Below are notes to a sermon preached Wednesday evening, May 3, 2000, at Gospel Light Baptist Church, Albany, Georgia.

THE EVERLASTING GOD

By Michael D. O’Neal Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church Albany, Georgia

Genesis 21:22-34

Text: Genesis 21:33

Genesis 21:33 And Abraham planted a grove in Beersheba, and called there on the name of the LORD, the everlasting God.

Introduction: Our God is everlasting. Some people think my sermons last forever. A woman told her preacher as she left the service that his sermon reminded her of the peace and mercy of God. “Oh? What do you mean by that?” asked the preacher. “It passed alll understanding, and I thought it would last FOREVER.”

I hope you will bear with me tonight, as I bring a very brief message on “The Everlasting God.” Someone has said that it doesn’t take eternity to preach about eternity. Well, my messages may go longer than some, but they are also shorter than many preachers’ sermons. My sermons’ length, all combined, are not even an instant in view of time and eternity.

The Energizer Bunny, in the television commercial for batteries, is supposed to keep on going and going and going … but 50 years from now, few people will remember the commercial.

Romans 16:26 But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:

God not only always was, and always shall be, but God always IS. He is the everlasting God, the God of NOW:

Psalms 90:2 Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.

Did you read that? “Before the mountains WERE (past tense) brought forth, or ever thou HADST FORMED (past tense) the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou ART (present tense) God!”

John 8:58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.

There is it again: “Before Abraham WAS (past tense), I AM” (present tense).

One more time:

Isaiah 43:13 Yea, before the day was I am he; and there is none that can deliver out of my hand: I will work, and who shall let it?

“… before the day WAS (past tense) I AM he (present tense) …”

You ask, “Who made God?” Nobody made God. He is the first and the last. There is no god before him or after him. He is IT.

God has no beginning, for He IS the beginning. He has no ending, for He IS the ending.

I. HIS SUPREMACY IS EVERLASTING

Jeremiah 10:10 But the LORD is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting king: at his wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation.

A. He has supreme power forever

Kings and kingdoms come and go, but God remains on the throne!

B. He has supreme plans forever

He planned for the Savior to come.
He planned for our salvation.
He has planned the second coming!

C. He has supreme prophecies forever

ALL of the Lord’s prophecies come true!
A fellow published a book called, “88 Reasons Why the Lord will Come in 1988.” Needless to say, he had to revise his prophecies.

II. HIS STANDARDS ARE EVERLASTING

Psalms 119:142 Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth.

It is said to see preachers and church members lose their convictions about sin and holiness.

I last preached this message in 1979. I preach it to you tonight in 2000, over 20 years later. I haven’t changed my mind from what I believe about God in these 20 years. However, I’m sure I have changed in some areas, some for the better, and some for the worst. BUT GOD HAS NOT CHANGED. HIS STANDARDS ARE EVERLASTING!

A. His definition of sin is unchanged

Sin is always the transgression of God’s law.
Whatsoever is not of faith is always sin.
All unrighteousness is always sin.

B. Departure from sin is always commanded

C. Deliverance from sin is the everlasting purpose

III. HIS STATUTES ARE EVERLASTING

Psalms 119:144 The righteousness of thy testimonies is everlasting: give me understanding, and I shall live.

A. They are forever settled in heaven

B. They are stedfast on the earth

C. They are sure even after heaven and earth have disappeared

IV. HIS SALVATION IS EVERLASTING

Isaiah 45:17 But Israel shall be saved in the LORD with an everlasting salvation: ye shall not be ashamed nor confounded world without end.

A. His everlasting pardon saves us

B. His everlasting power keeps us

c. His everlasting promises assure us

V. HIS SUPPORT IS EVERLASTING

Deuteronomy 33:27 The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy them.

A. He loves us eternally

B. He looks after us eternally

A sparrow doesn’t fall to the ground without His noticing it.

C. He lifts us up eternally

VI. HIS SENTENCE IS EVERLASTING

Matthew 25:46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

A. There is no pardon after death

B. There is no parole for good behavior

C. There is no Purgatory