Chapel message 090110

Chapel Message 091011
Vicar Darren Harbaugh

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever” – That is our verse today. Can you say it with me?

Do you think you can remember that. I might check to see later on.

I bought this t-shirt as a present for my friend’s baby, but I kind of think I would like to keep it for myself. Do you think that I would fit into this shirt? (wait for answer) Why not? (wait for answer).

There’s no way I will fit into this. I grew out of it. Each of you wore a shirt the same size once, but now none of you would fit into this shirt. Has anyone here had to get new clothes because you grew out of your old ones? (wait for hands) I’ll bet that there are a lot of you that grew taller over the summer.

We change because that’s what our bodies are designed to do. But that’s not the only change that happens in our life. What about here at school? Things change here too. This year there are new students. Some students have left. There are new things to learn.

We have lots of changes in life. Some changes are good – like we go on vacation to a fun place or we get a cool present for our birthday. But other changes are not so good – sometimes there are changes in life that can make us sad or angry, things we can’t control - like when people we love get sick or when they die or when married people become separated and divorced.

But you know what? Despite all these changes, there is good news for you.
Does anybody remember our verse for today? (volunteer). Great. I have some motions to help you remember.
Jesus – nail print in each hand
Yesterday – double thumb over back
Today – double index finger down
Forever – double finger twirl
Every time I say one of those words, you do the motion.
Let’s all say it together again. ”Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.”

Do you believe that? (wait) I hope you do. It is an amazing promise for you. It means that no matter how much you change, no matter how much people around you change, no matter how much things in school change. Jesus is always the same, in past, in the present and in the future.

YESTERDAY - Jesus is the same yesterday. Can anyone tell me what day it was yesterday? (wait for answer) Well, Jesus is the same not just yesterday, as in the day before today- but as in every day that’s happened before today. The Jesus who existed at the creation of world is the same Jesus who was one born in a manger 2000 years ago.
The Jesus who died on a cross for our sins is the same Jesus who through Holy Baptism saved my Great, great great grandfather Abraham Harbaugh in 1799 is the same Jesus who saved me 20 some years ago and the same Jesus who saves you.

TODAY – Jesus is the same today. What day is it today? (wait for answer). Jesus is the same not just on this day, but every time it is today for you, Jesus is the same. He is present for you. He is here for you, really here. You could add Him to your classroom attendance sheet. Jesus is no less real today when he comes to you in his Word or in the Lord’s Supper than he was when he walked on the earth. He is the same Jesus!

FOREVER – Jesus is the same forever. When you get old and have your own children, and when they have children and grandchildren – Jesus will still be the same. And when Jesus comes again to raise our bodies from the dead, he is the same Jesus.

Past, present and future, Jesus is the same. So no matter what things change, Jesus is always the same and you can trust in him. He is really here for you now. That is an awesome promise.

Who remembers our bible verse for today? (volunteer). Great! Let’s all repeat it again. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.” I might see if you can remember that verse next time I come for chapel. Do you think you can? (wait). Great.

Let’s pray.

Jesus, You are the same yesterday, today and forever. Amid all the changes going on around us, help us to trust in you as you are present with us in your Word and in your Body and Blood. We pray this in your name. Amen.