The Attributes of God
Immutable—Unchangeableness
Psalm 102:25-27
Pastor Jerry Koller

Review:
· God is eternal, infinite, immaterial, and omnipresent.
· God’s attributes are in perfect balance.
· God is self-existent (aseity, or independence).

This morning, we will look at an attribute called Immutable or Unchangeable.
· Immutable simply means not subject or susceptible to change or variation in form, quality, or nature.

We can define the unchangeableness of God as follows: God is unchanging in his being, perfections, purposes, and promises. ~ Dr. Wayne Grudem

"All that God is He has always been, and all that He has been and is He will ever be." ~ Anselm

Every creature—including man—is continually becoming. Change is a part of everyday life. It is impossible to avoid.

Based on the attributes we have already examined, we can come to some conclusions as to why God cannot change.
· First of all, change (of any kind) takes place in chronological order. This means for change to take place, it must happen within the constraints of time.
· If change takes place in chronological order, within the constraints of time, God has to be unchangeable.
· When it comes to change, it is always for the better or for the worse.
· Change can only take place in a being composed of parts.
· Change is basically a shift in the relationship of the parts of the whole or some addition or subtraction of a foreign element into the original composition.

Does God sometimes change His mind?
Where would anyone get the idea that God changes His mind?

· The Lord relented…
· Relent means to give in, as to influence or pressure.

This brings us back to the question, Does God sometimes change His mind? How do we understand passages such as these that say The Lord changed His mind?
· Both statements, God cannot change His mind and God sometimes changes His mind cannot be true.
· Either God never changes, or God changes.

God makes Himself known to us in ways we can understand.
· The Holy Spirit uses anthropomorphic language to describe God and His workings.
· This also applies to the mind of God.
· His mind, as it were, is not like our mind.
· God always chooses what is right.
· God always chooses what is perfect.
· God always chooses what is best because that is who God is.

· God is the standard by which everything and everyone else is measured.
· Our eternal, infinite, immaterial, omnipresent, self-existent God is perfect.

· Ginny Dorsey (Rhonda Dobberstein's mom) is recovering from a knee replacement surgery following a fall in which her knee was broken.
· Zach & Laura Tate upon the birth of their twins Natalie (7 lbs.) and Samuel (6.8 lbs.).
· Vincent Bryant (son of Miriam Bryant) is recovering from a second surgery on his left hand after an infection which resulted in one finger being amputated. He is also having issues with an ankle which is preventing him from driving. As a result, Miriam is transporting him to dialysis three days a week.
· Miriam Bryant has begun therapy for hip issues.
· Pete Danapilis is recovering from cataract surgery on his second eye.
· Nolan Marshall recently scored well on a CAFAS evaluation, but then took a sharp turn for the worse after testing. Because he got a great score, he is now below the threshold and is in danger of losing services. Even though he still has a severe impairment score, only the worst of the worst qualify. In addition, his wraparound coordinator is moving to a new position, and they will have to deal with a new person to advocate for him to keep these services. Please keep the Marshall family in prayer as they navigate through these issues.
· Anna Bocock’s Lyme tests came back that she has Epstein Barr in addition to one strain of Lyme. They are not able to treat the Lyme until the Epstein Barr is under control. She is currently very sick and is not responding to the treatments for the Epstein Barr. Pray that the treatments start working and she is able to get that under control so that she can move forward with the Lyme treatment within the next few months. .
· Caroline Bocock is doing much better! She passed her concussion test after a year of failing and has been approved to do anything she wishes. She will have more Lyme testing later this month, but the symptoms have almost completely disappeared since her treatment in July. Pray for continued improvements and for clear test results so she doesn’t have to do anymore treatments.
· Rhonda Dobberstein hs been diagnosed with breast cancer. She has a lumpectomy scheduled for 2/13 followed by radiation and estrogen treatments.
· Joyce Bocock continues to do well. Prayers for continued improvement and relief from pain are appreciated.
· Check out our monthly prayer card on-line at southhavenfbc.com under “Weekly Bulletins” for a list of those with on-going needs.

First Baptist Church
1635 76th Street
South Haven, MI 49090
269-637-1291
southhavenfbc@gmail.com