If You Live Long Enough, You Will Learn Something.
- Terry W. Bailey
- Mar 10
- 4 min read
A Sermon on Growth, Change, and the Unchanging Cross
Introduction: Change Is Inevitable
One thing is sure in life—if you live long enough, you will learn something.
We start with youthful confidence, thinking we know it all. But as we walk through life, we encounter trials, failures, wisdom, and experience that shape us. What we believed at 20 may not be what we thought at 60. And whether we admit it or not, we change.
The question is: Are we changing in the right direction?
Proverbs 4:7 says, "Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding."
Wisdom comes with time, experience, and, most importantly, God's Word. Some accept Christ early and remain faithful, others wander and return, and some never find their way home. But regardless of our journey, the Cross remains unchanged.
Today, I want to discuss three Biblical truths about change: how we grow, how we fall, and how we must return to the one constant in life: Jesus Christ.
1. What You Believe Will Change Over Time
Biblical Example: Peter – From Reckless Zealot to Mature Shepherd
Peter is one of the most significant examples of a man who changed over time.
At first, he was bold and impulsive. He jumped out of the boat to walk on water (Matthew 14:29), cut off a soldier's ear (John 18:10), and swore he'd never deny Jesus (Matthew 26:33).
Then, he fell. He denied Jesus three times (Luke 22:61-62).
Later, he was restored. Jesus called him to "feed my sheep" (John 21:17).
Finally, he became a pillar of the early church, preaching with power (Acts 2).
Peter learned something: His youthful passion wasn't enough. He needed the wisdom that comes from walking with God.
Scripture:
Proverbs 19:20 – "Listen to advice and accept discipline, and at the end, you will be counted among the wise."
Psalm 37:25 – "I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his descendants begging bread."
Illustration: Think about how children see the world. They believe in superheroes and magic and that their parents can fix anything. But as they grow, reality sets in. Maturity teaches them that life is more complex. Spiritually, we also grow—we learn that faith isn't just emotion but endurance.
2. Some People Will Wander, But Not All Will Return
Biblical Example: The Prodigal Son vs. The Rich Young Ruler
The Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32) took his inheritance, wasted it on sinful living, and only returned when he hit rock bottom. But the father welcomed him back with open arms.
The Rich Young Ruler (Mark 10:17-22) had an opportunity to follow Jesus, but he walked away. He wasn't ready to change.
Some people stray and return to God. Others never do. That's the hard truth.
Scripture:
Ecclesiastes 12:1 – "Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them."
Hebrews 3:15 – "Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion."
Illustration: Think of a highway. Some people take detours but eventually return to the main road. Others get lost, refuse to turn around, and never reach their destination. Life is full of choices, and not everyone chooses wisely.
3. The Cross Never Changes—But We Must
Biblical Example: Paul – From Persecutor to Preacher
Paul started as Saul, the persecutor of Christians. He truly believed he was serving God by arresting and killing Christians (Acts 8:3). But on the road to Damascus, Jesus confronted him (Acts 9).
Saul changed. He became Paul.
Paul learned. He realized he was wrong.
Paul grew. He went from murderer to missionary, writing most of the New Testament.
Paul didn't just change his mind. He changed his entire life.
Scripture:
Malachi 3:6 – "For I am the Lord, I change not."
Hebrews 13:8 – "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever."
Illustration: Imagine a lighthouse. The waves crash, the storms rage, and the ships wander—but the lighthouse never moves. Jesus is that lighthouse. We may drift, but He remains our guide.
Conclusion: What Will You Learn Before It's Too Late?
Everyone changes. Everyone learns something. The question is—what will you learn before your time runs out?
Will you be like Peter—learning through failure but returning stronger?
Will you be like the Prodigal Son—who wandered but came home?
Or will you be like the Rich Young Ruler—who walked away from the truth?
Jesus is calling. The time to change is now. Not later. Not "one day." Now.
🚨 Final Scriptures:
2 Corinthians 6:2 – "Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation."
Proverbs 3:5-6 – "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths."
Altar Call: "Lord, I don't want to wait until I'm old to follow You. I don't want to waste years in rebellion only to return with regret. Change me now. Shape me now. Teach me now. In Jesus' name, Amen."
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