God’s Unchanging Love

God’s Unchanging Love: The Constant in Our Change

Jun 9, 2024 – 3rd Sunday after Pentecost | Genesis 3:8-15

Unchanging Love: A Pastor’s Farewell after 19 Years of Ministry

Does anyone feel a sense of déjà vu? Today's message isn't just the illusion of familiarity; it's a genuine repeat of our experience 19 years ago. In mid-June 2005, the Wednesday following Father's Day, during the Midweek Vespers service, I delivered my inaugural sermon as your vacancy pastor. Now, here we are in June 2024, the Sunday preceding Father's Day, and I stand before you once more as your vacancy pastor, but this time, it marks my farewell.

Throughout these 19 years, the Lord has bestowed upon me the honor of proclaiming His Word and administering His Sacraments among you. Our journey together has been one of joy and cherished memories. We've stood by each other through the passing of over 150 loved ones, entrusting them to the loving care of our Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ. We've rejoiced in numerous baptisms, confirmations, weddings, anniversaries, graduations, and offered comfort in hospital rooms, care facilities, and homes.

By God's grace, we achieved what seemed insurmountable in 2005: eradicating a million-dollar building debt and expanding our preschool into a Lutheran Classical School serving students from preschool through 8th grade. This autumn, the school will nurture over 80 children and their families, guided by seven outstanding teachers and aides, two devoted volunteer instructors, and many selfless volunteers.

We've also confronted and conquered significant challenges, from defending true faith against secularization, scientism, wokism, and liberalism to weathering the trials of the COVID pandemic. Throughout it all, we've remained resolute in upholding Biblical truth and the Gospel.

Welcoming Change in Ministry

Now, change is upon us in our ministry and relationship. It's time for me to step down and for you to welcome a new shepherd. With Pastor Erik Saunders appointed as your new under-shepherd, we can trust that this is within the Lord's plan.

Some may welcome this change, while others may find it difficult. Change often brings inconvenience, additional work, or sacrifice. We tend to prefer the comfort of the status quo, craving assurances that all will be well or perhaps even better.

Our text from Genesis sheds light on why we fear change and what remains constant despite it. The fear and anxiety of change originate from the fall into sin. Before Adam and Eve doubted God's Word and aspired to be like Him, Moses describes their state: 'The man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed.' They lived in peaceful harmony with each other and with God, free from anxiety and worry.

Shame in Human Nature

In contrast to Adam and Eve's peace, our lives are marred by shame. We feel it incessantly, from dawn till dusk, in our dreams and our aspirations. As descendants of Adam, our thoughts, desires, words, and deeds are tainted by his rebellion and our disobedience.

The Psalmist queries, "If You, Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?" Psalm 130:3-4). The onset of this shame altered everything for Adam and Eve and us. They first became aware of it in their perfect relationship.

Moses writes, "Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves." (Genesis 3:7-8). Consuming the forbidden fruit opened their eyes, but not in the manner they anticipated. They felt exposed and vulnerable, their hearts and minds now filled with idolatry, lust, and wicked thoughts. Trust in their relationship vanished, replaced by a need to conceal themselves and obscure their newfound evil.

Even more profound was the change in their relationship with their Creator. They were not fashioned to comprehend such evil or experience such shame. Instead of finding solace and security in God's unchanging love, they now dreaded His wrath and condemnation.

How could they endure His holy presence? In their terror, they fled and hid among the trees, a stark deviation from their daily communion with the Lord in paradise.

Steadfast Hope amidst Change

This isn't to suggest that the changes we encounter in life are direct consequences of our sin or someone else's. Rather, akin to Adam and Eve, we endure change from the perfect, ordered life God intended due to sin's ramifications. Our rebellion has disrupted the peaceful and secure relationship God designed for us with Him and with each other.

Yet, here's the Good News! Amidst the changes wrought by sin—shame, suffering, heartache, and daily trials—one thing remains unwavering: the Lord God Himself. In His unchanging love, He brings order to our chaos and offers security and peace in our relationship with Him and with each other. As the apostles affirm, "He does not change like shifting shadows" (James 1:17), and "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever" (Hebrews 13:8).

God's Unchanging Love for Adam and Eve

Adam and Eve hid in fear because their rebellion had changed them, but the Lord had not changed. He had always cared for them and continued to do so out of love. He sought them out, not because He was unaware of their whereabouts, but to help Adam recognize how his sin had altered his relationship with God. Faced with God's condemning judgment, Adam needed to grasp the repercussions of his actions.

The Lord's inquiries, 'Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?' weren't for His enlightenment but to assure Adam that His unchanging love remained constant. Despite the consequences of their sin, God's love endured.

In His steadfast love, God unveiled His plan to rescue them from their dire state and restore security and eternal stability. He directly confronted the serpent, declaring, 'I will put enmity between you and the woman and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.'

This protoevangelium, the first Good News, heralds Jesus' redemptive sacrifice for humanity's sin, demonstrating that the Lord would bear the brunt of the changes introduced into our lives. God further demonstrated His unchanging love by fashioning garments of animal skins to clothe Adam and Eve, concealing their shame and offering a tangible pledge of His enduring care.

Adam and Eve had to endure the changes their rebellion brought, departing the perfect garden for a life of discomfort and trials beyond paradise. However, they discovered that one thing remained constant: the Lord's saving and unchanging love. This love assured them that the Lord would undertake everything to keep them with Him forever.

God’s Unchanging Love through Christ Jesus

Today, we must confront numerous changes in this fallen world. Yet, through the cross and the resurrection of Jesus, we are assured that nothing can separate us from the unchanging love of God in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:35).

The Lord has established the Office of the Holy Ministry to continue administering His Word and Sacraments. Despite worldly changes, including the retirement or reassignment of your pastor, another of His servants will affirm to you the Lord's unchanging forgiveness, perpetual presence, and steadfast hope.

Blessed be the Lord, for He has heard your cries for mercy. He is your shepherd and will sustain you for eternity (Psalm 28:6, 9).