As we get into these Biblical truths I’d like to first have you see something that we put very little thought into that we actually see in the New Testament. I’ll use this verse of scripture to make my spiritual point.

( Mark 4:39 )

AND HE AROSE, AND REBUKED THE WIND, AND SAID UNTO THE SEA, PEACE, BE STILL. AND THE WIND CEASED, AND THERE WAS A GREAT CALM.

As we look at this verse of scripture we see a ship on the see, the disciples were with Christ on that ship. The ship was in turmoil because of the unsettled sea. While Jesus was asleep and at perfect peace, his diciples were afraid and feared for their life. In the New Testament the sea is often used as a picture of the world and, it shows just how unettled the world is. If you go down to the ocean or, sea you will notice that the waters are never settled, they are always troubled. That is exactly the way we see this world spiritually and often even physically. The reason for that is that the very person that can bring peace to this world is for the most part rejected by this world.

I love speaking or touching thr hearts of individuals, just like you. No matter where you are in this world, just look around for youself at the vastness of people that you see. Personally, I love the game of football. I often watch both college and professional just for the sport of it. As I watch, I see the stadiums packed with people; which is just a small part of all the people even in that city or state. I notice that. although that staium is fillied with people only twenty two people are actually playing football. Every other person is basically just a spectator; doing no more that watching as the game moves foward.

As we consider the ship, Jesus and his disciples were on; it can be seen as ( the Church ) in a very troubled world. My desire is to get more people i ( in the game ) of heving children born ( born again ) as members of the true Church and leaving the cares and troubles of this world.

There is a massive amout of people in this world, all confused, troubled and wondering basically without the peace that can be gain by simply knowing Jesus Christ as their personal ( individual ) savoir. With that being stated, let’s now look back at Noah’s day and make some points that many might miss.

So, let’s start this with the children born to Adam and Eve. You can go and read in ( Genesis ) , the first few chapters to see what I’m saying. The first child that was born to this couple was a child named ( Cain ). The second born was ( Abel ). Cain, being the first born killed ( Abel ) the second born.

Now, we’ll stop here a minute and make another point. Both, Adam and Eve had sinned in the garden. If you remember, God had told them that it they ate of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil ( they would surely die ). The moment they ate of that fruit ( spiritually they died ). We’re actually the very same way. As we grow from birth, we also gain knowledge. At some point we gain the knowledge of right and wrong and, we often choose wrong. However, the point is that once we reach that point, we then must make a choice; just as they did.

As you read, you will see that God came down and killed an animal to make a covering for Adam and Eve. They excepted that covering as a covering for their sin but, they could no longer stay in that perfect garden. Now, they had to leave and work by the sweat of their brow. They were now ( sin Cursed ).

This is when Eve began to have children. Her first ( Cain ) her second ( Abel ). As these boys grew, they made a choice. God was pleased with Abel but not Cain. The fact the ( the first born ) killed the ( second born ) is a picture of our lives and, our flesh overtaken ( God’s will ) in our lives to live for him. In the case of what we see with Adam and Eve, the picture is that now Adam and Eve are left with only a son that is seeking to please himself. He has no desire to walk with God.

Now, let’s read another verse of scripture.

( Genesis 4:25 )

AND ADAM KNEW HIS WIFE AGAIN; AND SHE BARE A SON, AND CALLED HIS NAME SETH: FOR GOD, SHE SAID, HATH APPOINTED ME ANOTHER SEED INSTEAD OF ABEL, WHOM CAIN SLEW.

Here, we see the heart of Eve! Before we move foward from this verse of scripture; we need to consider something. If you will notice, Eve made this statement and not Adam. In every marriage, the man, the husband has his responsibilities. Because of his responsibilities he is not always around but the mother, the wife is there to instruct the children. She is there daily because that is her ,shall we say, ( sole ) ( soul ) responsibility. In the concept of God’s word, the man is the bread winner of the home. He has his part in child birth but, he works in the field, he goes out sometimes maybe for days. In this concept he shares with his wife, his desires and she carries them out within the home.

We see that picture in Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ had a responsiblity in every person’s salvation. He performed his duties very well, perfectly! However, where is he now? Hasn’t he ( gone to prepare a place for us )? At this time, isn’t the responsibility to teach, to raise the ( children born ) within the Church left to his wife ( the Church )? So, we see that Eve was very concerned about the spiritual aspect of her children and, the things that were being told them concerning to knowledge of sin, good and evil needed a voice, a voice like the voice of Abel that Cain had killed. She seen that voice in ( Seth ).

As soon as we leave the verse we qouted: ( Genesis 4:25 ), look at the very next verse:

( Genesis 4:26 )

AND TO SETH, TO HIM ALSO THERE WAS BORN A SON, AND HE CALLED HIS NAME ENOS: THEN BEGAN MEN TO CALL UPON THE NAME OF THE LORD.

We often look at the fact that we only see ( sons ) mentioned in the life of Adam and Eve and, we also seem to only see a short period of time such as; ten or fifteen years but; look at these verses:

( Genesis 5:4-5 )

AND THE DAYS OF ADAM AFTER HE HE HAS BEGOTTEN SETH WERE EIGHT HUNDRED YEARS: AND HE BEGAT SONS AND DAUGHTERS. ( 5 ) AND ALL THE DAYS OF THAT ADAM LIVED WERE NINE HUNDRED AND THIRTY YEARS: AND HE DIED.

Do you see there that Adam was ( one hundred and thirty years old when Seth was born. How many sons and daughters were born to him in that ( one hundred and thirty years )? When we consider what is being said in: ( Genesis 4:26 ) ( then began men to call upon the name of the Lord ), can’t it be assumed that nothing spiritual was being taught or sought from the descentants of Adam and Eve or any of their other Children? We also know and, can follow the spiritual trail of people from the man called ( Enos ) the first born of ( Seth ).

In comparison; looking at the phrase ( then began men to call upon the name of the Lord ), we, as people today actually don’t call on the name of the Lord until we have the ( new birth ), until we are ( born again ). You see, although Cain had heard about the grace departed from God to both Adam and Eve, he didn’t encourage any of that teaching. If I use myself as an axample, I, as a child was taught the scriptures as in my mom took me to Church. However, nothing in my life reflected Jesus Christ until I was born again in 1975.

It appears; when we see the birth of ( Seth ) that Eve was asking God for a child that would teach his Children to value of a walk with God and, refraining from sin. If you will notice in ( Genesis 4 ) we see the descendants of Cain. All through that list of names we see people that done things that were part of this world. However, it is nothing mentioned about even speaking tha Lord’s name. As we get into ( Genesis 5 ), we see the descendants of ( Seth ). We see where each of these men had sons and daughters but, their journey through time brings us to a man called ( Noah ). In ( Genesis 6:8 ) it says this:

BUT NOAH FOUND GRACE IN THE EYES OF THE LORD.

If we go back a little and look in ( Genesis 5 ) we see something that ( I believe ) is worth mentioning.

( Genesis 5:24 )

AND ENOCH WALKED WITH GOD: AND HE WAS NOT; FOR GOD TOOK HIM.

I’d like to build something here on this verse. As I’ve stated, we’re looking at the ( God line ) as we move through time. These people are all descendants of ( Seth ) As we consider this, I realize that as these people walked and became witnesses of ( the grace of God ) it’s very possible that some of the descendants of Cain also became believers. According to scripture we know that they mingled together, they were all family. Look at this verse:

( Genesis 6:1-2 )

AND IT CAME TO PASS, WHEN MEN BEGAN TO MULTIPLY ON THE FACE OF THE EARTH, AND DAUGHTERS WE BORN UNTO THEM, ( 2 ) THAT THE SONS OF GOD SAW THE DAUGHTERS OF MEN THAT THEY WERE FAIR; AND THEY TOOK THEM WIVES OF ALL WHICH THEY CHOSE.

To put it as simple as I know how; as time moved foward the desires of the flesh began to overwhelm the very men that were suppose to be teaching the ( grace of God ). In other words, instead of the spirit of God in man winning over the people of this world, the people of this world were winning over the people of God.

I mentioned ( Enoch ) and the fact he walked with God and, he was not because God took him. Now, let’s look at the man that is mentioned being born to ( Enoch ). His name is ( Methuselah ). This man live longer than any other man. If you will look in ( verse 27 ) it says this:

AND ALL THE DAYS OF METHUSELAH WERE NINE HUNDRED SIXTY AND NINE YEARS: AND HE DIED.

I’d like to point something out here. Let’s run the numbers! In ( Verse 26 ) AND METHUSELAH LIVED AFTER HE BEGAT LAMECH SEVEN HUNDRED EIGHTY AND TWO YEARS. Now, look in verse ( verse 31 ) AND ALL THE DAYS OF LAMECH WERE SEVEN HUNDRED SEVENTY AND SEVEN YEARS. ( 777 )!

Therefore, Methuselah lived five years after his son died. I’d like to make this point here. I like Biblical numerics. In scripture the number ( 7 ) is the number of perfection, spiritual completion. The number ( 5 ) is Grace. We see those two facts represented in these to men ( father and son ). Now, let’s build a spiritual picture here. We see that ( Lemech ) ( was not ) because ( God took Him )! As I seek to build this I pray you can see ( Jesus Christ ) in the picture.

God the Father came to this world in the fleshly body of his son, Jesus Christ. He lived a perfect life, was crucified, dead and buried. On the third day he arose from the dead. Jesus Christ made this statement:

( John 10:17-18 )

THEREFORE DOTH MY FATHER LOVE ME, BECAUSE I LAY DOWN MY LIFE , THAT I MIGHT TAKE IT UP AGAIN. ( 18 )NO MAN TAKETH IT FROM ME, BUT I LAY IT DOWN MYSELF. I HAVE POWER TO LAY IT DOWN, AND I HAVE POWER TO TAKE IT AGAIN. THIS COMMANDMENT HAVE I RECEIVED OFMY FATHER.

Let’s see one more verse:

( Acts 1:9 )

AND WHEN HE HAD SPOKEN THESE THINGS, WHILE THEY BEHELD, HE WAS TAKEN UP; AND A CLOUD RECEIVED HIM OUT OF THEIR SIGHT.

I see see this same picture in the scripture concerning ( Lemech ). Also, the fact that ( Methuselah ) lived longer than any man and, longer than his son makes him a type of the ( Holt Spirit ) that Jesus Christ sent on the ( Day of Pentecost ). We can say this: when ( Methuselah ) died, the flood of Noah happened. I like to refer to ( Jesus Christ ) as the ( Ark of Salvation ). When the Church is raptured out of this world, the Holy Spirit will go with it! That happens just before the ( Tribulation ) upon this earth!

From the birth of ( Seth ) to the ( Flood of Noah ) I’ll say was somewhere around two thousand years. As those years past the Spirit of God was less and less appealing to mankind. Man became more and more interested in the things of this world and, much less interested in the things of God. That is what God’s word says! Look at these verses:

( Genesis 6:5-6 )

AND GOD SAW THAT THE WICKNESS OF MAN WAS GREAT IN THE EARTH, AND THAT EVERY IMAGINATION OF THE THOUGHTS OF HIS HEART WAS EVIL CONTINUALLY. ( 6 ) AND IT REPENTED THE LORD THAT HE HAD MADE MAN ON THE EARTH, AND IT GRIEVED HIM IN HIS HEART. ( 7 ) AND THE LORD SAID, I WILL DESTROY MAN WHOM I HAVE CREATED FROM THE FACE OF THE EARTH; BOTH MAN, AND BEAST, AND THE CREEPING THING, AND THE FOWLS OF THE AIR; FOR IT REPENTETH ME THAT I HAVE MADE THEM.

Now, look at the very next verse:

( Genesis 6:6 )

BUT NOAH FOUND GRACE IN THE EYES OF THE LORD.

We can say a lot about how God instructed Noah in ( Genesis 6 ). However, the point is that even as Noan built the Ark over the next one hundred and twenty years; no one, not one other person joined him other than the members of his family. I’d like for you to consider this. For all those years, not one child was born to either of Noah’s sons and their wives. What spiritual point can me made about that very point?

Let’s see if I can make the spiritual point I’d like to make here. So of this is mere speculation but, I’m looking at it from the things I see today. Personally, ( I believe ) that In the beginning ( seth ) and his descendants truly carried the same grace to the people that Adam and Eve shared with him as a child. If you remember ( Cain ) was a vagabond, he was cast out therefore, the majority of the people as the world grew was always around ( the mindset ) of Seth. However, as time moved forward even those people began to allow other mindsets to creep in and, control their lives. Remember the phrase ( sons of God and, the daughters of men )?

So, what happens to the children of many spiritual people? Let’s consider something else here. Where all three of Noah’s sons spiritual or, where they simply following their father? Again, ( I believe ) that there were possibly many other ( religious mindsets ) in the days of Noah and, many people looked at Noah and his family as ( spiritual quacks ). The ( grace ) that Seth preached in the beginning had been so changed that the people, if they believed at all were confident in what they believed. Look at this verse:

( Matthew 24:38-39 )

FOR AS IN THE DAYS THAT WERE BEFORE THE FLOOD THEY WERE EATING AND DRINKING, MARRYING AND GIVING IN MARRIAGE, UNTIL THE DAY THAT NOE ENTERED THE ARK, ( 39 ) AND KNEW NOT UNTIL THE FLOOD CAME, AND TOOK THEM ALL AWAY; SO SHALL ALSO THE COMING OF THE SON OF MAN BE.

Deception my friends is a terrible thing! Do you realize that the same ( Serpent ) that deceived Eve was still walking the earth in these days and, is still here now? I spoke of even Noah’s sons that entered the Ark. I’d like to make a point about even them.

A true belief, a real exceptance of God’s Grace is a very transforming event in any person’s life. Let’s look at a Church today that actually stands and preaches God’s infallible word with power and conviction. Let’s also say a man and his wife truly are born again and become members of this Church. They have children and the couple raise their children in this Church. Their children, in time join this Church and, are even baptized but they never truly have the heart felt conviction of their sin, never truly understand the ( grace of God ). Although they are members of a very powerful, spiritual filled Church, don’t they still, as individuals have to die and stand before God?

Don’t we see the same thing with Noah’s sons? When the Ark settles back to earth, you notice the sons of Noah! If you will notice in ( Genesis 11 ) we begin to follow the descendants of Shem. We see in ( Genesis 12 ) one of those descendants is ( Abram ).If you will notice, the sons of Noah, right after the flood begin to do just as they chose to do. I’m not even saying Noah was perfect, he wasn’t but, he believed and followed the Grace of God. In essence, we see the very same picture with the sons of Noah as we did with the sons of Adam.

I simply point all this out to show you that in every case, as we move foward in time; the spirit of God becomes less and less important to the average man. I showed you a while back about Lamech, Methuselah and Noah, how I see them relating to Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit and the Church.

Jesus Christ had his responsibility as far as the birth and building of the Church. He carried out his responsibility to perfection. He also made a promise. Let’s read it in:

( John 14:15-21 )

IF YE LOVE ME, KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS. ( 16 ) AND I WILL PRAY THE FATHER, AND HE SHALL GIVE YOU ANOTHER COMFORTER, THAT HE MAY ABIDE WITH YOU FOR EVER; ( 17 ) EVEN THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH; WHOM THE WORLD CANNOT RECEIVE, BECAUSE IT SEETH HIM HIM NOT, NEITHER KNOWETH HIM: BUT YE KNOW HIM; FOR HE DWELLETH WITH YOU, AND SHALL BE IN YOU. ( 18 ) I WILL NOT LEAVE YOU COMFORTLESS: I WILL COME TO YOU. ( 19 ) YET A LITTLE WHILE, AND THE WORLD SEETH ME NO MORE; BUT YE SEE ME: BECAUSE I LIVE, YE SHALL LIVE ALSO. ( 20 ) AT THAT DAY YE SHALL KNOW THAT I AM IN MY FATHER, AND YE IN ME, AND I IN YOU. ( 21 ) HE THAT HATH MY COMMANDMENTS, AND KEEPETH THEM, HE IT IS THAT LOVETH ME: AND HE THAT LOVETH ME SHALL BE LOVED OF MY FATHER, AND I WILL LOVE HIM, AND WILL MAGIFEST MYSELF TO HIM.

As we look at these verses I want you to see something else. Let’s look in:

( John 21:4 )

BUT WHEN THE MORNING WAS NOW COME, JESUS STOOD ON THE SHORE, BUT THE DISCIPLES KNEW NOT THAT IT WAS JESUS.

As you read this verse of scripture and, you can read and study more if you please; I want you to know that this same Jesus had just a short time before stood and talked to his disciples. If you remember Thomas didn’t believe but, at this time he said ( my Lord and my God )!. Now, to their credit; they are without the spirit of God at that time and, very weak in the flesh. But, my point is that any person has to have a desire to know and see Christ. That is even if you are born again.

When the Holy Spirit, the conforter that Jesus Christ had promised fell in ( Acts 2 ) those people were very eager to see and know Jesus Christ, they looked for him in everything, they listen to hear what was being said. They yearned for his return and, looked for him daily.

I’m writing a study through the ( Book of Acts ). In the last part, the last lesson I wrote; I made the point that we must be sensitive to the Spirit of God as he speaks. It’s very easy for man to build and create doctrines that are void of God’s Spirit. We see that, if we look in the very early chapters of Acts. Even in those days Satan was hard at work seeking to deceive the people.

The creation of the Church was a new beginning. Just like the life of ( Seth ) and, the days right after the flood. As you consider or, even if you could have been living in the days of the early Church, to whom would you have followed? As each day passed do you think you could single out the voice of the Spirit of God and, at the proper time, be a follower of the very person you were instructed to by God’s Spirit? That is a completely different study. However, my point is that now, some two thousand years later, are we not faced with the very same challenges that they faced then?

Look at all the denominations we have! All the religions that speak of Jesus Christ! Even all the different versions of what men call ( the Bible ). Aren’t we faced with the very same senerio that the people that didn’t board the Ark did in that day? ( What is truth )? Can we say for a fact today that ( the truth ) was that if you didn’t get on board the Ark, you would perish? Is that not recognized truth?

( I believe ) we have a problem! So, let’s consider! Jesus Christ is the ( ARK OF SALVATION ), period! Look at this:

( John 14:5-7 )

THOMAS SAITH UNTO HIM, LORD, WE KNOW NOT WHITHER THOU GOEST; AND HOW CAN WE KNOW THE WAY? ( 6 ) JESUS SAITH UNTO HIM. I AM THE WAY, THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE: NO MAN COMETH UNTO THE FATHER , BUT BY ME. ( 7 ) IF YE HAD KNOWN ME, YE SHOULD HAVE KNOWN MY FATHER ALSO: AND FROM HENCEFORTH YE KNOW HIM, AND HAVE SEEN HIM.

I’ll begin this by saying, I say firmly on those verses, I believe that Jesus Christ is the only way that any person will ever see the Father. ( There is no other name, given under heaven whereby you must be saved.

( Acts 4:12 )

NEITHER IS THERE SALVATION IN ANY OTHER: FOR THERE IS NONE OTHER NAME UNDER HEAVEN GIVEN AMONG MEN, WHEREBY WE MUST BE SAVED.

I’d say that almost any Church you walk in, any denomination and, you can ask any person in any of those places if they believe this and, they will say ( YES ). So, where is the problem? If all those people believe this, does that make them saved? In these last days, this is where ( I believe ) that Satn has driven his wedge of deception or, woven his web of deciet!

While this is a true satatement and, a statement that has to be understood, what else has to happen? Is there anything else? When does ( believing ) actually become ( believing )? I heard a story once about a hiker that had fallen off of a very steep ledge. When he fell, he caught hold of a little tree that had grown off the side of the ledge, he was holding on for dear life. If it broke or, he let go, it was certain death! He had no one to help him so, he begin to pray. All of a sudden Jesus appeared just standing in mid air. When the hiker saw him, he begged him for his help, please Jesus , help me. Jesus Said, do you really believe I can save you? he hiker cried, yes Lord! Jesus said, turn loose the little tree! However, the hiker just kept clinging to the little tree and pleading for Jesus to save him, not being obedient to our Lord.

( I believe ) the true concept of ( being born again ) is not being taught and most Church people have no idea of that very concept! If you will notice the last few words in ( Acts 4:12 ) what does it say? ( WHEREBT YE MUST BE SAVED )!

Look at one more verse:

( John 3:7 )

MARVEL NOT THAT I SAID UNTO THEE, YE MUST BE BORN AGAIN.

In Christ; everything that is needed for your salvation is right there in his name! He is ( God in Flesh )! He became our sacrifice. There is none other but him! Jesus Christ is the very door of the ( Ark of Salvation )! In him do we have safety from the very wrath of God the Father! So, what does it take to be born again?

What did it take to be born the first time? Over the years this subject has been one that I’ve sought to explain, to give people a perspective about what salvation is. In reality,; when you were born the first time, a union was made between two individuals, male and female. When that union was made, a completely seperate individual was formed. While that individual showed characteristics of both; the male and female she or he was formed from, it was still a completely different being.

When you were born the first time, both the male and the female knew of the possibility of new life being form from their union. All these points are still very relative to the born again experience. I believe we could argue it even takes three to bring about the born again experience. Why would I say that? I realize the actually the only two that is truly needed is you, as an individual and the Holy Spirit of God. However, I’d like to show you a few verses. First:

( Acts 8:31 )

AND HE SAID, HOW CAN I, EXCEPT SOME MAN SHOULD GUIDE ME? AND HE DESIRED PHILIP THAT HE WOULD COME UP AND SIT WITH HIM.

We can say a lot about this scripture! First of all, at that time it was no New Testament. This Ethiopian man was sitting in his chariot reading ( Esaias ) the prophet. He realized that he, on his own could not understand what he was reading He looked at Philip and said basically; ( how can I understand it unless some man teach me ).

Now,, let’s look in :

( Romans 10:13-15 )

FOE WHOSOEVER SHALL CALL UPON THE NAME OF THE LORD SHALL BE SAVED. ( 14 ) HOW THEN SHALL THEY CALL ON HIM IN WHOM THEY HAVE NOT BELIEVED? AND HOW SHALL THEY BELIEVE IN HIM OF WHOM THEY HAVE NOT HEARD? AND HOW SHALL THEY HEAR WITHOUT A PREACHER? ( 15 ) AND HOW SHALL THEY PREACH, EXCEPT THEY BE SENT? AS IT IS WRITTEN, HOW BEAUTHIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THEM THAT PREACH THE GOSPEL OF PEACE, AND BRING GLAD TIDINGS OF GOOD THINGS!

As we consider the first verse, we see that the ( Spirit ) led Philip to join the chariot.

( Acts 8:29 )

THEN THE SPIRIT SAID UNTO PHILIP, GO NEAR, AND JOIN THYSELF TO THIS CHARIOT.

As it relates to the ( born again experience ) it takes a person willing to hear, to receive! As we consider ( a preacher ); consider this. That person, such as Philip actually has not one thing to do with the salvation of a soul. The ( preacher ) is a man that is ( sold out ) to the very cause of Christ, nothing else. In other words, the things he says has nothing to do with his opinion, the Church he is affiliated with, his preferense of scripture, the desires of any other people. His complete will is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and Him crucified. Therefore, we can forget about the ( third person ) can’t we? It is completely a union made between the Spirit of God and (you ) as an individual.

Now, just how far can we take this teaching of the born again experience? What if we forget about you to begin with? Why do I say that? Because as a sinner you’re dead, you are walking around ( dead ). You just simply can’t see it! You don’t even have the ability to help yourself, even if you desire to. Let me say something here that ( I believe ). It’s a terrible thing to be deceived by a husband, a wife, a friend, a Church member, a pastor and so on. But, the worst thing that can ever happen is for you to deceive your own self. For you to reach the place in your life that you cannot hear truth; no matter where it comes from is a terrible place to be!

So, we must start with finding out the responsibility of the ( Holy Spirit of God ). What is his part in your salvation, your ( born again ) experience? Let’s look at:

( John 16:7-14 )

NEVERTHELESS I TELL YOU THE TRUTH; IT IS EXPEDIENT FOR YOU THAT I GO AWAY: FOR IF I GO NOT AWAY, THE COMFORTER WILL NOT COME UNTO YOU, BUT IF I DEPART, I WILL SEND HIM UNTO YOU. ( 8 ) AND WHEN HE IS COME, HE WILL REPROVE THE WORLD OF SIN, AND OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, AND OF JUDGMENT: ( 9 ) OF SIN, BECAUSE THEY BELIEVE NOT ON ME; ( 10 ) OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, BECAUSE I GO UNTO MY FATHER, AND YE SEE ME NO MORE; ( 11 ) OF JUDGMENT, BECAUSE THE PRINCE OF THIS WORLD IS JUDGED. ( 12 ) I HAVE MANY THINGS TO SAY UNTO YOU, BUT YE CANNOT BEAR THEM NOW. ( 13 ) HOWBEIT WHEN HE, THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH, IS COME, HE WILL GUIDE YOU INTO ALL TRUTH: FOR HE SHALL NOT SPEAK OF HIMSELF; BUT WHAT SOEVER HE SHALL; THAT SHALL HE SPEAK: AND HE WILL SHEW YOU THINGS TO COME. ( 14 ) HE SHALL GLORIFY ME: FOR HE SHALL RECEIVE OF MINE, AND SHALL SHEW IT UNTO YOU.

This is what Jesus Christ said about the ( comforter ) ( the Spirit ) he would send when he left. I want you to notice the words ( UNTO YOU ). That comforter, that Spirit lives within the heart of the believer, those that are born again. Although he lives within the heart of every believer, God calls some special people to do the work here on this earth. While all born again believers can be a witness of the transformation in their lives and, should be, just as we seen in ( Romans 10 ) God uses people for specific duties. Look at this this:

( Ephesians 4:11-13 )

AND HE GAVE SOME, APOSTLES; AND SOME, PROPHETS; AND SOME, EVANGELISTS; AND SOME, PASTORS AND TEACHERS; ( 12 ) FOR THE PERFECTING OF THE SAINTS, FOR THE WORK OF THE MINISTRY, FOR THE EDIFYING OF THE BODY OF CHRIST: ( 13 ) TILL WE ALL COME IN THE UNITY OF THE FAITH, AND OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE SON OF GOD, UNTO A PERFECT MAN, UNTO THE MEASURE OF THE STATURE OF THE FULNESS OF CHRIST.

As you consider the list of the different types of people that God calls for the work of the ministry, consider the tremendous responsibility that goes with each of those things. The whole article is seeking to compare the days to which we live to the days just before the rains came after Noah had finished the Ark. As I look at this list; this verse of scripture comes to mind.

( Acts 9:15 )

BUT THE LORD SAID UNTO HIM, GO THY WAY: FOR HE IS A CHOSEN VESSEL UNTO ME, TO BEAR MY NAME BEFORE THE GENTILES, AND KINGS, AND THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL ( 16 ) FOR I WILL SHEW HIM HOW GREAT THINGS HE MUST SUFFER FOR MY NAME’S SAKE.

The Apostle Paul was a ( chosen vessel ). Now, I want you to notice something about men that consider themselves to be ( called ) into the gospel ministry today.

( 1 Timothy 3:1 )

THIS IS A TRUE SAYING, IF ANY MAN DESIRE THE OFFICE OF A BISHOP, HE DESIRETH A GOOD WORK.

Did you notice the word ( desire ) there? As I consider this; I often wonder why, the reason many people today get into the ministry. We see that, according to what God himself revealed to Ananias about the man that soon became ( the Apostle Paul ) that it can involve great suffering. If any man says he desires the office of a bishop, meaning to do a work for our Lord, just consider the tremendous responsibilty he has just taken on!

Just by way of a personal thought about myself, I noticed this about myself when I pastored a Church. Just like any other Church, each service would begin with singing, praying, offering and anouncements and so on. When I would take the pulpit, I’d read my scripture, then I would pray. Almost everytime right after that prayer, I noticed it would be ( a pause ) between the last word of that prayer and the word ( Amen ). By the way, someone else pointed that fact out to me one day. As I thought about it, I realized that at that moment, it had to cease to be me and I must allow my God to be the one speaking now! There is no exceptions! Either a man that says he is called by God is giong to allow God to speak through him to the best of his ability or, he is a fraud, a false teacher!

( I believe ) we have reached the time in, what we call ( the Church age ) that we’ve made the preaching of God’s word ( a science ) rather than actually allowing God to speak through the men behind the pulpit. Men now go to school to learn the ( how to’s ) of being a pastor or to preach. How to dress, how to speak. the right terms and words to use. Also, what to say and, what not to say.

I wonder if the same things were happening just before the flood? Was there a science that had been developed? Did the true ( truth ) as spoken by Noah become a laughing point in most circles, just as what is actually needed to be ( born again ) today has become? Today, if a man actually looks out at his concregation and calls them ( hell deserving sinners ) tells them that ( without the shed blood of Jesus Christ ) they have no hope, in most cases he is asked to leave!.

I need to get back to the thought about truly being born again! What happens is that when a man that is truly called by God, allowing God’s Spirit, the Spirit that lives within him to ( speak ) He is injecting the ( truth ) as reveal by the Holy Spirit of God straight into the heart of a ( hell deserving sinner ). To make a point; in the average Church service today; a person can go, hear the message the pastor preaches, get up, go home and watch television as if they haven’t even been to Church.I want you to know that when a sinner, being any person, even if they are born again hears the word of God preached with the power of the Holy Spirit present, that spirit shines light on the sin we are guilty of and, we cannot shake it! When we leave Church, that Holy Ghost conviction leaves within our hearts.

It takes scripture to prove points! Look at this:

Hebrews 6:4-6 )

FOR IT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR THOSE WHO WERE ONCE ENLIGHTENED, AND HAVE TASTED OF THE HEAVENLY GIFT, AND WERE MADE PARTAKERS OF THE HOLY GHOST, ( 5 ) AND HAVE TASTED THE GOOD WORD OF GOD, AND THE POWERS OF THE WORLD TO COME, ( 6 ) IF THEY SHALL FALL AWAY, TO RENEW THEM AGAIN UNTO REPENTANCE; SEEING THEY CRUCIFY TO THEMSELVES THE SON OF GOD AFRESH, AND PUT HIM TO AN OPEN SHAME.

Here in these verses he makes my point. There is nothing on the face of this earth that is more powerful than the Holy Spirit! When a sinner walks into a Church, that Church being ( filled with the Holy Spirit ), sees the power of God, sits in that service, hears God’s word preached with the power of the Holy Ghost, feels the convicting power of that spirit upon his or her heart then, that sinner cannot deny that it happened. He might deny it before men but, when he stands before God, God knows the truth!.

I want you to understand; I didn’t live in the days just before the flood therefore all I might say about is only supplication, I can’t prove a word of it. However, at that time; Satan was alive and well just as he is today! ( I believe ) that men had devised their own methods of reaching that place we might call security in God. That was so strong that it made Noah and his family a laughing stock to this world. To make my point, if you will read just a little while after the Ark had settled back to dry ground; there’s a man named Nimrod that has already began to seek to build a tower to heaven, by passing the way God desired for it to happen.

A continual evilness is within the heart of man! Today, just as in those days, the truth is evil spoken of. Jesus Christ is either not even recognized or, his is so diluted that the true power of the Holy Ghost and his saving grace is not even felt. If any person tries to stand and proclaim truth, he is as quick as possible, shut up and sit down.

The true Church is now the Ark of our salvation. Jesus Christ! His perfect life, his shed blood, his crucifixion and resurrection is the only door into that Ark. The world has its Church, it’s called the synagogue of Satan! He doesn’t mind that the name of Christ is used, that God is spoken of or, any part of scripture is used. That is, as long as the power of the Holy Ghost os not present. To be born again, that Spirit must be injected into the heart of a sinner to bring about new life. To be born again that Spirit has to show you that ( just as you are ) you are ( dead ) in your trespasses and sins. It must reveal to you that your very existance means nothing to God the Father without the presence of the Holy Spirit that he is now offering to you. At that point you become willing to die to yourself and, allow him to begin to rule yo your walk, your desires, completely transforming your mindset and the direstion of which you walk.

In the days of Noah, just how many people actually seen the Ark with their own eyes? At that time, how many people were pointed toward that Ark, instructing them that they must board that Ark? Fast foward todsay! How many people are actually being told the truth? How many people are being told that they are actually hell deserving sinners, completely without hope in this present world and, that without being washed in the blood of Jesus Christ, there home will be in ( Hell ) for eternity? How many people are being deceived by believing that just because the say they know Jesus Christ, they’ve been baotized and joined a local Church then everything is going to be alright, no need to look toward the Ark of Christ? How many?

The phrase ( AND THEY KWEW NOT UNTIL THE FLOOD CAME ). THe Bible says that after Noah and his family entered that Ark that the door of that Ark was left open for seven days. At that point ( God shut the door ). Consider this! The Bible says that after the rapture of the Church; there will be a ( seven year ) tribulation period. During that time, if a person has never heard the gospel of Jesus Christ, then he can still be saved but, that person will seal his faith with his own blood! That’s a lesson for another day!

Have you been truly born again, washed in the blood of Jesus Christ? Are you in the Ark of Jesus Christ, the Church! Make your calling and election sure!

( 2 Peter 1:10 )

WHEREFORE THE RATHER, BRETHREN, GIVE DILIGENCE TO MAKE YOUR CALLING AND ELECTION SURE: FOR IF YE DO THESE THINGS, YE SHALL NEVER FALL:

Marshall Clayton

2 Timothy 1:7