Spiritseid is known to share a lot of great stories about the gospel. Most of it to highlight the changes the Lord has brought me through, in hopes that the readers will believe. Ultimately, I would prefer you believe in Jesus Christ that comment or following. The story I will tell today is old and new, not much has changed; but in a little while the Lord will show that His word will always come through. We are living it today. I hope you will take the time to read the full story if you’ve found the Spiritseid blog.
There are stories everyone in the world has heard. Some of these stories cross cultural, and generational boundaries and are still being told. Some of these stories hold historical value for the entire planet. One story was a tragic story in human history was almost lost for all ages. This story is a story of death and conviction, where only one family was, and one family will again be saved. It is a story everyone in the world has heard about, but few people believe, even back when it first was told. It is the story of the day God sent a flood into the world because of wickedness. A story being repeated today. It is the story I’m going to tell you because the day of judgment is about to come whether you choose to believe or not.
I bet if we could interview the people of Noah’s time, the reporter would get something like this; “if we had only known he was right, we would have changed like Noah said”. It’s an old story. It is a story of chaos and destruction and conviction for a world out to party. In those days the people were eating and drinking, marrying and being given into marriage the day the doors of the arc was secured. People were living it up, robbing one another, abusing one another; a story that is all too familiar. Then rain started falling and the ground was quickly flooded. But they didn’t pay it any mind. It wasn’t until they realized the storm was severe that they ran to the arc. But Noah had already been locked in securely.
It is written that Jesus told a story, in Matthew 11 verse 17, “we played the flute for you, and you did not dance, we sang a dirge and you did not lament”. An old story that continues to repeat itself. In the time of Noah, after Enoch, Methuselah, and then Noah spent years preaching to their generation to warn them of God’s impending judgment because of violence and sin, no one paid attention to their story. Joel 2 verse 28 testifies, and the Apostles told of it in Acts chapter 2 verse 17, the Lord says “In the last days I will pour out my Spirit on ALL people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams”; The gospel was given to us as a historical record and reminder of all that took place and, of what is still to come. The message, “Repent and seek Jesus Christ because the end is near”.
Noah spent 120 years telling the people to repent because God was going to bring a great judgment on the whole earth because of wickedness. Jesus and the apostles preached repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Today we carry that message because the days are closing, but God is still calling those who will turn to Jesus and receive eternal life and live with God in the new world.
The Psalmist says, “If you should hear His voice today, do not harden your hearts”. The testimony of Jesus in John 6 verse 29 is, ‘believe in the One that He has sent’. God is set to bring judgment on the world because of the evil being done in the world. In Noah’s time God called for people to change their ways and he would have spared the old world. Now He has sent Jesus Christ into the world to save people who believe God, and turn to Jesus Christ. Whether you believe in God or refuse His grace, the end will bring the same result. Those who hear the gospel and believe in Jesus Christ may be saved from the coming judgment. The acts of Jesus Christ completed all the work of salvation so that all we do is believe. But you must be willing to believe in Jesus.
The technology available is probably the biggest difference between Noah’s time and now; violence, greed and wickedness are rampant. But in His compassion and wisdom, God has left people who speak His word in calling the world to repentance. Noah preached repentance to his generation, and they did not listen to him and only Noah and his children were saved. We preach repentance and Jesus Christ that saved us in hopes you will hear and believe. The message that saved us, we testify to; come to Jesus Christ and be saved from the wrath of God. The voice of pastors, evangelists, street preachers, and the congregations tell the story of what Jesus has done for us, so that you have the opportunity to hear the truth and believe it. We are everywhere with the message of grace from God; on social media we post stories of Jesus’ love for you; On the streets the gospel is preached; in churches we invite you to gather to hear the story of love; the love of God that has gained us forgiveness, if we only believe in Jesus Christ and come to repentance before the Lord returns. Whatever you have done, God is willing to forgive you through Jesus Christ His Son.
The testimony we give is honest. The stories are not always pretty; it began with the brutal death of Jesus Christ hung on a cross for our sins, triumphing when he rose from the grave to life eternal. As it is written 2nd Corinthians chapter 4 verse 5, “We do not preach about ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake”. The stories we tell reflect the work that Jesus Christ has done for us, because we can do nothing to save ourselves or anyone else, except to tell you about Jesus Christ, who is the only one who can save. So, the story I will tell is of Jesus Christ crucified and risen so that you and I have the hope of eternal life. All we have to do to receive forgiveness and life in Christ, is to believe in Jesus Christ.
We speak because we believe God. Like in the days of Noah, when he called his generation to repent; we testify to you to return to God before the day of Jesus Christ’s return. Jesus testifies in Matthew chapter 24 verse 30 “Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory”. Everyone will see Jesus, but the day we see Him it will be too late.
The story I will tell is of Jesus Christ who came to save. The Jesus Christ who saw me at my lowest when I had nothing to offer but my teary confession behind the wheel of a car, day-after-day, of my behaviors and sins. Jesus who lived as a man without sin while He was in the world. Who took all our sins upon himself and died the death we deserved. Who rose from the grave so that we could rise with him. And who ascended to the right hand of God so that through Christ, we receive the free grace of God – able to go boldly before God as the Lord intends for us to. Thanks to the mercies of the Father of Jesus Christ who worked tirelessly to redeem those of us who will listen and believe in Jesus Christ. The story I will tell is to shine the light of life, God gave to me on Jesus Christ His Son, so that any who believe will rise to meet him in the air on the day of his coming. There is no other way.