his, redeemed people, Jesus, Christ, the same, yet, so we have, an unchangeable, God, saviour, friend, counsellor, unchangeable, always, the same, as is, he's always, the same, in his love, compassion, unto his, dear people, mind you, at times, he lays the rod, and that's not, because, he, in any way, hates you, it's, because, he loves you, and often,

[20:11] I feel, the heavier, the Lord, the greater, love, he has, toward us, greater, afflictions, casting down, lay in the snow, and the dust, oh, that manifest, God, the Lord, love, toward us, Jesus, Christ, the same, oh, those dear, we have mentioned, a little, of those, saints of old, the patriarchs, and here, the Lord, dwelt with many of them, in the things of providence, and brought them low, and laid them low, so much so, no doubt, many of them, were often tempted, by Satan, and Satan would say, well, this is the wrath of God, upon you, because of your sins, there's no doubt, it was because, of their sins, I don't doubt that, for a moment, but it was, in love, to bring them, closer, and closer, unto himself, so,

[21:13] Jesus Christ, the same, yesterday, in his name, same in his spirit, nothing, nothing, can alter, Jesus, cannot be anything else, but righteous, he cannot be anything else, that having this spirit, of love, to his people, that it endures, forever, oh, how John, takes it up, in his epistle, beloved, oh, how he's speaking, to the church of God, on all, who should read, that blessed portion, beloved, then he goes out, to speak, as it were, of the love, how the Father, hath love, behold, what manner of love, the Father, hath bestowed upon us, that we shall be called, the sons of God, oh, this Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today, and forever, in his love, nothing, can alter it, ever, how,

[22:41] God, speak, unto, Jeremiah, Jeremiah, of old, yea, he says, I've loved thee, with an everlasting love, I think we can say, with all reverence, that's a word, to the old church, everyone, whom the Lord Jesus, died for, on Calvary's cross, every one of them, I have loved thee, with an everlasting love, so his love, is the same, yesterday, today, and forever, do you think, it is altered, sometimes, when he hides, his face from us, and then we are in distress, and we, fear, and the devil is ready, to tell us it's true, that he's turned from us, did he have no more, compassion upon us, if it is so, our text is untrue,

[23:49] Jesus Christ, the same, yesterday, today, and forever, that love, if his dear friends, was from eternity, and it will be to eternity, and nothing, nothing, can sever that love, as it were, from his church, not into evil, and to the poor, sinner, Jesus Christ, oh, that blessed love, I wish I could preach, Jesus, I wish I could preach, of his love, to poor sinners, well, he was the same, as he travelled along, in his pilgrimage, here below, his love, was the same, too, Peter, and James, and John, and many, and many others, it was the same, love, I know, at times, we and I, have heard, somewhat of the argument, over this, now Peter, comparing Peter, the disciple, and John,

[24:56] John, see, to be such a humble man, he didn't want his name, to be brought forth, is one, is it why, we might say, the back seat, several times, in the New Testament, we read, and the other disciples, by Paul, and is referring, to John, where Peter, at times, seemed rather boastful, and how he denies, his God, who is left, in that spirit, his own, to deny, the Lord Jesus Christ, when Jesus, is in the palace, and so on, I know him not, the love, of Christ, was just the same, to Peter, as it was to John, just the same, that Peter, manifested, shall I say, in his life, more, of the old spirit, carnal spirit, than the spirit, of grace, which John, so manifested, again, and again, though,

[26:02] Jesus Christ, the same, is love, you may, be tempted, to think, at times, dear friends, that the Lord, loves, one, perhaps, one of the breathing, more, than he does, to you, you may, look upon, the breathing, you say, well, what grace, one has got, that man, that woman, that woman, that woman, in the church, what grace, they've got, the Lord, must love him, or her, much more, than me, no, he's the same, yesterday, he's just, the same, today, and he's, the same, to his, dear people, yes, and some, of the, the violent, of them, who would have, thought he would love, that man, on, who died, close to him, on the cross, he was loved, with a devastating, love, but, the, but,

[27:07] Jesus, never made it, manifest, unto his, last, moments, in this life, Jesus Christ, the same, oh, that love, dear friends, sometimes, he withholds, that love, from us, he doesn't see, the manifest, to us, nor himself, but, then often, we sink, and the devil, comes in, dear friends, when we sink, in this, unbelief, and so on, it's opening, really a door, for the devil, to come in, and he will, he will, and the devil, will say, well, you, you've proved, what I've told you, so many times, you're not, in the family, you're not, amongst the Lord's people, he never thought, of you on, Calvary's cross, he never opened, the channel, mercy, he never shed, his blood, for you, you say, can the devil, come this way, yes, he goeth about, like a roaring lion, ready to devour, and it's the same, today, dear friends, now at times,

[28:19] I think, he can manage, the Lord's people, without putting forth, his full strength, as he did, in those days, when he dealt, with those, who feared God, and was able, to stand firm, in what they profess, in the name of Christ, Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, in his love, today, and will be, forever, oh, how sweet it is, when he manifests, a little love, in our heart, I'll tell you this, when the Lord, draws near, and gives you, a little of that love, in thy poor heart, the devil will be, far away, he won't approach you, there, he can't, your faith is great, your faith is high, your faith takes, hold of Christ, oh, these blessed, experiences, I wish I knew, more of them,

[29:20] Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, yes, and his love, and did he not, lay down his life, in love, he did, could that life, have been taken, from him, without, his willingness, to die, for poor sinners, and ransom them, on the cross, that love, was so great, in his soul, he could not withhold, his willing, to die, that these poor sinners, whom the Father, had given him, might live, oh friends, what does benefit, love, more than that, he laid down, his life, willingly, lovingly, that you and I, though poor, and weak, and sinful, and ignorant, may be, pardoned, and forgiven, oh, that precious love, of Christ, and then again, dear friends, out of that love, willingly, suffered, on the cross, and was waiting, for a fountain, to be opened there, oh, that love, enchaining his blood, for the remission, of sins, shedding, that precious blood, to cleanse, the poor, some of the vilest, of sinners, love, love, he never laid down, a rule, shall I say, the father, never laid down, a rule, that his dear people, got to do this, that, and the other, and to worship, rightly, and do this, no, no, he knew, we couldn't do it, we failed, how true are the words,

[31:28] I seem to get deeper, and deeper, into that truth, without me, he can do nothing, nothing, in these spiritual things, oh, how we need him, in that love, to keep us, shall I say, continuing, in the pathway, that leads, unto himself, Jesus Christ, the same, yes, yes, today, and forever, he protects, his dear people, out of this love, he protects them, I know, I often, perhaps, overlook, shall I say, this God of Providence, but, out of his love, does he direct, his dear people, in the path, he will have them, to walk, in Providence, as well as in grace, into the path, of righteousness, is the same, in his love, he plans the way, and gives us, that inward, persuasion, at times, that it is, his way, and perhaps, we have somewhat, rebelled against it, but by the grace of God, we are humbled, and willing, to obey his voice, this is the way, walk ye, in it, oh, this love, of Christ, and now, as you know, he, has all things, in his hands, and under his control, in his dear people, in heaven, and upon earth, upon this earth, in the things of Providence, the steps of a good man, are ordered, by the Lord, and his love, directs the steps, of his dear ones, yes, something most, blessed here, for he has said, is yesterday, is past, and I believe, we have experienced it, at least, in some of us, that his love, toward us, in Providence, in the past, and the same love, is the same to die, and it will be forever, so cannot we say, this promise, in the text, will take us, to heaven, for it's forever, not forever, under the wrath of his, but under the love, of Christ,

[34:13] Jesus Christ, so he died, he shed his blood, he opened the fountain, he cleanses poor sinners, and some of the vilest, the vilest sinner, out of hell, who lives to fear this need, is welcome to, the throne of grace, his precious blood, to plead, vilest, I think, that suited us, very well, at times, for it is me, when I've been, so down, when I felt, such, as a sinner, and I've come, somewhat, very near, to where, Job said, behold, I am vile, dear friends, that's the poor sinner, who the Lord, has worked for, loved with the everlasting love, shown him his soul, showed him the evil, of his nature, and brought him low, and he lays in the dust, and that's, where the Lord appeared, you remember that,

[35:18] I know, I've mentioned it, no doubt, in your hearing, a number of times, bear with me, it's in the scripture, of the poor man, who came down, from Jerusalem, to Jericho, and Thalmont thieves, and now they stripped him, and laid him low, laid him low, but, the love of the good Samaritan, was just the same, the good love of Jesus Christ, dear friend, is the same today, and sometimes, he lays us low, he's a stripper, of everything, that is of the creature, and we lay there, wounded, waiting for, at the Samaritan, and a good one at that, there is, but one good one, that's Christ, he's in the text, and he is the same, yesterday, he's the same today, and he will be forever, oh how this, promise, or what we've got, in the text, strengthens our hope, for eternity, does it not, because it takes us, right down, to the end of our days, till I say, brings us down, to the grave, to death's door, that he is the same, and will be the same, forever, and Jesus Christ, the same, we differ, but he is the same, we may look to others, we may look to man, or how they differ, take the apostle Paul, a most godly man, blessed man, by the grace of God, but could you, rest upon him, for eternity, no, no, we can't rest on, a hammer fresh, can we, so is not, this is the one, in their text, that is worthy, all, all the praise,

[37:18] Jesus Christ, Jesus Christ, ever the same, ever ready, to put forth his, hand, to save, poor sinners, out of love, ever the same, that love appears, and that love, reaches into eternity, it does, into heaven, my friends, heaven, oh, some of us, hope we should get there, tie some of us, long to be there, we may be able to say, and I felt I've sinned of late, weary for my service, and also with the apostle Paul, oh, wretched man that I am, who shall deliver me, from this body of sin and death, why put such poor souls, in that experience, experience, or looking to Christ, longing for Christ, and to have a taste, of that love, and if we have, a little of that love, shed abroad, in our hearts, this side of the grave, as it were, this side of eternity, oh, how it strengthens us, to believe, what we have in the deck, that Christ is the same, yesterday, the past, today, and will be forever,

[38:48] Jesus Christ, in his love, in his compassion, his mercy, enduring forever, do you want a better gospel, than this recorded, in the scriptures, you might be thinking, I need a better man, to preach it, I agree with you on that, I do, but, the gospel is the same, when it comes forth, a poor man, or a well educated man, the gospel is the same, Jesus is the same, and nothing can alter it, Jesus Christ, now he endureth, forever, or how sad it would be, if we felt, or had the understanding, that we should not dwell, with Christ, for eternity, so the Lord, some years ago, he put this question, to me, he says, do you believe, we shall know, each other in heaven, well, my answer was this,

[40:04] I'm not concerned, I believe, it will be, the one thing, and one only, to see Christ, who redeemed, their souls, on Calvary's cross, from death, from hell, there will be, there will be, one thing, I believe, the other rich, to see him, to be with him, to crown him, Lord of all, Jesus Christ, the same, when here on earth, the same in heaven, a man, a real man, with wood still, gaping wide, the poet has said, he is the same, same, same upon the cross, same, now in glory, and oh, that will remind us, it is so, dear friends, oh, that will remind us, of Calvary, Calvary, will never be forgotten, throughout eternity, if that dear man, the Lord Jesus, as we might view him, as the poet has said, what I have spoken, a man, a real man, with wood still, gaping wide, oh, how that will remind us, of Calvary,

[41:24] I believe, shall I say it, in heaven, I'm sure, in heaven, there's nothing, but rejoicing, joy, you sang a little of it, in your hymn, and in the hymn, you sang now, may I sit, forever viewing, mercy streams, and streams of blood, precious drops, my soul be doing, plead and claim, my peace with God, truly blessed is this nation, low before his cross, and I, while I see, divine compassion, floating in his length, I, here it is, I find my heaven, what upon the Lamb, I gaze, love I much, I much forgive, I am a miracle of grace, and true we are, if we are in the decks, and the Lord has loved us, with an everlasting love,

[42:29] I fear, I must leave it, for this morning, Jesus Christ, Jesus Christ, oh, that blessed, blessed name, as we've repeated, that verse, and as another verse, in her, amongst her hymns, I breathe, it speaks of Jesus, Jesus, I love thy, charming thy, tis music in my ear, fame would I sound it out, so loud, that earth, and heaven, might, hear, amen, Amen.

[43:18]  Amen.