Bringing Us to God (Part C)

God's mercy is bigger than anything we could ever talk about it is so big and profound. Don't you dare blame God with being cool and mean he knows what he's doing and he will always do right and you will never be kinder than him. This is something God insist upon when we get to the 10 Commandments God is going to tell his people that I am merciful in the presence of these commandments I am still a merciful God. This is cross reference radio with our pastor and teacher Rick Gaston. Rick is the pastor of Calvary Chapel Mechanicsville. Pastor Rick is currently teaching through the book of first Peter, please stay with us after today's message to hear more information about cross reference radio, specifically how you can get a free copy of this teaching today. Pastor Rick concludes his message called bringing us to God as he teaches through first Peter chapter 3.

There was other men that were righteous, such as Enoch long or Noah what goes along was named when his name means when he dies it will come the flood in and that is exactly what happened but God is very patient and very merciful and so 120 years. Every time I hammer hit or struck or noise echoed from the building of that arc.

A sermon was preached.

The ark became a pole.

It became a word to everybody in earshot and eyesight that there is a judgment coming you believe it or not, except for eight of them.

They did not believe it and it was too late when the judgment came when the rains began.

It is the same way in this life. There are those that the think they're going to make their way through death after this life without Jesus Christ by rejecting him something to happen. There is the precedents for this is while the ark was being prepared again.

It was a pole pit in which a few, that is, eight souls were saved through water saved water as in surviving the flood not say because the water had some power to take away their sins. We are saved by the blood of the Lamb and not the water on the earth. Water baptism saves no one if it did, then we ought to go out with a firehose and went every body get them all into heaven, but it doesn't work that way souls are saved because they believe the message and follow its instructions, I would add is not enough to acknowledge the message you could someone could say I believe that do nothing more. Not good enough.

One must act upon what they believe. Again weaknesses is accepted. I have known quite a few Christians who struggled with heroin and perished because of that evil drug, narcotic, and I believe they were right with Christ, but they couldn't because couldn't beat it in the flesh of some of you might might not like that. I hope that you not that hardhearted. I hope you see beyond physical and into the spiritually knew the Savior was a munificent interview if that's not so auxiliary never won over that sin, though they could've gone to heaven.

What about you when you drive your soul is not the other guy you so here verse 21. There is also an anti-type deposit is a tough section to teach from well, at least for me because you want it. It's not easy reading and you.

It's important information you want to get a right so I hope I hope this is good going well.

If it is going well. You don't have to tell me if it's going bad. Please don't tell me there is also an antitype which now saves baptism not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God. The resurrection of Jesus Christ. You see Peter preaching these things, not just writing them a man like Peter was more comfortable speaking that he was writing always probably be a boldly good writing could redo all but the Peter strikes me as a man who was a man of Jimmy. That microphone kind of a guy in here. He says it is also an edit type which now saves with NEF to come alive.

Baptism this is some animation that goes with this is not this monotone, not the removal of the flesh of the filth of the flesh, but a good conscience just is not sister the resurrection of Jesus Christ. I saw him I knew him he died and then he was alive again spoke to me he looked me in the eyes after not just once, and this comes out in his writing.

It comes out in the speaking is no way Silas could transfer this excitement to the to the into print. The Holy Spirit does that for us read out loud if you if you've never read your Bible out loud. Not all of it. I mean you get to know the names that we come across in Nehemiah, for example, you don't struggle that out loud, but just the Lord is my disarmed the 23rd Psalm or the sermon on the Mount, or the first three chapters of Revelation or or or Ephesians chapter 4 read out loud, one Spirit, one body, one father it comes to life with no right to say well you know it's kind of boring you. The boring Scriptures alive is living in his powerful we know a true to be true, so Harry says there is also an antitype that means a prophetic parallel fulfill what is that mean a type is is an illustration long before the event. In most cases, and it it it is not the event. But when the event takes place. The similarities are inescapable. The message that comes out of that parallel is inescapable. And so when you when we read about.

For instance, as I mentioned earlier, the sin offering and the sinner puts his hand on the animal to be sacrifice. That is a snapshot and illustration of what happens when Christ takes our sin upon him. He is our sacrifice. He is the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world and so you put your hand was very personal. You put your hand on that animal and your sins were symbolically transferred to that animal when Christ died on the cross. Every believer that comes to him, your sins are transferred factually to him and washed away in his blood. He is overcome. So a type is a God-given illustration in advance so that you would know that God speaks to people this evening will be good.

Talking about the 10 suggestions the 10 Commandments Exodus chapter 20, again repeated in Deuteronomy, but will be in Exodus 20. Listen to this and God spoke all these words, God speaks to his people and he continues I am the Lord your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, the house of bondage is is very personal. We don't have a distant religion of distant God very much hands on and so when he says there is an anti-type that's Peter getting a little theological but he's right on with this. The pattern is consistent pattern is understandable and it is inescapable. While the type may be in perfect fulfillment is sure and so those sacrificial animals we see the sacrifice of Christ on the cross and we connect the dots.

We say we get it says switch now say there's an antitype is the fulfillment of this prophecy that saves that's what he is saying. Baptism what is that word mean we think. Baptism always means getting wet does not baptism means to be immersed in something that happens to be water when we do it symbolically.

You know the outward sign of the M1 event. It is a sermon is a sermon to encourage the saved and to preach to the lost and so where he says, which now saves baptism, that baptism that he is referring to is the rebirth in Christ, not water first Corinthians 12 for by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body see it certainly is involving the water baptism is get dues after water baptism.

He continues, Paul doesn't first Corinthians, whether Jews or Greeks or the slaves or free, and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. See the imagery that he's putting out there trying to get us to understand the spiritual events that engulf us when Jesus said you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength.

How do you do that without being immersed. I was reading them. Something about Samuel Rutherford of great Christian man from long ago and just saying myself. You know when I started out studying and no begin looking into becoming a pastor, I felt I could do these things that these other men did. Wesley did it all up to. I can mail it letter on the wall. Luther did and I can do it. I have since found out that I cannot be here Rutherford I cannot be. These men, God will have to settle for whatever it is I can bring up and he's good with this and I'm becoming okay with each have a choice but I've also seen much fruit because of it and I'm not going to badmouth God and say you did not make me a John Knox. Therefore, the things that you've done through me don't count. I will not say that I will say thank you Lord for what you've given me. I will spend my watch and be satisfied with his portion baptism which saves us his immersion into Christ not water, the blood of Christ saves not water baptism took place on Calvary. He immersed himself in the mission of God on our behalf and death for the sinner. Luke's gospel chapter 12 verse 50 Jesus says, but I have a baptism to baptism to be baptized with now.

He had already been water baptized with John to fill. Prophecy is certainly not talking about water baptism as I have a baptized baptism to be baptized with and how distressed I am till it is accomplished. He knew the cross he knew the prophecies he knew what lay ahead of him and yet the night that he was betrayed as they left the city of Jerusalem to cross the Kidron Valley.

He was singing hymns to God. Many of those were burned at the stake for Jesus Christ when out in a blaze singing hymns to God, many of them were thrown to liens and wild beast went out singing praises to God. That's how they stare down death. They overcame him.

The blood of the Lamb word of their testimony because they did not love love their lives to the death. So as we go to the water for the physical baptism we acknowledge symbolically that we have been buried with Christ, another one takes hold of us. There's no self baptism in Christianity and another one takes hold of us and submerges us completely under the water, symbolizing our death, burial, the old me is gone. Another one pulls me up out of the water, symbolizing a new life in Christ.

Now I been born again have another birth. Everything is different. All because of his sacrifice. And so this verse here in Peter cannot mean we have another BAP of baptism for me to miss read the verse again. There is also an antitype which now saves us. Baptism is not talking about water baptism but the baptism of Christ.

The immersion of Christ on our behalf. Now for those I don't know I haven't met anyone in a long long time still believes that you have to be baptized to be saved. That is hyper.

Legalism is the blood of Christ. Otherwise the thief on the cross was lied to me.

Maybe I don't know what happened to the baptizer method test when Jesus said today she will be with me in paradise.

You can get baptized. Thank God that was not the case, it would imply that Christ died for nothing. If you still had to do something to bring about salvation by grace you have been saved through faith and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God less anybody should boast stand before God.

You let me.

I have been dunked. This is part of the problem will come to this baptismal regeneration that there are those that think that if you wed a baby going to be safe. Babies can wet themselves still not be saved so crucified with him.

Galatians 220 I been crucified with Christ in life I now live. I no longer live in the flesh in Christ love me and died for me. Romans 64 speaks about us being buried with Christ, brought up from death to life because of Christ.

Therefore we are buried with him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the father, even so we also should walk in newness of life again. When Paul was writing this.

How do you think his face would have any of you written a letter to anybody or or typed an email and I mean one the personal where your your brow, point your your view of the face to countenance changes.

Could you concentrating on what you're writing. Well, how did Paul look when he wrote therefore we were buried with him through baptism into death knowing that he was once the cause of Christian persecution himself, but now was forgiven and used by God as an instrument our communion table and our water baptism both preach to lost souls and save souls alike. That's why it's always wonderful to see many of you come out to the water is not a rebuke. For those of you don't only have a water baptism. There are those of you who've been baptized long ago and you still come out you come out just to be there for your brother or sister in Christ, don't undervalue that it is a heavy statement. What's the alternative to that you get baptized lonely place, why should that be why should there be so many Christians who been baptized. Knowing what it means not be there to cheer on another one was being obedient to the commandment of God. So I would encourage yes if you go to baptism that you know is a solid baptism be there if you can and and then if you're not it's it's again not a rebuke. Same with the communion table. I'm going to miss a Sunday.

Let it not be communion Sunday is when the Saints come together. We preach a sermon together in a way that happens.

Nowhere else on the planet only true believers can execute the communion table.

It takes Christ, the Holy Spirit, God the father and those saved by grace to come to the table otherwise has no meaning anybody can sit and take bread and take from the vine and is not communion.

It's when you do it in Christ.

Recognizing that you dodged a bullet of judgment that become special. He says not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God. The receiving conscience is the shadow of the broken law. One St. St. said the shadow of the broken law. In other words, you know you moving along and then you see just the shadow of your era laws broken and there's an impacted city touches you, it bothers you, does not always bring about victory, but it often does when we come to Christ. Is there anyone born again. That is not felt the evil of their sin and how close they came to going to hell I'll never forget when the light turned on when I realize I was wrong. Jesus is the Christ, my Savior, I was going to hell if I had died a second before it conscience was now alive, I recognize it was someone greater than me. I had no theology but I had Jesus I knew that I was safe because of him because I had come to him as I heard his voice. I felt his presence and knew it to be so that it has made Christians powerful throughout the ages.

For instance, I often think about today. When Satan starts throwing his lies at you and causing you to doubt the Bible does look out over Israel as he could you be kidding me when you have proof living proof of the veracity the truth. The trustworthiness of our Scripture. No one else got this. But what did the saints do before Israel became a nation again during those thousands of years of their wanderings. What did the believers. What did the reformers have had faith born of touch.

They knew Christ, they know him, they knew God, just as I was explaining my own conversion I knew I was safe. I know he was there. I could hear him.

I could feel him the presence of Christ was in my life. That's what they had. That is bigger than looking at Israel, though looking through the huge your talk back to the devil next time he starts telling you the Bible is not true.

Alchemist use it. Jesus said, come unto me all you labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you learn from a variety of gentle and lowly in you will find rest for your souls. And I'm here to tell you I've tried that many times and still not found rest then what happens.

Endurance. That's what happens. Tighten up the straps on your armor and you keep moving because he is faithful and he does not guarantee a cozy environment in the midst of a cursed world.

He wants truth.

He wants obedience. He wants endurance and I want to give it to him.

And so, in those times and look over CL well there's Israel, God's word is sure I don't understand all of what's going on and how it works out all the time but I know enough to not back down from my faith. So now these days is more delightful to remember the presence of Christ and any other visible proof because that's internal that cannot be taken from you know bad church on earth can ruin that for you. The internal presence of Christ the immersion in the Holy Spirit. Well, I don't know where I was at fault. Well infants.

Of course they have no conscience.

So you know the child or infant cannot deny or receive the gospel message. We that's why we do not whet them with water. We we have a child dedication before the body and we we don't encourage the little ones to be baptized ahead of time. We want them to be able to say I believe in Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. And here is why after they've been tested and is not just mom and dad's religion now if the child is adamant I'm ready to move on to baptized will be blaming us for barring him from baptism. But what we try to do is filter out distant genuine baptism because we get people in the latter years of life come up and say when we have baptisms often. I was baptized as a child, but I really didn't. I didn't know what I was doing. I did it because mom and dad know whatever and so do I get baptized and we in those cases. BF absolutely doesn't count if your conscience is not moved. You have to understand enough of the gospel to receive Jesus Christ.

It's not a rabbit's foot here kid put this in your pocket.

You'll be safe now. Verse 22 and a wall will stop there. What about all those who may not who may have a handicap and they cannot sugar those with autism and various things that happen God's mercy is bigger than anything we could ever talk about it is so big and profound. Don't you dare blame God with being cruel and mean he knows what he's doing and he will always do right and you will never be kinder than him, and this is something God insist upon when we get to the 10 Commandments God is going to tell his people that I am merciful in the presence of these commandments I am still a merciful God. 12 verse 22, who has gone into heaven is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to him, and yet you got that right, in no way when it says he is at the right hand of God in no way does that in did indicate that he is inferior to God the father. Isaiah 48 before I read Isaiah 40, not the whole thing.

So if God says to the son.

I am going to sit you with me when I consider one's lap right and left and go to sit you with me you will have the glory. I have Isaiah rings in on this something again. The Colts don't get I am Yahweh. That is my name and my glory. I will not give to another, nor my praise to carved images I don't share this then I worry then why is he sharing it with Christ because he is worthy. That is why Exodus 20 worry that you have it here. Then Yahweh said to Moses, thus you say to the children of Israel. You have seen that I have talked with you from heaven. Thank you Lord.

He talks in more ways than just speaking with the voice angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to him that sovereignty would close with this verse on just getting warmed up.

Now we could do no cycle through again. But anyway Colossians 1. For by him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers.

All things were created through him and for him. Jesus Christ, that sharing the glory of God is God the son. That's why we're so glad you tuned in today to study the book of first Peter on cross reference radio cross reference radio is the daily radio ministry of Pastor Rick Gaston of Calvary Chapel in Mechanicsville, Virginia, and we are blessed to bring you God's word with each broadcast. If you'd like more information about this program or want to listen to additional teachings from Pastor Rick please visit our website cross reference radio.com also encourage you to subscribe to our podcast so you'll never have to miss a program. Just search for cross reference radio iTunes Google play music or your favorite podcast. We hope you tune in again next time to join us as we continue our study through the Scriptures like here on cross reference radio