Never

Q: What does the Bible say about God's promises and the word 'never'?

The Bible assures that when God says 'never,' it is an unchangeable promise of security for His people. In Scripture, the word 'never' is used to affirm God's unwavering commitments to His chosen people. For instance, Psalm 31:1 declares, 'Let me never be ashamed,' indicating that God's chosen will never be put to shame because His faithfulness and righteousness protect them. Additionally, promises made by God are irrevocable, as seen in passages like John 10:28, where Jesus states, 'They shall never perish,' assuring believers of their eternal security in His hand. These affirmations serve as powerful reminders of God's steadfast love and unyielding protection.

Q: How do we know that we will never be put to shame?

We know we will never be put to shame because we trust in God's righteousness and His promises are certain. The assurance that we will never be put to shame is founded on our trust in God and His righteousness as emphasized in Scripture. Psalm 55:22 states that 'He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved,' reinforcing the notion that those who put their faith in God are secure in their standing before Him. Moreover, passages like 2 Timothy 1:12 proclaim that our certainty comes from knowing whom we have believed, affirming that God's ability to keep what we commit to Him is unwavering. This promise brings comfort and confidence to believers, knowing that God’s commitment to them never falters.

Q: Why is it important for Christians to understand the concept of 'never' in the Bible?

Understanding 'never' in the Bible is vital as it reinforces God's faithfulness and the eternal security of His promises. The concept of 'never' in the Bible provides profound comfort and assurance to Christians, reflecting God's faithful character and His promises. For example, Hebrews 13:5 assures us that God will 'never leave thee, nor forsake thee,' underlining His perpetual presence and support throughout our lives. This reinforces the belief that regardless of our circumstances, our relationship with Him is secure. Recognizing these 'nevers' helps Christians cultivate a stronger faith, enabling them to trust in God during trials and tribulations, fostering a deeper reliance on His unwavering grace and promises.

Q: What does Scripture say about what believers will never experience?

Believers will never experience final condemnation and will never perish if they remain in Christ. Scripture emphasizes that believers, through their faith in Christ, will never experience final condemnation or perishing. In John 8:51, Jesus states, 'If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death,' indicating that true believers are granted eternal life and freedom from eternal judgment. Likewise, in John 10:28, Jesus declares, 'I give unto them eternal life, and they shall never perish.' This assurance provides immense comfort and confidence for Christians, knowing that their salvation is secure and that nothing can separate them from God's love.

Returning to the book of Psalms, Psalm 31, we're going to start there today. When we read God's word, there are many, many places where we find the words will and shall. They're used by our Lord concerning his promises, both to his chosen ones and to those who are not.

Be it the physical nation of Israel or the true Israel of God, the spiritual Israel, the church of God in this world. And any time, any time that you see those words spoken by our God, it is irrevocably sure that whatever is promised in those verses is 100 percent sure to come to pass, whether it concerns judgment for the lost or goodness to his chosen people. It's sure set in stone, as we like to say. But God's promises are even more sure than anything set in stone, because our Lord tells us that this world, including the stones, will one day be burnt and done away with. And we rejoice in God's wills and shalls. They reinforce the positive promises of our God. But today I want to reinforce the negative, because there is another word found throughout God's word that is just as firm just as steadfast as the wills and shall of our God." It is a little five-letter word.

N-E-V-E-R. Never. Never. That's the title of this message. One single word. Never. Now we sometimes say, the fickle people that we are, I'll never do this. Ford guys say, I'll never buy a Chevy. Chevy guys say, I'll never buy a Ford. I'll never get a tattoo. I'll never shop at such and such a store. And when we say that, a lot of times someone around us will say, never say never.

And there's a reason for that, that we're changeable. What we liked 10 years ago, we don't care for now, vice versa. We're changeable and we don't have any power over anything. But when our God says never, It is absolutely, positively never going to happen. And why is that? It's obvious, because our God has all power, and there is nothing in this universe that's going to stop His will and thwart His purpose. So when I said a minute ago that I want to reinforce the negative, we will see that even though the word never is usually used for something negative, when our God uses it, to promise something to His people, it is indeed seen in the positive. Calls for rejoicing. So I want to spend a few minutes today. We're going to look at a lot of Scriptures. You can either follow along or listen as we read them.

But I want to look at this word, never, found throughout God's Word. This word, never, is synonymous with not ever, on no occasion, at no time, whether past, present, or future. It ain't going to happen. Now, there's four verses starting in Psalm 31, four verses, three in the Psalms and one in Proverbs that promises us that the people of God who are described as the righteous shall never be put to shame, shall never be moved from that place of security in which we have in place that being in the Lord Jesus Christ. Psalm 31 one, we read this. In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust. Let me never be ashamed. Deliver me in thy righteousness. This is the reason God's chosen will never be put to shame, because we have thy righteousness.

Paul wrote of this to Timothy in 2 Timothy 1 12. He said, For I am not ashamed, or for which cause I also suffer these things, neither Or nevertheless, I am not ashamed for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I've committed against him or unto him against that day. Joel also wrote something just as positive as what Paul said, because we find in Joel chapter two, verse 26, it says, and ye shall eat in plenty and be satisfied. And praise the name of the Lord your God, who hath dealt wondrously with you.

And my people shall never be ashamed. And ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the Lord your God, and none else. And my people, he promises again, shall never be ashamed. Now look over at Psalm 55. Psalm 55, verse 22, it tells us this.

Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain thee. He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. The righteous shall never be moved because they are set upon that solid rock of ages, our Lord Jesus Christ. We're built upon a rock. Now look at Psalm 71. Psalm 71.

David wrote this, Psalm 71.1, And thee, O Lord, do I put my trust. Let me never be put to confusion. Now, when God's people suffer hardships and heartbreak, there's no confusion in their mind as to why they come to pass. They are taught of God that it is His will for them. And this is happening for His glory. And they're good.

Proverbs 10. Proverbs 10, verse 30. Another precious promise of our God. Proverbs 10, verse 30. The righteous shall never be removed, but the wicked shall not inhabit the earth. Now, a couple of verses ago, we looked at how the righteous shall never be moved. And this verse tells us that the righteous shall never be removed, never be removed from the place of safety in which they have been placed by our God into the very hand of God himself. Our Lord Jesus Christ spoke of this in the gospel of John chapter 10.

He said, and I give unto them eternal life and they shall never perish. Neither shall any man plucked him out of my hand. My father, which gave them me, is greater than all, and no man is able to pluck them out of my father's hand. There is no more sure and safe place to be than in the very hand of the God of this universe.

Now, next, we find some promises concerning the kingdom of God over which the Lord Jesus Christ has been made the head. Look at Daniel chapter two. Daniel chapter two. This is concerning the kingdom of God. And Daniel says this in Daniel 2, 44. And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed. And the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms and it shall stand forever. Now much is said throughout the Word of God concerning the kingdom of our God, which kingdom is made up of his elect, his chosen ones, chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world. Look over in the book of Psalms again, Psalm 145. David wrote of this kingdom of our God in Psalm 145, the eternality of this kingdom. Psalm 145, starting in verse one.

I will extol thee, my God, O King, and I will bless thy name forever and ever. Every day will I bless thee, and I will praise thy name forever and ever. Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised. And his greatness, like every one of his other attributes, his greatness is unsearchable. One generation shall praise thy works to another and shall declare thy mighty acts. I will speak of the glorious honor of thy majesty and of thy wondrous works, and men shall speak of the might of thy terrible acts, and I will declare thy greatness. They shall abundantly utter the memory of thy great goodness and shall sing of thy righteousness. The Lord is gracious and full of compassion. slow to anger and of great mercy. Aren't you glad? The Lord is good to all in his tender mercies are over all his works. All thy works shall praise the Lord and thy saints shall bless thee.

They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom and talk of thy power to make known to the sons of men his mighty acts and the glorious majesty of his kingdom. Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom. and thy dominion endureth throughout all generations. Isaiah also wrote of this kingdom of God in Isaiah 9 when he said, for unto us a son is born, unto us a child is given, and the government shall be on his shoulder. His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government, and peace.

There shall be no end upon the throne of David and upon his kingdom to order it and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this. Now the word never is used several times in the four gospels, many, many times, and it's used to describe the works and the person. of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Let me note just two. Turn over to the book of Mark. The book of Mark, chapter 2. The book of Mark, chapter 2, starting in verse 5. Now this is the man who came to the Lord and brought his friend who was sick with a palsy, and when they couldn't get to the Lord, They tore the roof up and lowered their friend down to where the Lord was. And beginning in verse five of Mark chapter two, we read this.

When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee. But there were certain of the scribes there and reasoning in their hearts. Why does this man thus speak blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God only? And immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, he said unto them, why reason ye these things in your hearts, where there is easier to say to the sick of the palsy, thy sins be forgiven thee, or to say arise and take up thy bed and walk. But that ye may know that the son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins. He sayeth to the sick of the palsy, I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thy house.'

And immediately he arose, took up his bed, and went forth before them all, insomuch that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on his fashion." We've seen a lot of amazing things, but we've never seen anything like this. And this is the one instance I know of in Scripture that our Lord Jesus Christ did a miracle to prove to unbelieving men that He was indeed the God of this universe. And everyone that saw it were astounded. And they said within themselves, we have never seen anything like this. Now, look over in John chapter 7. John chapter 7. Here we find a second instance of the gospel concerning men being amazed at the acts and of the words of our Lord Jesus Christ. John chapter 7, let's begin reading in verse 37.

In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, if any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink. He that believeth on me as the scripture saith, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. But this spake he of the Spirit, which they believed on him should receive, for the Holy Ghost was not yet given, because that Jesus was not yet glorified.

Many of the people, therefore, when they heard this saying, said, of a truth, this is the prophet. Others said, this is the Christ. But some said, shall Christ come out of Galilee? Has not the scripture said that Christ cometh of the seed of David and out of the town of Bethlehem where David was.

So there was a division among the people because of him, but some of them would have taken him, but no man laid hands on him. Then came the officers to the chief priest and the Pharisees. And they said unto him, why have you not brought him? They were supposed to arrest our Lord. The officers answered, never man spake like this man. Then answered the Pharisees, are ye also deceived? Have any of the rulers of the Pharisees believed on him? That was the benchmark you were supposed to abide by.

But this people who knoweth not the law are cursed. Nicodemus saith unto them, he that came to Jesus by night being one of them, doth our law judge any man before it hear him, and know what he doeth. Then they answered and said unto him, Art thou also of Galilee?

Search and look, for out of Galilee ariseth no prophet. Now these unbelieving officers, they had no faith whatsoever in the Lord Jesus Christ, yet they were astounded by what they heard. Now keep in mind these men had been around the Pharisees probably several of them for quite a long time. But they had never heard anything out of the mouth of any of the Pharisees like they heard coming from the Lord Jesus Christ, which caused them when they were rebuked by these chief priests and Pharisees for not arresting our Lord. They replied to them, never man spake like this man, not even you guys. And that's the reason we didn't bring him, because we know that this man is not like any other man. that we have ever heard.

Now we also find this word, never, used in relation to the forgiveness of sins over in the book of Hebrews. Hebrews chapter 9, the very last verse. This word is used, this word never, here in relation to the forgiveness of sins. The last verse of Hebrews nine.

So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many and unto them that look for him. Shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation? This is how sins are forgiven, not by the sacrifice or the blood of other animals, but by the sacrifice and blood and the body and the soul of our Lord Jesus Christ. And we go on and read in chapter 10, the first verse, how, or how salvation and forgiveness of sins is not accomplished. We're told that it is not by the sacrifices that were offered on Jewish altered year after year after year, because verse 10 or verse one of chapter 10 says this for the law, having a shadow of good things to come, and not of the very image of the things can never, with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually, make the comers thereunto perfect. Not all the blood of beast on Jewish altar slain could give the guilty conscience peace or wash away the stain. But Christ, the heavenly lamb, takes all our sins away, a sacrifice of nobler name and richer blood than they. And if you look down in verse 11 of Hebrews chapter 10, and every priest stand at daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sin.

But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sin forever, sat down on the right hand of God from henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool for by one offering, He hath perfected forever them that are sanctified. Our sins, which could never be purged away by the millions of beasts slain on Jewish altars, are now forever purged away by the single act of the God-man.

Now, this word never is also used in the Gospels concerning the fate of lost men and women. Turn back over to Matthew chapter 7. Matthew chapter 7. This is our Lord speaking of the end-time judgment. Solemn words. Matthew 7, starting in verse 22. This is our Lord speaking.

He said, Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Thy name? And in Thy name cast out devils? And in Thy name done many wonderful works? and I will profess unto them, I never knew you. Depart from Me, ye that work iniquity."

Look over at Mark chapter 9. Mark chapter 9. Again, this is our Lord Jesus Christ speaking of judgment for the lost, unimaginable horror that awaits men and women outside of Christ. Mark 9, verse 43. Our Lord gives this advice, And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off.

For it is better for thee to enter into life maimed than to having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched. Where the worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. And if thy foot offend thee, the Lord says, cut it off. For it is better for thee to enter halt into life than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched. Where the worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. Horrible suffering that shall never, never end. As long as God exists, there will be fire in hell, never to be extinguished, fed by the furious wrath of an angry God, where men beg to die, to be erased from existence, but never shall be. Another place that we find this word never is in the Gospel of John, chapter 8. The Gospel of John, chapter 8.

Here our Lord is speaking about death. But this time, He's not speaking of the death of the lost. He's speaking of the death of His saints. John 8, verse 51. Our Lord says this, Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death. Then said the Jews unto him, Now we know thou hast a devil. Abraham is dead in the prophets, and thou sayest, If a man keep my saying, he shall never taste of death." These men were blinded to the fact that our Lord was not speaking of physical death. He was talking about the second death.

And our Lord said something similar. Turn over a page or two to John 11. Our Lord said something similar to this to Martha, the sister of Lazarus. In John 11.25, our Lord speaking to her and says this, Jesus saith unto her, I am the resurrection and the life. He that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. And he asked her, believest thou this? And after the Lord did this, he raised his friend Lazarus, who had been dead for four days from the grave.

Now, another place that we find this word never, flip back a few pages, John chapter 4. John chapter 4. Here our Lord is speaking about the complete satisfaction that is found in the gifts of faith and of the Holy Spirit given to His people. He says, but whosoever, in John 4, John 4.14, but whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst. But the water that I shall give unto him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. And over a couple pages to John 6, verse 35, our Lord says much the same thing. John 6, 35, and Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life.

He that cometh to me shall never hunger, and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. These two verses tie in well to what our Savior said in John 6, 54, whosoever eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood hath eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. complete fulfillment of our desire to know our Lord Jesus Christ and to rest in Him as Celestine Ruth sang to see Him face to face. There's a hymn that we know that states this better than I ever could. All my life long I have panted. We know this song. We've heard it sung. Judy, I think, used to sing it a lot.

All my life long I have panted for a draft from some cool spring. that I hoped would quench the burning of the thirst I felt within. Well of water ever springing, bread of life so rich and free, untold wealth that never faileth, my redeemer is to me. Hallelujah, I have found him whom my soul so long hath craved. Jesus satisfied my longings through his blood.

I now am saved. Then in Hebrews 13, verse 5, we find this word never used again, and this is one of the most comforting verses in all of Holy Scripture. Hebrews 13, 5, it says this, Let your conversation be without covetousness, and be content with such things as ye have. For he has said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. This is one, to me, one of the most precious promises found in God's word. I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.

But how can we rejoice in such a promise when we read out through history how that so many saints have been slain in the most horrendous, horrible ways? We can believe it because of this. Our God does not promise that there will not be trials and persecutions. Quite the contrary, God's Word tells us assuredly that all who live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. But in the midst of that persecution, our God is with us.

This is why Paul wrote what he wrote in 2 Corinthians 12, 9 concerning what the Lord told him about his thorn in the flesh. The Lord said, My grace is sufficient for thee, for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly, therefore, Paul said, will I rather glory in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore, Paul wrote, I take pleasure in infirmities. I take pleasure in reproaches. I take pleasure in necessities. I take pleasure in persecutions. In distresses, for Christ's sake, for when I am weak, Then Paul wrote, Am I strong?

And when I read that verse, it brought to mind what John Bunyan, the great Puritan preacher, said about God's comforting presence and grace. Those of you that aren't familiar with the story, Bunyan was pretty much an illiterate tinker in Britain, and yet he was so used to God and learned men such as John Owen, made the statement, I would give up all my learning if I could preach like this man. And Bunyan, because of his preaching, was cast into Bedford prison in England.

He spent 12 years there. There was no welfare, no food stamps. His family went hungry much of the time. And this war on Bunyan's soul. And he could have been released at any time. All he had to do one single thing would stop preaching the gospel. But he refused to do so.

And Bunyan wrote this of God's comforting presence. And I am amazed every time I read this statement, he said, I never had in all my life so great an inlet into the word of God as now in prison. The scriptures that I saw nothing in before are made in this place to shine upon me. Jesus Christ also was never more real and apparent than now. Here I have seen him and felt him indeed. I have seen such things here that I am persuaded I shall never, while in this world, be able to express. Being very tender of me, God hath not suffered me to be molested. but would with one scripture or another strengthen me against all.

Now listen to this statement. In so much that I have often said, were it lawful, I could pray for greater trouble for the greater comfort sake. I don't know about you all, but I had no idea what this man was talking about because I've never suffered this that Bunyan went through. I'd say very few of us have. We've suffered heartbreak, indeed, with the passing of a loved one. We've suffered things in this life, but I've never suffered anything that God's grace was so real to me that I prayed for greater trouble for greater comfort's sake.

But perhaps one of these days we'll know about that. But our God never promises that trials will not come, because most certainly they will. In Isaiah 42 too, he says this, when thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee. Not if you pass through the waters, but when, indicating that it is sure to happen. But in the midst of all that, we have his promise.

I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. What encouraging words to end on. leave thee, nor forsake thee. I'm grateful for the nevers that we find in God's word, those nevers that are ever bit as sure and steadfast as the wills and shalls that we find there as well. May God give us grace to never doubt his nevers. Amen. If the lady will come, we'll sing our closing hymn.

Never

Key Quotes

What does the Bible say about God's promises and the word 'never'?

How do we know that we will never be put to shame?

Why is it important for Christians to understand the concept of 'never' in the Bible?

What does Scripture say about what believers will never experience?

Sermon Transcript

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Never

Key Quotes

What does the Bible say about God's promises and the word 'never'?

How do we know that we will never be put to shame?

Why is it important for Christians to understand the concept of 'never' in the Bible?

What does Scripture say about what believers will never experience?

Sermon Transcript

Comments

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