"... being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the Word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever." (I Peter 1:23)
"In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed." (Corinthians 15:52)
It is such a blessing being born again. Born not of corruptible seed as one might imagine, but of incorruptible seed -- by the Word of God. This is the Word of the Lord which by the good news gospel is delivered to you. Indeed, it is this same gospel in which the Word of the Lord endures forever.
In Noah's day (as you may recall from the scriptures) people watched, scoffed and mocked the ark that Noah was building. Still, Noah kept on working because he knew that God was in charge. God knew the purpose in building an ark, and Noah trusted God completely. Thus, we see that throughout the 100 years that the ark was under construction, Noah worked while God directed the project.
Meanwhile, the then generation carried on living as if the world (as they knew it) would last forever. They were completely oblivious to the fact that men and women are only one heart beat away from eternity. Considered a different way, we at least recognize that when we are going on a long journey, we will need to allow some time beforehand to pack a suitcase. It is the same scenario in our human life. At the end of our life journey is God. And eternity is eternity. We are on a one way ticket and as such, only we can choose the direction we take.
Still, God remains on the long suffering sideline, being ignored as if this wonderful created intelligent world was created by dumb matter. Rather than understand God's purpose for our lives, men and women are willingly putting God on the back burner. It is no wonder the Lord wept when He realized that even though He shed His precious holy blood so that we could find safety in His ark, we continue in our day to day, as if He doesn't even exist. So was society in Noah's time, very much the same trends we are witnessing today.
But Noah, heeding God’s warning that a catastrophe was imminent was preparing an escape route. Preparing an ark of safety for himself and his family. Looking back historically, we know that the flood did happen -- even though --sadly -- people of that generation refused to recognize the writing on the wall. As instructed by the Lord, Noah loaded the ark with creatures of every size. He rounded up 7 pairs of clean animals, 1 pair of unclean animals and he put them on board along with his family. His family consisted of eight persons. When everyone was on board, God closed the ark door. Let me say that again. God closed the door of the ark and not Noah.
Still, the rain started, and rain it did. In fact, it rained so much that all earth and the life therein was destroyed. Indeed, for forty days and forty nights it rained.
"By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith." (Hebrews 11:7)
The point worth noting here is this. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. The scripture saith that the ark is Jesus, and the door or entrance into the ark is accomplished when our very being is buried or baptized into His death. When we are buried/baptized under the water, our old sinful past life is drowned. When we arise out of the water, we are resurrected into a new life. For when we are resurrected with Him, not only are we resurrected, but we arise totally justified from all our sins. (Romans 6:3-4; I Peter 3:20-21; Acts 2:36-38)
Further, water baptism is similar to the time when the children of Israel in the old covenant crossed the Red Sea. It is said that in so doing, they were baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea. (I Corinthians 10:1-4) Reaching the other river bank in safety, while the Egyptians endeavouring to do the same all drowned in the water. It is evident that they were not in the ark of safety.
As apostle Paul writes, "Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; and were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; and did all eat the same spiritual meat; and did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ." (I Corinthians 10:1-4)
Today, believers are still baptized into the death of Jesus. He is the covenant of promise, the ark of safety wherein believers are saved by God. Not because they were deserving of salvation and neither was it because that they had cleaned up their fleshly conduct. Rather, it was because they reverently feared and believed that God had prepared an ark of safety for them too.
As believers then, their faith was expressed by their baptism into the death of Jesus, the only begotten Son of the Holy Ghost. Again, the ark of safety. These believers simply put their lives into the hands of a faithful, loving Saviour. They trusted in Him as young children believe and trust in their parents. By faith ...
Additionally, when the believers were baptized, they knew in whom they had faith, and as a consequence, they were not baptized in any other Name. They were not baptized into Peter, Paul or the name of another. Their salvation was secure in the name of JESUS. (Acts 2:36-41) As such, they passed from the old covenant of death and entered into the grace of God - and into an abundant life. You also can come and be baptized in the name of Jesus too.
Why? Because He will wash away your sins. He will make you anew. He will sanctify you in His precious blood. He will sanctify you through His Word. Thy Word is truth. (John 17:17)
Therefore, do not delay another day, for today is the day of salvation. Call on His name - the Name of JESUS so that you also can become a recipient of God's grace. As Peter standing with the eleven said, "Herefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ."
It is such a blessing being born again. Born not of corruptible seed as one might imagine, but of incorruptible seed -- by the Word of God. This is the Word of the Lord which by the good news gospel is delivered to you. Indeed, it is this same gospel in which the Word of the Lord endures forever.
In Noah's day (as you may recall from the scriptures) people watched, scoffed and mocked the ark that Noah was building. Still, Noah kept on working because he knew that God was in charge. God knew the purpose in building an ark, and Noah trusted God completely. Thus, we see that throughout the 100 years that the ark was under construction, Noah worked while God directed the project.
Meanwhile, the then generation carried on living as if the world (as they knew it) would last forever. They were completely oblivious to the fact that men and women are only one heart beat away from eternity. Considered a different way, we at least recognize that when we are going on a long journey, we will need to allow some time beforehand to pack a suitcase. It is the same scenario in our human life. At the end of our life journey is God. And eternity is eternity. We are on a one way ticket and as such, only we can choose the direction we take.
Still, God remains on the long suffering sideline, being ignored as if this wonderful created intelligent world was created by dumb matter. Rather than understand God's purpose for our lives, men and women are willingly putting God on the back burner. It is no wonder the Lord wept when He realized that even though He shed His precious holy blood so that we could find safety in His ark, we continue in our day to day, as if He doesn't even exist. So was society in Noah's time, very much the same trends we are witnessing today.
But Noah, heeding God’s warning that a catastrophe was imminent was preparing an escape route. Preparing an ark of safety for himself and his family. Looking back historically, we know that the flood did happen -- even though --sadly -- people of that generation refused to recognize the writing on the wall. As instructed by the Lord, Noah loaded the ark with creatures of every size. He rounded up 7 pairs of clean animals, 1 pair of unclean animals and he put them on board along with his family. His family consisted of eight persons. When everyone was on board, God closed the ark door. Let me say that again. God closed the door of the ark and not Noah.
Still, the rain started, and rain it did. In fact, it rained so much that all earth and the life therein was destroyed. Indeed, for forty days and forty nights it rained.
"By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith." (Hebrews 11:7)
The point worth noting here is this. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. The scripture saith that the ark is Jesus, and the door or entrance into the ark is accomplished when our very being is buried or baptized into His death. When we are buried/baptized under the water, our old sinful past life is drowned. When we arise out of the water, we are resurrected into a new life. For when we are resurrected with Him, not only are we resurrected, but we arise totally justified from all our sins. (Romans 6:3-4; I Peter 3:20-21; Acts 2:36-38)
Further, water baptism is similar to the time when the children of Israel in the old covenant crossed the Red Sea. It is said that in so doing, they were baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea. (I Corinthians 10:1-4) Reaching the other river bank in safety, while the Egyptians endeavouring to do the same all drowned in the water. It is evident that they were not in the ark of safety.
As apostle Paul writes, "Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; and were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; and did all eat the same spiritual meat; and did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ." (I Corinthians 10:1-4)
Today, believers are still baptized into the death of Jesus. He is the covenant of promise, the ark of safety wherein believers are saved by God. Not because they were deserving of salvation and neither was it because that they had cleaned up their fleshly conduct. Rather, it was because they reverently feared and believed that God had prepared an ark of safety for them too.
As believers then, their faith was expressed by their baptism into the death of Jesus, the only begotten Son of the Holy Ghost. Again, the ark of safety. These believers simply put their lives into the hands of a faithful, loving Saviour. They trusted in Him as young children believe and trust in their parents. By faith ...
Additionally, when the believers were baptized, they knew in whom they had faith, and as a consequence, they were not baptized in any other Name. They were not baptized into Peter, Paul or the name of another. Their salvation was secure in the name of JESUS. (Acts 2:36-41) As such, they passed from the old covenant of death and entered into the grace of God - and into an abundant life. You also can come and be baptized in the name of Jesus too.
Why? Because He will wash away your sins. He will make you anew. He will sanctify you in His precious blood. He will sanctify you through His Word. Thy Word is truth. (John 17:17)
Therefore, do not delay another day, for today is the day of salvation. Call on His name - the Name of JESUS so that you also can become a recipient of God's grace. As Peter standing with the eleven said, "Herefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ."
Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?" Then Peter said unto them, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the Name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call." And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, "Save yourselves from this untoward generation." Then they that gladly received His Word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
Peace to all who are in Jesus. Stand in the offering plate.
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