Theme: "The New is in the Old concealed, the Old is in the New revealed."

(Augustine)

The More Things Change:

- God is order, not chaos

But all things must be done properly and in an orderly manner.

—1 Corinthians 14:40

He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.

—Colossians 1:17

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. … 31 God saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.

—Gen. 1:1,31

The More Things Change:

- God has a design for corporate worship.

The More Things Change:

- Generosity is not a number, it’s a heart issue.

Each one [must do] just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed;

—2 Corinthians 9:7-8

The More Things Change:

- Salvation has always been by faith

What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, has found? 2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. 3 For what does the Scripture say? "ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS CREDITED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS." … 13 For the promise to Abraham or to his descendants that he would be heir of the world was not through the Law, but through the righteousness of faith.

—Rom. 4:1-3,13

The More Things Change:

- Still scattered!

Therefore, those who had been scattered went about preaching the word.

—Acts 8:4

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen

—1 Peter 1:1

And I will bless those who bless you, And the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.

—Genesis 12:3

The More Things Change:

- Still building the Temple

 "And coming to Him as to a living stone which has been rejected by men, but is choice and precious in the sight of God, 5 you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. … 9 But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR [God's] OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; … 12 Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe [them,] glorify God in the day of visitation."

—1 Peter 2:4,5,9,12